Vancouver Grey Whales, Transient Bigg’s Orca, Humpback Whales, Dolphins and Porpoise
Grey Whales have been making the news by being right in Vancouver to feed close to the shore giving people a great show as they walk along the shores of Stanley Park and Kitsilano. We believe the one that was running between Gibsons and Sechelt in prior reports has joined up with the one by Stanley Park; at least for the time being. Our other reports cover Transient Bigg’s Orca in many locations, many Humpback Whales still along the Sunshine Coast, and Dolphins and Porpoise mostly in the inlets.
Society News:
A big welcome our new Volunteers who are starting training to help out with preparation of these reports and our IT Specialist for his incredible number of hours and efforts to make it all happen.
Another thank you goes out to Jos Krijnen of Eagle Eye Adventures for the wonderful design of our new Society logo.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
SIGHTINGS MAP 2015-037
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 Oct 09 2015
17:10 • 1 Bigg`s Orca heading North past Albion Point towards Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Only the one seen in rough waters, and with very tall dorsal fin.
Bill Taylor, Powell River
14:21 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North in Whale Passage.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Oct 07 2015
11:00 • 4-5 Bigg`s Orca heading South off Saltery Bay by Hardy Island, Jervis Inlet. Small pod of orca. ▫ From Ferry
Wendy Heathcote, Powell River
Tue Oct 06 2015
10:22 • 1 Bigg`s Orca heading South off Willow Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Rhys, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:08 • 5 Bigg`s Orca close to Mitlenatch Island. The male had two distinct notches on the trailing edge of the dorsal.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:42 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South at Shelter Point. Group split up. These are 4 small dorsals.
09:42 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading North at the Southern end of the Cape Mudge Village tight to Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. From the split, these 1 or 2 bulls turned North.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
09:18 • Bigg`s Orca off Salmon Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:58 • 10 Bigg`s Orca heading North between the Cape Mudge Lighthouse and Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
08:46 • 10 Bigg`s Orca heading North at Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. There’s 8 – 10 of them.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Oct 05 2015
15:15 • 6 Bigg`s Orca heading West now speeding past Earl Ledge, Johnstone Strait.
Lynne Cracknell, Sayward
Transient Bigg’ s Killer Whales
Mon Oct 05 2015 – 3 Images / Media Files
Lynne Cracknell, Sayward
Transient Bigg’ s Killer Whales
Mon Oct 05 2015 – 3 Images / Media Files
Lynne Cracknell, Sayward
15:01 • 6 Bigg`s Orca doing circles, heading West slowly close to Helmcken Island. Maybe 6 of them, two big fins, one baby. The baby did a long sort of headstand / tail lob – very impressive!. ▫ On Scene
Lynne Cracknell, Sayward
13:50 • 12 Bigg`s Orca heading North by Vansittart Point. Not sure if it’s part of the group of around 20 that had split off. ▫ Radio Report
13:38 • Bigg`s Orca by McMullen Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Radio Report
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Sun Oct 04 2015
17:30 • Bigg`s Orca heading towards Beazley Passage in Hoskyn Channel. ▫ On Scene
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:40 • 20 Bigg`s Orca heading East by Dunsterville Islet. There’s somewhere between 15 and 20 of them!.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Oct 02 2015
10:08 • 4 Bigg`s Orca moving fast towards Francisco Point in Sutil Channel. ?T002Cs?
09:31 • 4 Bigg`s Orca doing donuts, in front of Whaletown Bay, Sutil Channel. ?T002Cs? Fabien found them.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
09:29 • Bigg`s Orca doing circles,
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Oct 01 2015
17:40 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South by Whiskey Point, Discovery Passage. ?T002Cs? ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
17:21 • 4 Bigg`s Orca in front of April Point. ?T002Cs?
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:47 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South passing Copper Bluff. ?T002Cs? They suddenly decided to pick up some speed now. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:44 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South 250 meters off the shore by Walcan Forest at about 5-7 knots, just going with the tide below Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ?T002Cs?
14:33 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South just North of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ?T002Cs?
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:56 • Bigg`s Orca heading South just above Browns Bay. ▫ Radio Report
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
12:00 • 5 Bigg`s Orca in Lang Bay adjacent to the outlet of Lang Creek, Malaspina Strait.
Ray Sharpe, .
Wed Sep 30 2015
15:41 • Bigg`s Orca heading South mid-channel near the Quadra Island in Discovery Passage.
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:46 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North mid Whale Passage top end of Sutil Channel. ?T002Cs?
14:35 • 4 Bigg`s Orca by the South entrance to Whale Passage. ?T002Cs?
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
11:51 • Bigg`s Orca heading North heading towards Penn Islands from Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:04 • Bigg`s Orca heading North at Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:04 • 4 Bigg`s Orca half way up Marina Reef angling towards Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel. ?T002Cs? ▫ Radio Report
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
HUMPBACK WHALES
Fri Oct 09 2015
17:36 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North by the 50th Parallel Marker at Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:00 • 1 Humpback Whale off South End of Stuart Island, Calm Channel. Does not seem to be going anywhere. Was out in front of Sonora Lodge earlier.
Roger McDonnell, Stubbs Island Whale Watching
12:26 • 1 Humpback Whale by Church House.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Oct 08 2015
11:36 • 1 Humpback Whale mid-strait on BC Ferry Route to Nanaimo Harbour, Georgia Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Oct 06 2015
14:34 • 2 Humpback Whale heading West past Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait. They had been foraging in circles really close together in a tide rip close to shore. They sure moved fast! Now they’re along the Vancouver Island shoreline. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:43 • 2 Humpback Whale breaching, between Helmcken Island and Hardwicke Island, Johnstone Strait. Four breaches in a row, dual pectoral slaps sound like gunshots. Very active whales! Fifth breach was just off the Hardwicke shore. They are not big animals. ▫ On Scene
Lynne Cracknell, Sayward
Humpback Whales
Tue Oct 06 2015 – 3 Images / Media Files
Lynne Cracknell, Sayward
Humpback Whales
Tue Oct 06 2015 – 3 Images / Media Files
Lynne Cracknell, Sayward
12:56 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North abeam Henrietta Point inbound to Bute Inlet.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
12:38 • 1 Humpback Whale off Johnstone Bluff bound for Henrietta Point, Bute Inlet.
Rhys, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:32 • 1 Humpback Whale off Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. ?BCX0380, Zed? Note: from description of tail flukes and aware that Zed has been around the area, we’ve identified the whale as Zed. – SM. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jim Southern, Powell River
09:45 • 1 Humpback Whale by Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Missed hearing the exact location or direction. ▫ Radio Report
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
08:16 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South just below Myrtle Rocks towards Albion Point, Malaspina Strait.
Bill Taylor, Powell River
07:10 • 2 Humpback Whale heading West off the Point Grey, English Bay. It was still relatively dark out, but pretty sure they were Humpbacks and not the Grey whales that have been reported.
Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures
Mon Oct 05 2015
17:05 • 2 Humpback Whale near the Green Can Buoy on Wilby Shoals, Strait of Georgia.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:18 • 1 Humpback Whale lazying around the Cape Lazo, Strait of Georgia.
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
15:43 • 4 Humpback Whale heading South slowly off Francisco Point. There’s 2 Humpback Whales 2 miles north of Francisco point and 2 Humpbacks 1 mile south of Francisco as well.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
13:47 • 4 Humpback Whale by Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:41 • 2 Humpback Whale ▫ Radio Report
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
11:23 • 4 Humpback Whale now at Beazley Passage in Hoskyn Channel.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
10:19 • 2 Humpback Whale off Quadra Island angling towards Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel. ▫ Radio Report
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Sun Oct 04 2015
16:05 • 2 Humpback Whale by the Red Can Buoy off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
11:08 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North off Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
Sat Oct 03 2015
09:41 • 2 Humpback Whale off McRae Cove below Stillwater Bay, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Radio Report
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Fri Oct 02 2015
18:45 • 1 Humpback Whale West of Northeast Point off Texada Island in Malaspina Strait. Not able to see if there were more than one and direction of travel. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michael Stewart, Powell River
16:51 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South close to Texada Island straight out from our place by Albion Point, Malaspina Strait.
Bill Taylor, Powell River
16:17 • 1 Humpback Whale breaching, over by the Texada Island quarry across from Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. He’s breaching steady! We got a great look through the scope. ▫ Observed from Shore
13:49 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North passing Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River
13:49 • 2 Humpback Whale off Myrtle Rocks. ?BCX0380, Zed and friend? There’s possibly a third one, but can’t confirm. Very lumpy on the water. ▫ On Scene
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Thu Oct 01 2015
14:00 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South-East off Lang Bay heading towards Jervis Inlet, Malaspina Strait.
Neil Park, .
Wed Sep 30 2015
15:33 • 2 Humpback Whale turned, heading South past Painter’s Lodge in Discovery Passage.
15:10 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North mid strait by Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:03 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South at Coulter Island heading for Plunger Passage in Sutil Channel.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
15:03 • 1 Humpback Whale heading South-West about a mile and a half off Blubber Bay on the West side of Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Jay Feaver, Powell River, CCG
13:52 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North by Race Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Radio Report
11:20 • 1 Humpback Whale off the entrance to Whiterock Passage, Drew Passage.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
11:14 • 2 Humpback Whale bucking the ebb tide slightly South of Browns Bay Marina near Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Ed Sharkey, Painter’s Lodge
Tue Sep 29 2015
15:00 • 2 Humpback Whale by Browns Bay just above Seymour Narrows.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Tue Sep 29 2015 – 9 Images / Media Files
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
known as Stripe and Nick
known as Stripe and Nick
Tue Sep 29 2015 – 9 Images / Media Files
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:51 • 2 Humpback Whale off Saltery Bay by Mermaid Cove, Jervis Inlet. They were in close right off the buoy marking the mermaid Sept 27th , also again on 28th & 29th. ▫ Observed from Shore
John and Liz Craven, Powell River
Humpback Whales
Tue Sep 29 2015 – 9 Images / Media Files
John and Liz Craven, Powell River
| BCX0380 known as Zed |
| BCX0380 known as Zed |
Humpback Whales
Tue Sep 29 2015 – 9 Images / Media Files
John and Liz Craven, Powell River
Mon Sep 28 2015
11:44 • 1 Humpback Whale off Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
GREY WHALES
Mon Oct 05 2015
17:31 • 2 Grey Whale off Second Beach, Vancouver, English Bay.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
11:26 • 2 Grey Whale off Vancouver in English Bay.
Colin Giffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Sun Oct 04 2015
12:38 • 1 Grey Whale entering False Creek, Vancouver Harbour.
Colin Giffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
 |
| Large Grey Whale – Vancouver Photo by Lynn Whyte – VanCity Buzz |
Fri Oct 02 2015
10:30 • 1 Grey Whale heading West just in front of the Jericho Beach Tennis Club Vancouver Harbour, Georgia Strait. I was paddle boarding at around 10:30 am just in front of Jericho Tennis Club. I saw a grey whale, heading West. It was just a bit further out than the sail boats moored there, around where the orange bouys are. It surface several times and “blew” and headed towards Jericho Pier off the Sailing Centre, where I saw crowds of people looking at it. I ran into someone who told me he and 3 other paddle boarders saw a grey whale very close that went under their boards just a bit further East of Jericho, closer to the foot of Stpehens Street- the little park, he said they were very close to shore in shallow water. Is it safe to be around them? I was thrilled!.
Penny Noble, Vancouver
Thu Oct 01 2015
11:18 • 1 Grey Whale off Vancouver Harbour, Georgia Strait. Heard over the radio ‘an influx of gray whales or possibly just one seen around Vancouver beaches over the last few days. Nice to hear that they are becoming more visible and common. ▫ Second Hand
Sue Bertelsen, Chilliwack
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Fri Oct 09 2015
11:20 • PWS Dolphins near the mouth of Frederick Arm, Cordero Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Oct 06 2015
09:02 • 20 PWS Dolphins just off Bowen Island in Howe Sound. They were feeding and circling around So much fun watching them.
Jackie Kasprick, .
Mon Oct 05 2015
12:00 • PWS Dolphins off Westview, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Mon Oct 05 2015 – 5 Images / Media Files
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Mon Oct 05 2015 – 5 Images / Media Files
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
Sat Oct 03 2015
11:31 • PWS Dolphins, Frederick Arm. It’s a small group of them.
Jerry, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:29 • PWS Dolphins ▫ Radio Report
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Fri Oct 02 2015
12:00 • 6 PWS Dolphins at Squirrel Cove off Lewis Channel. We stood watching 6 dolphins swimming back and forth. The locals there report it’s been a “whale of a summer” and they’ve been watching this gang daily. Also, they mentioned a humpback over near the West Thurlow shore north of Refuge Cove. We ourselves last June watched a humpback zig-zagging in Jervis Inlet. We were under sail so no motor noise prevented our hearing its blowing and other sounds. Once I get to good internet I’ll check out your website and see if it explains why they whack their fins down hard on the water. We lost sight of it for a while and then were surprised to see it surface fairly near our boat and give us a look. I know intellectually how large whales are but actually seeing one up close took my breath away.
Karen Seashore, .
Tue Sep 29 2015
11:00 • PWS Dolphins in Bute Inlet.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Tue Sep 29 2015 – 3 Images / Media Files
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Tue Sep 29 2015 – 3 Images / Media Files
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sun Sep 27 2015
10:30 • 4 PWS Dolphins at the South end of Beazley Passage, Hoskyn Channel.
Karen Seashore, .
DALL’S PORPOISE
Fri Oct 09 2015
11:20 • Dall`s Porpoise just in the entrance to Frederick Arm, Cordero Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Oct 08 2015
15:28 • Dall`s Porpoise by Stuart Island by Arran Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:27 • 10 Dall`s Porpoise in the Vancouver Bay at the entrance to Bute Inlet.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Oct 07 2015
11:16 • 7 Dall`s Porpoise between Church House and Hole in the Wall in Calm Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
10:13 • 6 Dall`s Porpoise playing, heading North, Fawn Bluff north of Stuart Island in Bute Inlet.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Oct 06 2015
12:54 • 6 Dall`s Porpoise at Vancouver Bay at the entrance to Bute Inlet.
Rhys, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Oct 05 2015
12:45 • 3 Dall`s Porpoise at Purcell Point well inside Bute Inlet.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
10:02 • Dall`s Porpoise by Vancouver Bay at the entrance to Bute Inlet. ▫ Radio Report
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Sat Oct 03 2015
12:19 • Dall`s Porpoise by Little Dent Island, Dent Rapids. ▫ Radio Report
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sun Sep 20 2015
17:08 • 2 Harbour Porpoise in Trail Bay closer to Davis Bay, Georgia Strait. We were fishing from the dinghy and no motor when we saw this mom and calf.
Erin, Sechelt
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
Call 1-877-323-9776or Emailyour report.
