Transient Biggs Orca That Surprise Us
Cover Image:
A rare sighting of a nearly white Biggs calf (T46B1B) off of Nanaimo
Val Watson, Vancouver Island, BC
Making news this week is a sighting of a young Transient Orca that is pale-grey coloured. The whale was spotted around Dodd Narrows south of Nanaimo, causing much intrigue and delight to observers and biologists. Go down to the Magazine section to find more information about this rare Orca. Many pods of Transient Orca have been around the usual inland waterways and in upper Georgia Strait. Of note is a pod of Transient Orca that appeared on May 23 in Burrard Inlet and travelled deep into Indian Arm before heading back to sea. On the evening May 27th, another pod of Transient Orca (T090s pod) cornered some Pacific White-sided dolphins in Heriot Bay (Quadra Island) and were able to eventually catch a dolphin after trying for a few hours.
More Humpback whales have appeared and were observed in various waterways. Many of the Humpbacks were taking long dives, and a few were milling around. A few of the Humpbacks were breaching too! There appears to be a few Grey whales in and around Vancouver Island – one Grey whale was sighted around Orveas Bay, west of Sooke in Juan de Fuca Strait.
Many pods of Pacific White-sided dolphins were observed with many of them numbering around 30 individuals each. The largest pod included approximately 80 dolphins. Counting dolphins in a pod is a challenge as they are so active and fast at the surface of the water, making it very difficult to determine individual dolphins. Rounding our report are a number of pods of Dall’s porpoises and one pod of Harbour porpoise.
If you are a boater, use caution on the water when travelling through waterways known to have Cetaceans in them frequently. Starting on June 1st, Federal laws will 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.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Society News & Events
Lynn Valley Days, North Vancouver, BC 2019 Saturday, 22 June 2019 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
3590 Mountain Highway North Vancouver, BC V7K 2H5 Stop by and say hello to some of our volunteers staffing our information tables. Ivan Ng, Chief Editor for our Sightings Reports and Maps will be heading up the booth with some information to raise public awareness about, and threats to, these amazing whales, dolphins and porpoise in our local waters. See you there!
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.
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: 2019-013
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Tue May 21 2019
11:30 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca foraging, heading south-west off Frolander Bay, Malaspina Strait. All were diving for short periods. ▫ Observed from Shore
K&B, Powell River, BC
Wed May 22 2019
07:15 • est. 5 Biggs Orca heading north off Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. All small fins.
07:42 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south, west of Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
08:50 • Biggs Orca heading south off Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and heading towards Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:22 • Biggs Orca heading south at Kitty Coleman Beach Park, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
14:01 • 5 Biggs Orca heading south off Little River Beach, Georgia Strait. All small fins.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:38 • Biggs Orca heading south about 1 mile south of Little River Beach. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:45 • Biggs Orca at Comox Bar, Baynes Sound.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:12 • Biggs Orca angling into Lambert Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
Thu May 23 2019
10:05 • est. 6 Biggs Orca off Cates Park, North Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. Headed into Indian Arm. ▫ Second Hand
Neil Saxvik, North Vancouver, BC
11:27 • Biggs Orca heading south, Kinghorn Island, Desolation Sound. ▫ Second Hand
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
11:58 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T090s◦ heading north-west off Squirrel Cove, Cortes Island, Lewis Channel. Garry found the Orca. ▫ Second Hand
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs heading north-west off of Squirrel Cove
Thu, 23 May 2019 – 1 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs heading north-west off of Squirrel Cove
Thu, 23 May 2019 – 1 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
12:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T090s◦ milling, just south of Squirrel Cove, Cortes Island.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs,T002Cs & T90s, just south of Squirrel Cove
Thu, 23 May 2019 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs,T002Cs & T90s, just south of Squirrel Cove
Thu, 23 May 2019 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:03 • Biggs Orca at the mouth of Teakerne Arm.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ at the NW entrance to Teakerne Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene
David Gauci, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri May 24 2019
16:18 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south inside the Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait. Information from a friend. ▫ Second Hand
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
18:30 • est. 3-5 Biggs Orca spread out, heading south between Powell River and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Seen from Second Beach, near the Hulks, a number of Killer Whales (3-5, at least!) swimming close together at first, bobbing up and down the water, with a younger whale in their midst! We lost sight of them as a speedboat approached in their direction (at a far distance) and then saw them again 50-100 meters south of where we initially spotted them, slightly dispersed from one another. There were a number of seals that swam up very close to the shore of Second Beach, hiding from the whales, so it’s possible the whales were feeding. ▫ Observed from Shore
PE, Powell River, BC
Sat May 25 2019
11:52 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north-east, Baker Passage. Possibly others as well.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs, T002Cs, in Baker Passage
Sat, 25 May 2019 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs, T002Cs, in Baker Passage
Sat, 25 May 2019 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:45 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south just past Hidalgo Point on Hernando Island, Malaspina Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun May 26 2019
16:28 • 1 Biggs Orca two miles east of Cape Lazo, Comox, Georgia Strait. Heading towards Hornby Island.
Graham Evans, Stowaway Sailing Adventures
18:55 • est. 6-8 Biggs Orca heading north off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Mon May 27 2019
08:42 • Biggs Orca heading north off Fisherman’s Wharf in Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Mid channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
08:50 • Biggs Orca heading north off Comox (Little River) Ferry Terminal, Georgia Strait. Posted on Facebook. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
09:20 • est. 10 Biggs Orca heading north passing Grouse Island, Discovery Passage. On Quadra side of the passge. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:05 • Biggs Orca heading south off Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Mid channel abeam Coast Marina.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:31 • Biggs Orca heading south half mile north of Big Rock, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
11:11 • Biggs Orca heading north off Comox, Georgia Strait.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:16 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south at Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
14:30 • Biggs Orca off Williams Beach north of Comox, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:20 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south-west between Cortes Island and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:21 • Biggs Orca between Cortes Island and Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs between Cortes Island and Marina Island
Mon, 27 May 2019 – 9 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs between Cortes Island and Marina Island
Mon, 27 May 2019 – 9 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:10 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading north off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:37 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading east between Marina Reef and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Moving along the submarine cable line towards Quadra. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:40 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading north between Marina Reef and Quadra Island. Mid channel and moving towards Hoskyn Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
21:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ circling prey, in Heriot Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Just watched T090s trap 30 PWDs in Heriot Bay behind the docks. Made 1 kill after 3 hour stand off. ▫ Observed from Shore
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
22:15 • Biggs Orca heading north past Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Information from a friend. ▫ Second Hand
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue May 28 2019
08:40 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca milling & breaching, north of Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids. One big fin. Close to Sonora Island shore.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:30 • Biggs Orca milling in Yuculta Rapids.
10:26 • Biggs Orca breaching, off Henrietta Point, Stuart Island, Bute Inlet. Slowly moving northward, but very active and splashing around. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:10 • Biggs Orca between Henrietta Point and Arran Point, Bute Inlet. Heading 3 knots towards Arran Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
12:40 • Biggs Orca between Jimmy Judd Island and Arran Rapids, Arran Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
12:47 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south by Sonora Resort on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
14:06 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south off Church House, Calm Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:48 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south along the shoreline of Raza Island, Raza Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
20:00 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading south at the south end of Sabine Channel. ▫ Second Hand
20:20 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading south along the west side of Texada Island, Georgia Strait. Near the power lines. ▫ Second Hand
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg, T90s, cornering around Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Heriot Bay
Mon, 27 May 2019 – 3 items
Jen Smalley, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg, T90s, cornering around Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Heriot Bay
Mon, 27 May 2019 – 3 items
Jen Smalley, Campbell River Whale Watching
HUMPBACK WHALES
Wed May 22 2019
11:34 • 1 Humpback Whales in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
12:22 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south near Hole in the Wall, Calm Channel.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:16 • 1 Humpback Whales at Ripple Rock, Discovery Passage.
13:27 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south at Ripple Rock.
JenS, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:03 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Orange Point and Steep Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:08 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south towards Painters Lodge, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Three Humpbacks heading south towards Painters Lodge
Wed, 22 May 2019 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Three Humpbacks heading south towards Painters Lodge
Wed, 22 May 2019 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu May 23 2019
09:29 • 2 Humpback Whales 800-m east of the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
David Gauci, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:38 • 2 Humpback Whales off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
11:44 • 2 Humpback Whales at the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
20:56 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading north passing Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri May 24 2019
09:45 • 1 Humpback Whales one mile southeast of Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy aiming at Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:28 • 1 Humpback Whales off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Sat May 25 2019
08:05 • 2+ Humpback Whales off Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:20 • Humpback Whales heading north 1/2 mile off Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
09:55 • Humpback Whales bucking tide, heading north at the south end of Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:12 • Humpback Whales heading south mid channel between Seymour Narrows and Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. From Tin Man. ▫ Second Hand
Bill Coltart, Big Animal Encounters
17:07 • 1 Humpback Whales off Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Stan Novotny, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:28 • 1 Humpback Whales in Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
Sun May 26 2019
08:00 • 5 Humpback Whales travelling, heading north around Mystery Reef, Malaspina Strait. Moved at moderate pace from Harwood Island up towards Savory Island. ▫ Observed from Shore
CA, Powell River, BC
09:29 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, one mile NE of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
10:15 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ taking long dives, southwest of Centre Islet, Sutil Channel. Doing circles.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:29 • Humpback Whales off the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. Reported by a fisherman. ▫ Second Hand
Brianna England, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:00 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading east near Burdwood Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel. Headed for Hill Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:10 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north off Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. One breach. ▫ Observed from Shore
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
13:21 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives and circling, half-mile south of Major Rock Islet off Lund, Malaspina Strait.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:50 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:55 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Whiskey Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
14:28 • 1 Humpback Whales at the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:35 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ taking long dives, around the Spoil Ground south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale around the Spoil Ground south of Cape Mudge
Sun, 26 May 2019 – 4 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale around the Spoil Ground south of Cape Mudge
Sun, 26 May 2019 – 4 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:41 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ by Penn Islands in Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:47 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ south of Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:00 • 1 Humpback Whales on north side of Sandy Island northwest end of Denman Island, Georgia Strait. Close in.
Graham Evans, Stowaway Sailing Adventures
15:40 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, one mile south of Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:14 • 2 Humpback Whales off Echo Bay, Twin Islands, Malaspina Strait. Heading into Baker Passage.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
16:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading towards Marina Island from Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
17:01 • 1 Humpback Whales, Blackfish Sound.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
17:25 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east from the Spoil Ground towards Baker Passage, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:18 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south just south of Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
18:40 • 1 Humpback Whales entering the south end of Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Mon May 27 2019
09:10 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south, Fawn Bluff, Bute Inlet. Mid Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
10:46 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, between Francisco Point and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
11:38 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading south at Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. 15 minute dives.
12:23 • 2 Humpback Whales at the east entrance to Whiterock Passage. Close to Maurelle Island shore.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:32 • 2 Humpback Whales lazy, heading south-east between Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Pointed toward Mitlenatch. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
14:05 • 2 Humpback Whales at the north end of Drew Passage.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
14:19 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales on Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:07 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ south-west off of Cortez Reef, Cortes Island, Georgia Strait. From Reuben. ▫ Second Hand
15:10 • 2 Humpback Whales north-west of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:00 • Humpback Whales doing circles, at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:50 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ between Cortez Reef and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
David Gauci, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue May 28 2019
09:21 • 1 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading north in Arran Rapids.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
15:27 • Humpback Whales heading south abeam the Campbell River Fishing Pier in the middle of Discovery Passage.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
GREY WHALES
Mon May 27 2019
20:00 • est. 1 Grey Whales foraging, heading west near Orveas Bay, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ▫ Observed from Shore
Neil Harvey, Otter Point, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed May 22 2019
07:10 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins heading south at Tyee Point on West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Thu May 23 2019
07:10 • PWS Dolphins milling, in Greensea Bay on the west side of Sonora Island, Discovery Passage. Small group.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun May 26 2019
13:16 • PWS Dolphins near Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
14:55 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins moving slowly, playing, heading north, Venture Point, Sonora Island, Okisollo Channel. Very active and playful.
15:15 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins heading south, Venture Point, Okisollo Channel.
16:40 • est. 80 PWS Dolphins spread out, foraging, off Tucker Point, West Thurlow Island, Chancellor Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Mon May 27 2019
10:30 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins abeam Kanish Bay in Discovery Passage. Mid channel. At 10:41am, they were heading north.
JenS, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:10 • PWS Dolphins foraging, at Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. Right at the beacon.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
16:32 • PWS Dolphins spread out, off Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait. Large group spread out from the light to East Thurlow to Howe Island.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
21:30 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins in Heriot Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. PWD’s trapped and hunted by Transient Biggs. ▫ Observed from Shore
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Tue May 28 2019
07:20 • PWS Dolphins off Chonat Point, Quadra Island, Okisollo Channel. Small group.
07:45 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins spread out, between Chatham Point and Howe Island, Discovery Passage. Includes a very small calf.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
09:30 • PWS Dolphins heading south in front of Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
10:31 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins in Thurston Bay, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel.
10:31 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins off Hall Point, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
11:13 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins heading north past the mill in Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
11:39 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins off Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
13:00 • est. 15-20 PWS Dolphins heading south in Seymour Narrows close to the shore of Maud Island, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
14:20 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins playing in Dent Rapids.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
16:09 • PWS Dolphins foraging and moving slowly, heading north near Denham Islet along the shore of Sonora Island, Dent Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:16 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins heading north approaching Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
DALLS PORPOISE
Sat May 25 2019
09:15 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise milling, off Purcell Point, Bute Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
13:15 • 12 Dalls Porpoise at the mouth of Frederick Arm.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Mon May 27 2019
14:33 • est. 12 Dalls Porpoise semi active, at Owen Point, Nodales Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue May 28 2019
10:31 • 10 Dalls Porpoise near Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
14:00 • est. 15 Dalls Porpoise near Cordero Lodge NE of Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
17:00 • Dalls Porpoise milling, off Clipper Point, Bute Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Mon May 27 2019
11:20 • 6 Harbour Porpoise heading north near Barnsley Shoal off Maurelle Island, Okisollo Channel.
JenS, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES UNSURE
Fri May 24 2019
08:00 • Species Unsure in front of Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage. Blows were reported – information from radio calls. ▫ Second Hand
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
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The Magazine
REGIONAL
Tri City News
Rod MacVicar got the call late Thursday morning: “a group of killer whales is hunting up Indian Arm.’ This was no J-pod foraging for chinook salmon. These were transients, whales after red meat, and in the waters around Port Moody, that means harbour seals….
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CBC
Three dead grey whales have washed ashore on Haida Gwaii, just off the northwestern coast of mainland B.C. Their discovery means more than 60 grey whales have been found beached and dead along the West Coast between California and Alaska this year, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)….
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CTV News
Spotting killer whales off Vancouver Island is something British Columbians are often treated to, but what a group of whale watchers saw this week is truly rare. The Nanaimo-based company Vancouver Island Whale Watch shared photos of the incredible site on its Facebook page this week.
"A WHITE orca, spotted five minutes from Nanaimo!!" said a company representative in the post. "Wild day out on the water today finding an incredibly unique and unusually coloured calf."…
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WEST COAST + NATIONAL
KOMONEWS
WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – A family of four transient orcas was spotted feeding on a gray whale Saturday in the waters off Whidbey Island as passengers on two nearby whale-watching boats looked on in stunned amazement.
"This, in my opinion, is one of the most unusual events I can recall with a killer whale in 34 years of whale watching in the Salish Sea," said Pete Hanke, owner of Puget Sound Express, which operates the boats….
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