Have You Seen Any of These?

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Sightings: Transients, Dolphins and Porpoise


Transient Orca, Bigg's Killer Whales in abundance. They decided to group up for a bit of socializing then split up again. The Pacific White Sided Dolphins also seem to have re-grouped, possibly safety in numbers reasoning; as did some Harbour Porpoise. A few Dall's Porpoise sightings round out this report. Word has it that the A36 pod of Northern Resident Orca have finally made an appearance in the upper Johnstone Strait.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca - Bigg's Killer Whales

Transient Orca – Bigg's Killer Whales
July 18, 2012
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

July 18:
8:42 am First sighting of around 6 Transient Orca by Sentry Shoal Northbound towards Mitlenatch Island. Didn't take long and there were a number of them spread out.
Sharkey, Painter's Lodge

July 18:
11 am The Orca are almost to Quathiaski Cove. There are two groups plus another bunch by the red can buoy off Cape Mudge. Total of 18 to 20 Orca.
Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

July 18:
1 pm About 12 Orca are heading NW through Seymour Narrows.
3 pm Orca between Maude Island light and Race Point in the Narrows and there are still some by Salmon Point, south of Campbell River.
Various broken radio transmissions

July 18:
5:30 pm We left around 10 Transient Orca Northbound at Race Point.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

July 18:
7:30 pm Sighted Transient Orca group that has two infants. There were about 5 including one very large male, a female with the little guys and several other various. I say transients because of previous sightings on two babes. It was at 7:30 Browns Bay, Campbell River heading North up the inside passage.
Jacquie-Summer Resident Browns Bay

Transient Orca – Bigg's Killer Whales
off Vivian Island - July 9, 2012
Jessica Dohm

July 17:
11:34 am Orca! 9+ Orca really spread out in a couple of groups in Sutil Channel between Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island and Whaletown, Cortez Island.
Jen & Kurt, Campbell River Whale Watching

July 17:
2:20 pm Orca angling towards Viner Point, Read Island. Not sure if they'll decide to go Hoskyns Channel or Whale Passage.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

July 17:
3:25 pm Transient Orca hugged the Read Island shore and headed into Evans Bay.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

July 17:
4:15 pm AJ left the Orca rounding Viner Point looked like they were heading for Heriot Bay or Hoskyns Channel. Doing deep travelling dives.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

Late Reports: Re: July 15:
Orca spotted by Copeland Islands, no time, number or direction.
Joss on a kayak
Mother and calf Orca spotted off Lund by a buddy yesterday (15th).
Gordie Coles, Savary Island/Lund

July 15:
4:55 pm Orcas travelling north east spotted by Kinghorn Island moving towards Station Island and in the direction of Refuge Cove. 4 - 5 individuals, 1 large bull, 2 young ones, 1 other large one (not as big as the bull - maybe mother). Apparently they were also in front of Lund earlier that day - I did not see them as i was coming back w/ our zodiac from Toba inlet when we spotted them. :)
Christine Hollmann, Terracentric Coastal Adventures Ltd.

Transient Orca – Bigg's Killer Whales
off Vivian Island - July 9, 2012
Jessica Dohm

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

July 18:
4 pm 200-300 PWS Dolphins off of Fawn Bluff in Bute Inlet.
Joss, Eagle Eye Adventures

July 17:
11 am 50-60 PWS Dolphins by Horn Point in Dent Rapids. At the same time, there were another 12 PWS Dolphins a little farther along by Denham Island.
Joss & Nick, Eagle Eye Adventures

July 16:
10:30 am 50-60 PWS Dolphins in Bute Inlet by Clipper Point. They're heading towards Fawn Bluff.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

July 16:
12 pm Around 20 PWS Dolphins by Horn Point to Nodales Channel.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

July 16:
4:40 pm 50-60 PWS Dolphins 2 1/2 mi SW of Clipper Point, Bute Inlet. There were also a few in Arran Rapids.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge

July 16:
5:30 pm We had a handful of PWS Dolphins near Quathiaski Cove, Campbell River.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

July 16:
9:30 pm 6+ Pacific White Sided Dolphins came as far down Bute Inlet as Moh Creek had a few leaps as they foraged, then turned to rejoin the rest farther up the inlet. Managed a few foraging vocals.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Dall's and Harbour Porpoise

July 18:
8:05 pm 1 or 2 Harbour Porpoises near Cape Mudge Lighthouse.
Tara Bladon, Campbell River

July 17:
9:54 am 10-12 Harbour Porpoise foraging at the entrance to Bute Inlet by Johnstone Bluffs. There was one very small calf who actually did a little breach beside Mom. So cute!
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

July 17:
12:10 pm Couple of Dall's Porpoise by Sheer Point – Whiterock Pass area.
Joss, Eagle Eye Adventures

July 16:
10 am Couple of Dall's Porpoise by Denham Island, Dent Rapids area.
Sharkey, Painter's Lodge

July 16:
10:30 am 2 Harbour Porpoise in Calm Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

July 16:
6 pm 2 Harbour Porpoise foraging mid channel near Cape Mudge Lighthouse.
Tara Bladon, Campbell River