Whales on Both Sides of Georgia Strait
Cover Image:
Transient Biggs Killer Whale – T023 – travelling through Seymour Narrows
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Many whales and dolphins have made their appearance in a number of locations and were visible from many land locations. Transient Orca have been observed on both sides of Georgia Strait and were reported in many areas including off Gibsons, in Baynes Sound near Comox, and in Discovery Passage. A few pods of Transient Orca were larger than normal. On at least two occasions, Transient Orca were also seen hunting and catching sea lions.
The number of Humpback whales have increased in the area and were notable around the south end of Quadra Island in Sutil Channel as well as in Discovery Passage. A number of Humpbacks were breaching and a few mother-calf pairs were seen. On June 1st, a couple of Grey whales appeared off White Rock in the Lower Mainland and delighted individuals who managed to get a glimpse of them. Grey whales also appeared in Baynes Sound about two weeks ago and one Grey whale was near Campbell River about one week ago.
Rounding our report are a few sightings of Dall’s porpoises and a number of pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins. The largest pod of dolphins included approximately 80 members. Go to our Magazine section and read about an amazing encounter with Pacific White-Sided dolphins in Sechelt Inlet. Also making news, among many others, in our Magazine section is one Humpback whale swimming up the St.Lawrence River and hanging around Montreal for a number of days.
Boaters, please use caution on the water. 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.
The Federal Government (DFO) has issued the following statement about watching whales in the wild: “To address disturbance in the presence of whales, a mandatory 400-metre vessel approach distance for all killer whales is in effect starting June 1, 2020 in all southern British Columbia coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet. The Marine Mammal Regulations continue to remain in effect year-round, including maintaining a minimum 200 metre approach distance from all killer whales in Canadian Pacific waters other than described above, and 100 metres for other whales, porpoises and dolphins OR 200 metres when the animal is in resting position or with a calf.”
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
COVID-19 Updates:
We hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Updated event schedules will be posted as they become available.
Our yearly Dwight Hall fundraising dinner, instrumental to maintain all of our basic programs and online presence, has been cancelled for 2020 and is now scheduled for April 24, 2021. We are trusting that by then we will be able to hold a successful event. Your donations are greatly needed and appreciated.
Instagram and Twitter:
Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter at WhalesDolphins accounts. Follow us for regular updates and photos.
Coming Soon:
Our New Archive Dataset Interface is in the works, but we don't want to hold up any ongoing research. To access 21,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
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. Have you taken our Orca and Humpback Quizzes yet?
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
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Review our current Volunteer Job Postings
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2020-010
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Tue May 19 2020
13:30 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south, Deer Passage. One adult male and three females.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales heading south in Deer Passage
Tue, 19 May 2020 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales heading south in Deer Passage
Tue, 19 May 2020 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Wed May 20 2020
15:40 • 2 Biggs Orca heading south at Needham Point, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait. Both had large fins. Spotted once and then lost them in the waves.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
21:45 • Biggs Orca heading north at Willow Point, Campbell River, Georgia Strait. Reported from CVWS. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Thu May 21 2020
09:00 • 1 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south-east 100-200 meters off Chaster Creek, Gibsons, Georgia Strait. Slow swimmer, regular and shallow dives. Solo Bull. No other Orca’s in sight. ▫ Observed from Shore
JS
Mon May 25 2020
–:– • Biggs Orca hunting, off the Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait. Observed in the evening. ▫ Second Hand
09:28 • Biggs Orca bucking tide, heading south in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. A pod of Orca was observed. One big fin and a smaller fin bucking the ebb tide.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
11:03 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north close to Kanish Bay, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
12:00 • Biggs Orca at Thurston Bay at Sonora Island, Nodales Channel. No numbers observed.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Tue May 26 2020
15:35 • Biggs Orca heading south off Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait. One Orca with large fin in the group.
16:55 • Biggs Orca passing the Denman Island Ferry Terminal, Baynes Sound. Reported by CVWS. ▫ Second Hand
21:20 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca heading south off Deep Bay, Baynes Sound. From the CVWS. ▫ Second Hand
21:20 • Biggs Orca heading south off the boat launch at Union Bay, Baynes Sound. From the CVWS. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Wed May 27 2020
–:– • Biggs Orca ◦T023,T023C◦ in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. T023 was with the T023C’s pod. Seen earlier in the day.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T023, T023C – in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage
Wed, 27 May 2020 – 3 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T023, T023C – in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage
Wed, 27 May 2020 – 3 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
08:20 • Biggs Orca heading south from Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait. Pod includes one bull, mom, and calf.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
10:45 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca spread out, heading south from Elk Bay, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
12:25 • Biggs Orca heading south of Comox, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:26 • 5 Biggs Orca ◦T023s◦ heading south by No Name Creek, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale – T023 – travelling through Seymour Narrows
Wed, 27 May 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale – T023 – travelling through Seymour Narrows
Wed, 27 May 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:19 • Biggs Orca heading south from Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. From a friend. ▫ Second Hand
15:15 • Biggs Orca breaching, just north of the Big Rock Boat Ramp, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Big pod.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
16:20 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ hunting, off Willow Point, Georgia Strait. Just finished a seal hunt. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:50 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north past Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. Three big fins (all males).
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
17:10 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T124As◦ hunting, 0.5-miles off Shelter Point south of Campbell River, Georgia Strait. Sea lion predation for about 4 hours, now sharing food.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T002Cs & T124As- hunting off Shelter Point, Campbell River
Wed, 27 May 2020 – 7 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T002Cs & T124As- hunting off Shelter Point, Campbell River
Wed, 27 May 2020 – 7 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
17:25 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north by Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales heading north by Grief Point, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 27 May 2020 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales heading north by Grief Point, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 27 May 2020 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
18:19 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north past Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait. Caught glimpse.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
20:25 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T124As◦ heading south past Kitty Coleman Beach Park, Georgia Strait.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Thu May 28 2020
08:40 • Biggs Orca in Baker Passage. Pod with at least one big bull.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
11:53 • est. 5+ Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait
Thu, 28 May 2020 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait
Thu, 28 May 2020 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:55 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ spread out, heading south passing Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. One or two over by Texada Island.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
20:21 • Biggs Orca heading north close to shore between Cape Mudge Village and Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Discovery Passage.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca travelling and interacting
Sat, 30 May 2020 – 1 items
Big Animal Encounters
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca travelling and interacting
Sat, 30 May 2020 – 1 items
Big Animal Encounters
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Wed May 27 2020
10:46 • est. 10 Orca heading north from Cortez Reef and Baker Passage, Georgia Strait.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca heading north from Cortez Reef and Baker Passage, Georgia Strait
Wed, 27 May 2020 – 9 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca heading north from Cortez Reef and Baker Passage, Georgia Strait
Wed, 27 May 2020 – 9 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:25 • est. 10 Orca headed for Cape Mudge on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca heading for Cape Mudge, Quadra Island
Wed, 27 May 2020 – 5 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca heading for Cape Mudge, Quadra Island
Wed, 27 May 2020 – 5 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri May 29 2020
21:15 • est. 10-15 Orca breaching, heading north at the entrance to Dodd Narrows south of Nanaimo, Stuart Channel. Jumping, and playing. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
EP, Thetis Island, BC
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue May 19 2020
08:22 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north in front of Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
09:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
09:20 • Humpback Whales heading north off Copper Cliffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
10:30 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north off Race Point in the middle of Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
12:33 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ breaching, heading south at Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback – BCY0291, KC – breaching!
Tue, 19 May 2020 – 6 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback – BCY0291, KC – breaching!
Tue, 19 May 2020 – 6 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:45 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south by Willow Point, Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
14:44 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, off Gowlland Island, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Humpback Whales
Humpback showing off its fluke!
Tue, 19 May 2020 – 1 items
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Humpback Whales
Humpback showing off its fluke!
Tue, 19 May 2020 – 1 items
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
15:45 • est. 1 Humpback Whales lunge feeding, heading north-east between Pasley Island and New Islet, Collingwood Channel. ▫ Observed from Shore
MH, Vancouver, BC
16:02 • Humpback Whales south of the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
16:25 • 1 Humpback Whales off Tyee Spit, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Wed May 20 2020
08:50 • Humpback Whales off Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
13:10 • Humpback Whales heading south off Whiskey Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Thu May 21 2020
09:20 • Humpback Whales breaching, north of Harwood Island mid Georgia Strait. Several Humpbacks were seen. Reported from CVWS. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
12:45 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north 300 meters off the goverment dock at Eastbourne, Keats Island, Collingwood Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sun May 24 2020
08:40 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling, heading north-east near Hidden Harbour, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Initially close to west shore of Discovery Passage, then headed to mid-channel; looked like mother and calf. ▫ Observed from Shore
JH, Campbell River, BC
09:34 • Humpback Whales heading north off Big Rock, Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
Mon May 25 2020
10:45 • 2 Humpback Whales off Sonora Point, Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Tue May 26 2020
07:55 • Humpback Whales heading west 200 yards off Edith Point, East Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Hans Lammers, Blind Channel Resort
20:00 • Humpback Whales heading north off Tyee Spit, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. The whale was later spotted off Painters Lodge at 8:10pm.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Wed May 27 2020
09:27 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. Mom and calf.
09:46 • Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ moving slowly, heading south off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:30 • Humpback Whales right on Brent Island, Okisollo Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:15 • Humpback Whales off Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Thu May 28 2020
08:13 • 1 Humpback Whales near the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
08:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off Spilsbury Point, Hernando Island, Baker Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
09:47 • 2 Humpback Whales off the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Fairly active.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:49 • Humpback Whales heading north off Bear Point, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
11:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east off Sunday Creek, Chancellor Channel.
Hans Lammers, Blind Channel Resort
11:06 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north off Whiskey Point, Quadra Island mid Discovery Passage.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
12:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Maud Island in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
15:20 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
16:45 • Humpback Whales heading south off Tyee Spit, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
19:16 • 2 Humpback Whales just south of Big Rock, Campbell River, Georgia Strait. Mother and calf pair.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Two humpback whales near Big Rock, Campbell River
Thu, 28 May 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Two humpback whales near Big Rock, Campbell River
Thu, 28 May 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri May 29 2020
09:20 • Humpback Whales breaching, between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:39 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south near Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Humpback Whales
Humpback whale off Cape Mudge, followed by a grey whale near Quadra Island
Fri, 29 May 2020 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Humpback Whales
Humpback whale off Cape Mudge, followed by a grey whale near Quadra Island
Fri, 29 May 2020 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Sat May 30 2020
11:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north just south of the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
12:15 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading north, mid-channel by Hidden Harbour, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
JR, Campbell River, BC
16:50 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north at Cinque Islands, Discovery Passage. Humpback was small with a very dark fluke.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
18:15 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading south across from Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Pec slapping seen as well. ▫ Observed from Shore
JR, Campbell River, BC
Sun May 31 2020
09:35 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:10 • Humpback Whales off Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:50 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales milling at the west end of Chancellor Channel.
Hans Lammers, Blind Channel Resort
Mon Jun 01 2020
07:16 • Humpback Whales breaching and tail-slapping, off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
12:46 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Kanish Bay, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Mom and calf pair.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale – BCY, Checkmate – in Discovery Passage
Mon, 1 Jun 2020 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale – BCY, Checkmate – in Discovery Passage
Mon, 1 Jun 2020 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
15:45 • Humpback Whales in Drew Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
MINKE WHALES
Mon Jun 01 2020
14:15 • 1 Minke Whales travelling, heading south-east from Cape Mudge towards Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Moving quickly, diving in about 800 ft depth location. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Caitlin Duffy, Campbell River, BC
GREY WHALES
Mon May 18 2020
18:30 • est. 2-3 Grey Whales moving slowly, heading north between Chrome Island and Deep Bay, Baynes Sound. We saw a small group quite far away. We fished for about half an hour and headed back towards harbour. We stopped again to fish a little more between Chrome island and the marker bouys. One whale (possibly two) appeared to have followed us. Our boat was off and it surfaced 10-15 feet off the stern of our boat. It circled our boat which was not running for maybe 5-10 mins, then headed away. It was amazing. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
TM, Bowser, BC
Fri May 29 2020
17:39 • 1 Grey Whales near Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Mon Jun 01 2020
14:30 • est. 2 Grey Whales moving slowly, off West Beach at Semiahmoo Bay, White Rock, Georgia Strait. Uncertain if it was Grey whales. No dorsal. Saw blow spray from shore and got binoculars to watch. Hung around in a 20m area off far west end of White Rock beach about 300-500m from shore. There may have been 2 as seemed two different areas spray was coming from. Consistently saw the one and watched for 35 min. It would disappear for about 10 min at a time, or hang out just below surface. I was able to see a small fin or nose poking up a tiny bit, and twice saw the tail at surface, not fully out, but dark in colour. ▫ Observed from Shore
Colleen Sharpe
21:25 • est. 1 Grey Whales doing circles, heading south off the beach at White Rock, Georgia Strait. Spouting. ▫ Observed from Shore
HD, White Rock, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Tue May 19 2020
09:25 • PWS Dolphins in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
14:30 • PWS Dolphins heading south just north of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
19:15 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins foraging at the mouth of Loughborough Inlet.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed May 20 2020
17:48 • PWS Dolphins leaping, heading south near Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu May 21 2020
10:55 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins frolicking, near Gray Creek, Loughborough Inlet.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri May 22 2020
17:37 • PWS Dolphins by Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
Sat May 23 2020
10:00 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins heading south at Earl Ledge, Hardwicke Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
18:52 • PWS Dolphins in Blind Channel. Small pod observed.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
Mon May 25 2020
11:30 • est. 80 PWS Dolphins at Greensea Bay on the west side of Sonora Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Tue May 26 2020
07:20 • PWS Dolphins playing, at Earl Ledge, Hardwicke Island, Johnstone Strait. Big group of dolphins. They were surfing the waves.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed May 27 2020
11:00 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins spread out, heading east, Okisollo Channel. Very active and moving away from Discovery Passage.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
12:30 • 75 PWS Dolphins milling, near Cathers Cove, off St. Aubyn Creek, Sonora Island, Okisollo Channel. Cathers cove.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Thu May 28 2020
10:25 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins heading south at Elk Bay, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
15:20 • PWS Dolphins milling, off Yorke Island, Johnstone Strait. Small pod.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sat May 30 2020
11:45 • est. 10-20 PWS Dolphins zig zagging, heading west at Pender Harbour, Malaspina Strait. Staying a lot of time inside the harbour. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Fidel Flechas, Pender Harbour, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific white-sided dolphins heading west at Pender Harbour, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 30 May 2020 – 3 items
Fidel Flechas, Pender Harbour, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific white-sided dolphins heading west at Pender Harbour, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 30 May 2020 – 3 items
Fidel Flechas, Pender Harbour, BC
DALLS PORPOISE
Wed May 20 2020
13:30 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise off Sonora Point mid Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Thu May 28 2020
10:30 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise heading north off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Mon Jun 01 2020
12:30 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise at Hemming Bay, East Thurlow Island, Nodales Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
SPECIES UNSURE
Thu May 21 2020
09:30 • est. 5-10 Species Unsure breaching, heading north just north Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Seen from my house across the strait from Kye Bay (Comox). The whales were closer to the mainland heading almost due north. Observed belly reflected. ▫ Observed from Shore
DC, Kye Bay, BC
Sat May 30 2020
11:23 • Species Unsure between Shelter Point and Willow Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
CHEK News
A young orca whale nearly died after it was caught it became entangled in waters near Nanaimo.
Kevin McKay told CHEK News he was out boating around Neck Point around 4 p.m. on Sunday when he noticed a pod of transient orcas circling a buoy, which signalled that a prawn trap was below….
read on
Kevin McKay told CHEK News he was out boating around Neck Point around 4 p.m. on Sunday when he noticed a pod of transient orcas circling a buoy, which signalled that a prawn trap was below….
read on
CBC News
A humpback whale has reached Montreal by way of the St. Lawrence River, according to a marine mammal expert.
The whale was spotted underneath the Pont de Québec earlier this week, swimming upstream. By late Saturday morning, it was near the Jacques-Cartier Bridge in Montreal….
read on
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
CTV News
VANCOUVER — There was a spectacular scene on the Sunshine Coast Thursday morning when dozens of Pacific white sided dolphins surrounded a couple that was out for a canoe trip.
Evan Lee-Dodek and Lisa Hawkins were in Sechelt Inlet, enjoying the calmer waves that come with paddling in the morning at this time of year, when they suddenly found themselves in the midst of about 50 dolphins….
read on
Hurriyet Daily News (Turkey)
False killer whales, generally found in tropical and temperate waters of major oceans, have been spotted in northern Aegean Sea for the first time in 25 years.
Eight false killer whales floating in open sea some 6 miles away from Imbros island were recorded by a fisherman….
read on
Outlook (India)
In a rare incident, local youth from a village in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal rescued an Irrawaddy dolphin, which had washed ashore due to high tide. He carried the mammal up to the shore and immediately released it back into the water.
The youth was a community volunteer trained by the Wildlife Institute of India under Centre’s National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)….
read on
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
Bay Nature
When a whale washes up it’s kind of like being a doctor on call," says Moe Flannery, senior collections manager at the California Academy of Sciences. Flannery’s day job means caring for more than 140,000 bird and mammal specimens at the Academy, but she is also a first responder when marine mammals wash ashore. At 5:45 a.m. on a Tuesday last summer, I piled into a truck with Flannery on a response call. The stranded animal was a "small" 20-foot humpback calf that washed ashore on Wildcat Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore….
read on
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The Conversation
We set off from Fremantle Harbour at 6 am – a ridiculous hour university students aren’t usually accustomed to – and sailed to Perth Canyon, 120 kilometres away.
A fellow volunteer and I were constantly on watch, too nervous and excited to take our eyes off the horizon in case we missed the tell-tale spray of a pygmy blue whale blow….
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NW News Network
American and Canadian marine scientists — and one talented dog — are seizing an unexpected opportunity presented by the coronavirus pandemic. They are trying to establish whether Pacifc Northwest whales benefit from the current drop in boat traffic and underwater noise….
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