Have You Seen Any of These?

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Many Biggs Orca, More Humpbacks and Pods of Harbour Porpoise


Many Transient Bigg's Orca have been mostly staying in the upper reaches of Georgia Strait and into various channels and inlets with some being spotted transitting the lower strait. The lone male Bigg's made his way into Sechelt Inlet then back up the strait. Most Pacific White Sided Dolphins appear to be staying clear with only one sighting of more than a few being spotted, and usually quite spread out. Same with the few Dall's Porpoise, while another large grouping of Harbour Porpoise were once again at the entrance to Howe Sound, presumably well away from the meat eating Bigg's while foraging for their own food.

We haven't been hearing reports about the Northern or Southern Resident Orca pods who may be fishing in the more open waters still.

A few more Humpback Whales have been making their way into our inner waters slowly, mostly staying over by the Vancouver Island side of Georgia Strait. KC and Apollo are still in and around Discovery Passage regions and travelling around some of the islands.

Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society


Transient Bigg's Killer Whale checking out the sights above the water by Bullock Bluff



Society News & Events

Mark your calendars for June 10th ! Join us to celebrate World Oceans Week. Enjoy an evening of great food by Laughing Oyster, music by Devon Hanley, silent and live auctions including trip for 2 to Las Vegas, Pacific Coastal flight and much more fun at Dwight Hall in Powell River. Tickets are available at Hindle's Gifts and Taws Cycle and Sports or at our information tables at Town Center Mall and by Quality Foods. Stop by our booth at the Lund Shellfish Festival May 27-28. Or give us a call. Reserve your tables early!

Real Time Monitoring Station Update:
The camera is mounted at Beach Gardens Marina and we are working on resolving some communications issues to reach the internet. Again, a huge thank you to all the volunteers who have, and are, working on this first installation!

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Sightings Update


ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2017-012

ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP


TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES

Mon May 22 2017

17:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ moving slowly, heading north off Big Rock, Campbell River, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:00 • 1 Biggs Orca heading north by Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Erik Blaney, IHos Cultural Tours

15:51 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ moving slowly, heading north between Willow Point and Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. Two miles offshore. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:30 • est. 6 Biggs Orca hunting, near Lund, Malaspina Strait. Off Bald Rock. One large male with curved tail. Neighbor is a naturalist who works in Telegraph Cove. She alerted us and gave me the count, species, activity and sighting which I confirmed through our telescope.
Jane Lohry Armstrong, Port Ludlow, WA, USA

11:42 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading north between Shelter Point and Willow Point, Georgia Strait. About 1-mile offshore.
11:41 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading north between Shelter Point and Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. After about 15 minutes, the Orca turned and headed southward. After some time, they turned again. Then, two pods joined together.
10:34 • Biggs Orca heading north near Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Divided into 2 groups. One big fin in one of the groups. ▫ Second Hand
10:34 • Biggs Orca in Teakerne Arm. ▫ Second Hand
10:34 • Biggs Orca near Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand

Sun May 21 2017

19:05 • 1 Biggs Orca foraging, heading south-west off Fearney Point near Pender Harbour, Malaspina Strait. Circling, then swam off in a south-west direction. ▫ On Scene
Bob Daniel, Madeira Park, BC

15:10 • Biggs Orca heading into Ramsay Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene


SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales heading into Ramsay Arm
Sun, 21 May 2017 - 6 items







SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales heading into Ramsay Arm
Sun, 21 May 2017 - 6 items


12:08 • Biggs Orca have split up, one group heading towards Rendezvous Islands and second group going towards Bullock Bluff, Sutil Channel.


SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales heading towards Bullock Bluff
Sun, 21 May 2017 - 4 items





SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales heading towards Bullock Bluff
Sun, 21 May 2017 - 4 items


10:54 • Biggs Orca coming out of Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel. Close to Read Island.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures

10:08 • Biggs Orca heading north off Burdwood Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
09:09 • Biggs Orca heading south-west off Hill Island towards Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.

Sat May 20 2017

13:40 • Biggs Orca abeam Orford Bay, Bute Inlet. Mid-channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

12:00 • est. 10 Biggs Orca heading north by Amor Point, Bute Inlet. ▫ Second Hand


SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Ten Transient Bigg's Killer Whales heading noth in Bute Inlet
Sat, 20 May 2017 - 5 items






SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Ten Transient Bigg's Killer Whales heading noth in Bute Inlet
Sat, 20 May 2017 - 5 items


10:34 • 3-4 Biggs Orca at Fawn Bluff, Bute Inlet.
10:01 • Biggs Orca north of Sayward, Johnstone Strait.
10:01 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south in front of Sayward. One large fin.
09:57 • Biggs Orca heading south by Earl Ledge, Hardwicke Island, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Second Hand
09:56 • Biggs Orca by Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out


Fri May 19 2017

20:51 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s; T023s◦ heading north passing the ferry terminal at Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
20:36 • Biggs Orca near the Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage. Putting on a show.
20:12 • 2 Biggs Orca stalled at 50th Parallel Marker in Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Two big bulls for sure.
Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures



SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales stalled at the 50th Parallel Marker in Campbell River
Fri, 19 May 2017 - 1 items
Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures



SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales stalled at the 50th Parallel Marker in Campbell River
Fri, 19 May 2017 - 1 items
Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures


20:03 • 3-4 Biggs Orca heading north at Big Rock, Georgia Strait.

Thu May 18 2017

17:00 • Biggs Orca coming in behind the Humpback Whales in front of the Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
16:45 • 10-12 Biggs Orca heading north between Kinghorn Island and Cortes Island, Lewis Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:00 • 10-12 Biggs Orca between Cortes Island and Kinghorn Island, Lewis Channel. Direction is varying, lots of doubling back. ▫ On Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

15:41 • 10-12 Biggs Orca moving up Lewis Channel.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

15:18 • 10-12 Biggs Orca with some heading towards Sarah Point and some heading for Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:28 • 10-12 Biggs Orca playing, heading towards Lewis Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours



SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
About twelve playful Transient Bigg's Killer Whale heading towards Lewis Channel
Thu, 18 May 2017 - 6 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours







SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
About twelve playful Transient Bigg's Killer Whale heading towards Lewis Channel
Thu, 18 May 2017 - 6 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


14:09 • Biggs Orca breaching, heading south between Powell Islets and Mary Point, Malaspina Strait. Tenacious 3 on scene. ▫ Second Hand
12:51 • Biggs Orca by Twin Islands, Baker Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out



UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES

Mon May 22 2017

17:15 • est. 4-5 Orca spread out, heading south close to Nanoose Bay, Georgia Strait. Seen from private vessel between Nanaimo and Nanoose; suspect to have seen one mom and one juvenile and two possible males ahead of them. ▫ On Scene
Kim Campbell, Nanoose Bay, BC


Fri May 19 2017

15:54 • est. 15-20 Orca tail slaps, heading north in front of Bates Beach, Georgia Strait. Lots of babies, and 2 with very large dorsal fins. One breached. In close to shore about 300 meters out. ▫ Observed from Shore
Harold Bates, Bates Beach, Courtenay, BC



HUMPBACK WHALES

Sun May 21 2017

19:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north-east off Ragged Island west of Bowen Island, Collingwood Channel. Occasional surfacing with some small spouting noted; no fluke, splash, or breaching. Animal seemed undisturbed by recent passing of large cruise ship from north to south near shore of Keats Island; nor from the approach of a tugboat (from a few hundred metres north).
Deborah Bramm, Bowen Island, BC

16:21 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading north off 9 foot bay, Discovery Passage.
15:00 • 1 Humpback Whales off Keats Island in Shoal Channel, Collingwood Channel.
Geordie Harrower, Sechelt, BC


Sat May 20 2017

17:50 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, at Cooper Point, Okisollo Channel. Was heading toward Vancouver Island with the tide. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

17:00 • 1 Humpback Whales off the pier at Roberts Creek, Georgia Strait.
Geordie Harrower, Sechelt, BC

15:11 • Humpback Whales near the entrance to Hole in the Wall.
15:01 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading north at Church House, Sonora Island, Calm Channel.
15:00 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading north at Church House close to shore Sonora Island.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

11:38 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Apollo; BCY0767 Arial◦ heading toward Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:30 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Apollo; BCY0767 Arial◦ taking long dives, west of Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy pointed at Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Dives were 15-20 long. John on scene. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

10:48 • Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Apollo; BCY0767 Arial◦ heading south just past Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. Mid channel.


SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales, BCZ Apollo and BCY0767 Arial, just past Cape Mudge in the middle of the channel
Sat, 20 May 2017 - 4 items





SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales, BCZ Apollo and BCY0767 Arial, just past Cape Mudge in the middle of the channel
Sat, 20 May 2017 - 4 items


10:29 • Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Apollo; BCY0767 Arial◦ heading south south of Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. On Vancouver Island side.
10:05 • Humpback Whales in Bute Inlet.
09:52 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Apollo; BCY0767 Arial◦ heading south by Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
09:22 • 2 Humpback Whales in front of April Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Mid channel.

Fri May 19 2017

16:06 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ doing circles, at Horn Point, Dent Rapids. Breaching also observed.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

15:00 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ bucking tide, at Horn Point.
14:10 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading north-west between Dent Island and the shoreline of Sonora Island, Dent Rapids. Traveling 5 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

12:03 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading north approaching Stuart Island, Calm Channel.
11:15 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading south approaching Hole in the Wall, Calm Channel.
Bradden Kiley,

--:-- • est. 2 Humpback Whales off Frances Bay continuing towards Ramsay Arm, Pryce Channel. One came in close to the boat and then returned to the mouth where Ramsey Arm and Calm channel meet. That was when we observed two blows at the same time. One individual was smaller than the other . They continued in the direction of Ramsey Arm calmly. We did not observe any deep dive activity and would have missed them except we could hear them.
Patricia Schafer,


Thu May 18 2017

22:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north 500 meters out from Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures

18:06 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Whiskey Point, Discovery Passage.
16:54 • 2 Humpback Whales mid-channel in front of Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
14:00 • 1 Humpback Whales just off the lighthouse/Ripple Rock at Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Kaitlin Ross, Sonora Resort

13:10 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Apollo◦ heading north close to Quadra Island, at the Copper Cliffs, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

12:04 • 1 Humpback Whales tail slaps, heading east between Village Island and Gilford Creek, Knight Inlet.
12:04 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north passing Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
11:46 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north straight out from downtown Campbell River, Discovery Passage.

Wed May 17 2017

15:05 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly and bucking the tide, heading south at Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:39 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in Seymour Narrows.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

10:38 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC; BCZ Apollo◦ heading south at Plumper Bay, Discovery Passage.
10:16 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Radio Report
09:52 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, into Deepwater Bay, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort

09:05 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north at Elk Bay, Discovery Passage. One small whale. Information from Leif. ▫ Second Hand
Bradden Kiley,

09:00 • 2 Humpback Whales north of Deepwater Bay, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. The whales crossed over to the Quadra Island side of the waterway. Leif has left them.
08:40 • 2 Humpback Whales just south of Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
07:55 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off No Name Creek, Discovery Passage. Information from a friend. ▫ Second Hand


PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

Sun May 21 2017

13:09 • est. 15 PWS Dolphins, Yuculta Rapids.
10:35 • 10 PWS Dolphins off Church House, Calm Channel.

Sat May 20 2017

10:05 • PWS Dolphins in Bute Inlet. in Bute Inlet.

Thu May 18 2017

10:56 • est. 12 PWS Dolphins at the mouth of the Okisollo Channel.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures


Wed May 17 2017

11:57 • 25-30 PWS Dolphins spread out, in Frederick Arm.


DALLS PORPOISE

Sun May 21 2017

15:52 • 4 Dalls Porpoise off North Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel.

Fri May 19 2017

15:09 • 4 Dalls Porpoise milling, off Horn Point, Dent Rapids.


HARBOUR PORPOISE

Sun May 21 2017

16:48 • est. 50 Harbour Porpoise milling, off Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver, Queen Charlotte Channel. The porpoises were spread out over a large area. They were observed for the entire time I was able to stay at the park, which was 75 minutes. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC

--:-- • 3-4 Harbour Porpoise off Roberts Creek, Georgia Strait. With porpoises for about one hour. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Geordie Harrower, Sechelt, BC


Sat May 20 2017

11:56 • est. 4 Harbour Porpoise in front of Comox Harbour, Georgia Strait.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce


Fri May 19 2017

19:35 • est. 15 Harbour Porpoise spread out, off Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver, Queen Charlotte Channel. Some going south, some going north. In the area for about 10 minutes. Spread out and un-synchronized surfacing which made it difficult to count and keep track of where they were. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA
Harbour Porpoise
Many Harbour Porpoises heading south off of Whytecliff in West Vancouver
Fri, 19 May 2017 - 1 items
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA
Harbour Porpoise
Many Harbour Porpoises heading south off of Whytecliff in West Vancouver
Fri, 19 May 2017 - 1 items
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC


19:24 • est. 6 Harbour Porpoise moving slowly, heading south off Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver. Observed this group for about 5 minutes. ▫ Observed from Shore
19:18 • est. 15 Harbour Porpoise heading south off Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver. ▫ Observed from Shore
19:01 • 4-6 Harbour Porpoise heading south off Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver. Saw this group twice in about 10 minutes. ▫ Observed from Shore
18:21 • 7-8 Harbour Porpoise milling, off Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver. In the area for about 10 minutes. ▫ Observed from Shore
18:11 • est. 12 Harbour Porpoise heading south off Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver. This group was divided into a three smaller pods: the first with about 6 animals and the last two with about 3 animals each. ▫ Observed from Shore
18:03 • 7-10 Harbour Porpoise heading south off Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver. This pod was observed for about 5 minutes. ▫ Observed from Shore
17:51 • 15-20 Harbour Porpoise heading south off Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver. One forward group of about 6 porpoises. Second group was about 12 porpoises. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC


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The Magazine



REGIONAL & WEST COAST


NBC-LA, CA


VIDEO - A rare sighting of a black-and-white speckled dolphin stunned whale-watching spectators off the Southern California coast on Monday.

The bottlenose dolphin named "Patches" was spotted swimming southwest in a pod of 40 other dolphins about four miles off Dana Point, in Orange County, the OC Register reported.

Robin Lowe, a naturalist with the American Cetacean Society, was the first person to see the distinctive creature while aboard the Dana Wharf Whale Watching tour, according to the Register.

"Patches" was first seen in SoCal back in 2006, and since then, there have been infrequent sightings...


WesternPrince.com



This is a family group known as the T123's which consists of a 32-Year-old Mother (Sidney) and her two kids, T123A a 17-year-old male (Stanley), and T123C her 5-year-old daughter(Lucky). They were traveling along when suddenly everything changed when they pursued a large Steller Sea lion. This is the video from that scene. Lots of aerial action today. In the video, you can sometimes see the sea lion. It did not appear that they finished or ate the sea lion and after the attack, they quickly moved out of the area.

All three family members got involved in the hunt, but you will notice the 5-year-old gets in there quite a bit at the end. It's always amazing to see how young these animals in to learn the skills to survive.

This footage was taken along the north shore of San Juan Island. We are just 90 miles north of Seattle, join us for a whale watching tour!

(Traci apologizes for the zooming in and out. Adrenaline was rushing! )
Please note this video was taken with a 600mm lens while abiding by whale watching regulations that can be found at bewhalewise.org

For information about our tours visit WesternPrince.com


INTERNATIONAL


Otago Daily Times, NZ


VIDEO - Dunedin's claim as the wildlife capital of New Zealand has been boosted after researchers found it is home to a whale population second only in significance to Kaikoura's.

University of Otago department of marine science lecturer Dr Will Rayment said a survey of the coast off Dunedin showed it was home to a surprisingly large population of whales.

The population was so dense and varied Dr Rayment believed it was second only to Kaikoura in terms of significance in New Zealand. It was possible there were other areas researchers did not know about.

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