Have You Seen Any of These?

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Northern Resident Killer Whales (A8/42's) in Foggy Powell River

The fog truly played havoc with anyone trying to see anything on the water, let alone those travelling by road. Fog rolled in and although we had thoughts of it possibly lifting here and there, it socked us in for days on end. Today, with some rain, it's finally cleared (almost entirely). Trying to spot any whales had been virtually impossible except for a few days where the fog banks drifted around a bit more. The A8/42's were the main focus in the central Georgia Strait as they did keep reappearing off of Powell River. Hopes of a new report today after the fog lifted dwindled as it got darker. So, although this report covers Cetacean Sightings up to January 28th, the last actual report was of Harbour Porpoise in the fog on January 25th.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

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


NRKW A8's / A42's
January 22, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images

NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
January 23:
11:25 am Looks like the same Orca foraging back and forth in front again. 2 smaller whales are together, but separate from the others.
Shirley Randall, Beacon Bed and Breakfast, Powell River

January 23:
11:46 am: Killer whales outside Westview viewpoint (Powell River) heading north slowly. One large and 2 or 3 smaller ones, hard to tell in the fog.
Wendy Price, Powell River (Email)

January 23:
11:28 am: The A8's are presently foraging between Westview and Grief Point, moving slowly northward.
Geord Dunstan, Texada Water Taxi, Stubbs Island Whale Watching.

January 22:
8:00 am: Three killer whales foraging in front of Van Anda (Texada Island). It looks like some of the A8's. They are moving slowly southbound.
8:36 am: Looks like the whole family is here now! They are heading right for Beach Gardens in Powell River! Unfortunately we have a schedule to keep, so gotta go now. Geord Dunstan, Texada Water Taxi, Stubbs Island Whale Watching.

NRKW A103 Tail Lob
January 22, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images

January 22:
8:50 am 2 or more Orca right by Grief Point. There's 1 large dorsal and 1 with a curved dorsal. They're Northbound tight to shore. We actually could hear them more than see them through the fog.
John and Joan Treen, Powell River

January 22:
9:05 am 3 to 5 Orca Northbound by a tug out in front of our B&B. (Shirely called back after my request for more info with the fact they could only confirm 4 Orca including a calf and one big male – SM)
Shirley Randall, Beacon Bed and Breakfast, Powell River

January 22:
10:15 am: There are three or four Orca right by the mill in Powell River. They surfaced just by the Hulks then off the mill towards Harwood. There's 1 Big male, a cow and a calf running tight together.
Derk VanHees, Powell River (Call)

NRKW A???
January 22, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images

January 22:
10:30 am I had been just about out the door to run errands when the call came in from Derk, above. I quickly grabbed my gear and opted to do a quick run out to see if I could find the 6th Orca! Spotted them foraging close to the mill, so I stopped out mid strait between Harwood Island and the Powell River mill to see where, and how many, were truly with A42 etc. I was just sitting there drifting to see them when they seemed to decide what they were going to do. Four of them turned towards me and I just sat there drifting as they came right up to the skiff. The calf popped up to take another look and touch Mom (or the 'other' female) while A79 and A88 were stopped right beside me. A couple of squeaks above the water and all four of them decided to pass under the skiff! It was amazing – no, I didn't get photos – I stood there amazed at their choice. I was so totally in the open, as were they, yet they made the choice to do this, as if to show the calf what a boat and motor was like. We know they teach their young about their surroundings, but this was pretty amazing. They had seen and heard my skiff before, so obviously felt safe enough to pass directly underneath me. Watching all four of them, in this coordinated manoeuvre, pass just under the skiff was breathtaking. No, I never tire of being on the water with these great animals.
Back to my main objective of getting out there. I was trying to find out if we truly have A28 or another female travelling with the A8/42's. After a number of photos and being sure that A42 cannot be in two places in such short amount of a time, I cannot say for 100% that the 6th Orca isn't A42 doing a very speedy zip across to A66. It just doesn't add up that it's only her. They foraged, looking like they did catch and share their food, spread out from where the river actually comes out by the mill towards Harwood and back.
12:18 pm: Leaving the A8's/42's angling towards Atrevida Reef (north east of Harwood island).
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

NRKW A66
January 22, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images


HARBOUR PORPOISE
January 25:
?? (rec'd 4:13 pm) There were two Harbour porpoise off Grief Point (Powell River) this morning.
Jared Towers, Dept. Of Fisheries (trying to find the NRKW's in the fog - SM)

NRKW A ??
January 22, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images

HUMPBACK WHALES

January 25:
Email from regular reporter holidaying in Maui: Been out with the Pacific Whale Foundation today and saw the Humpbacks in their birthing grounds. So exciting to see a mother and her calf and many others putting on a fine show. Good to see that the 100 yards rule applies here too. Wonderful day out!
Holly Roy, Pebble Beach, Powell River
(but currently in Maui!)

Humpback Whales in Maui
January 25, 2014
Holly Roy, Powell River

LINKS

Lolita the captive killer whale could be returning to B.C. Waters. This headline may be a bit deceptive since the decision is far from over. Read the article:



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

We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society

at
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Northern Residents A8's / A42's still by Powell River

With the Northern Resident (fish eating) Killer Whales known as A8's (also as A42's now) back and forth by Powell River, the reports once again started to flow in. Thank you! Keep your eyes open, and remember to call your sighting in please. Without your reports, we cannot be guaranteed to piece the puzzle of species, numbers and their movements together.
The Southern Resident (fish eating) satellite tagged Orca stayed on the West side of Texada Island for a while and finally headed back down into Puget Sound.
Transient Bigg's (meat eating) Killer Whales have done their disappearing act, though fewer boats on the water means fewer eyes and reports too.
A few Humpback Whales have been reported over-wintering on the North Coast somewhere around Prince Rupert.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins reported still down between West Vancouver to Nanaimo.
No Porpoise reports this time again.

Note: A42's calf's number A103 has yet to be 'officially' confirmed to Whales and Dolphins BC by Dept. Of Fisheries as the number. We have held out using this number waiting to receive confirmation after numerous requests. It is the number that is openly being used by other researchers. Although we have not received a confirming response, we must now assume that it is A42's calf's official number, and we will use it. We also have been requesting that the calf be named either “Albion” or “Myrtle” based on the location of birth by Powell River December 2012 and/or sex. Again, there has been no response to these requests and since the sex is still undetermined (lack of photo to confirm sex), we would like to start using the name “Albion”. What do you all think?
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

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

NRKW Calf A103 born Dec. 2012 with Mom A42
January 15, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images

Northern Resident Killer Whales

January 16:
4:07 pm A8's / A42's are Southbound by Grief Point, Powell River.
Geoff Dunstan, Texada Water Taxi (Stubbs Island Whale Watching)

Note: The A8 / A42's keep travelling between Albion Point and up to the Harwood Island / Atrevida Reef area recently, but seem to enjoy foraging by the Powell River mill and off Willingdon Beach. There are many good viewpoints to see them from shore. Remember to call and/or email your sighting in. Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

January 15:
10:54 am 6 Orca just passed my house Northbound towards Powell River proper. It's the same group as yesterday. They aren't stopping just moving steadily.
Jim Southern, Powell River

January 15:
11:30 am Same pod of 4 Orca seen in same place as yesterday. One very large, two medium and one baby seen between Myrtle Rocks and Van Anda, heading towards Grief Point, just behind the Texada ferry. Some rolling and a tail slap.
Holly Roy, Pebble Beach, Powell River

NRKW A79 Tail Slap
January 15, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images

January 15:
11:30 am. 5 Orcas in front of Myrtle Rock. They have been here for an hour feeding. Now moving towards Westview.
Diane Dunn, Powell River

January 15:
12:19 pm The Orca A8/A42's are just North of Grief Point now.
Geord Dunstan, Texada Water Taxi (Stubbs Island Whale Watching)

January 15:
12:30 pm (or so) Picked up the A8/A42's with a bit of help from Geord as the water taxi came into the harbour. They had made it to just out in front of Powell River's South Harbour. They would group up and they separate, but continued towards Willingdon Beach and the mill doing relatively long dives. I dropped the hydrophone a number of times again, but other than a brief bit of echolocation, they were not chatty. The noise from the ferry terminal construction and mill made it hard to listen for too long.
1:40 pm Left the Orca grouped up and angling towards Harwood Island spit. They sometimes like to rub on the sandy beach there.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

January 14: (1 pm Call came in)
From 9 am till around 12:30 pm, 5 Orca back and forth by the Powell River mill and Harwood Island. They appeared to be feeding / foraging while we were fishing. There was one really small one with another larger calf and one big male.
Clyde Burton, Powell River

January 14:
1 pm While speaking with Clyde on the phone I spotted A66 (Surf's) big dorsal fin heading back towards the mill, so grabbed gear and headed out.
By 1:30 pm Found the A8/A42's still close to the Powell River mill and slowly heading South. I was aiming for a couple of photos without disturbing them while heading back towards the harbour. Just past the entrance to the harbour at 2:44 pm I received a call from Caroline that there was at least one Orca behind the boat and closer to the ferry dock. With flat calm waters, the blows would echo off the shore and sometimes sound like there was another whale. The ferry dock construction noise also added to the sounds. The call was appreciated. Once stopped, the whale, A79 was finally spotted and passed quite a distance off. Could see Mom, A42 and her calf, A103 with A66 heading at a steady pace towards Grief Point with A79 and A88 following. A28 has been very difficult to spot, but with a not as clear photo quality as I would have liked, I have conclusively identified her as being with the family pod. Additionally, with confirmation of 6 Orca in the pod, the numbers are correct for A28 to be there. She has just been very shy.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

NRKW A66
January 15, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images

January 14:
2:32 pm Just spotted some Orca out in front of the Powell River ferry dock.
Elizabeth Tenhoeve, Powell River

January 14:
3:32 pm Some Orca just rounded Grief Point Southbound. Saw 3 or 4 of them.
John and Joan Treen, Powell River

January 14:
4 pm Three possibly four Orca seen between Myrtle Rocks and Van Anda on Texada Island. One very large, one or two medium and one baby. They seemed to be feeding as they were milling around in circles for about fifteen minutes, coming quite far out of the water. Suddenly they just vanished, although I kept watching, I could not see which direction they took. Maybe scared off by the passing tug boat.
Holly Roy, Pebble Beach, Powell River

January 14:
5:10 pm. Orca heading east between Myrtle Pt & Black (Albion) Pt. At least four, ...one large dorsal...too dark for much identification or even numbering. Could hear them better than seeing them. They were in fairly close.
Perk of Perseas Dive, Powell River

January 14:
5:12 pm I spotted 3 Orca heading south just now...I live at the bottom of Whalen Road...1 big one & 2 smaller ones.
Myrna, Powell River

NRKW A8's / A42's
January 15, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images

Southern Resident Killer Whales

January 14:
NOAA satellite tagged Southern Resident Orca had stayed around the West side of Texada Island to Sentry Shoal since January 7th and have now headed out by Puget Sound. Here's the link to the maps and updates: http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/research/divisions/cb/ecosystem/marinemammal/satellite_tagging/blog2014.cfm

Humpback Whales

January 14:
Was supposed to get on the water tomorrow January 15th) to check out some overwintering Humpbacks, but it’s blowing 40 knots, so I think we are postponing until next week. Looking forward to exploring the area.
Caitlin Birdsall, Vancouver Aquarium (Prince Rupert satellite office)

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

On Monday, January 13, the 3 o'clock ferry going from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay encountered a large pod of dolphins heading north across the ferry's path. They seemed to be in a long line, and most were still to the south of the ferry, with just a few having crossed the path where the ferry was about to go.
Regrettably, I didn't note the time or have GPS access, but perhaps the ferry's log would show that info. I think the ship was the Queen of Coquitlam, and that it was the second officer who announced the sighting to the passengers. This occurred more or less in the middle of the Strait, but perhaps the log will have the coordinates.
Just one thing worried me: I know that dolphins are very smart - but, since they were crossing the ferry's path, could any of them have been injured? I saw one leap out of the water very close to the bow of the ship, at a 90 degree angle to the ship's direction of travel, heading toward the ship. I wasn't able to see what happened after that, but I hope that the bow wave carried the dolphin back alongside the ship.
Suzanne Gregory

Reply: As for the worry of them being struck; these dolphins love to play in the bow and stern wake of boats, taking huge leaps. They can travel at over 25 knots and although they occasionally have a misjudgement, the majority of strikes on these speedy, extremely intelligent animals are when a vessel makes a sudden change of course. This is more likely to happen with small speed boats and operators who are unaware of the perils the Dolphins put themselves in. There have been reports of overenthusiastic bow riding Dolphins actually landing on a cruise ship deck....oops. The Dolphin, I heard about, was released without apparent major injury, though I'm sure it was bruised from hard landing.
I have had them wake ride on either side of the outboard motor of my skiff as I travelled maintaining a straight line and speed. I finally slowed down very, very slowly to prevent hurting them during their play before I could change direction.
I hope this is both helpful and informative to boaters. I do not travel into the group of Dolphins, they come to me. This is a very important point since most injuries happen when people 'think' they are fast enough to get out of the way. They are not, and sometimes get so caught up in play, they get careless....relate it to a child playing hard.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

NRKW Calf A103 born Dec. 2012 with Mom A42
January 15, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images

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

We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society


at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, January 10, 2014

Northern Resident Orca and Calf, Southern Resident Killer Whales and Dolphins

Northern Resident Orca (NRKW) known as the A8's (or now as the A42's) have been back and forth around Powell River area since Christmas again. A42 had given birth to a calf December 2012 somewhere around Myrtle Rocks (see archived reports and January 2013 photos). I'm pleased to say that the calf, still without a name or number, is doing well with his/her family and there are photos below.
Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) also have done their annual winter trip up Georgia Strait passing Powell River. Unfortunately, few reports came in so no photos, but the satellite tag on L87 gives a clear picture of travel. See below for their track and links to satellite tagging information.
Other Orca reports have also come in with no way of knowing if they are Resident (fish eating) or Transient Bigg's (meat eating) Killer Whales.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins are also in this report as well as a link to a short video clip of Dall's Porpoise taken recently.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

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

NRKW A42's Calf born Dec. 2012
January 10, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images


Northern Resident Killer Whales

January 10:
10:30 am A pod of 5 or 6 Killer Whales just passed Black (Albion) Point heading towards town (Powell River).
Donna Skuggedal, Powell River

January 10:
10:40 am At least three (3) Orca heading west between Black Pt (Albion) and Myrtle Pt. (Powell River) Just below Whalen/Fleury. At least two males, no chance for ID.
Perk Percy, Perseas Dive, Powell River

NRKW A79
January 10, 2014
Steve Grover, Powell River

January 10:
10:45 am 3 or more Orca Northbound past Albion Point towards Myrtle Rocks.
Bill Taylor, Powell River

January 10:
11 am 6 or maybe even 7 Orca some tight into shore by Myrtle Rocks heading towards Grief Point. There was one big male that I'm sure I've seen before in the lead and it looks like a couple of really young ones as well farther behind.
Jim Southern, Powell River

January 10:
11:30 am 6 Orca found still just between Myrtle Rocks and Grief Point (Powell River). Identification was easy and immediate – the Northern Resident pod known as the A8's (A42's now since she is the new matriarch). After cancelling an appointment and a bit of trouble getting the skiff started, it was great to be on the water again. Only the second time since September! Steve Grover was going to take some photos from shore, so he joined me on the water. The Whales were spread out with A66 in the lead. A42 was the next obvious one passing us as we drifted in front of Beach Gardens marina by Grief Point. A79 and A88 brought up the rear with all of them taking long dives and zig zagging, presumably chasing fish. They waited till the Comox and Texada ferries left the terminal before crossing towards Willingdon Beach. Although I dropped the hydrophone, to check for vocalizations, a number of times they only vocalized for a short time with their distinctive A-Clan calls. The calf, born one year ago in our area, would pop up to take quick breaths and you could still see a tinge of orange on the white patches. Left them slowly foraging towards the Powell River mill around 2:10 pm and just before the rain started.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

NRKW A66
January 10, 2014
Steve Grover, Powell River

Southern Resident Killer Whales

January 6:
9:30 – 10 am SRKW Orca! A friend, Jim Sepkowski was on the Comox ferry and called me. I saw L pod thru my big-eye scopes Monday morning - between Texada and Little River heading south. Lots of breaching. I'll let you know when I see anything in the future.
Stephen Mohan, Powell River

Unidentified Killer Whales / Orca

January 10:
10:45 am At least 2 Orcas mid channel Northbound by we wai kae village (Cape Mudge). 3 Dorsals for sure.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
January 8:
2:30 pm Two or three Orca heading south from Westview (Powell River), just a quick glimpse......that was at about 2:30.
Grant Rainsley, Powell River

NRKW A88 born 2008
January 10, 2014 Powell River
Susan MacKay, SG Images

January 7:
1:10 pm Just saw about 4-5 killer whales heading towards Harwood from Grief Point (Powell River). They are quite a way out so it is hard to count.
Joanne Brough, Powell River

January 6 & 7:
Talking with crew on the Comox ferry, they had seen Orca on both days during their crossings between Comox and Powell River. Some on the 7th were back and forth off the North-West tip of Texada Island.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

January 4:
2:21 pm A few hundred PWS Dolphins in front of Nanaimo right now. They're feeding in one spot.
Jared Towers, Nanaimo Biological Station, DFO

NRKW A42's Calf born Dec. 2012
January 10, 2014
Steve Grover, Powell River

Links

Satellite tagged SRKW L87's travels through to January 7, 2014 includes the lower Georgia Strait up Malaspina Channel passing Powell River to Harwood Island, up to Mitlenatch Island, over to Comox and down the West side of Texada Island. This link has full sized mapped movements and information:

NOAA Map of L87's movements
reduced in size for report.

This link is a full one hour long BBC Documentary “Natural World: Killer Whales, Beneath the Surface” / BBC (2013)

Here's a short video clip (submitted by Steve and Susan Grover) of Dall's porpoises around a sailboat on the weekend. Susan's cousin's daughter from Australia was out sailing in the gulf island when the porpoises came to their boat. I requested permission to forward the link to you and she said it was OK.

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

We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society

at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Orca / Killer Whales / Dolphins and Porpoise

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! Finally, some whale, dolphin and porpoise sightings to report. Our report is up to date (January 2, 2014). This new year hasn't provided any actual sightings reports in the first two days; the reports are catching up over the holidays. We have heard that the Southern Resident Orca pods were, once again, back down in the Puget Sound area, while the Northern Residents and Transient Bigg's Killer whales are somewhere in this big ocean of ours. We haven't heard of any Humpback Whales staying in our coverage area this year and the Pacific White Sided Dolphins we usually have throughout the winter in the upper Georgia Strait seem to be hanging around the Horseshoe Bay to Victoria area mostly. Keep looking, they need to pop up somewhere.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

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


Orca by Cape Lazo
December 28, 2013
Malcolm Jolly, Comox

ORCA / KILLER WHALES

December 31:
2 pm There are 3 Orca between Savary Island and Harwood – heading in a sort of southbound direction. They ran over the shoals of Mystery Reef on the SE side of Savary. Will call if they we see them heading towards Powell River, but they are almost out of sight from our vantage point. (These 3 Orca may be the unidentified ones spotted a few days earlier at the top of Johnstone Strait - SM)
John and Joan Treen, Savary Island

December 29:
11 am Southern Resident Orca were just off Jervis Inlet. No numbers or direction known.
Simon Piddock, Cowichan Bay

December 28:
4:00 pm: A pod of at least 8 Orca came by about 1-2 km. off-shore - one (large male) appeared to like to swim upside-down often. Taken from our home 4pm Dec. 28 off Cape Lazo, Comox.
Malcolm Jolly, Comox

Orca by Cape Lazo
December 28, 2013
Malcolm Jolly, Comox

December 28:
9:54 am: You should be seeing the Southern Resident J pod up your way today, (around Powell River). They were last seen between Lasquetti and Texada Islands.
Simon Piddock, Cowichan Bay

December 25:
On Xmas day, early afternoon we spotted what appeared to be a large (female?) Orca and two smaller juvenile Orca swimming south, offshore at Bonnybrook Beach, Sunshine Coast. We viewed the whales for about 10 minutes as they went further from shore and towards Gibsons. It was an amazing Xmas day treat. I made some pics (none submitted) with a wide angle camera, but I can clearly make out two dorsal fins in one of the shots (on super zoom on the computer that is). Thanks for your good work!
David Niddrie

December 25:
12:30 pm: Three Orca have been sighted very close to shore off Gower Point (Salish Sea, Sunshine Coast - just North-West off Horseshoe Bay). They seemed to be more or less just following the shoreline and heading towards Gibsons. One large whale had a straight, very large, prominent dorsal fin. The second whale was slightly smaller with a smaller, slightly curved, (but not flopped or curled) dorsal, and the third was a smaller one, maybe a baby? with a small straight dorsal. (Possibly the same group by Powell River on the 24th - SM)
Kerry Mahlman.

Orca by Powell River
December 24, 2013
Steve Grover

December 24:
4:20-ish pm Went down to see about getting a few photos of the Orca as they passed by Grief Point, Powell River. I've worked on one of the photos I can see 6 animals in the pod including the calf.
Steve Grover, Powell River

December 24:
4:15 pm A pod of at least 1 large male and 3 smaller Orca seen heading south in front of Beacon By the Sea Bed and Breakfast, Penticton Street, Powell River.
Shirley Randall, Powell River

Orca close to shore Powell River
December 24, 2013
Shirley Randall

December 24:
We watched a small pod of 4 killer whales (1 big one, 2 medium size ones and a small one) pass by in front of the house here in Westview just off the ferry terminal. They were slowly heading southbound.
Julie Leon, Powell River

December 24:
4:00 pm: There are four Orca southbound and moving slowly in front of Powell River. Darn, too bad it's too late to head out!
5:30 pm: Five Orca have now been confirmed, and photos submitted. There is a possible 6th, looking at one of Steve Grover's photos, including a calf. Possibly these are the Northern Resident Killer Whales known as the A8's.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Orca by Powell River
December 24, 2013
Steve Grover

December 24:
2:39 pm: I have a second hand report that there were Orca between Lund and Savary Island this morning. No indication of numbers or direction or behaviour. Sorry for the scant details.
4:15 pm There are 3 or 4 Orca just passing our place in Powell River. So glad the earlier report was for real!
Grant Rainsley, Powell River

December 24:
8:00 am: Orca have been reported between Lund and Savary Island. No numbers or travel direction given. Will call again if I find out more.
Rick Thaddeus, Savary Island

Orca by Cape Lazo
December 28, 2013
Malcolm Jolly, Comox

December 17:
Just heard there were 7 or 8 Orca in Howe Sound that were spotted from the ferry.
Michael Stewart, Powell River


PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

December 22:
4 pm Some friends were on the Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay ferry just now and the Captain announced that dolphins could be seen on all sides of the ferry. There were hundreds, they said! The ferry was midway to Horseshoe Bay at the time. My Grandson says they were travelling in an easterly direction.
Michael Stewart, Powell River

HARBOUR PORPOISE

December 30:
We took a picnic down to the small beach/rock bluffs just to the east of the lighthouse at Lighthouse Park in West Van this afternoon (Monday,December 30, 2013) and had the luck to spot a few small porpoises repeatedly surfacing for air, then diving under and, presumably, fishing in the waters about a half mile to a mile offshore. We were looking over towards UBC. They stayed in the area for at least 30 minutes while we watched. My guess would be harbour porpoises based on the little I know about the different species in the area; they were certainly rather small looking, dark, with a triangular dorsal fin. They weren't splashing or moving fast so we just saw the top of the head, the back and the fin as they took air and went under again. It was hard to know how many but perhaps 4 or 5 were in the group. Eventually, they headed around the corner (towards Bowen) and out of our sight lines. Made 3 little kids (and 4 adults) very happy to have seen such a rare treat!
J Henry & Family

Orca by Powell River
December 24, 2013
Steve Grover

LINKS

VICTORIA - Record numbers of transient orcas and humpbacks have been sighted in Island waters.

Whale 'Traffic Jam' In Southern California Clogs Port; Scientists Can't Figure Out Mass Gathering
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable!

We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society


at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)