Have You Seen Any of These?

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Orca and Pacific White Sided Dolphins plus Links in the News

Orca and Pacific White Sided Dolphin reports coming in late, but better than never. The Northern Resident Killer Whales known as the A8 / A42's with the calf A103 (Albion) were seen up around the Broughton Archipelago just a couple of days ago. Nice to know where they got to after leaving the Powell River area. A few more photos of them included in this report. A number of Links in the News to look at below. A reminder to call or email your reports in. 
This is also a final (hopefully) test to make sure the report will once again make it out to the subscribers automatically this evening. If for some reason it still isn't working, I will manually send the link in the morning. Thank you all for your patience.
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?


A8 / 42's Powell River
January 22, 2014
Susan MacKay, SG Images

UNIDENTIFIED ORCA

February 14:
I filmed a pod of killer whales in ladysmith Feb 14 at 9 am
I was just filming the ships and clouds for a time lapse video,I did not know I even filmed them until I got home and was editing,They were 2 -3 miles away from me, Here is the location of sighting 48.977288,-123.778166
Video,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boq1IPOXT44
Philippine Mars

February 8: (rec'd Feb. 18)
No time, direction or numbers of Orca spotted off Atrevida Reef, just North of Powell River. Looked like there was either a very tiny Orca with them or possibly Orca hunting Dolphins or Porpoise. A friend passed on the information.
Dr. Jamie Smillie, Powell River

A8 / 42's Powell River
January 22, 2014
Susan MacKay, SG Images

PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

February 12: (rec'd Feb. 16)
Mid-day A group of around 80+ PWS Dolphins were jumping and moving quickly. We could see them between Sentry Shoals and Grant's Reef off the South side of Savary heading towards Hernando in the Strait.
Heather Orlando, Savary Island

A66 (Surf) A8 / 42's Powell River
January 22, 2014
Susan MacKay, SG Images

LINKS IN THE NEWS

Canada:
(Thought we were better than that!)
Shock over meat of endangered whales shipped through Canada

Endangered whale meat shipped via Halifax en route to Japan

Japan:
An albino Dolphin was taken from her mother during one of Japan's horrible Dolphin hunts. Since she's an albino, they kept her alive for the Taiji Whale Museum. She has been given the name of Angel. Below are two video clips from her pen:

Angel the albino Dolphin enslaved in her pen:
http://vimeo.com/85848386

Angel the albino Dolphin is starting to look sunburned in her pen:

Argentina:
Sam Simon, American director, producer, writer and philanthropist, tweeted a disturbing photo of a killer whale in captivity at Mundo Marino in Argentina...

Iceland:
Iceland's Newest Beer Ingredient: Whale


Icelandic 'whale beer' condemned by conservationists

A8 / 42's Powell River
January 22, 2014
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
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Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales, 1000 or so Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Harbour Porpoise

Probable Transient Bigg's Killer Whales chasing Pacific White Sided Dolphins around Texada Island and just before posting time, today's sighting of more probable Transients. Rounding out the Cetacean sightings, it's nice to get a report about Harbour Porpoise too. They always seem to be forgotten, yet are such a valuable indicator of our environment.
On another note; the automatic emails to subscribers is in final test stage and if all goes well, should be working by the next report.
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?


TRANSIENT BIGG'S KILLER WHALES
UNCONFIRMED BUT MOST LIKELY


Orca by Vancouver Island
February 12, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours

February 12:
5:00 pm: There are 4 or 5 Orca southbound along the Vancouver Island side, by the Anchor Inn in Campbell River. There is at least one big fin. I took some pictures from Quadra Island, about two miles away, but I am pretty sure the big fellow is T19b.
Actually it looks like two big fins!
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

February 9:
7:44 am: There are 3 Killer whales off Van Anda, Texada Island, heading south.
Geord, Texada Water Taxi / Discovery Marine Safaris

Orca by Vancouver Island
February 12, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours

February 9:
11:45 am: Orca Network have reported a large gang of supposedly 30 Killer Whales off the south end of Hornby Island about 2 hours ago. The report said that the sea lions were all out of the water and the whales were split into two groups with long dives occurring. I bet these are Transients (Bigg's) – maybe some of the Nanaimo ones?
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.


PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

Note: The Orca report of February 9 off VanAnda that may have caused these Dolphins to run. SM

February 9:
8:20 am There is a massive pod of Pacific White Sided Dolphins by Albion Point, (aka Black Point)
They are moving fast. I've never seen a group that large! The water is frothing from them moving Southbound in a hurry. Most of them are closer to Texada with a couple close to the mainland side of the Strait. What a sound! I can't see them now (I was on the phone with Bill – SM) but I can still hear them. They must be by Scotch Fir Point by now – really moving!
Bill Taylor, Powell River

Pacific White Sided Dolphins from Ferry
February 9, 2014
Steve Grover, Powell River
February 9:
8:35 am: Large group of Pacific White Sided Dolphins off the North-east point of Texada Island, heading south. Hope you saw them in your area!
Laura Johnson, Powell River

February 9:
9:50 am: Pacific White Sided Dolphins have rounded the corner and are just passing the Saltery Bay Ferry Terminal (Sunshine Coast) and are heading up the inlet towards Jervis. There are hundreds and hundreds! Largest group I've ever seen. We've been watching for 10 – 15 minutes straight and they're still coming up in a steady stream. There are probably around 1000 of them.
Athena Tansky, Powell River

February 9:
Crossing on the 10 am run: As I mentioned here are a couple shots from the Queen of Chilliwack of Pacific White-sided dolphins heading towards Jervis Inlet. The larger group of about 100 animals was pretty far away and then about 20 minutes a few stragglers came by closer to the ship. It was a glorious day to be out on the water even if it was a B.C. Ferry.
Steve Grover, Powell River

Pacific White Sided Dolphins from Ferry
February 9, 2014
Steve Grover, Powell River


HARBOUR PORPOISE

February 8:
10:00 am: Two small Porpoise off Point Atkinson, in Burrard Inlet. We were bringing a boat up to Powell River.
Robert Johnson

LINKS IN THE NEWS

February 11: Sad news. A group of nine orca stranded fatally yesterday on a Southland beach in New Zealand. As there are fewer than 200 Orca living off New Zealand's coast this represents a significantly large part of the population. The Department of Conservation has removed one of the dead whales as part of their investigation into the beaching. Link to the complete story below:

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
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Saturday, February 8, 2014

Cetacean Sightings and Links to Feb. 8, 2014

Whales are around, but it's a big ocean out there. Orca have made appearances with the most notable being the Transient Bigg's Killer Whales attacking Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Nanaimo Harbour. A couple of links to reports of the Transient Bigg's Killer Whales in Nanaimo and a Humpback Whale report from Mexico. A few people are looking and spotting them. Keep your eyes open and remember to report them!
There are many things in the works with Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs). Updates on these may appear to be slow, but they are coming, as are some updates to pages on the main web site.
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?

Humpback Whale, Mexico
February 7, 2014
Michael Stewart, Powell River

UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES

February 7:
6:00 pm: Matt says there are Orca in the Ragged Islands (Copeland Islands) just outside of Lund on the northern Sunshine Coast. Sounded like there are three of them including one baby; dolphin size!
Gordie Coles, Savary Island / Lund

February 6:
11:50 am: Two Orca heading east below Whalen/Fleury Rds (East of Myrtle Point towards Black(Albion) Point) Very large dorsal. (At first glance thought one was a sailboarder.) One slightly larger than the other, both making shallow dives until just before going out of sight.
Perk Persea, Perseas Dive, Powell River.

February 2:
8:06 am: Good morning! Looks like they're back (Orca)! Moving south and approaching Grief Point right in front of the Seaspan Tug, if you're looking. Looks like 7 – 8 of them (not the right numbers for the A8/42's SM). Just a quick look though...gotta keep to schedule!
Geord Dunstan, Texada Water Taxi, Stubbs Island Whale Watching.

February 2:
9:00 am: I can see 3 or 4 Orca in a small pod close to Texada Island, just passing. I heard them before I saw them. They're moving quickly.
Bill Taylor, Powell River

February 2:
10:15 am: Orca – no numbers – on the south side of Savary Island, westbound towards Indian Point from the Meadows.
Rick Thaddeus, Savary Island

February 2:
Apparently some Orca went by here yesterday, around 4pm or so, southbound. It was on a FaceBook page. Did you hear or know about it?
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.

Humpback Whale, Mexico
February 7, 2014
Michael Stewart, Powell River

TRANSIENT BIGG'S KILLER WHALES & PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

February 3:
5:30 pm:
Large groups of Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Orca reported in Departure Bay, (B.C Ferries Terminal, Nanaimo.) Reported by a friend of mine.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
**(see Links for more on this)***

SPLASHES – ORCA OR DOLPHINS?

February 3:
Late afternoon: I did my usual scan and was intrigued by some huge splashes. My initial thought was that it was a boat, but the seas weren't that bad to create the huge splashes (no boat spotted). There were no cetacean reports, and I can't confirm species, but all indications was that these splashes were either from Orca or Pacific White Sided Dolphins. I had heard rumours of Orca by Trail Islands, Sechelt and then the Transient Bigg's hunting Dolphins in Nanaimo, so the assumption is that these animals were in flight mode or were Orca in chase rushing up Malaspina Strait and North-West past Harwood Island.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

HUMPBACK WHALES

Humpback Whale, Mexico
February 7, 2014
Michael Stewart, Powell River

February 7:
Report from Mexico: I got some good humpback pictures for you this time, hope you can ID them. There was a baby with 2adults, we stopped an watched them for almost an hour. The baby jumped out of the water ahead of the adults over and over.
Michael Stewart, Powell River on holiday in Mexico
LINKS IN THE NEWS

February 3:
10:00am:
Onlookers who happened to be in Nanaimo on February 3rd witnessed a rare confrontation between a group of eight or nine Transient Bigg's Killer whales and a pod of approximately 100 Pacific White Sided Dolphins. The whales herded the dolphins into the shallow waters of a cove at Newcastle Island in Departure Bay where they were able to trap and kill two of them in full view of ferry passengers and onlookers from shore! (Lynne Cracknell) Here are links to the video on that story:



Humpback Whale, Mexico
February 7, 2014
Michael Stewart, Powell River


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

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