Signs of Cetaceans Feeding
Cover Image:
Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Eagles foraging for Herring!
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
When you see Cetaceans out in the sea, how could you tell if those whales or dolphins are foraging? There are a few signs of foraging that you can look for – perhaps you can identify a few from our cover image. Whales or dolphins that remain in an area, and appear to go back and forth in that area may be one of those signs of foraging. The presence of many seagulls and other sea birds in an area could indicate the presence of Cetaceans and their prey. Eagles may also join in the feeding frenzy, as seen on the cover image. Orca and dolphins travelling at high speeds may indicate they are hunting their prey. As opportunities arise for you to see Cetaceans, look for behaviours that indicates they are foraging and perhaps you might see their prey too!
The Federal Government (DFO) issued the following statement about watching Orca in the wild: “Vessels must stay 400m away from all killer whales in southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet until May 31, 2024.” 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 OR while viewing any Cetaceans that are resting or with a calf. When viewing whales, dolphins, and porpoises under other circumstances not described above, 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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Websites:
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2023-006
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Apr 03 2023
11:20 • Biggs Orca heading east between Twin Islands and Spilsbury Point, Baker Passage.
12:45 • est. 7-8 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ hunting, heading south-east north-east side of Powell Islets, Malaspina Strait. Others possibly the T124s.
13:20 • 1 Biggs Orca off Kinghorn Island, Lewis Channel. One big male.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Apr 04 2023
10:50 • Biggs Orca Williams Beach, Georgia Strait.
13:00 • Biggs Orca heading north first group at Race Point, Discovery Passage.
13:00 • Biggs Orca heading north second group by Middle Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Apr 07 2023
09:00 • Biggs Orca Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
10:45 • 8 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T023Cs,T023Ds◦ coming up to Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
13:20 • Biggs Orca resting, Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Apr 11 2023
20:00 • Biggs Orca heading south, Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Wed Apr 12 2023
11:45 • 4 Biggs Orca, Maurelle Island side of Calm Channel.
14:50 • 6 Biggs Orca at the entrance to Teakerne Arm.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Apr 14 2023
11:00 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south approaching Horn Point from Cordero Channel, Dent Rapids.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Apr 17 2023
11:55 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca off Port Harvey.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Tue Apr 18 2023
08:20 • 4 Biggs Orca bucking tide, heading east near Hole in the Wall.
14:10 • Biggs Orca heading south-west in Blind Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Apr 19 2023
15:00 • Biggs Orca heading south at McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.
15:10 • Biggs Orca approaching No Name Creek, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Apr 21 2023
11:40 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca foraging, moving slowly, heading north between Texada Island cell tower below Blubber Bay and Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Sun Apr 23 2023
11:42 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca heading south approaching Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Moving at 7 knots.
14:25 • Biggs Orca heading north off Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:30 • Biggs Orca bucking tide, in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
Mon Apr 24 2023
07:28 • Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading west mid-channel off Little Bear Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
Tue Apr 25 2023
13:13 • Biggs Orca heading south off Powell River Westview Harbour, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
14:11 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south off Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:30 • est. 3-6 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north-west appox. 2-km west of North Thormanby Island, Malaspina Strait. Smaller whale doing jumps. ▫ Observed from Shore
JH, North Thormanby Island, BC
14:52 • 5 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. Close to shore.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Wed Apr 26 2023
13:55 • Biggs Orca heading north at Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
14:11 • Biggs Orca heading west around Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Apr 27 2023
13:46 • est. 12 Biggs Orca ◦T125A,T128◦ heading north past Van Anda Point, Malaspina Strait.
15:05 • est. 18-20 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north near Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling together in Georgia Strait
Thu, 27 Apr 2023 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling together in Georgia Strait
Thu, 27 Apr 2023 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Apr 28 2023
10:20 • Biggs Orca heading north between Dunsterville Islet and Quadra Island, Hoskyn Channel.
Jessica Parker, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:39 • est. 10 Biggs Orca heading north at Bold Point, Hoskyn Channel.
11:12 • est. 10 Biggs Orca heading north at Hjorth Bay, Hoskyn Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:45 • est. 20 Biggs Orca ◦T028,T090s,T125A◦ heading west at Yeatman Bay, Okisollo Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T028, T090s, T125A – heading west at Yeatman Bay, Okisollo Channel
Fri, 28 Apr 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T028, T090s, T125A – heading west at Yeatman Bay, Okisollo Channel
Fri, 28 Apr 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling together!
Wed, 26 Apr 2023 – 9 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling together!
Wed, 26 Apr 2023 – 9 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T128 – north of Texada Island
Sat, 29 Apr 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T128 – north of Texada Island
Sat, 29 Apr 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales -T036as, T049A1, T065as, T090s, T124C, T124As, T124Bs, T124A2s, T125A and T128 – together in Okisollo Channel
Sat, 29 Apr 2023 – 6 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales -T036as, T049A1, T065as, T090s, T124C, T124As, T124Bs, T124A2s, T125A and T128 – together in Okisollo Channel
Sat, 29 Apr 2023 – 6 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sat Apr 22 2023
16:00 • est. 10-13 SRKW Orca foraging, heading south off Lighthouse Marine Park Campground, Point Roberts, Georgia Strait. One Orca calf. ▫ Observed from Shore
MH, Point Roberts, WA, USA
Southern Resident Killer Whales
South Resident Killer Whales heading south off Lighthouse Marine Park Campground, Point Roberts, Georgia Strait
Sat, 22 Apr 2023 – 9 items
MH, Point Roberts, WA, USA
Southern Resident Killer Whales
South Resident Killer Whales heading south off Lighthouse Marine Park Campground, Point Roberts, Georgia Strait
Sat, 22 Apr 2023 – 9 items
MH, Point Roberts, WA, USA
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Mon Apr 24 2023
11:55 • Orca between Port Neville and Hickey Point, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
HUMPBACK WHALES
Fri Apr 21 2023
16:50 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south, north of Willow Point, Georgia Strait.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Apr 22 2023
15:00 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading south off Lighthouse Marine Park Campground, Point Roberts, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
MH, Point Roberts, WA, USA
Humpback Whales
Humpback breaching off Lighthouse Marine Park Campground, Point Roberts
Sat, 22 Apr 2023 – 1 items
MH, Point Roberts, WA, USA
Humpback Whales
Humpback breaching off Lighthouse Marine Park Campground, Point Roberts
Sat, 22 Apr 2023 – 1 items
MH, Point Roberts, WA, USA
Thu Apr 27 2023
09:05 • Humpback Whales at the west end of Race Passage, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
GREY WHALES
Sun Apr 02 2023
14:00 • 1 Grey Whales foraging, heading north off Lily Point Marine Park, Point Roberts, . ▫ Observed from Shore
MH, Point Roberts, WA, USA
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Mon Apr 24 2023
10:00 • est. 6 PWS Dolphins in Gillies Bay, Texada Island, Georgia Strait. Seen from my house, in Gillies Bay. They are moving up and down the coast from the bay, towards Shelter Point then back towards the bay etc. It’s been over an hour now. ▫ Observed from Shore
Chantal Rodrigue, Gillies Bay, BC
12:53 • PWS Dolphins in Gillies Bay, Texada Island.
Brenda Currie, Powell River, BC
Sun Apr 30 2023
10:25 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins heading west at Brougham Point, Nodales Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:05 • PWS Dolphins heading south, just south of Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. Big group.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
12:05 • est. 75 PWS Dolphins heading south past McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins foraging by McMullen Point, Discovery Passage
Sun, 30 Apr 2023 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins foraging by McMullen Point, Discovery Passage
Sun, 30 Apr 2023 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
DALLS PORPOISE
Wed Apr 19 2023
13:00 • est. 20 Dalls Porpoise playing, near Horn Point, Dent Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Fri Apr 28 2023
16:53 • est. 10 Harbour Porpoise milling, south of Whytecliff Park, West Vancouver, Queen Charlotte Channel. Observed periodically over an hour as they were taking long dives. Maybe 2 smaller groups coming together and briefly dividing multiple times during that period.
18:39 • est. 7 Harbour Porpoise moving slowly, heading north off Whytecliff Park, West Vancouver. Within 100-m of shore. One porpoise trailing the group by about 5 minutes.
19:13 • est. 10 Harbour Porpoise about 400-m off Whytecliff Park, West Vancouver. Saw this group once. I couldn’t determine which direction they were going as the porpoises all surfaced pointing in different directions.
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
SEA OTTERS
Fri Apr 07 2023
08:15 • Sea Otters Big Rock, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Archive Explorer
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The Magazine
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
Global News
The captain of a California charter boat who observed a "spectacular," rare and co-ordinated killer whale pod attack on two adult gray whales last month is sharing his experience with Global News.
Danny Frank, an operator for Discovery Whale Watch in Monterey Bay, was on board when the seasonal hunting activity was recorded on March 30 and recorded it with a drone….
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CroatiaWeek
Whale sightings are not uncommon in the Adriatic Sea, but a recent video captured near the island of Vis is a rare treat. The footage shows a group of approximately a dozen whales swimming in the waters near the town of Komiža on the island of Vis, and it’s almost hard to believe….
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RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
The Guardian
Whales have been caught on camera enjoying a marine version of a day spa, returning to their favourite spot off the Gold Coast to scratch off itchy skin and parasites, and catch up with their cetacean buddies….
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Phys Org
A team of marine biologists affiliated with several institutions in the U.S., working with a colleague from Mexico, has found that it is possible to use drones to affix suction cup tags to whales as an alternative to doing it manually. In their study, reported in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the group tested the use of an uncrewed-aerial-system-based tag deployment system with free swimming whales….
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