Lots of Orca Around
Cover Image:
Northern Resident Orca heading north past a snowy Grief Point
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Northern Resident Killer Whales, the A23s and possibly even some others have made an appearance this winter. This is not a common yearly practice for them. Last year around this time we only confirmed the A42 family up and down the Sunshine Coast. Perhaps they spread the word to some of the other Residents that this is a good place to be.
The majority of sightings are still Transient Bigg’s Orca with a number in the Unidentified category without confirmation of which of the Orca species were spotted. With the number of sealions we have had in the upper Georgia Strait, there’s little wonder the Transient Bigg’s are around, as they are meat eaters, and we have had plenty of food for them.
Where have the Humpback Whales gone? Our snowy weather hasn’t helped to spot whales and their blows, but we did get one report of a lone Humpback in Malaspina Strait. I believe there are a few in various inlets as it was too late for them to travel to some of the warmer ‘breeding’ grounds, and reports from Mexico and Hawaii indicate there aren’t as many down there this year again.
Of the smaller species, some Pacific White Sided Dolphins have been moving around, staying well away from the Bigg’s Orca, while a number of Dall’s Porpoise have taken up residence in Toba Inlet.
WOWs works throught the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Society News & Events
Presentation: Making a Splash Thursday, March 28. 2:30 pm
Presented by: Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
At Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, North Vancouver, BC
Whales, dolphins, and sea lions, oh my! Discover who's swimming in the waters around Vancouver. There will also be an optional marine wildlife field-trip associated with this presentation. Saturday, March 30. 10 am to 12 pm at Whytecliff Park.
At Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, North Vancouver, BC
Whales, dolphins, and sea lions, oh my! Discover who's swimming in the waters around Vancouver. There will also be an optional marine wildlife field-trip associated with this presentation. Saturday, March 30. 10 am to 12 pm at Whytecliff Park.
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2019-004
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Wed Jan 30 2019
16:10 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north between Mitlenatch Island and Baker Passage, Georgia Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Thu Jan 31 2019
14:20 • 4 Biggs Orca around Bulkely Island, Wellbore Channel. Seeing more blows towards Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
16:37 • 4 Biggs Orca by Mayne Point on East Thurlow Island heading into Mayne Passage.
Ryan Stewart, Sonora Resort
Sat Feb 02 2019
12:07 • 12+ Biggs Orca heading south by Atrevida Reef north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Kim Lisberg, Lund, BC
14:26 • Biggs Orca by Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait. Orca split into a couple groups. This group by the PR mill. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s off of the Powell River Mill
Sat, 2 Feb 2019 – 9 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s off of the Powell River Mill
Sat, 2 Feb 2019 – 9 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:26 • Biggs Orca between Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper) and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Orca split into a couple groups, one going between the
mill and Harwood with lots of birds above.
mill and Harwood with lots of birds above.
14:43 • est. 8+ Biggs Orca heading south between Powell River Viewpoint and Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. All displaying small fins. Aimed at Grief Point now. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
15:02 • Biggs Orca mid strait off Beach Gardens Marina below Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. Sighted lead group.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:10 • est. 4 Biggs Orca milling, heading north-west SE of Major Rock Islet and NW of Lund, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Brian Voth, Lund, BC
Mon Feb 04 2019
–:– • Biggs Orca milling all day, between Greene Point and Erasmus Island, Cordero Channel.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
12:25 • 2 Biggs Orca at Sarah Point, Malaspina Strait. ID not confirmed, saw 2 small fins.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Tue Feb 05 2019
14:36 • est. 12 Biggs Orca at Tyee Point, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
About 12 Bigg’s at Tyee Point
Tue, 5 Feb 2019 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
About 12 Bigg’s at Tyee Point
Tue, 5 Feb 2019 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
16:45 • Biggs Orca heading east towards Little Bear Bay, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
17:15 • 5 Biggs Orca heading west 2.5 miles south-west of Gower Point, Georgia Strait. 1 large fin with 4 smaller ones observed.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Wed Feb 06 2019
17:19 • est. 2-3 Biggs Orca heading north passing Black (Albion) Point towards Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. Sounding for long periods, very stubby dorsals.
17:28 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north passing Black (Albion) Point towards Grief Point. One with large dorsal.
Bill Taylor, Powell River, BC
Thu Feb 07 2019
12:36 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca travelling, heading north-east off Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. Came out of Lambert Channel, headed North, then turned and headed North East towards Hornby Island. Observed from Comox (Point Holmes) for around 30 mins. ▫ Observed from Shore
Nicky Smiley, Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings
Sun Feb 10 2019
11:18 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ passing Coulter Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Mon Feb 11 2019
11:30 • Biggs Orca heading north at Hall Point on Sonora Island, Nodales Channel. Large Group.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s heading north at Hall Point
Mon, 11 Feb 2019 – 1 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s heading north at Hall Point
Mon, 11 Feb 2019 – 1 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
11:55 • Biggs Orca ◦T124As◦ heading south by Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait.
Deidre Braak, Texada Island, BC
12:32 • est. 6-7 Biggs Orca ◦T124As◦ heading south mid-channel passing Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s passing Grief Point
Mon, 11 Feb 2019 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s passing Grief Point
Mon, 11 Feb 2019 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Tue Feb 12 2019
11:11 • 3 NRKW Orca ◦A23s◦ heading north off Myrtle Creek just south of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Orcas heading north past Grief Point
Tue, 12 Feb 2019 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Orcas heading north past Grief Point
Tue, 12 Feb 2019 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:44 • est. 5-6 NRKW Orca ◦A23s,A109 Eliot◦ heading north past Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
15:39 • NRKW Orca ◦A60 Fife◦ by Dinner Rock, Malaspina Strait. Large fin observed.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue Jan 29 2019
16:20 • est. 3-4 Orca foraging, around Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Gerry Chabot, Powell River, BC
Wed Jan 30 2019
09:28 • Orca heading south by Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:28 • 2 Orca heading north-east abeam Gibsons, Georgia Strait.
Hans Lammers, Blind Channel Resort
Thu Jan 31 2019
12:26 • 1 Orca heading south 1/4 mile east off of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Male Orca.
Hans Lammers, Blind Channel Resort
13:38 • est. 12+ Orca heading south by Helmcken Island, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Fri Feb 01 2019
11:45 • 4 Orca heading east, Okisollo Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
15:56 • est. 5-6 Orca heading south in front of Sliammon mid Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Feb 02 2019
02:30 • est. 5-6 Orca moving quickly, heading south-west from Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper) to Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jim Wyatt, Powell River
Wed Feb 06 2019
07:58 • Orca heading north between Denman Island and Hornby Island, Lambert Channel. Seen on facebook. ▫ Second Hand
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Feb 07 2019
10:00 • Orca between Greensea Bay and Nodales Channel, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
13:00 • 3 Orca moving slowly, heading south-east between Qualicum Bay and Lasqueti Island, Georgia Strait. 2 adults and a smaller one; slow moving, seagulls and an eagle around, so I think they are feeding. ▫ Observed from Shore
HW, Qualicum Bay, BC
Fri Feb 08 2019
15:15 • 1 Orca heading towards Atrevida Reef from Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Sat Feb 09 2019
12:48 • Orca passing Little Dent Island, Dent Rapids. I went through Tugboat Pass about the same time but I missed them. My friend June the caretaker at Little Dent got a few photos from their dock 2 hours ago. ▫ Second Hand, Observed from Shore
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
17:00 • est. 5-10 Orca foraging, near Maude Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Melanie Digney, Lantzville, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
About 5 to 10 Killer Whales near Maude Island
Sat, 9 Feb 2019 – 2 items
Melanie Digney of Lantzille, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
About 5 to 10 Killer Whales near Maude Island
Sat, 9 Feb 2019 – 2 items
Melanie Digney of Lantzille, BC
HUMPBACK WHALES
Thu Jan 31 2019
11:00 • 1 Humpback Whales off Northeast Point, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Thu Jan 31 2019
10:12 • est. 10 PWS Dolphins heading east abeam Pender Harbour mid Malaspina Strait. Small pod.
Hans Lammers, Blind Channel Resort
DALLS PORPOISE
Thu Jan 31 2019
15:15 • est. 10 Dalls Porpoise by Sonora Point, Nodales Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Feb 01 2019
13:41 • Dalls Porpoise at Owen Point, Nodales Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Mon Feb 04 2019
15:12 • Dalls Porpoise in Toba Inlet. Large group.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Tue Feb 05 2019
09:26 • est. 12 Dalls Porpoise playing, just north of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
16:32 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise 2 miles west of Point Cowan on Bowen Island, Georgia Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Wed Feb 06 2019
15:54 • Dalls Porpoise, Toba Inlet. Lots of porpoises.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Tue Feb 12 2019
08:25 • Dalls Porpoise heading west just west of Knox Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
OTHER PORPOISE
Fri Feb 08 2019
14:54 • Other Porpoise at Maud Island just before Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. They are porpoise but not sure which species. Only saw 2 angling in towards the Yellow Island fish farm.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
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