Have You Seen Any of These?

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Cetacean Sightings: Humpbacks, Dolphins, Orca, Porpoise and Minke

Many days of fog limited sightings of even the water, let alone Cetaceans. Of the Whales and Dolphins seen, there have been many Humpback Whale sightings in our inside waters. How wonderful to have these amazing animals in our midst. Pacific White Sided Dolphins are also around in numbers while the Transient Bigg's Killer Whale sightings have dropped significantly. Dall's Porpoise bring up the rear in this report. Where are the Resident Orca? They are overdue for making an appearance in the central Georgia Strait; sightings have been limited everywhere.

I apologize for the delay in posting this report. As many of you know, my hand injury has restricted the amount of computer usage I can manage at a time, and even though I had help with compiling some of the information to October 22nd, other matters had taken priority.
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

T11's mom and son, Race Rocks
October 12, 2013
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Orca-Magic

October 26:
2:20 pm 2 Orca went through Skookumchuck Narrows into Sechelt Inlet; 1 bull 1 female.
Radio

October 20:
3:30 pm Report of Orca just west of Cordero Lodge, behind Lorte Island on Cordero Channel. No numbers or direction, from Blind Channel Water Taxi.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.

October 12: (rec'd 17:)
2:30 pm The T11's mom and son seen here, Race Rocks around 2.30pm, Saturday Oct 12/13 heading west in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Orca-Magic


HUMPBACK WHALES

BCZ004, otherwise known as “Stripe”
October 14, 2013
Ray Hogan

October 29:
8:50 am 2 or 3 Humpback Whales between Vivian Island and Rebecca Rocks. Saw backs and lots of bird activity from the Comox ferry.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

October 28:
11:00 am 2 Humpback Whales spotted from the ferry moving toward Saltery Bay just now.
Dulcie Macdonald, Savary Island

October 26:
2:20 pm 3 Humpback Whales off the Earl's Cove ferry terminal.
Radio

October 25:
Throughout the Day: You might be interested to know last Friday 25th Oct, as many as 17 Humpback whales were seen in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Any where between 9-13 on a daily basis seems to be the order of the day around the Salish Sea. With so few sightings of the Southern Resident Orca this season, it is wonderful to know that the Humpback Whales are finding enough small schooling fish to stick around here. Wonderful. The singing Humpback whales in the Johnstone Strait area too this past month have been amazing. Who would know they would sing in this area as well as on their breeding grounds, Mexico and Hawaii. Looks like we have our own population of Humpback whales that just travel up and down this coast line. Seems the whales are rewriting the tell-all-books ! ;-)
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Orca Magic

October 19th:
4:30 pm Two Humpback Whales, mother and calf, meandering / feeding /slapping pectorals west of Hardy Island headed toward Scotch Fir Point.
Kerry and Becky Williams-Freeman, Powell River

October 17:
4:15 pm Had a Humpback at the mouth of Pendrell Sound, East Redonda Island. One breach and a tail fluke and not seen again.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

October 17:
Day: I was out today and saw at least 7 Humpback whales near Race Rocks, off Victoria. Amazing come back for this area of these magnificent whales.
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Orca-Magic

October 16:
3:30 pm 3 Humpback Whales 1 large 2 smaller near Bald Island at the end of Hardy Island, Malaspina Strait towards Texada.
Mel Lougheed

Humpback Mom and Calf
October 14, 2013
Ray Hogan
October 14:
11:30 am about 5 Humpbacks feeding at Northwest Texada just south of the tip. I have attached 4 photos of them.
Ray Hogan

(Ray, Thought you might like to know that the one whose underside of tail flukes I could see is well known. Officially BCZ004, otherwise known as “Stripe.” She had a calf this year, so the Mom and Calf would most likely be them. - SM)

October 14:
4 pm 2 Humpback Whales seen from the Comox ferry about half hour out from Little River towards Rebecca Rocks, Powell River.
Brenda Currie, Powell River
October 12: (rec'd 17th)
1 pm Here's a Humpback whale seen same day as the T11's Saturday Oct 12th/13 near Albert Head , Metchosin, 1pm, heading in every direction. Do you recognize this one? (On quick look through my ID's I couldn't locate this one, but will take another look later - SM)
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Orca-Magic

Humpback Whale
October 12, 2013
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Orca-Magic

MINKE WHALES

October 21:
1:45 pm Minke whale sighted off NW Texada.
Ivan, Western Explorer.

PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

Pacific White Sided Dolphins
October 19, 2013
Steve Grover, Powell River

October 29:
8:45 am 12 or so PWS Dolphins foraging off Blubber Bay, Texada Island. Seen from Comox ferry.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

October 29:
4:20 pm about 50 (that we saw) Pacific White Sided Dolphins travelling north between Galiano island (Cain beach) and Gossip island. BTW, my husband claims that there were over 100 - he was there first.
Carolyn Gill

October 22:
4:33 pm There are a couple dozen PWS Dolphins by Hole in the Wall off Okisollo Channel in between Sonora and Maurelle Islands.
Ivan, Western Explorer.

October 21:
1:15 pm 100 or so PWS Dolphins by Mowat Bay, on Texada Island.
Ivan, Western Explorer.

October 19:
12:30 pm 100 plus PWS Dolphins in front of Powell River now.
1:45 pm Another couple of hundred PWS Dolphins off the NW tip of Texada northbound. Could see them with the binoculars leaping around.
2:00 pm The first group are down to around 80 and still off the viewpoint in Powell River. They are still foraging with the occasional leap.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

October 19:
1:40 pm There are 40 or so PWS Dolphins out in front of the Westview Ferry Terminal/Sea Walk in Powell River as I write this. Viewed with a 'scope from my home.
3:00 pm Those dolphins are still out there, one and a half hours after my last note. They appear to be feeding, doing zig zags backwards and forwards, a minute or two on each lap. Lots of breaching. Unfortunately a bit too far from shore for my camera, even with my 600 mm, else that's where I'd be, instead of watching with my 'scope!
Paul den Ouden, Powell River

Pacific White Sided Dolphins
October 19, 2013
Steve Grover, Powell River

October 19:
1:30 – around 4 pm 100+ PWS Dolphins Here are a few shots from my dolphin watching from the kayak adventure this afternoon. It is sure hard to see them when your eyes are only 2' above the water. After paddling about 15 minutes I spotted them about 1000 meters + in the Malaspina Strait towards the north end of Texada Island. 3 dolphins came fairly close to me and swam under my kayak at least once but it was cool seeing the whole pod foraging nearby too. They make quite a bit of noise breathing and splashing! The light was not great but the sea was pretty calm and it was the first time I ever took out the kayak to try and photograph dolphins. I'm calling this one a success since I got a few shots and didn't tip over!
Steve Grover, Powell River

October 19:
3:30 pm There is a group of PWS Dolphins moving back and forth in front of the harbour at Powell River.
Heather Harbord, Powell River

October 18:
1:40 pm -500 PWS Dolphins off Hardinge Island, Nodales Channel.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.

October 14:
1:29 pm 100 plus PWS Dolphins have been feeding off Myrtle Rocks for the past 40 minutes.
Holly Roy, Powell River

Pacific White Sided Dolphins
October 19, 2013
Steve Grover, Powell River

DALL'S PORPOISE

October 25:
5:10 pm 3 Dall's Porpoise off the NW tip of Texada Island foraging and heading South. Seen from Comox Ferry.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

October 25:
5:13 pm 30 Dall's Porpoise feeding by Hall Point, Nodales Channel.
Lee, Adventure Quest

October 20:
3:30 pm About 12 Dall's porpoise foraging in Phillip's Arm, north of Bute Inlet.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.

October 17:
2:30 pm A solitary Dall's porpoise sighted in Current Passage between Helmken and Hardwicke Islands. Just rolling slowly northward.
Lynne Cracknell, Sayward

October 17:
4:00 pm 2 Dall's Porpoise sighted in Waddington Channel, between East and West Redonda Islands.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable!

Whales and Dolphins BC is officially the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)



Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Transient Bigg's Orca, Humpback Whales, Dolphins and Porpoise

This is a very long and delayed Cetacean Sightings report. This delay is due to the operation to repair the damage, sustained in August, to my very dominant right hand. It was not expected to be dealt with so quickly after my meeting the surgeon, so everything dealing with typing and hand function was put on hold until it became somewhat workable again. Lynne Cracknell has worked at getting much of the typing done, which is a huge help. Thank you for bearing with the delays.
I do hope everyone had a great Canadian Thanksgiving!

On October 24th I will be giving a presentation and talk on Pinnipeds; Seals and Sealions. Details are at the bottom of the reports.
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

T02C2 with Scoliosis of the Spine
October 14, 2013
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.

October 14:
12:17 pm Orca at Sonora Point with Leif. No numbers or direction as of yet. We are at Cortes Bell Buoy and on our way.
3:00 pm We have left the T002's northwest bound through Green Points. They had a successful seal hunt off of Bickley Bay, just west of Shoal Bay on East Thurlow. We found and picked up the perfectly excised Harbour Seal - lungs and heart still attached.
9 pm It all happened so fast and it had no dorsal, so I assumed it was a seal. It was actually a Harbour Porpoise!
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.

October 14:
12:20 pm 4 Orca at Sonora Point mid channel. They were moving around in big circles but are now headed towards John's Point, south end of East Thurlow Island, heading into Cordero Northbound.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.

October 13:
8:50 am Orcas near Cape Mudge lighthouse are identified as the T002's, and are moving slowly northbound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

Orca by Cape Mudge Lighthouse
October 13, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

October 13:
12:59 pm T002's are still northbound along Quadra shore, coming up to April Point.
2:49 pm Leaving T002's finishing kill at Copper Bluffs, on Quadra. Lots of surface activity and gulls looking for leftovers!
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.

October 10:
1:02 pm 6 Orca at Brown's Bay, travelling north.
1:20 pm Orca sighted by Separation Head, heading north towards Nodales Channel.
(Radio )

October 10:
2:30 pm 5 Orca by Fawn Bluff, heading in towards Bute Inlet. They are identified as the T101's and T102's. Making long dives!
3:20 pm Have just left the Orca slightly north of Fawn Bluff, they are northbound.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

October 10:
3:10 pm Orca at Elk Bay, northbound.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.

T02C3 Breaching
October 14, 2013
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.

October 7:
10:10 am Orca sighted off Grief Point, near Powell River, reportedly throwing seals around! No direction or numbers given. Friend called me about it.
Michael Stewart, Powell River

TRANSIENT BIGG'S ATTACK HUMPBACK CALF

* A Painter's Lodge fishing guide reported that he was watching a mother and calf Humpback in Menzies Bay on September 15 when 8 transient Orca came right into the bay and attempted to attack the calf. The attack went on for 5 or 6 minutes until the Humpbacks managed to get out of the bay. The guide did not follow the whales, so what happened after that is unknown.
Message from Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.



HUMPBACK WHALES

Humpback Whales
October 5, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

October 13:
11 am Seen 1 adult and 2 or 3 smaller what looked like Humpback whales off of Hardy Island, Malaspina Strait, this morning about 11:00 am. Beautiful! they where just playing around for about 1/2 hr.
Derek Parkin, Sunshine Coast

October 13:
9.30pm – 10.00 pm Humpbacks blowing in the moonlight at Lang Bay, Powell River.
Robert Maitland, Powell River

October 13:
10 o'clock and just about asleep when I heard unusual noises outside. Could it have been whales?. It sounded like a blow coming from about 1000 meters offshore. Many repeated noises but no visible water disturbance. Moonlit night with no swell close to shore????. (This is under the Humpback Whale reports due to the number of reports including sightings in the moon light - SM)
Michael Stewart, Powell River

October 13:
11 pm A Humpback right out in front of our place, Albion (Black) Point area slowly heading South. First we heard this huge blow and then saw it in the moonlight – pretty darned nice!
Bill and Sarah Taylor, Powell River

October 12:
2:00 pm Two Humpbacks under the transmission lines close to the Saltery Bay Ferry terminal. They were just lazing about. The Captain announced it.
Allan Knowles, Sechelt

October 11:
Shortly after 3:15 pm 3 Humpback Whales were reported by the ferry Captain just off Comox / Little River. Didn't get a chance to take a photo since we were caught up in the moment when we saw two of them breach almost at the same time.
Adam Taylor, Powell River

October 11:
3:30 pm Three Humpbacks sighted from the Comox Ferry just off Little River. Missed the double breach!
3:56 pm Another Humpback sighted off the north west tip of Texada Island, still on the ferry route.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.

October 10:
4:19 pm Humpback southbound at Stuart Island, on the east side of Sonora Island.
4: 27 pm Humpback southbound still at Kelsey Point, near Yuculta Rapids.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.

October 9:
9:34 am There is a Humpback at the mouth of Okisollo Channel, looks like it is heading out into Discovery Passage. Actually, now it is foraging at Mink Rock.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.

October 8:
9:52 am Looks like 2 Humpbacks moving eastbound in Nodales Channel by Young Passage. Correction: Make that 1 Humpback.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.

October 7:
10:09 am 2 Humpbacks just sort of milling around off Vananda, Texada Island. They're facing North and are a bit closer to the mine.
Bill Taylor, Powell River

October 7:
3 to 3:15 pm Humpback Whale looks like just one between Pam Rocks and Lion's Bay in Howe Sound. Travelling North.
Caller did not leave her name. We'd like to give you credit so please leave your name.

Humpback Whale
October 5, 2013
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

October 6:
12:10 pm A Humpback whale identified as KC (Kelp Creature!) is foraging just north of Brown's Bay, close to the Vancouver Island shore.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris.

October 6:
4:48 pm There are 2 Humpbacks at Hole in the Wall angling towards Okisollo Channel.
5:10 pm The Humpbacks have now moved over to the Quadra Island side and are westbound in Okisollo Channel.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.

October 5:
4:50 pm There are 3 Humpbacks going into Nodales Channel from Discovery Channel. Two of them are on the Sonora Island side and the other one is moving along on the Thurlow Island side.
4:55 pm Have left the Humpbacks near Young Passage in Nodales. They are all heading east.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

October 5:
5:15 pm 3 Humpbacks near Davis Point now, on the Sonora Island side. Have left them still eastbound in Nodales Channel.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.

October 4
9:44 am One Humpback swimming southbound and bucking against the tide by Separation Head, west side of Quadra Island.
12 pm Humpback Whale by Race Point, Seymour Narrows.
(Radio)

October 4
12:06 pm Humpback whale spotted foraging just off Brown's Bay.
John, Discovery Marine Safaris.

October 4:
2:45 pm Humpback sighted in Kanish Bay and moving southbound. Looks like there might be more than one.
Fabian, Way West Water Taxi.

October 4:
3:30 pm Couple Humpback Whales across from Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage just about at Separation Head.
3:50 pm Make that three Humpbacks, instead of two!
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.

October 4:
3:40 pm There are 2 Humpbacks feeding in the Separation Head area near Quadra Island. Now there are 3 Humpys!
4:27 pm I've left two of them at Plumper Bay. The third one was at Seymour Narrows. The first two have now angled off towards Quadra island. The two Humpback that are together look like adults. Those are the ones that have angled towards Quadra.
There is yet another Humpback Whale at Orange Point, too, just south of the Campbell River Mill. Humpy Heaven!
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.


PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

Pacific White Sided Dolphins
October 13, 2013
Steve Grover, Powell River

October 16:
6 pm 100-200 PWS Dolphins leaping all over the place between Powell River and Harwood Island. They're slowly heading South. Lots of birds above them. Would be great to get out there, it's so calm, but losing light for photos. (I watched till too dark – they were still out in front of Powell River - SM)
Steve Grover, Powell River

October 15:
4 pm + 100 or so PWS Dolphins came by this morning feeding on all the herring out in front then headed South. Now (4 pm) they're back feeding and chasing fish and again slowly heading South. Seems to be lots of herring around.
Bill Taylor, Powell River

October 14:
3 – 3:45 pm Large pod of Whitesided Dolphins feeding about a mile out, just south of Myrtle Rocks at 3pm today. They were constantly changing direction North and South. There were a large flock of gulls in attendance and feeding on what the dolphins missed I guess . It was hard to estimate numbers because of the constant changes of direction. They were still there at 3:45 pm when we had to leave. With the fall sun hitting the water it was if they were swimming in liquid silver ...Magic !
Wendy and John, Powell River

October 14:
4:25 pm 100 or so PWS Dolphins between Albion Point (also known as Black Point) and Myrtle Rocks, just south of Powell River. They are foraging and moving fast.
Liz Kennedy, Powell River

October 13:
11:45 am Large group of PWS Dolphins northbound from Powell River.
1:20 – 2 pm We saw about 50 PWS Dolphins in front of Westview for over 2 hours before they headed south near Grief Point and we lost sight of them. Here are a couple of images I got when they were closed to the shore. A small group of people were stopping their cars to take a look. The dolphins seemed to be finding food and the gulls were getting into the act too! You could hear them splashing from the shore which was very cool!
Steve Grover, Powell River.

October 13:
1:17 pm About 100 or more Southbound by Grief Point, Powell River........likely PWS dolphins. (yes PWS Dolphins confirmed - SM)
Grant Rainsley, Powell River

October 13:
12:32 pm Couple of hundred PWS Dolphins feeding off Powell River.
(call)

October 12:
12:10 pm About 100 PWS Dolphins milling around off Separation Head.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

October 11:
11:50 am There are about 100 PWS Dolphins milling around at Sonora Point, in Nodales Channel.
1:32 pm About 100 PWS Dolphins off Mitlenatch Island.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.

October 10:
9:20 am More than 100 PWS Dolphins spotted in Brown's Bay, southbound.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale watching.

October 10:
1:02 pm 400 PWS Dolphins half a mile south of Brown's Bay and heading north.
(Radio)

October 10:
2:40 pm 200-300 PWS Dolphins between Chatham Point and Greensea Bay, reported in by someone near Chatham Point.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.

October 10:
4:20 pm 129 PWS Dolphins milling around at Granite Point, at the north west tip of Quadra Island.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

October 9:
9:34 am 150 PWS Dolphins in Kanish Bay, northbound.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.

October 9:
12:36 pm 200 PWS Dolphins southbound in Kanish Bay, Quadra Island.
Geoff, Discovery Marine Safaris.

October 9:
2:25 pm At least 100 PWS Dolphins travelling abreast in Kanish Bay, on the Quadra island side.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.

October 9:
4:28 pm PWS Dolphins sighted in Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage. These are the same groups as the ones seen earlier, I think.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.

October 8:
9:52 am 194 PWS Dolphins in Nodales Channel. They are foraging around in the Hemming Bay area.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching.

October 8:
3:00 pm PWS Dolphins all the way from Sonora Point to Howe island, more than 750 of them!
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.

October 7:
9:01 am 150 PWS Dolphins southbound from Plumper Bay.
3:38 pm 120 PWS Dolphins sighted southbound in Kanish Bay.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

October 6:
1:30 pm 100 PWS Dolphins at Davis Point, in Nodales Channel.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.

October 6:
1:30 pm I was kayaking about 1 km south of Porteau Cove, Howe Sound and saw about 100 PWS Dolphins heading towards Gambier and Bowen Islands. Very exciting!
(Emailed in by SS)

October 5:
3:28 pm 150 PWS Dolphins spotted heading southbound from Horn Point just above Yuculta rapids.
4:40 pm There are another 150 PWS Dolphins southbound now at 45 Point, south of Kanish Bay.
4:55 pm Upgrading that now to 400 PWS Dolphins!
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

October 4:
11:45 am There has been a large group of PWS Dolphins reported off Frederick's Arm, up at the top end of Nodales Channel.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge.

October 4:
1:17 pm About 700 PWS Dolphins all spread out by Hall Point, Nodales Channel.
Radio

October 4:
2:45 pm 400 PWS Dolphins eastbound at Davis Point in Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.


DALL'S PORPOISE


October 15:
3 pm 2 or 3 Dall's Porpoise just in Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

October 15:
Day: Lots of Dall's Porpoise in Nodales Channel. (no time or actual numbers given)
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

October 12:
2:00 pm 4 Dall's Porpoise in Okisollo Channel, westbound near the upper rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

October 4:
3:15 pm 6 Dall's Porpoise foraging by Bjerre Rock in Okisollo Channel.
Radio

HARBOUR PORPOISE
October 13:
3:59 pm 4 Harbour Porpoise milling about at Venture point in Okisollo Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.


Links to Couple of YouTube Video Clips

Small boat running into Humpback Whale Feb. 14, 2013:

This video is taken from shore on Galiano Island (between Vancouver Island and the mainland, British Columbia) Sunday 1st Sept 2013. Submitted by Lita Barnes: (Proof of how people on shore can actually see whales and report their sightings - SM)


Presentation and Talk
Pinnipeds: Seals and Sealions

Malaspina Naturalist Club is an associate member of BC Nature. Everyone is welcome.
Thursday, October 24th - Doors open at 7:00 pm - Speaker begins at 7:30 pm
Trinity Hall, United Church, Powell River

Susan MacKay will be talking about Pinnipeds: the classification refers to the marine mammals that have front and rear flippers such as Seals, Sea Lions and Walrus. Of the 33 species globally, there are five species of Pinnipeds that frequent our local BC waters while a few of the others migrate through our waters, to and from their breeding grounds. While some of these are considered true seals, some are not. Apart from local species information, Susan will talk about their cute and quirky behaviours as well as specifics of how they relate to nature's balance in our oceans.

Susan MacKay is the founder of Whales and Dolphins BC and is the President of the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs). She is also a member of the Marine Mammal Response Network responding to injured dead or distressed marine mammals.

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable!

Whales and Dolphins BC is officially the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)