Busy Times with Cetaceans and Society Workings
It’s been very busy all round, but the Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales that were in the upper Georgia Strait in numbers up to 15 whales, have once again shed from our area. The Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Humpback Whales are coming back, and Dall’s and Harbour Porpoise are making a bit more of an appearance.
And so have we: the two days of the Lund Shellfish Festival allowed us the opportunity to speak with many people. We deemed it a success! Our next information tables and 2015 Summer Fundraising Raffle ticket sales will be at:
Campbell River:Quality Foods May 28th
Powell River:Town Center Mall May 28 and May 29th
Sechelt: Trail Bay Mall (Clayton’s) May 28 and May 29th
We hope to meet some of you there!
Tickets are also available on line. Details available at: 2015 Summer Raffle
Susan MacKay & Lynne Cracknell, Whales and Dolphins BC
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
2015 Summer Fundraising Raffle:
Get your tickets in time for our EARLY BIRD DRAW! – June 21, 2015
see 2015 Summer Rafflefor full details – Tickets only $5 each.
TRANSIENT BIGG’S ORCA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
May 23, 2015
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
May 25:
9:00 am: We have been working on Howe Sound for several months on a marine trail project, traveling in a powered skiff. We have not seen Orca there before but this morning three or more, likely four whales were traveling south off the north end of Anvil Island on the west side, i.e. Heading along Ramillies Channel.
There was one presumed male with a very large fin, one smaller and one or likely two quite small ones, possibly calves. They surfaced frequently for a while then sounded and we did not wait around to see where they went. It is good to see marine life in Howe Sound. The area’s seals appeared to be keeping a low profile today – none sighted. Usually there will be half a dozen at least.
Nick Heath and 2 others, BCMTNA and Sea Kayak Assn of BC.
May 23:
Three Orca at Rebecca Spit on Quadra Island, southbound. This came from a prawn fisherman friend – he said there was one large fin in the group.
(???) Twelve Orca mid strait by Cape Mudge on Quadra Island, northbound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 23:
9:17 am: Orca heading towards Cortez Island.
9:19 am: Orca northbound near Cape Mudge on Quadra Island.
(from radio)
May 23:
11:10 am: Orca southbound. Looks like the same group we had in Powell River.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
May 23:
12:06 pm: Looks like 15 animals total. They are three miles off the Vancouver Island shoreline still southbound approximately 3.5 miles south of Cape Mudge on Quadra Island. They are Transient Bigg’s Orca T023’s, T101’s and T102, T124C, T124, T124D, T124E, new calf last year (T124D1) and T049C.
3:05 pm: We are with the Transient Bigg’s approximately four miles off the Vancouver Island shoreline just south of Black Creek now.
3:44 pm: Leaving now. They are starting to spread out a bit as we leave. They are about five miles north of the Powell River line, still heading south, southeast.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
May 21:
10:50 am: About 10 Orca seem to be chasing something about one nautical mile east of Grant Reefs buoy at the present time.
11:24 am: We think there are about 15 Orca with 4-5 large males. They put on a good show for a while. They seem to have stayed in 2 or 3 pods. They are now hanging out on the south west edge of Stradiotti reef.
12:25 pm: Orca came in from the North West to about two nautical miles south from the east end of Savary Island. There was lots of activity. Then they went north west to near Stradiotti Reef and then reversed again. After that they went along the edge of the deep water along the sand shallows south of Savary. They have now gone past Mystery Reef and are mostly across the channel a short distance north west of the Atrevida Reef marker. I have now lost track of them.
Ron Johnston.
May 21:
3:45 pm: I left Orca with Jos crossing to the bay just below Vananda on Texada Island, apparently southbound.These are Transient Bigg’s Orca, with the T49a’s in there.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
May 21:
4:15 pm: Left the Orca southbound moving quickly close to the Texada Island shoreline, below Myrtle Rocks area.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
May 21:
These Orca are Transient Bigg’s T123’s, T49A’s, and T002C’s for sure. I just looked them up in my ID book.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 20:
10:14 am: One lone male Orca in Hoskyn Channel near Sheer Point, easting.
10:50 am: Leaving scene. Orca now at Surge Narrows, westing into Okisollo Channel.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 19:
The Transient Bigg’s T010’s were sighted eastbound in Clio Channel yesterday. That’s in Johnstone Strait between Turnour and West Cracroft Islands.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
May 17:
8:00 pm: Spotted two Orca moving south between Nelson Island (off Fearney Point), and Texada Island.
Sylvia Erwin.
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
May 23, 2015 – 5 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
May 16:
8:00 pm: We saw a pod of three Orca (one large and two smaller ones) pass in front of Hare Point and Josephine Island heading south east into Okeover Arm. They passed by again heading north west leaving the Arm around 10:00 pm.
Ryan Dercho, Vancouver.
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
May 19:
NRKW A46 "Kaikash" was spotted by himself yesterday,up by Squally Channel. Squally Channel runs beside Gil Island which is located near the entrance to Douglas Channel.
Nick and Janeen Templeman,Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
May 23:
6:46 pm: Southern Resident Killer Whales J pod are at Salmon Bank.
Josh McInnes, Victoria.
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
presumably most Transient Bigg’s
May 24:
3:15 pm: Two or three Orca came through Dodd’s Narrows going south into Stuart Channel. They followed along Mudge Island going south and disappeared somewhere along the east side of Link Island.
Janette Dyck.
May 20:
12:40 pm: I photographed five Orca just off the Duke Point Ferry Terminal in Nanaimo. I’ll review photos for ID.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce.
May 19:
1:16 pm: I don’t have pics or numbers…but the Orca were in the Port Alice Inlet again yesterday, early afternoon. They were quite active at one time and then disappeared. My husband was watching them. I went out to try to get pics – saw a small one splashing around, saw the tail end of it – literally! They then disappeared, leaving the Inlet. I’m bummed I missed the photo op.My husband thinks there were three of them. They may have been Transients Bigg’s, as there were seal hiding close to shore.
Emma Jayne, Port Alice.
May 19:
6:00 pm: I was working last night (May 18th) on BC Ferries and we saw an Orca pod at Georgina Light at the north end of Active Pass. They were heading out into the Strait at the time. There were approximately 6 – 12 individuals. It was hard to tell as I had the con of the ferry at the time and there was a huge flood tide.
Aaron Sigurgeirson.
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
May 23, 2015 – 6 photos
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
HUMPBACK WHALES
May 26:
1:30 pm: Humpback in Discovery Passage off from the fishing pier in Campbell River, saw the blows from shore.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 25:
9:27 am: Two Humpback Whales off Cape Mudge on the Willow Point side of Discovery Passage, southbound.
10:23 am: Leaving two Humpbacks now doing ten minute dives half way between a line drawn between Mitlenatch Island and Oyster Bay, southbound at 5 knots.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 24:
9:10 am: Humpback Whale in front of April Point, Campbell River. Jerry is on his way. Ed also.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
May 24:
10:18 am: Leaving Humpback whale near Duncan Bay, just north of Campbell River, mid channel. Jos is on scene.
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures.
May 24:
11:10 am: Left Humpback whale heading south at Orange Point near Campbell River in 30 feet of water.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 24:
11:57 am: Left Humpback whale southbound at April Point near Campbell River.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 24:
4:00 pm: Humpback whale under the power lines in Seymour Narrows. There are also Pacific White Sided Dolphins here as well.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 24:
5:38 pm: Humpback whale in Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, southbound now.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Humpback Whale ‘KC’
May, 2015
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
May 23:
11:10 am: There was a report of a Humpback at Orange Point, just north of Campbell River, one hour ago.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 22:
10:00 am: Humpback whale south bound on the Quadra Island side of Discovery channel. Near Cape Mudge.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 22:
10:44 am: From the tail shot this Humpback whale looks like "Houdini." (unfortunately we did not receive the photo – SM)
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
May 22:
3:55 pm: Sharkey reports that the Humpback whale is now at Steep Island, which is just north of Gowlland Island on the west side of Quadra, pointed southbound, I believe.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
May 22:
4:39 pm: Humpback whale by Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island, southbound.
5:11 pm: Left the Humpback at the north end of We Wai Kai Village on Quadra Island, still southbound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 20:
8:24 am: Two Humpback whales at the Broken Islands, across from Port Harvey in Chancellor Channel.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
May 17:
12:00 pm:I was fishing at Thrasher Rock (between Gabriola and Valdes Island) on Sunday the 17tharound midday and saw, in the distance, a Humpback breach and splash with it’s pectoral fin. This was about noon. There were a lot of sports fishing boats closer to the show so it has probably been reported.
Mark Lawton, Burnaby.
GREY WHALES
May 22:
4:00 pm: Grey Whale in Bamfield Inlet.
Josh McInnes, Victoria.
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
May 24:
9:29 am: Pacific White Sided Dolphins at April Point, near Campbell River.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
May 24:
11:17 am: Report of Pacific White Sided Dolphins near red can buoy at Cape Mudge on Quadra Island.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 24:
4:00 pm: Pacific White Sided Dolphins under the power lines in Seymour Narrows. There is a Humpback whale here as well.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 21:
5:32 pm: 25-30 Pacific White Sided Dolphins just west of the red can buoy off Cape Mudge on Quadra island, southbound.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
May 19:
1:22 pm: Group of Pacific White Sided Dolphins, about ten of them, by Maude Island near the fish farm. Slowly foraging.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 19:
2:20 pm: A dozen Pacific White Sided Dolphins mid channel westing between Separation Head and Kanish Bay on Quadra Island.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
May 19:
5:00 pm: Leaving Pacific White Sided Dolphins in front of Duncan Bay, just north of Campbell River.
Jerry. Eagle Eye Adventures.
May 19:
5:20 pm: A dozen Pacific White Sided Dolphins mid channel in Discovery Passage, seen from Tyee Spit in Campbell River, traveling south. Also seeing 2-3 Dall’s Porpoise in the same location and traveling in the same direction.
Tara Bladon, Campbell River.
DALL’S PORPOISE
May 26:
3:57 pm: About ten Dall’s Porpoise at the mouth of Bute Inlet.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
May 22:
1:55 pm: Eight Dall’s Porpoise at Lawrence Point in Bute Inlet.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 19:
2:25 pm: Two Dall’s Porpoise off the Walcan building in Campbell River.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 19:
3:41 pm: A few Dall’s Porpoise at the mouth of Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 19:
5:20 pm: 2-3 Dall’s Porpoise mid channel in Discovery Passage, traveling south, seen from the Tyee Spit in Campbell River. Also there are a dozen Pacific White Sided Dolphins in the same area that are heading in the same direction.
Tara Bladon, Campbell River.
HARBOUR PORPOISE
May 25:
1:00 pm: Harbour Porpoise in Masset Inlet, Haida Gwaii, close to Port Clements, just slowly foraging inbound towards the head of the inlet.
Jamie Dennis, Haida Gwaii.
May 25:
2:22 pm: Ten Harbour Porpoise at Sentry Shoal, which is approximately mid strait in Discovery Passage between Oyster Bay and Hernando Island.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
May 24:
5:38 pm:One Harbour Porpoise in Nodales Channel, which separates Sonora Island and East Thurlow Island.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 19:
1:15 pm: 6 Harbour Porpoise in the tide rip off Willow Point reef, south of Campbell River.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
LINKS
Hana, Vancouver Aquarium’s Pacific White Sided Dolphin has died, despite all efforts to save her:
In much happier news, the Southern Resident Killer Whale "J pod" babies, J50 and J51, have been sighted and appear to be thriving.
2015 Summer Fundraising Raffle:
Get your tickets in time for our EARLY BIRD DRAW! – June 21, 2015
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every sighting report is valuable!
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
For our DONATE page click here
