NEW Sightings Report with Maps – Humpback Whales and Transient Bigg’s Orca Everywhere
We are pleased to announce and present this launch of our new and improved Sightings Report with Maps. The map will be included in every report showing the locations of the sightings in the report. If you wish to jump to one specific report location, you can click on the icon directly following that report and a map will open in a new tab showing the location of that sighting.
There are still one or two pieces to be added to make the maps truly special, but we felt it best not to delay the report any longer than necessary. Please give it a try and let us know what you think. We can’t give enough thanks or accolades for the volunteered hours that went into the production of this software, and there will be more coming…..
As for the Whales; it has been a very busy Humpback and Transient Bigg’s Orca time. Throw, no pun intended, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Harbour Porpoise into the mix together with many photos, and we have another long report.
We are also gearing up for the Powell River SeaFair, July 24-26, where we will be drawing the final winners of our Summer raffle. The proceeds of this will be going towards the installation of the first of our live web camera and hydrophone (underwater listening) systems which we are aiming to have up in the late fall. Do you have your ticket?
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
REPORT LOCATIONS MAP
2015 Summer Fundraising Raffle:
Information Tables with 2015 Summer Raffle Tickets are scheduled for:
Tables in the Campbell River area, yet to be announced for July.
July 24 to 26: Powell River SeaFair.
On Line Tickets: Use our Donate button for tickets please.
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
Call 1-877-323-9776or Emailyour report.
TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES
Fri Jul 03 2015
10:48 • 4 Bigg`s Orca travelling, heading North at Whiskey Point, Discovery Passage, Discovery Passage. The Orca are bucking tide. Nick is on scene. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:10 • 4 Bigg`s Orca on a kill, heading South at we wai kai village, Cape Mudge 10, Discovery Passage. Orca are 390 metres off the village. They just took a seal and the gulls are feeding on the scraps. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:50 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South at Red Can, Cape Mudge, Strait of Georgia. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
19:30 • 3 Bigg`s Orca travelling, heading South off Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. We went down to Grief point to try and photograph the Orca I called about. They picked up the pace and were headed southbound a fair distance from shore by the time we got there. There were about a dozen people watching the whales pass and taking photos. I saw 3 animals including one male but there could have been more that slipped by before we located them. Susan D said she thought she saw 5 or 6 from our deck before they went behind the trees in front. Anyways it was wonderful as usual to see the whales and I got a few photos that may help you with identification. ▫ Observed from Shore
Steve & Susan Grover, Powell River, BC
Transient Bigg’s off Grief Point
Fri Jul 03 2015 – 3 photos
Steve & Susan Grover, Powell River, BC
19:30 • 3 Bigg`s Orca travelling, heading South towards Grief Point, Powell River. ▫ Observed from Shore
Steve & Susan Grover, Powell River, BC
19:48 • 3 Bigg`s Orca travelling, heading South, Grief Point. ▫ Observed from Shore
Andrea, Savoury Bight Restaurant, Powell River
20:00 • 3 Bigg`s Orca heading South by Myrtle Rocks, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. There were at least the 3 Orca. ▫ Observed from Shore
Wendy Heathcote, Powell River
Transient Bigg’s off Powell River
Fri Jul 03 2015 – 4 photos
Wendy Heathcote, Powell River
Sat Jul 04 2015
18:29 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading North just off Anchor Inn, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. One big one has a big nick in the dorsal. ▫ On Scene
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
18:52 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading North in Discovery Passage. ?T125A, T128?
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
20:10 • 2 Bigg`s Orca by Coho Point NW tip of Texada Island, Strait of Georgia. One big one has a big nick in the dorsal.
Terry Peters, Powell River
Transient Bigg’s off Texada
Sat Jul 04 2015 – 1 photos
Terry Peters, Powell River
20:40 • 2 Bigg`s Orca travelling, heading North Half mile South of Race Point, Discovery Passage. ?T125A, T128? I left the Orca travelling at 8 knots after a kill of some variety. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Sun Jul 05 2015
09:53 • 10 Bigg`s Orca heading West in Baronet Passage, Blackfish Sound. 10 or 11 Orca From a friend coming down this way.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Alaskan Transient Bigg’s T125A, T128 Plus
Sun Jul 05 2015 – 1 photos
Mon Jul 06 2015
11:37 • 3 Bigg`s Orca heading South by Willingdon Beach, Powell River. I had gone down to see if I could spot the Humpback whales that were reported and stumbled upon these Orca travelling through the smoke from wildfires. Tried to find them when I went on the water, but never saw either species. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
16:51 • 10 Bigg`s Orca heading North-East between Savary Island and Mainland, Malaspina Strait.
Josh Grin, Pacific Pro Dive
Tue Jul 07 2015
05:00 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
08:21 • 1 Bigg`s Orca heading West, Redonda Bay, Deer Passage. Not quite to Lewis Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
09:42 • 8 Bigg`s Orca heading West, Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:16 • 2 Bigg`s Orca milling,, Bullock Bluff top of Lewis Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
11:21 • 8 Bigg`s Orca heading West by Tyee Point, Johnstone Strait. ?T101’s, T102, T137’s? There appear to be others with them. Later ID’s added.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:30 • 5 Bigg`s Orca, Bullock Bluff, Sutil Channel.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:20 • 8 Bigg`s Orca heading West, Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait. There appear to be others with them. Later ID’s added. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:22 • 8 Bigg`s Orca heading West off Earl’s Ledge, Hardwicke Island side Johnstone Strait.
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:22 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading South past Hill Island, Sutil Channel. ?T46’s? Others on scene. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Bigg’s T049’s
Tue Jul 07 2015 – 6 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:39 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading South at Centre Islet. ?T46’s? Lost the Orca, but still looking.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:19 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading South-East between Francisco Point and Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ?T046’s, T046,T122, T046E, New Calf? They are exactly 2 miles on either side of the pod between the islands as they’re working South South-East. ▫ On Scene
17:08 • 5 Bigg`s Orca hunting, heading South-East 2 miles off Mitlenatch Island 4 miles off Vancouver Island in Georgia Strait. ?T046’s? They are still travelling at around 5 knots after one sucessful Harbour Seal kill while on scene. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Wed Jul 08 2015
12:45 • 5 Bigg`s Orca, Nodales Channel. ?T02C’s?
15:53 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading South by Greensea Bay, Cinque Islands then down Discovery Passage. ?T02C’s? Left the T002S’s who have been very sleepy and lazy all morning. They found us during an early lunch at John’s Point. Heard puffs in the channel behind, and there they were! Just left them coming up to Cinque Islands, by the bottom of Greensea Bay heading down Sicovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
17:08 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading East abeam Brent Island in Okisollo Channel. ?T02C’s?
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:47 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading East past Bjerre Rock, Okisollo Channel. ?T02C’s?
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
Thu Jul 09 2015
08:34 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North by Hernando Island in Baker Passage. ▫ Second Hand
11:14 • 4 Bigg`s Orca just South of Mary Point, Cortez Island, Malaspina Strait. ?T02C’s? Looks like they’re just finishing a kill. ▫ On Scene
12:00 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South on Hernando Island side of Powell Islets, Malaspina Strait. ?T002C’s? They’re really ticht to shore, but ignoring the Porpoise. ▫ On Scene
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:07 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South-West by Sliammon above Powell River, Malaspina Strait. They’re really ticht to shore, but ignoring the Porpoise. ▫ On Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Bigg’s T002C’s
Thu Jul 09 2015 – 6 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:00 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South-West angling towards Harwood Island or Powell River. Still extremely lazy but angling more towards Harwood that the Mainland. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
18:45 • Bigg`s Orca heading South off Grant Reefs, Savary Island, Georgia Strait. Still extremely lazy but angling more towards Harwood that the Mainland. ▫ Second Hand
Rick Steen, Powell River Fishing Guide
21:00 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading North off the Big Rock, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Looks like the really big Alaskan Orca (unconfirmed) T125 and T127. They’re just passing the 50th Parallel marker. ▫ Observed from Shore
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sat Jul 04 2015
10:35 • Orca off Horseshoe Bay, Howe Sound. A friend just let me know about seeing a pod of Orca, but no numbers or direction. ▫ From Ferry
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Jul 05 2015
12:22 • Orca heading West in Robson Bight, Johnstone Strait. I believe they’re Westing.
13:59 • Orca approaching Blinkhorn Peninsula.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Jul 07 2015
08:10 • 6 Orca heading North, Turn Island. They appeared to be travelling with, or hunting, a lot of PWS Dolphins.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sun Jul 05 2015
06:30 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South from Dodd Narrows by Gabriola Island. Single, probable humpback heading south from Dodd’s Narrows,Sunday 5th July 0630 am. Dark colour,small,distinct dorsal fin. Surfaced 3-4 times then disappeared.
Parsons
06:45 • 1 Humpback Whale between Coho Point and Rebecca Rocks, Powell River. Appears to be feeding.
Rick Steen, Powell River Fishing Guide
09:53 • 2 Humpback Whale mouth of Baronet Passage, Blackfish Sound. From a friend coming down this way.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
13:59 • Humpback Whale off Stubbs Island.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:30 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South just West of Grant’s Reef off Savary Island, Georgia Strait. Beautiful view of a humpback today. Just west of grants reef at 3:30 pm. Travelling south. Couldn’t get a pic due to the smoke from Sechelt. This Whale was in no hurry to move further south than when we first saw it. Just swam south for a bit, then looped back toward the back of Harwood and then back west toward Grants. Watched it for about an hour.
Sandra Fraser
20:00 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North by Coho Point NW tip Texada Island, Georgia Strait. There’s either 2 or 3 Humpbacks. It’s difficult to see them with the smoke from the fires and getting dark.
Sasha van Kess, Diver
Mon Jul 06 2015
09:25 • 2 Humpback Whale breaching, heading North off Willingdon Beach, Powell River, Georgia Strait. There’s either 2 or 3 Humpbacks. It’s difficult to see them with the smoke from the fires and getting dark. ▫ Second Hand
Dave Carbery, Texada Island, Westview Harbourmaster
15:53 • 2 Humpback Whale, Georgia Strait. The report was just an announcement on the radio and believed to be somewhere by the Comox ferry.
Radio call out
20:22 • 1 Humpback Whale foraging, mid-channel Harwood Island and Powell River Mill, Malaspina Strait. This is a large Humpback foraging back and forth slowly. There’s lots of feed in the area. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Tue Jul 07 2015
10:31 • 1 Humpback Whale by Green Can Buoy, Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. Sportfisherman just reported seeing the whale a couple of hours earlier. ▫ Second Hand
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
11:40 • 1 Humpback Whale heading West between Gabriola Passage and Vancouver Airport, Georgia Strait. Very large whale.
Michael Grattan, Harbour Air
Wed Jul 08 2015
12:15 • 2 Humpback Whale resting, off Blubber Bay, South Texada Island Park, Georgia Strait. Very large whale.
Jay Feaver, CCG Powell River
19:00 • 1 Humpback Whale SW corner of Harwood Island, Powell River, Georgia Strait. Very large whale.
Rick Steen, Powell River Fishing Guide
21:05 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North-West This is one very large Whale. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Thu Jul 09 2015
12:37 • 1 Humpback Whale, Green Can Buoy off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:19 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North-West angling towards Harwood Island in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. This is one very large Whale. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
17:05 • 1 Humpback Whale between Mitlenatch Island and the Green Can Buoy, Wilby Shoals. Just popped up. Looks like it may be heading South, but unsure. ▫ On Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:20 • 1 Humpback Whale breaching, heading East towards Hoskyn Channel off Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Radio Report
17:46 • 1 Humpback Whale off Grant Reefs, Savary Island area Georgia Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
18:08 • 1 Humpback Whale between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Georgia Strait. This makes 4 or 5 Humpbacks in the area! WOW. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
18:12 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South between Oyster Bay and Salmon Point, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whale
Thu Jul 09 2015 – 1 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
18:20 • 2 Humpback Whale tail lobs and breaching, off Harwood Island, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. This makes 4 or 5 Humpbacks in the area! WOW. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
19:50 • 1 Humpback Whale breaching, off Sand Banks of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. My friend texted me abouth this Humpback that breached right beside their boat while they’re fishing now. Startled the living daylights out of them. ▫ Second Hand
Mike Filewich, Powell River
PILOT WHALES
Tue Jul 07 2015
??:?? • 2 Pilot Whale heading South passing Saltspring Island, Sansum Narrows. On Tuesday night ,yesterday, there were two or more pilot whales taking their time heading down to Sansum narrows. I thought at first they were humpbacks, but they were only the size of young ones. They had the same short fin. This is the first time I have seen them here. ▫ Observed from Shore
Derek Hill, Saltspring island
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Fri Jul 03 2015
13:21 • 12 PWS Dolphins, Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:42 • 15 PWS Dolphins heading North, Yuculta Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:15 • 20 PWS Dolphins foraging,, Kellsey Point off Church House, Stuart Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Pacific White Sided Dolphin
Fri Jul 03 2015 – 1 photos
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Sat Jul 04 2015
11:18 • 12 PWS Dolphins at Sonora point, Nodales Channel.
Oak Bay / Painter’s Lodge Boat
13:28 • 15 PWS Dolphins milling,, Mermaid Bay, Dent Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:30 • 15 PWS Dolphins between Jimmy Judd Island and Vancouver Bay in Yuculta Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
Sun Jul 05 2015
??:?? • 2 PWS Dolphins bow riding, off White Rock Pier almost to Crescent Beach, Georgia Strait. We saw two dolphins swimming beside our yacht on July 5th just west of the white rock pier almost to crescent beach . They surfaced 5 or six times.
Pete Coffey
09:13 • PWS Dolphins, Horn Bay by Denham Island area Yuculta Rapids.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:53 • 200 PWS Dolphins mouth of Baronet Passage, Blackfish Sound. From a friend coming down this way.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
11:39 • PWS Dolphins below Hickey Point, Johnstone Strait.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:49 • 100 PWS Dolphins heading South by Yorke Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins Having Fun
Sun Jul 05 2015 – 5 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:50 • 30 PWS Dolphins by Denham Islet closer to Sonora Island. There’s somewhere between 30 to 40 of them heading in no particular direction.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
14:34 • 40 PWS Dolphins foraging, in Horn Bay, Yuculta Rapids. There may be more than 40 or so. Some new babies in the mix. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Mon Jul 06 2015
11:40 • 100 PWS Dolphins between Yorke Island and Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:36 • 100 PWS Dolphins heading South off Fanny Island, Johnstone Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Mon Jul 06 2015 – 4 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:00 • 50 PWS Dolphins heading South off Kelsey Bay towards Helmcken Island, Johnstone Strait. A pod of around 50 dolphins were in Kelsey Bay last night around 5pm. They came from the North, frolicked around a bit, diving and splashing then headed off South towards Helmeken and beyond.
Angie and Paul Hibbert, Sayward, BC
Wed Jul 08 2015
13:45 • 100 PWS Dolphins NW side of Denham Island above the Yuculta Rapids.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
Thu Jul 09 2015
18:00 • PWS Dolphins a bit off Harwood Island, Georgia Strait. As we headed over towards Grant’s Reef to fish, we saw a couple of groups of these Dolphins.
Rick Steen, Powell River Fishing Guide
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sun Jul 05 2015
13:00 • 3 Harbour Porpoise, Frederick Arm.
13:20 • 1 Harbour Porpoise by Denham Islet. Saw the one little Porpoise, at least until the Dolphins arrived.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
16:49 • 6 Harbour Porpoise by Willow Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Jul 09 2015
07:50 • 1 Harbour Porpoise foraging, just North of the Big Rock in Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
Tara Bladon, Campbell River, BC
10:21 • 10 Harbour Porpoise foraging, between Hernando Island and Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:07 • 12 Harbour Porpoise by Dinner Rock below Lund, Malaspina Strait. Saw the one little Porpoise, at least until the Dolphins arrived. ▫ On Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
2015 Summer Fundraising Raffle:
Information Tables with 2015 Summer Raffle Tickets are scheduled for:
Tables in the Campbell River area, yet to be announced for July.
July 24 to 26: Powell River SeaFair.
On Line Tickets: Use our Donate button for tickets please.
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
Call 1-877-323-9776or Emailyour report.
