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

Orca from J-pod, Transients, and Dolphins

Southern Resident Orca made a surprise appearance. Some other Orca, assumed to be Transient Bigg's Killer Whales as well as a few Pacific White Sided Dolphins also in the report below. The Gray Whales are getting closer and have been seen at the bottom of Vancouver Island. I personally thought I spotted a couple of large Humpback or Gray whale blows out from Powell River, but could not confirm, so not an official report.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

5 days left to enter the Draw

(see link below reports)

Draw to be held in Powell River March 16, 2013

All contributions till midnight March 15, 2013 are being entered in the draw.

Thank you for your support.  Good luck to all!

Southern Resident Orca

March 10:

4:53 pm Heading off to Mitlenatch and a blow caught my eye. Initially it looked like 4 Orca, all small fins off the Green Can buoy by Wilby Shoals, then more showed up, then some more. Around 12 animals were spread from Wilby Shoals off the bottom of Quadra Island and Vancouver Island. After seeing an open saddle patch and the curved rather than pointed dorsals, as well as Resident behaviour, the Southern Residents of J-pod slowly worked their way South. There were a few breaches and bit of play – will send some photos. (Photos not received by posting time – SM) Left them still very slowly Southbound half way between Mitlenatch Island and Salmon Point at 6:25 pm.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear

Orca – Transient Bigg's Killer Whales

(most likely, but unconfirmed)

March 6:

Hi there spotted 4 whales in between Gibsons (sunshine coast) and Bowen Island heading North around 1030 am Wed March 6 2013

Sue Booth

March 7:

9 am 4 Orca were seen Southbound just off Quathiaski Cove, from the Quadra – Campbell River ferry. Apparently they were all small fins.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

March 5: (rec'd 6^th)

4:10 pm 3 or possibly more Pacific White Sided Dolphins were cruising close to the water taxi wake as we headed to Savary Island from Lund. They disappeared when another boat passed by, so only saw them briefly.

Geri Batchelor, Savary Island

The Countdown is on:

Support – Enter to Win

Whales and Dolphins BC needs your support through sightings information, volunteering, and financial contributions to ensure continued growth and web presence. To assist with fund raising, there will be a Random Draw for a 4 day, 3 night Cruise for Two! Every $5 worth of Donation enters your name for the draw. Support and you could win this cruise! Draw date: March 16, 2013

For those not wanting to use PayPal secure credit card services, please contact me to make other arrangements – thank you. Some other questions you might have may be answered on the FAQ's – Donate Q & A page.

Thanks to those who have contributed already – Good Luck!

Breaching Humpback Whales and Orca Report

What a great sight while having morning coffee! After so few reports of any Cetaceans and stormy weather making them difficult to even spot in the white caps, seeing Humpback Whales breaching certainly set the tone for the day. And a smile on my face. As anticipated, we are getting these huge animals coming down the inside between Vancouver Island and the Mainland. I believe the earthquakes off the West side of Vancouver Island have something to do with that. Keep your eyes open. A quick scan of the water can sometimes provide a great treat and Whales or Dolphin sightings to report.

Win a Cruise for Two Draw date: March 16, 2013

I apologize for the delay in getting this report out.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Humpback Whales

Breaching Humpback Whale

Spectacular leap from such a large animal

Susan MacKay, SG Images

November 18:

7:45 am One Humpback blow and back was spotted Southbound off the Northwest tip of Texada. It was a brief sighting as the island obstructed my view.

A few minutes later, as I watched a tug taking huge sprays in front of Powell River, a huge Humpback Whale breached a short distance behind. It was an enormous splash! Then another huge leap, totally out of the water and splash, then another. Wow! Then two Humpbacks breached side by side....what a show.

Within ten minutes, I counted a total of 15 breaches between the two Humpbacks. These two were between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island slowly working their way towards Vivian Island. Until 8:50 am there were around six more breaches as I watched the blows from these two together and at least one, possibly two other blows farther apart. They rounded the tip of Harwood angling North-West with the tide.

Not wanting to call anyone too early on a Sunday morning, I sent out a text message feeling that someone else needs to enjoy this incredible sight. I heard back from Stephen Mohan, Powell River who said “Cool! I'll have a look.” And shortly after one of the full breaches, “Holy cow!” and “Wow that was great!” Unfortunately, no other reports came in about these Humpbacks.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

November 10: (late report)

Between 11 am and 12 pm Two Humpback Whales were seen from the ferry off Saltrey Bay towards Hardy Island.

Carol Adamack, Powell River

Breaching Humpback Whale

Leaping more than once!

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Orca – Killer Whales

November 17:

Possible Orca sighting by the Powell River mill. The 'fins' would roll very slowly and change direction and seemed animate. Depth would vary too and sometimes they'd seem to sink out of sight only to pop back up again soon thereafter. The air spouts were probably not more than a foot tall using the nearby gulls as a reference but scale is so hard to judge from such a distance. Not much in the way of answers I know. If it made sense to me then I may not have even thought to have asked you though I can see now that any report is probably better than none. (We are still sorting through some information and photos to determine if these were Orca or what with the sea lions.n And yes, any report is better than none! - SM)

Peter Harvey, Powell River

November 14:

4:25 pm Report of a pod of between 20 to 30 Orca by the red can buoy off of Cape Mudge, Quadra Island was announced over the radio. Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys took a drive and walked his dog along the shore hoping to catch sight of them. Between us, we couldn't locate the vessel that had reported them by radio. Unfortunately, even though it was a calm day, he didn't spot them before having to call it a day in the fading light.

Link:

I have been asked a number of times if Humpback Whales lunge feeding ever catch birds since birds are also feeding close by. I had seen one this past year open his mouth to let a Rhinoceros Auklet, a small diving bird out. Here is a link showing a Pelican inside the mouth of a Humpback!

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/914783-pelican-escapes-hungry-humpback-whales-grip-by-flapping-its-wings

Breaching Humpback Whale

Landings are impressive too!

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Transients and Dolphins Take Center Stage

Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Transient Orca take over the Georgia Strait and lower Johnstone Strait. Even a few that I don't know how I could have missed in the last report! There are a few Humpbacks in the area, but Orca are more visible. Resident Orca are all in the upper reaches of Johnstone Strait and even farther West while Transients are back to running closer to home, Powell River, Savary Island and Lund to Cortez and Quadra Islands. A few Dall's and Harbour Porpoise reports round out the Cetacean Sightings Reports.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Orca on Porpoise Kill

Sept 17, 2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

September 18:

10:49 am Orca tight to shore by the west side of Hill Island.

September 18:

11:15 am Found 5 Transient Orca, all small fins, travelling from Hill Island to Breton Islands and Open Bay (off Quadra) then lost them by 2 pm.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 18:

1pm 4 Orca all small fins by Breton Islands.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 17:

8:48 am Spotted at least 2 Orca off the NW tip of Texada (Coho Point) to Rebecca Rocks, Powell River. Quickly grabbing gear and a neighbour who had never been whale watching other than off her deck, we headed out. We came out between Texada and Rebecca Rocks and joined Elvis, Eagle Eye Adventures who was the first to find the Orca between Vivian Island off Harwood. There were a total of 6 Transients who had just made a kill and were sharing their food. We stayed with them as they made their way up to Savary Island and left them with Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching as they headed towards Mitlenatch Island around 1:30 pm. We headed back with a stop at Vivian to look at the large number of Sea Lions and Harbour Seals when we heard of another group of Transients by the Copeland Islands and Lund headed South from Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching. Off we went.... Picked them up right outside Lund and with a quick pitstop in Lund, lost them for a short time till we again joined up with them off Dinner Rock, found by Geordie, DMS, and continued South with all 8 Transients leaving them close to the Harwood Island shore in front of the Powell River Mill around 5:40 pm. That made for a day with a total of 14 Transient Orca, flat calm waters and sunshine for the long day!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

September 17:

6:48 pm Geordie had that group of Orca you had off Grant's Reef Northbound.

Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 17:

10:15 am 6 Transient Orca in Teakerne Arm.

Nick Templeman

September 16:

11:30 am 2 or 3 Orca (Transient Orca assumed) off Kelsey Bay towards Petersen Island.

Late in the day: heard rumour that there were some Transients above Lund, but not heard from any actual sightings report.

Sept 16 update to Simon's sightings of Sept 14;

Hi Susan, After going over the pictures we actually had 16 transients off Hornby Island T100b and T100C were also in the mix. We also had a large Humpback 2.5 miles west off Sentry shoals westing. Warmest Regards,

Simon Pidcock

Transient Orca Sharing Food

Sept 17, 2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

September 18:

8:30 am PWS Dolphins by Cinque Islands

September 18:

9:25 am 300+ PWS Dolphins in Discovery Pass.

Later and all day: A zillion PWS Dolphins at the Kanish Bay bait ball again.

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 18:

7 pm At least 200 PWS Dolphins by Cinque Islands making their way North.

Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 17:

8:15 am 50 PWS Dolphins by Brown's Bay

September 17:

8:52 am 60 PWS Dolphins by Separation Head foraging.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 17:

4:32 pm Zillion PWS Dolphins by Kanish Bay!

Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 16:

8:15 am 75 – 100 PWS Dolphins by Race Point in Discovery Pass.

8:30 am Large Groups of PWS Dolphins spread out from Chatham Point to Kanish Bay.

11 am Somewhere between 500 to 1,000 PWS Dolphins and maybe even more of them Southbound and spread out from Kanish Bay to Chatham Point to Nodales Channel – They're right across the Strait and it's amazing!!

1:19 pm 200 PWS Dolphins around Kanish Bay

3:20 pm 300 or so PWS Dolphins by Kanish Bay.

September 15:

5:38 pm Hundreds of PWS Dolphins in Brown's Bay.

September 15:

See note below..I missed a show... (forwarded by) Jacquie Nevinger, Brown's Bay

Dolphins like a thousand putting on a show slaughtering herring in front of your motor home @ 5.25 to 6.25 and gulls down stream eating what is left.

Harry

Humpback Whales

September 16:

9:40 am Humpback Whale by fishing hump off Cape Mudge, soon after found close to Shelter Point Reef heading towards the lighthouse. Lots of krill in the water.

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

Dall's and Harbour Porpoise

September 18:

Day: Lots of Dall's Porpoise in Bute Inlet foraging.

Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

September 18:

5:15 – 7 pm Saw a few groups of Harbour Porpoises – 5 groups of 2 – 5 each on the ferry to Comox. (no they were not “on” the ferry). They were spread out over the course of the ferry ride.

Tara Bladon, Campbell River

September 17:

Day: Several small groups of Dall's Porpoise in Bute Inlet. 2 to 4 in each group.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

September 16:

9:15 am Some Dall's Porpoise by Dent Rapids.

New Group of Transient Orca, KC the Humpback and More

'KC' the Humpback Whale (see photo), Pacific White Sided Dolphins, an unusually large, around here at least, group of Harbour Porpoises, and a new group of Transient Orca (see photos) make an appearance in our area.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale 'KC'

Out in front of Campbell River 12 noon

May 26, 2012
Jack Springer, Hurricane Jack

May 28:

What a day after a few dry days with few whales around. We left the harbour at 1305 and crossed to the Quadra Island side heading south and KAWOOF!! Full breach along the Quadra Island Shoreline! Next breath and we knew it was a Humpback Whale!! After the first tail fluke shot I figured it was KC (photo enclosed for confirmation) we followed mid passage for 20 min and left him at April Point approx 1335hrs. (Continued under Transient Orca) We picked up on the Humpback 'KC' again on our way home. He was 1/8 mile South of Kanish Bay @ approx 1620hrs. The Orca were 1.5-2 miles behind him at Separation Head also still Northbound @ 1630 hrs. Great day today aside from a little Westcoast Sunshine, Cheers!!

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 27:

1:46 pm Humpback off Cape Mudge heading Northwards.

Way West boat

May 26:

11:48 am Humpback off Cape Mudge – unsure of direction.

Jen, Campbell River Whale Watching

May 26:

5:15 pm Hi Susan just got a report of a Humpback whale southbound at Cape Mudge 515 pm. Cheers

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient Orca

Transient Orca

May 28, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 28:

2:20 pm We started to head South again (see also Humpback Whale report) and after 5 minutes got a report on the radio of breaching Killer Whales at Big Rock in Willow Point! (Campbell River area) We were on scene in 2 min! Took a bit to get the proper ID's but have come up with the T036 Gang and T099 Gangs, 6 animals total! They were breaching, Taillobbing and spyhopping etc. Maybe had just finished off a kill but hard to say. Time on scene was approx 1345hrs. We left this Gang still Northbound in Discovery at approx 1430 hrs. (Continued in Harbour Porpoise reports) Repeat: We picked up on the Humpback 'KC' again on our way home. He was 1/8 mile South of Kanish Bay @ approx 1620hrs. The Orca were 1.5-2 miles behind him at Separation Head also still Northbound @ 1630 hrs. Great day today aside from a little Westcoast Sunshine, Cheers!!

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 26:

5:15 pm I can't tell for sure from this distance but I'm seeing some large splashes Northwest of Comox and heading slowly towards Campbell River. Either Orca or lots of Dolphins. The splashes seem way to large for Dolphins.....I assume Orca.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

May 26:

Around 4:30 pm 9 transients north bound Winchelsea islands. T-90's T-65 A's.

From Simon through Nick Templeman

May 19:

Late report originating from Dick Sumner came in that while the big sea lion kill and dolphin bashing was happening with the 15 Orca between Savary and Cortez Islands, there was another group of Transient Orca were spotted in Toba Inlet.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Transient Orca

May 28, 2012

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

May 28:

8:10 am 12 PWS Dolphins were headed Northwards in the Narrows by Brown's Bay.

10:56 am Another 10 PWS Dolphins were right by Sonora Resort.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

May 27:

2:35 pm Lots of PWS Dolphins spread out by Dent Rapids.

Radio

May 27:

3:12 pm 24+ PWS Dolphins in Bute Inlet by Fawn Bluffs foraging.

3:30 pm Another 24 or so Dolphins by Dent Rapids.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Harbour Porpoises

May 28:

We headed north to Seymour Narrows, found approx 12-15 Harbour Porpoise in Plumper Bay.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

May 27:

2:45 pm 12 to 15 Harbour Porpoises seemed to be grouped together by Steep Island, Discovery Passage and a few additional groups with 2 to 4 in each were in Nodales Channel from How Island to Sonora Point.

Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures

 

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.