Orca, both Resident and Bigg's as well
as some unidentified Orca popping up everywhere, Humpback Whales
breaching and lunge feeding, Pacific White Sided Dolphins in large
groups, still only one Minke Whale to report and some Dall's and
Harbour Porpoise. Some fog was thrown in to make finding these
animals harder, but also quite magical once found.
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
Northern Resident Orca
with scratch marks more reminiscent of Bigg's
Weynton Pass September
5, 2013
Susan MacKay, SG Images
September 9:
12:52 pm 4 – 5 Orca in the Robson
Bight Reserve Eastbound.
Fabian, Way West Water Taxi, Way
West Water Taxi
September 9:
2 pm Large group of Orca, the A34's
plus in Weynton Pass.
7:11 pm The I15's have just entered
Blackney Pass westbound into Blackfish Sound.
From early morning throughout the day
the I15's plus some others, possibly the A8's spent their time close
to and at the Eastern end of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve.
There were a few PWS Dolphins harassing them.
Radio
September 6:
7:45 am 5 or 6 Orca Northbound at
Brown's Bay, above Campbell River.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 6:
10:10 am A8's are at Turn Island while
the A36 boys are in Nodales Ch. By Davis Point.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
September 6:
10:10 am A8's at Chatham Point and
Nodales. A36's and dolphins in Nodales North of Davis Point.
John, Discovery Marine Safaris
September 6:
11 am Large group of Orca (the I15's
and A30's) were being harassed by a number of PWS Dolphins by Forward
Bay (above Port Neville & Kelsey Bay) as they headed West up
Johnstone Strait.
12:30 pm They had made it up to Boat
Bay, across from the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve.
3 pm They hadn't moved much off
Cracroft Point area.
Radio
September 6:
12:30 pm The A36 brothers were being
harassed by some Dolphins by Chatham Point.
2:10 pm A36's Westbound 1 mile East of
Ripple Point.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale
and Bear Excursions
September 6:
2:05 pm 8 plus Orca headed for
Discovery Passage out of Okisollo Channel.
Colin, Pacific Yellowfin
September 6:
2 pm Possibly A34's at Chatham Point.
Lee, Adventure Quest and Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
September 5:
8:42 am Orca reported at Sonora Point,
Nodales Channel.
10:06 am Confirmation on the A36's boys
only. Foraging at Sonora Point about 500 meters apart.
4 pm A36's Eastbound by Davis Point,
Nodales Channel.
4:42 pm Other Resident Orca Westbound
by Chatham Point with about 100 PWS Dolphins.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
September 5:
12:08 pm A36 boys off Hall Point,
Nodales Channel doing donuts.
3:26 pm 10 Orca Westbound by Harding
Island, Nodales Channel.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
September 5:
12:08 pm Orca Eastbound by Walkem
Light. Must be the A8's. We're not with them, but just a report.
Kurt Staples, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 5:
6:15 pm A36 brothers foraging at Hall
Point, Nodales Ch.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge
September 5:
6:21 pm A8's are Southbound in
Discovery Passage at Okisollo Channel.
John, Discovery Marine Safaris
September 5:
Not noted, but photograped NRKWs in
Weynton Pass. SM
September 4: In the Fog!
10:45 am Large group of Orca Eastbound
from Cracroft Point to the Sophia Islands, Johnstone Strait. 11:30 am
They had been Identified as the I15's and A8's and were still
Eastbound by Boat Bay.
Wayne Garton, Stubbs Island Whale
Watching
September 4:
12:25 pm A36 brothers Eastbound from
Robson Bight.
2:54 pm A8's and A36's still Eastbound
by Windy Point above Kelsey Bay.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
September 4:
3:32 pm Orca still Eastbound by the
East end of St. Vincent Bight, above Kelsey Bay.
4:10 pm Left A36's Eastbound at Port
Neville and A8's Eastbound mid strait out from Port Neville.
Discovery Marine Safaris
Transient Bigg's Orca
Powell River September
9, 2013
Steve Grover, Powell
River
Transient
Bigg's Killer Whales
September 10:
9:11 am Orca at Baker's Pass by the red
can marker off of Cortez Island – Richard has them.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 10:
9:45 am 3+ Orca 1 mile off Stubbs
Island playing with and hunting birds.
Radio
2:30 pm The 4
Transient Bigg's were off of Leonard Rock close to Sointula still
hunting, harassing and killing various water birds as they slowly
headed West. They were ID'd as T38A / T35A / T35A1 and T35A2 by Jared
Towers, Alert Bay
September 10:
12 pm 8 or possibly 9 Orca. T100's plus
are Southbound for Grant's Reef off Savary Island chasing Common
Murres again. They're even with Manson Pass right now. There's a big
female in here with a real triangle shaped dorsal.
3 -4 More Orca just showed up off
Savary Shoreline!
And More Again!! We're up to 20 plus
Orca now with the T101's and T102.
At one point they had all split up then
all came together again then separate once again.
3:09 pm Leaving 8 of the Orca including
the T002C's Southbound almost to Rebecca Rocks in front of Powell
River.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale
and Bear Excursions
September 10:
12 pm T101 and T102 at Mitlenatch
Island.
12:42 pm Leaving 4 T's Westbound by
Mitlenatch Island.
Lee, Adventure Quest
September 10:
4:04 pm Leaving the Killer Whales
Southbound off Texada heading towards Denman / Hornby Islands.
Geord, Discovery Marine Safaris
September 9:
7 am Orca reported Southbound in the
Yuculta Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
September 9:
9:34 am Orca in Okisollo Channel
Westbound.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 9:
9:34 am 4 possibly more Bigg's Killer
Whales (Richard with). One big fin Westbound out of Okisollo Channel
approximately 1 mile East of Bjere Rock.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale
and Bear Excursions
September 9:
12:02 pm Orca Southbound by Nixon
Islands off Kanish Bay. Travelling a slow 1.1 knots.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
September 9:
12:52 pm 8 – 10 Orca at the top end
of Texada Island angling towards Harwood Island, Powell River.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures &
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
September 9:
1:15 pm At least 3 Orca travelling west
close inshore between Black Pt (Albion) and Myrtle Pt. ...@ bottom of
Fleury/ Whalen Rds 1:15pm Mon Sep/09/13
1:35...3 more, further out, appeared to
be (briefly) investigating some excited fishermen's boat. Travelling
west quickly, but not as fast as first trio.
Perk Percy Perseas Dive, Powell
River
September 9:
1:30 pm 8 + Orca including one very big
male Northbound from Albion Point foraging by Myrtle Rocks, Powell
River. 3 or maybe more Orca had passed earlier with one large male in
the group.
Liz Kennedy, Powell River
September 9:
2 pm Group of Transients at the mouth
of Greenway Sound.
Radio
September 9:
About 2:15 Sept. 9, about 5 orcas
Northbound past the Beach Gardens at Grief Point......looked like one
fairly large male in the group.
Grant Rainsley, Powell River
September 9:
2:10 pm Wanted to let you know that a
pod of Orca came by Powell River this afternoon, September 9. I got a
call from a friend, Niels Voss around 2:10 pm that Orca were
northbound at Grief Point so I grabbed the camera and headed for the
viewpoint. I counted 7 animals in 3 groups all moving north at a
steady but leisurely pace. The farthest group of 2 ( 1 male 1 female
) were at least 1500 meters out and are seen in the attached photos
against Harwood Island. The first group had 2 females and a juvenile
that liked to pop out like a cork even though it was fairly large.
The last group of 2 males came the closest to shore, about 250 meters
out. I thought that they might be transients but I also photographed
a large sea lion playing near the south harbour breakwater while they
were passing. The sea lion seemed very unconcerned. What a beautiful
afternoon to photograph Orca, you could actually hear them breathing
quite well because there was no wind. When I left about 3:00 pm they
were further from shore in line with the mill. Hope they hang around
for a few days. (These are Bigg's Killer Whales from the photos, but
not 100% on the individuals probably T101's/T102- SM)
Steve Grover, Powell River
September 9:
3:30 pm 4 Orca just North of Seymour
Narrows Southbound on the mainland side (assuming Quadra side).
Fabian, Way West Water Taxi
September 9:
4:22 pm Orca are apparently at Race
Point heading South.
5:14 pm The T002C's are way inside
Gowland Harbour. Just went past 5 Harbour Porpoise 30 feet from them.
Amazing, never seen Killer Whales in here, ever!
5:44 pm Leaving the T002C's. WOW, what
a sight. They went right through the small gap behind Gowland Island
and along the docks at April Point! Leaving them now at Quathiaski
Cove Southbound.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale
and Bear Excursions
September 9:
6:09 pm Left the Orca near Cape Mudge.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
September 9:
? pm 3 Orca known as the T10's were
spotted off Cracroft Point working their way up behind some PWS
Dolphins. Once the dolphins realized that these were not the fish
eating Northern Resident Orca they made a quick get away to the
opposite side of Johnstone Strait. The T10's weren't interested in
pursuing them or even hunting a couple of juicy Sea Lions, but
continued West along the Hanson Island shore where they stopped to
check out the Harbour Seal haulouts at the Stephenson Islets. At 6 pm
they finished checking all the little islets and continued a
shoreline search right through the narrow kelp laden passage
separating the Pearse Islands to Pearse Pass. A short time later I
spotted a mom and calf following the other 3. They took the Johnstone
Strait side of Pearse Islands. We're unsure of the identity of these
trailing two.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Transient Bigg's Orca
Powell River September
9, 2013
Steve Grover, Powell
River
September 8:
9:50 am Orca at Marina Island, off
Cortez Island – Northbound.
12:48 pm Passing Viner Point heading
for the Breton Islands, where there was some hanky panky going on.
7:51 pm Leaving the Orca Northbound by
Walcan. Looks like only the T10's now – didn't see the others
anywhere.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
September 8:
10:44 am Confirmation of T10/T10B/T10C
plus 3 females (possibly T124/T124D/T124E) right now off Coulter Bay,
Cortez Island.
12:14 pm Leaving Killer Whales off Twin
Bay, Reid Island. They're heading South-West along the Reid Island
shore for Viner Point.
6 pm Spoke with Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours, Aboriginal Journeys
who said the Bigg's were in front of Tsadwaluten lodge on Quadra
Island Northbound.
6:32 pm Picked up T10B/T10C and the
younger female from the T124's so far only the three, but the other
three should be close by. They're Northbound bucking the flood tide
half mile South of the Campbell River fishing pier.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale
and Bear Excursions
September 8:
4 pm Orca Southbound near Francisco
Point, bottom of Quadra Island now.
John, Discovery Marine Safaris
September 8:
7:15 pm Orca Northbound by Sechelt.
From a friend with waterfront property there.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 7:
?am 3 Transient Bigg's were passing
Minstrel Island.
Radio
September 7:
4:16 pm 4 Orca at Rock Bay light
Westbound.
John, Discovery Marine Safaris
September 7:
4:15 pm The T02C's Westbound slowly
back eddy to beck eddy coming up to the Walkem Island Light and 100+
PWS Dolphins running South FAST at Separation Head.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale
and Bear Excursions
September 7:
6:15 pm T002C's slowly Westbound at
Ripple Point.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge
September 6:
11 am 2 Orca heading into Fife Sound.
Radio
September 6:
12:06 pm 2 Killer Whales West of Kelsey
Bay Westbound along the Vancouver Island shore.
Fabian, Way West Water Taxi
September 6:
12:25 pm 6 Orca known as the T37's
Westbound by Vansitaart Point near the Thurlow Island shore (below
Kelsey Bay). Doing long 8 minute dives.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale
and Bear Excursions
September 6:
12:33 pm More Transient Bigg's in
Okisollo Channel. (these may have been NRKWs - SM)
Jos Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures
September 6:
12:30 pm 4-5 Killer Whales Eastbound
from Staples Island (Port Hardy). The big male has a definite lean to
port side of his dorsal. 1 pm The ID's are confirmed to be T18's and
T19's.
Radio
September 6:
2:44 pm Unconfirmed report of Orca by
Rendezvous Islands heading into Bute Inlet.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale
Watching
Unidentified
Orca
Unidentified Killer
Whales
Savary Island September
7, 2013
Sherryl Yaciansky,
Savary Island
September 7:
10:35 am Orcas off Plumper Bay,
Campbell River area Northbound.
1:24 pm Mystery 6 Orca at Greensea Bay
Northbound.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale
Watching & Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
September 7:
1:53 pm Same 6 Orca now just South of
Chatham Point on the Vancouver Island side.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge
September 7:
Caroline Walker
September 7:
Around 7:30 pm this evening (Sep 07),
there were two whales swimming together just inside the reef at high
tide. The attached photo captures one of them. We spotted them from
our front deck, and we live on the south side of Savary, mid-island,
at 1900 Vancouver Blvd. Unfortunately, some people in a boat were
following them the entire time they were in view.
Sherryl Yaciansky, Savary Island
September 6:
2:45 pm 3 Orca by Adam River, Kelsey
Bay area Westbound along the Vancouver Island shore.
Fabian, Way West Water Taxi
September 6:
4:45 pm 3 Orca including 1 big male
came along the Johnstone Strait side of Yorke Island close to shore
then turned back up close to shore then around the front of Yorke
Island and over the Sunderland Channel side of Yorke. (These were
most likely Transient Bigg's - SM)
Ross
September 6:
6 pm While on a fishing trip we saw 4
Orca, 1 big male, 1 larger female and 2 smaller females Eastbound by
Washer Rock off Friendly Cove on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
They appeared to be playing there for around 15 minutes. This is the
first time seeing Orca around here in a very long time.
Garry McQuillan, Lantzville
September 4: In the Fog!
Early morning: Orca Eastbound by
Telegraph Cove.
9 am Orca by Kaikash Creek tight to
shore Eastbound.
10 am Orca Eastbound by Lizard Point,
Malcolm Island.
10:45 am Large group of Orca at
entrance to Fife Sound angling towards Malcolm Island.
11:30 am Around 8 Orca heading from
Bold Head to Donegal Head, Blackfish Sound.
Radio
Humpback
Whales
Humpback Whale Lunge
feeding in the Fog
September 5, 2013
Susan MacKay, SG Images
September 10:
7 am Humpback Whale Northbound by
Discovery Harbour Marina moving quickly.
Garry
September 10:
7:30 am Humpback Whale Southbound at
Picnic Beach, Cape Mudge.
9:11 am The Humpback is near the tide
rip at the lighthouse oposite Rockland Road.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 10:
10:33 am Humpback heading North doing
6 minute dives by Quathiaski Cove.
John, Discovery Marine Safaris
September 10:
11:36 am Humpback whale photo was
texted for ID confirmation. (Confirmed as 'KC' or 'Kelp Creature' who
I commented was conspicuous by his absence at the upper Johnstone
Strait area yesterday – SM) It's 'KC' – Very cool! I'm getting
better at HB ID's. We left him Northbound at copper Bluffs cutting
over to Duncan Bay, Campbell River.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale
and Bear Excursions
September 8:
7:30 am Humpback Whale by Sonora
Lodge's dock Northbound.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge
September 8 & 9:
Throughout the days: Still numerous
Humpbacks in the upper Johnstone Strait area. With all the leaping
and lunge feeding going on, it's frustrating to miss seeing the
breaches, especially the full body out of water ones. There are some
enormous splashes and thunderous sounds as these animals land though.
In a one hour count on September 9th from just drifting by
Stubbs island, there were 8 different animals in view with only a mom
and calf working together. Since some krill has moved in (it's a bit
later than usual) they seem to be more spread out. Of note, spotted
the 9th in the morning, is one known as 'Yogi' who made an
appearance in the reports not too long ago, much farther down the
coast! A few, conspicuous by their absence in the upper Johnstone
Strait area are 'KC' (see 10th) and 'Ariel' but may be the
ones spotted farther down the coast recently. 'Chunky' was spotted a
while back but not in the past week or so.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Humpback Whale Lunge
feeding with Admirers
September 5, 2013
Susan MacKay, SG Images
September 6:
3 pm 2 large Humpback Whales were lunge
feeding between Mitchell Bay, Malcolm Island and Pearse Reefs.
Bill Mackay, Mackay Whale Watching
September 5:
12:46 pm Humpback Whale by Campbell
River pulp mill slowly Southbound.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale
and Bear Excursions
September 5:
1:19 pm Humpback at Walcan, Campbell
River no direction.
2:30 pm Leaving Humpback North side of
Steep Island.
John, Discovery Marine Safaris
September 5:
1:19 pm Humpback by April Point,
Campbell River breaching like mad!
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 5:
3:26 pm Humpback by Cape Mudge Village
Southbound.
Kurt Staples, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 4: In the Fog!
9 am 2 Humpback Whales at the top end
of Weynton Pass.
Radio
Humpback Whale Lunge
feeding
September 5, 2013
Susan MacKay, SG Images
Minke
Whale
September 9:
9 am the Minke known as 'Bolt' has
moved farther East and is by Cracroft Point foraging.
Radio – Sailcone George
September 7:
4:15 pm One Minke (believe it to be
'Bolt') feeding off the bottom of Pearse Pass in the tide rips.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Pacific
White Sided Dolphins
See also notes with NRKWs and Transient
Bigg's reports. They are not duplicated here.
September 10:
9 am 200 + PWS Dolphins foraging in and
out of Baronet Pass by Cracroft point.
Radio
September 10:
10:03 am 100 PWS
Dolphins at Yellow Island milling back and forth towards Walcan,
Campbell River.
Lee, Adventure Quest
September 10:
12 pm PWS Dolphins
at the mouth of Okisollo Channel.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 10:
4:40 pm Left the
PWS Dolphins milling at Greensea Bay.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
September 9:
9 am 300-400 PWS Dolphins close to
Cracroft Point, top of Johnstone Strait. Foraging back and forth then
headed towards Blinkhorn and spread between Vancouver Island and
Hanson Island.
Radio
September 8:
9 am 200 – 300 PWS Dolphins foraging
in Parsons Bay, Blackfish Sound.
Radio
September 8:
9:30 am 50 PWS Dolphins at Race Point
area.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
September 8:
1:31 pm 100 PWS Dolphins in Frederick
Arm. By 1:52 pm they were approaching Gomer Island at the mouth of
Frederick's.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 8:
6 pm PWS Dolphins at Deepwater Bay.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 8:
6:32 pm PWS Dolphins heading West at
Hall Point Nodales Ch.
John, Discovery Marine Safaris
September 8:
Approx 100 pacific white sided dolphins
came from between Hardwicke and Yorke Bot islands and then crossed
Johnstone Straight towards Vancouver Island, continuing "up"
Johnstone Straight on the Vancouver Island side of the channel until
out of sight.
Ross
September 7:
11 am 10 PWS Dolphins milling in
Plumper Bay, Campbell River area.
Lee, Adventure Quest
September 7:
12:30 pm 200 + PWS Dolphins Westbound
in Blackfish Sound.
Radio - Orca Rider
September 7:
3:14 pm 100 PWS Dolphins spread from
Okisollo Channel to Discovery Passage.
John, Discovery Marine Safaris
September 7:
3:14 pm 100 PWS Dolphins at the mouth
of Okisollo.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 7:
4 pm 100 PWS Dolphins milling at
Greensea Bay.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
September 7:
4:15 pm 100+ PWS Dolphins running South
FAST at Separation Head to get away from the Transient Bigg's Killer
Whales.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale
and Bear Excursions
September 7:
6:30 pm I left the large group of PWS
Dolphins heading toward Copper Bluffs, Campbell River...foraging
behaviour.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 6:
10:10 am 200 PWS Dolphins foraging by
Harding Island, Nodales Channel.
4 pm 100 PWS Dolphins milling by
Greensea Bay.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
September 6:
5:30 pm Same 100 PWS Dolphins in front
of Okisollo Channel.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale
Watching
September 6:
11 am 200 + PWS Dolphins including some
very small calves were frolicking and harassing NRKWs by Forward Bay.
Radio
September 6:
12:08 pm Hundreds of PWS Dolphins mid
channel just East of Adam River, Kelsey Bay.
12:47 pm More Dolphins West of Adam
River.
2:33 pm Hundreds of PWS Dolphins still
Westbound just West of Adam River, Kelsey Bay.
Fabian, Way West Water Taxi
September 5:
4:42 pm 100 PWS Dolphins Westbound by
Chatham Point with some NRKWs.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
September 4: In the Fog!
9 am 200-300 PWS Dolphins Eastbound by
Izumi Rock.
Radio – Sailcone George
September 4:
10:45 am Around 300 PWS Dolphins by
Cracroft Point
Bill Mackay, Mackay Whale Watching
September 4:
5:10 pm 8 – 10 PWS Dolphins
Southbound by Brown's Bay.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale
Watching
Dall's
and Harbour Porpoise
September 9:
9:53 am 3 Harbour Porpoise in Bute
Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
September 9:
3:20 pm 8 – 10 frisky Dall's Porpoise
by Johnston Bluff, Bute Inlet.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale
and Bear Excursions
September 7:
6:45 pm 12 playful Dall's Porpoise at
Hall Point, Nodales Ch.
Aaron Nagler, Sonora Lodge
September 6:
3:44 pm 4 Dall's Porpoise on the West
side of Aran Rapids at the entrance to Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
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)