A few of the Northern Resident Killer Whales made an appearance at the top of Johnstone Strait. The remaining Orca sightings reports have been placed into the Unidentified category as we have not received confirmed ID's. Some, we believe, were Southern Resident Orca, and most were Transient Bigg's. Humpback Whales are still the majority of reported sightings this week including an unusual North-Westerly direction of travel.
Our Society News is a lengthy update. We cover updates on, and highlights of our efforts and transformations so far this year. We also have a call out for Volunteers with some extra detail. Due to this section's length, we have located at the bottom of the Sightings Updates and above our latest section addition 'The Magazine', which is an expansion of our previous Links in the News section.
Our Society News is a lengthy update. We cover updates on, and highlights of our efforts and transformations so far this year. We also have a call out for Volunteers with some extra detail. Due to this section's length, we have located at the bottom of the Sightings Updates and above our latest section addition 'The Magazine', which is an expansion of our previous Links in the News section.
Susan MacKay, Whales
and Dolphins BC
For our DONATE page click here
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
Call
1-877-323-9776
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP 2015-041
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Mon Nov 09 2015
13:09 • NRKW Orca at the top end of Johnstone Strait off Blackney Passage. ◦A23s, A25s◦
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue Nov 10 2015
11:25 • 5 Orca heading North in front of Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Two big fins - males.
Fabien Minfray, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:00 • 5-6 Orca doing circles, in Discovery Passage. They didn't breach. Two were much larger than the others.
Hazel Trego, .
10:35 • 4-5 Orca playing, heading North by Hidden Harbour with another group more towards Quadra Island in Discovery Passage. Very playful.
10:12 • 3-4 Orca heading North in front of Best Western Hotel mid-strait in front of Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:00 • 6 Orca heading South past Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. At least 3 large fins - males. ▫ Observed from Shore
Name Withheld, by Request
Sun Nov 08 2015
09:49 • 2-3 Orca doing circles, off Qualicum Beach in Strait of Georgia. Orca were in the area since 7am. They are partly submerged and behaving as if trapped. Ducks are around them. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sharon McInnes, Gabriola Island.
Tue Nov 03 2015
16:30 • 5 Orca heading North off Powell River by the Viewpoint in Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
HUMPBACK WHALES
Fri Nov 13 2015
12:00 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North by Vivian Island SW tip of Harwood Island, Georgia Strait.
Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:30 • 2 Humpback Whale travelling, heading South in Malaspina Strait. Passed right beside our cliffhouse deck. Were surfacing from time to time. Have seen a pair of humpbacks three times in the last two weeks--don't know if same ones. Watched for about 15 minutes. ▫ Observed from Shore
Nell Dragovan, Powell River
09:35 • 2 Humpback Whale off the Blubber Bay light Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Humpback Whales
Fri Nov 13 2015 - 3 Images / Media Files
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Humpback Whales
Fri Nov 13 2015 - 3 Images / Media Files
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
09:00 • 3 Humpback Whale between Blubber Bay and Rebecca Rock, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Thu Nov 12 2015
12:24 • 2 Humpback Whale breaching, heading South from Crescent Bay, Texada Island, Georgia Strait. They were breaching over and over again in the storm. Almost looked like they were surfing. Will try to get the video clips in.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Wed Nov 11 2015
15:52 • 2 Humpback Whale off the SE tip of Harwood Island, Georgia Strait.
11:08 • 2-3 Humpback Whale between Harwood Island and Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Just spotted them. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
11:06 • 2 Humpback Whale heading South and Rebecca Rock, Malaspina Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC
Mon Nov 09 2015
15:00 • 3 Humpback Whale hunting, heading North-West off shore at Qualicum Beach, Qualicum Beach, Strait of Georgia. Observed with sea lions. ▫ Observed from Shore
Kerry Mckeen, Qualicum Beach
13:42 • 2 Humpback Whale off Crescent Bay, Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Sun Nov 08 2015
13:37 • 3 Humpback Whale heading South-West off the North-West tip of Texada Island in Strait of Georgia. It was raining when the whales were observed.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
12:11 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North off Crescent Bay on Texada Island in Strait of Georgia. The Humpbacks were heading towards Harwood Island. ▫ Observed from Shore
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
10:42 • 3 Humpback Whale heading South off Harwood Island in Malaspina Strait.
Steve & Susan Grover, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Sun Nov 08 2015 - 3 Images / Media Files
Steve & Susan Grover, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Sun Nov 08 2015 - 3 Images / Media Files
Steve & Susan Grover, Powell River, BC
Sat Nov 07 2015
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whale near the mill off of Powell River. ◦BCY0027 (Maude), BCX1258 (Crescent)◦
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
11:35 • 2 Humpback Whale South of the mill at Powell River. ◦BCY0027 (Maude), BCX1258 (Crescent)◦ ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
Humpback Whales
Sat Nov 07 2015 - 1 Images / Media Files
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
Humpback Whales
Sat Nov 07 2015 - 1 Images / Media Files
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
11:12 • 2-4 Humpback Whale heading North in front of View Point off Powell River in Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
09:49 • 2 Humpback Whale heading North near Myrtle Rocks in Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River
08:56 • 2 Humpback Whale breaching, heading West off the mouth of Lang Creek. Crazy rough seas but just happened to see large splash.
Michael Stewart, Powell River, BC
Wed Nov 04 2015
11:00 • 1 Humpback Whale heading North off Dent Island in Tugboat Passage. The Humpback Whale was large.
Wendy Stevens, Courtenay, BC
Mon Nov 02 2015
15:00 • 2 Humpback Whale off the NW point of Texada Island in Strait of Georgia. The captain announced it. In fact I couldn't hear what type of whale he was announcing but they looked like humpbacks when they dove, since my husband had just played a humpback DVD he got at the thrift store and it showed the increased curve of their back between mid-back fin and tail. ▫ From Ferry
Kim & Deirdre, .
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Nov 11 2015
15:48 • 6-8 Pacific White Sided Dolphins between Rebecca Rock and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Sat Nov 07 2015
12:00 • Pacific White Sided Dolphins milling, off Burnt Bluff in Cordero Channel. The Dolphins were milling around for a few hours each morning during the past 7 days.
Wendy Stevens, Courtenay, BC
DALL'S PORPOISE
Wed Nov 04 2015
12:00 • 4 Dall`s Porpoise heading South near Burnt Bluff.
Wendy Stevens, Courtenay, BC
SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2015-041
Society News:
Updates:
It's been a very hectic year so far and the last five months in particular have been loaded with many updates and upgrades as we migrate much of our work to our official society name. Rest assured, we are still Whales and Dolphins BC. The following is a brief summary:
Sightings Reports:
This has been the largest upgrade which started in June, 2015 with our IT Specialist, Eric Schwartz volunteering to help out with out maps and mapping. The simple words 'help out' is a complete understatement! He has taken Whales and Dolphins BC / Wild Ocean Whale Society to a world class level. The following is a condensed version of the numerous long hours working:
June – July 2015:
- Standardize the layout from sightings information collected to enable mapping the data
- Create and publish location Maps where every sightings report could be viewed individually or grouped for each specific Sightings Report Issue
- Link Media photo files into the Sightings worksheet
- Archive reports data into a central database; this is all the information that you see in each published issue
- Set up documentation and training for the updated process of data collection and Sightings Report preparation
August – September 2015:
- Start migrating many of our functionality to work under our Society name
- Fine tune methodology, documentation and training information
- Update Media linking to enable audio and video to be included within the data files for the Sightings Reports
- Start scheduling training and setup of volunteers under our Wild Ocean Whale Society name
October – November 12, 2015:
- Include a Heat Map in the Sightings Updates
- Work with volunteers to set them up and start training
- Design and publish our new Sightings Reporting Form and Email
- Migrate email subscribers to our in house service
- Design and publish our new email Subscriber request form and link email template
- Prepare and provide complete and open on line access to our Archives to researchers and the public
Collaborate with Founding Director, Susan MacKay throughout this whole process to ensure the information requirements are met and data flows with as few hiccups as possible to the public.
Additional Important Highlights:
Throughout all of this setup, learning, testing and overall transformation, we also had many other people involved in our efforts to date:
Information Tables: Campbell River, Willow Point, Sayward, Powell River, Lund, Sechelt
Fundraising:
March 2015, Burger and Beer Night
June 2015, Early Bird Draw for our 2015 Raffle
July 2015, Final Draw for our 2015 Raffle
Live Streaming Web Camera and Hydrophone Systems:
With our Fundraising efforts having fallen short by approximately 50% of the necessary costs to purchase the equipment and complete installation of even the first location, the scheduling of all aspects of this have been postponed until such time as sufficient funds are available. Donations would be greatly appreciated.
Presentations:
Powell River: Multimedia presentation by Susan MacKay on Whales and the Food Chain
New Society Logo:
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures designed and presented us with a wonderful new Society logo design.
And the work continues.... Would YOU like to be a part of our efforts?
We are all Volunteers!
Volunteers are needed to assist with the preparation of our Sightings Report Updates:
Our work is done on line through internet based collaboration tools thereby allowing more than one person to work on the preparation and compilation of submitted sightings at the same time. This also allows for flexibility of time and hours. Our published reports are slated to be regular weekly releases. With enough volunteers, we would share the load and could allow for scheduling of only a few hours at a time.
Analysts:
- location is not a factor
- computer is a requirement
- internet is a requirement
- knowledge of using a spreadsheet is extremely helpful
- a bit of familiarity with our Coastal waterways is helpful
Editors:
All Editors need to understand the process and first start as Analysts
Review Editors:
- review the Analysts' work
- check map locations
- send completed information for Media insertions
Media Editors:
- prepare photos – size and crop
- convert raw video and audio submitted to a usable format
- categorize and prep all media for insertion
- insert media in a prescribed format into the current issue
The Magazine
Steve Grover, Powell River
Click the title to open a Video of Three Humpback Whales in Texada Island's Blubber Bay in the rain. Video is best in HD mode.
The National Post
Click the title or image to read how a team of Vancouver Island skeleton articulators have taken on the task of cleaning the giant Blue Whale skeleton at UBC's Beaty Biodiversity Museum
The Huffingto Post (US)
Click the title or image to read novelist and nature writer Brenda Peterson's piece on the link between the survival of the Southern Resident Orca, access to Chinook Salmon, and efforts to remove Dams from the Snake River, a tributary of the Columbia River...
The Conversation (Scotland)
Click the title or image to read David Lisau of the University of Aberdeen discusses cetacean strandings and our current understanding of these tragic events
Newsweek Magazine (US)
Click the title to watch Video and read a scientists explanation for the amazing video of Orca punting a seal high up into the air
Animal Welfare Institute (USA)
Click the title to read about a major change in US Navy Pacific Fleet Training policy designed to protect cetaceans, or watch the video examining Orca J-Pod and other cetacean aversion of Navy ships
Asahi Shimbun (Japan)
Click the title to read the article describing how cyber attacks are being aimed at Japanese web sites following the annual Taiji dolphin hunt
For our DONATE page click here
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
Call
1-877-323-9776