Transient Orca In Many Areas!
Cover Image:
Transient Biggs Killer Whale leaping at sunset!
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
During the past two weeks, over half of the sighting reports we received were of Transient Orca. Some of these Orca were observed breaching, milling, and spy-hopping. One specific pod, the T090s, was seen on three different days in upper Georgia Strait and adjacent waterways in that area. On each of those days, the Orca travelled between 15 to 20 kilometers in 3-4 hours, which gives you an idea how far they can go in one whole day (and hence, these Orca being named “Transients”).
The number of sightings of Humpback whales have increased. On May 26, many travellers on a ferry to Bowen Island (Snug Cove) were delighted and lucky to see one Humpback whale doing multiple tail lobs. Rounding our report are a few sightings of pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins, one sighting of Harbour porpoises in Malaspina Strait north of Lund, and one large Elephant seal in Howe Sound.
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
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2023-008
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Fri May 19 2023
13:45 • Biggs Orca heading south off the north end of Conville Point, Quadra Island, Hoskyn Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale – T90B – in Teakerne Arm
Fri, 19 May 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale – T90B – in Teakerne Arm
Fri, 19 May 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:30 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south off King Islets, Hoskyn Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Lorill Vining, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:52 • Biggs Orca heading south off Dunsterville Islet, Hoskyn Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
20:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south, Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
20:15 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T018s, T019s◦ heading north, Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel. They joined the T090s to socialize for a bit. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Sat May 20 2023
–:– • Biggs Orca heading north, Lambert Channel.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:00 • 5 Biggs Orca heading north at the north end of Lambert Channel. One big fin Orca (male) in the pod.
John Lewis, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:52 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading north off Joyce Point, West Redonda Island, Lewis Channel.
11:58 • Biggs Orca abeam Squirrel Cove, Cortes Island, Lewis Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
12:49 • Biggs Orca ◦T019,T019B Galiano◦ heading south off Tiber Bay, Cortes Island, Lewis Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:25 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ leaving along the north shore of Teakerne Arm.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:45 • Biggs Orca ◦T137s◦ heading north off Cape Lazo, Comox, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Zoe Hasenfratz, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:41 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading into Raza Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
Sun May 21 2023
09:39 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north, northwest of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
09:52 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ milling, abeam Mitlenatch Island.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
10:10 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south-east, south of Mitlenatch Island.
10:37 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south, west of the bouy at Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:07 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ moving slowly, heading south approacing Williams Beach, Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:03 • Biggs Orca between Twin Islands and Sarah Point, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:08 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south off Kitty Coleman Beach Park, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:25 • Biggs Orca milling, around north Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
13:27 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading towards Sarah Point, Malaspina Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:08 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north at Tiber Bay, Cortes Island, Lewis Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:21 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north at Junction Point, Lewis Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
Mon May 22 2023
13:50 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ going into Frances Bay. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale swimming close to shore!
Mon, 22 May 2023 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale swimming close to shore!
Mon, 22 May 2023 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south, north of Whale Passage, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:36 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south off Sarah Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
16:57 • Biggs Orca heading north between Texada Island cell tower and Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. One big fin.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Tue May 23 2023
19:05 • 2 Biggs Orca breaching, off Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Sidney Channel. ▫ From Ferry
Eve Rogers, Swartz Bay, BC
Fri May 26 2023
07:20 • est. 3+ Biggs Orca spy hopping, in Brentwood Bay, Tod Inlet. ▫ Second Hand
Jill Healey, Brentwood Bay, BC
Sun May 28 2023
10:40 • 3 Biggs Orca milling, between Mitlenatch Island and Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:05 • est. 8+ Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ north of Sutil Point, Georgia Strait. 2 groups of 4 joined up with the T090s and another group. Just 1 big fin observed.
13:15 • 8 Biggs Orca heading east towards Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale travelling in Malaspina Strait
Sun, 28 May 2023 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale travelling in Malaspina Strait
Sun, 28 May 2023 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:55 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north, south of Roberts Creek near Gibsons, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
14:43 • 8 Biggs Orca ◦T090s,T124A2s◦ milling, near Major Rock Islet off Lund, Malaspina Strait.
15:03 • 8 Biggs Orca ◦T090s,T124A2s◦ heading south, just off the southern most Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait.
15:25 • 8 Biggs Orca ◦T090s,T124A2s◦ heading south, south of Copeland Islands. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:59 • Biggs Orca heading south along the mainland shore approaching Dinner Rock, Malaspina Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale – T090s and T124As – off Lund!
Sun, 28 May 2023 – 3 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale – T090s and T124As – off Lund!
Sun, 28 May 2023 – 3 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
19:30 • 7 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading north, Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. 3 large males in the mix. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
19:30 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north, Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Nina Falls, Powell River, BC
20:23 • 3+ Biggs Orca heading north out from Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Mon May 29 2023
14:25 • est. 7-8 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading north in Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
16:56 • est. 8 Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ breaching, heading south mid channel between Powell River Viewpoint and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T100s – breaching mid channel between Powell River Viewpoint and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait
Mon, 29 May 2023 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T100s – breaching mid channel between Powell River Viewpoint and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait
Mon, 29 May 2023 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
20:05 • est. 7-8 Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ playing, off Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Nina Falls, Powell River, BC
20:35 • est. 7-9 Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ playing, heading south, Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. They stalled close in and were breaching and tail lobs having a good time. 3 big males were in the mix. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Tue May 30 2023
11:20 • 1 Biggs Orca ◦T087◦ heading south-east south side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:15 • 1 Biggs Orca heading south-east .5nm off Manson Passage, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:00 • 7 Biggs Orca heading west through Innes Passage, Yuculta Rapids.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale – T090 – hunting a Pacific White Sided Dolphin
Sun, 21 May 2023 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale – T090 – hunting a Pacific White Sided Dolphin
Sun, 21 May 2023 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale – T090s and T124A2s – hunting through the rapids creating quite the spectacle!
Mon, 29 May 2023 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale – T090s and T124A2s – hunting through the rapids creating quite the spectacle!
Mon, 29 May 2023 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
HUMPBACK WHALES
Thu May 18 2023
13:33 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, between Jimmy Judd Island and Dent Island, Dent Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat May 20 2023
14:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading from Jimmy Judd Island towards Vancouver Bay, Dent Rapids.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun May 21 2023
12:29 • Humpback Whales at Spilsbury Point, Baker Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
20:13 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south, south of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
21:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, north of Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Tue May 23 2023
06:30 • Humpback Whales heading north off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
09:05 • Humpback Whales off Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
09:39 • Humpback Whales off Race Point angling toward Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Jessica Parker, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:47 • Humpback Whales between Race Point and Seymour Narrows.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:09 • Humpback Whales at Race Point, Seymour Narrows.
Nova Tulloch, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed May 24 2023
09:31 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north, south of Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Kaitlin Paquette, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:14 • Humpback Whales off Middle Point, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:38 • Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ near the Menzies Bay Pulp Mill just above Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Kaitlin Paquette, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:36 • Humpback Whales at the south end of Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
12:45 • 2 Humpback Whales spread out, heading north off Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
13:53 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading north close to shore at the old Quadra Island cell tower, Sutil Channel. KC and a friend. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu May 25 2023
08:31 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south in front of the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:48 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north, south of Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island.
Jessica Parker, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:33 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, heading north zigzagging, abeam Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
11:55 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, mid channel off Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:55 • 1 Humpback Whales mid channel off Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:45 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri May 26 2023
09:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in front of Walcan Seafood Plant, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:30 • est. 3-6 Humpback Whales tail lobs, heading east close to Snug Cove, Bowen Island, Queen Charlotte Channel. Spread out in 2 smaller groups. Only one whale was doing tail lobs. ▫ From Ferry
GP, Bowen Island, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks heading east close to Snug Cove, Queen Charlotte Channel
Fri, 26 May 2023 – 2 items
GP, Bowen Island, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks heading east close to Snug Cove, Queen Charlotte Channel
Fri, 26 May 2023 – 2 items
GP, Bowen Island, BC
12:30 • est. 1 Humpback Whales travelling, heading south-east off Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
AS, Campbell River, BC
14:15 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south in Discovery Passage.
Zoe Hasenfratz, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north, southwest of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
John Lewis, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat May 27 2023
10:06 • 1 Humpback Whales foraging, off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Jessica Parker, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:45 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south-west about 1-NM to the south-east of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon May 29 2023
11:45 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, just south of the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:15 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ bucking tide in Arran Rapids.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sat May 20 2023
10:39 • 15 PWS Dolphins milling at the north end of Lewis Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
Tue May 23 2023
07:50 • est. 12 PWS Dolphins heading north close to shore off Foggduckkers Coffee, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
John Lewis, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu May 25 2023
07:50 • PWS Dolphins spread out, between Walkem Islands and Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri May 26 2023
11:00 • est. 15 PWS Dolphins heading north off Row and Be Damned below Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
John Lewis, Campbell River Whale Watching
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Thu May 18 2023
10:00 • Harbour Porpoise west of Powell Islets, Malaspina Strait.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
OF SPECIAL NOTE
Tue May 30 2023
12:35 • Other Species between Bowen Island and Gambier Island, Collingwood Channel. Large Elephant Seal. ▫ From Ferry
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
SPECIES UNSURE
Thu May 18 2023
17:58 • est. 12 Species Unsure heading north off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. Either Pacific White-Sided dolphins or Dall’s porpoises.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
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