Another busy day with Whales spread out along the coast. Glad to have Orca Network reports again after an unscheduled hiatus. The Southern Residents are in and around Puget Sound. The Northern Resident Orca quietly made their way up from Nodales Channel and into Blackfish Sound. All the Northern Resident Orca remained in or above Johnstone Strait, while the Transient Orca made another appearance in the channels around Desolation Sound. Orca seemed to be in every direction. There are reports of Humpback, Minke, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and both Dall's and Harbour Porpoises.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Resident Orca:
July 23:
7 am the Northern Resident A23's and A24's were Westbound by Malcolm Point, Malcolm Island. They met up with the A30's and B's just above Numas Islands and again headed towards Well's Passage.
9 am A12 and the two brothers A37 and A46 were in the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve and meandered about going West then East for a number of hours. (The last two reports I heard first had them going West then East, so I'm unsure of final choice of direct - SM)
Various reports throughout the day from around the top of Johnstone Strait
July 22:
Around 7 am received a report that the A23's and A24's had met up in Blackfish Sound top of Johnstone Strait and no-one had found them yet by 10 am. And 9 am A12 and the A36 brothers were in Robson Bight Ecological Reserve heading West. Read on for how quickly they can turn.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
11:45 am 8 Orca by Adam River, Johnstone Strait heading East towards Campbell River.
Aaron is with the A12’s, and A36’s at Hanson Island (noon)
Shortly after this, it was confirmed (see photo below) that it was the A23's and A24's which include A60. Left them heading West again around 2 pm.
Garry, Aboriginal Journeys
Northern Resident Orca A60
Photo by Garry, Aboriginal Journeys
Transient Orca:
July 23:
9:30 am 3 Transient Orca by Dent Rapids area assumed to include T002C (see photos below). These Whales stayed around the same area till at least the afternoon when they very slowly worked their way down around Church House towards Raza Island in Calm Channel 1pm.
Garry, Aboriginal Journeys
Transient at Dent Island this morning. We think they are the same 3
Transient Orca T002C
Photo by Garry, Aboriginal Journeys
July 22:
4 pm 3 Transient Orca including T002C at Wellbore Channel heading past Forward Harbour heading West towards Sunderland Channel.
Garry, Aboriginal Journeys
T2C's We left them westing in Welborne Channel at 7:00 pm last night.
Jack, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jack, Campbell River Whale Watching
July 21 - Report from Orca Network - BC Orcas
I just saw (at noon) a small pod (male with about four others) in Saltery Bay heading into Jervis Inlet (BC Sunshine Coast). One breach and some tail slapping. Very cool, made up for all the gloomy weather we've had.
Cathy Kelly
Pacific White Sided Dolphins:
July 23:
11:24 am “A lot” of Pacific White Sided Dolphins were seen at Bold Head heading very rapidly down towards Blackney Pass too fast for the unknown reporting vessel to catch up to them.
July 22:
A group of about 20 Dolphins at Hull Point (Sonora) at 10:00 am –
5 pm 20-25 Pacific White Sided Dolphins came into our anchorage chasing fish in their high speed manoeuvres. They passed through the narrow passage between the Pearse Islands and around a half hour later came back through and out into Johnstone Strait.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Humpback Whales:
July 22:
Humpback at the “Hump” heading south at 11:00 am this morning.
Minke Whales:
July 23:
3 pm Minke Whale between White Cliff Islets and Bold Head, top of Blackfish Sound Westing.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
July 22:
1:30 pm Minke Whale passing Double Bay in Blackfish Sound heading East towards Blackney Pass.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Dall's and Harbour Porpoises:
July 23:
2:30 pm 3 or 4 Harbour Porpoises foraging between Stubbs Island and the Plumper Islands at the top of Weynton Pass.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
July 22:
10 am 2 Dall's Porpoises at the East end of Robson Bight, Johnstone Strait.
10:20 am 2 Harbour Porpoises by Boat Bay, Johnstone Strait.
AJ, Oak Bay Hurricane