There has been an increase in the number of sightings of Transient Orca in our inland waters. One report indicated that a pod of Transient Orca were feeding, indicating that they had hunted, caught, and killed its prey whatever it may have been. Possible prey for Transients Orca include porpoise, dolphins, smaller baleen whales, seals, and sea lions. A relatively large pod of Pilot whales were reported in Juan de Fuca Strait and they were displaying a variety of behaviours including spy-hopping and tail-slapping. Like Orca, Pilot whales are part of the dolphin family and are the second largest dolphin in the world reaching lengths of 7 meters. They can be recognized by their black bodies, round bulbous heads, and low rounded dorsal fins that have a broad base. Pilot whales are not very common in BC waters but they do appear occasionally like this past week. Our report includes a number of sightings of Humpback whales and a few sightings of the Pacific White-Sided dolphins as well as the Dall's porpoise and Harbour Porpoise. Enjoy them while they are still here and as the weather is relatively pleasant.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whale fluking in Butte Inlet
Kurt Staple, Eagle Eye Adventures
Society News & Events
Real Time Monitoring Station Update: We're LIVE!
Connect to our first installation mounted at Beach Gardens Marina click on our YouTube Channel Live Link. Please bear with us as we work on the transmission problems causing the intermittent bouncy images. Even with the bouncy images, we still managed to have a couple of whale sightings. The hydrophone (underwater listening) installation will follow.
Thank You to all our hardworking volunteers and contributors!
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Sightings Update
ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2017-035
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Tue Sep 19 2017
15:05 • 5 Biggs Orca heading north off Mary Point, Cortes Island, Malaspina Strait.
Erik Blaney, IHos Cultural Tours
13:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ between Johnstone Bluff and Hole in the Wall, Calm Channel. Sharing a meal.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:36 • 3 Biggs Orca heading west, Baker Passage.
09:26 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north in False Passage, Waddington Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Erik Blaney, IHos Cultural Tours
09:20 • Biggs Orca heading south north of Elk Bay, Discovery Passage.
08:37 • Biggs Orca heading south off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Sep 18 2017
14:45 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south close to the shore of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:57 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south passed Quartz Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
11:07 • Biggs Orca heading south off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. Heading towards Mitlenatch at 4 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:22 • Biggs Orca in Discovery Passage. -possibly T060s- in Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:22 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north between Hill Island and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
09:05 • est. 7 Biggs Orca heading south in front of Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
08:44 • Biggs Orca heading south between Quathiaski Cove and Discovery Harbour Marina, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Sep 16 2017
16:47 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ in Pryce Channel. Angled towards Waddington Channel.
16:19 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ at Double Island entrance to Toba Inlet, Pryce Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:13 • Biggs Orca at Elizabeth Island, Pryce Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jen Smalley, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:15 • est. 2 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading south mid channel south of Moresby Island toward Brethour Island, Prevost Passage. Traveling along surface, then deep dives as many commercial whale watching vessels arrived. ▫ On Scene
Ray And Sue Andrews, North Saanich, BC
12:51 • Biggs Orca mid channel between South Rendezvous Island and Raza Island, Calm Channel.
Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort
12:22 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ mid channel, pointed at Lewis Channel, between middle Rendezvous Islands and Raza Island, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:14 • Biggs Orca along the shore of Maurelle Island just south of Hole in the Wall, Calm Channel.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:41 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ just north of Hole in the Wall close to the shore of Sonora Island, Calm Channel.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:17 • 6-8 Biggs Orca by Brasseau Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
09:25 • Biggs Orca by Dent Island at Engels Rock, Dent Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
08:34 • 5 Biggs Orca ◦T002C2 Tumbo; T002Cs◦ heading north through Gillard Passage in front of Sonora Lodge, Yuculta Rapids.
Ryan Stewart, Sonora Resort
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales heading south near Cape Mudge during the summer
Sun, 6 Aug 2017 - 1 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales heading south near Cape Mudge during the summer
Sun, 6 Aug 2017 - 1 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue Sep 19 2017
16:33 • 2 Humpback Whales north of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:51 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west off the south end of Penn Islands. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:51 • Humpback Whales west of Center Islet, Sutil Channel. Blows were observed.
David Gauci, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:47 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ0338 Geometry◦ near Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jen Smalley, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:33 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, between Penn Islands and Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:12 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ0338 Geometry◦ south of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Josh Grin, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:21 • 2 Humpback Whales off Coulter Island, Sutil Channel.
14:21 • 1 Humpback Whales between Penn Islands and Rendezvous Islands, Sutil Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
11:08 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south approaching Hole in the Wall in Calm Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
08:00 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, in Big Bay by Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort
Mon Sep 18 2017
18:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
17:41 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in front of Maud Island in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. In front of land bridge in 60 feet of water.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south abeam Eagles Cove on the other side of Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:25 • 2 Humpback Whales off Granite Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
14:17 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Radio Report
12:32 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in Plunger Passage close to the shore of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
12:01 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick: BCY0057 Niagara◦ heading north angled at Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:00 • Humpback Whales heading south in Deer Passage. Approaching Lewis Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
11:49 • Humpback Whales in Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:50 • 3 Humpback Whales off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. The blows were seen from a distance.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
10:13 • 3-4 Humpback Whales between Francisco Point and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:57 • 1 Humpback Whales between Center Islet and Hill Island, Sutil Channel. One blow was seen.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
09:30 • 2 Humpback Whales by Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Elvis Chikite, Pacific Pro Dive
09:03 • 2 Humpback Whales off the buoy at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Sep 16 2017
18:43 • 1 Humpback Whales out from Quadra Island Scallop Farm pointed towards Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
18:42 • 2 Humpback Whales by Centre Islet, Sutil Channel. Small whales. ▫ Leaving the Scene
18:42 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ0338 Geometry; BCZ Apollo◦ out from Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
18:42 • 2 Humpback Whales close to Whaletown, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
17:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north from Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
17:40 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ0338 Geometry; BCZ Apollo◦ circled toward Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
16:34 • 1 Humpback Whales half-mile off the north tip of Denman Island, Georgia Strait. Very young.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
16:29 • 2 Humpback Whales off the marker at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:20 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ0338 Geometry; BCZ Apollo◦ between Whaletown and Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
16:07 • 2 Humpback Whales between the Quadra Island - Cortes Island ferry line and Centre Islet, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:37 • 1 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Josh Grin, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:22 • 3 Humpback Whales tight to the north east side of Hornby Island, Georgia Strait.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
13:26 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, off Francisco Point and the edge of Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
David Gauci, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:51 • Humpback Whales breaching, by the shoreline of Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort
11:16 • 2 Humpback Whales abeam Coulter Bay between Subtle Islands and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:15 • 1 Humpback Whales heading towards Marina Island in the middle of Sutil Channel. Small one.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
09:27 • 2 Humpback Whales at Evans Bay pointing toward Viner Point, Sutil Channel.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:25 • 2-3 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0057 Niagara◦ heading into Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:10 • 1 Humpback Whales off Powell Islets, Malaspina Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
08:35 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, 800 metres west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Ed Sharkey, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
Fri Sep 15 2017
17:27 • 2 Humpback Whales between Denman Island and Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales off of Heriot Bay
Sun, 10 Sep 2017 - 2 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales off of Heriot Bay
Sun, 10 Sep 2017 - 2 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales off of Heriot Bay
Mon, 11 Sep 2017 - 2 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales off of Heriot Bay
Mon, 11 Sep 2017 - 2 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales in Bute Inlet
Fri, 15 Sep 2017 - 4 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales in Bute Inlet
Fri, 15 Sep 2017 - 4 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Tue Sep 19 2017
11:00 • 20 PWS Dolphins resting, off Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Jen Smalley, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Sep 16 2017
14:20 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading south passing Davis Point angled into Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise
PILOT WHALES
Fri Sep 15 2017
--:-- • est. 50-75 Pilot Whales moving slowly, in the western end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. I was coming in on the MS Eurodam cruise ship from Alaska, and we began seeing them spread out as far as we could see across the strait. They were mostly just slowly travelling in smaller groups spread very far out, with some surface logging, occasionally spy hopping and tail slapping. I've seen many Orca whales throughout the area, but never anything like this. It was pretty amazing.
Pamela Ren,
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise
DALLS PORPOISE
Mon Sep 18 2017
12:38 • 20 Dalls Porpoise off Horn Point, Dent Rapids.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
Sat Sep 16 2017
16:58 • Dalls Porpoise playing, off Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
David Gauci, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Mon Sep 18 2017
09:22 • 6-7 Harbour Porpoise in Discovery Passage. Possibly close to some Transient Orca.
Radio, overheard or call out
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 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
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
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 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
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
The Magazine
Due to the large number of sightings, The Magazine will return in the next issue.
DONATE
to the non profit wild ocean whale society