The
Northern Resident Orca have arrived into the inside waters in
numbers. The majority are staying at or above the top of Johnstone
Strait, but we have been fortunate to have some continue to come down
the strait and go into Nodales Channel. In the meantime, the
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales are still down near the bottom of
Desolation Sound with some spending time around Savary Island and
Powell River. There are some that have been reported as far down as
Vancouver. Humpback Whales have also found some good food in and
around Desolation Sound. The Pacific White Sided Dolphins are being
spotted in smaller groups than the previous couple of years. They
seem to appear most frequently still in the Nodales Channel area
frequently when the Northern Resident Orca are there. There are
extremely few reports of Dall's and Harbour Porpoise. Are they not
around, not being noticed, or just not reported?
Susan
MacKay & Lynne Cracknell, Whales and Dolphins BC
Have
you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every
sighting report is valuable!
WHAT
DO ALL THESE LETTERS AND NUMBERS MEAN?
KILLER
WHALES
A
quick explanation and understanding of all these letters and numbers
allocated to Killer Whales that seem to be flying around in our
reports:
Orca
families are matriarchal (the mother rules). The family pod stays
together for life, so when we see a big male, it's pretty certain
that he's a son or nephew. When the numbers were first issued, this
was not well understood, but once realized, the oldest matriarch was
how the family pod was named. Family trees have been monitored over
many years, and all Orca pods continue to be monitored. Transient
Bigg's allocations start with the letter T in BC waters, except when
we've had known Transient Bigg's up from California with the assigned
CA designation.
For
example, not to go back too far, of Northern Residents: the A8
Matriline has now become the A42's. A8 (1953-2004) gave birth to A28
'Havannah' (1974-2010) and to A42 'Sonora' (1980- still strong).
Since there were two sisters, the A8 designation remained even after
A42 gave birth to A66 'Surf' (1996), A79 'Current' (2004) and A88
'Cameleon' (2008). When A42 gave birth to her fourth calf, A103
'Albion' (December 2010) off Powell River, there was still a bit of
debate if A28 was alive or not, but after such a long time, it's felt
certain she is gone. She never had any offspring. So, following this
logic, we now have the A42's as the family pod name. With her
offsprings there are a total of 5 family members in the pod who
travel and stay together their entire lives.
NORTHERN
RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
 |
| A42 'Sonora' |
 |
| A66 'Surf' & A79 'Current' |
Northern
Resident Orca A42's
off
Camp Point, Johnstone Strait
August
17, 2014 - 4 photos
Susan
MacKay, SG Images
Aug
17:
10:00
am: Sounds like there are whales (Orca) at Kelsey Bay, easting.
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Aug
17:
10:05
am: Sounds (radio) like you have Orca right there on the Kelsey Bay
side of Helmcken. Brad is apparently on the scene.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Aug
17:
10:24
am: There are about 15 Orca in Race Passage, half way between
Petersen Islet and Camp Point, Johnstone Strait. One male is way
ahead, almost to Camp Point.
Bradden
Kiley, Painters Lodge.
Aug
17:
11:13
am: Orca just foraging and resting still at Camp Point.
11:30
am: They are all spread out from Tyee Point to Vancouver Island side
below Camp Point, mostly centre Strait, easting. They are definitely
NRKW's A's from their vocalizations.
Susan
MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
Aug
17:
1:26
pm NRKW's
still easting at Turn Island, Johnstone Strait.
(from
radio)
Aug
17:
2:19
pm: NRKW's westing at Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.
Aaron
Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Aug
17:
2:38
pm: NRKW's A34's easting at Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.
3:30
pm:The NRKW's A34's, A42's, and A36's all easting between Ripple Pock
and Rock Point, close the Chatham Point across from Nodales Channel.
They're all spread out.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Aug
17:
2:48
pm: Suspect that the NRKW's A36's are also still easting from Ripple
Point.
Aaron
Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
Aug
16:
9:10
am: NRKW's are at Kaikash Creek in the fog heading east towards the
Robson Bight Ecological Reserve.
(from
radio)
Aug
16:
8:45
am: Orca alert! Orca reported easting into Frederick Arm. via
radio call from Oak Bay Hurricane.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Aug
16:
9:00
am: Orca right off the Salmon Farm at Sonora Point in Nodales
Channel.
Colin
Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin.
Aug
16:
10:30
am: 5 Orca NRKW's are in Nodales Channel by Sonora Point angling
towards Frederick Arm. The calf looks like it's foraging along with
some Pacific White Sided Dolphins and/or playing. There's lots of
breaching and spy hops as well as vocalizations as they head into
Frederick Arm. Very nice!
12:30
pm: The NRKW's (later identified as A42's) are now by Thurston Bay
westbound.
(from
radio)
Aug
16:
2:40
pm: The NRKW's I15's are eastbound by Kaikash Creek, across from
Blackney Passage.
(from
radio)
Aug
16:
3:00
pm: The NRKW's A42's are at Rock Bay, Chatham Point, westing slowly.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Aug
16:
3:39
pm: The NRKW's known as the A42's are at Ripple Point, westing at 5
knots.
Fabien
Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
Aug
15:
6:00
am: 6-7 NRKW Orca were reported at Eve River, above Adam River,
Kelsey Bay area.
(from
radio)
Aug
15:
6:25
pm: We have the NRKW's A42's easting along the Vancouver island shore
at 4 knots. Lots of vocalizations. Leaving them foraging at Hickey
Point. Tenacious 3 leaving the scene.
John
Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
Aug
15:
9:08
pm: Orca at Hall Point, along with some Pacific White Sided Dolphins.
Aaron
Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
Aug
14:
1:16
pm Orca at Earl's Ledge, on the south shore of Hardwicke Island,
easting.
1:33
pm: They are heading toward Peterson Light easting at 4 knots.
1:40
pm: Think it is actually the A23, A25s NRKW's.
Bradden
Kiley, Painters Lodge.
Aug
14:
10:00
am: NRKW's are westbound out of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve.
No mention of who.
(from
radio)
Aug
14:
2:10
pm: With the Orca south end of Helmcken Island eastbound on the
Vancouver Island side.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Aug
14:
2:55
pm: These NRKW's are definitely the A23's and A25's. Looks like
they're having a good time.
3:25
pm: The NRKW Orca have turned and are no by Vansittart Point,
eastbound down Johnstone Strait.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Aug
14:
4:20
pm: The NRKW Orca are on the Vancouver Island side by Ripple Point,
eastbound at 5.5 knots.
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Aug
14:
5:45
– 7:30 pm: Had the NRKW's at Davis Point in Nodales Channel. It was
peaceful.
Aaron
Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
Aug
13:
10:00
am: NRKW Orca in Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. No numbers or
direction of travel.
(from
radio)
Aug
13:
10:40
am: NRKW's A42's slowly westing from St. Vincent's Bight. Tenacious
3 is on the scene.
John
Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
Aug
13:
11:50
am: The NRKW' A23's and A25's are westing at Adam River. No sign of
the A42's as yet.
Aaron
Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Aug
13:
1:30
pm: Left the NRKW's A23/23's at Naka Creek, westbound.
Leigh
Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
Aug
13:
1:33
pm:the A23, A25s NRKW's are heading toward Peterson Light easting at
4 knots.
Bradden
Kiley, Painters Lodge.
Aug
13:
2:45
pm: Leaving the A25's and A23's near the Michael Bigg's Ecological
Reserve westbound.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Aug
13:
7:37
pm: Northern Resident Killer Whales easting into Nodales Channel,
slithering to and fro along the Thurlow shores. Alas, my day of
searching is over!
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.(reported by John Lewis)
Aug
12:
10:30
am Northern
Resident Killer Whales A42's just passing Kelsey Bay westbound and
moving quickly.
Geord
Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris.
Aug
12:
11:22
am NRKW's
are eastbound at Brassseau Bay, by Kelsey Bay.
(from
radio)
Aug
12:
11:55
am: NRKW's at Kelsey Bay, easting. There are some Transient Bigg's at
Elk Bay, northbound too.
Leigh
Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
Aug
12:
4:00
pm: The NRKW's known as the A42's were eastbound by Humpback Bay in
Johnstone Strait.
5:00
pm: NRKW's are at Ripple Point, eastbound.
(from
radio)
August
12:
5:26
pm: Orca easting at Ripple Point.
John
Lapp. Discovery Marine Safaris.
TRANSIENT
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES
Transient
Bigg's Killer Whales, Lang Bay, Powell River
August
, 2014 - 3 photos
Heather
Tausig, visiting Lang Bay
Aug
17:
Second
hand report of 5 Transient Killer Whales at Sarah Point yesterday.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Aug
17:
12:17
pm 4 Transient Bigg's Orca just North of the Copeland Islands / Lund
heading towards Sarah Point.
4:17
pm: Orca southbound from Powell River.
Jos
Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
Aug
17:
4:36
pm: Just got a call. Orca off Spillsbury Point.
Colin
Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin.
August
17:
8:10
pm 3 – 4 Orca are right outside the Westview Harbour, Powell River
playing around not going much of anywhere. There's 1 big male and a
calf. Looks like maybe heading slowly southbound.
Jasmine
Brown, Powell River
August
17:
8:45
pm 3 Orca just off the viewpoint in Powell River frolicking. No
really big fin, but one smaller calf. Tail lobs and just playing.
Caroline
Jackson, Powell River
Aug
15:
Second
hand report of Orca between Savary Island and Lund on Friday the 15th
in the afternoon.
Rick
Thaddeus, Savary Island.
Aug
13:
9:41
am: I saw a couple of Orca headed to go by the east end of Savary
Island at about 8:45 am. They were going steadily NE and seemed to be
quite quiet. One large bull and one smaller one but I think there may
have been one or two more. They were headed close to Mace Point.
Ron
Johnston, Savary Island
Aug
12:
04:00
am - 4:45 am: The night security at Painter's Lodge reported Orca
passing by very early this morning. No direction or numbers.
Bradden
Kiley, Painters Lodge.
Aug
12:
7:20
am: Orca northbound in front of Cape Mudge village on Quadra Island.
Jack
Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Aug
12:
8:10
am:There is a large group of Orca at Steep Island, northbound,
according to Bradden Kiley at Painter's Lodge.
8:30
am: One group is Transient Bigg's T02's, don't know who the other
group is yet.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August
12:
8:30
am: 6 – 8 Orca reported at Race Point, Discovery Passage.
(from
radio.)
Aug
12:
11:55
am: Transient Bigg's at Elk Bay, Discovery Passage, northbound.
Leigh
Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
Aug
12:
12:20
pm: No other ID's yet, other than the Transient Bigg's T002C's.
Looked like 5 others with them.
4:40
pm: If there are only 4, they are the T002C's. The others that went
south off Cape Mudge a while ago I think were the Transient Bigg's
T100's, but I will double check later on.
Got
the T101's, T90's, T124's, T34's and T37's in Howe Sound today. Just
received this from my buddy from Steveston Whale Watch. So that's
where the rest are!
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Aug
12
1:00
pm: One lone big male Orca (presume Transient Bigg's) was southbound
by Powell River between the Texada ferry terminal angling towards the
Powell River Sea Walk.
Relayed
through Liz Douglas, Judy Brant, Powell River.
Aug
12:
2:50
pm: Transient Bigg's Orca at Seymour Narrows southbound, travelling
at 10 knots with the current.
Fabien
Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
August
12:
3:09
pm: Transient Bigg's T0002C's are eastbound in Okisollo Channel by
the second fish farm.
4:00
pm: We left the Transient Bigg's T002c's after some attempted
foraging in Okisollo Channel by Upper Rapids. They then caught the
big flood push and ended up heading east with the flood from Hole in
the Wall.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Aug
12:
3:40
pm: Transient Bigg's Orca eastbound by Campbell River Mill. At the
same time Transient Bigg's known as the T02C's were in Hole in the
Wall, eastbound also.
(from
radio)
Aug
12:
4:10
pm: Transient Bigg's Orca spotted by the fishing hump off Cape Mudge,
Quadra Island.
(from
radio)
Aug
12:
4:39
pm: Around 6 Transient Bigg's easting towards the east end of Hole in
the Wall, Okisollo Channel.
Aaron
Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
Aug
12:
5:21
pm: The Transient Bigg's Orca are at the top end of the Rendezvous
Islands, heading south.
6:00
pm: Leaving the Transient Bigg's at the east side of the Rendezvous
Islands, still heading south.
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Aug
10:
6:23
pm: Saw a group of Orca off Lang Bay and Palm Beach, (Powell
River area)
some
pictures attached.
Heather
Tausig, Lang Bay.
(It
looks like one of them might be T19B based solely on the large
flipper, but I see there's quite a nick I don't recall seeing in
other shots of him. - S.M.)
UNIDENTIFIED
KILLER WHALES
(These
could be either Southern Resident or Transient Bigg's Orca)
Aug
12:
5:20
pm: I was on my way from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay on the BC Ferries
when the Captain announced that there was a pod of Orca directly
ahead and that he would be slowing the ferry down. Sure enough, there
was a pod of 7 or 8 no more than 50m from the ferry as we passed.
They seemed to be just relaxing, surfacing constantly, but as the
ferry got closer they turned and approached the ferry. After enjoying
this amazing and fairly rare sight (in Howe Sound) for 10 minutes,
the Orca dove and were not seen again.
Earl
Paxton, West Vancouver.
August
12: (rec'd 13th)
My
wife saw 6-7 Orca in Collingwood Channel of Hutt Island heading east
along Bowen Island last night from the ferry.
Geordie
Harrower
HUMPBACK
WHALES
Humpback
Whale BCX0380
Looking
like she's put on some weight since July 28th (see prior
report)
August
, 2014 - 4 photos
Tanja
Hanson, Powell River
Aug
16:
Afternoon:
Second
hand report of three Humpbacks north west of Sarah Point.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Aug
14:
10:44
am: Humpback Whale reported to Coast Guard as entangled with a log by
Pendrell Sound.
11:00
am: The Humpback Whale had no lines attached to it or the log.
(He/She
was adapting to the environment of many boaters who avoid logs, so
probably had learned that staying with a log in the channel was a
good way to be safe. He/she stayed with the log for quite a while,
probably resting. All in all, a very good outcome!)
Susan
MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Aug
14:
12:51
pm: Humpback just outside Roscoe Bay, heading towards Desolation
Sound.
(from
radio)
Aug
13:
11:30
am: A friend transiting the area has reported a Humpback near Sarah
Point, no direction.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Aug
13:
11:59
am: Humpback off Sarah Point, which is at the NW extremity of the
Malaspina Peninsula.
(from
radio)
August
12:
9:30
am Humpback Whale northbound by Brown's Bay.
Radio
Aug
12:
11:05
am: Humpback at Chatham Point, junction of Discovery Passage and
Johnstone Strait,heading west.
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Aug
12:
11:55
am: Humpback inside of Walkem islands, northbound.
Leigh
Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
Aug
12:
3:15
pm: Humpback in Desolation Sound eastbound towards Homfray Channel.
Jos
Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
Aug
11: (received on Aug 14)
Hi!
We spotted a Humpback on Sunday afternoon, August 10th
this last week, it was near Tenedos Bay, Desolation Sound, and
swimming towards Grace Harbour, Monday morning, August 11th.
What an amazing sight! We think it was “KC” due to the notch in
the tail. ('KC'
has damage to the dorsal fin - from photos submitted, this Humpback
Whale looks to be BCX0380 'Zed' see July 28th
report and photos - SM)
Tanja
Hanson, Powell River. via email.
Aug
10: (received on Aug 14)
Last
Sunday, August 10, approximately 0930, a single Humpback about 100m
offshore Hornby Island just south of Grassy Point, travelling slowly
north and then turned westward as it rounded the point.
Richard
J Bennett, Vancouver.
PACIFIC
WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Aug
16:
9:08
am: Pacific white Sided Dolphins with Orca at Hall Point.
Aaron
Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
Aug
16:
3:00
pm: Three Pacific
White Sided Dolphins by Sonora Point in Nodales Channel, foraging.
These are very small animals. Looks like two juvenile with a tiny new
born calf. Almost like the adults left the youngsters to babysit the
calf.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Aug
15:
12:34
pm: 20-30 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Sonora Point, in Nodales
Channel. Angling towards Frederick Arm.
(from
radio)
Aug
13:
8:45
am: 10 Pacific White Sided Dolphins by Horn Point in Cordero
Channel.
(from
radio)
Aug
13:
2:14
pm: 30 – 40 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Escape Reef, Johnstone
Strait, no direction.
Leigh
Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
Aug
13:
2:14
pm: 30 Pacific
White Sided Dolphins at Escape Reef, doing big circles.
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
Aug
13:
2:40
pm: A few Pacific
White Sided Dolphins by Sonora Island.
(from
radio)
Aug
13:
3:02
pm: 10 Pacific White Sided Dolphins west of Gillard Passage,
foraging, no direction.
Aaron
Nagler, Sonora Lodge.
Aug
12:
4:04
pm: Large group of Dolphins reported at Squirrel Cove.
Aaron
Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
DALL'S
& HARBOUR PORPOISE
Aug
13:
2:40
pm: 20 playful Dall's porpoise by Horn Point, just above Dent Rapids.
(from
radio)
August 13:
Forgot to mention, a little
baby Harbour Porpoise popped up while I was paddling. Never have seen
one before.
Geordie
Harrower
LINKS
A
curious and friendly Humpback whale near Prince Rupert, B.C, spent
over an hour visiting with, and having a good look at, the surprised
passengers on a whale watching boat! Full story below:
A
look at the dreadful living conditions that the Killer Whale known as
“Tilikum” was provided with by Sealand and Seaworld. A twenty
foot whale in a thirty one foot tank! Details in this newly released
video:
Have
you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every
sighting report is valuable!
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are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society