Many Groups of Humpback Whales

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Many Groups of Humpback Whales


Cover Image:
Humpback heading south near Hidden Harbour
Stan Novotny, Eagle Eye Adventures

During the past week, many Humpback whales were observed in upper Georgia Strait and in a number of inland waterways. Many Humpbacks were paired up but only a few were reported as mother-calf pairs. Some larger groups included up to 7 Humpback whales. Some of the Humpbacks were breaching, one of which was observed to be breaching continuously for about 30 minutes – that’s a good workout for a whale!

Transient Orca were observed in various inland waterways, notably in Cordero Channel and in Lewis Channel. One pod of Transient Orca in Denham Bay were observed hunting and successfully catching a dolphin. Transient Orca are very stealthy when hunting and members of a pod will work together to catch their prey. There were some sightings of Pacific White-Sided dolphins, with three pods estimated to each include approximately 100 members. Rounding our report are some sightings of Dall’s porpoises.

Boaters, please use caution on the water. There are Cetaceans out there. Effective June 1st, Federal laws require boats to remain at least 400-m away when viewing Orca and for other Cetaceans, laws require boats to remain at least 100-m from the animals. Remember N.E.W.S. when you see a whale, meaning put your boat in NEUTRAL, ENJOY the view, WAIT till the whales are at a fair distance, and then SLOWLY leave the scene.

WOWs works throught the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.

Society News & Events
Whales and Dolphins BC Website:
Teaching Resources: We continue to update lessons, activities and resources on our website. Teachers can download information as needed for classes.
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
Our Cetacean Web Camera YouTube Channel is live. We appreciate your patience with the intermittent bouncy images from the Beach Gardens Marina camera. Our backup live stream mounted in Powell River appears when the Beach Gardens camera is down.
Thank You to our Volunteers and Contributors!
Our team of online Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your sightings reports are mapped and published regularly. Would you like to join us?
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings
Not listed in our job postings is our immediate need for IT support. Please contact Susan@…org for details.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2019-018
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Thu Jun 20 2019
09:30 • Biggs Orca heading south between Granite Point and Okisollo Channel, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:00 • est. 8 Biggs Orca heading south in Blind Channel. Angled towards Johnstone Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
13:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T090◦ milling, between Cordero Islands and Mayne Passage, Cordero Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
13:31 • Biggs Orca heading south by Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel. ▫ Second Hand
13:50 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T090◦ heading south past Cordero Lodge NE of Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
14:05 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north from Union Bay, Baynes Sound. From a Facebook post. ▫ Second Hand
Bill Coltart, Big Animal Encounters
14:11 • Biggs Orca now past Picton Point angled towards Picton Point, Cordero Channel. Gary is with them.
14:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T090s◦ in Phillips Arm. Tumbo (T002C2) was not with them. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:09 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T090s◦ in Denham Bay, Dent Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jen Smalley, Eagle Eye Adventures
18:11 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T090s◦ foraging, heading south off Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids. Three females killed a dolphin by Denham Islet. T002C2 ‘Tumbo’ not with the pod. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri Jun 21 2019
05:40 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south mid-channel off Painters Lodge, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
08:35 • est. 2 Biggs Orca taking long dives, heading north in the middle of the passage in line with Yaculta, Discovery Passage. Large male and smaller Orca only observed to surface twice. ▫ Observed from Shore
JH, Campbell River, BC
08:40 • 1 Biggs Orca heading north just past Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Close to Vancouver Island.
09:00 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north between Orange Point and Painters Lodge mid-channel Discovery Passage. 1 big fin. 1 small fin. Travelling at 8 knots. Straight Watch on scene. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
09:12 • 1 Biggs Orca 2 nautical miles northeast of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. Sleepy.
10:14 • Biggs Orca heading north, Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
12:29 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T075,T075A◦ heading north at Rock Point, Johnstone Strait. Travelling at 7 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene
19:00 • est. 3-5 Biggs Orca hunting, heading north at the southern tip of Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. Headed up the Eastern side of Hornby. Observed from Denman Island with binoculars. Clear sighting of Orca markings and the animals appeared to be hunting by diving and spending time in a specific area near popular fishing spots. ▫ Observed from Shore
Dave Bell, Denman Island, BC
Sat Jun 22 2019
14:14 • est. 6+ Biggs Orca in front of Refuge Cove heading toward Teakerne Arm up Lewis Channel. ▫ Second Hand
15:12 • 1 Biggs Orca taking long dives, heading north, Teakerne Arm.
15:46 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ off the scallop farm just inside Teakerne Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦, Teakerne Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:48 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ resting deep in Teakerne Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s, T65As, T36s, T124As, and T77A, in the middle of the Strait of Georgia
Fri, 21 Jun 2019 – 8 items
Recka Pirker, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s, T65As, T36s, T124As, and T77A, in the middle of the Strait of Georgia
Fri, 21 Jun 2019 – 8 items
Recka Pirker, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs, T46s, T46B, T65s, T75 & T75A, just south of Saturna Island
Mon, 17 Jun 2019 – 8 items
Rebeka Pirker, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs, T46s, T46B, T65s, T75 & T75A, just south of Saturna Island
Mon, 17 Jun 2019 – 8 items
Rebeka Pirker, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
HUMPBACK WHALES
Mon Jun 17 2019
06:45 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, between Ripple Point and Edith Point, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
09:25 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south near Hidden Harbour, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Jen Smalley, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback heading south near Hidden Harbour
Mon, 17 Jun 2019 – 3 items
Stan Novotny, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback heading south near Hidden Harbour
Mon, 17 Jun 2019 – 3 items
Stan Novotny, Eagle Eye Adventures
09:49 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
09:55 • 1 Humpback Whales north of Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Seen off the RV park north of Cape Mudge. ▫ Observed from Shore
10:00 • 2 Humpback Whales sleeping, between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. On squiggle line between Marina and Quadra Island. Left them at 10:15am. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:35 • 2 Humpback Whales off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:59 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading south between Hill Island and Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:20 • 2 Humpback Whales 1.5 miles north of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
13:30 • 4 Humpback Whales in the middle of Sutil Channel.
13:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:42 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ0338 Geometry◦ between Viner Point and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. Geometry with friend.
Tue Jun 18 2019
08:18 • Humpback Whales breaching, between Francisco Point and Marina Island, Sutil Channel. Full breaches for 30 minutes. ▫ Second Hand
10:10 • 2 Humpback Whales in Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
13:24 • 2 Humpback Whales in Quartz Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
13:45 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, off Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel.
13:52 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
17:26 • 3 Humpback Whales between Bullock Bluff and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. Mother with calf. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:55 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north 0.25 miles off Marina Island, Sutil Channel. Mother with calf.
Jen Smalley, Eagle Eye Adventures
18:39 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south, Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.
Humpback Whales
Humpback off of Denham Island
Tue, 18 Jun 2019 – 8 items
Humpback Whales
Humpback off of Denham Island
Tue, 18 Jun 2019 – 8 items
19:23 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Rendezvous Islands and Bullock Bluff, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
19:28 • 1 Humpback Whales off the north end of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Eagle Eye Adventures
Wed Jun 19 2019
08:00 • 3 Humpback Whales near Coulter Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
08:00 • Humpback Whales at Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
08:25 • 1 Humpback Whales at the top of the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
09:00 • 4+ Humpback Whales north of Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
11:00 • 2 Humpback Whales behind Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
11:15 • 1 Humpback Whales lunge feeding, right at Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:30 • 2 Humpback Whales by Quartz Bay, Sutil Channel.
12:04 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales between the top of Penn Islands and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. Moving towards the Penn Islands.
12:05 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south at Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
12:10 • 3 Humpback Whales on the Cortes Island side, heading towards Read Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Humpback Whales
Three Humpbacks off of Cortes Island
Wed, 19 Jun 2019 – 10 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Three Humpbacks off of Cortes Island
Wed, 19 Jun 2019 – 10 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:31 • 3 Humpback Whales active in between the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
16:17 • 3 Humpback Whales at the south-east tip of Hill Island, Sutil Channel. Active whales. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Kianna Thistlethwaite, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Jun 20 2019
10:53 • 2 Humpback Whales at Quartz Bay, Sutil Channel.
11:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north by Campbell River, Anchor Inn, Discovery Passage.
Humpback Whales
Humpback off of Campbell River
Thu, 20 Jun 2019 – 8 items
Humpback Whales
Humpback off of Campbell River
Thu, 20 Jun 2019 – 8 items
12:18 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Hourglass◦ moving quickly, between Raza Island and Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel.
13:21 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west off Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
14:11 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north by Teakerne Arm. Small Humpback whales.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
14:30 • 4 Humpback Whales heading west between Carrington Bay and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
15:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
15:40 • 2 Humpback Whales off Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:55 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0380 Zed / Zorro◦ off Frederic Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
18:18 • 2 Humpback Whales 2 miles north of Dogfish Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri Jun 21 2019
10:56 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north bottom of centre Penn Island heading between the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:15 • est. 4-5 Humpback Whales in Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:20 • 2 Humpback Whales right at Bartlett Islet pointed at Church House, Calm Channel. About 200 m off the island.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:46 • est. 7 Humpback Whales behind Hill Island heading towards Evans Bay, Sutil Channel.
12:41 • 2 Humpback Whales on the ferry line mid-channel of Sutil Channel.
12:50 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south close to the shore at Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge by Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Georgia Strait.
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whales playing, heading north, north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Whales were spotted south of Mittlenatch so we stopped and turned the engine of the boat off 300 meters away. Whales breached right beside us, and they went under our boat as well as played around our boat for 3 – 5 minutes before heading north. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Gerry Palmer, Black Creek, BC
Humpback Whales
Two Humpbacks heading north past Mitlenatch Island
Fri, 21 Jun 2019 – 2 items
Gerry Palmer, Black Creek, BC
Humpback Whales
Two Humpbacks heading north past Mitlenatch Island
Fri, 21 Jun 2019 – 2 items
Gerry Palmer, Black Creek, BC
13:30 • 2 Humpback Whales 1 or 2 nm west of Mitlenatch Island. 1 is massive!.
13:40 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Mitlenatch Island. Different whales. Airborne.
14:00 • Humpback Whales breaching, toward Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
14:45 • 4 Humpback Whales just south of the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel. 2 goups of 2.
15:44 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, between Hill Island and Coulter Island, Sutil Channel. Closer to Hill Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Ryan Stewart, Sonora Resort
20:05 • 7 Humpback Whales just below Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel. On the Herriot Bay-Cortez ferry line. All feeding on the bait at 300 feet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
Sat Jun 22 2019
09:05 • 2 Humpback Whales close to the shoreline at Rebecca Spit north of the Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
09:08 • est. 3 Humpback Whales heading north, Sutil Channel. Angling towards Viner Point on Read Island.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:22 • est. 3 Humpback Whales mid channel between Marina Island and the Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand
10:00 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, off Frederic Point heading toward Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:12 • 2 Humpback Whales moving quickly, at Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
10:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading toward Mitlenatch Island from Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
11:06 • 1 Humpback Whales close to shore on the east side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:10 • 2 Humpback Whales off Quartz Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. Short dives.
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, in Blackney Passage, Blackfish Sound.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
14:13 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Bullock Bluff towards Deer Passage, Calm Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:30 • 3 Humpback Whales heading east in Lewis Channel. Heading towards Deer Passage.
14:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Forward Bay, West Cracroft Island, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
15:06 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west off Redonda Bay, West Redonda Island, Deer Passage.
16:05 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales between Centre Rock and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
16:09 • 2 Humpback Whales off Spoil Ground, Georgia Strait.
16:11 • 3 Humpback Whales off Spoil Ground.
Jen Smalley, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:44 • 1 Humpback Whales between Cortez Reef and Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
17:53 • 1 Humpback Whales at Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy heading toward Baker Passage, Georgia Strait.
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Mon Jun 17 2019
10:55 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading south just north of Gillard Islands, Yuculta Rapids.
Ryan Stewart, Sonora Resort
15:35 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins playing, between Kellsey Point and Harbott Point, Yuculta Rapids. Playing in the current.
Wed Jun 19 2019
16:17 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins outside Greensea Bay on the west side of Sonora Island, Discovery Passage.
Thu Jun 20 2019
15:29 • 12 PWS Dolphins milling, in front of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
15:34 • PWS Dolphins heading north, Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
16:05 • 10 PWS Dolphins inside the breakwater at Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
17:45 • est. 10-20 PWS Dolphins above and below Dent Rapids.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sat Jun 22 2019
14:30 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins heading north off the boundary to Robson Bight, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphin having a bit of fun!
Tue, 18 Jun 2019 – 1 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphin having a bit of fun!
Tue, 18 Jun 2019 – 1 items
DALLS PORPOISE
Thu Jun 20 2019
11:15 • 15 Dalls Porpoise at Horn Point, Dent Rapids.
11:15 • Dalls Porpoise at Sonora Point, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel.
11:15 • Dalls Porpoise at Mermaid Bay, Dent Island, Dent Rapids.
14:42 • Dalls Porpoise at Jimmy Judd Island, Dent Rapids.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri Jun 21 2019
11:03 • Dalls Porpoise in Drew Passage. A few porpoises.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Sat Jun 22 2019
11:09 • est. 20 Dalls Porpoise off Owen Point, Nodales Channel.
SPECIES UNSURE
Wed Jun 19 2019
10:15 • Species Unsure on the ferry route to Cortes Island on the back end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Phone call report of either a Gray whales or Humpback. ▫ Second Hand

SIGHTINGS MEDIA
we welcome your sighting reports, photographs, video and audio recordings. please review our
media submission guidelines
receive sightings update
eMail notices
Archive Explorer


Archive Explorer
navigates 15,000+ Cetacean Sightings, images, videos and audio recordings.

*Recommended for desktop browsers and newer mobile devices


Archive Explorer
dives into the Coastal Cetacean world. View Cetacean sighting locations, photos and videos:

  • All species including Orca, Humpback, Grey Whale or Dalls Porpoise
  • Follow the endangered Southern Residents Orca in the Salish Sea
  • Search for encounters with T002C2 Tumbo
  • Witness a close-up Orca encounter video in Port Alberni harbour
  • Follow the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
  • Track “KC”, the ever popular Humphack’s movements this past August
  • Locate any of 12,000 named locations on the BC and WA State coast
  • Print custom sighting reports and maps (Coming Soon)

Archive Explorer

Help Page
explains many advanced functions

Send your Comments and Questions to:
Archive Explorer Feedback

Sightings
Open Data
includes all sightings data, photos and videos, in a table you can filter and download.

The Magazine
WEST COAST + NATIONAL
P.E.I. family gets close-up look at beluga
CBC News
A Charlottetown family was charmed by the sight of a beluga whale swimming close to their dock in Lewis Point Park Monday night – but luckily, not too mesmerized to grab some video.

A beluga has been seen since last week in waters around Mount Stewart, in the Charlottetown Harbour and in the Meadowbank area of the West River and was even temporarily caught up in some fish nets, but managed to free itself….
read on

INTERNATIONAL
New sub-species of pilot whale identified in Pacific Ocean
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Short-finned pilot whales are found over a wide swath of the world’s oceans, with habitats in the Indian, and Pacific, and North Atlantic oceans. Despite this wide distribution, the whales have been recognized as a single species — but a recent study has found that two unique subspecies actually exist….
read on

8 mind-boggling dolphin facts
Mother Nature Network
Dolphins never cease to amaze. As researchers delve into the underwater world of these brilliant cetaceans, we’re learning how full of surprises these creatures are, from their intricate social lives to their intelligence. Here are just some of the ways dolphins are exceptional, both physically and mentally….
read on

the magazine accepts submissions of links to published articles and media of interest to our readers. we welcome original articles, letters, notices, photography, video and audio files.

original material guidelines

  • notices: 100 words max.;
  • letters & articles: 500 words max.
  • you or your organization must be authors of the work and are solely responsible for its content. the magazine gives no assurance material submitted will be published.
  • Review our media submission guidelines
  • SIGHTINGS MEDIA
    we welcome your sighting reports, photographs, video and audio recordings. please review our
    media submission guidelines
    receive sightings update
    eMail notices