Humpback Whales Fattening up, NRKW, SRKW and T Orca, Minke Whale, Dolphins and Porpoise
Northern Resident Orca took a short foray far out to the West but have returned to the inside waters of Johnstone Strait heading down. Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales have popped up, as they do, in numbers again and are working their way up Johnstone Strait. Should be interesting to see if they pass each other on opposite sides of the channel or turn to head back the way they came to avoid each other. Humpback Whales are still all over the place; with numbers of around 12 whales at the top of Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound, while a few are staying well down the strait. The Southern Resident Orca are back down to their usual area of Active Pass and farther South. Pacific White Sided Dolphins are back to appearing in numbers in our ‘usual’ areas up the inlets. And, although the numbers are down, there are some Dall’s and Harbour Porpoise being seen in a few spots. They aren’t the easiest to see, especially if you have other larger animals to look at.
Susan MacKay & Lynne Cracknell, Whalesand Dolphins BC
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every sighting report is valuable!
Humpback Whale High Speed Lunge
September 4, 2014
Susan MacKay, SG Images
TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES
Sept 6:
7:27 am: Phone report of whales (Orca) north bound at Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Quadra Island.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Sept 6:
7:52 am: "Large group of Killer Whales moving like a bugger" northbound along the Quadra Island shore. Lead animals are near April Point, trailing animals as far back as the Campbell River/Quathiaski Cove ferry. Reported by a nice commercial fisherman.
9:59 am: Transient Bigg’s Orca T18’s, T19B, T124. T124D,T124E, and a new calf, and others.
10:50 am: Possibly 16-18 animals altogether.
1:00 pm: Leaving large gang of Transient Bigg’s with T10’s and T018’s and T019B and others at Greensea Bay tight to the beach. "Roller Bay" is on site for ID’s.
5:00 pm: I blew it on the ID’s! The Transients T100’s turned into all the T36’s and T37’s instead – lol- my bad.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Sept 6:
9:33 am: Looks like the same gang of Orca as yesterday at Separation Head – the Transient Bigg’s T18’s etc.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Sept 6:
10 amSounds like the Transient Bigg’s T55’s are by Cracroft Point, top of Johnstone Strait, easting slowly. No idea where the NRKW’s are.
Around 2 pm The T55’s changed course a number of times apparently after making at least one kill before deciding to head west along the Hanson shoreline. It was interesting to see three of the Humpback Whales I was watching at the bottom of Weynton Pass make a fast exit from their path.
3:15 pm: The Transient Bigg’s T55’s made a hasty disappearance from Weynton Passage as the NRKW’s A42’s and A30’s, amongst others, got to Donegal Head, at the end of Malcolm Island.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Sept 6:
5:06 pm: Left the T18/T19/T37/T37A/T124/T36’s mostly at Chatham Point westbound, with a couple of them at Ripple Point earlier.
Jared Towers (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) on "Roller Bay"
Sept 5:
9:50 am: 5 or so Transient Bigg’s Orca angling towards Lund off Mystery Reef, Savary Island.
John Treen, Powell River.
Sept 5:
11:09 am: Found the Orca at Lund.
11:26 am: There are 7 or 8 Orca heading south at 8 knots along the mainland south of Lund.
12:09 pm: I believe these are the Transient Orca T101 and T102’s and others.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Sept 5:
12:20 pm: Transient Bigg’s Orca passing Atrevida Reef, just North of Powell River, now at 6 knots.
12:40 pm: Another group of Transient Bigg’s Orca reported now at Red Can Buoy at Cape Mudge, heading north.
1:02 pm: I’m leaving the scene – the whales are coming up to Sliammon Creek heading south, still at 5 knots.
1:08 pm: As I was leaving the scene the whales went mid strait angling towards Harwood Island, Powell River.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Sept 5:
1:08 pm: Orca northbound mid strait in front of Campbell River.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Sept 5:
1:21 pm: Am watching some Orca from the shore right now – they’re far away but oh so beautiful! I’m in Campbell River, the Orca are cruising north through the passage near the Quadra shoreline (close to the village – I can’t recall the name – We Wai Kai??:-) – there may be 5 of them!
Tara Bladon, Campbell River.
September 5:
around 1:30 pm. At least 2 Orca, one looked very large. I only had a brief look at them, and then they were behind the trees. Headed down coast, and travelling fast with long dives. I only saw them 3 times, and there could have been more there, but I only saw 2 dorsal fins above water at one time. I saw them from my deck, they would have been in front of the viewpoint in Powell River.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River
Sept 5:
3:43 pm: 7 Orca passed Myrtle Rocks, Powell River southbound.
Jim Southern, Powell River.
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales T137’s
August 28, 2014
Marie O’Shaughnessy, Orca Magic
Sept 5:
4 pm one pod of Orca consisting of a large male, 4 females and 1 juvenille Orca passed by Albion Point, Powell River heading south. Love it when the strong westerlie winds make seeing their blow easy to discern.
Laura Johnson, Donkersley Beach, Powell River
Sept 5:
6:00 pm: Orca close in at Lang Bay, there were about 6 but only 2 males remained. From the oil slick on the surface, we think they killed a seal; they were in a small area for some time. Then they headed off to McRae Rocks for dessert.
Michael Stewart, Powell River
September 5:
No time given: Four Transient Bigg’s Orca, (two adult, one adolescent and one calf) additional report to Aug. 27th. We came across the same foursome on Friday. 5th of September between Hardy Island and Fox Island in near Blind Bay.
Becky and Kerry Williams-Freeman
Sept 5:
5:25 pm: T18’s and other Transient Bigg’s Orca northbound past Deepwater Bay, north east of Separation Head, about 12 Orca altogether. Today’s summary: Grizzlies AND Orca, amazing!
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Sept 5:
5:38 pm: Just left Transient Bigg’s Orca T19B, T018’s, possibly T100’s and others (will check photos later and update) all northbound up Discovery Passage, there’s a gang on nine mid channel and one adult and two calves tight to shore. They are passing Eagle’s Cove now.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Sept 4:
5:02 pm: Four to Five Orca northwest bound past Vananda on Texada Island.
Jim Southern, Powell River.
September 4:
5:50 pm 4 to 6 Killer Whales just passed by Grief Point [Texada St.], Powell River heading towards Westview/Harwood Island.
Joanne Brough, Powell River
September 4:
7:40 pm We’ve been watching a pod of 9 Orca in front of Westview for the past hour and a half. A bit of spy hopping, tail slaps and a leisurely northbound route. First noticed them at 6:00 pm when a neighbor yelled at us that the pod was in the Malaspina Strait about 1500 meters offshore from the viewpoint in Powell River. The best part is that our two Japanese visitors, Yasuko and Emiko Yamada got to see wild Killer Whales ( Orca ) for the first time!
Steve Grover, Powell River
Sept 3:
4:30 pm: Seven Transient Bigg’s Orca including three big fins in Toba Inlet heading towards Double Island.
5:15 pm: Transients westing in Pryce Channel, along the north shore of Redonda Islands.
Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
Sept 3:
8:39 pm: Four or five Orca doing tail lobs, head stands, etc by Myrtle Rocks, moving extremely slowly southbound. May be on kill.
Jim Southern, Powell River.
Aug 31:
10:08 am: Two Orca between Twin Island and Hidalgo Point on Hernando Island, mid channel, heading towards Twin Island. Make that 5 or 6 Orca now angling towards Spilsbury Point, mid Baker Passage.
John Lapp, Discovery Marine Safaris.
Transient Bigg’s Orca by Nocturne Island
August 27, 2014
Becky and Kerry Williams-Freeman, Hardy Island
Aug 31:
11:05 am: Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales between Hernando and Mitlenatch Island – with them now.
12:20 pm: The Transient Bigg’s T124’s are southbound past Hidalgo Point on Hernando Island shoreline.
3:10 pm: More Transient Bigg’s Orca at Homfray Channel, Desolation Sound milling, east of Mary Island.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
Aug 31:
11:25 am: Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales known as T124, T124D, T124E and a new baby are headed northwest up the Hernando Island shoreline.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
August 31:
4 pm Just saw at least 2 Orca in front of Scuttle Bay. Limited visibility from the intersection of Wilde Road and Hwy. Powell River. Oh – the Orca were headed up coast.
Rec’d later:
The Orca I reported from the end of Wilde Road on Sunday August 31, were not headed upcoast. They must have just been hunting at the time I saw them. Around 5:00 pm that afternoon, I saw what can only have been them in front of Westview Ferry Terminal, Powell River. They played and hunted in the area until after 7:00, and they were generally trending down coast. There were 2 mature Orca and a calf. I saw my first whale breaching ever. It was spectacular.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River
August 31:
4:00 pm this afternoon 2 adults Orca and 1 baby Orca were spotted at Emmonds farm camp site, by Atrevida Reef. It is possible that their could have been more adults One female and 1 male 1 baby were seen for sure. They were heading south towards Powell River. We had the pleasure to see these whales. Beautiful sight. We were standing on the Bluff and the whales were right below us, very close to the rock wall.
Gerry Chabot and Rhondda Schreurs, Powell River
Aug 31:
4:22 pmLeaving the Transient Bigg’s Orca in Forbes Bay, Homfray Channel, after a seal kill. They are heading towards Toba Inlet now.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
August 30 or 31: rec’d Sept 4:
A friend of mine saw a new born Orca last weekend in a bay close to Toba. She said the adults were lifting it up to learn to breathe.
Wendy Galligos, Powell River
Aug 31:
4:25 pm: Two Orca north of the power plant at Powell River. They are southbound, possibly heading towards the mill?
Colin Griffinson, "Pacific Yellowfin".
Aug 31:
4:25 pm: Also heard from a friend that there are Orca northbound, south of Lund.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Aug 31:
4:59 pm: Two Orca near Harwood Island, moving towards the Powell River town site.
Wendy Galligos, text message.
Aug 31:
5:14 pm: We were with the Orca at Lund, and then went to Homfray for the others and are now back at Campbell River. Couldn’t get an I.D on the second group…one male, three females and a baby …Jos thinks there was a satellite tag on one of the females if that helps.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
Aug 31:
5:25 pm: Old Satellite tag barb on right side will be Transient Bigg’s Orca T090.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Aug 31:
5:57 pm: Three or four adult Orca plus one calf in front of Westview Harbour, moving back and forth, lots of splashing, no direction.
Via simultaneous calls fromDonna Belyea and Jasmine Brown, Powell River.
August 31:
7:15 pm Minimum 3 simultaneously, likely 4-5, headed southbound, 800-1000 m offshore, no binoculars, but one very tall fin (male?), others smaller. From Westview Viewpoint Powell River
Note to myself: carry your binos, silly!
Note to myself: carry your binos, silly!
Andrew Bryant, Powell river
August 28:
I have attached a recent pic of the Bigg’s Transient group T137’s seen here racing down Haro Strait, Aug 28th. They were with several others, possibly the T37A’s. We have seen so many more in our area this year and often family groups teamed up with other families. The T65As have been one of the most frequently seen family group this year, every month since April and yet I haven’t seen T20 or T21. These two were a familiar sight last year, and the year before. Have you seen them in your area, this year.? (T21 is missing and presumed deceased – SM)I may just have missed them as I don’t go out every day. Humpback whales too have been familiar frequent visitors plying the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, much earlier in 2014 than previous years. We also have those charming Sea Otters showing up in areas that they have not been seen before. It would seem that there is an abundance of food for some species and yet so little for our Orca. A very alarming situation for the Southern Resident Orca. I will try to remember to send more pics more often. 😉 Thanks for all you do. One day I will take a whale watching trip out of Campbell River.
Marie O’Shaughnessy, Orca Magic
August 27:
10:00 am, four Transient Bigg’s Orca, (two adult, one adolescent and one calf) frolicking and feeding on seals in Blind Bay, near Nocturne Island… Malaspina Strait. The baby was breaching and one adult was spy hopping.
Becky and Kerry Williams-Freeman, Hardy Island
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Aug 31, 2014 – 2 photos
Peter Cracknell, Sayward
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sept 6:
3:15 pm: A number of NRKW’s including the A42’s and A30’s are making their way back from the west. They are at the top of Blackfish Sound now. The Transient Bigg’s T55’s made a hasty disappearance from Weynton Passage as soon as the Residents got to Donegal Head.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Sept 5:
6:15 pm: Orca approaching Naka Creek (hopefully) from the west. Will keep you posted!
7:00 pm: Orca – they’ve gone past us now, heading east. What a treat. Appeared to be two groups, one pod of 2-3, the other 3-4. By Naka Creek, top of Johnstone Strait.
We heard Orca westing in the pitch black late at night, which was really neat! Also heard some Porpoise – which are the ones nicknamed something to do with a pig? Their breaths sounded really "huffy" if that makes any sense.
Tara Bladon, Campbell River.
Sept 4:
10:45 am: NRKW’s are by Sophia Islands, spread across the Johnstone Strait, with some Pacific White Sided Dolphins harassing them.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Sept 4:
11:29 am: At least three NRKW’s, along with some Pacific White Sided Dolphins, at Eve River, easting.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Sept 4:
11:10 am: Now westing…approaching Eve River. It is the NRKW’s A23’s and A25’s.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Sept 4:
1:50 pm: The NRKW’s A23’s and A25’s are westing at the Adam River. Leaving the scene now.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
Sept 3:
Morning: NRKW’s A30’s, Humpback Whales and Pacific White Sided Dolphins harassing them have been reported moving from Cracroft Point into Blackfish Sound.
(from radio)
Sept 2:
10:30 am:Large group of NRKW’s off the Adam River, along with 60 Pacific White Sided Dolphins.
10:40 am: There are 15-20 Orca, diving deep to avoid hassles from the Dolphins.
11:07 am: The NRKW’s just started moving west, had another male further west and might have split the group. They are the NRKW’s A23’s and some of the A23’s/A25’s.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge.
Sept 1:
10:45 am: Orca are between Cracroft Point and Robson Bight.
(from radio)
Sept 1:
11:36 am: Orca easting into Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, maybe the A5s, A42’s, A23’s, and I guess the A25’s.
Bradden Kiley, Painter’s Lodge.
Sept 1:
4:32 pm:The NRKW’s A30’s and A42’s are at Izumi Rock now, westing towards Telegraph Cove.
6:18 pm: The NRKW’s A60 and A61, plus a bunch of Pacific White Sided Dolphins harassing them are off Bauza Islet and spread across to the bottom of Weynton Passage, foraging.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Aug 31:
10:45 am: About five Orca between Hardwicke and Helmcken Island, closer to the Hardwicke side. Maybe more like six of them, two have big fins.
11:00 am: They are just off Earl’s Ledge. We are seeing spy hops, tail slaps, flipper slaps, very exciting.
11:25: The Orca are now easting along the Vancouver Island shoreline – they have split up a little into two groups. Lots of spy hopping from the big male in front, and two full breaches! Lots of commercial fish boats around with their nets out.
Lynne Cracknell, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Aug 31:
11:00 am: The NRKW’s A23’s and A25’s are at Earls Ledge, pointed east.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Aug 31:
1:30 pm: The NRKW’s A23’s and A25’s are easting at Helmcken, spread out between Peterson Islet and Helmcken Island, travelling at 3-4 knots.
Bradden Kiley, Painter’s Lodge.
Aug 31:
4:03 pm: Just saw 2 Orca off Hickey Point, west of Kelsey Bay. They seemed small and were dodging the fish nets, as we are.
Cam and Lauren Reid, Sechelt.
Humpback BCY0409 ‘Yogi’ Tail Flukes
Texted photo for Identification
September 6, 2014
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES.
Sept 6:
5:42 pm: Just had an amazing Orca show in Active Pass. Two groups went under me as we fished, spy hopping, breaching, tail slapping, – just the way to end the summer! There were probably 12 – 15 of them in total.
Colin Griffinson, "Pacific Yellowfin".
RE: previous report:
I have just read your amazing report and it seems someone named Lobo, K 26 as the K Pod whale that has a satellite tag ( metal still sticking out of his dorsal). If I am not mistaken, I do believe it is Scoter. K 25. (There is additional commentary from Marie under the Links section below with links to two articles. Please note that they were received prior to today’s confirmed news of a new calf in L-pod – SM)
Marie O’Shaughnessy, Orca Magic
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sept 6:
9:25 am: Humpback whale just off Whiskey Point in Discovery Passage, northbound.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
Sept 6:
10:50 am: Humpback whale at Steep Island, Discovery Passage heading north.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
September 6:
12:30 till 3:30 pm The count of different Humpback Whales in Weynton Pass alone was 8 Humpbacks and I heard there were around 6 by the entrance to Knight Inlet, but some of those may have joined the ones I had in Weynton. There were initially three then a forth joined in to lunge feed off Weynton Island reef in Johnstone Strait. It looked like a mom and a larger calf with one very large fluking whale. There was one in particular who didn’t fluke very often. The quick look through photos has confirmed only two ID’s: BCZ0339 ‘Inukshuk’ and an old friend, BCY0633 ‘Domino’. The others will take a bit to review, but believe there were up to six different whales that fed in that area during the course of an hour. The Transient Bigg’s seemed to disperse all but one whale from the area. There was one who was working bait balls just in the Plumper Islands and one was by the Pearse Islands with another between Donegal Head and Stubbs Island when the Resident Orca arrived. Humpback Whales everywhere!
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Humpback Whales Lunge Feeding
September 6, 2014 – 3 photos
Susan MacKay, SG Images
Sept 6:
2:00 pm: With Humpback whale in Menzies Bay, we left 12 Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Seymour Narrows, also there is an Elephant Seal around here somewhere. The Humpback was feeding in cool spots way in the back of Menzies Bay. The funniest thing was as he was holding his own in the back eddy current in the NW corner of Menzies Bay. The huge Elephant Seal all of a sudden popped up right beside him in the kelp bed! (from the texted photo we identified BCY0409 ‘Yogi’ – SM)
7:15 pm Our Humpback is now at the Quadra shoreline Southbound by Quathiaski Cove.
8:07 pm He/she’s now mid-channel bucking the tide pointed South.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Sept 6:
5:20 pm: Humpback whale at Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, heading south.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Sept 5:
4:00 pm: Staff member on a private vessel has a Humpback whale and Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Mittlenatch Island.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
Sept 5:
5:40 pm: Humpback off Mittlenatch Island, just milling.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
Sept 4:
1:15 pm: Three Humpback Whales working together, lunge feeding in the Plumper Islands off Weynton Passage.
1:40 pm: A Humpback in Weynton Passage has some Pacific White Sided Dolphins all over him.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Sept 3:
Humpback Whales this morning all over the place between Cracroft Point and Blackfish Sound.
(from radio)
September 2:
8:30 am We’re aboard a sailing catamaran and saw a Humpback Whale in Pryce Channel, just outside Waddington Channel, just above Desolation Sound today. Also saw about 25 Pacific Whitesided Dolphins just south of Kellsey Point, south of Yuculta Rapids at about 10:45 am, today.Michael O’Connell, aboard Stray Cat
Sept 2:
10:55 am: Big Humpback off Atrevida Reef southbound towards Powell River, breaching and rolling around.
Kim Lisberg, Powell River
Sept 1:
2:09 pm: Now we have four nice Humpbacks in Weynton Passage, foraging. The breaths in the corner of Weynton Island were like shotguns going off. We were greeted by the first Humpback doing forty plus tail lobs.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Sept 1:
4:32 pm: Humpback just outside my anchorage now, by Pearse Islands.Huge breach, didn’t see it but saw and heard the explosive splash!
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Aug 31:
7:20 pm: With Humpback whale in Malaspina Inlet at entrance to Jervis Inlet.
Colin Griffinson, "Pacific Yellowfin."
MINKE WHALES
Sept 5:
2:00 pm: One Minke whale feeding off Haddington Reef between Cormorant and Malcolm Islands.
Radio
Humpback Whale BCY0633 ‘Domino’
September 6, 2014
Susan MacKay, SG Images
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sept 6:
10:00 am: 150 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel.
12:20 p: Possibly the same group, now at Horn Point. Headed towards Dent Islands.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
Sept 6:
1:03 pm: 150 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Arran Rapids, at the entrance to Bute Inlet.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Sept 6:
2:00 pm: We left 12 Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Seymour Narrows, also there is an Elephant Seal around here somewhere, and a Humpback whale in Menzies Bay.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Sept 6:
3:00 pm: 100 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Fawn Bluff in Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Sept 6:
5:18 pm: 100 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Owen Point, the top of Nodales Channel westing.
Ian Douglas, Discovery Marine Safaris
Sept 5:
10:49 am: Six Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Horn Bay by the Dent Rapids.
11:07 am: 50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins playing in the rapids at Sonora Resort.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Sept 5:
11:30 am: Two Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Robber’s Nob, Johnstone Strait.
Peter Cracknell, Sayward.
Sept 5:
12:00 pm: Report from a Painter’s Lodge whale watching vessel that there were 150 Pacific White Sided Dolphins mid strait between Port Neville and St. Vincent’s Bight.
Painter’s Lodge.
Sept 5:
4:00 pm: Staff member on a private vessel has Pacific White Sided Dolphins and a Humpback whale at Mittlenatch Island.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
Sept 4:
8:15 am: Three Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, milling.
3:05 pm: Ten Pacific White Sided Dolphins just west of Earls Ledge, Hardwicke Island.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
Sept 4:
9:18 am: Three Pacific White Sided Dolphins by Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River.
Ian Douglas, Discovery Marine Safaris
Sept 4:
9:20 am: Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Gomer Island, Frederick Arm. Relayed report.
9:30 am: Yes, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, about 75 of them, in Frederick Arm.
Bradden Kiley, Painter’s Lodge.
Sept 4:
10:11 am: Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Vancouver Bay, report from Harley. Now headed for Dent Islands, apparently.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
Sept 4:
10: 45 am: Pacific White Sided Dolphins spread across the Strait by the Sophia Islands, NRKW’s trying to get away from them.
1:40 pm: Some Pacific White Sided Dolphins all over a Humpback in Weynton Passage.
2:15 pm: A Pacific White Sided Dolphin has been caught in a fishing net. Not sure of the outcome.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Sept 3:
Unknown number of Pacific White Sided Dolphins moving around between Cracroft Point and Blackfish Sound.
(from radio)
Sept 3:
3:15 pm: 50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Owen Point, top of Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Sept 2:
10:30 am: 60 Pacific White Sided Dolphins off the Adam River, along with a large group of Orca.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge.
September 2:
10:45 am about 25 Pacific Whitesided Dolphins just south of Kellsey Point, south of Yuculta Rapids. We’re aboard a sailing catamaran and also saw a Humpback Whale in Pryce Channel, just outside Waddington Channel, just above Desolation Sound at 8:30 am today. Michael O’Connell, aboard Stray Cat
Sept 1:
10:35 am: 30 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at St. Vincent’s Bight, easting.
Bradden Kiley, Painter’s Lodge.
September 1:
6:18 pm: I have a bunch of Pacific White Sided Dolphins harassing the NRKW’s A60 and A61, off Bauza Islet and spread across to the bottom of Weynton Passage, foraging.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Aug 31:
9:53 am: Report of Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Rock Bay, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Aug 31:
10:25 am: 100 Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Knox Bay, Johnstone Strait easting.
Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
Aug 31:
3:08 pm: 100 plus Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Ripple Point, Discovery Passage easting.
John Lapp, Discovery Marine Safaris.
Dall’s Porpoise in Weynton Pass
September 6, 2014
Susan MacKay, SG Images
DALL’S PORPOISE
September 6:
11 am 4 to 6 Dall’s Porpoise zipped around boats watching the Humpback Whales. They foraged then took a break then zipped around a bit more then left.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Sept 3:
3:53 pm: 12 Dall’s Porpoise at Dent Islands.
John Lapp, Discovery Marine Safaris.
Aug 31:
10:02 am: Both Dall’s Porpoise and Harbour Porpoise throughout the entrance into Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sept 3:
9:25 am: Two Harbour Porpoise at Hoskyn Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Aug 31:
10:02 am: Both Harbour Porpoise and Dall’s Porpoise throughout the entrance into Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
ELEPHANT SEALS
Sept 6:
2:00 pm: There is an Elephant Seal in Menzies Bay, Campbell River.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Sept 2:
1:00 pm: Elephant Seal at Rock Bay.
Bradden Kiley, Painter’s Lodge.
LINKS
(Please notethat these were received and news releases published prior to today’s confirmed news of a new Southern Resident Killer Whale calf in L-pod – SM)
Comments from Marie O’Shaughnessy, Orca Magic on the state of the Southern Resident Orca:
Amazing to read in your blog that Granny, J2, and Co went up to Campbell River for SALMON, which certainly appears to be the primary reason why these Southern Resident Orca travel so far. They are often on the move, traveling out west or over to the Fraser Delta, or up and down the west side of San Juan Island. They don’t stay long in any one place these days. There certainly isn’t enough Salmon around here to keep all 78 whales satisfied. They, the three pods, J, K, and L are all split up and mixed up, and traveling as family groups rather than a pod most of the time. Despite the rumour that this was going to be a bumper year for Salmon, it certainly hasn’t materialized in the south yet, and the behaviour of the Orca would definitely indicate so. I am noticing major changes in behaviours now for the Southern Resident Orca in relation to foraging for Salmon. After 7 yrs of watching these charismatic marine mammals, there is definitely something very wrong in their fishyenvironment, and with two losses this year in L Pod and NO new calves in any of the three pods, it would appear we have a serious problem on our hands. It isn’t just about noise and increase marine traffic as well as pollution that continues to be reported…it really is ALL about the LACK of Salmon !
Marie O’Shaughnessy, Orca Magic
With two new deaths this year and no new calves since 2012, the population of endangered killer whales in the Puget Sound continues to decline:
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