Orca and Humpbacks in Upper Georgia Strait!
Cover Image:
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
During the past week, many pods of Transient Orca were seen in various inland waterways, notably around Quadra Island and Sonora Island. A couple of pods of Transients were seen hunting their prey. Many Humpback whales were sighted as well. A couple of Humpbacks were seen slapping their pectoral fins and breaching. On June 7, many Humpback whales were present off Kitty Coleman Beach spread out over a wide area. There may have been up to 12 Humpback whales in the area. Further south near Comox on the same day, another group of 5 Humpback whales were observed. One Grey whale was observed off Reception Point, west of Sechelt along the Sunshine Coast. Rounding our report are a few sightings of Pacific White-Sided dolphins and one sighting of Dall’s porpoises.
The Federal Government (DFO) issued the following statement about watching Orca in the wild: “Vessels must stay at least 400 m away from all killer whales in southern British Columbia coastal waters between Campbell River and Ucluelet, including Barkley and Howe Sound. This is in effect year-round until May 31, 2023. If killer whales approach any vessel, boaters should place their engine in neutral and wait for the animals to pass.”
For all other areas of B.C. outside of the area indicated above, a minimum distance of 200-m must be maintained when viewing Orca. When viewing other species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, a minimum distance of 100-m must be kept.
WOWs works throughout 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
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2022-011
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Thu Jun 02 2022
12:07 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south-west cutting through North Rendezvous Island, Drew Passage.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:40 • Biggs Orca ◦T036,T036Bs,T101s◦ heading south between Read Island and South Rendezvous Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Sutil Channel
Thu, 2 Jun 2022 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Sutil Channel
Thu, 2 Jun 2022 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:46 • Biggs Orca ◦T036Bs,T101s◦ heading south, south of Rendezvous Islands off the shoreline of Read Island, Drew Passage.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:36 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s,T019s◦ hunting making their way out of Frederick Arm. They spent a bit of time on a kill.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Frederick Arm
Thu, 2 Jun 2022 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Frederick Arm
Thu, 2 Jun 2022 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
15:30 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north by the Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel. Small fins.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:58 • 2 Biggs Orca heading west, west of the Recreation Site at Naka Creek, Johnstone Strait. Big fins.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
20:30 • est. 10 Biggs Orca in Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel. They had been there for about an hour. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Jun 03 2022
10:03 • 5 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south, Yuculta Rapids. Aiming towards Hole in the Wall.
Amelia Plexman, Sonora Resort
10:10 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ went along the shore by Church House heading towards Calm Channel.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Calm Channel
Fri, 3 Jun 2022 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Calm Channel
Fri, 3 Jun 2022 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
11:01 • Biggs Orca heading south, Yuculta Rapids.
12:52 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south abeam Mushkin 5, Sonora Island, Calm Channel. About 500-m off the shore.
13:10 • Biggs Orca heading south abeam Hole in the Wall mid Calm Channel. Very active. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:50 • 5 Biggs Orca heading south off Erasmus Island, Cordero Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
16:20 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north far out from the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Two big fin Orca (males).
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Sat Jun 04 2022
11:00 • Biggs Orca, Nodales Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:30 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south off Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.
18:05 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north-east towards Bute Inlet , south of Yuculta Rapids.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun Jun 05 2022
10:09 • Biggs Orca heading east in Okisollo Channel. Heard from a friend. ▫ Second Hand
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
10:10 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca ◦T123s◦ heading east, Hole in the Wall.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
13:19 • Biggs Orca heading north passing Hole in the Wall.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T123s◦ heading west near Venture Point heading towards Discovery Passage, Okisollo Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
16:00 • Biggs Orca hunting all the way in Kanish Bay.
Radio, overheard or call out
17:03 • Biggs Orca ◦T123s◦ foraging, off Chained Islands, Kanish Bay. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:23 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca ◦T036,T036Bs◦ heading north passing Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Mon Jun 06 2022
15:10 • Biggs Orca milling, south of Willow Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
15:24 • Biggs Orca heading north towards Willow Point.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:31 • Biggs Orca milling, around the reef at Willow Point.
Kaitlin Paquette, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T100s◦ milling, near Willow Point. Together with other Biggs.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
20:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T101◦ heading north, Campbell River Cruiseship Dock, Discovery Passage. She was with other Orca, but without her two boys.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Tue Jun 07 2022
11:50 • Biggs Orca off Octopus Islands, Okisollo Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:08 • Biggs Orca heading west towards Discovery Passage out of Okisollo Channel. ▫ Second Hand
15:10 • Biggs Orca, Kanish Bay. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
16:36 • est. 2+ Biggs Orca heading north just above Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. 2 big fin.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
17:23 • 8 Biggs Orca heading south at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:37 • Biggs Orca in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
18:36 • Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading south approaching the Menzies Bay Pulp Mill just above Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Jun 08 2022
10:20 • Biggs Orca heading south, Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Tue, 7 Jun 2022 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Tue, 7 Jun 2022 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue Jun 07 2022
12:25 • Orca, Lambert Channel. Possible the reporter saw the numerous Humpback blows in the area and mistook for Orca.
Radio, overheard or call out
HUMPBACK WHALES
Thu Jun 02 2022
08:14 • Humpback Whales off Campbell River, Anchor Inn, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:54 • Humpback Whales heading north by Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:58 • Humpback Whales by Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
11:02 • Humpback Whales heading north-east by Jimmy Judd Island angling toward Bute Inlet, Dent Rapids.
11:02 • Humpback Whales in Bute Inlet.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:40 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ heading south off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. Nick and calf.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:12 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ heading south off Big Rock, Georgia Strait. Nick and calf.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Jun 03 2022
09:09 • 1 Humpback Whales off Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:00 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ heading south approaching Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Nick with her calf.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:52 • 1 Humpback Whales in front of Campbell River Dolphins Resort, Discovery Passage.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Jun 04 2022
11:33 • Humpback Whales by Ripple Rock, Discovery Passage.
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales by Maud Island in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:05 • Humpback Whales at Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Stan Novotny, Stan Novotny Productions
15:13 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ heading south at Seymour Narrows. Nick and calf.
Kaitlin Paquette, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Jun 05 2022
15:00 • 3 Humpback Whales, Kanish Bay.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:05 • Humpback Whales heading south in Discovery Passage. Near Kanish Bay.
Kaitlin Paquette, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:03 • Humpback Whales off 45 Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
19:34 • Humpback Whales off Comox, Georgia Strait. Blow and tail seen from the Comox ferry. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Mon Jun 06 2022
11:20 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ near the Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Nick and her new 2022 calf.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:50 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ milling, just south of the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:53 • Humpback Whales resting, heading south in Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:15 • Humpback Whales off April Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:16 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading south along the Tyee Spit, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Kaitlin Paquette, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:35 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, between Grilse Point and Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Tue Jun 07 2022
09:20 • 3 Humpback Whales off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:31 • 1 Humpback Whales west of Mitlenatch Island.
10:08 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south at Mitlenatch Island. Good surface times. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:58 • 6 Humpback Whales off Kitty Coleman Beach Park, Georgia Strait.
11:22 • est. 10-12 Humpback Whales off Kitty Coleman Beach Park. All the whales were within a few miles off shore. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Tristan Ray-Wilks, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:28 • est. 4-5 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0837 Tempest,BCY Crenel,BCY Moray,BCY Nova◦ off Kitty Coleman Beach Park.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales in Georgia Strait
Tue, 7 Jun 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales in Georgia Strait
Tue, 7 Jun 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
12:27 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ north of Kitty Coleman Beach Park off Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait. Nick and the calf.
12:44 • est. 7-8 Humpback Whales near Kitty Coleman Beach Park, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:31 • 5 Humpback Whales off Point Holmes southeast of the airport at Comox, Georgia Strait. Another 5 whales!.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
13:53 • 4 Humpback Whales off Elma Bay, Georgia Strait. Within a mile of one another.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:31 • Humpback Whales heading north, Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
15:10 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, just north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
15:16 • 1 Humpback Whales near Mitlenatch Island.
15:30 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait. A few breaches & pec slapping.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
GREY WHALES
Sat Jun 04 2022
15:15 • Grey Whales foraging, at Reception Point west of Sechelt, Welcome Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sun Jun 05 2022
14:10 • est. 12 PWS Dolphins at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:45 • 12 PWS Dolphins heading north near No Name Creek, Discovery Passage.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Jun 08 2022
15:00 • PWS Dolphins off Separation Head, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
DALLS PORPOISE
Sun Jun 05 2022
10:10 • Dalls Porpoise frolicking, near Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids. Very active.
Radio, overheard or call out
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