Humpback Whales Spread Out Southward

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Humpback Whales Spread Out Southward

August 25, 2017   —   issue No. 2017-029

This report covers sightings between August 20th to the 22nd, with the majority of sightings being Humpback whales. However, many of Humpbacks have moved from the upper Georgia Strait and lower Sutil Channel area towards the area between Powell River and Comox. Transient (Biggs) Orca have been observed in some of the same areas where Humpbacks have been found. Pacific White-Sided Dolphins in large pods have been observed in the northern part of Discovery Passage and in Nodales Channel. Our report includes some sightings of the Northern Resident Orca as well one sighting of Dall’s Porpoise and Harbour Porpoise.

Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society


Humpback Whale travelling together off of Powell River

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

Society News & Events
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Sightings Update


ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2017-029

ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP

TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES


Tue Aug 22 2017

15:30 • 6-7 Biggs Orca heading south off Texada Island, Georgia Strait.

14:25 • Biggs Orca heading south off Texada Island.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce



Mon Aug 21 2017

19:02 • Biggs Orca ?T002C2 Tumbo? heading south travelling at 3 knots off Salmon Point, Georgia Strait. Other whales in the group. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive


16:22 • Biggs Orca tight to shore just below Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out


14:40 • Biggs Orca heading south toward Hoskyn Rock, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene


11:40 • Biggs Orca at Dunsterville Point angling toward Quadra Island heading into Hoskyn Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


10:25 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? heading north approaching Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.


09:10 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? heading north approaching Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

08:53 • Biggs Orca just north of red can at Cortez Reef, Sutil Channel.


06:30 • 3-4 Biggs Orca heading south off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. From fishing guide. ▫ Second Hand



Sun Aug 20 2017

18:58 • Biggs Orca heading toward Powell Islets, Malaspina Strait. Very elusive; lots of direction changes. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


17:55 • Biggs Orca off red can at Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.

Radio, overheard or call out


17:00 • 5 Biggs Orca circling Little Rock south of Twin Islands, Baker Passage. After about 10 minutes, they headed south out of Baker Passage.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


15:08 • 4-5 Biggs Orca off Powell Islets headed toward Mary Point, Malaspina Strait.


14:46 • 7 Biggs Orca at Achilles Bank angling toward Comox Bar, Georgia Strait. Two large males and one very young. From the ‘Spirit of Endeavor’,. ▫ Second Hand

14:16 • 8 Biggs Orca heading north off the north end of Lasqueti Island, Georgia Strait. One big fin.

Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive


NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES


Tue Aug 22 2017

12:49 • NRKW Orca hunting, off Cracroft Point, West Cracroft Island, Blackfish Sound.



Sun Aug 20 2017

17:41 • NRKW Orca ?A30s; I15s? between Cracroft Point and Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve, Johnstone Strait. And many other Resident Orca.


SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Northern Resident Killer Whales

Northern Resident Killer Whales, A5s and I35s, surfing and eating

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 – 1 items

Megan Hockin-Bennett, OrcaLab

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Northern Resident Killer Whales

Northern Resident Killer Whales, A5s and I35s, surfing and eating

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 – 1 items

Megan Hockin-Bennett, OrcaLab

UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES


Sun Aug 20 2017

14:49 • Orca off Howe Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Radio Report


HUMPBACK WHALES


Tue Aug 22 2017

17:45 • 1 Humpback Whales in front of Whaletown heading towards Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


17:16 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west between the mine on Texada Island and the north side of Hornby Island, Georgia Strait.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce


16:53 • 2 Humpback Whales in Redonda Bay, West Redonda Island, Deer Passage.


15:47 • 4 Humpback Whales in Raza Passage.


15:30 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south off Texada Island, Georgia Strait.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce


13:16 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, off Whaletown near the north side of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. Lazy whales.


SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Two Humpback Whales off of Whaletown near Marina Island

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 – 1 items

Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC


SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Two Humpback Whales off of Whaletown near Marina Island

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 – 1 items

Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC

12:43 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south in Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage.


12:25 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, off Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. Big blows.

Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris


12:18 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, off Cape Lazo, Comox, Georgia Strait.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce


11:11 • Humpback Whales between Bartlett Islet and Maurelle Island in the middle of Calm Channel.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


11:07 • 1 Humpback Whales bucking tide, heading south off Browns Bay towards Seymour Narrows in the middle of Discovery Passage.


11:02 • Humpback Whales heading south between Harwood Island and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ From Ferry

Sue Bertelsen, Chilliwack, BC


11:01 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, in front of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


09:56 • 6 Humpback Whales midway between Cape Lazo and Blubber Bay, Georgia Strait.

Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive


09:39 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, between Quartz Bay and Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.

09:18 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Raza Island, Raza Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out


09:11 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Separation Head, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.


08:41 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Separation Head, Quadra Island.


08:40 • 1 Humpback Whales at the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.



Mon Aug 21 2017

16:22 • Humpback Whales into Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out


16:10 • 4 Humpback Whales in Deer Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene

16:10 • 2 Humpback Whales in Redonda Bay, Deer Passage. Little ones. ▫ Leaving the Scene

16:10 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north towards the mainland off West Redonda Island along the south side of Pryce Channel. Bigger ones. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


16:01 • 3 Humpback Whales at Marina Island, Sutil Channel. Fluke dives.

Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris


14:13 • Humpback Whales toward Harwood Island from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Massive whales, multiple breaches; stunning!.

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


12:29 • 1 Humpback Whales tail slaps, heading south off Steep Island, Discovery Passage. A couple of breaches.


11:27 • 1 Humpback Whales 1 mile NW of Redonda Bay, Calm Channel. Small one. ▫ Leaving the Scene


11:05 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south 200 metres off the beach just south of Burdwood Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel. Small and active.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


10:26 • Humpback Whales mid channel in Drew Passage.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures


09:44 • 3 Humpback Whales, Deer Passage.

09:44 • 2 Humpback Whales by Raza Island, Calm Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out


09:24 • 2 Humpback Whales top of Lewis Channel.


08:00 • est. 5-10 Humpback Whales moving slowly, near shore Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. 2 small groups of Humpback whales 300-500 meters from shore by the Viewpoint. One group of 2 sub adults and another group of at least 4 animals which included a large calf. ▫ Observed from Shore

Steve & Susan Grover, Powell River, BC



Sun Aug 20 2017

19:18 • 1 Humpback Whales at red can Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale near shore by the Powell River Viewpoint

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 – 2 items

Steve Grover, Powell River, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale near shore by the Powell River Viewpoint

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 – 2 items

Steve Grover, Powell River, BC

19:18 • 1 Humpback Whales between red can at Cortez Reef and Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.

18:58 • 1 Humpback Whales near Powell Islets, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


18:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north half mile off shore past the wharf at Powell River Westview Harbour, Malaspina Strait. Large and small tail fins prominent when sounding.

Dave Florence, Powell River, BC


17:55 • Humpback Whales off red can at Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.

Radio, overheard or call out


17:12 • Humpback Whales out from Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. Very active.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures


17:10 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north just passed Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. Dove deep…Beautiful show…tails out…everything.

Lorna Rutledge, Powell River, BC


17:00 • Humpback Whales north end of Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures


16:52 • 1 Humpback Whales between Read Island and Bullock Bluff, Sutil Channel.


16:39 • 4 Humpback Whales north of Hornby Island, Georgia Strait.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce


15:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Myrtle Rocks and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.

15:05 • 4 Humpback Whales heading north-west off Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.

Wendy Heathcote, Powell River, BC


14:18 • 1 Humpback Whales halfway between Francisco Point and Whaletown, Sutil Channel.


13:21 • 2 Humpback Whales mid Strait between Vivian Island and Cape Lazo, Georgia Strait. Very curious.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce


12:02 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, in the back eddy at Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.


11:51 • 3-5 Humpback Whales heading north Powell River, Malaspina Strait.

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

At least five Humpback Whales off of Powell River

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 – 5 items

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC






SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

At least five Humpback Whales off of Powell River

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 – 5 items

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

10:55 • 3 Humpback Whales, Deer Passage.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Three Humpback Whales in Deer Passage

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 – 2 items



SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Three Humpback Whales in Deer Passage

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 – 2 items

10:54 • 1 Humpback Whales mid channel of Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


10:54 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north along the shoreline Read Island, South Rendezvous Island, Drew Passage.


10:43 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north tight to Read Island, Sutil Channel.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


10:34 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, above North Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.


10:23 • 3 Humpback Whales close to shore Coulter Island heading toward Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

09:50 • 1 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.

09:50 • 2 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS


Tue Aug 22 2017

17:00 • est. 60 PWS Dolphins heading south-west off Sonora Point, Nodales Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


SIGHTING MEDIA

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading south-west off of Sonora Point

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 – 2 items



SIGHTING MEDIA

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading south-west off of Sonora Point

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 – 2 items

14:24 • PWS Dolphins in Frederick Arm.


11:29 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins abeam Port Neville in the middle of Johnstone Strait.


09:30 • PWS Dolphins milling, at Thurston Bay, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene


09:14 • PWS Dolphins off Thurston Bay, Sonora Island.


08:22 • PWS Dolphins by Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out



Mon Aug 21 2017

16:39 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins doing circles, at Copper Cliffs, Discovery Passage.


14:17 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins milling, 500 metres off shore in front of old torn apart float house, on east side of Frederick Arm.

14:15 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins, Frederick Arm.


12:00 • est. 80 PWS Dolphins circling prey, in Kelsey Bay then headed around Peterson Islet, Johnstone Strait. The Dolphins were very active and splashing; moving in tight circles, apparently feeding on some small fish, probably herring. They then headed around Peterson Islet and continued down Vancouver Island. Observed from the Kelsey Bay fishing pier. ▫ Observed from Shore

Glenn Mackie, Sayward, BC


09:28 • PWS Dolphins heading north at Cinque Islands, Discovery Passage.

09:28 • PWS Dolphins heading south at Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.


09:27 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading north toward Chatham Point off Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage.


08:50 • PWS Dolphins heading south at Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage.



Sun Aug 20 2017

12:00 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins circling around Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


SIGHTING MEDIA

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

About one hundred circling around Denham Island

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 – 1 items


SIGHTING MEDIA

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

About one hundred circling around Denham Island

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 – 1 items

11:54 • PWS Dolphins off Wastell Islets, Broughton Strait.

Randy Hodge, Vancouver, BC


11:50 • PWS Dolphins Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


10:34 • 10 PWS Dolphins just north of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.


DALLS PORPOISE


Sun Aug 20 2017

11:54 • Dalls Porpoise off Beaver Cove, Broughton Strait.

Randy Hodge, Vancouver, BC


HARBOUR PORPOISE


Tue Aug 22 2017

12:06 • 4 Harbour Porpoise heading south off Hidden Harbour, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.

Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC



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