Northern Resident Orca, Breaching Humpbacks, Leaping Dolphins, some Transient Bigg’s and a Grey Whale
WOW! Northern Resident Killer Whales have returned in numbers from Alaska into Johnstone Strait. Our usual Transient Bigg’s Orca have been a bit aloof. More Humpback Whales are staying in the upper Georgia Strait than we’ve had in decades. A Grey Whale passed through the area heading up the coast and Pacific White Sided Dolphins have been putting on great leaping shows in our inside channels. With all this going on, it’s easy to forget about the smaller species of Dall’s and Harbour Porpoise, but we’d still like to hear. This report includes up to July 22, 2015.
Our Map has moved to the bottom of the report.
There is a Society Update at the bottom of this report.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
2015 Summer Fundraising Raffle SeaFair, Powell River:
July 24 to 26 at Willingdon Beach Fairgrounds
– On line ticket orders are still being accepted via our Donate button until tomorrow, July 24, 2015 cut off at 12 noon Pacific time.
– At our SeaFair booth you can buy your tickets up until 5 minutes prior to the final draw.
The Draw will be held during the closing ceremonies of Powell River Sea Fair on July 26, 2015 at approximately 5 pm.
Do you have your ticket yet?
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
Humpback Whale BCY0409 ‘Yogi’
July 18,2015
Susan MacKay, SG Images
TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES
Mon Jul 20 2015
16:40 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading West by Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait. ?T46Cs? They’re still doing 8-10 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
12:47 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North off Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. ?T46Cs?
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Bigg’s – T49C’s
Mon Jul 20 2015 – 7 photos
Mon Jul 20 2015 – 7 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Wed Jul 22 2015
20:13 • 8 NRKW Orca heading East by Cedarstead Creek, Johnstone Strait. ?A24s, now A64s? There’s no sign of Springer in my pics, so looks like the baby may belong to and is swimming alongside A64, who is basically now the matriarch of the A24’s. A24 is gone. They’re Easting and foraging Cedarstead Creek.
17:06 • 8 NRKW Orca heading East at West end of Eve River. ?A24s, now A64s? ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:45 • 30 NRKW Orca heading West off Boat Bay.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
12:30 • 30 NRKW Orca heading East from Blackfish Sound into Johnstone Strait. Holy Moly! We have just seen about thirty Orca go through – they are saying there are something like SEVENTY altogether. HUGE. Some of them are still in Blackfish Sound.
11:30 • 3 NRKW Orca heading East off Hanson Island towards Johnstone Strait. The area has a ton of Orca and Humpbacks. And even two Minke Whales! We’re just sitting watching these 3 magnificent Orca. ▫ On Scene
Lynne Cracknell, Sayward
09:50 • 20 NRKW Orca heading East, Blackfish Sound.
Roger McDonnell, Stubbs Island Whale Watching
Tue Jul 21 2015
16:02 • NRKW Orca heading West by Scarlett Point, Queen Charlotte Sound.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Jul 19 2015
13:40 • 7 NRKW Orca by Adam River, Johnstone Strait. ?A24s and A46 Kaikash?
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:09 • 3 NRKW Orca heading West by Eve River.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Jul 18 2015
18:45 • NRKW Orca just down the beach from Adam River. ?A30s?
16:45 • 4 NRKW Orca heading West 2 cables off Swaine Point along the West Cracroft Island shore Johnstone Strait.
16:20 • NRKW Orca heading East along the Vancouver Island shore 1 NMile East of the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve, Johnstone Strait. ?A30’s? ▫ Leaving the Scene
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
15:11 • NRKW Orca into Robson Bight, Johnstone Strait.
Lynne Cracknell, Sayward
15:01 • NRKW Orca breaching, just entering Robson Bight. ?A30? A30 just entering the bight, lots of breaching and fun. ▫ On Scene
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:00 • NRKW Orca heading West, Blackfish Sound. ?A34’s and A46, Kaikash? ▫ Radio Report
Janeen Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
11:24 • NRKW Orca by Donegal Head bottom of Queen Charlotte Strait. ?Some of A Pod? A bunch of A’s spread out from Donegal Head over a two mile area. But they don’t have specific ID’s. ▫ Second Hand
11:00 • 12 NRKW Orca at the bottom end of Hanson Island, Blackfish Sound. I am at Naka Creek listening to the radio and they are saying a dozen or more Orca at the bottom end of Hansen Island and two HB’s in Parsons Bay. ▫ Radio Report
Lynne Cracknell, Sayward
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Mon Jul 20 2015
12:47 • Orca heading North of Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Sat Jul 18 2015
21:30 • 1 Orca heading North above Willow Point, Georgia Strait.
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
18:40 • 3 Orca heading East at East end of Adam River, Johnstone Strait. Tight to shore.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
11:45 • Orca heading North past Fishing Pier, Campbell River, Discovery Cahnnel. Heard from Sharkey. ▫ Second Hand
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:50 • Orca heading East by Helmcken Island, Johnstone Strait. Heard from Sharkey. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
09:00 • 2 Orca heading East ▫ Second Hand
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
HUMPBACK WHALES
Wed Jul 22 2015
09:45 • 1 Humpback Whale doing circles, at Francisco Point in Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:25 • 1 Humpback Whale, Georgia Strait.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
Tue Jul 21 2015
18:14 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South towards Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:26 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South by Browns Bay. ?BCX1258, Crescent? Crescent is travelling very close to shore. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whale – ‘Crescent’
Tue Jul 21 2015 – 2 photos
Tue Jul 21 2015 – 2 photos
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:02 • 3 Humpback Whale by Parsons Bay, Blackfish Sound.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:01 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whale
Tue Jul 21 2015 – 5 photos
Tue Jul 21 2015 – 5 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:30 • 1 Humpback Whale doing circles, heading North approaching Race Point.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:00 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North by Orange Point.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
Mon Jul 20 2015
17:56 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South, Quadra Island side of Cape Mudge Village Discovery Passage. ?BCX1258, Crescent? Just left.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
15:57 • 1 Humpback Whale heading East by Maude Island, Seymour Narrows. Pointed towards the Quadra Island shore.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
14:50 • 1 Humpback Whale between Browns Bay and Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:56 • 1 Humpback Whale doing circles, somewhere in the mouth of Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage. ?BCX1258, Crescent?
11:26 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North by Yellow Island towards Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ?BCX1258, Crescent?
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
11:10 • 3 Humpback Whale breaching, off Savary Island by Stradiotti Reef, Shearwater Passage. It actually looks like there are 4 of them. Two breached at the same time. ▫ Observed from Shore
John and Joan Treen, Powell River and Savary Island, BC
10:03 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North in front of Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:35 • 1 Humpback Whale just South of the Hump off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
??:?? • Humpback Whale near Thrasher Rock off Gabriola Island, Georgia Strait.
Ron Dewar
Sun Jul 19 2015
16:00 • 2 Humpback Whale west of Rebecca Rocks off Powell River, Georgia Strait. They were rolling around at the surface. ▫ From Ferry
Jim and Erin Bradley, Powell River
14:22 • 1 Humpback Whale breaching, mid-channel by Broken Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:50 • 1 Humpback Whale foraging, heading South between the power lines and Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. Actually he’s pointing South in the ebb tide foraging in the current.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
09:52 • 1 Humpback Whale breaching, off the Red light in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
09:37 • 2 Humpback Whale breaching, off Harwood Spit, Malaspina Strait. They’ve been breaching and rolling around. Looks like there may even be three of them but definitely two.▫ Observed from Shore
John and Joan Treen, Powell River and Savary Island, BC
08:30 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North at Steep Island, Discovery Passage. with the lead Humpback. ▫ On Scene
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
08:30 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North by Painters, April Point, Discovery Passage.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:00 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North off April Point, Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
07:49 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North between April Point and Painters, Discovery Passage. There may be a third one over by the Argonaut Pier.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
07:10 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North by Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. Close to shore.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whale
Sun Jul 19 2015 – 6 photos
Sun Jul 19 2015 – 6 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Jul 18 2015
19:43 • 1 Humpback Whale off Red Can by Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
19:43 • 2 Humpback Whale breaching, off Rebecca Rock, Georgia Strait. ?BCY0409, Yogi and Calf? After stopping out there, the whales worked their way around the boat and Yogi breached around 10 times while the calf spent time tail slapping. Then they both rolled around and just looked like they were having a great time. ▫ On Scene
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Humpback Whales – BCY0409 ‘Yogi’ and calf
Sat Jul 18 2015 – 8 photos
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
19:10 • 1 Humpback Whale off Red Can by Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. ▫ On Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
19:00 • 2 Humpback Whale just above Rebecca Rock, Georgia Strait. ?BCY0409, Yogi and Calf? Two more Humpbacks look like they are Northbound above Rebecca rocks while BCX0380, ‘Z’ and friend head towards VanAnda on Texada.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Humpback Whales BCY0409, ‘Yogi’ and calf
Sat Jul 18 2015 – 7 photos
Sat Jul 18 2015 – 7 photos
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
17:17 • 2 Humpback Whale between Sliammon and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ?BCX0380, Z?
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Humpback Whales BCX0380, ‘Z’ and Friend
Sat Jul 18 2015 – 2 photos
Sat Jul 18 2015 – 2 photos
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
17:15 • 1 Humpback Whale foraging, in front of Cape Mudge Village, Discovery Passage. ?BCX1258. Crescent? Crescent is back in front of the village again / still. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
13:41 • 1 Humpback Whale in front of Walcan, Campbell River, Discovery Cahnnel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:15 • 1 Humpback Whale heading East along Thurlow Island shore, by Tucker Point, Chancellor Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
13:11 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North by Race Point, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
11:57 • 1 Humpback Whale doing donuts, heading North off Walcan, Campbell River, Discovery Cahnnel. Crescent is back in front of the village again / still. ▫ On Scene
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:36 • 1 Humpback Whale heading East by Fittleton Point, Chancellor Channel.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:25 • 2 Humpback Whale by Blubber Bay light off N tip of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
11:00 • 2 Humpback Whale in Parsons Bay, Blackfish Sound. ?BCX1063, Ripple and Guardian (no number avail.)? I am at Naka Creek listening to the radio and they are saying a dozen or more Orca at the bottom end of Hansen Island and two HB’s in Parsons Bay. ID’s came in as Guardian and Ripple. ▫ Radio Report
Lynne Cracknell, Sayward
10:00 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North towards Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Nana, Westview Harbour
10:00 • 1 Humpback Whale off Lang Bay. ▫ Radio Report
09:05 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North going by the old Lafarge area, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Same person just sent me this info. ▫ Second Hand
08:30 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North just South of VanAnda on Texada Island. ▫ Second Hand
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island
Fri Jul 17 2015
19:00 • 1 Humpback Whale in front of Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. ?BCX1258, Crescent?
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
18:50 • 1 Humpback Whale at Cape Mudge.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:35 • 1 Humpback Whale in front of April Point.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:15 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South under power lines in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
17:09 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North approaching Seymour Narrows on the Quadra Island side of Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:50 • 2 Humpback Whale by Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait. ?BCY0291, KC?
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whale BCY0291, ‘KC’ or ‘Kelp Creature’
Fri Jul 17 2015 – 1 photos
Fri Jul 17 2015 – 1 photos
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:26 • 1 Humpback Whale doing circles, the wall by Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passge.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:00 • 1 Humpback Whale heading East off the Saltery Bay into Jervis Inlet. One humpback whale spotted from the Earl’s Cove Saltery Bay ferry. Friday July 17, 2015 at around 11am. Whale was travelling east. Unique dorsal fin of humpback and shape of the ‘spray’ consistent with that type of whale. Another passenger saw the whale too and thought it was a humpback.
Janis Lynne Sinclair
10:50 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North by Race Point towards Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. Going with the tide.
Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge
08:31 • 1 Humpback Whale mid-strait between Cape Mudge and Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait. ?BCX1258, Crescent? Looks like Crescent is doing circles.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
GREY WHALES
Tue Jul 21 2015
15:29 • 1 Grey Whale, Race Point, Discovery Passage. Travelling slowly. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:29 • 1 Grey Whale What we first thought was a Humpback turned out to be this Grey Whale.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Grey Whale
Tue Jul 21 2015 – 5 photos
Tue Jul 21 2015 – 5 photos
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Jul 22 2015
18:51 • 40 PWS Dolphins by Denham Bay above Dent Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:30 • 100 PWS Dolphins off Owen Point at the top of Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:37 • PWS Dolphins still milling Denham Bay above Dent Rapids.
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:45 • PWS Dolphins in Denham Bay.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
Tue Jul 21 2015
17:16 • PWS Dolphins, Frederick Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
09:20 • 150 PWS Dolphins heading South, Discovery Passage. They made a sudden turn South.
09:06 • 150 PWS Dolphins heading West by Howe Island heading out of Nodales Channel.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Jul 20 2015
16:30 • 50 PWS Dolphins milling, by Denham Bay above Dent Rapids.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
13:59 • PWS Dolphins at Windy Point, Johnstone Strait.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Mon Jul 20 2015 – 2 photos
Mon Jul 20 2015 – 2 photos
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:14 • PWS Dolphins heading North heading into Denham Bay spread out between Sonora and Mainland, Dent Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
12:28 • 50 PWS Dolphins by Walkem Islands, Mayne Passage.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
11:56 • PWS Dolphins, Frederick Arm.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Jul 19 2015
17:02 • 75 PWS Dolphins still around Gomer Island at the entrance to Phillips Arm.
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:30 • 75 PWS Dolphins by Gomer Island.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Sun Jul 19 2015 – 6 photos
Sun Jul 19 2015 – 6 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
08:39 • 50 PWS Dolphins, Frederick Arm. ▫ On Scene
08:39 • 150 PWS Dolphins The group turned out to be much bigger.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Jul 18 2015
18:06 • PWS Dolphins Playfully leaping.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:21 • PWS Dolphins still in Denham Bay above Dent Rapids, Yuculta Rapids.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:00 • 50 PWS Dolphins doing donuts, above Dent Rapids.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:50 • 100 PWS Dolphins, Denham Bay, Yuculta Rapids.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
09:38 • PWS Dolphins by Denham Bay. ▫ Radio Report
Fri Jul 17 2015
16:44 • 12 PWS Dolphins by Bear Bay, Johnstone Strait. Playfully leaping.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:39 • 30 PWS Dolphins heading West by Howe Island out of Nodales Channel.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:13 • PWS Dolphins in Frederick Arm.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Jul 21 2015
12:11 • 50 PWS Dolphins playing, in Denham Bay above Dent Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Tue Jul 21 2015 – 4 photos
Tue Jul 21 2015 – 4 photos
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
09:36 • 150 PWS Dolphins heading South approaching Greensea Bay, Discovery Passage.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Jul 20 2015
13:33 • 35 PWS Dolphins heading East by Lee Islands, Nodales Channel. There’s between 30 to 40 of them.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
REPORT LOCATIONS MAP
Society Update:
Reports: Work has been intense at streamlining the sightings, cataloguing and mapping procedures with our new programs. Once again, a huge thank you to Eric Schwartz for his amazing work on this. We hope that you are enjoying the new maps that are included with each report now. There are still a few details being worked on, so you may find some changes from map to map such as colours, icons, legend, and spotters’ card links.
Web Camera and Hydrophone: Once the proceeds from our Fundraising Raffle are all in, we can concentrate on getting things underway with our first install at Grief Point. Our current schedule is to have it up and running in the fall. We will keep you posted.
Volunteers: Lynne has stepped down from helping with the reports and is sorely missed. We are in need of a couple of people willing to collaborate on getting our reports done. With all the changes to our system it’s easy to share the load from any location. Drop us an email or if you’re in Powell River, stop by our booth at SeaFair.
SeaFair: Starts tomorrow, Friday, July 24, 2015 until Sunday, July 26, 2015 when will be drawing the final winners of our 2015 Fundraising Raffle. We hope to see you there.
2015 Summer Fundraising Raffle SeaFair, Powell River:
July 24 to 26 at Willingdon Beach Fairgrounds
– On line ticket orders are still being accepted via our Donate button until tomorrow, July 24, 2015 cut off at 12 noon Pacific time.
– At our SeaFair booth you can buy your tickets up until 5 minutes prior to the final draw.
The Draw will be held during the closing ceremonies of Powell River Sea Fair on July 26, 2015 at approximately 5 pm.
Do you have your ticket yet?
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
2 Responses
I hope that the booth goes over well again at the SeaFair.
Love those photos … some absolutely gorgeous shots there.
B.S.
Comments are closed.