Cetacean Sightings Update
Northern Resident Orca are running into Nodales and back to the West up Johnstone Strait while the Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales seem to be everywhere, including close to the Residents. Humpback Whales have been spotted again in Desolation Sound and slowly working their way up the straits. A few Pacific White Sided Dolphins have been showing up, but not in the larger numbers we became so accustomed to. A few Dall’s and Harbour Porpoise round out this Sightings Report.
Susan MacKay & Lynne Cracknell, Whalesand Dolphins BC
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every sighting report is valuable!
TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES
Transient Bigg’s Orca – T002’s heading towards Powell River
August 9, 2014
Susan MacKay, SG Images
August 11:
8:20 am: A ferry worker on the Quadra Island – Campbell River ferry said 4 Orca went by 2 hours ago, northbound.
8:42 am: Transient Bigg’s Orca just below McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August 11:
8:43 am: 4 Transient Bigg’s Orca heading north at 9 Foot Bay, Discovery Passage.
9:00 am: Correction: There are 5 Transients – 1 big, 3 smalls, 1 calf.
3:01 pm: Transient Bigg’s Orca on the backside of Helmecken Island.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August 11:
11:00 am: The way I understand it, there are Transient Bigg’s up the Vancouver Island shore past Rock Point heading into Little Bear Bay, and Resident Orca coming out of Nodales Channel into Johnstone Strait. Some of them are foraging maybe, or stalled, and some are possibly dipping into Discovery Passage. Maybe they are waiting for the Transients to get further ahead! That’s what I can gather from the radio conversations! (Thanks Nick for the great help sorting the reports out! – SM)
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
August 11:
12:00 pm: Leaving Transient Bigg’s Orca at Bear Bight, westing at 6 knots along the Vancouver Island shoreline.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
August 11:
3:01 pm Transient Bigg’s Orca are on the back side of Helmken Island, center of Race / Current Passages. Still no-one knows who these Orca are. (we requested more info to possibly identify, but none to this report – SM)
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August 10:
9:55 am: Report of 4 Transient Bigg’s Orca heading north from Lewis Channel, bove Desolation Sound.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August 10:
9:00 pm: 4 Orca northbound from Rebecca Rocks, in front of Powell River, heading towards Harwood/Vivian Island.
Jim Bradley, Powell River
August 9:
4:10 pm: Reports of 3-4 Orca northbound at Cape Mudge, Quadra Island.
7:12 pm: Transient Bigg’s T124, T124D, T124E and a new calf northbound in Seymour Narrows now.
8:14 pm: The Transient Bigg’s T124’s are now in Brown’s Bay with noses pointed south, surging about. Some hunting, mostly searching about.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
August 9:
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm: How exciting to see a pod of 4 Orca feeding and moving back and forth for about half an hour, right off the western end of the Trail islands. There was one very large male. His beautiful fin was so tall and straight with just a little bend at the tip. It was disappointing to see the bad behaviour of some boaters in the area.
Judy Marusiak, Sechelt (via email)
August 9:
4:50 pm: 4 – 5 Orca off Mystery Reef on the south side of Savary Island. I’m too far off to tell more yet.
5:12 pm: I’ve got Transient Bigg’s T02’s slowly southbound by Harwood Island by the spit.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
August 9:
5:37 pm: With Orca mid channel between Coast Marina and Whiskey Point, Campbell River, northbound.
5:43 pm: They are Transient Bigg’s Orca, there are 3 females and a baby.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
August 9:
6:12 pm: Leaving the Transient Bigg’s at Orange Point northbound, mid channel, moving at 5 knots.
Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
August 8:
10:20 am: 4 Orca – for sure 2 males and 2 calves southbound and moving quickly past Myrtle Rocks, Powell River.
Jim Southern, Powell River.
August 8: Rec’d Aug. 9th:
Another one of my friends was surrounded by Killer Whales fishing by Harwood Island in front of Powell River last night, close to dark.
Wendy Galligos, Powell River
August 7:
1:03 pm: Transient Bigg’s Orca northbound by Pender Harbour. They came by us, then moved out to the centre of Malaspina Strait. There are five Orca on the move and heading north. They are the T30’s. (Excellent Birthday present for my Mom, made her Birthday Tour for sure!)
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
Transient Bigg’s Orca – T30’s off Pender Harbour
August 7, 2014
Susan MacKay, SG Images
August 7:
6:45 pm: Judy Slingsby called me to say she saw 3 Orca heading north, all rather small. This was at Black Point/Albion Point.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River
August 7:
7:20 pm: 5-6 Orca (possibly the T30’s?) northbound off Myrtle Rocks. They looked like they were headed NW off Texada Island. A Humpback had breached right in the same area but took off when the Orca showed up.
Jim Southern, Powell River.
August 7:
7:29 pm: 5 – 7 Orca heading north up Malaspina Strait. Was fishing off Lang Bay with my grandson and they surfaced very close to us.
Michael Stewart, Powell River
August 6:
10:00 am: 6 Orca sped quickly past Myrtle Rocks southbound this morning. Haven’t seen them since. Also, there was a Humpback Whale off Harwood Island yesterday,
Jim Southern, Powell River.
August 6:
1:00 pm: Pod of 6 – 7 Orca travelling north up the strait in front of Lang Bay and Douglas Bay today. At least one large male, and a few males total.
Heather Tausig, visiting from Boston.
August 6:
4:07 pm: Just spotted a whale blow half way between Powell River and Texada Island. No idea of species or numbers. Seems to be heading toward Coho Point.
4:09 pm: It is headed for Vivian Rock.
Joanne Brough, Powell River
August 6:
4:38 pm: 2 Orca angling westbound towards Campbell River out from the Blubber Bay/ Vivian Island area. One is a big male.
Joe Van Hess, Powell River / Texada
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales – T101’s off Sechelt
August 6, 2014
Heather Tausig, Sechelt
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
August 11:
7:57 am 4 Orca Eastbound in Frederick’s Arm. Be there soon.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Resort
August 11:
10:50 am: Northern Resident Killer Whales heading towards Turn Island, Johnstone Strait.
Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
August 11:
11:00 am: The way I understand it, there are Residents (NRKW’s) coming out of Nodales Channel into Johnstone Strait. Some of them are foraging, maybe, or stalled, and some are possibly dipping into Discovery Passage. Maybe they are waiting for the Transient Bigg’s to get further ahead! The Transient Bigg’s are further up the Vancouver Island shore past Rock Point heading into Little Bear Bay. That’s what I can gather from the radio conversations! (Thanks Nick for the great help sorting the reports out! – SM)
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
August 11:
11:20 am: Report of NRKW’s foraging at Rock Bay, right at the entrance to Johnstone Strait.
(from radio)
August 11:
1:15 pm: Leaving the A42’s westbound at Ripple Point, travelling at 4 knots on the Vancouver Island shoreline.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
August 11:
2:45 pm: The A42’s are at Humpback Bay, westing.
3:20 pm: The Residents (A42’s) are easting again.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August 11:
3:19 pm: Looks like the A42’s have turned to the east at Humpback Bay.
5:02 pm Leaving the NRKWs A42’s Eastbound 1 mile North of Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August 11:
5:03 pm Leaving the A42’s at Ripple Point Eastbound.
Fabien Manifray, Eagle Eye Adventures
August 11:
8:10 pm NRKWs A42’s are crossing to the Thurlow Island side of the strait and heading NE from Chatham Point.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge.
August 10:
9:03 Sounds from the radio like there are Orca at Howe island at the entrance to Nodales Channel. No direction or number.
12:29 pm: The A23’s, A25’s, and A42’s have all turned at Vansittart Point, Johnstone Strait, and are eastbound.
1:17 pm: NRKW’s A23’s and A25’s have split off and turned to the west at Bear River.
1:35 pm: The NRKW’s A42’s are still eastbound at Knox Bay.
1:38 pm: Leaving the A42’s now at Knox Bay, Johnstone Strait.
3:57 pm: The NRKW’s A23’s and A25’s had turned back to the east as far as Ripple Point, but now they are Westbound towards Palmer Bay logging camp. The A42’s continued and are heading east into Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Northern Resident Killer Whales – A42’s
August 11, 2014 – cell phone photo only today
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August 10:
9:04 am: The Orca reported are westbound, I heard on the radio at Howe Island.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
August 10:
3:58 pm: the A42’s are in Nodales Channel, easting.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
August 10:
5:39 pm: Left the NRKW’s A42’s heading into Frederick Arm.
Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
August 9:
9:50 am: NRKW’s A42’s westing towards Ripple Point.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August 9:
12:50 pm: With NRKW Orca now above Humpback Bay, Johnstone Strait, slowly westing.
1:09 pm: Orca turned at Palmer Bay eastbound.
2:35pm: Leaving the NRKW’s A4’s east of Bear Point, Johnstone Strait, still slowly eastbound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August 8:
10:00 am: 5 Orca at St. Vincent Bight and 2 Orca at Windy Point, Johnstone Strait, all eastbound. Relayed by Nick Templeman.
10:05 am: 2 Orca easting at Hickey Point and 5 Orca easting at St. Vincent Bight. as reported by the CG Vessel Sooke Post.
3:50 pm: Orca continuing to travel quickly into Nodales Channel along the Thurston Island shoreline, opposite Thurston Bay.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
August 8:
3:50 pm: Left NRKW’s the A23’s, A25’s and A42’s heading eastbound into Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August 8:
7:00 pm: NRKW A42’s and two others were headed west at Chatham Point into Johnstone Strait.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge.
August 7:
11:34 am: Orca at St. Vincent Bight, Johnstone Strait westing.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August 7:
12:50 pm: We’re at the Eve River, westing with the NRKWs – A42’s.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August 6:
11:16 am: Orca at Kelsey Bay, eastbound.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August 6:
11:18 am: From VHF, Orca eastbound at Kelsey Bay, apparently.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
August 6:
11:40 am: Sounds like the (NRKW’s) A42’s.
2:19 pm: Leaving the Northern Resident A42’s one mile north of Ripple Point eastbound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August 6:
6:52 pm: The A42’s are easting into Frederick Arm.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
HUMPBACK WHALES
August 7:
7:25 am: Call reporting a Humpback off the 50thParallel marker.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris.
August 7:
7:20 pm: A Humpback breached off Myrtle Rocks a bit earlier on, but disappeared when 5-6 Orca showed up, heading in a northward direction.
Jim Southern, Powell River.
August 6:
12:00 pm: I saw the Humpback this morning while on tour, east side of Powell Islets, lone Humpback, no breaches, just surfacing and travelling slowly. So lovely!
Christine Hollmann, Terracentric Adventures.
August 6:
3:00 pm: There is a Humpback whale easting 2 cables off the Vancouver Island shoreline near Palmer Bay. Long soundings.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
August 5:
Rec’d Aug. 6Th: Humpback whale off Harwood Island.
Jim Southern, Powell River.
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
August 11:
2:44 pm 6 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Suffolk Point on Thurlow Island, heading into Nodales Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
August 8:
1:55 pm: Just outside the dock at Painter’s lodge and I overheard boaters on channel 68 talking about Pacific White Sided Dolphins bow riding, can’t find out where.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge.
August 8:
2:17 pm: 2 Pacific White Sided Dolphins in front of Cordero Lodge.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August 7:
6:45 am: Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Davis Point, Thurston Bay area.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin.
DALL’S PORPOISE
August 9:
7:12 pm: 1-2 Dall’s Porpoise at Twin Islands in front of Echo Bay, across from Hernando Island / Baker Pass.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
August 8:
12:39 pm: 3 Dall’s Porpoise at Denham Islet, Dent Rapids, foraging.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
HARBOUR PORPOISE
August 11:
9:45 am: Couple of Harbour Porpoise foraging between the Twin Islands and Hernando Island by Baker Pass.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
August 11:
7:15 pm 3-4 Harbour Porpoise cruising South along Vancouver Island coastline, just North of Salmon Point.
Tara Bladon, Campbell River
August 10:
2:50 pm – 3:10 pm: 4-6 Harbour Porpoise spread out between Hernando and Savary Islands, foraging.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
August 10:
6:00 pm (approx): Saw some small Porpoise outside of Cortez Island, by Baker Passage.
Randy Hodge, Vancouver
Transient Bigg’s Orca breaching off Harwood Island
with the Powell River Mill as a backdrop
July 29, 2014 – (missed posting in last report – SM)
Angelina Williams, Powell River
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every sighting report is valuable!
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