Have You Seen Any of These?

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Holiday Humpbacks, Orca and Dolphins

Wishing you all the very best of the Holidays with health and happiness in the New Year!

Inclement weather and the holdiay season has slowed reported Sightings, but there are still whales, including Humpbacks in our inside waters. The Pacific White Sided Dolphins have been showing up and seem to be on the move in and out of the areas while they appear to avoid some stealthy Orca, who we did not receive photos or IDs on. The whales, dolphins and porpoise are out there, so keep your eyes open, it's a big ocean out there.

We thank you for your continued reporting as each and every sightings report is valuable! And with our new WOWs Archive Explorer map you can easily see where these whales travel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society


This may not be new, but they are Amazing Snow Sculptures
With all the snow forecasts - have you made a 'Snow Whale'?
Harbin China Snow Festival



Note to Safari browser users:
Apple software upgrades may prevent images from displaying on this site. To resolve the problem, please clear your Safari browser cache: On a Mac this is in Safari preferences. On iPad and iPhones, use the Settings app, Safari, Clear History and Website Data.


NEW! WOWs Sightings Archive Explorer

Recommended for desktop browsers and newer mobile devices

Dive into over 5,000 Cetacean Sightings, images, videos and audio recordings reported in our Sightings Updates with the WOWS Sightings Archive Explorer

ARCHIVE EXPLORER


Archive Explorer takes readers into the Cetacean world of the BC Coast. Easily view all Cetacean sighting reports together with all sighting photos and videos:
• View species such as Humpback, Grey Whale or Dalls Porpoise
• Follow the endangered Southern Residents Orca in the Salish Sea
• Search for encounters with T002C2 Tumbo
• Goto Port Alberni to watch a close-up video of Orca in the harbour
• Track the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
• Check-Out "KC", the ever popular Humphack and track his whereabouts this past August
• Goto one of 12,000 named locations on the BC and WA State coast
• Print custom sighting reports and maps (Coming Soon)

Explore this powerfull new research tool with the Archive Explorer Help page

ARCHIVE EXPLORER"

Note: The Cetacean Sightings Archive is also available in database format together with sighting photo and video links for viewing, query and download here

Send your Comments and Questions to: Archive Explorer Feedback


DONATE
to the non profit wild ocean whale society

Jump to:   MAP | SIGHTINGS | MAGAZINE



Sightings Update


ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2016-040


Jump to:  Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins 



TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES

Mon Dec 19 2016

15:40 • Biggs Orca heading South towards Powell River Westview Harbour, Malaspina Strait.
Candi Little, Texada Island, BC

13:08 • est. 6 Biggs Orca back and forth, East of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore

Jump to:  Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins 



UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES

Tue Dec 13 2016

13:50 • 4 Orca heading North near Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage.
Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures


Thu Dec 08 2016

09:40 • 4 Orca heading North by Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. Heading towards Cape Mudge lighthouse; seen from Willow Point. Possibly more than 4 in the group. ▫ Observed from Shore
Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures


Jump to:  Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins 



HUMPBACK WHALES

Mon Dec 19 2016

16:19 • 2 Humpback Whales off Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. Sea Lions with the whales. I think there must be food there. They were closer in at Klahaine shore.
14:05 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North off Sliammon. Reported by Derek. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


Fri Dec 16 2016

14:45 • Humpback Whales at the head of Beaver Cove, Broughton Strait.
14:30 • Humpback Whales between Coho / Kiddie Point and Crescent Bay, Georgia Strait. Observed what looked like small blows, sprays out in the water. From photos submitted dorsal looks like Humpback Whales - SM. ▫ Observed from Shore
Candi Little, Texada Island, BC


Thu Dec 15 2016

09:45 • Humpback Whales heading South off Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Long way out.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


Wed Dec 14 2016

10:50 • Humpback Whales off South side of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. Seeing blows; don't know if it's Humpbacks or Orca. Later determined they were Humpback Whales.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


Tue Dec 13 2016

15:15 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading West North of Hammond Bay and East of Nanoose Bay, Georgia Strait. I live at 195 Heritage Drive in North Nanaimo, just up from the water front homes on Filinger drive. I observed the pair from my kitchen window. They were slowly swimming West and taking shallow dives as they were only under the surface for less then two minutes each time. One was bigger then the other, and were swimming very close together. I'm assuming they were a mother and baby. ▫ Observed from Shore
Bob Marocchi, Nanaimo


Sun Dec 11 2016

15:30 • 1 Humpback Whales travelling, heading North-East between Gabriola Island and Entrance Island, Georgia Strait. Another couple at the beach also saw it and confirmed that it was a Humpback. Observed the tail.
Suzi Volk,


Fri Dec 09 2016

08:30 • 2 Humpback Whales playing, in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Lots of tail flips. In the area for about two hours.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC


Thu Dec 08 2016

15:49 • 3 Humpback Whales at the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. Right on the reefs.
Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

14:47 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North between Rebecca Rocks and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales in front of the Powell River Viewpoint
Thu, 8 Dec 2016 - 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC





SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales in front of the Powell River Viewpoint
Thu, 8 Dec 2016 - 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


11:23 • 2 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading North close to Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River, BC

11:22 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South near Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. Turned around. ▫ Observed from Shore
11:19 • Humpback Whales heading North passing by Black (Albion) Point. ▫ Observed from Shore
Lorna Rutledge, Powell River, BC

11:13 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South toward Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Barry Pennell, Powell River, BC

09:57 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South off Grief Point, Powell River. ▫ Observed from Shore
John and Joan Treen, Powell River and Savary Island, BC

09:47 • 2 Humpback Whales out front of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


Tue Dec 06 2016

--:-- • 4 Humpback Whales out from Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. Toward Vancouver Island. ▫ Observed from Shore
John and Joan Treen, Powell River and Savary Island, BC


Mon Nov 21 2016

--:-- • 1 Humpback Whales heading West North of Hammond Bay and West of Lantzville, Georgia Strait. This past Nov 21st my wife and I saw a lone Humpback swimming West. After about 20 minutes, it had turned direction and was heading back to the East. We have lived in the house for over twenty years,and have seen dolphins and Orca from our house. Nov 21st was the first time we have seen a Humpback whale from our house. This is very exciting for sure. ▫ Observed from Shore
Bob Marocchi, Nanaimo


Jump to:  Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins 



PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

Sat Dec 17 2016

15:11 • PWS Dolphins between Maple Bay and Crescent Bay on Texada Island, Georgia Strait. Large group. ▫ Second Hand
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC


Tue Dec 13 2016

12:31 • est. 25 PWS Dolphins heading North just off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC

12:30 • PWS Dolphins heading South between Powell River Viewpoint and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins out towards Texada Island
Tue, 13 Dec 2016 - 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC






SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins out towards Texada Island
Tue, 13 Dec 2016 - 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC



Sun Dec 11 2016

08:30 • 30-40 PWS Dolphins circling prey and breaching, heading West in bay just West of Schooner Cove near Nanoose Bay, Georgia Strait. Likely fishing on the rising tide.
Jim Richard,



SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
A large group of Pacific White Sided Dolphins close to Schooner Cove in Nanoose Bay
Sun, 11 Dec 2016 - 1 items
Jim Richard,



SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
A large group of Pacific White Sided Dolphins close to Schooner Cove in Nanoose Bay
Sun, 11 Dec 2016 - 1 items
Jim Richard,


Society News & Events

Real Time Monitoring Station Update:
The weather, co-ordinating equipment and volunteers, and now the holiday season has caused a variety of delays in the installation of our first live system. Although it's not up and running yet, it is still going ahead and being worked on, albeit a bit slower than anticipated. Thanks to some great volunteers, the specialized camera mast has been fitted, but not secured yet, our electrical components have had a few modifications that were not anticipated, and the work continues. The hydrophone, underwater listening device, will be installed as soon after the camera as possible with co-ordination of the divers. We can hardly wait and will keep you posted.

AGM:
Our Annual General Meeting is being scheduled for mid-January and we will send out the email invitations to our Society Members shortly.

Our team of Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your reports are mapped and published regularly. Would you like to join us?
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings

SUBMIT sightings
or call 1-877-323-9776 or eMail
we welcome your sighting reports, photographs, video and audio recordings. please review our media submission guidelines



Jump to:   MAP | SIGHTINGS | MAGAZINE



The Magazine



REGIONAL & WEST COAST


The Province, BC


A persepective look at a period in the 1960s when fishers and communities on the Sunshine Coast were invoved in the capture and sale of Transient and Resident Orca to Ocean Theme Parks.
Fascinating Interviews with those involved and a look back at a sad period which ultimately lead to a new respect and appreciation for the complex, much studied and still little understood world of the Orca of the Salish Sea.


Hakai Magazine


Beginning in the fall of 2013, “the Blob” has sat off the Pacific coast of North America. This massive swathe of abnormally warm water raised the average temperature of the sea by 2.5 °C, and is thought to have thrown the marine ecosystem for a massive loop. Throughout its run, scientists speculated that the Blob was responsible for a whole host of damages, from mass bleaching of Hawai‘ian coral and irregular fish migration, to sea lion beachings, and warmer seasons.

Now, researchers following up on the Blob have confirmed the proposed connection between it and another abnormal event: a massive 2015 algae bloom that hit the eastern Pacific with the largest outbreak of toxic domoic acid-producing algae ever recorded ...


INTERNATIONAL


The Atlantic Magazine


New research is shedding light on the evolution of most peculiar and aberrant of mammals, the Whales.
...they’re mammals, so they have to face all of the challenges that a normal mammal does. They’re adapted to living on land: they’re [warm-blooded], they have fur, they breathe air, they give birth to live young and they have to suckle those live young. And then you try and do all of that in the sea, and of course, almost everything is stacked against you. Like, the milk is floating away, heat is draining from your body, your fur isn’t really that useful, there’s no air to breathe—like, everything is against you. And yet, within a relatively short period of time they’ve managed to tackle all of that, and they managed to achieve feats like diving down several kilometers and staying down for... an hour at a time, and doing some of the weirdest, biggest feeding events in all of the animal kingdom.


Gizmodo


Marine biologists working off the coast of Australia have observed orca whales hunting and killing rare beaked whales—a behavior never before seen in the predatory species.

Scientists have seen orcas hunt an assortment of prey, including fish, seals, dolphins, and even the calves of large whales. But beaked whales? That’s a completely new hunting behavior, one that appears to be unique to orcas living near Bremer Bay in southwest Australia.

For the past two years, a research team led by ...


Monterey Whale Whatch goWhales.com



Offshore Killer Whales today! We encountered these infrequently sighted Killer Whales on the 9am trip aboard the SeaWolf II. This ecotype of Killer Whales often travels in large groups and were seen about this time last December. We saw about 25 individuals and we have footage of them feeding on a Sevengill Shark! These whales are typically smaller in size than the Bigg's or transient Killer Whale type and they had several very young calves with them....


ZME Science


There is a tendency for nutrients in the form of biological material to slowly sink away from the surface into deep ocean environments. This downward migration of debris is referred to as a biological pump, and the debris itself is called marine snow. Whales help to even the balance by a simple mechanism called a whale pump. They feed at varying depths, but they seem to defecate almost exclusively at the surface....


Hakai Magazine


Ocean Alliance has been developing a technique to collect DNA, hormones, and other important biological markers from whale “snot”—the emissions from a whale’s blowhole. To accomplish this task, Kerr has been flying a drone* that he dubbed “SnotBot” across the ocean and over the backs of dozens of whales in three expeditions around the world.

Collecting the whale snot is no easy task. “The snot comes out in a big V,” Kerr says. “At the bottom of the V, the snot is condensed, but it’s a very small window. At the top, it’s very wide but the snot is dispersed.” The goal, he says, is to fly about three meters above a whale, allowing the snot to be collected in a simple petri dish affixed to the drone.

SnotBot launched in July 2015 with a Kickstarter campaign, and Kerr has kept the project’s crowdsourcing spirit strong. He asked the visiting students if they could come up with a solution to help fly SnotBot at a predictable altitude....

Magazine Submissions

the magazine accepts submissions of links to published articles and media of interest to our readers. we welcome original articles, letters, notices, photography, video and audio


SUBMIT
to the magazine





original material guidelines
notices: 100 words max.; letters & articles: 500 words max.
you or your organization must be authors of the work and are solely responsible for its content. the magazine gives no assurance material submitted will be published. media submission guidelines


DONATE
to the non profit wild ocean whale society

VOLUNTEER
review our volunteer opportunities

SUBMIT sightings
or call 1-877-323-9776 or eMail
we welcome your sighting reports, photographs, video and audio recordings. please review our media submission guidelines



Jump to:   MAP | SIGHTINGS | MAGAZINE


SUBSCRIBE
receive sightings update eMail notices

CONTACT
the wild ocean whale society

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Humpback Whales Dominate, Few Orca, Some Dolphins

There are many Humpback Whales holding much farther North than expected this time of year. We feel that many will stay throughout the Winter months, which is both a blessing and a curiousity. As someone once told me, "Why go South if you can hang out with friends and continue to feed". With the likelihood that we had one Humpback calf born in the upper Georgia Strait this year, and that the Humpbacks have even been doing some singing up here, it is possible that we will continue to see them year round. Please continue to report every sighting.

We had a couple of reports of some Orca, but staying away from the Humpbacks or vice versa. Whereas the Pacific White Sided Dolphins have jumped on the Humpback band wagon of feeding with them as well as harassing them. The larger groups of Dolphins did head farther South, but that may have been due to Orca, which we have had to list in our generic catagory since we did not have any confirmation of Resident (fish eaters) or Transient Bigg's (meat eaters).

We will manage to publish one more report just before Christmas, but in this issue we have our amazing NEW WOWs Archive Explorer maps - see below. In the meantime - we'd like to wish you all the best for the holidays!
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society


Humpback Whale, BCX0565 Nick, showing off its tail by Harwood Island



Note to Safari browser users:
Apple software upgrades may prevent images from displaying on this site. To resolve the problem, please clear your Safari browser cache: On a Mac this is in Safari preferences. On iPad and iPhones, use the Settings app, Safari, Clear History and Website Data.


NEW! WOWs Sightings Archive Explorer

Recommended for desktop browsers and newer mobile devices

Dive into over 5,000 Cetacean Sightings, images, videos and audio recordings reported in our Sightings Updates with the WOWS Sightings Archive Explorer

ARCHIVE EXPLORER


Archive Explorer takes readers into the Cetacean world of the BC Coast. Easily view all Cetacean sighting reports together with all sighting photos and videos:
• View species such as Humpback, Grey Whale or Dalls Porpoise
• Follow the endangered Southern Residents Orca in the Salish Sea
• Search for encounters with T002C2 Tumbo
• Goto Port Alberni to watch a close-up video of Orca in the harbour
• Track the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
• Check-Out "KC", the ever popular Humphack and track his whereabouts this past August
• Goto one of 12,000 named locations on the BC and WA State coast
• Print custom sighting reports and maps (Coming Soon)

Explore this powerfull new research tool with the Archive Explorer Help page

ARCHIVE EXPLORER"

Note: The Cetacean Sightings Archive is also available in database format together with sighting photo and video links for viewing, query and download here

Send your Comments and Questions to: Archive Explorer Feedback


DONATE
to the non profit wild ocean whale society

Jump to:   MAP | SIGHTINGS | HEAT MAP | MAGAZINE



Sightings Update


ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2016-039


Jump to:  Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins 



UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES

Sun Dec 04 2016

15:45 • est. 10-12 Orca breaching, heading East just West of Texada Island, Georgia Strait. There were 2 pods with 5-6 animals in each one. There also appeared to be two young calves with them and they were breaching as well. Full out of the water breaching.
Neil Pukesh, Powell River, BC


Sat Nov 26 2016

09:02 • est. 3-4 Orca travelling, heading South off Secret Cove, Malaspina Strait. One hundred feet from the shore. ▫ Observed from Shore
Christian Allen, Secret Cove, BC


Jump to:  Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins 



HUMPBACK WHALES

Wed Dec 07 2016

13:15 • 1 Humpback Whales out from Blubber Bay on Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
13:02 • 3 Humpback Whales close to Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
10:31 • 1 Humpback Whales off Coho / Kiddie Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
10:31 • 1 Humpback Whales close to Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


Tue Dec 06 2016

13:40 • Humpback Whales moving slowly, off Sandy (Tree) Island North of Denman Island, Georgia Strait. Seen from Point Holmes in Lazo. There was a group of Sea Lions and in the distance near Tree island, I saw a Humpback. Unsure of how many but it surfaced a few times, just briefly for air. ▫ Observed from Shore
Tara Woods, Lazo, BC


Mon Dec 05 2016

10:00 • 2 Humpback Whales lunge feeding, heading South close to shore in front of Hidden Harbour, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River, BC


Sun Dec 04 2016

16:11 • 2 Humpback Whales tail slaps, heading East near the ferry crossing route from Comox to Powell River Ferry terminal, Georgia Strait. Normal blow hole activity and also noticed what appeared to be spy hopping.
Neil Pukesh, Powell River, BC

12:20 • 2 Humpback Whales off of Harwood Island and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

08:09 • 3 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading North in the area of Van Anda, Malaspina Strait.
Candi Little, Texada Island, BC


Fri Dec 02 2016

15:21 • 2 Humpback Whales off Coho / Kiddie Point, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Surrounded by a group of Pacific White Sided Dolphins. ▫ Observed from Shore

Thu Dec 01 2016

15:18 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North East of Denman Island, Georgia Strait.
12:52 • 2 Humpback Whales midway between Parksville and False Bay, Georgia Strait. Saw a couple of spouts.
Graham Evans, Stowaway Adventures

12:10 • Humpback Whales off Blubber Bay on Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Viewed with Micheline Macauley from Texada shoreline. ▫ Observed from Shore
Candi Little, Texada Island, BC

11:30 • 3 Humpback Whales near Vivian Island, Malaspina Strait. In area from 11:30 until after 13:30.
11:30 • est. 2 Humpback Whales between Harwood Island and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Whales remained in the area for about two hours.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC

09:44 • 3 Humpback Whales on the Powell River side of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Long way out. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


Wed Nov 30 2016

13:58 • 2 Humpback Whales heading East half way between Westview and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Seen from the Viewpoint. ▫ Observed from Shore
Barry Pennell, Powell River, BC

12:02 • Humpback Whales heading North tight to shore near Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC

11:51 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South off Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
11:51 • Humpback Whales in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

11:28 • 2 Humpback Whales below Myrtle Rocks, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Close to shore. ▫ Observed from Shore
Nina Falls, Powell River, BC

10:08 • 2 Humpback Whales to the right of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Observed from Powell River. ▫ Observed from Shore
10:08 • 3 Humpback Whales close to Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Observed from Powell River. ▫ Observed from Shore
Janet Southcott, Powell River, BC

09:40 • 3 Humpback Whales tail slaps, halfway to Rebecca Rocks from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Three Humpback tail slapping out near Rebecca Rocks off of Powell River
Wed, 30 Nov 2016 - 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC







SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Three Humpback tail slapping out near Rebecca Rocks off of Powell River
Wed, 30 Nov 2016 - 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


09:24 • 4 Humpback Whales in line with Rebecca Rocks, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
09:04 • Humpback Whales off Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Janet Southcott, Powell River, BC

--:-- • Humpback Whales between Harwood Island and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Humpbacks were observed during the afternoon from Texada Island. They were in several groups. ▫ Observed from Shore
Candi Little, Texada Island, BC


Tue Nov 29 2016

21:38 • 2 Humpback Whales out front of Westview, Malaspina Strait.
Shirley Randall, Beacon B&B, Powell River, BC

10:30 • 4 Humpback Whales off Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. Four more blows centre strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
09:45 • est. 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Chinook◦ breaching, in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Off the viewpoint. Two breached at the same time; possibly more than two. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales in front of Powell River
Tue, 29 Nov 2016 - 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC




SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales in front of Powell River
Tue, 29 Nov 2016 - 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


08:45 • est. 2 Humpback Whales in front of Powell River. Lots of blows close to Texada ferry route; possibly more than two. ▫ Observed from Shore
Janet Southcott, Powell River, BC


Mon Nov 28 2016

16:23 • 4 Humpback Whales toward Vivian Island, Malaspina Strait. Amazing numbers. Estimated that we had 8 or 9 whales on the Malaspina Strait side and another 6 or so on the Georgia Strait side around Rebecca Rocks.
16:19 • 2 Humpback Whales by Harwood Island closer to Powell River Ferry terminal, Malaspina Strait. Sealions porpoising while whales blow closer to shore.
16:19 • Humpback Whales out from Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Number of blows.
15:12 • 3-5 Humpback Whales off Coho / Kiddie Point, Texada Island, Georgia Strait. Toward Vancouver Island.
14:54 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ just above Eagle Cove, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. East side, tight to shore. ▫ On Scene


SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale, BCX0565 Nick, by Harwood Island close to the Powell River ferry terminal
Mon, 28 Nov 2016 - 10 items











SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale, BCX0565 Nick, by Harwood Island close to the Powell River ferry terminal
Mon, 28 Nov 2016 - 10 items


09:10 • 4 Humpback Whales off Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Steve & Susan Grover, Powell River, BC

09:09 • 3-4 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0380 Zed◦ between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Powell River side. ▫ Observed from Shore
--:-- • 2-3 Humpback Whales foraging, heading towards Vivian Island, Georgia Strait. Spotted from land at Kiddie Point, Texada Island. The Humpbacks dove when Pacific White Sided dolphins were swimming near them. Also observed by Candi Little. ▫ Observed from Shore
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
One Humpback Whale by Clam Bay between Powell River and Westview
Mon, 28 Nov 2016 - 1 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC


SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
One Humpback Whale by Clam Bay between Powell River and Westview
Mon, 28 Nov 2016 - 1 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC


--:-- • 1 Humpback Whales between Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper) and Westview, Malaspina Strait. Seen from Clam Bay, Texada Island. Also observed by Candi Little. ▫ Observed from Shore
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC


Sun Nov 27 2016

14:48 • Humpback Whales tail slaps and blows, between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Observed from Powell River shore.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

11:15 • est. 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading North-West just off Tyee Spit, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Seen offshore of the Campbell River Spit heading north...blowing and moving slowly , 2 - 3 minutes between sightings. ▫ Observed from Shore
Kathleen Sharpe, Campbell River, BC

09:27 • est. 4 Humpback Whales breaching, Vancouver Island side of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. At least four. Observed from Powell River shore.
09:07 • Humpback Whales off Rebecca Rocks.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale between Rebecca Rock and Harwood Island
Sun, 27 Nov 2016 - 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale between Rebecca Rock and Harwood Island
Sun, 27 Nov 2016 - 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC



Sat Nov 26 2016

16:16 • 6-7 Humpback Whales lunge feeding, below Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Back and forth by the quarry.
15:39 • Humpback Whales passing Van Anda heading towards Eagle Cove, Malaspina Strait.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading towards Eagle Cove
Sat, 26 Nov 2016 - 4 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC





SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading towards Eagle Cove
Sat, 26 Nov 2016 - 4 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC


14:58 • 3-4 Humpback Whales heading North close to East side of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Across from Armour Road right now.
Lorna Rutledge, Powell River, BC

14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading West heading towards Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Off Whalen Road. One animal in the centre of the strait, and one much closer to Texada Island.
Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC

11:43 • Humpback Whales at Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Anne and Ron Baker, Powell River, BC

10:15 • 4 Humpback Whales milling, heading North to lighthouse at Dryad Point, Seaforth Channel. We watched from our boat these 4 Humpbacks yesterday and today milling about in Seaforth Channel between Dryad Pt. and Dumas Pt. Probably feeding - saw the backs and blows several times, then the flukes. Then nothing for 10-15 minutes; pattern repeated many times over an hour or so. ▫ On Scene
Vic Gladish, Bella Bella, BC


Jump to:  Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins 



PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

Wed Dec 07 2016

16:23 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins milling, 2 nautical miles North of Gabriola Island, Georgia Strait.

Sat Dec 03 2016

13:13 • PWS Dolphins in large group split, some heading up in Jervis just above Captain Island and the others towards the entrance to Skookumchuck Narrows, Jervis Inlet. ▫ From Ferry

Fri Dec 02 2016

15:21 • PWS Dolphins off Coho / Kiddie Point, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. They were around a few Humpbacks. ▫ Observed from Shore

Wed Nov 30 2016

13:35 • 6-8 PWS Dolphins playing, between Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay, Georgia Strait. Waves of 6-8 playing around the Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay ferry half-way across the Strait. Kept coming from the South for 10 minutes. ▫ From Ferry
Brian Fentiman,


Mon Nov 28 2016

--:-- • est. 50 PWS Dolphins heading towards Vivian Island, Georgia Strait. Jumping and swimming near 2-3 Humpback whales. Spotted from land at Kiddie Point, Texada Island. Also observed by Candi Little. ▫ Observed from Shore
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC


Sun Nov 27 2016

09:13 • 150-200 PWS Dolphins foraging, between Powell River, Eagle Cove, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
09:07 • PWS Dolphins by Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Lots of dolphins.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins between Powell River and Eagle Cove
Sun, 27 Nov 2016 - 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins between Powell River and Eagle Cove
Sun, 27 Nov 2016 - 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC



Sat Nov 26 2016

08:00 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins heading South off Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2016-039

SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP
Society News & Events

Our team of Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your reports are mapped and published regularly. Would you like to join us?
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings

SUBMIT sightings
or call 1-877-323-9776 or eMail
we welcome your sighting reports, photographs, video and audio recordings. please review our media submission guidelines



Jump to:   MAP | SIGHTINGS | HEAT MAP | MAGAZINE



The Magazine



REGIONAL & WEST COAST


Times-Colonist, Victoria

I earn my living introducing people from all over the world to the majestic beauty of the West Coast and its wildlife. Every day, I watch as tourists are blown away by encounters with wild killer whales, and I’m told how lucky British Columbians are to have such magnificent creatures and unspoiled natural beauty right in our backyard.

But for how much longer will we be able to say that?

Kinder Morgan’s pipeline and tanker proposal threatens the survival of our iconic killer whale population and, as a result, it puts the multimillion-dollar whale-watching industry on the line ....


Grind TV



A day after a migrating gray whale appeared off Dana Point, heralding the start of another whale-watching season in Orange County, a killer whale megapod stole the spotlight.

The rare showing Wednesday of more than 50 offshore killer whales marked the first known appearance of this ecotype in Southern California since last January.

The timing coincides with the anticipated arrival of thousands of gray whales, sporadically over the next several weeks, as they migrate from Arctic feeding grounds to nursing grounds in Mexico ....


CBC News, BC


Humpback whales are returning to B.C. waters in the largest numbers seen in decades.

But some researchers believe the province's coast is becoming perilous for those returning humpbacks because of debris.

Back in mid-September, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) was able to free a whale from a line and anchor; but last week, another humpback whale died after getting tangled in fish farm equipment....


Vancouver Sun, BC


Researchers are using a drone to obtain samples from the blow sprays of humpback whales on the B.C. coast and analyzing the contents as a way to measure health.

Lance Barrett-Lennard, a whale scientist with the Vancouver Aquarium, said Saturday that a drone used last August off northern Vancouver Island flew three to four metres above humpbacks.

In an interview at a marine mammal symposium at the University of B.C., Barrett-Lennard said that the drone is flown off a small motorized research vessel, first conducting flights at an altitude of about 45 metres to obtain images of the overall health of the whales.


CANADA


iTech Post


Climate change affects everyone on Earth. Marine life is especially affected as the oceans also become warm. A study shows that whales might be vulnerable to this. Whales are affected as the climate warms and ice melts in the poles.

Whales who make the Arctic their home during the summer months are greatly affected. There is much study about ice in the poles slowly melting as the climate warms. The loss of habitat could very well disrupt whales as they try to adapt to a changing world....


CBC News


The food chain in Hudson Bay is drastically changing as killer whales take advantage of less sea ice and eat their way into Manitoba, a researcher in Arctic mammal populations says.

Steven Ferguson, a researcher with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the University of Manitoba, will be presenting his findings in Winnipeg this week at ArcticNet 2016, the largest single gathering of scientists focused on the rapidly changing Arctic.

"We are seeing a lot more killer whale activity in Hudson Bay and they are a top predator. They are really a magnificent, interesting predator — highly efficient," Ferguson said......


Earth Touch News


In the summer of 2015, a research team from Canada's Dalhousie University sailed their boat near an oceanic region called the Flemish Cap, towing an underwater microphone behind them. There, in waters about 500 kilometres east of Newfoundland, the researchers recorded the telltale sounds of an unexpected animal: the northern bottlenose whale. At the time, the team was unable to spot the whales, so this past summer, they went back.
"This summer we sailed directly out there, and there they were," Hal Whitehead, whale researcher at Dalhousie, told CBC News. "They popped up around the boat, and once the fog moved off a little bit, we had a lot of whales, at least 50, more like 100 or 200 in the area."

Sighting over 100 whales in one spot would be exciting enough ...


INTERNATIONAL


orcanorway.info




Earth Touch News



The beautiful aerial footage was captured this week by YouTuber Kieran Donnelly. Humpbacks are some of the most commonly seen whales in the area as they move down south-west Africa biannually – but an aggregation this big is a rare sight! "We were about 1,900 metres offshore," Donnelly notes in the video description.


Horse & Hound, UK



A video has captured the “beautiful interaction” between racehorses and dolphins.

The footage was recorded by Charlotte Littlefield who is from Somerset, but is currently training racehorses in Melbourne, Australia.

Ms Littlefield was exercising horses on the beach on 26 October when the dolphins swam over to investigate.

“We train at the beach most mornings to relax the horses as well as aiding recovery after strenuous workouts,” said Ms Littlefield.

“The dolphins make occasional appearances and love the company of horses often trying to play with them.

“The connection you feel between the two animals is extremely unique and beautiful — it’s a real privilege.


Radio NZ


Fewer Bryde's whales are being hit in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf after a deal to make cargo and cruise ships go slower.

The voluntary protocol was introduced two years ago in a bid to better protect the whales, which are resident year-round in the waters around the north-east Auckland region.

The protocol was developed over a couple of years and involved scientists, shipping companies and the Ports of Auckland....

Magazine Submissions

the magazine accepts submissions of links to published articles and media of interest to our readers. we welcome original articles, letters, notices, photography, video and audio


SUBMIT
to the magazine





original material guidelines
notices: 100 words max.; letters & articles: 500 words max.
you or your organization must be authors of the work and are solely responsible for its content. the magazine gives no assurance material submitted will be published. media submission guidelines


DONATE
to the non profit wild ocean whale society

VOLUNTEER
review our volunteer opportunities

SUBMIT sightings
or call 1-877-323-9776 or eMail
we welcome your sighting reports, photographs, video and audio recordings. please review our media submission guidelines



Jump to:   MAP | SIGHTINGS | HEAT MAP | MAGAZINE


SUBSCRIBE
receive sightings update eMail notices

CONTACT
the wild ocean whale society