A timely reminder as
Summer boating season kicks in of the need to be cautious and slow
down around any type of marine life. We are great advocates of
courteous behaviour on the water and off. Remember NEWS when
you are in the vicinity of whales: N=Neutral E=Enjoy
W=Wait S=Slow. Slow is the operative word. If you see a
blow, go slow to avoid endangering the whales or yourself.
Orca have been popping
up everywhere. 'KC' the Humpback BCY 0291 is the only confirmed Humpback Whale
in the upper Georgia Strait area, although we keep expecting to see
more. Pacific White Sided Dolphin numbers are down currently, perhaps
scattering to smaller groups due to Transient Bigg's Killer Whale
encounters. Dall's and Harbour Porpoise are showing themselves a bit
more now, or perhaps they're just being reported more. A number of dead animals have been reported and the entangled sea lion is back in Powell River. And do we have
Photos and Links for you!
Susan
MacKay & Lynne Cracknell, Whales
and Dolphins BC
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.
2015
Summer Fundraising Raffle:
Get
your tickets in time for our EARLY
BIRD DRAW!
- June 21, 2015
see 2015
Summer Raffle for full details – Tickets only $5 each.
Raffle tickets will be
available at our information tables at:
Town
Centre Mall, Powell
River:
(Most) Thursdays and Fridays in May
Lund
Shellfish Festival, Lund
Harbour
May 23 & 24 – See you there!
Trail
Bay Mall, Sechelt
May 28 & 29
Campbell
River:
May 28 at Quality Foods
Other locations and
times will be posted as soon as we confirm
T049A Matriline
May 14, 2015
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
TRANSIENT
BIGG'S ORCA
May 18:
5:15 pm (call came in
after 6 pm) My sister was on the ferry out of Powell River to Comox
and just after leaving the dock they had to stop. Aparently there was
a pod a Orca right there. No numbers or direction.
Micheline Macauley,
Texada Island
May 18:
5:48 pm Just spotted at
least 3 Orca off Powell River. They're mid Malaspina Strait very
slowly Southbound. Definitely one big male in the pod.
Susan MacKay, Whales
and Dolphins BC
May 18:
5:50 pm: Looks like 3
or 4 Orca milling or feeding out in front of Powell River towards
Texada Island.
Sherri Wretham,
Powell River
May 17:
3:27 pm: Reports from a
friend on Saltspring Island, two gangs of Transient Orca heading
north, lots of playing and breaches.
6:00 pm: Report from
M.V. Horizons of 3 Killer whales, one big fin, at the head of
Teakerne Arm right now. Just milling, but .08 nautical miles from the
head of the Arm right now.
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
May
16:
6:00
pm: The Orca were heading northwards, investigating the docks at
Bliss Landing, inside the Copeland Islands. They continued north,
following a small boat as they passed Bliss Landing.
Fern
Bradley, Bliss Landing.
May 16:
6:30 pm: Small pod of
Orca heading north into Thulin Passage. Looked like one big male with
at least three females with what might be a young one. They were
traveling fast.
Mary Tilberg.
May 16:
6:45 pm: Just looking
out of our window and saw four small Orca northbound up Thulin
Passage. Looked to be a large male, a smaller whale which I guess is
a female, and two smaller whales. They came north to the end of the
Ragged (Copeland) Islands, then, as there were two boats stopped
waiting for them, they dove and were not seen again.
John
Bowles, Bliss Landing
Transient Bigg's Killer
Whales
May 16, 2015
John Bowles, Bliss
Landing
May 15:
10:00 am: Saw these two
Orca at Blueback Beach, north Nanaimo, headed south.
Patrick Beaton.
May 15:
10:15 am: At least
three Orca tight to the shore southbound by Westview Harbour in
Powell River.
Caroline Stoddart,
Powell River
May
14:
9:25
am: Orca, 4 for sure, slowly southbound in Seymour Narrows.
(from
radio)
May
14:
9:30
am: ORCA ALERT! Report from Sharkey who is with Orca in Seymour
Narrows, southbound to Race Point. Possible Transient Bigg's Orca
T002C's.
11:16 am: These are
possible Transient Bigg's Orca T049A's but haven't had a very good
look. Moving with the tide at 9 knots, boats all over them.
12:03 pm: So, confirmed
as Transient Bigg's T049A's, they are still southbound, at Willow
Point reef now, south of Campbell River, heading down the Vancouver
Island shore, about 1.25 miles off Vancouver Island.
12:30 pm We're 1025
nautical miles east of Willow Point Reef now. Still heading
South-East.
12:53 pm: They are two
nautical miles off the Vancouver Island shoreline heading south east.
Up to 15 minute dives. Will be leaving the scene in 15 minutes or so.
1:13 pm: They are 1.5
nautical miles off Khusam Point, still generally heading south east
to east. Still taking long dives and running at around 5 – 6 knots.
9:47
pm: report from a southern whale watching friend: These guys were all
off Nanaimo today, left them heading back your way! (Northbound)
There were 25 – 30 of them, Transient Bigg's Orca T100's, T124A's,
some T124's, T37, T36B's, T101's, T23's, T86A's, and more.
Here are some shots
from today's encounter with the Transient Bigg's T049A1's. Thanks to
the Oak Bay Hurricane for the info this morning.
I was informed of the
finding of 5 Orca coming southbound through Seymour Narrows at 9:15
am. I launched the boat and proceeded out of the marina and found
them just at the mouth of the Campbell River. I was with them until
about 1.75 nautical miles S/E of Salmon Point in Georgia Strait
headed S/E to E down the Vancouver Island shoreline. There were long
travel dives of over 13-14 minutes, shorter resting dives, and some
speed swimming with shorter 5-7 minute dives. No hunting was
observed. They actually bypassed a small group of Harbour Porpoise
approximately 11 feet away. What a fantastic encounter, they
continued to travel south in the passage.
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Transient
Bigg's Killer Whales T049A's
May
14, 2015 – 3 photos
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
May 14:
10:30 am: Transient
Bigg's Orca are now mid channel in front of Copper Bluff.
11:00 am: Left Orca at
Tyee Pool, Campbell River. Nick is on scene.
1:59 pm: Transient
Bigg's Orca still heading south, southeast, nearing Elma Bay now.,
about two miles offshore.
3:18 pm: Leaving the
Transients southbound two miles out from Black Creek.
Jerry. Eagle Eye
Adventures.
May 13:
9:55 am: Reports from
the Best Western Hotel of Orca northbound center Strait in front of
the Rotary Park in Campbell River. Unconfirmed.
Jack Springer,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 13:
1:00 pm: Mario has
found Orca in Bute Inlet. One big bull so far.
1:35pm: Orca is at Moh
Creek in Bute Inlet heading in.
3:58 pm: The Transient
Bigg's Orca T002C's are just past Moh Creek now heading out of Bute
Inlet. Jos is with them now.
They
tossed a Dolphin about 20 feet into the air. There was a handful of
Dolphins around. That was at Amor Point.
It was impressive! It was the Momma doing that. She shot up about 10
feet in the air.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
Transient Bigg's
T049A's
May 14, 2015 – 5
photos
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
May 13:
5:17 pm: Transient
Bigg's Orca T002C coming up on Lawrence Point, Bute Inlet, still
moving south east. They gave us a really awesome show.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle
Eye Adventures.
May 12:
10:00 am: 5 Orca at
Brown's Bay southbound. One big fin, one calf.
11:02: There is a group
of 6 Orca near Duncan Bay on the Vancouver Island side, they are on
the hunt.
Fabien Minfray,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 12:
10:25 am: Another,
second, group of Orca coming down south also, about 6 of them. At
Seymour Narrows. Looks like Transient Bigg's Orca T002C's.
10:47 am: Two groups
together now,looks like it's 8 or 9 animals, I am sure about
Transient Bigg's T002C's.
10:55 am: They are
going towards the Walcan Building on the Quadra Island side of
Discovery Passage.
4:00 pm: Jerry left the
Orca in Baker Passage, between Cortez and Hernando Islands.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle
Eye Adventures.
May 12:
11:24 am: With the
Transient Bigg's Orca T036B's.
11:44 am: Looks like
Transient Bigg's T037A's with T036, T036B, T036B1 and a new calf.
Then Jos is back by Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island with Transient
Bigg's T002C's. I am with the lead animals coming up to Cape Mudge
Village now.
12:40 pm: Haven't seen
the Humpback Whale tht was reported, but Transient Bigg's Orca
T036B's and T037A's just killed a Harbour Porpoise. And in the midst
of the kill they also killed a Common Murre. Poor guy.
3:30 pm: Transient
Bigg's Orca T002C's are with Eagle Eye. And the Transients T36's and
T37's gave me the slip completely somewhere about 2 miles off
Mitlenatch Island.
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Transient Bigg's
T002C's
May 8, 2015 – 4
photos
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
May 12:
12:28 pm: Transient
Bigg's Orca and a Humpback whale off Cape Mudge on Quadra Island,
near the red can buoy. Looking with binoculars now.
12:39 pm: The Humpback
whale is now closer to the red can buoy, and the Orca have moved
south towards Mitlenatch Island.
Tara Bladon,
Campbell River.
May 12:
1:48 pm: Transient
Bigg's Orca T002C's have turned and are heading northbound past the
green can buoy near Francisco Point on Quadra Island.
4:00 pm: Leaving
Transients heading eastbound now towards Baker Passage between Cortez
Island and Hernando Island.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 12:
8:43 pm: Transient
Bigg's Orca T093 and T097 last sighted heading north in Rosario
Strait.
Josh McInnes,
Victoria.
May 12:
At least 5 or 6 Orca
about 2 km out in front of Davis Bay today. They were very active,
breaching and tail slapping. There was one big male in the bunch,
perhaps enjoying a sea lion as they were about 5 km. west of White
Islets where I counted at least 80 sea lions the previous week.
There were a couple in
Sechelt Inlet 2 days ago also. There may have been a little one too.
Geordie Harrower,
Sechelt
May
12: Rec'd
detailed info and photos we'd like to share regarding May 8:
Evening
encounter with the T002C's turned out to be absolutely magical.
Having Yukon (Nick's dog) on the boat with me seems to make the Orca
more curious, and I really believe that the T002C's have grown to
know us and to know Yukon. They will switch actions and come right to
the boat to check us out. The one pic of Lucy rolling under the stern
of the boat, Yukon was right above her........she came to look.
I spent an hour with them during a seal kill. Have confirmed the seal kill by the video I mananged to capture of Tumbo beneath me carrying his piece of the kill. A large piece of the seals blubber was his share.
The capture of Rocky spyhopping and the one of him spyhopping with Tasu are two of my absolute favorite pics of them. Amazing light, crystal clear.....beautiful.
I spent an hour with them during a seal kill. Have confirmed the seal kill by the video I mananged to capture of Tumbo beneath me carrying his piece of the kill. A large piece of the seals blubber was his share.
The capture of Rocky spyhopping and the one of him spyhopping with Tasu are two of my absolute favorite pics of them. Amazing light, crystal clear.....beautiful.
Nick
Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
May 8:
Between Saltery Bay
campground and Nelson Island on the Sunshine Coast a pod of 4 or 5
Orca went past heading north. One had a real big fin. They were too
far away to get a good photo.
Barb Rees.
Orca off Saltery Bay
campground
May 8, 2015 – 2
photos
Barb Rees
UNIDENTIFIED
KILLER WHALES
(presumed
to be Transient Bigg's)
May 18:
3:00 pm: Large pod of
Orca off Point Holmes, local name for Cape Lazo, at the tip of the
Comox peninsula, Vancouver Island. No direction at this time.
Thanks to Eric
Green, Powell River C.G. who also heard the radio transmission and
let us know the location which we could not pick up.- SM
May 17:
10:46 am 4 Orca
southbound off Anacortes Island.
6 pm Also 10 Orca in
Penn Cove in Puget Sound, southbound.
Josh McInnes,
Victoria.
May 17:
Between 7 – 8 pm a
pod of 4 Orca and two stragglers behind were swimming north towards
Dodd's Narrows. They were off the west coast of Decourcey, Link and
Mudge Islands swimming north in Stuart Channel. I guess the whales
have been in these parts the previous two days. They were more to the
south as we could see 6 whale watching boats moving south of Boat
Harbour both Friday and Saturday (May 15 and 16 ) it seems herding
the whales. Occasionally saw the fins and spouts between the boats.
Janette Dyck.
May 16:
This is Stefan from
DFO. Talked to you a while back at Pedder Bay about Transient Killer
Whale data. I'm working up in Ladysmith today and there have been a
few sightings of killers locally today. They are in north Stuart
Channel/Dodd's Narrows area. A bunch of people have seen them. The
pod is about 4 whales and 1 or 2 of them are smaller ones/juveniles.
Not sure if they are Transients or not. Just passing this on. They
were headed north, I believe. Also just talked to another fisherman
and his wife works for BC Ferries and she has seen Killer Whales off
Gabriola Island lately. I guess she works on the Departure Bay ferry
going to the mainland. The killers were in the Strait of Georgia east
of Gabriola Island. That was just recently as well.
Josh McInnes,
Victoria.
HUMPBACK
WHALES
May 16:
I work for BC Ferries
on the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay run. Yesterday we saw 3 or 4 Humpback
whales about 4.5 miles north east of Active Pass. I could not
determine the direction of travel at the time.
Aaron Sigurgeirson.
May 13:
9:26 am: Sounded like a
Humpback an hour ago southbound by April Point on Quadra Island.
(from radio)
May 13:
10:20 am: There is a
Humpback northbound at Big Rock, near Campbell River. Leif is on
scene.
Jack Springer,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 13:
10:32 am: “KC” is
here! But I think there are two Humpbacks because one has a gash and
one doesn't appear to have one.
11:05 am: Looks like
just one Humpback whale now - “K.C” Right in mid Strait in
Discovery Passage now.
Leif Nordman,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 13:
The Humpback I had
yesterday morning was not “K.C”, so would make sense that there
are two around.
Fabien Minfray,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 13:
11:56 am: Humpback
whale “KC” is mid strait in Discovery Passage between the red can
buoy and the Light house at Cape Mudge on Quadra Island.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 12:
9:00 am: Humpback at
Duncan Bay, north of Campbell River, mid channel, southbound.
Fabien Minfray,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 12:
12:28 pm: Humpback
whale near the red can buoy near Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island.
Seeing it through my binoculars. There are also Orca in the same
area.
12:38 pm: Yes, see them
again. The Humpback is closer to the red can, the Orca are further
south, towards Mitlenatch Island.
12:50 pm: There's a
chance that there's two Humpback Whales, but one for sure.
4:04 pm: Humpback whale
“KC” is still kicking around here, lots of zig zagging and long
dives! He is slowly heading south (for now!) from Tyee Spit in
Campbell River. I finally got a good view of him from the beach. Far
away, and not on film; two breaches in a row...awesome!
Was really neat to
sit alone quietly on the beach while this guy came by :)
Tara Bladon,
Campbell River.
Humpback Whale
BCY0291 'KC'
May 12, 2015 – 4
photos
Tara Bladon,
Campbell River
May 12:
1:00 – 1:30pm: My
husband and I saw a whale just as it was diving. We had just left
Patos Island by sailboat heading to Blaine Washington and were only a
couple of kilometers from Patos. I thought at first it was a Harbour
Porpoise but quickly realized the distance was too great for a
porpoise to look so big. I can't identify the species of whale and
can only say at first it looked like a porpoise as appeared to have a
fin on it's back. It dove and we didn't see it again. Sorry I can't
be more helpful. It was very exciting though. We hope to report lots
more sightings, with luck, in the future.
Joanne and Uke
Lorenz.
May 12:
1:48 pm: Humpback whale
now southbound mid strait right off the Cape Mudge Light house on
Quadra Island.
Elvis, Eagle Eye
Adventures.
May 12:
2:28 pm: The Humpback
whale is now northbound coming up to Whiskey Point on Quadra Island.
I can see it from Fisherman's Wharf.
Geord Dunstan,
Discovery Marine Safaris.
May 12:
2:50 pm: Found him
finally! Humpback whale “KC” is northbound abeam the the Campbell
River Spit, mid channel.
3:13 pm: “K.C” is
in major zig zag mode. One dive at April Point. Next puff and he is
across the channel at Orange Point still north bound. Am leaving him
now.
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
May 12:
4:00 pm: With Humpback
whale in front of the Campbell River Marina.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle
Eye Adventures.
PACIFIC
WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
May 17:
11:27
am: 20 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Browns Bay Report
from Sharkey.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 16:
10:19 am: About 20
Pacific White Sided Dolphins feeding in front of Brown's Bay, north
of Campbell River.
Jerry. Eagle Eye
Adventures.
May 13:
3:58
pm: The Transient Bigg's Orca tossed a Dolphin about 20 feet into the
air. There was a handful of Dolphins around Amor Point, Bute Inlet.
It
was impressive! It was the Momma Orca doing that. She shot up about
10 feet in the air.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
HARBOUR
PORPOISE
May 16:
2:09 pm: 4 Harbour
Porpoise at Lawrence Point in Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 14:
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm:
My mom and I were walking on the Cordova Bay Beach, near Victoria,
just north of the Beach House late this morning and early this
afternoon and spotted what we thought at first was a Pacific White
Sided Dolphin. After some additional checking we think it was a
Harbour Porpoise based on its size and movement. The Porpoise entered
the bay from the north east side traveling south west and was cutting
back and forth across the same area just south of the Beach House. As
it zig zagged over the course of about half an hour, it moved further
and further south and south east. The Porpoise was traveling alone as
far as we could tell. It had no interactions with people or boats.
Jacquelyn Novak.
DALL'S
PORPOISE
May 17:
3:29 pm: 8 Dall's
Porpoise at the mouth of Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
May 16:
1:59 pm: 10 active
Dall's Porpoise at Owen Point.
Leif Nordman,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 16:
3:21 pm: A dozen
Porpoise at Hill Island – presume they are Dall's.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle
Eye Adventures.
May 15:
4:56 pm: Half a dozen
Dall's Porpoise at Old Church House, Sonora Island.
Fabien Minfray,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 12:
12:39 pm: A dozen
Dall's Porpoise in Denham Bay, across from Sonora Island.
Fabien Minfray,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
May 11:
While
sailing we sighted (seemingly) many Porpoises heading north eastward
in the Georgia Strait toward Howe Sound. (Location
map indicates they were approximately half way between Bowen Island
and Vancouver as well as similar distance off Point Atkinson. - SM)
There seemed to be many in the area, not the same group moving
around. It seemed like three or four groups, rather than one group.
I'd guess each group was made up of 2-4 Porpoises. Not certain of
the numbers, of course, but they were jumping all over the place!
They were quite small and at least 50 – 100 metres off the boat,
off in the distance. They were black with triangular dorsals.
(From the extra description and communications, we determined that
they were most likely Dall's Porpoise - SM)
Loree Cameron.
UNIDENTIFIED
WHALE SPECIES
May 12:
About 1.00 – 1.30 pm:
My husband and I saw a whale just as it was diving on Sunday May
12th, 2015. We had just left Patos Island by sailboat heading to
Blaine Washington and were only a couple of kilometres from Patos. I
thought at first it was a harbour porpoise but quickly realized the
distance was to great for a porpoise to look so big. I can't identify
the species of whale and can only say at first it looked like a
porpoise as appeared to have a fin on it's back. It dove and we
didn't see it again. Sorry I can't be more helpful. It was very
exciting though. We hope to report lots more sightings, with luck, in
the future.Best regards,
Joanne & Uke
Lorenz
Reports
of Dead, Injured, Entangled or Branded Animals
CUVIER'S BEAKED
WHALE
May 18: This evening I
received a report of a dead “killer whale” on a beach near the
village of Ahousaht, where I live, (north of Tofino, BC, on Vancouver
Island). Eager to see the whale before the end of the day, I headed
out on a boat and was dropped off late in the evening. To my relief,
this was not a killer whale, but appears to be a 22 foot long
(female?) Beaked Whale. The body is severely decomposed and is being
actively fed on by numerous bald eagles. There is a large gash and
prop marks running along the left dorsal side, suggesting a boat
strike as cause of death, or occurring after death.
Marcie Callewaert,
Ahousaht.
A
second Cuvier's Beaked
Whale has washed up on
Haida Gwaii – here's a news link:
UNIDENTIFIED
BALEEN WHALE
May
12: A dead whale on
Dundas Island just above Prince Rupert. Laurie Bartlett (From
the photo submitted, it appears to be a small Baleen Whale high on
the beach. With most of it's head missing, it has been there quite a
while and is probably feeding many animals still. SM)
ENTANGLED
CALIFORNIA SEA LION
May
18: The entangled California Sea Lion that had been seen off the
Powell River Mill has returned. We've asked DFO if we can possibly
help it before it becomes too distressed since it is cutting into his
neck. The line, which from photos looks like packaging / box line.
Please cut ALL loops in packaging, even if you think they are too
large to worry about before disposing of them.
DEAD
CALIFORNIA SEA LION
We
received a number of calls on this Sea Lion over a number of days.
California
Sea Lion washed ashore at Myrtle Rocks, just South of Powell River.
We are presuming that with the Transient Bigg's Orca in the area, it
was killed and abandoned by the whales who may have been showing the
young ones how to hunt. We have seen many Turkey Vultures and assume
other animals are feeding on the carcass.
DEAD
HARBOUR SEAL
May
16: Harbour seal, not Sea Lion floating right outside the North
Westview Harbour breakwater, Powell River. We have not heard where it
may have washed ashore. Once again, we have had Orca in the area and
it may have died from injuries sustained in hunting exercises by
them.
LINKS
A
Californian man got between a mother grey whale and her baby and got
a good smack for his carelessness.
People
out whale watching, and a whale out people watching! 2 links:
A
paddle boarder was investigated by an Orca in New Zealand and he got
it on video:
A
National Geographic special which shows how Orca train in special
hunting methods. This is a full hour long program which the Knowledge
Network has made available till early June only, so not too much time
to view it:
Because
everything in the ocean is related: Congratulations to Alexandra
Morton and Ecojustice for their tremendous achievement in protecting
our wild salmon:
On
the lighter side: For those of you who like to move your mouse or
cursor around, someone took a great deal of time to produce this Orca
and it's movements. Should get a smile or three:
2015
Summer Fundraising Raffle:
Get
your tickets in time for our EARLY
BIRD DRAW!
- June 21, 2015
see 2015
Summer Raffle for full details – Tickets only $5 each.
Have
you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every
sighting report is valuable!
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are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
For
our DONATE
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