Orca, Gray Whales and Pacific White Sided Dolphins - Lots of Sea Lions Too.

Whale and Dolphin activity appears to be up everywhere. With the proliferation of food, both the fish and meat eaters have plenty to chose from.

We are busy working on doing a few updates and found that we had glitch with our toll free, which we believe is now fixed. We are still waiting to hear about the maps promised us of all the sightings. There will be more information in the next report.

People have been asking about all the Sea Lion activity in our waters. They are busy feeding on the abundant herring in the area and use co-operative efforts to feed on them. When they have nice full bellies, they quite frequently hang about in what we call rafts and cool off by holding their flippers in the air or play. Sometimes we receive reports of Orca when it's actually Sea Lion flippers. When the water is calm, they have a great ability to fool us, so keep your eyes open and remember to give us a call!

Susan MacKay & Lynne Cracknell, Whales and Dolphins BC

Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.

Every sighting report is valuable

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Powell River, March 23, 2014

Susan MacKay, SG Images

UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES

March 25:

12:20 pm: Orca off the Hump, just off the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, hunting Seals.

From Radio.

March 23:

12:50 pm: Seven plus Orca (one male) foraging at the Hump, near the Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Quadra Island.

(Original report from Fisherman)

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.

March 23:

5:20 pm: There are Orca being very playful in front of the ferry. Campbell River. They are southbound.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching.

March 22:

9:45 am: Three Orca southbound off Westview towards Grief Point, Powell River, tight to the shore from my sister and granddaughter, Nyla.

Judy Brant, Powell River

March 22:

10 am 3 Orca moving pretty quickly towards Grief Point. There were no big dorsals (males) and they were tight to shore. There's lots of sea lion activity and they didn't seem too concerned, but they were even tighter to shore.

Liz Douglas, Powell River

PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Powell River, March 23, 2014

Susan MacKay, SG Images

March 24:

6:45 pm: There are around 200 PWS dolphins foraging around between Texada Island and Rebecca Rocks.

Steve Grover.Powell River.

March 24:

7:30 pm: By the way, the Dolphins are still out there! They are heading back towards Texada now.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

March 23:

2:52 pm 3 to 5 Porpoise or Dolphins – smaller than Orca for sure, feeding just off the anchored sailboat by the sea walk.

Shirley Randall, Powell River

March 23:

2:55 pm 5 smaller animals (turned out to be PWS Dolphins) angling back and forth towards the viewpoint.

Liz Douglas, Powell River

March 23:

3:20 pm: PWS Dolphins reported in Powell River. Going to check.

3:40 pm: Initial report had 3 - 5 which I stopped to look for and saw from the viewpoint. Found 30 plus coming quickly from below VanAnda, Texada. They flew by making a bee line North-West towards Vivian Rocks. Waiting a bit to see if there are any more coming around Grief Point or if they're being chased by Orca.

4:00 pm: Another 20 or so between Vananda and Grief Point, moving slow.

5:20 pm: Never got close enough to either group for a really good photo – thank goodness for telephoto lenses. The first group were moving fast and I lost track of them, the second group turned back down Malaspina, foraging. I went back to the harbour!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Powell River, March 23, 2014

Susan MacKay, SG Images

GRAY WHALES

March 21:

12:30 – 2:00 pm: Gray whales farther off the coast today, about 1/2 to 2 miles from the lighthouse past Mara Rock. (That's about 5 miles out of Ucluelet, on the West Coast.) Lots of Grays going by, but not in such a hurry, so many tails up as they dived. It was great here today, also, frost first thing this morning, but wonderful sunshine all day again. Very calm waters out there in the open, maybe one meter swells but very far apart. And no wind really. A non typical Spring day in Ukee!

Don McBain, North Vancouver visiting Ucluelet

March 20:

12:30 – 2:00 pm: About half a dozen Gray whales east and west of Mara Rock, travelling west on the northern migration. They were motoring so all we could see was blows, of course, heads, and a couple of backs.

Don McBain. North Vancouver visiting Ucluelet.

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Powell River, March 23, 2014

Susan MacKay, SG Images

LINKS IN THE NEWS:

Thanks to Michael Stewart who sent us this next video, a graphic encounter between excited boaters, exhausted sea lions, and hunting Orca – all off the coast of Prince Rupert a few days ago.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php

Another link to the same event, this time from the Telegraph newspaper in the U.K!

?v=10152001039285547http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/10719399/Family-capture-rare-close-up-footage-of-killer-whale-hunt.html#disqus_thread

Some great overhead footage courtesy of the CTV News helicopter showing a large pod of Pacific White Sided Dolphins chasing herring in the Strait of Georgia on March 21st.

http://bc.ctvnews.ca/video?clipid=311641

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Powell River, March 23, 2014

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?

Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.

Every sighting report is valuable!

We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society

A Few Gray (Grey) Whale Sightings and Last Minute Orca Update

After posting this we got word of some Orca, so here's the report:

Unidentified Orca

March 24:

Hi there,

Tracked two killer whales heading south off Rathtrevor Beach this afternoon – between 3:15 and 4:30.  Appeared to be a mom and baby as the little one still had some pink.  They were very slow – perhaps feeding as they would stay in one area for a while, there wold be lots of splashing and commotion and then they would move on.  At one point the adult appeared to be chasing something through the water as it was moving very fast. It was an amazing experience! Thanks

Jill

Sightings are very few...odd for this time of year. But between the rough weather on the west coast of Vancouver Island, there are some Grey Whales showing up for the Pacific Rim Grey Whale Festival in the Tofino – Ucluelet area; see reports below. There are also a few Greys showing up just South of Vancouver Island around Whidbey Island and Transient Bigg's Killer Whales also in the US San Juan Island area. No word on where those Pacific White Sided Dolphins got to. They may still be in the Sechelt - Jervis Inlet area. Keep your eyes open – there must be more whales, dolphins or porpoise out there.

To report your sighting, call our new toll free hotline: 1-877-323-9776

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Gray (or Grey) Whales

Gray Whale blows are low and heart shaped.

Feeding in shallow water, they are easy to watch from shore.

Susan MacKay, SG Images

March 23:

I didn't give a report yesterday because it was practically the same as Thursday. (rough on the water).
Today was different, we were off Salmon Beach watching two, likely male, Grey's rolling in shallow water close to the shore. They were having a great time, not sure if they were eating much or just having fun. No herring here yet so not likely that they were eating that much.

Don McBain, visiting Ucluelet

March 21:

5 greys making their way west from Sail Rock towards Mara Rock about 1:30. Mainly just backs but one tail, and fairly close to the "Lady Selkirk". More tomorrow I hope.
Don McBain, visiting Ucluelet

Gray Whale back

Blotchy patches of pigment, barnacles and mites,

the orange coloured spots, cover the whole whale.

Susan MacKay, SG Images

LINK

Zoom Sunshine Coast Magazine Spring 2013 issue just out and in digital version too. Whales and Dolphins BC has a piece in it with a few photos:

http://www.zoomsunshinecoast.com/digital/spring2013/index.html

Gray Whale head

Their head shape gives them a prehistoric appearance.

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Toll Free Sightings Hotline: 1-877-323-9776

Orca, Dolphins and Porpoise - Last Report for 2012!

The Holidays limited time to provide updates, so this is a catch-up of the Orca, Dolphins and Porpoise reports received. Some photos, received recently, of Humpback Whales off the Saltery Bay ferry terminal a while back and also, just heard that there were still two Gray Whales at the top of Johnstone Strait...shouldn't they be gone to warmer waters? Hard to imagine that we're looking at the last update for 2012!

May you all have a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous 2013!

A big thanks to all those eyes out there who report what is seen. These reports are all about sharing and monitoring the Cetacean movements, and we couldn't do it without you. Please keep looking and the reports coming. They are all logged and posted.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Humpback Whales Double Breach

Saltery Bay

John McDowell

Transient (Bigg's) Orca – Killer Whales

December 30:

Report that a female, tiny calf and a male Orca headed North through Seymour Narrows. No time given.

Anonymous

December 25:

9:23 am 4 Orca Southbound off Atrevida Reef – just North of Powell River.

3 pm A Mom, Dad and young'un went by the foot of Penticton Street, Powell River headed South.

Grant Rainsley, Powell River

December 25: (rec'd Dec. 26^th)

Around 2 or 3 pm: 5 Orca including 4 females 1 tiny calf and 1 male milling about off the Powell River viewpoint.

Clyde Burton, Powell River

December 24: (rec'd Dec. 26^th)

Afternoon: Some Orca by Gibson's Beach, Powell River.

Clyde Burton, Powell River

December 22:

8 am 2 Orca Southbound a few blocks North of the Westview, Powell River ferry terminal.

Joseph McLean, Powell River

RE: December 21^st report:

Hi Susan. My guess for the 3 orcas, with the male and little one are the T123s. They had been hanging around Blackfish Sound, Johnstone Strait & Blackney Pass for awhile. Happy holidays!!
Leah, Hanson Island

(The only reason I do not think all the sightings are the T123's is because of the above reports, but it is possible. Without photos, it's hard to be sure. Dec. 25^th photos taken off Grief Point were anticipated, but have not seen them yet. Holidays have kept everyone busy! - SM)

Humpback Whale Breach

Saltery Bay

John McDowell

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

December 29:

Had 6 PWS Dolphins Southbound in Seymour Narrows. I never got any pics of the dolphins – elusive in the current.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Dall's Porpoise

December 29:

Saw various groups of 2 to 4 Dall's Porpoise in Nodales Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Humpback Whales

Saltery Bay

John McDowell

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Lots of Killer Whales and Dolphins

Transient (meat eating) Orca, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and a large group of Dall's Porpoises from Powell River to Savary Island today, and Campbell River Orca yesterday. Lots of activity after our long dry spell. Nice to have some of the 'regular' Savary snowbirds back to assist with Sightings reports. Our area is one of the larger expanses of water to watch, so the more eyes looking, the better the reports. Thank you all. Keep looking and those reports coming in!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca – Killer Whales

April 20:

6:40 pm 4 Orca by April Point, across from Campbell River, heading Northward. One big fin (male). Reports came in from Laura to Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys and also Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

April 21:

2:40 pm Just sitting on our deck watching 4 to 6 Orca cavorting and milling about out in front of the Meadows on Savary Island. (Southwest side of Savary Island looking towards Grant's Reef). No direction and have been there for a bit.

Lesley Roberts, Savary Island

3 pm Lesley called us to look for the Orca in front of our place.

Dee Ingraham, Savary Island

4:18 pm After a short search for them, Aaron, Campbell River Whale Watching found the Whales still in the same area. There were at least 8 Orca in total with T02C and one Sprouter (young male whose dorsal is growing to it's adult size) and possibly another male off in the distant. The two groups of around 4 each joined together. 2 very young calves still tinged with orange were cavorting (see Garry Henkel's photo below). They were resting, spyhopping and very slowly working their way towards the green buoy marking the end of Mystery Reef and the mainland. By 5:30 pm when Aaron left them, the Orca were still between Savary and Grant's Reef. Reports were received over the radio from Aaron 'as it happened' and they never did show up closer to the mainland by dark – SM.

Young Transient Calf – note the orange tinge

Albion (Black) Point area Powell River

April 10, 2012 (corrected date)

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

April 21:

10:40 am Call came in that around 50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins were very tight into shore by Grief Point heading towards Westview, Powell River.

Joan Treen, Powell River

11 am The dolphins were back and forth in front of Powell River feeding with a couple of sea lions in the mix. An eagle was swooping to pick up some of the herring (assumed) that they were chasing up while a flock of Snow Geese flew over them heading North. There was one dolphin I spotted that looked like it had a yellow streak on it which is a distinguishing feature of a Common Dolphin, but watching from shore, I could not confirm this. The Dolphins were not interested in playing with any of the ferries or boats in the area, but continued to forage back and forth from the ferry terminal to Grief Point. I last saw them back in front of the ferry terminal at 1:30 pm, then they disappeared. With the above Transient (meat eating) Orca reports, if they heard the whales, it explains their disappearance.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Dall's Porpoise

April 20:

10 am 3 Dall's Porpoise were out by Keefer Rock, between Savary and Hernando Islands.

Dee Ingraham, Savary Island

April 21:

Between 5 and 7 pm there were numerous Dall's Porpoise spread out between Savary and Hernando Islands. Estimated number would easily be around 20 of them and they were still visible on returning to Savary from Keefer Rock area. At one point there were 6 on one side of the boat and another eight on the other.

Bill & Dee Ingraham, Savary Island

From Orca Network, US

April 19
6:26 pm - Small pod of orcas moving slowly north mid channel between Seattle and Bainbridge, just lost sight off Bill Point.
Heather Polverino

April 19

6 pm - Report from Graham Dewitt of the Wa. State Ferries that at least three orcas were headed north off Elliot Bay, toward West Point.

April 19

5:53 pm - 2+ Orcas off Magnolia now... Seen from Bainbridge Island ferry.
Katie Geraghty

April 19

Mike Sullivan of Bainbridge Island called to say that on the 5:30 ferry to Seattle the captain announce about half way across that there were orcas north of the ferry lane about a quarter mile. He saw at least two adults, including one male, moving north.

April 19

12:40pm - Gray whale off Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (west side).
YG ES Janaan 

 

2012 Charter Cruises

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Orca, Porpoise and Grey Whales

Transient (Meat Eating) Orca snuck past Powell River overnight or early today and were spotted late this afternoon. Photos below of a calf and Transient T020. Also some more Harbour Porpoises in the reports. No whales reported at the top end of Johnstone Strait over the past while nor any Southern Resident (Fish Eating) Orca in the Puget Sound area, but they do have some Grey Whales.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca - Killer Whales

Young Transient Calf – note the orange tinge

Albion (Black) Point area Malaspina Strait

April 12, 2012

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

April 12:

5 pm Call came in around 20 Orca by Mitlenatch Island, just off Savary Island. They were milling about, splashing, doing spyhops and generally cavorting about. No specific direction, but there are lots of sea lions on Mitlenatch for them to chase. Report was passed on from the new owner of Sevilla Island Resort in Lund.

Gordie Coles, Lund

Transient T020 April 12, 2012

Albion (Black) Point area Malaspina Strait

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Harbour Porpoises

5 pm Some small Harbour Porpoises were doing their usual, being boat shy, by the Ragged (Copeland) Islands, just off Lund.

Gordie Coles, Lund

Grey (or Gray) Whales

Reports below submitted by Susan Berta and Howard Garrett, Orca Network, Whidbey Island, US

April 11

Gray whale still near bluff on west beach and fort nugent road (west side of Whidbey Island, just south of Naval Air Station Whidbey)----just watched for a while--still unsure what it is--dark with a fine--seems to be eating for last two days--heading south at time 6pm and will turn north in a bite---anyone else reported it.

Sandy Blondin

April 11

Gray whale sighted slowly swimming northwest toward Langley off of Sandy Point, Whidbey Island about 12:30 - 1:00 PM today!

Melanie J. Sceva Hill

April 11

5 of them (gray whales) there again this morning. And late last nite. Right off Priest Point (north of Everett)--maybe 100-200 yards off our dock. We heard them last nite around 11pm & saw all five of them at 8 am this morning.

Susan Stedman

April 10

Grays off Everett from 1:05 pm. Many gray whales off of Everett now! Beautiful!

Shelby Snyder Keyser

 

2012 Charter Cruises

Enjoy a personalized week long Charter Cruise in the pristine wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest. Information can be found on the 2012 Charter Cruises pages of Whales and Dolphins BC.

Sightings: Gray Whale, Dall's Porpoises, and J-Pod Orcas

Out in front of Powell River there have been no confirmed sightings of any whales or dolphins yesterday or today. I did however see what I thought was possibly a larger blow and back (Humpback?) between the mill and Harwood Island around mid-day today. Unfortunately, not seeing it again, leaves it off the "official" list.

The radio reception was bad both days also since most of the tours were heading up into the various inlets above Desolation Sound and Discovery Pass. With everyone busy looking for the Transient Orca, the reports are a bit hit and miss, but doesn't sound like anyone found them.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

June 9:
4:50 pm A Gray Whale was spotted hugging the shoreline close to Brown's Bay above Campbell River heading in a South-East direction.
Jack, Campbell River Whale Watching

June 9:
1:45 pm Dall's Porpoises around Thurtson Bay, Nodales Channel. No numbers or direction.
heard from broken snippets over the radio from one of the tours

June 8:
A few times in the day, again through broken transmissions there were Dalls Porpoises up around the Bute Inlet area.

From Farther South: submitted by: Susan & Howard, Orca Network

June 9:  

Great day today!! We had J pod a couple miles north of East Point in the Strait of Georgia. Best day of the year so far! They were a big spread, but tons of breaching everywhere you looked.

Gary Sutton, Wild Whales Vancouver

June 9:

J pod was present and playful today! We first saw the orcas at Saturna Island's East Point as both juveniles and adults took turns breaching, lob tailing and spy hopping as they slowly made their way east. Two mature males were in the lead for some time, which we believe to be the pod-mates Blackberry (J-27) and Mike (J-26). An exceptional day to be viewing wildlife and on the water!

Kirsten, naturalist for San Juan Safaris Whale Watching

June 8:

Resident Orca from J Pod were around Saturna Island off East Point.

And Farther North West:
There were reports of Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Humpbacks in the upper Johnstone Strait area.

Orca, Humpback, Porpoises, Branded Steller Sea Lion, Plus More

At least some Orca are around our area. Since the report came in late, no-one was left out on the water to identify them. The Superpod of Transients were by the US/Canada border yesterday (see reports below) but could have made it back up here. In addition, there were some Dalls Porpoises, a Humpback Whale, and a branded Stellers Sea Lion in the upper Georgia Strait area. A bit farther South, a Gray Whale near Gabriola Island and a Minke Whale with her calf around Victoria / East Point area. Although the waters around Powell River were quiet, there are a lot of marine mammals out there.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 27:
6 pm around 12 Orca were Northbound by Campbell River towards Seymour Narrows.
from Garry, Aboriginal Journeys

May 27:
2:30 pm A couple of Dalls Porpoises were spotted by Turn Island, Johnstone Strait.
from Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 26:
12:40 pm a Humpback Whale was seen doing some tail lobs and splashing close to Cape Mudge. It was headed in a Southerly direction with the tide.
Report over the radio from the vessel Leta

May 26:
Another branded Sea Lion, this time a Stellers, numbered 250 F was spotted in the morning at Mttlenatch Island by AJ. The "F" brand is from Forrester Island Alaska a Steller Sea Lion natal rookery where numerous pups were branded in 1994, 1995, 2001 and 2003.

The five reports below from Orca Network :

May 25

This very overcast day, May 25th, proved to be an exceptional day for sighting wildlife, although we found no Orca. The Ocean Magic 12.15 trip settled for an elusive Minke off Hein Bank accompanied by a couple of harbour seals in tow. It was behaving just like a Minke with long dives and two to three breaths at the surface. 

Marie 'Orca-Magic' Prince of Whales. Victoria BC.

May 26

Kymberlie Devlin reports seeing three gray whales in Saratoga Passage, close to shore near Kayak Point, between Everett and Port Susan, at 11:30 today, May 26.

May 25  

On Maya's Westside Charters in the morning we encountered a gray whale north or Pollier Pass, close to shore along Gabriola Island, heading northwest.
Jeanne Hyde and Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's West Side Charters, San Juan Island, WA 

May 25

On Maya's Westside Charters in the afternoon we headed up Boundary Pass toward East Pt. where transients had been spotted. The 1st group we encountered were 4 whales, which included T19B    (I could see three other whales with him & am assuming his constant companions T18, T19 and T19C, but I didn't get pictures of them for proof of presence.) We left them and headed toward Alden Bank. Just north of Sucia Island we encountered a 2nd group: T124C, T124A, T124A2, T124A3 and T124A4. We continued on and encountered a 3rd group: T100, T100B, T100B1, T100C, T100E, T101, T101A, T101B, T102, T124, T124D, T124E, T124A1, T36, T36B,and T36B1. They changed direction and the 2nd group and the 3rd group joined up heading back in the direction of Pt. Roberts.

On our way home, traveling through Boundary Pass we encountered a 4th group:  T137, T137A and T137B.  A grand total of 28 killer whales.

Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island 

May 25

Another amazing day! We saw 27 Transient Orcas, an amazing number, on our afternoon trip into Boundary Pass and the Strait of Georgia.

Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside charters, San Juan Island, WA

The above 5 reports were submitted by Susan Berta and Howard Garrett, Orca Network