First it's quiet then it's very busy
with Orca. They have been doing the typical Transient Bigg's
disappearing trick. Excitement over a possible brand new calf today!
See report below. Photos have been promised, but have not arrived, so
unconfirmed at time of posting. Will update calf status in next
report. The rest of the report includes Orca, more Orca, Pacific
White Sided Dolphins and some Harbour Porpoise. The SuperPod seems to
have split up into smaller groups again. They are unpredictable, but
keep looking, and report your sighting.
Susan MacKay, Whales
and Dolphins BC
Have you seen a whale,
dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776
or Email
your report.
Every sighting report is
valuable!
Transient
Bigg's Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Orca
May 2, 2013
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys
May 5:
12 pm Doing one of my scans of the
water, I spotted between 8 to 10 Orca just off Rebecca Rocks in front
of Powell River. I saw that there were 3 large male dorsals as they
milled about. As the ferry headed to Comox approached, the Orca
headed out towards center Strait, and once the ferry passed, they
angled back towards Texada's Coho Point. By 1:40 pm or so, they were
around by Limekiln Bay and I could see them occasionally zig zag out
and back.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
May 5:
2:45 pm Found the Orca – at least 9
of them just around the next point South of Limekiln Bay. They would
split into a couple of groups then regroup. T063 and two other large
males were there. At 3:20 pm just off the gravel pit, there was the
tiniest calf being supported and helped to the surface by a couple of
whales! It looked like around 4 feet long – really tiny! Photos to
follow (photos did not arrive by time of posting). Left them
at 3:57 pm still very slowly working their way South.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
May 5:
7:30 pm Can't guarantee, but looks like
the Orca blows and splashes headed towards Vancouver Island,
Northbound. With sun glare, I didn't see dorsals, and with no other
reports, not certain.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
May 5:
I wasn't out today, but I heard there
were two T's later today near Race Rocks. (Victoria) Not sure who,
but sounded like a possibility of T 21 and T20...perhaps someone will
confirm and ID. Another lovely day on the west coast. We down here,
have been waiting for that big superpod of T's from your area, to
arrive, but ZIP the past two days...where oh where did they disappear
to? It is amazing how they vanish. I look forward to the return of
the SR's ... (Southern Resident Orca)
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Prince of
Whales. Victoria BC
May 4:
8 am 3 or 4 Orca headed quickly towards
Saltrey Bay. Seen from Earl's Cove – Saltery Bay ferry.
Cyndi Agnew (Coles), Powell River
Transient Bigg's Killer
Whale off Harwood Island
May 4, 2013 (taken with
cell phone)
Susan MacKay, SG Images
May 4:
2:24 pm A large group of Orca between
Mitlenatch and Hernando Islands almost to Savary's Indian Point
including T063.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
May 4:
3:30 pm The Orca had stalled close to
the south-west end of Savary, spending some time socializing. They
were still very slowly working their way South. I left them half way
between Savary and Grant's Reef.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale
Watching
May 4:
4:25 pm Found 5 Orca just on the other
side of Harwood heading North-West towards Savary's Duck Bay. They
were sharing some food, but the kill was either made quietly
underwater or had already been made prior to locating them. They
turned and headed towards Grant's Reef. They picked up the pace, so
left them continuing towards Vancouver Island around 5:30 pm. Never
saw the others. My camera was at home, so only the cell phone to take
a photo, but neighbour Steve Grover came out with his camera – no
photos submitted for report.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
May 2: (rec'd late)
Today in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, we
had three Transient Bigg's Orca, Capt Hook T40, T97 and T93, three
big Bulls.
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Prince of
Whales. Victoria BC
Transient Bigg's Orca
known as 'Captain Hook' T040
May 2, 2013
Marie O'Shaughnessy,
Prince of Whales. Victoria BC
Pacific
White Sided Dolphins
May 2:
Time not noted, but in morning: 200
Pacific White Sided Dolphins up by Fawn Bluffs in Bute Inlet.
Radio
Harbour
Porpoise
May 4:
5:20 pm While watching the Orca heading
towards Grant's Reef, two little Harbour Porpoise quickly and quietly
came up for a couple breaths and headed the opposite direction
towards Lund. On the way back towards Vivian Rocks, there was another
Harbour Porpoise appearing briefly and also heading towards Lund.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Have you seen a whale,
dolphin or porpoise? Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email
your report. Every sighting report is valuable!
The
official governing society of Whales and Dolphins BC is Wild
Ocean Whale Society (WOW)