Northern
Resident Orca are running into Nodales and back to the West up
Johnstone Strait while the Transient Bigg's Killer Whales seem to be
everywhere, including close to the Residents. Humpback Whales have
been spotted again in Desolation Sound and slowly working their way
up the straits. A few Pacific White Sided Dolphins have been showing
up, but not in the larger numbers we became so accustomed to. A few
Dall's and Harbour Porpoise round out this Sightings Report.
Susan
MacKay & Lynne Cracknell, Whalesand Dolphins BC
Have
you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every
sighting report is valuable!
TRANSIENT
BIGG'S KILLER WHALES
August
9, 2014
Susan
MacKay, SG Images
August
11:
8:20
am: A ferry worker on the Quadra Island – Campbell River ferry said
4 Orca went by 2 hours ago, northbound.
8:42
am: Transient Bigg's Orca just below McMullen Point, Discovery
Passage.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August
11:
8:43
am: 4 Transient Bigg's Orca heading north at 9 Foot Bay, Discovery
Passage.
9:00
am: Correction: There are 5 Transients – 1 big, 3 smalls, 1 calf.
3:01
pm: Transient Bigg's Orca on the backside of Helmecken Island.
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August
11:
11:00
am: The way I understand it, there are Transient Bigg's up the
Vancouver Island shore past Rock Point heading into Little Bear Bay,
and Resident Orca coming out of Nodales Channel into Johnstone
Strait. Some of them are foraging maybe, or stalled, and some are
possibly dipping into Discovery Passage. Maybe they are waiting for
the Transients to get further ahead! That's what I can gather from
the radio conversations! (Thanks Nick for the great help sorting
the reports out! - SM)
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
August
11:
12:00
pm: Leaving Transient Bigg's Orca at Bear Bight, westing at 6 knots
along the Vancouver Island shoreline.
Leigh
Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
August
11:
3:01
pm Transient Bigg's Orca are on the back side of Helmken Island,
center of Race / Current Passages. Still no-one knows who these Orca
are. (we requested more info to possibly identify, but none to
this report – SM)
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August
10:
9:55
am: Report of 4 Transient Bigg's Orca heading north from Lewis
Channel, bove Desolation Sound.
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August
10:
9:00
pm: 4 Orca northbound from Rebecca Rocks, in front of Powell River,
heading towards Harwood/Vivian Island.
Jim
Bradley, Powell River
August
9:
4:10
pm: Reports of 3-4 Orca northbound at Cape Mudge, Quadra Island.
7:12
pm: Transient Bigg's T124, T124D, T124E and a new calf northbound in
Seymour Narrows now.
8:14
pm: The Transient Bigg's T124's are now in Brown's Bay with noses
pointed south, surging about. Some hunting, mostly searching about.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
August
9:
4:30
pm – 5:00 pm: How exciting to see a pod of 4 Orca feeding and
moving back and forth for about half an hour, right off the western
end of the Trail islands. There was one very large male. His
beautiful fin was so tall and straight with just a little bend at the
tip. It was disappointing to see the bad behaviour of some boaters in
the area.
Judy
Marusiak, Sechelt (via email)
August
9:
4:50
pm: 4 – 5 Orca off Mystery Reef on the south side of Savary Island.
I'm too far off to tell more yet.
5:12
pm: I've got Transient Bigg's T02's slowly southbound by Harwood
Island by the spit.
Susan
MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
August
9:
5:37
pm: With Orca mid channel between Coast Marina and Whiskey Point,
Campbell River, northbound.
5:43
pm: They are Transient Bigg's Orca, there are 3 females and a baby.
Leigh
Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
August
9:
6:12
pm: Leaving the Transient Bigg's at Orange Point northbound, mid
channel, moving at 5 knots.
Fabien
Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
August
8:
10:20
am: 4 Orca – for sure 2 males and 2 calves southbound and moving
quickly past Myrtle Rocks, Powell River.
Jim
Southern, Powell River.
August
8: Rec'd Aug. 9th:
Another
one of my friends was surrounded by Killer Whales fishing by Harwood
Island in front of Powell River last night, close to dark.
Wendy
Galligos, Powell River
August
7:
1:03
pm: Transient Bigg's Orca northbound by Pender Harbour. They came by
us, then moved out to the centre of Malaspina Strait. There are five
Orca on the move and heading north. They are the T30's. (Excellent
Birthday present for my Mom, made her Birthday Tour for sure!)
Susan
MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
August
7, 2014
Susan
MacKay, SG Images
August
7:
6:45
pm: Judy Slingsby called me to say she saw 3 Orca heading north, all
rather small. This was at Black Point/Albion Point.
Sherri
Wretham,
Powell River
August
7:
7:20
pm: 5-6 Orca (possibly the T30's?) northbound off Myrtle Rocks. They
looked like they were headed NW off Texada Island. A Humpback had
breached right in the same area but took off when the Orca showed up.
Jim
Southern, Powell River.
August
7:
7:29
pm: 5 – 7 Orca heading north up Malaspina Strait. Was fishing off
Lang Bay with my grandson and they surfaced very close to us.
Michael
Stewart,
Powell River
August
6:
10:00
am: 6 Orca sped quickly past Myrtle Rocks southbound this morning.
Haven't seen them since. Also, there was a Humpback Whale off Harwood
Island yesterday,
Jim
Southern, Powell River.
August
6:
1:00
pm: Pod of 6 – 7 Orca travelling north up the strait in front of
Lang Bay and Douglas Bay today. At least one large male, and a few
males total.
Heather
Tausig, visiting from Boston.
August
6:
4:07
pm: Just spotted a whale blow half way between Powell River and
Texada Island. No idea of species or numbers. Seems to be heading
toward Coho Point.
4:09
pm: It is headed for Vivian Rock.
Joanne
Brough, Powell
River
August
6:
4:38
pm: 2 Orca angling westbound towards Campbell River out from the
Blubber Bay/ Vivian Island area. One is a big male.
Joe
Van Hess, Powell River / Texada
August
6, 2014
Heather
Tausig, Sechelt
NORTHERN
RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
August
11:
7:57
am 4 Orca Eastbound in Frederick's Arm. Be there soon.
Aaron
Nagler, Sonora Resort
August
11:
10:50
am: Northern Resident Killer Whales heading towards Turn Island,
Johnstone Strait.
Fabien
Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
August
11:
11:00
am: The way I understand it, there are Residents (NRKW's) coming out
of Nodales Channel into Johnstone Strait. Some of them are foraging,
maybe, or stalled, and some are possibly dipping into Discovery
Passage. Maybe they are waiting for the Transient Bigg's to get
further ahead! The Transient Bigg's are further up the Vancouver
Island shore past Rock Point heading into Little Bear Bay. That's
what I can gather from the radio conversations! (Thanks Nick for
the great help sorting the reports out! - SM)
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
August
11:
11:20
am: Report of NRKW's foraging at Rock Bay, right at the entrance to
Johnstone Strait.
(from
radio)
August
11:
1:15
pm: Leaving the A42's westbound at Ripple Point, travelling at 4
knots on the Vancouver Island shoreline.
Leigh
Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
August
11:
2:45
pm: The A42's are at Humpback Bay, westing.
3:20
pm: The Residents (A42's) are easting again.
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August
11:
3:19
pm: Looks like the A42's have turned to the east at Humpback Bay.
5:02
pm Leaving the NRKWs A42's Eastbound 1 mile North of Ripple Point,
Johnstone Strait.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August
11:
5:03
pm Leaving the A42's at Ripple Point Eastbound.
Fabien
Manifray, Eagle Eye Adventures
August
11:
8:10
pm NRKWs A42's are crossing to the Thurlow Island side of the strait
and heading NE from Chatham Point.
Bradden
Kiley, Painters Lodge.
August
10:
9:03
Sounds from the radio like there are Orca at Howe island at the
entrance to Nodales Channel. No direction or number.
12:29
pm: The A23's, A25's, and A42's have all turned at Vansittart Point,
Johnstone Strait, and are eastbound.
1:17
pm: NRKW's A23's and A25's have split off and turned to the west at
Bear River.
1:35
pm: The NRKW's A42's are still eastbound at Knox Bay.
1:38
pm: Leaving the A42's now at Knox Bay, Johnstone Strait.
3:57
pm: The NRKW's A23's and A25's had turned back to the east as far as
Ripple Point, but now they are Westbound towards Palmer Bay logging
camp. The A42's continued and are heading east into Nodales Channel.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August
11, 2014 – cell phone photo only today
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August
10:
9:04
am: The Orca reported are westbound, I heard on the radio at Howe
Island.
Leigh
Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
August
10:
3:58
pm: the A42's are in Nodales Channel, easting.
Jos
Krijnen, Eagle Eye Adventures.
August
10:
5:39
pm: Left the NRKW's A42's heading into Frederick Arm.
Fabien
Minfray, Eagle Eye Adventures.
August
9:
9:50
am: NRKW's A42's westing towards Ripple Point.
Aaron
Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August
9:
12:50
pm: With NRKW Orca now above Humpback Bay, Johnstone Strait, slowly
westing.
1:09
pm: Orca turned at Palmer Bay eastbound.
2:35pm:
Leaving the NRKW's A4's east of Bear Point, Johnstone Strait, still
slowly eastbound.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August
8:
10:00
am: 5 Orca at St. Vincent Bight and 2 Orca at Windy Point, Johnstone
Strait, all eastbound. Relayed by Nick Templeman.
10:05
am: 2 Orca easting at Hickey Point and 5 Orca easting at St. Vincent
Bight. as reported by the CG Vessel Sooke Post.
3:50
pm: Orca continuing to travel quickly into Nodales Channel along the
Thurston Island shoreline, opposite Thurston Bay.
John
Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
August
8:
3:50
pm: Left NRKW's the A23's, A25's and A42's heading eastbound into
Nodales Channel.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August
8:
7:00
pm: NRKW A42's and two others were headed west at Chatham Point into
Johnstone Strait.
Bradden
Kiley, Painters Lodge.
August
7:
11:34
am: Orca at St. Vincent Bight, Johnstone Strait westing.
Aaron
Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August
7:
12:50
pm: We're at the Eve River, westing with the NRKWs - A42's.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August
6:
11:16
am: Orca at Kelsey Bay, eastbound.
Jack
Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August
6:
11:18
am: From VHF, Orca eastbound at Kelsey Bay, apparently.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
August
6:
11:40
am: Sounds like the (NRKW's) A42's.
2:19
pm: Leaving the Northern Resident A42's one mile north of Ripple
Point eastbound.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
August
6:
6:52
pm: The A42's are easting into Frederick Arm.
Aaron
Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
HUMPBACK
WHALES
August
7:
7:25
am: Call reporting a Humpback off the 50th
Parallel marker.
Geord
Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris.
August
7:
7:20
pm: A Humpback breached off Myrtle Rocks a bit earlier on, but
disappeared when 5-6 Orca showed up, heading in a northward
direction.
Jim
Southern, Powell River.
August
6:
12:00
pm: I saw the Humpback this morning while on tour, east side of
Powell Islets, lone Humpback, no breaches, just surfacing and
travelling slowly. So lovely!
Christine
Hollmann, Terracentric Adventures.
August
6:
3:00
pm: There is a Humpback whale easting 2 cables off the Vancouver
Island shoreline near Palmer Bay. Long soundings.
John
Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris.
August
5:
Rec'd
Aug. 6Th:
Humpback
whale off Harwood Island.
Jim
Southern, Powell River.
PACIFIC
WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
August
11:
2:44
pm 6 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Suffolk Point on Thurlow Island,
heading into Nodales Channel.
Leigh
Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours.
August
8:
1:55
pm: Just outside the dock at Painter's lodge and I overheard boaters
on channel 68 talking about Pacific White Sided Dolphins bow riding,
can't find out where.
Bradden
Kiley, Painters Lodge.
August
8:
2:17
pm: 2 Pacific White Sided Dolphins in front of Cordero Lodge.
Leif
Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching.
August
7:
6:45
am: Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Davis Point, Thurston Bay area.
Colin
Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin.
DALL'S
PORPOISE
August
9:
7:12
pm: 1-2 Dall's Porpoise at Twin Islands in front of Echo Bay, across
from Hernando Island / Baker Pass.
Susan
MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
August
8:
12:39
pm: 3 Dall's Porpoise at Denham Islet, Dent Rapids, foraging.
Garry
Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
HARBOUR
PORPOISE
August
11:
9:45
am: Couple of Harbour Porpoise foraging between the Twin Islands and
Hernando Island by Baker Pass.
Susan
MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC.
August
11:
7:15
pm 3-4 Harbour Porpoise cruising South along Vancouver Island
coastline, just North of Salmon Point.
Tara
Bladon, Campbell River
August
10:
2:50
pm – 3:10 pm: 4-6 Harbour Porpoise spread out between Hernando and
Savary Islands, foraging.
Susan
MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
August
10:
6:00
pm (approx): Saw some small Porpoise outside of Cortez Island, by
Baker Passage.
Randy
Hodge, Vancouver
with
the Powell River Mill as a backdrop
July
29, 2014 – (missed posting in last report - SM)
Angelina
Williams, Powell River
Have
you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every
sighting report is valuable!
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