Humpback Whales Staying in the Northern Georgia Strait with SRKWs farther South and NRKWs in our Inner Channels

August 13, 2015 — issue No. 2015-029

Humpback Whales have been a major focus in our reports with so many in our inside waters. It’s wonderful to see so many different whales around. Grey Whales have also made a great resurgence back into our waterways. We have fewer Transient Bigg’s and other Killer Whales in the report, but they are still popping up.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

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TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES

Tue Aug 11 2015

18:51 • Bigg`s Orca heading South 2 miles off the Scallop Farm, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

16:38 • Bigg`s Orca heading West out of Hoskyn Channel approaching Dunsterville Islet, Sutil Channel.

Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching

16:36 • Bigg`s Orca heading East towards Beazley Passage, Okisollo Channel. ?T18s?

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

15:10 • Bigg`s Orca heading South, Surge Narrows.

Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures

13:04 • Bigg`s Orca travelling, heading South-East, Calm Channel. ?T018s, T019 and T019B? Possibly will turn into Hole in Wall.

11:09 • Bigg`s Orca heading North-West ?T018s, and T19B?

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

10:00 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading West by Rendezvous Islands in Drew Passage.

Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge

09:26 • Bigg`s Orca at Bullock Bluff heading towards Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.

Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching

09:25 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North by Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

Mon Aug 10 2015

21:38 • Bigg`s Orca heading North off Nanaimo, Georgia Strait.

Simon Piddock, Cowichan

19:45 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North towards Rathrevor Provincial Park off Nuttal Bay near Nanoose Bay. There were 3 adults and 1 juvenile moving medium speed, cruising.

Mary Wyatt Sindlinger

Sat Aug 08 2015

12:44 • Bigg`s Orca heading North off San Juan Island, Boundary Pass.

Gary Sutton, Wild Whales

Fri Aug 07 2015

20:16 • Bigg`s Orca down by Saturna Island, Georgia Strait. ?T002Cs, T035s?

Simon Piddock, Cowichan

11:27 • 6 Bigg`s Orca heading South in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. There may be more than 6 of them. They’ve slowed down a bit, but still aiming for Grief Point. ▫ Observed from Shore

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.

11:14 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading South

Rick Steen, Powell River Fishing Guide

NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES

Wed Aug 12 2015

18:30 • NRKW Orca heading East by Davis Point in Nodales Channel.

Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge

17:32 • NRKW Orca now past Hall Point at the top of Nodales Channel.

16:08 • NRKW Orca heading East coming up on Turn Island, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

15:20 • NRKW Orca heading East by Ripple Point.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

14:27 • NRKW Orca heading East by Bear Point.

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

13:35 • NRKW Orca travelling, heading East at Camp Point. ?A23s, A25s? ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

12:42 • NRKW Orca heading East by Kelsey Bay headed towards Earls Ledge, Johnstone Strait.

Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching

11:18 • NRKW Orca heading East by Hickey Point, Johnstone Strait. ?A23s, A25s?

Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching

10:17 • NRKW Orca heading East ?A60 and family?

John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris

Tue Aug 11 2015

15:27 • NRKW Orca turned, heading West passing Hickey Point. They woke up after a Seine boat and another larger vessel passed them and decided to turn back up the strait.

15:05 • NRKW Orca resting, heading East right off the entrance to Port Neville. ?A23s, A25s?

John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris

09:51 • NRKW Orca heading East by Naka Creek. ?A23s, A25s? At 3 knots with the flood tide.

Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge

Mon Aug 10 2015

11:10 • NRKW Orca heading East mid-channel off Kaikash Creek.

Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge

Sun Aug 09 2015

15:16 • NRKW Orca heading West out of Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve and A30s on Hanson Island side Johnstone Strait. ?C10s, A30s? ▫ Leaving the Scene

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

13:58 • NRKW Orca heading West off Boat Bay, Johnstone Strait. ?A30s?

13:58 • NRKW Orca heading East out of the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve. ?C10s?

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

Sat Aug 08 2015

14:13 • NRKW Orca playing, heading East slowly at the Broken Islands. ?A25s, A30s? Unbelievable! There were 4 juveniles that were harassing a little Harbour Porpoise for over 30 minutes. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

13:32 • NRKW Orca heading West heading for Escape Reef.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

11:54 • NRKW Orca resting, between Naka Creek and Eve River, Johnstone Strait. ?A30s, A25s? ▫ On Scene

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

Fri Aug 07 2015

14:08 • NRKW Orca heading West by Eve River, Johnstone Strait. ?A23s, A25s? ▫ Leaving the Scene

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

14:01 • NRKW Orca heading West ?A23s, A25s? They’re doing 2 – 4 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

12:48 • NRKW Orca heading West by Windy Point.

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

10:35 • NRKW Orca heading East at Hickey Point.

Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris

SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES

Wed Aug 12 2015

12:53 • SRKW Orca J and K-Pods are East of Race Rocks L-Pod is West off Sooke, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ?J-Pod, K-Pod, L-Pod?

Simon Piddock, Cowichan

12:49 • SRKW Orca East of Race Rocks, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ?J-Pod, K-Pod, L-Pod?

Josh McInnes, Victoria

Southern Resident Killer Whales

August 12, 2013

Josh McInnes, Victoria

Tue Aug 11 2015

12:58 • SRKW Orca heading West off Jordan River. ?K-Pod, L-pod? Correction it wasn’t transients this morning, as originally stated.

09:31 • 3 SRKW Orca heading West off Otter Point near Sooke, Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Josh McInnes, Victoria

Sun Aug 09 2015

11:15 • SRKW Orca heading East off Beechey Head, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ?LPod sub-pod?

Josh McInnes, Victoria

UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES

Tue Aug 11 2015

17:45 • 7 Orca heading South towards Valdez Island, Georgia Strait. Group of seven, composed of 2 adults, 3 juveniles, 2 babies. Viewed from spring beach on Gabriola Island for approximately one hour, ending just a couple of minutes ago. They were roaming around between Gabe and deCourcy Islands, and are now heading down the channel toward Valdez Island. ▫ Observed from Shore

Wanda Blok, Gabriola Island

HUMPBACK WHALES

Wed Aug 12 2015

17:43 • 1 Humpback Whale doing circles, by Whaletown Bay North end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

16:30 • Humpback Whale doing circles, Still in the same place. ▫ Leaving the Scene

16:07 • 1 Humpback Whale

Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching

12:46 • 1 Humpback Whale foraging, just North of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. And milling around still.

Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures

11:41 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South off Marina Island.

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

11:08 • 1 Humpback Whale near Whaletown Bay.

10:42 • 2 Humpback Whale between Subtle Islands and Marina Island, Sutil Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

10:42 • 2 Humpback Whale South of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

08:19 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South near Plunger Passage. ▫ Second Hand

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

Tue Aug 11 2015

18:51 • 1 Humpback Whale doing circles, at the Scallop Farm, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

16:50 • 2 Humpback Whale at Davis Bay and by Roberts Creek, Georgia Strait. They were about 150 yards from shore. Others who were there before I arrived said there appeared to be three or four whales, including a calf. The last shot of the two humpbacks was taken off the Roberts Creek pier when they were about a mile out.

Carl Olsen, Sechelt, BC

Humpback Whales

Tue Aug 11 2015 – 9 photos

Carl Olsen, Sechelt, BC

16:48 • 1 Humpback Whale at Centre Islet, Sutil Channel. There’s only one Humpback here.

16:43 • 2 Humpback Whale, Plunger Passage. I’m en route.

Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching

16:40 • 2 Humpback Whale off Camp Island.

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

16:15 • 2 Humpback Whale near the pier at Davis Bay, Sechelt, Georgia Strait. It looked like mother and calf, some people thought 2 adults and 1 young.

Sandra Timmins, Sechelt, BC

Humpback Whales

Tue Aug 11 2015 – 2 photos

Sandra Timmins, Sechelt, BC

16:00 • 2 Humpback Whale off Trail Islands in front of Davis Bay, Georgia Strait. The whales looked like they were having fun off Trail island between Davis Bay and Sechelt wharf about 1 km out. Lots of splashing and blowing.

Allan Knowles, Davis Bay

11:49 • Humpback Whale doing circles, off Marina Reef, Georgia Strait.

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

11:05 • 3 Humpback Whale at Marina Reef. Aaron, CRWW is on scene. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

09:15 • 3 Humpback Whale at the mouth of Quartz Bay, Cortez Island, Sutil Channel.

Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching

??:?? • 2 Humpback Whale off Gibsons, Georgia Strait.

Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC

Humpback Whales

Tue Aug 11 2015 – 1 photos

Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC

Mon Aug 10 2015

17:27 • 2 Humpback Whale milling, around the North end of Twin Islands by Baker Passage. Thought there was only one to begin with, but there are two!.

Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures

16:15 • 2 Humpback Whale South of Read Island, Sutil Channel. Must be an unremarkable sighting now, given their continual presence in recent weeks, but let it be noted they’re still here as of today. At least two humpbacks travelling together seen from the Cortes-Quadra ferry, South of Read Island. Passed right behind the ferry. I think one was the reported calf, caught sight of two flukes before a dive, one seemed small. ▫ From Ferry

Graham Blake, Cortez Island

15:47 • 3 Humpback Whale between Centre Islet and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

Humpback Whales

Mon Aug 10 2015 – 1 photos

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

15:36 • 3 Humpback Whale heading South The three were together then one split off and headed farther South in Sutil.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

13:25 • 3 Humpback Whale now between Hill Island and Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

13:15 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South at the South end of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.

Ron Bolen, Read island

13:09 • 2 Humpback Whale on the West side of Hill Island.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

11:30 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South just North of Salmon Point by Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait.

April Hammond, Salmon Point

09:54 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North around Subtle Islands headed towards Center Islets, Sutil Channel.

Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures

09:16 • 1 Humpback Whale between Heriot Bay and Whaletown Bay, Sutil Channel. The Humpback is running a parallel line where the ferry is running.

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

05:00 • 2 Humpback Whale breaching, heading North-West off Sevilla Island, Baker Passage. We could hear them more than see them in the quiet dawn. Their breaching sounded incredibly loud as did their blows. ▫ Observed from Shore

Gordie Coles, Sevilla Island

Sun Aug 09 2015

19:45 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North between Harwood Island and Atrevida Reef, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.

16:21 • 1 Humpback Whale Half mile off Quarda Island shore and 1 mile North of Francisco Point, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

15:16 • 5 Humpback Whale close to the wall at Cracroft Point, Blackney Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures

14:56 • 2 Humpback Whale off Wilby Shoals another just up from Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.

Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures

14:49 • 1 Humpback Whale doing circles, in between Francisco Point and Marina Island mid-channel Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching

11:26 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North slowly between Francisco Point and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

09:09 • 2 Humpback Whale off Francisco Point, Georgia Strait. Saw another Humpback blow towards Baker Pass. ▫ On Scene

Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures

08:04 • 2 Humpback Whale

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

??:?? • 1 Humpback Whale breaching, just outside Horseshoe Bay, Howe Sound.

Books by Bianca, Horseshoe Bay, BC

Humpback Whales

Sun Aug 09 2015 – 1 photos

Books by Bianca, Horseshoe Bay, BC

Sat Aug 08 2015

18:48 • 4 Humpback Whale doing circles, still in front of Whaletown Bay, Sutil Channel. ?BCY0291, KC? They’re doing big circles. Not sure who the other three are, but KC for sure. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

14:05 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South now along the west side of Marina Reef.

Colin Giffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters

14:00 • 1 Humpback Whale 1 nm North of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.

Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching

13:00 • 1 Humpback Whale near China Creek right in the Alberni Inlet.

Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive

12:58 • 2 Humpback Whale doing circles, west side of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ?BCX1258, Crescent, BCY0291, KC?

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

12:53 • 2 Humpback Whale at the North end of Marina Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

11:39 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South between Marina Reef and the Green Can Buoy, Sutil Channel.

Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching

11:20 • 2 Humpback Whale breaching, off Whaletown Bay, Sutil Channel. There’s also another about a mile off – Southbound and Garry is with another off Francisco Point.

Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures

10:10 • 2 Humpback Whale frolicking, by the Iron mines off Lund, Malaspina Strait. Maybe different ones than yesterday cause there’s two adult Humpbacks pretty active.Big blows. Quick movements and big high flukes. If they are still there on way south I’ll try and get a shot.

Jay Feaver, Powell River, CCG

10:00 • 3 Humpback Whale heading North past Lund towards the Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait. Three beautiful humpback whales passed our place at Lund this morning about 10:00 am headed up towards the Copelands – what a magnificent sight!!!.

Nancy Roynon Merkosky, Lund, BC

Fri Aug 07 2015

17:50 • 4 Humpback Whale heading South in front of Whaletown Bay, Sutil Channel. Will update before leaving. Whale town is a good place for whales! (Whaletown used to be whaling station – SM).

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

17:36 • 4 Humpback Whale, Plunger Passage. ▫ Second Hand

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

16:43 • 1 Humpback Whale still by Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out

15:58 • 2 Humpback Whale by Sheer Point, Hoskyn Channel.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

Humpback Whales

Fri Aug 07 2015 – 9 photos

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

15:58 • 2 Humpback Whale close to Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

Humpback Whales

Fri Aug 07 2015 – 5 photos

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

15:58 • 2 Humpback Whale closer to Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel. This makes a total of 6 in the same general vicinity…WOW!.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

14:30 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South-East mid-channel off Albion Point, Malaspina Strait.

Jay Feaver, Powell River, CCG

13:47 • 4 Humpback Whale at the South end of Whiterock Passage heading into the Settlers Group and Hoskyn Channel.

Jillian, Sonora Lodge

13:43 • 2 Humpback Whale off the SE end of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. This makes as many as 8 or possibly 10 Humpbacks between powell River and Bute Inlet. Unprecidented numbers in well over twenty years. ▫ Radio Report

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.

11:45 • 4 Humpback Whale on Quadra Island, Hoskyn Channel.

Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching

10:09 • 5 Humpback Whale in Sutil Channel. The 4 together are about to meet up with a 5th which I believe is KC!!! Of the 4 together, 3 are all black tails, one white with markings.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

10:00 • 1 Humpback Whale just above Marina Island, Sutil Channel. Found yet another Humpback Whale!.

09:48 • 4 Humpback Whale by Marina Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures

09:32 • 3 Humpback Whale by Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel. ?BCX0380, Z and friend? There are the three Humpbacks off Maina Island as well as these three. Magic Man (a radio call sign) says Zed and his big Buddy are two of the Humpbacks at Rendezvous.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

09:04 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South at the South end of the Northern most Rendezvous Islands. There could be three of them!.

Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching

GREY WHALES

Wed Aug 12 2015

08:43 • 1 Grey Whale foraging, off Stanley Park near Siwash Rock, Vancouver Harbour. Global TV traffic helicopter.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.

Sun Aug 09 2015

??:?? • 1 Grey Whale at Davis Bay, Sechelt, Georgia Strait.

Cornelia van Berkel, Sechelt, BC

Grey Whale

Sun Aug 09 2015 – 4 photos

Cornelia van Berkel, Sechelt, BC

Sat Aug 08 2015

??:?? • 1 Grey Whale foraging, between Davis Bay and Chaster Creek, Georgia Strait. Just wanted to let you know that the grey whale is still here on the Sunshine Coast, there have been sightings up until last night. He or she appears to have a route that favours going between Davis Bay and Bonniebrook beach/Chaster park. Many people are very excited to have the whale here and lots of people who have never seen one before – including myself – are reporting sightings and posting pictures. There are some concerns though, the route that the whale is traveling every day has numerous crab traps set and myself and others are concerned that she/he may become entangled in the lines. There are also three commercial fishing boats set up in Davis Bay with, apparently gill nets, out. Are there any laws in place that require the public to bring in their crab traps while a grey whale is in the area ? And are commercial fishing boats allowed to set nets close by to where a whale is frequently feeding ? It would be devastating to see this whale become tangled up in crab trap lines or fishing nets. ▫ Observed from Shore

Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC

Fri Aug 07 2015

17:40 • 1 Grey Whale near Davis Bay, Georgia Strait. Please educate the public to not intentionally approach them at hands reach with their paddle boards and canoes. Especially children and teens. This one got surrounded and ultimately scared away. This whale originally approached the bystanders on the pier and that short moment was simply magical. ▫ Observed from Shore

Andy S., Sechelt

PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

Tue Aug 11 2015

15:05 • 50 PWS Dolphins foraging, off the Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.

John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris

Mon Aug 10 2015

11:38 • 10 PWS Dolphins doing circles, mid-strait between Knox Bay and Bear Bight, Johnstone Strait.

Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching

10:27 • 6 PWS Dolphins in front of Knox Bay, Johnstone Strait.

Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching

Sun Aug 09 2015

13:37 • 12 PWS Dolphins near Gomer Island, Frederick Arm. They’re still in the same location.