Transient Bigg's Killer
Whales have been all around in the Georgia Strait and Desolation
Sound, while the Northern Resident pods still appear to be foraging
up in Alaska. Humpback Whales also are being spotted more frequently
in our inside waters now and we have a returning Humpback off Powell
River again. The Pacific White Sided Dolphins are still in smaller
groups with at least some of them in their favourite Nodales Channel.
We are, however, missing reports of Porpoise.
Susan
MacKay & Lynne Cracknell, Whales
and Dolphins BC
2015
Summer Fundraising Raffle:
Information Tables with
2015 Summer Raffle Tickets are scheduled for:
Tables in the Campbell
River area, yet to be announced for July.
July 24 to 26: Powell
River SeaFair.
On Line Tickets: Use
our Donate button for tickets please.
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.
TRANSIENT
BIGG'S ORCA
Transient Bigg's
Orca off Texada Island
July 1, 2015 – 2
photos
Jay Feaver, Tofino
July 3:
7 am: At least 4 Orca
Southbound mid Discovery Passage by Race Point. There one or two big
fins.
8:04 am: The Orca are
now by Orange Point still Southbound mid-channel.
Fabien, Campbell
River Whale Watching
July 3:
8:03 am: The Orca are
Southbound by Steep Island. Looks like the T101's and T102 plus.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
July 3:
10:48 am: I am
departing the Orca who are bucking the tide at Whiskey Point,
Discovery Passage. Nick is on scene.
Leif Nordman,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 2:
12:01 pm: Found Orca by
Curme Island in Desolation Sound. Looks like four Orca, one bull, the
rest small fins. By Mink Island.
Leif Nordman,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
Transient Bigg's
Orca
July 2, 2015 – 3
photos
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
July 2:
1:30 pm: Garry sent me
a picture for ID purposes. I have ID'd the whales he is with as the
Transient Bigg's Orca T137s. The photo is of Transient Bigg's T137A.
2:28 pm: 9-10 Orca
including Transient Bigg's Orca T101's and T102 plus a bunch of
calves and juveniles. Angling from Wilby Shoals to Cape Mudge on
Quadra Island proper.
5:42 pm: Transient
Bigg's Orca still lazy by Wilby Shoals, still pointed north towards
Cape Mudge on Quadra Island
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
July
2:
2:05 pm: Orca on Wilby
Shoals heading towards the red can buoy near Cape Mudge on Quadra
Island. There are 6 – 8 Orca in total.
Jack Springer,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 2:
2:16 pm: Leaving Orca
milling around west of Zephine Head in Desolation Sound.
Jerry. Eagle Eye
Adventures.
July 2:
6:57 pm: Orca are at
Cape Mudge village Northbound mid channel.
Fabien, Campbell
River Whale Watching
July 2:
9:15
pm: We just spotted at least 2 Orca and possibly a
smaller one heading south from bottom of Penticton St in Westview.
Kerry
Jones, Powell River
July 2:
9:28
pm: We are seeing quite a few large splashes in the
middle of the channel between Texada and Harwood. Don’t know the
direction as it is very rough. Looks like at least 3 whales.
Shirley Randall,
Powell River
July
1:
12:10 pm: Just got a
report that yesterday there were Orca out in front of Salmon Point,
Campbell River.
Aaron
Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
July 1:
12:10
pm: There were 2 or 3 Orca with one big male, not sure how many, off
Donkersley Beach heading north. Thank you Orca for making my July
1st!
Laura Johnson,
Powell River.
July 1:
1:20 pm: 4 – 5 Orca
northbound in Malaspina Strait off Myrtle Rocks, Powell River.
Bill Taylor, Powell
River
Transient Bigg's
Killer Whales
July 1, 2015 – 4
photos
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
July 1:
1:56 pm: There are 6
Orca just between Blubber Bay and Vananda, on Texada Island. At least
two big males.
2:59 pm: They were
killing a seal off Vananda when we left 15 minutes ago.
Eric Green, Powell
River
July 1:
3:37 pm: Found the Orca
just north of VanAnda, Texada Island, there are at least 9 of them.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 1:
4:15 pm: We have
Transient Bigg's Orca T101's and T102,T046, T046D, T046E, T122, and a
young one. And there is a Humpback whale following a parallel course
to the Orca, not more than 500 meters away, heading southwest between
Harwood and Rebecca Rock.
4:50 pm: Leaving the
scene. The Transient Bigg's Orca are zig zagging off of Vivian
Island, last zag had them heading towards the Vancouver Island
shoreline.
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
July 1:
7:00 pm: Orca heading
towards Cape Lazo near Comox, coming from the direction of Sentry
Shoal, moving at 6 – 7 knots.
Ed Sharkey,
Painter's Lodge.
Transient Bigg's
Killer Whales
July 1, 2015 – 4
photos
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
July 1:
7:40
pm: I have just spotted several Orca going NW slowly but steadily.
They are passing Dinner Rock and going towards Lund at this time.
They are spread out and come to the surface in groups of two. There
seem to be three groups, with two large males. After
I sent the email to you it seemed that there could have been 6 – 8
or as high as 12 or so Orca. They traveled steadily surfacing every 5
minutes or so.
Ron Johnston, Savary
Island.
July 1: (rec'd July 2)
8:30 pm: This picture
is from my friend Carla. These Orca passed Viner Point, on the
southern extremity of Read Island, there were four Killer whales, one
large male. (The one in the picture.)
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
Transient Bigg's
Killer Whales
July 1, 2015 – 2
photos
Carla Duffey
July 1:
9 pm: Orca moving at a
pretty good clip in Thulin Passage, just above Lund. They were
porpoising at the surface.
10:15 pm: Orca headed
slowly north east from Sarah Point, at the NW extremity of Malaspina
Peninsula. They were about 2 miles North-East of the point. We saw a
couple of tail slaps.
Jay Feaver, CCG
Powell River.
June 29:
10:40 am: Just received
a report of Orca (possibly Transients) heading west off South Pender
Island, Gowlland Point/Brook's Point area. They are approximately 300
meters from shore. 6 animals in total, 2 males and 3 females/sub
adults.
Josh McInnes,
Victoria.
Transient Bigg's
Killer Whales
July 1, 2015 – 4
photos
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
June 29:
3:20 pm: Orca in
Georgia Strait just out a bit from Rebecca Rocks, Powell River. There
are at least 4. I am keeping an eye out.
6:27 pm: Comox just
announced the whale watch guidelines on 16 warning boaters to keep
their distance. I figure they are closer to the Vancouver Island
side.
Susan MacKay, Whales
and Dolphins B.C.
June 29:
6:40 pm: 6 Transient
Bigg's Orca in Sansum Narrows, which leads into Stuart Channel, just
north of the power lines in the Gulf Islands.
Josh McInnes,
Victoria.
June 28:
2:30 pm: Transient
Bigg's Orca T077's westbound in President's Channel, Puget Sound.
Josh McInnes,
Victoria.
June 28:
5:46 pm: So Transient
Bigg's Orca T125's and others (ID's to follow) are moving lazily
south along the southern tip of Twin Island. They have not decided
whether they will take Baker Passage or head over to you in Powell
River, Susan.
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
June 27:
6:30 am: At least 3
Orca between Harwood Island, and Sliammon, nearer to Powell River,
northbound.
Rick Steen, Powell
River.
June 26:
6:30 am: 8 – 10 Orca
resting between Viner Point, at the south end of Read Island, and
Hill Island. Make that 12 plus Orca – 4 or 5 tall fins.
7:47 am:They are
heading towards the Penn Islands from Viner Point, slowly heading
towards Quartz Bay on Cortes Island.
Jack Springer,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
Transient Bigg's
Killer Whales
July 1, 2015 – 4
photos
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
June 26:
6:30 am: Whales (Orca)
off mill heading north, Powell River.
Dave Carbery, Powell
River.
June 26:
7:28 am: Orca
northbound in Whale Passage, between the Penn Islands and Read
Island, at least 8 of them. Reported by a friend.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 26:
8:49 am: “Pacific
Yellowfin” is with Orca at the Penn Islands. There are five of them
plus a baby. They are moving towards Bullock Point. Stand by. They
have sounded. There is a second group closer to the Rendezvous
Islands.
9:08 am: They are
moving fast toward Deer Passage.
9:19 am: Two groups of
Orca closing up at the entrance to Deer Passage. Moving fast.
9:24 am: Leaving now.
“Eagle Eye” on scene.
Colin Griffinson,
“Pacific Yellowfin.”
June 26:
10:52 am: Orca really
close to shore at Raza Island, northbound.
12:57 pm: 4 Orca at
Bute Inlet, heading for the Aran Rapids.
1:08 pm: I just found
another group of Orca northbound at Bartlett Island.
1:16 pm: 7 Orca heading
for Bute Inlet, one small one and the rest are all small fins.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle
Eye Adventures.
Transient Bigg's
Orca
July 2, 2015 – 3
photos
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
June 26:
12:04 pm: Sounds to me
like “Ladyhawk” is with the Transient Bigg's Orca T125's, the
rare Alaska Transients that have been in southern waters for a few
weeks now. The T125s were traveling with the Transient Bigg's T065As
and Transient Bigg's T137s when they were down south the past while.
4:10 pm: Transient
Bigg's Orca T125's at Sarah Point, southbound. Someone else here too
– looks like 7 or 8 animals, the Transient Bigg's T137s are the
second gang here.
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
June 26:
1:06 pm: Looks like
Orca are heading up Bute Inlet.
Jen Furst, Campbell
River Whale Watching.
June 26:
1:09 pm: The group I am
with are heading south down Lewis Channel at 2 knots, there's six or
seven of them.
1:28 pm: Leaving this
group about 2 miles down Lewis Channel on the Cortes Island side,
still slowly southbound.
Geoff
Dunstan,
Discovery
Marine Safaris.
June
26:
5:10
pm: Left 4 Transient Bigg's Orca at Moh Creek in Bute Inlet heading
in at 6 knots.
Leigh Nelson,
Adventure Quest Tours.
June 26:
9:12 pm: Orca
southbound in the Strait of Georgia by Savary Island – 5 – 8
animals.
John Treen, Savary
Island.
Orca in Bute Inlet
June 26, 2015 – 2
photos
Jos Krijnen, Eagle
Eye Adventures
NORTHERN
RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
June 30:
12:54 pm: Northern
resident Killer Whales are in Frederick Sound, southeast Alaska.
Josh McInnes,
Victoria.
SOUTHERN
RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
June 29:
10:38 am: Southern
Resident Killer Whales K-pod are currently off the Victoria
waterfront.
Josh McInnes,
Victoria.
UNIDENTIFIED
KILLER WHALES
June 30:
7:35 pm: Someone said
they saw two Orca in the Nass today, in Northern BC above Prince
Rupert. He said one was so close to shore it surfaced with kelp
around it's dorsal. (With the Northern Residents up in the Alaska
area, it is possible that these may be some of them. SM)
Randy Hodge
June 26:
3:00
pm: Here is a shot I took from the ferry on June 25th,
not sure how useful it will be for you but noticed the tiny fin
behind the adult one. This was near the Tsawassen Ferry Terminal,
just leaving the dock on board the 3:00 pm ferry. (I
believe these may have been some of the Southern Resident Killer
Whales that have been around that area, but not sure at this point.
SM)
Lyndell Weldon,
Campbell River.
HUMPBACK
WHALES
Humpback Whale
BCX0380 'Z'
June 27, 2015
Susan MacKay, SG
Images
July 3:
9:42 am: A very large
Humpback Whale is just off Albion Point heading slowly North.
Bill Taylor, Powell
River
July 3:
9:48 am: One Humpback
Whale northbound off Myrtle Rocks. It is a large animal.
Nina Falls, Powell
River
July 1:
4:15 pm:. There is a
Humpback whale heading southwest between Harwood Island and Rebecca
Rock, near Texada Island. It is following a parallel course to a
group of Transient Bigg's Orca, not more than 500 meters away We have
Transient Bigg's Orca T101's and T102,T046, T046D, T046E, T122, and a
young one.
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
July 1:
4:16 pm: Humpback whale
near Rebecca Rock, just off Texada Island.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 1:
6:33 pm: Humpback whale
off Coho Point now at the tip of Texada Island, tight to shore.
(from call)
July 1:
9:45 pm: A Humpback
whale out mid channel in front of Penticton Street, Powell River.
Shirley Randall,
Powell River.
June 30:
12:40 pm: “Coast
Wild” has some blows, not sure what kind yet – off the green can
buoy by Cape Mudge on Quadra Island.
June 30:
12:59 pm: Humpback
whale off the green can buoy – somewhere!
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
June 30:
7:37 pm: One Humpback
whale southbound across from Myrtle Rocks, closer to Texada Island.
Jim Southern, Powell
River.
June 29:
3:00 pm: Report of a
huge whale (I am guessing Humpback) in front of Powell River, no
comeback when asked for details.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle
Eye Adventures.
June 29:
We were on the Pacific
Ocean tonight outside of Powell River, and saw a very large whale, at
least 30 feet long, later identified from photographs as a Humpback.
Marc Butula, Powell
River
Humpback Whale
Powell River
June 29, 2015 – 2
photos
Marc Butula, Powell
River
June 28:
3:00 pm: We saw what we
believe was a single Humpback whale between Keats and Gambier Islands
around 3:00 pm Sunday afternoon. We saw him half a dozen times over a
period of about 80 minutes. We saw him breach only once in that time
but failed to get a picture. We were wondering if there was anyone
else who reported seeing him in the area.
Linda and Perry
Harding.
June 28:
7:30 pm: Lone Humpback
whale southbound on the east side of Harwood Island.
John Lewis,
Discovery Marine Safaris.
June 28:
9:00 pm: This (from
report above) is the Humpback whale BCX0380, known as “Z.” Stayed
with her till after 9:00 pm and she angled over between Harwood
Island and Texada Island. This is a returning Humpback Whale to the
Powell River area. She (assumed) was here throughout SeaFair last
year then was seen in Desolation Sound in August, 2014.
Susan MacKay, Whales
and Dolphins B.C.
June 28:
9:33 pm: Humpback whale
heading north, off the Powell River viewpoint, perhaps 300 meters
out.
Janet Southcott,
Powell River.
Humpback Whale –
Tofino
June 22, 2015 – 4
photos
Angie and Paul
Hibbert, Sayward
June 27:
8:00 am: Small Humpback
whale off Harwood Island.
Rick Steen, Fishing
Guide.
June 25:
10:42 am: Humpback at
Camp Point in Johnstone Strait, between Helmcken and West Thurlow
Islands, reported by my brother on Tug boat.
Janeen
Templeman,Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
June 25:
12:36 pm: Humpback at
the top end of Lewis Channel, heading into Calm Channel, relayed by
Kurt.
12:43 pm: Humpback
whale northbound at Bullock Bluff, second Humpback off Rendezvous
Islands.
1:48 pm: Both Humpbacks
are at the bottom of the Rendezvous islands. Correction: One is a
Minke Whale at the top end of Lewis Channel, the Humpback is at South
Rendezvous.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle
Eye Adventures.
June 25:
1:50 pm: Humpback whale
heading north towards Rendezvous Islands, on the Read Island side.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 25:
7:35 pm: With a
Humpback whale in Whiterock Passage, across from Rendezvous Islands.
And last night a second Humpback rounded Pacific Yellowfin in
Whiterock Pass.
Colin Griffinson,
“Pacific Yellowfin”.
Humpback Whale
BCX0380 'Z'
June 27, 2015 – 3
photos
Susan MacKay, SG
Images
MINKE
WHALES
June 25:
1:48 pm: Minke Whale at
top end of Lewis Channel, a Humpback nearby at the bottom of
Rendezvous Islands.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle
Eye Adventures.
June 25: That solves an
argument on “Pacific Yellowfin” among the crew! Some thought that
the Humpback that rounded us last night at anchor was a Minke Whale.
Colin Griffinson,
“Pacific Yellowfin”.
PACIFIC
WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
July 1:
10:00 am: Sounded like
there were Pacific White Sided Dolphins milling around in the Chatham
Point area just a bit ago.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
July 1:
10:02 am: Pacific White
Sided Dolphins between Chatham Point and Greensea Bay, just north of
the Cinque Islands.
Aaron
Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching.
June 30:
10:38 am: Group of
Pacific White Sided Dolphins around Denham Bay, across from Sonora
Island.
(from radio)
June 30:
11:34 am: A few, maybe
4 – 8 Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Moh Creek in Bute Inlet.
Jerry. Eagle Eye
Adventures.
June 30:
12:27 pm: Sounds like
there are Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Chatham Point, from the
Light watchman.
3:00 pm: Pacific White
Sided Dolphins still off Kanish Bay, mid Discovery Passage, milling
about.
Leif Nordman,
Campbell River Whale Watching.
June 30:
1:25 pm: Pacific White
Sided Dolphins off Kanish Bay on Quadra Island, southbound. There are
50 or so of them.
Geoff
Dunstan,
Discovery
Marine Safaris.
June 30:
2:51 pm: Pacific White
Sided Dolphins by McMullen Point, on the Vancouver Island side of
Johnstone Strait, across from the northern end of Quadra island..
(from radio.)
June 30:
4:45 pm: Left small pod
of Pacific White Sided Dolphins foraging at Kanish Bay on Quadra
Island.
Nick Templeman,
Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.
June 29:
9:28 am: About 20 –
30 Pacific White Sided Dolphins between Hall Point and Davis Point in
Nodales Channel. They are close to the Sonora Island shore and not
really moving in any particular direction.
Leigh Nelson,
Adventure Quest Tours.
June 29:
10:47 am: Relay from
Mario, there are Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Harding Island in
Nodales Channel, heading north.
Jordan McLean,
Painter's Lodge.
Pacific White Sided
Dolphins
June 29, 2015 – 3
photos
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
June 29:
11:34 am: 30 or so
Pacific White Sided Dolphins milling around at the junction of
Nodales Channel and Discovery Passage.
Jerry. Eagle Eye
Adventures.
June 29:
3:11 pm: Leaving about
50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Rock Bay, near Chatham Point,
milling.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 28:
2:23 pm: 50 Pacific
White Sided Dolphins at Cinque Islands, milling.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 28:
2:58 pm: 20 Pacific
White Sided Dolphins heading north, just off the east side of Harwood
Island.
John Lewis,
Discovery Marine Safaris.
June 28:
4:00 pm: Pacific White
Sided Dolphins at Frederick's Arm, near to Gomer Island.
(from radio)
June 27:
8:00 am: Pacific White
Sided Dolphins at Grant's Reef, in Shearwater Passage, Powell River.
Rick Steen, Fishing
Guide.
June 27:
1:23 pm: 40 Pacific
White Sided Dolphins at Chatham Point, heading into Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel,
Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours.
June 27:
4:00 pm: Around 8 –
10 Pacific White Sided Dolphins close to the wharf at Kelsey Bay.
They appeared to be chasing fish and went off following the rip.
Angie Hibbert,
Sayward.
June 26:
10:58 am: Pacific White
Sided Dolphins at Davis Point. Orca really close to shore at Raza
Island, northbound.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle
Eye Adventures.
June 25:
3:05 pm: Lots of
Pacific White Sided Dolphins spread out in Nodales Channel in the
Davis Point area.
(from radio)
June 25:
3:59 pm: Pacific White
Sided Dolphins at Davis Point, Nodales Channel.
Jos Krijnen, Eagle
Eye Adventures.
DALL'S
PORPOISE & HARBOUR PORPOISE
With all the other
whale reports, the Dall's and Harbour Porpoise reports aren't coming
in. These smaller cetaceans are a food source for the Transient
Bigg's Killer Whales, as are the Pacific White Sided Dolphins, so
please remember to report them. SM
LINKS
The
D.F.O are called to rescue an entangled Whale for the third time in
one week off the B.C. Coast:
And
entanglement in discarded fishing gear isn't just a B.C problem, it's
worldwide:
A
friendly Humpback Whale encounter:
Interesting question
from one of our readers, Joan Mercier - “Why are you calling Orcas
“Killer Whales.”
Hi Joan – the
correct name for them is Killer Whale. We have been adopting the
shorter version of their Latin name, “Orcinius Orca.” The name
Killer Whale was given to them many many years ago since they were
observed taking all types of prey and thought to be killers of
everything. Since then we have categorized them into various groups.
There are actually more than 6 different subspecies of Orca, but on
the Pacific West Coast we have : Northern Resident Killer Whales,
Southern Resident Killer Whales, and Transient Bigg's Killer Whales.
The Bigg's was only recently added to honour Michael Bigg's, a
researcher. I hope this answers your question! I'm sure others have
wondered also.
Susan MacKay, Whales
and Dolphins B.C.
2015
Summer Fundraising Raffle:
Get your tickets now.
Use our Donate Button/Link below or
Information Tables with
2015 Summer Raffle Tickets are scheduled for:
Tables in the Campbell
River area, yet to be announced for July.
July 24 to 26: Powell
River SeaFair.
Have
you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Every
sighting report is valuable!
We
are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
For
our DONATE
page click here