Orca News! Another calf spotted for the Southern Resident Killer Whales J-Pod! The population was in desperate need of a boost and we welcome J-052! This is incredibly good news for their population. Farther up the coast, we have Transient Bigg's Orca making appearances with Pacific White Sided Dolphins near by, plus a few other unconfirmed identities of whales. We are still expecting to get reports very soon of Humpback Whales coming through our inside waters, while Gray Whales are already migrating up the outer coast of Vancouver Island.

Non-Profit Society News:

Our main web site is now 'mobile friendly' even though it is still in need of a few updates.

We received a second quote from another company for our live feed web camera which shaved $1600 off the original quote for the same camera! We are working on options since it is still very expensive.

To this end, you might consider ordering your raffle ticket for our 2015 Summer Raffle. It truly is bigger and better with seven tours, a Pacific Coastal Flight, BC Ferries travel, accommodation, and an award winning framed print combined into this huge raffle. We do have an Early Bird Draw which will also allow for entries to qualify for the final Draw. Get your tickets now! Click here for Details!

Tickets will also be available soon in Campbell River, Sechelt and Powell River locations – we will keep you posted. Thank you all for your support.

Susan MacKay & Lynne Cracknell, Whales and Dolphins BC

For our DONATE page click here.

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?

We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society

Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.

SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES:

March 30: Just got a report that the Southern Resident Killer Whales known as J-pod were in Active Pass earlier today. There is a rumour of a possible new calf! J052. (which has been confirmed – Exciting News! - SM)

Josh McInnes, Victoria.

TRANSIENT BIGG'S KILLER WHALES:

Transient Bigg's known as T011A

older photo of Whale spotted March 29, 2015

Josh McInnes, Victoria

April 1:

11:35 am: Orca near Johnston Bluff, in Bute Inlet. Not on scene yet, but report says there are 4 – 5 Orca.

Fabien Minfray Campbell River Whale Watching

April 1:

12:33 pm: 3-4 Orca by Stuart Island heading into Bute Inlet. All small fins.

1:49 pm Turned out to be only 3 Orca, all small fins, one was very small but no yellowing.

Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.

April 1:

3:47 pm: Six Transient Bigg's Orca in Juan de Fuca Strait. heading east of Beachy Head, off Sooke on Vancouver Island.

Josh McInnes, Victoria.

March 29:

12:00 pm: Lone Orca heading north at Bolmont Shoals in Haro Strait.

10:09 pm: The lone Orca turned out to be two Orca – Transient Bigg's T011 and T011A – someone I know ID'd them and sent the info to me.

Josh McInnes, Victoria.

March 28:

3:04 pm: Five Transient Bigg's Killer Whales heading west at Beecher Bay, near Sooke on South Vancouver Island.

Josh McInnes, Victoria.

March 26:

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales known as T101s and T124C were sighted heading south in Trincomali Channel, which is between Saltspring and Galiano Islands.

Josh McInnes, Victoria.

UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES:

March 30:

8:00 pm: At least 2 big fins earlier today in Blind Channel, West Thurlow Island. (presumed to be Transient Bigg's, but no confirmation - SM)

Fabien Minfray Campbell River Whale Watching

March 30:

I just wanted to report that I have seen a pod of what looks to be like Killer Whales. (These could be either Southern Resident or Transient Bigg's Orca – SM) I first spotted them on Friday and was able to capture some video of them (not great quality), and saw them again this evening. I saw them in the area just off Benwalden Road in Lantzville outside of the “Bay” by Nanoose First Nations and the Navy Base. My neighbour and I were trying to count and I would say between 5 – 7 whales! It was so amazing to see. When I saw them they were just spending time going back and forth in the Bay area so not sure which direction they ended up going. Thanks for all you do,

Erin Pollock.

Video clip of Orca in Nanoose Bay

March 30, 2015

Erin Pollock

March 29:

Wow! Sunday saw at least 5 or 6 Orca feeding on herring in Nanoose Bay! At least two were babies. They followed two herring fishing boats for about 1 hour in a rather shallow area of Nanoose Bay, between Nanoose Bay Spit and Lantzville Beach on Vancouver Island.

Nancy Page.

Mar 26:

6:50 pm: Orca mid Strait between Duke Point on Vancouver Island, and Vancouver. No direction given.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.

GRAY WHALES

Mar 25: I am in Ucluelet, west coast of Vancouver Island, for my Spring whale watching trip. Saw about 1/2 a dozen Grays off the Lighthouse headed west yesterday afternoon. I am going to Tofino today as the big boat here is not going out today but I will go out on Jamie's big boat there.

Don McBain. North Vancouver.

PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

April 1:

9:52 am: Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Seymour Narrows, north of Campbell River in Discovery Passage, northbound.

From Radio.

April 1:

10 am Pacific White Sided Dolphins westing in Seymour Narrows.

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.

April 1:

Shortly after 10 am: Web cam capture shows at least 25 Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Brown's Bay, which is just north of Campbell River on Vancouver Island, and about 50 more Dolphins on the other side.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

off Brown's Bay breakwater, Discovery Passage

April 1, 2015

Web Camera Screen Capture

April 1:

Large group of Pacific White Sided Dolphins reported at Davis Point.

(from Radio)

April 1:

Summary Report received later: 100 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Davis Point, easting. 3O Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Brown's Bay, northing, and 50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Frederick's Arm.

Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.

LINKS

It looks like more good news for the Southern Residents with the birth of another baby to J pod!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/orca-calf-raises-hopes-of-baby-boom-in-endangered-population-1.3016834

http://www.theprovince.com/travel/Endangered+orca+group+welcomes+another+baby/10935126/story.htm

A resident of Hornby Island was out kayaking when he caught this footage of a couple of Transient Bigg's Orca hunting sea lions.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1889955/b-c-man-captures-video-of-orcas-attacking-sea-lions-off-hornby-island/?hootPostID=bcc3a702b2c8197592a158ad93646d12

Great aerial footage by Jeremy Williams using a drone during the herring spawn in Powell River. Sea Lions were playing and feeding in the spawn.

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?

1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.

Every sighting report is valuable!

We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society

For our DONATE page click here

Special Update and Short Sightings Report: Killer Whales, Humpback Whales and Dall's Porpoise

This is a Special Update with a short Sightings Report Update below. There has been so much happening!

Society Workings Updates:

Our Web Site – We have made a huge update to our web site. We are now completely 'mobile friendly'! Google informed us that we were not mobile friendly and we had to make changes for them to continue to index us. We rely on their support and did a bit of hopping to fix issues which meant a total rework and update of the site itself. There are a few new and moved pages. Please drop us an email to let us know what you think.

Our Burger and Beer Night held March 10^th at Savoury Bight Restaurant and Pub, Powell River – This was a huge success with incredible support from you and our incredible Sponsors (there is a new Sponsors Link on our web site) who donated to help us achieve the $1359.00, after our only cost, the cost of food, towards the purchase and installation of our live feed web camera and hydrophone system off Grief Point, Powell River. Based on the quote we received, would you be interested in joining us for another, buffet style this time? See next item below.

Web Camera and Hydrophone system – There is much communication and work behind the scenes to make every dollar we get from you count. Unfortunately, the first quote we received for the web camera alone was extremely excessive in our way of thinking. The quote came in on an Axis Q6044E MKII, camera only, at $6,043.60! We are continuing to work on finding a good fit in both quality and price. If anyone out there has an ideas or possible solutions, we welcome the input!

Mapping – We are working on getting some data ready to publish mapped information on the whereabouts of the whales, dolphins and porpoise sightings that are reported to us. This will be very visual using a satellite or graphic style map which you will be able to toggle.

2015 Fundraising Raffle – This is a Huge one, Bigger and Better, with a total of seven wildlife tours, Pacific Coastal flight, BC Ferries passes, Accommodation and a framed Award winning photo up for grabs. Details are available on line at: http://whalesanddolphinsbc.com/events-and-raffles-2/2015-raffle/

We will also be posting on Facebook as well as these Updates, the locations of ticket availability as soon as we have confirmation of dates, times and locations. We are working on locations in Campbell River, Sechelt and Powell River. Otherwise, ticket orders can be submitted on line. We use Paypal which allows for any credit card payments. You do not need a Paypal account.

Whales and Dolphins – Yes, there are a few Killer Whale sightings reports coming in, but mostly they have been elusive. Most sightings are distant without photos to help us establish if the whales are from Transient Bigg's (meat eaters) or Resident (fish eaters) pods. There is a report of a larger group of Dall's Porpoise in the back channels. We should also start seeing a Humpback Whales starting to back into the inside waters. There have been a few that have stayed just close to the bottom of Vancouver Island all winter, but none this year in the inside waters of the Georgia Strait.

Susan MacKay & Lynne Cracknell, Whales and Dolphins BC

For our DONATE page click here.

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?

We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society

Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.

KILLER WHALES

Orca by Dryad Point Lighthouse

March 20, 2015

Mike Clarke, CCG, Victoria

Mar 24:

3:00 pm: 3 Orca westing past Camp Point, all females, one calf. Correction, there are four Orca, maybe one big fin.

Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.

Mar 23:

6:00 pm: There are Orca traveling in front of Scuttle Bay just south of Atrevida Reef and moving northwards towards Lund on the Sunshine Coast. Just saw one jump high. Looks like there are three at most. They seemed to stop and eat in front of Scuttle Bay, the one closest to Lund keeps jumping, so cool

Wendy Galligos, Powell River.

March 23:

8:00 pm: Orca in front of Campbell River. Five small fins northbound in front of Campbell River. One of our employees posted this.

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.

Mar 22:

12:53 pm: Pod of Orca in front of Dryad Point Lighthouse. Dryad Point is on the northeast end of Campbell Island, just north of Bella Bella on the B.C. Mainland. (These are possibly Northern Resident Killer Whales, but the clarity of the clip makes it too difficult to be sure. A42's had been seen a while ago in the area. - SM)

Mike Clarke, CCG, Victoria

Mar 22:

12:00 pm: We were out diving on Snake Island off Nanaimo when we spotted a small pod of about 4 or so Orca heading from the Protection Island area towards Gabriola Island and around the northern point of the Island.

Brian Timmer. VIU Dive Club.

Mar 19:

Today a friend of mine posted a photo of whales off shore at Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island. There were three of them, in one of the photos you can see them blowing. So exciting. Perhaps I will go on a short road trip tomorrow.

Linda, Parksville

Mar 18:

2:00 pm: I saw these around 2:00 pm on March 18 off the north end of Qualicum Beach public area on Vancouver Island. It looked like a mom, her “teenager,” and if you look by her fin you can see the baby's face. They seemed to be heading a bit towards the mainland…fairly east, but they did swim south a bit before I lost sight of them.

Linda Vermeulen, Fanny Bay.

Orca off Qualicum Beach

March 18, 2015

Linda Vermeulen, Fanny Bay

March 18:

12:15 pm Third hand report of Orca by Black Point, Powell River. They're Northbound.

Around 12:40 pm I drove down to Grief Point and spotted one big male dorsal, a female and possibly a calf just off Myrtle Rocks. The sea lions were right in by the shore feeding on the herring spawn. I think the Orca were already on a kill and turned back or went across to Texada. After seeing them four to six times, I never saw them again although I watched for them to pass. There was a very cold, strong wind blowing creating waves.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Mar 17:

Just saw Orca in Parksville Bay, just off my street, Dogwood Bay. Exciting. That was late this morning. They were still there when I went back after lunch, seemed like they were moving north, not sure. There were four of them.

Linda K. Derksen. Parksville.

Mar 16:

Late report from a ferry worker that there were Orca northbound past Campbell River at 9:30 am.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

March 16:

12:00 pm: It's always exciting to see an Orca pod but this one was especially exciting because it had a baby! There were three of us who saw the pod. They were in Discovery Passage, off Campbell River, and they were traveling south.

Heather Bojsza.

HUMPBACK WHALES

March 18:

Thanks to Randy Hodge for sending in this video of a Humpback Whale sighted in Puget Sound, off Carkeek Park. Filmed by Alisa Lemire Brooks. We aren't certain if these are Humpbacks that stayed in the area over winter, or are ones returning to our waters.

 

DALL'S PORPOISE

Mar 16:

2:34 pm: Bunch of Dall's Porpoise around Kanish Bay area, Quadra Island, there are four bow riding and more behind.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.

LINKS

Three lovely videos of Humpback Whales seen earlier this year in Maui. It's great to have people submit videos of interest to us and you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFMOIhQAvSI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w39FnKAQxF0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfhQMoNZPgQ

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?

1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.

Every sighting report is valuable!

We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society

For our DONATE page click here.

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales, Orca, Dolphins and Porpoise

Orca have been making short appearances in the Powell River – Campbell River and Comox areas. We only know for certain that some of them were actually Transient Bigg's (meat eating) Killer Whales. We have heard that our usual Northern Resident pod known as the A42's – the ones that were in the viral video rubbing on the beach and including A103, Albion, the calf born Dec. 2012, were seen quite a distance up the coast close to Bella Bella. The question is who are all the ones spotted around here? We have also had many pods of Pacific White Sided Dolphins seen between Texada and Jervis inlet.

Our Burger and Beer Night fundraiser is coming up and hope that all those close by can make the March 10^th date at the Savoury Bight Restaurant and Pub at Beach Gardens, Grief Point, Powell River. We have numerous Door prizes and Toonie Toss prizes. It's going to be a fun night for all starting at 5pm to make it easy for families to join us. The cost is $15 for Burger (beef or veggie) with Fries, and a Beer (or wine). Kids can always share the Burger and fries while the adults enjoy the beer or wine! The net proceeds are going towards the live web camera and hydrophone we are setting up off Grief Point to look and listen towards Myrtle Rocks where we have a fair bit of Whale activity. This is the first of a series of web cameras we have in the works, so all of your support is greatly appreciated. And, you do need to eat, right? Come join us!

Our prizes include: Mother Nature Plants & Pets, Paparazzi Pizza, Snickers Restaurant, Powell River Complex Concession, Thaidal Zone Restaurant, Westview U-Brew, Colin James, Springtime Garden Center, and MORE!

A huge thank your to Savoury Bight Restaurant and Pub & all our donors for sponsoring this event!

Susan MacKay & Lynne Cracknell, Whales and Dolphins BC

For our DONATE page click here.

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?

We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society

Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.

T086s Baby popping up for a breath

February 25, 2014 – 3 photos

Susan MacKay, SG Images

TRANSIENT BIGG'S KILLER WHALES

Feb 26:

9:42 am: There have been numerous sightings of Transient Bigg's Killer Whales all up and down Johnstone Strait over the last couple of weeks.

Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.

Feb 25:

9:20 am: Four Orca sort of milling just south of the viewpoint at Powell River. They're really close to shore.

Grant Rainsley, Powell River

Feb 25:

9:30 am approx. Had grabbed gear and was off the dock in record time determined to find out who we had out here! Picked up 5 Orca just off the Powell River mill cutting between the draggers who had followed me out of the harbour and were just setting nets. Then the other 4 Orca popped up closer to Harwood Island. They were on a definite track up the coast.

10:26 am: Leaving 9 Orca heading towards Mystery Reef off Savary Island northwest bound.

4:50 pm: Finally got through photos. I could only confirm the Transient Bigg's T86A's. Don't know who the others were and didn't see T87 with them. Got great baby photo!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.

Feb 25:

9:30 am: We live a few blocks above the Westview Powell River Ferry Terminal. I looked out the kitchen window this morning and saw Killer Whales. There were about six of them, not sure, and they were about 100 meters off the Powell River shoreline, traveling towards Lund. There were two Draggers about another 200 meters away from shore. No other boats or wildlife nearby. Exciting stuff!

Dan Tatham, Powell River.

Feb 25:

12:37 pm: Two Orca, possibly a Mom and calf or juvenile, spotted on the north side of Savary island crossing towards False Pass between Hernando Island and Savary.

Gordie Coles, Savary Island / Lund.

T086s and Friends

February 25, 2014 – 3 photos

Susan MacKay, SG Images

UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES

these are presumed to be Transient Bigg's Orca

Mar 3:

8:05 am: About 5 Orca including one big fin on the Vancouver Island side of Texada Island, southbound.

Steve Grover, Powell River.

March 3:

9 – 9:35 am: I watched a few blows from the Orca after the call from Steve. They were doing long dives going back and forth about half way between Coho Point and Rebecca Rocks, off Powell River. Then suddenly after a long gap I spotted them angling towards Powell River by Harwood Island. After grabbing gear I thought before rushing out to see who these Orca were, I'd best see their current location.....not a blow or dorsal to be seen till 10:30 am! Unfortunately, I had more computer work, so although the ocean was calling, work took priority over searching for these elusive Orca. No other reports came in, so they stayed elusive.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Mar 2:

7:30 am: Report from a ferry worker of 10 Orca southbound by Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island. One large fin and a couple of young ones in the group.

8:15 am: I can see them just coming up from We Wai Kai Village on Quadra Island, favouring the Quadra side of the Strait. I'm on the ferry.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.

Feb 28:

11:20 am: Orca mid Strait between Comox-Powell River. From Lucy who works in our office and is watching from the ferry!

Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris.

February 20:

9:19 am: Five Orca, one really huge one, northbound by Albion Point in Powell River.

(Caller did not leave name.)

Rec'd March 3:

3 weeks ago 9 Orcas passed right in front of our sailboat between Texada and Harwood Island. Since then I heard, that they are still around in this area. Last week they were seen around Myrtle Point near Powell River. Have a nice sunny day!
Monique Labusch, Powell River

Orca while sailing Powell River

Photo Monique Labusch, Powell River

NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES

Feb 26: Report of a Resident pod hanging out around Blind Channel, between West and East Thurlow Islands, over the past 2 weeks. From a trusted source.

Fabien Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.

PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

March 1:

7:08 am: If anyone is up – there are two pods of Dolphins off Donkersley and between the area of Patrick Road to Black Point in Powell River. Huge pod headed north, smaller one still off Black point. (via Facebook)

Kimmy Faerie, Powell River.

March 1:

9:00 am: Report of a couple of groups of Pacific White Sided Dolphins northbound by Myrtle Rocks, Powell River.

11:59 am: Now there is another group of around 20 Pacific White Sided Dolphns foraging back and forth by Myrtle Rocks.

Wendy Heathcote, Powell River

February 28:

Around 11:45 am 80 plus Pacific White Sided Dolphins were headed past Saltery Bay, Texada side of the Strait towards Jervis Inlet. They were spotted off Kent's Beach, south of Powell River.

Lynn Webster, Powell River

HARBOUR PORPOISE

Feb 27:

2:10 pm: About seven or eight Harbour Porpoise, very small dark dorsals off the viewpoint in Powell River.

Andrew Bryant, Powell River

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales T086s with Calf

February 25, 2014 – 1 photos

Susan MacKay, SG Images

LINKS:

Excellent news! A third baby for the highly endangered Southern Residents; two related news stories below:

http://globalnews.ca/video/1856183/raw-l-pod-killer-whale-calf-spotted-off-washington-coast/

http://globalnews.ca/video/1855823/baby-boom-in-southern-resident-killer-whale-population/

The Raincoast Conservation Foundatiion on what is needed to better protect the Southern Resident Killer Whales:

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2015/02/27/4155907/survival-of-endangered-orcas-in.html

M.P Don Davies raises questions about the Governments apparent inability to put a stop to the shipping of whale meat through this country:

http://www.theprovince.com/business/Whale+meat+been+shipped+through+Port+Vancouver+local+claims/10855051/story.html

And a disturbing look at the hunting and capture of Beluga Whales in Russia:

http://www.takepart.com/video/2015/02/27/beluga-white-whale-russia-hunt-gayane-petrosyan-film-cove-blackfish?cmpid=tpdaily-eml-2015-02-27?cmpid=organic-share-mailto

Rec'd February 25^th:

Taken around the Bella Bella, Hunter Channel area February 22, 2014 (see previous report). Video clip from Derek Stewart:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtzLuHe4sK0

To add a bit of humour: There has never been an Orca attack in the wild for those of you wondering about this fake, funny clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKvYBbzqQJw

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?

1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.

Every sighting report is valuable!

We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society

For our DONATE page click here.