Dolphins by the hundreds, Northern
Resident Orca travelling long distances up and down Johnstone Strait,
a few Transient Bigg's Killer Whales on the hunt, and Humpback Whales
moving up to regular feeding grounds. Harbour Porpoise have been the
main target of the Transient Bigg's Orca these past few days.
Links: Winner of the Whale Watching
Trip drawn during Powell River Sea Fair, Joan Bech has sent in a
lovely comment and Youtube link to their time on the water. See below
reports.
Since repair of the regular email feed
has not worked so far, email subscribers will continue receiving
these reports by clicking on a direct link to the page sent manually
by email until it can be sorted out. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Photos are back in these reports.
Susan
MacKay, Whales
and Dolphins BC
Have you seen a whale,
dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776
or Email
your report.
Every sighting report is
valuable
Northern
Resident Killer Whales
The A8's by Chatham
Point
August 15, 2013
David Truman
August 18:
12:08 Orca Eastbound 2 miles West off
Hickey Point, above Kelsey Bay.
12:42 pm A8's still Eastbound now below
Hickey Point while the PWS Dolphins continued to the West.
1:53 pm A8's turned towards the West
and are between Yorke and Fanny Islands foraging.
Lee,
Adventure Quest
August 18:
3:08 pm Left the A8's Westbound by
Jessie Island off Port Neville.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
August 17:
11:01 am A5's reportedly all in Robson
Bight.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
August 17:
6 pm A5's currently at Kaikash Creek,
top of Johnstone Strait Eastbound.
Mark, Discovery Marine
Safaris
August 16:
11:10 am Orca at Race Pass, below
Kelsey Bay, heading East. With Jen.
Aaron
Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
August 16:
10:30 am Orca seen Southbound off
Cordero Lodge.
Boater
August 16:
12 pm A23's and A25's Eastbound fast at
7.2 knots by Tyee Point, Johnstone Strait.
Jos
Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
August 16:
12 pm A8's just passing Shoal Bay.
By 12:41 pm the A8's were foraging by
Channe Island where Nodales and Cordero Channels meet.
3:04 pm A8's are heading West by
Chatham and Howe Islands toward the A23/25's.
4:27 pm A23/25's are now heading into
Nodales Channel by Howe Island. The A8's disappeared and my have just
gone right past the others.
5:37 pm Humpback Whale and NRKWs A23's
and A25's are at Davis Point in Nodales Channel.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
August 16:
10:55 am Orca by Kelsey Bay.
1 pm A23/25's Eastbound still by Bear
Point.
1:43 pm Leaving the Orca near Ripple
Point still Eastbound.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
August 16:
5:18 pm the A8's are approaching Bear
Bight Westbound.
Discovery Marine Safaris
August 15:
10:24 am A8's are Eastbound by Windy
Point, Johnstone Strait at about 4-5 knots. Didn't see the A36
brothers with them this time.
11:31 am Left the A8's 1 mile East of
Hickey Point still Eastbound along the Vancouver Island shoreline.
1:31 pm A8's are now at Peterson Island
just below Kelsey Bay still Eastbound at around 6 knots.
3 pm The Residents are currently
Eastbound by Camp Point.
4 pm Left the Resident Orca still
Eastbound half mile past Camp Point, Johnstone Strait.
Mark, Discovery Marine
Safaris
August 15:
5:54 pm A8's are Eastbound still and
now at Ripple Point.
John, Discovery Marine
Safaris
August 15:
4:40 pm the cruise ship MS Amsterdam
encountered Orcas while southbound, 4:40 PM, about an hour before
entering Seymour Narrows. There was a pod of six, and a lone male a
bit farther off. Photos attached. I have more photos if you want, but
there were the best ones. Another photo. I count 7 fins!
David Truman
August 15:
8:15 pm A8's are Eastbound into Nodales
Channel.
Aaron
Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Transient Bigg's Orca on the Move
August 16, 2013
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient
Bigg's Killer Whales
August 18:
5:15 pm 4 Orca by Marina Island
northbound – probably the T02C's. Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures found
them.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
August 18:
7:14 pm The Transients are headed to
the Breton Islands off Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island slowly.
Jos
Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
August 15:
10:25 am Transient Bigg's Orca found
right at the entrance to Hole in the Wall.
10:49 am They're by Florence Cove
heading towards Okisollo Channel.
Oak Bay Titan
August 15:
1:30 pm Left the 8 Transients, T101's,
102 and 90's at the South end of Beazley Pass Southbound. Watching
them go through Hole in the Wall was a magical moment.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
August 15:
2:11 pm Leaving the Transients
Southbound by Conville Bay, Hoskyns Channel doing 6 knots.
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
August 15:
3 pm Transients just left Hoskyns Rock
and are angling southbound for Cape Mudge.
Colin, Pacific Yellowfin
Humpback
Whales
Humpback family travelling together
August 16, 2013
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
August 17:
8:34 am Humpback Whales just passed
Ripple Point Northbound. From my buddy fishing.
12:18 pm The 3 Humpbacks are at the
Hardwicke Island light just 2 miles East of Earl's Ledge, across from
Kelsey Bay. They're beauties! Looks like the big one from yesterday
and then a Mom and calf.
2:18 pm Humpbacks are right at Yorke
Island.
2:49 pm Leaving Garry, Aboriginal
Journeys in charge of the 3 Humpback Whales 1.5 miles East of Hickey
Point going 3-5 knots to the West.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
August 17:
9:17 am 2 Humpbacks at Vansitaart. Just
spent about a half hour with two humpbacks at Vansittart point. Looks
like a mother and calf.
Christine, David B, Northwest
Navigation
August 17:
10:25 am 2 Humpback Whales at Tyee
Point, below Race / Current Pass, travelling side by side Westbound.
Jos
Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
August 17:
11:27 am 3 Humpback Whales at Camp
Point.
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
August 17:
3:35 pm Left the 3 Humpback Whales mid
channel by Port Neville Westbound at 3 knots.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
August 16:
10:40 am Humpback Whale mid channel by
Cape Mudge Northbound.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
August 16:
10:48 am Humpback Whale in front of
Hidden Harbour Northbound close to fishing pier, Campbell River.
12:41 The Humpback Whale is now by
April Point still Northbound.
Jack Springer,
Campbell River Whale Watching
August 16:
1 pm I picked up the Humpback Whale
just above April Point and managed to confirm that it was one that
had spent the past number of weeks off Powell River. This large
Humpback was running with the tide at around 5 knots, fast for a
Humpback. By 1:43 pm he was off Race Point and I could still see the
big blows as he took a direct line for Maude Island and Seymour
Narrows.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
August 16:
3:04 pm Humpback now by Brown's Bay,
“No Name Creek”.
(missed noting reporter)
August 16:
3:55 pm Left the Humpback now at Elk
Bay still Northbound.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
August 16:
4:27 pm Humpback Whale is right by the
Chatham Point light.
4:49 pm Humpback is heading into
Nodales Channel on the Thurlow side (Orca there too).
Mark, Discovery Marine
Safaris
August 16:
5:37 pm Humpback Whale and NRKWs A23's
and A25's are at Davis Point in Nodales Channel.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
August 14:
We had three close encounters with two
Humpies yesterday Aug 14th (in the San Juans). Big
Momma, BCY0324, and this one, BCX1068. We call it Split Fluke. Do you
get that one in your area too? (I do not recall seeing BCX1068 up
here, but BCY0324 has been seen as far north-west as the top of
Johnstone Strait – SM)
Marie O'Shaughnessy, Orca Magic
Humpback BCX1068 'Split
Fluke'
August 14, 2013
Marie O'Shaughnessy,
Orca Magic
Pacific
White Sided Dolphins
August 18:
9:30 am Large group PWS Dolphins by
Owen Pt.
Radio
August 18:
10:34 am PWS Dolphins at Little Dent
Island.
3:32 pm 100 or so PWS Dolphins at Horn
Point, Nodales Channel.
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
August 18:
11:14 am PWS Dolphins at Hall Point,
Nodales.
5:51 pm Dolphins
still at Horn Point.
John, Discovery Marine
Safaris
August 18:
12:08 pm Hundred of PWS Dolphins just
West of Kelsey Bay spread right across channel heading West.
Jen Furst,
Campbell River Whale Watching
August 18:
12:42 pm NRKWs A8's still Eastbound now
below Hickey Point while the PWS Dolphins continued to the West.
Lee,
Adventure Quest
August 18:
2:29 pm PWS Dolphins in Denham Bay.
August 17:
9:17 am PWS Dolphins at Walkem Islands.
Radio
August 17:
9:55 am 150 PWS Dolphins at Chatham
Point foraging.
Jos
Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
August 17;
10:25 am PWS Dolphins foraging between
Greensea Bay and Chatham Point – spread out.
Jack Springer,
Campbell River Whale Watching
August 17:
1:03 pm 150 PWS Dolphins are by Owen
Point heading towards Frederick Arm.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
August 17:
2:18 pm PWS Dolphins are now heading
South in Cordero Channel heading towards Dent Islands.
John, Discovery Marine
Safaris
August 17:
3:45 pm PWS Dolphins still foraging at
Owen Point Frederick Arm.
Jen Furst,
Campbell River Whale Watching
August 17:
4:47 pm 60-80 PWS Dolphins all schooled
up in Bessborough Bay, Sunderland Channel, foraging. Mostly Moms and
calves and juveniles. Only a few adult males.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
August 16:
9:07 am Group of PWS Dolphins off Davis
Point, Nodales Channel.
Colin, Pacific Yellowfin
August 16:
9:48 am 200 or so PWS Dolphins in
Denham Bay. Eaglemaster has them.
11:30 am 200 PWS Dolphins Southbound in
the fog by Little Dent Island heading towards Jimmy Judd, Gillard
Pass.
5:37 pm PWS Dolphins are spread out
from Channe Island to Shoal Bay.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
August 16:
4:49 pm Large group PWS Dolphins at
Owen Point, top of Nodales Channel.
Radio
August 16:
5:18 pm PWS Dolphins off Shoal Bay in
Cordero Channel.
Colin, Pacific Yellowfin
August 15:
7:55 am 200 PWS Dolphins are milling
about in the fog by Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel.
7:55 am Another large group of Dolphins
are at Denham Bay, by Dent Rapids.
10:24 am PWS Dolphins have now gone
into Frederick Arm.
Radio
August 15:
2:32 pm Found the 150 PWS Dolphins in
Frederick Arm. They moved right to the head of the inlet. You could
see the Estero Glacier at the same time. Nice.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
August 15:
3:52 pm PWS Dolphins are still in
Frederick Arm.
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Harbour
and Dall's Porpoise
Injured Porpoise
August 14, 2013
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
August 15:
4:30 pm 2 Harbour Porpoise foraging in
Gowland Harbour, across from Campbell River.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
August 15:
4:52 pm 4 Porpoise by Deepwater Bay,
possibly cross breeds (Dall's/Harbour Hybrid).
John, Discovery Marine
Safaris
Links:
Winner of the Whale Watching Trip
donated by Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours, drawn
during Powell River Sea Fair, Joan Bech has sent in a lovely comment
and Youtube link to their time on the water:
Dear Susan and Garry,
Soren and I want to thank both of you
for a wonderful journey and experience last Thursday. The opportunity
to see these magnificent animals -- both the orcas and dolphins -- is
truly special and something we will never forget. I've had the
honour on more than one occasion to be called as a witness at
different Aboriginal gatherings. The same holds true here. We have
been privileged to witness these beautiful animals, and we are
sharing our experience with others. Soren has put together a video
from our many photos and filming throughout the day. We also wanted
to recognize both of you.
We hope you enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdosP1jR8DU&feature=youtu.be
Warm regards,
Joan and Soren Bech, Roberts Creek
Have you seen a whale,
dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776
or Email
your report.
Every sighting report
is valuable!
Whales
and Dolphins BC is officially the non-profit Wild Ocean
Whale Society (WOWs)