J-Pod Sightings? Countdown - 2 Days left to Enter

After the excitement of having the Southern Resident J-pod make an appearance, (see previous report) there were a couple of sightings of possibly the same pod of Killer Whales. Although the recent reports are unconfirmed as J-pod, they have not been spotted elsewhere, so the reports are listed under Southern Resident Orca. Keep your eyes open, and please report any sightings.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Only 2 days left to enter the Draw

Enter here

Draw to be held in Powell River March 16, 2013

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

Winner will be contacted directly and

name will be posted as soon as possible after.

Thank you all for your support you are making a difference!

Good luck to all!

Southern Resident Orca – all J-Pod ?

Southern Resident Orca from J-Pod

March 10, 2013

Nick Templeman, CR Whale and Bear Excursions

March 12:

5:30 pm At least 3 or 4 blows off Twin Islands (off Hernando, by Baker Pass - SM). Bit lumpy out that way, but think they're Orca.

Cam M.

March 11:

5:57 pm There are Orca in front of Comox.

Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching

March 10:

What a magical encounter....it has been over 12 years for me to see J Pod, Ruffles was still the man when i saw them! When we first cam on scene it took a while to get a handle on the whole scene. We had only seen 4-6 animals to start but once we settled in, realized we were looking at a huge spread, well over 2-3 miles. We witnessed lots of surface activity, some longer, foraging dives. Seems they were successful in the hunt for salmon as we witnessed lots of gull activity over them in the distance in spots where they were on the surface. Hopefully getting a well deserved Spring salmon or two! They stayed quite separated the whole time...in little sub groups, so we were not able to see or photograph everyone. There was much excitement at points, breaches, double breaches, a couple times was 6-8 in a row! very happy whales.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

Southern Resident Orca from J-Pod

March 10, 2013

Nick Templeman, CR Whale and Bear Excursions

The Countdown is on:

2 Days Left to Enter the Draw!

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!

Southern Resident Orca from J-Pod

March 10, 2013

Nick Templeman, CR Whale and Bear Excursions

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!

Bigg's Killer Whales, Herring and Links in the News

With the herring spawn started, it was only a matter of time before we started to see some Cetaceans close by. Great 'spawn' report below. Lots of chatter on the radio about it too. The Orca, some unidentified, finally did make their presence known. Also a couple of links in the news.

10 days left to enter the Draw

Draw to be held in Powell River March 16, 2013

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

The winner of the cruise for two can transfer their winning to another party, should they wish. 

Good luck to all!

Although Beazley the cat would love to draw the name, it was decided that he'd probably either pull more than one name, or not pull a name at all. So, we have a young, non-contributor from out of town coming to pull the name. There will be photos and, barring technical difficulties, a video clip of the draw.

Society, budgets, and official charity status are all being worked on. It's time consuming work to produce all official and legal documents. This has caused the delay in reports being posted and responses to emails. There have also been glitches with Facebook postings. Please bear with me and continue to pass on sightings; they are all important. The web site and domain name has just been renewed for three more years. Thank you!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales

April Point – Campbell River

March 5, 2013

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales

March 5:

4:50 pm T18/T19/T19B and the rest of the gang are by Walcan, Campbell River still Northbound. left them at Brown's Bay still Northbound at 5:30 pm. They did a cool, over 10 minute dive, at slack tide on Ripple Rock. Never seen that before....

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Watching

March 5:

4:25 pm 4 Orca Northbound by April point across from Campbell River. Nick found them and said they're T18/T19's. These are the best photos I got today. They were far away. Thank god for my zoom lol

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales

April Point – Campbell River

March 5, 2013

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Unidentified Orca

March 4:

8:33 am Hi Susan ... there are some Orcas reported off of Harmac (Nanaimo) right now ..I'm at work there and I have a camera so I'll see if I can get a shot of them.

Derek Crook

February 25 (Rec'd Feb 28)

I got a note yesterday from one of my friends at the Bay. (Brown's Bay, just NW of Campbell River) She woke up to a Pod of Orca some morning this week in the Bay...So they are not all in the strait... Think it was Monday.

Jacquie Nevinger, via Florida

Herring Spawn

March 5:

In the meantime, a Denman "sighting", if you will. Not whales sadly, but the herring spawn began this week on March 3. A sure sign of spring around these parts. Here are a few photos. Feel free to share one or all or none wherever you wish. Hope to get some more wildlife instead of just fishing fleet shots before the spawn is over. The sea lions, seals, eagles, and sea birds come in droves for this event. Unfortunately they weren't in the immediate vicinity of the fleet when I was out with my camera. I honestly wonder why the herring spawn doesn't bring in the Biggs. It is a sea mammal buffet.

Graham Blake, Denman Island

Herring Fisheries off Denman Island

March 3, 2013

Graham Blake, Denman Island

Additional information heard through radio chatter is that there have been huge schools of herring in Comox harbour, Qualicum, and mostly over on the Vancouver Island side of Georgia Strait.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Links in the News

Marine Protected Areas and Protecting our oceans: On February 5, 2013, the federal government’s environmental watchdog released a report suggesting that Canada has a long way to go to protect our coastal ecosystems and oceans. Canada has only protected one per cent of our oceans, while Australia and the United States are well on their way to meeting ocean conservation goals (at 40 and eight per cent respectively). Video clip and more on the David Suzuki Foundation website at: http://action2.davidsuzuki.org/spend-a-little-save-a-lot

The longest of the video clips of Orca, sea lions and surfers in close to shore off the West Coast of Vancouver Island. There were reports on the news that these Orca were hunting the sea lions, but I have yet to see sea lions swimming towards and with Transient Bigg's Killer Whales..... They usually get as far away and as high up onto rocks as they can when T's are in the neighbourhood and on the hunt. They all, except for the surfers, appear to be chasing herring close in to shore. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOtntDW0KnM

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!

Couple of Orca Sightings - Countdown to the Draw

Reports: There are a couple below, but it sounds like a few Northern Resident Orca are at the top of Johnstone Strait, including that new calf, and the Southern Residents are truly South. The sightings reports below are therefore assumed to be Transient or Bigg's, Killer Whales. Personally, I've seen what I could have sworn, but not confirmed, a couple of large Humpback Whale size blows pass through the area. But without confirmation, they are not included.

A reminder that EVERY sightings report is important. Comments regularly come in to the effect that “you must have heard” and I find myself quite often replying “No, no-one passed the information on till you just mentioned it”. Please pass those Sightings Reports on to us so they can be included. They are ALL important.

Draw / Donations: The countdown is on to the draw date of March 16, 2013. Beazley the cat is still checking out the box and a heavy book has now been placed on top to avoid his pulling names before the draw date. Much has been happening behind the scenes working towards the goals of Whales and Dolphins BC (check out the information on the Support - Enter to Win Pages as well as the Questions and Answers page for an update). With only 24 hours in a day, it just doesn't seem enough! A huge thanks to those that have donated to support and help things happen, and good luck to you in the draw.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Beazley, determined to find HIS name in the box.

He can't be left behind, he's the official boat cat!

Orca – Killer Whales

(most likely Transient (Bigg's)

February 25:

9:50 am At least 2 Orca are angling towards Major Rock from Baker Pass (between Hernando and Cortez Islands).

Cam M.

February 18:

3:15 pm 3 Orca off Quathiaski Cove. Reported by my daughter on the ferry to Campbell River. I'm heading down to April Point to see if I can spot them....nothing seen. Spoke to one of the ferry workers who said they were Northbound.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys

Sorry no whale photos today – just Beazley looking for names to pull from the box.

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.

Thanks to those who have contributed already – Good Luck!

Orca, Minke or Humpback and A8's Update

Some unidentified Orca reports and a possible Minke (or Humpback) sighting as well as an update on the A8's with the new calf. Some other Transients (Bigg's) Orca including T02C's were reportedly at the top of Johnstone Strait too.

Delayed report due to too much going on – apologies to all - my reason for needing volunteers!

Another unusual sighting today, February 11: Submarine surfacing and descending as it passed by Powell River heading Northward! Wonder what the whales and dolphins think of it?

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Minke? Or Humpback Whale

Feb 9:

1 pm Possible Minke? We sighted a single whale breaching just off the Fisherman's Wharf breakwater. From the silhouette and your web site, I think it’s a Minke. It was travelling north.

Dave Ostler, Campbell River Harbour Authority

Northern Resident Killer Whales

Feb 8:

Around 10 am The A8's including A42 with her new calf was spotted at the top of Johnstone Strait. Looks like they were joining up with the A5's and I11's. ID's of A42 and her calf, born around Powell River's Myrtle Rocks and Albion Point were identified by Jim Borrowman, Orcella Expeditions

Orca Unknown

(probably Transient – Bigg's)

Feb 7:

8:58 am Whales spotted on Comox ferry. Well not actually on the ferry, but close by. Heading to you (Powell River). They're about half way. Hard to tell how many – I only saw two. They passed quickly.

Gordie Coles, Lund / Savary Island

Feb 6:

10:33 am Northbound Killer Whale's in front of Harbour right now. I'll see if I can see them from the Spit if I can get there in time – Campbell River.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Bear and Whale Watching

Humpback Whales, Banderas Bay Mexico - photo: Michael Stewart, Powell River

 

 

 

Humpback Whales and Orca

Feb 6:

Sorry the picture isn't great but we saw this mother and calf this morning in Banderas Bay very close to shore, as you can see. Guide thought Mother might be in shallow water to teach the calf to swim. Later we saw another pair and then 4 female Orcas approaching them. This was further south along the coast of the same bay.
Michael Stewart, Powell River from Mexico

Southern Resident Orca

Feb 1: (missed report)

4:30 pm Heard L Pod is off Nanaimo somewhere earlier today headed NW.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Bear and Whale Watching

Beazley keeps checking for names to draw!

One determined cat!

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.

Thanks to those who have contributed already – Good Luck!

Orca Sightings, Fog and Links in the News

Fog limited any viewing of the ocean let alone any whales or dolphins most of this past week. There are a couple of Orca sightings reports and a few more photos received late of the Northern Resident Pod known as the A8's and A42's December calf off Harwood Island. A few links in the news at the bottom of the report for you.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

NRKW A42 and her Calf

Harwood Island

January 12, 2013

Norbert Detlow

Killer Whales – Orca

Unknown if Transient (Bigg's) or Resident Whales

January 20:

3:29 pm Received a text message: “Whales – Lund – Heading your way” (With the pea soup thick fog here in Powell River, one could barely see across the street let alone the ocean! No idea if these unidentified Orca made it this far South of Lund or just carried past. - SM) The message continued:

Looked like 5 Orca. 2 big ones, a baby and two others.

Gordie Coles, Lund / Savary Island

January 18:

1:05 pm 4 to 5 Orca Northbound off Rotary Beach, Campbell River, the Vancouver Island side of Cape Mudge. I went to look from the spit and no luck.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale & Bear Excursions

Northern Resident Killer Whale A42

Close to Harwood Island

January 12, 2013

Norbert Detlow

Links in the News

This updated video clip of a BBC interview with the diver who filmed the Bottlenose Dolphin entangled in fishing line asking for help.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21176914

A CBC 22 min. long video clip of attempts to save a young Pilot Whale January 20^th by Marine Animal Rescue of Nova Scotia:

http://www.cbc.ca/landandsea/2013/01/whale-rescue.html

Leyla Alyanak of Women on the Road interviews Whales and Dolphins BC's Susan MacKay:

http://www.women-on-the-road.com/whalewatching-in-bc.html

Powell River Peak / Whales and Dolphins BC Interview / Articles:

Jan. 9^th issue: http://www.prpeak.com/articles/2013/01/09/community/doc50ecb8d502eed064914194.txt

Nov. 14^th issue: http://www.prpeak.com/articles/2012/11/14/community/doc50a2e8b12458a855631451.txt

NRKW A66

Off Harwood Island

January 12, 2013

Norbert Detlow

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

Thanks to those who have contributed already – Good Luck!

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales plus A8 Calf Photo

Transient (Bigg's) Orca by Powell River, Thormanby and Sechelt. Other reports indicate that there may have been more Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales down by Cowichan today. Wonder where the Northern Resident A8 pod with their new calf went to. Another photo of the A8's with their new calf as well as photos from today. There are also a few Links in the News at the bottom of the reports.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whale T19B

Powell River

January 17, 2013

Susan MacKay, SG Images

January 17, 2013:

10 am 4 or 5 Orca just out between Grief Point and Texada Island heading Southward. There's 4 for sure – looks like 2 larger fins and two smaller ones.

John and Joan Treen, Powell River

January 17, 2013

10:30 am Spotted 4 Orca heading south past VanAnda on Texada. 0ne large with a thick dorsal fin and 3 smaller ones. They stopped briefly resting on the surface.

Holly Roy, Powell River

January 17, 2013:

Right after Holly called and it sounded like they weren't speeding down Malaspina Strait, I hopped out on the skiff to see who we might have. They split up with two tight to Texada's shore and the other two continued down mid-strait. I left them around 11:40 am passing Lang Bay with their noses pointed towards Sechelt.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whale T19

Powell River

January 17, 2013

Susan MacKay, SG Images

January 16, 2013

10 am I saw the three orcas yesterday heading south along side Thornaby Island.
Anonymous

January 16, 2013:

Just days after saying I never see orcas off Sechelt, three went by Davis Bay at low tide this afternoon around 3.30 pm. Yes, mum and I were driving north and saw a woman with a camera-day was very dull so I thought she was nuts..... then we saw a bunch more and even the ambulance had stopped to look so we went around the block and parked and there they were three dorsals heading south, last sighted by White Island.

Nancy Fabbro, Sechelt

NRKW A8's with calf in front of the

Powell River Mill

January 2, 2013

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Northern Resident Killer Whales

(probably the A8's - unconfirmed)

January 12: (late report)

Were in behind Harwood on Sat. saw a orca and calf, followed them a bit until a orca showed up with twice the size dorsal fin, and the mom and calf just disappeared. Need to figure my camera out, missed some awesome shots.
Norbert Detlow, Powell River

Links in the News

Dolphin entangled in some line asks for help from divers. This is an amazing video clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCXx2bNk6UA&feature=share

Two links to different reports and one with video clips of the Orca that were trapped in the ice in Hudson Bay. Reportedly a plane did eventually spot them clear of the ice.

From the Montreal Gazette January 10:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/Shifting+frees+trapped+killer+whales+northern+Quebec/7800950/story.html

From ABC's report and video clips:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/Shifting+frees+trapped+killer+whales+northern+Quebec/7800950/story.html

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

Thanks to those who have contributed already – Good Luck!

Orca Sightings, News Links, Photos

Northern Resident Orca with calf still around Powell River to Stuart Island, while Transient (Bigg's) Killer whales are spotted by Nanaimo. Bit of fog is making scanning waters a bit difficult, but for those walking beaches in the fog, stop to listen, you might be surprised by hearing a blow.

A few links in the news at the bottom of today's report.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Northern Resident Killer Whales

(most likely)

Underwater Orca glides by boat

January 12, 2013

Cheryl Borgfjord

January 12:

4 pm 5 Orca two large with a small calf in between and two other were right close in to shore. A neighbour alerted me after he heard their blows. They were slowly heading North-West from Savary's SW shore. (This is unconfirmed A8's - SM)

Lesley Roberts, Savary Island

January 12:

My husband, son, uncle and myself I were out on our boat today and saw what I think is the newborn orca that was born in Powell River. We were going along the front side of Harwood Island towards the Spit, then turned around to follow them. I was able to take some photos. What an experience. One went on his side and swam right alongside our boat...There were 5 in total. When we left them, they were headed between Harwood and Texada. We went back around the back side and on our way back to the Beach Gardens, and they were swimming around Vivian Island. (This is unconfirmed A8's - SM)

Cheryl Borgfjord, Powell River

January 10:

A8's were reported by Stuart Island at some point during the day.

Leah, Hanson Island

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

Transients off Chrome Island Lightstation

January 1, 2013

Anne Baker

January 13:

4 pm Transient Orcas spotted 15 minutes from our office. Just off Saltspring Island. Sounds like possibly the same group from yesterday...

Simon Piddock

January 12:

10:30 am I was kayaking and spotted 4 orca's at Neck Point in Nanaimo. There were two larger ones and two small one's. I thought maybe two mom's with their young ones. A boater told me half an hour before I arrived on the scene they were tossing around a seal. The two big ones were leaping right out of the water several times in the 30 min that I was watching them.

Kathleen

January 1:

Here is my belated report on some orcas we spotted on January 1, 2013:
Time: around 4:10 p.m. Where: Between Denman and Hornby (Lambert Channel) on ferry (MV Kahloke) Number: 6 - 8 Direction: going from South to North Comments: we had a spyhop!
Mike Nestor

Transient (Bigg's) Tail Lob

January 1, 2013

Anne Baker

Links in the News:

Carl Petersen was found guilty of harassing whales see article:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/01/10/bc-whale-harass-sentence.html

Powell River Peak newspaper article January 9, 2013 about new Orca calf:

http://www.prpeak.com/articles/2013/01/14/community/doc50ecb8d502eed064914194.txt

Video clip of close Orca underwater:

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/50510/close+encounter+with+orcas+makes+for+unforgettable+new+years+day/

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

Thanks to those who have contributed already – Good Luck!

Orca News and Sightings

Orca and Dolphins. Possible sighting of the A8's with the new calf still close to Powell River – Cortez Island area with some other Orca making an appearing / disappearing act, like Transient (Bigg's) tend to do. Without identification, the reports are again under the generic Killer Whales list. A few Pacific White Sided Dolphins have also made a brief appearance.

In the News section below has the reports with updates on the ice trapped Orca and the dead Orca calf.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Northern Resident Killer Whales A8's with new calf

Tight formation off the NW tip of Texada Island

January 2, 2013

Anne Baker, Powell River

Killer Whales – Orcinius Orca

January 9:

3:20 pm 2 or more Orca off Kelsey Bay dock – heading South-East.

Anonymous

January 9:

10:15 am Spotted 3 female Orca Northbound off Westview, Powell River so grabbed gear and hopped in boat to see if I could find them. It is a big ocean, and they just vanished. Spent a couple of hours searching. Even the flat calm waters had only a few ripples from seals and birds. I dropped the hydrophone in a few times and thought I heard some distant vocals, but the ferries and other boat noise made it impossible to distinguish clearly.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

January 8:

1:30 pm Working on Hernando Island we saw 3 Orca, a big dorsal, smaller one and a calf with some orange colouring on it (sign of newborns - SM). They came right up to the shore and were rolling around and looked like they were rubbing on the beach by Dog Bay. There was possibly a fourth, but there were the 3 for sure. It was an awesome show, but we had to leave after 45 minutes. We left them just hanging out in the bay. (Possibly A8's? - SM)

Chris Murdock, Cortez Island

Transient (Bigg's) on the Sea Lion Hunt

Denman / Hornby Island January 1, 2013

Anne Baker, Powell River

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

January 5:

Between 8:30 and 9:30 am saw around 10 PSW Dolphins off Vivian Island from the Comox-Powell River ferry. They were headed North-West.

Mike Mastrodonato, Powell River

In the News:

January 9:

A pod of around 12 Orca are trapped in the ice of Hudson's Bay, in Northern Quebec. Rumour had it that an icebreaker has been sent to try to break up the ice for a passage for them. But looking up latest news reports, as at 1 hour of writing this, the DFO has only sent someone “to assess the situation”. No word yet as to the outcome, but reports also state that the extreme cold is causing the hole to shrink. The link to the article: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57563182/quebec-community-calls-for-help-freeing-whales-from-ice/

The same company, Kasco, who kept the ice open for the Gray whales in 1988 prompting the movie “The Big Miracle” is making arrangements to do it again for these Orca!

January 9 update:

Necropsy is underway for the newborn Orca calf found washed up on Dungeness Spit on the Olympic Penninsula on Monday, January 7th. Link to article: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Newborn+killer+whale+found+dead+Olympic+Peninsula+just+south+waters/7790325/story.html

Transient (Bigg's) T124's

Denman / Hornby Island January 1, 2013

Anne Baker, Powell River

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

On Facebook: WhalesDolphinsBC

Southern Resident Orca and More Orca!

Southern Resident Killer Whales made their annual December trip up around the Powell River area. Other Orca, thought to be Transient, Bigg's Killer Whales also swung by. (Apologies for the delayed report.)

Remember ALL sightings reports are important!

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Southern Resident Killer Whales

Southern Resident Orca Porpoising

by Grief Point December 14, 2012

Steve Grover, Powell River

December 14:

10:40 a.m. Watching a pod of orcas, heading north. Two of the smaller females were in quite close to Black Point (Albion) the pod is scattered, some mid strait. Saw two males, at least two other females. Think we have spotted a few more, but they are very scattered, can barley locate the blows in the moderate waves, northwest wind 10 knots.

11:10 a.m. more stragglers, in fairly close to Donkersley beach, half a km from shore, could hear the blows. Appeared to be all females; one juvenille and two young ones swimming quite close together with a male in the far distance.

Laura Johnson, Powell River

December 14:

11:15 am At least 4 Orca, didn't notice any big fins passing by. Really spread out, hard to tell for sure how many. They're doing long dives, I think as they work their way slowly North in front of us. (Albion Point area – SM) A couple of them are right in close to shore and a seal is popping up watching.

Bill Taylor, Powell River

Southern Resident Orca

by Albion Point December 14, 2012

Bill Taylor, Powell River

December 14:

Thanks for the advance notice of orca coming up the Malaspina Strait today.

At 12 noon we saw 3 or four orca, very spread out, slowly making their way north west up past Myrtle Rocks, Powell River. One was quite large and had a very long thin dorsal fin. Then we saw at least eight more, a lot further behind the first ones. These two second groups had about four or five in each group with two small ones. Unfortunately they were too far out from shore for us to get photos.

12:19 pm Large group heading north past Beach Gardens now.

Holly Roy and Bob Brooks, Powell River

December 14:

12 pm At least 6 including 1 big male about mid-channel between VanAnda (Texada Island) and Grief Point. There's one closer to the mainland side. Another group or two showed up closer to Grief Point.

12:20 pm Last group of 8 Orca just rounded Grief Point.

John and Joan Treen, Powell River

December 14:

12:15 pm Went down to the Powell River viewpoint, since the skiff is still in the shop, with the hopes of having the whales come closer after the heads up call received. But, they didn't come close; disappointing. I did see between 12 to 18 Orca heading North-West towards Rebecca Rocks and Harwood. They were in 2 or 3 groups with some tail slapping and at least three full breaches that I saw.

2:19 pm they're still off Rebecca Rocks heading towards Vancouver Island still really spread out. By 3 pm they had all turned South-West and I lost sight of them behind Texada Island.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

December 14:

Thanks for the heads up on the Orca passing by. I think they must be the same large pod of transients that passed by on Wednesday. (These ones turned out to be Southern Residents - SM) I think there were at least 20 animals in total that I could count. When my friend Dave and I got to Grief Point we could only see 5 or 6 on the far side of the Strait close to Texada Island. That group had a bull with them. Three more were cruising north about mid Strait and then a few minutes later we saw 3 more about 200 meters off shore. I actually heard their blows because I was trying to photograph the other group. I heard some more blows and saw at least 5 animals between Grief point and the Beach Gardens breakwater and about 100 meters off shore. This group seemed to be on the hunt as they were porpoising and changing direction quickly while near the surface. About 15 minutes later I noticed 2 more Orca at mid Strait one of which was a bull too. Lots of fun and it was a first for my friend Dave Glace, he got some nice shots too. I think some of the saddle patch is visible on the image of the bull's dorsal if you zoom in.

Steve Grover, Powell River

Southern Resident Orca J28 plus

by Grief Point December 14, 2012

Steve Grover, Powell River

Orca – Probably Transients (Bigg's)

December 12:

11:15 am 4 Orca 2 in closer to Westview, Powell River and 2 closer to the Blubber Bay light off Texada Island.

Grant Rainsley, Powell River

December 12:

From the call above till 12 pm I counted between 10 to 12 Orca with 2 males and one juvenile angling North-West towards Rebecca Rocks and Harwood while 2 females angled towards the Powell River mill.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

December 12:

2 pm The Orca are still between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood.

Steve Grover, Powell River

December 12:

3:45 pm Pod of Orca just off the Comox ferry terminal heading North. Seen from ferry.

Don & Karen MacAndrew

NOTE:

A reminder to all that there are many photos, reports and information available by clicking on the Archived Pages links. I am working on easier access to these older reports, but for now, it's a few clicks.

Win a Four Day Cruise for Two Draw

Draw date: March 16, 2013

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Finally some Sightings - Orca and Dolphins

Just when you think there will be another minimal report, some Whales and Dolphins pop up. Today we had Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales, first reported off Savary / Lund this morning, and Pacific White Sided Dolphins in front of Powell River. Some very late reports also came in, but at least they were reported. A report from Hawaii too. Although I had hopes of the Southern Resident Orca who were seen Northbound by Victoria the other day, it was not to be – yet. They are due, every December in the Powell River to Comox area. Keep an eye out.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

off marina by Grief Point, Powell River

December 10, 2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Transient Orca – Bigg's Killer Whales

December 10:

9:47 am 5 or 6 Orca headed towards Powell River from Savary / Lund area.

Gordie Coles, Savary Island

December 10:

11:57 am The 6 Orca suddenly appeared just between the Powell River ferry terminal and the Viewpoint heading South in quite a hurry. There was one male and one juvenile in the group. Perhaps they were in pursuit of the Dolphins, but no Dolphins were sighted other than the report below. With the skiff in the shop, I drove down to Beach Gardens to hopefully catch them on camera. They slowed right down by the marina stopping briefly as if to check something out. A sea lion quickly made a bee line to shore. I left them at 12:45 pm continuing South towards Myrtle Rocks doing longer dives and moving slower.

Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

between Grief Point, Powell River and Texada Island

December 10, 2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

December 10:

12 pm Some Orca just popped up down by the viewpoint in Powell River. Just happened to look out and saw them.

Steve Grover, Powell River

December 10:

12:03 pm Killer Whales in front of the Powell River Ferry right now. 2 Orca Southbound – from friend on the ferry.

Stephen Mohan, Powell River

December 1: (late report)

1 lone Orca was seen chasing a bunch of sea lions onto the beach at Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island.

Dave & Nancy Gough, Powell River

October 19: (late report)

Shortly after 5 pm there was a large pod of around 20 Orca off the North-West side of Texada Island angling towards Comox. There were some splashes, tail lobs and breaches. Seen from the Powell River to Comox ferry.

Marc Salewski, Powell River

Transient (Bigg's) Killer Whales

Looking towards one of the terraced mines

just South of VanAnda on Texada Island

December 10, 2012

Susan MacKay, SG Images

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

December 10:

Between 10 and 10:30 am Around 30 Pacific White Sided Dolphins were foraging close in to shore by Willingdon Beach. They were running back and forth.

Ted Douglas, Powell River

Humpback Whales

December 5:

7:11 pm 2 Humpback Whales just passed Poipu, Kauai heading South.

Gordie Coles, on holiday in Hawaii

NOTE:

A reminder to all that there are many photos, reports and information available by clicking on the Archived Pages links. I am working on easier access to these older reports, but for now, it's a few clicks.

Win a Four Day Cruise for Two Draw

Draw date: March 16, 2013

Click on the above link for details.

For those of you who do not want to use PayPal, or have run into problems trying to Donate through PayPal, please contact me to make alternate arrangements and ensure your name gets into the draw.