Transient Bigg's Killer Whales and
Pacific White Sided Dolphins around the upper Georgia Strait. One
male Orca, T40 has a very distinctive dorsal and is known as “Captain
Hook” for a good reason. See photos below. The dolphins have been
foraging around in groups of two to 100.
The toll free reporting number
1-877-323-9776 is working, but please bear with the quirks and
need to streamline the message. It goes to voicemail sooner than
anticipated, before there's a chance to pick up, so please leave a
message with your sightings information. The voicemail will be
changed, but currently still answers as Susan MacKay. Every Sightings
report is important – keep looking – they are out there!
Susan MacKay, Whales
and Dolphins BC
'Captain Hook' T40
April 1, 2013
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys
Transient
Bigg's Killer Whales
April 1:
1:45 pm 4 Orca were right in Okeover
Inlet (runs from Desolation Sound in behind Lund) for about an hour.
There were 2 large fins (males) and 2 smaller ones (females or
juveniles). One has a very flopped over dorsal – odd looking.
They're heading North out of the inlet now.
Susan Hanson, Okeover Inlet
April 1:
3:08 pm Just leaving them heading out
of Okeover Inlet. 4 or 5 total. 'Captain Hook' T40 plus 3 (for sure)
small fins, T41, T41A and T41A1.
Aaron Webber & Jack Springer,
Campbell River Whale Watching
April 1:
3:36 pm Just left 'Captain Hook' and
the rest of the Orca at Sarah Point angling South-West towards the
Copeland Islands. 4 Orca; 2 young ones, T40 'Captain Hook' and a
mid-size female.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
March 31:
2:37 pm Call came in from a regular
reporter that 3 Orca 1 male, 1 female and 1 young one were heading
towards Powell River proper from the Armour Road (Myrtle Rocks) area
South of town. Thanks, as always, for the heads up.
Nina Falls, Powell River
March 31:
3:40 pm Found the Orca, definitely
Transient Bigg's, as they crossed in front of of Powell River. I did
see 3 at first, then only 2. The very big male looked like T87 with a
dorsal that slopes to his left. He and a female continued past the
mill and I lost sight of just the two of them just past the Atrevida
Reef buoy angling towards Major Rock and Mace Point on the Eastern
tip of Savary Island.
Note: This male Orca was
definitely not T40, so we've had a greater number of whales in the
area than spotted or reported. Looking at the photos, the whales
were: T40, T86A, T86A1 and T86A3 which would also make sense with
having T87 in the neighbourhood. It's very possible that the T41's
also were around, since T40 normally travels with them, but without
photos this could not be confirmed.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
'Captain Hook' T40 and
Juvenile T86A3 & T86A
April 1, 2013
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys
March 31:
4:23 pm Just got a text from Janeen's
brother of two Orca at Grief Point headed North. (I kept watch, but
never saw these ones pass Powell River. The 3rd one may
have hung back and waited from report above. - SM)
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale
& Bear Excursions
Pacific
White Sided Dolphins
April 1:
4:01 pm 100 PWS Dolphins headed
Southbound towards Mitlenatch Island. They're 2 miles from Mitlenatch
going back and forth feeding.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
March 31:
2:38 pm Approximately 50 PWS Dolphins
all spread out (with some friendly ones :)) at No Name Creek, just
North of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale
& Bear Excursions
March 30:
4 pm 100 PWS Dolphins Westbound in
Cordero Channel.
3:10 pm 12 PWS Dolphins by Denham Bay
heading towards Frederick Arm.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale
Watching
March 30:
4:05 pm Another 20 PWS Dolphins
Westbound at the mouth of Nodales Channel. (Other than the ones noted
above). Another 50 PWS Dolphins by Howe Island just entering
Discovery Passage, then another 10 more at Green Sea Bay, just around
the corner. Great trip and nice escort back to the marina.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Pacific White Sided
Dolphin in clear waters beside the boat
March 31, 2013
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale & Bear Excursions
March 30 to April 1:
Late reports, and a bit vague as to
time and day, but there have been 2 to 4 PWS Dolphins seen during the
long weekend out in front of Powell River and towards the Mill and
Atrevida Reef.
Various casual discussion reports
Call Whales and Dolphins BC toll free
Sightings Hotline: 1-877-323-9776
To report your whale,
dolphin or porpoise sighting.