Transient Bigg’s Orca have been up and down the Georgia Strait with a memorable stop in front of Powell River where a Harbour Seal the T036s and T036As were playing with, as they do prior to a kill, hopped on the back of a boat to hide. It was wonderful to see that the numerous boats out watching these whales were courteous and gave the whales plenty of room. Once the seal hid by the boat and hopped on board, the Orca were looking for a way to get at it and were tight up to the boat. All the boats on the water were stopped with motors off and drifting. That is the best way to enjoy these animals and prevent any collisions.
Some more Humpback Whales are showing up and continue to show off with their magnificent leaps out of the water. This is like watching a bus come out of the water! Southern Resident Orca, or SRKWs, have reappeared in the Southern Georgia Strait while the Northern Resident pods have been staying closer to the Robson Bight area of Johnstone Strait. Pacific White Sided Dolphins seem to group up and disperse frequently and a few Harbour Porpoise disappeared quickly when the Bigg’s T002Cs got a bit close.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
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Society News & Events
Boaters, please pay attention! Whales do NOT always manage to get out of your way and not only can they be injured, but so can you and your vessel. If you see a blow – go slow! Better yet, if you find yourself in the vicinity of these wonderful animals, put the boat into neutral or shut down entirely and enjoy watching them as you drift. They are a wonder of our world.
Are you the type of volunteer interested in Cetacea and mapping, who would be willing to spend some time with our growing Society network?
Our team of Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your reports are mapped and published each week.
We are preparing for our first Real Time Monitoring Station. A few logistics are still being worked out prior to posting additional callouts for Volunteers to assist with the installation.
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings
TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES
Tue Aug 23 2016
18:45 • 1 Bigg`s Orca moving quickly, heading South off the West side of Bowen Island, Collingwood Channel. Lone male heading South along Collingwood Channel just West of Bowen Island near Bluewater. ▫ Observed from Shore
Darren Thompson, Bowen Island, BC
18:16 • 6 Bigg`s Orca heading North off Rebecca Spit towards Breton Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:01 • 4+ Bigg`s Orca heading East in Open Bay, Sutil Channel. Moving towards Hoskyn Channel.
13:51 • Bigg`s Orca breaching, in Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel. Observed from shore. ▫ Second Hand
Mon Aug 22 2016
18:35 • Bigg`s Orca at Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
17:35 • 10-12 Bigg`s Orca hunting, heading towards Grief Point. ◦T036s;T036As◦ After chasing the seal onto a boat, they gave up.
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
Transient Bigg’s T036s, T036As plus another pod by Powell River play with and chase a seal onto a boat.
Mon, 22 Aug 2016 – 10 items
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
Transient Bigg’s T036s, T036As plus another pod by Powell River play with and chase a seal onto a boat.
Mon, 22 Aug 2016 – 10 items
17:00 • 10 Bigg`s Orca center strait off Willingdon Beach, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Orca hunting a Harbour seal, which took refuge by a boat and jumped on and off the swim grid 3 times as he tried to escape them. After about 30 minutes the orcas gave up and left. The seal then cautiously left the boat (see photo).
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
Orca Hunting Seal which had taken refuge on back of a boat
Mon, 22 Aug 2016 – 1 items
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
Orca Hunting Seal which had taken refuge on back of a boat
Mon, 22 Aug 2016 – 1 items
16:43 • 10-12 Bigg`s Orca playing, stopped mid-channel just South of Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait. ◦T036s, T036As◦
16:30 • Bigg`s Orca heading South heading towards Whale Passage from Whiterock Passage. ◦T002Cs◦
16:30 • 10 Bigg`s Orca breaching, foraging, socializing, 50m from shore off Major Rock Islet off Lund, Malaspina Strait.
16:17 • Bigg`s Orca heading North between Read Island and Maurelle Island, Whiterock Passage. ◦T002Cs◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:09 • Bigg`s Orca heading South-East mid-channel between shore and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
14:14 • Bigg`s Orca just South of Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait.
14:12 • Bigg`s Orca at the mouth of Bute Inlet. ◦T002Cs◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:32 • Bigg`s Orca across from Arrans Rapids in Bute Inlet.
12:24 • Bigg`s Orca playing, heading South about 2 miles West of Major Rock Islet, Malaspina Strait. Lots of socialization. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:10 • 10-12 Bigg`s Orca heading South towards Major Rock Islet.
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T0036s between Major Rock and the Copelands
Mon, 22 Aug 2016 – 9 items
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T0036s between Major Rock and the Copelands
Mon, 22 Aug 2016 – 9 items
12:01 • Bigg`s Orca heading South at Fawn Bluff, Bute Inlet. ◦T002Cs◦ ▫ Radio Report
10:56 • Bigg`s Orca off Moh Creek, Bute Inlet. ◦T002Cs◦
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T002Cs by Bute Inlet
Mon, 22 Aug 2016 – 3 items
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T002Cs by Bute Inlet
Mon, 22 Aug 2016 – 3 items
10:34 • 10-12 Bigg`s Orca approaching Hernando Island, Georgia Strait. Multiple groups of Orca.
09:58 • 5-6 Bigg`s Orca South end of the Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait.
08:35 • 5-6 Bigg`s Orca breaching, heading North at Emmonds Beach just South of Lund, Malaspina Strait. Sticking at Emmonds Beach. Heard them blowing. They were headed towards Lund at a steady pace. ▫ Observed from Shore
Rhondda Schreurs, Powell River, BC
–:– • Bigg`s Orca by Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ◦T036s; T036As◦
Sun Aug 21 2016
19:36 • Bigg`s Orca heading North at Jimmy Judd Island, Dent Rapids.
17:30 • Bigg`s Orca heading East, Hole in the Wall. ◦T002Cs◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
Sun, 21 Aug 2016 – 1 items
Jack Steensma, a guest of Campbell River Whale Watching
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
Sun, 21 Aug 2016 – 1 items
Jack Steensma, a guest of Campbell River Whale Watching
15:20 • Bigg`s Orca going right into Waiatt Bay South of the Octopus Islands, Okisollo Channel. ◦T002Cs◦
12:28 • Bigg`s Orca heading North just through Beazley Passage, Surge Narrows, Hoskyn Channel. ◦T002Cs◦
11:39 • Bigg`s Orca heading North through Surge Narrows into Okisollo Channel.
Sat Aug 20 2016
19:45 • 3 Bigg`s Orca heading North-West off of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. These three Orca were in between the four Humpbacks reported in the Humpback Whale section. This is an unusual occurance.
12:23 • 7 Bigg`s Orca heading South at Point Atkinson at the mouth of Queen Charlotte Channel.
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
Sat, 20 Aug 2016 – 2 items
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
Sat, 20 Aug 2016 – 2 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
Transient Bigg’s T036s, T036As plus another pod by Lund – Savary Island.
Mon, 22 Aug 2016 – 6 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
Transient Bigg’s T036s, T036As plus another pod by Lund – Savary Island.
Mon, 22 Aug 2016 – 6 items
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Tue Aug 23 2016
13:19 • NRKW Orca off Cracroft Point, West Cracroft Island, Blackfish Sound.
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Sat, 20 Aug 2016 – 3 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Sat, 20 Aug 2016 – 3 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Sun, 21 Aug 2016 – 3 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Sun, 21 Aug 2016 – 3 items
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Tue Aug 23 2016
15:08 • SRKW Orca off East Point, Saturna Island, Boundary Pass. ◦J-pod; K-pod; and L-pod◦
Mon Aug 22 2016
16:39 • SRKW Orca heading North off of False Bay on the South-West shore of San Juan Island, Haro Strait. ◦Js;Ks;Ls◦
Sun Aug 21 2016
14:48 • 45 SRKW Orca foraging, heading South across all arms of the Fraser River, Georgia Strait. Elements of J, K and L pods. Fishing and catching!.
SIGHTING MEDIA
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Sun, 21 Aug 2016 – 1 items
SIGHTING MEDIA
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Sun, 21 Aug 2016 – 1 items
14:46 • SRKW Orca heading North at the T10 marker, North Arm of the Fraser River.
Sat Aug 20 2016
16:00 • SRKW Orca foraging, off of Sand Heads, Georgia Strait. ◦JPod◦ Fishing was reportedly very good as apparently every whale was chasing a fish.
Tue Aug 23 2016
18:35 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North at Quadra Island Scallop Farm South of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
18:16 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
18:14 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
17:58 • 1 Humpback Whales off Separation Head, Discovery Passage.
16:46 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North-East off Francisco Point, Sutil Channel. ◦BCX0565 Nick; BCZ0004 Stripe◦ Angling towards Whaletown.
16:22 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, heading East off Francisco Point. ◦BCX0565 Nick; BCZ0004 Stripe◦ Travelling towards Baker Passage.
16:14 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, around Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
15:21 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading North off Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage.
14:39 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North off of the mill in Duncan Bay.
14:03 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North just North of Argonaut Wharf in Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
14:02 • 1 Humpback Whales at the mouth of Hoskyn Channel.
14:02 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North near Painters Lodge, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:17 • 1 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading North off Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage.
Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River, BC
12:44 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, off Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Georgia Strait.
08:29 • 1 Humpback Whales near the Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Mon Aug 22 2016
20:00 • 3-5 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading South-East between Qualicum Beach and Lasqueti Island, Georgia Strait. We were sitting at the Shady Rest Pub in Qualicum Beach on the beach. We were looking towards Lasqueti Island and they were between QB and Lasqueti. Boats that were travelling had stopped as well we noticed. Large plumes of blows could be seen…several times over a 45 min period and the large tail flukes could be seen diving down. It was amazing. ▫ Observed from Shore
Laureen Richards, Qualicum Beach, BC
17:57 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South towards the South-West tip of Harwood Island, Georgia Strait.
16:12 • 1 Humpback Whales at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
10:02 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South at Race Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Sun Aug 21 2016
17:40 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, in Baker Passage.
14:07 • 1 Humpback Whales off of Granite Bay, Kanish Bay.
11:23 • Humpback Whales passing through the inside of Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Sun, 21 Aug 2016 – 1 items
Jack Steensma, a guest of Campbell River Whale Watching
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Sun, 21 Aug 2016 – 1 items
Jack Steensma, a guest of Campbell River Whale Watching
11:13 • 1 Humpback Whales heading East Walkem Islands.
07:56 • 1 Humpback Whales heading unknown direction at Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Sat Aug 20 2016
19:48 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North-West between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Confirmed four Humpbacks total: two hbs between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood. Another two out in Georgia Strait just out from Rebecca rocks. And three Orca in between them!. ▫ Observed from Shore
19:48 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North-West out from Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. This is the first two spotted.
19:22 • 1-3 Humpback Whales Rebecca Rocks off of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. One humpback to the left, one or two to the right out farther from Rebecca Rocks.
18:53 • 1-2 Humpback Whales angling towards the Southwest tip of Harwood Island in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
17:49 • 2 Humpback Whales at Kye Bay, Comox, Georgia Strait. No direction.
14:40 • 1 Humpback Whales off of Whaletown, Sutil Channel. Young Humpback. ▫ Leaving the Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Young Humpback Whale by Whaletown, Cortez Island
Sat, 20 Aug 2016 – 2 items
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Young Humpback Whale by Whaletown, Cortez Island
Sat, 20 Aug 2016 – 2 items
11:39 • 1 Humpback Whales heading West along Marina Island, Sutil Channel. About 1km off shore. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:31 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading West between Marina Island and Francisco Point, Sutil Channel. Small whale.
09:56 • 1 Humpback Whales by Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait. Mom Humpbacks frequently leave their calf on own so they can feed. Calf plays or sleeps on surface. – SM.
09:55 • 1 Humpback Whales out from Whaletown, Sutil Channel. Not moving anywhere fast.
09:16 • 1 Humpback Whales in front of Whaletown angling towards Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel. this is one of the small ones in the area.
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Sun, 21 Aug 2016 – 1 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Sun, 21 Aug 2016 – 1 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Sun, 21 Aug 2016 – 3 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Sun, 21 Aug 2016 – 3 items
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Tue Aug 23 2016
17:44 • 50+ PWS Dolphins heading North off Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait.
11:08 • PWS Dolphins sleepy, behind Lee Islands, Nodales Channel.
08:29 • 30 PWS Dolphins off Davis Point, Nodales Channel. Reported by Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort. ▫ Second Hand
Mon Aug 22 2016
15:15 • 50 PWS Dolphins heading South-West between Hall Point and Frederick Arm, Nodales Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:10 • 80-100 PWS Dolphins heading East coming up to Sonora Point, Nodales Channel.
10:03 • PWS Dolphins mid-channel at St. Vincent Bight, Johnstone Strait. Large group.
09:52 • 50-100 PWS Dolphins heading West at Davis Point, Nodales Channel.
09:03 • PWS Dolphins small group at Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
07:50 • PWS Dolphins near Howe Island, Nodales Channel. ▫ Radio Report
Sun Aug 21 2016
17:45 • 50 PWS Dolphins in front of the fish farm at Okisollo Channel.
11:13 • 20 PWS Dolphins heading East Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Sat Aug 20 2016
11:56 • 20 PWS Dolphins heading South out from Sliammon in the middle of Malaspina Strait.
11:46 • PWS Dolphins between Atrevida Reef and Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. Splashing.
11:00 • PWS Dolphins off of Hall Point heading into Frederick Arm, Nodales Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
09:53 • 3 PWS Dolphins off of Howe Island, Nodales Channel.
Mon Aug 22 2016
12:30 • 6 Harbour Porpoise heading South in Calm Channel off the mouth of Bute Inlet. Left in a hurry as the T002C Orca approached.
SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2016-028
CBC News
A seal hitched a ride on a whale-watching boat off the coast of Vancouver Island to escape a pod of hungry orcas who were hunting him….
Vancouver Sun
Anchovies are being seen in "phenomenal numbers" in Howe Sound, likely as a result of El Nino’s warming impact on West Coast waters, a Vancouver Aquarium biologist says.…
Audobon Society
Somewhere along the beautiful coast of Big Sur, a California Condor sinks its beak into the decaying flesh of a dead sea lion. It’s a gruesome sight, but …
Whale skeleton outside N.S. cottage drawing local attention
CTV News, NS
An otherwise ordinary looking cottage in rural Nova Scotia is turning heads thanks to an unusual new lawn ornament — a six-metre-long whale skeleton.
The bones belong to what appears to be a minke whale – likely the same one that made local headlines when it washed up on the shores of Pomquet Harbour late last fall.
Cottage owner Robert Delorey, however, simply calls it "the big one."
The Dodo
A dolphin released in 2013 has been seen again with new offspring in tow. She was returned to the wild after the Korean Supreme Court ruled to release 5 dolphins caught and sold illegally to aquariums ….
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