Happy New Year Everyone !
Helena & Paul
31 Dec 2005 21:28:09 PST

No orcas present.

Happy Yuletide everyone from a very wet Hanson Island. Please have a safe and warm holiday.
Helena & Paul
24 Dec 2005 23:11:26 PST

No calls but orcas nearby

December has been quite uneventful around here although we our attention has recently been on the sad 36th anniversary of Corky's capture. Happily just now we caught a glimpse of at least one male ocra on his way toward Johnstone Strait. It is a lovely cold sunny windy day here and it was nice to see this whale's energetic movements through the Pass. We have heard from CetaecaLab (http://www.cetacealab.org) that some of the A5s and A4s have recently been in their area. The Naiad Explorer also let us know that there are lots of dolphins up in the inlets near to here. We have heard from many of you and thank you again for your kind support. Happy holidays to all!
Helena & Paul
17 Dec 2005 13:06:31 PST

No orcas present.

Hello everyone! It's now been a month since we last heard orcas calling. Our last sighting was a group of transients on Novemer 21st. We are waiting, and meanwhile, hope all's well with all of you, wherever you are.
Paul & Helena
06 Dec 2005 12:00:16 PST

No calls but orcas nearby

Hello, everyone! Just after the sun rose over the mountains on this lovely morning, we saw misty blows in Blackney Pass, then the black shapes of orca dorsal fins appeared in the sun's glare! We only had one more glimpse of them as they headed into Blackfish Sound, but saw enough to conclude that they were transients. The group of 4 consisted of 1 adult male, 2 females & a juvenile. They weren't vocal. After more than 2 weeks without sighting orcas, this was an exciting way to start our day!
Paul & Helena
21 Nov 2005 09:42:44 PST

No orcas present.

Good Evening! Except for dolphins from time to time it has been very quiet since the 5th. The departure of the residents is a bit earlier than most years. The snow level is moving down the mountain and we have noticed that the days are a lot cooler now. Although there was sleet yesterday today was clear & sunny. We will let you know if the whales return. In the meantime, we have been reading the comment board and have enjoyed the posted links. Thanks!
Helena & Paul
14 Nov 2005 19:01:23 PST

No orcas present.

Hello everyone! We're away at the moment, but have heard from Jared Towers that the A4s, A5s & A36s were near Lizard Point 2 days ago, heading west. Andy, who is at at the lab, hasn't heard any calls for the last 2 days, so it looks like we are in a waiting mode once again!
Paul
07 Nov 2005 12:26:49 PST

Superb sounds!!

It seems possibly cruel to tell you this, but we hope you'll be happy to know, that we're listening to a wonderful concert from the A4s, including Springer, all the A5s (probably) & the A36s, who are in the entrance of Blackney Pass at the moment, probably foraging. There is no longer a camera at CP, so we can't see what's happening, but the sounds are enough!
Paul
02 Nov 2005 10:03:12 PST

No orcas present.

We reviewed the tapes from last night and by early this morning we could hear the A36s along with the A5 group not too far off the Bight. Their calls faded into the distance and we never heard them come to the west in range of CP. This was the same for the A4s earlier. Therefore, we think the groups might have gone back to the east. Meanwhile the dolphins who had come in from Blackfish Sound and travelled through Blackney Pass to the Strait also went east toward the Bight. There sounded like quite a group of dolphins and this morning we have heard reports of a minke in Blackney and humpbacks near Blinkhorn. Sealions and Dalls porpoise have also been out and about.
Helena
01 Nov 2005 13:44:04 PST

Boat noise

We started to hear distant calls on Critical Point at 8:16pm. They are now getting louder. It seems the A4s, A5s, A1s are back from the east.
Julie @ OL
01 Nov 2005 21:21:46 PST

Replay

We will begin another replay in a moment.
Paul
31 Oct 2005 01:59:58 PST

Performing maintenance

We are experiencing a problem with our wireless network. The next replay will be delayed until we solve the problem - please excuse the inconvenience.
Paul
31 Oct 2005 06:10:15 PST

Performing maintenance

We know what the problem is, a battery failure at CP, but it will probably be several hours before we can get there to replace it. Unfortunately, we have to cancel the replay scheduled for this time. We do apologise!
Paul
31 Oct 2005 06:38:31 PST

Replay

For the moment we are "up" thanks to solar power at CP. However, it's a cloudy day here & we may go down again soon. We expect to be able to replace the failed battery at CP in time to run the scheduled 10am replay.
Paul
31 Oct 2005 08:58:43 PST

No orcas present.

Once again, we've heard no calls overnight. We are still waiting, and hoping that the A1s A4s & A5s we believe are in still eastern Johnstone Strait will return to our area today!
Paul
31 Oct 2005 09:11:09 PST

Replay

The next replay will commence shortly after we swap the battery at CP.
Julie @ CP
31 Oct 2005 10:08:22 PST

No orcas present.

Good morning again, everyone! After a surprise beginning, not enough batery power for the CP radios which run our wireless network, at 6am, this is turning into quite a lovely day... there's a bit of wind from the southeast, but hopefully not enough to prevent us from getting to CP for a final farewell at 6pm PST, when our live webcast will end. Meanwhile, we are enjoying sunshine off & on, & waiting for orcas to return! The next replay will be at 2pm PST, & the final one at 5pm PST.
Paul
31 Oct 2005 11:25:37 PST

Replay

When we do the last replays we thought it might be of interest for you to know who is on the sound track: 1. Rs: Aug. 11, 11 min 2. humpback: Sept 24, 1.3 min 3. A30s and I15s: Sept 3, 22 min 4. transients: Sept 5, 5 min 5. A55 alone: Oct. 18, 1.34 min 6. A36s: Oct 28, 2 min 7. Offshores: Oct. 12, 10 min 8. A12s, A36s, and several G groups: Oct 15, 8 min
Helena
31 Oct 2005 13:09:56 PST

Replay

The next replay will start in a moment.
Julie @ CP
31 Oct 2005 14:00:22 PST

Replay

The next and final highlight broadcast will be at 5pm PST today.
Dan
31 Oct 2005 16:06:00 PST

Superb sounds!!

We're listening to the A4s & A5s on the Critical Point hydrophone as they make their way to the west in Johnstone Strait, after spending 2 days in the east. Boat noise is present also, but the calls are clear, & very welcome!
Paul
31 Oct 2005 23:23:34 PST

No orcas present.

Good morning everyone! Once again, we've had a quiet night (apart from boat noise) & think that the A1/A4/A5 group of orcas that headed east in Johnstone Strait after their energetic entrance at midnight 2 nights ago, are probably somewhere to the east. We are, of course, hoping they will return soon! Meanwhile, we're enjoying a rather blustery morning here, & all's well... we hope things are going well for you, too, wherever you are.
Paul
30 Oct 2005 10:13:05 PST

Replay

Replay schedule. We will commence replays of highlights from this (2005) season at about 6pm PST today. The replay is about an hour long. We will repeat it at roughly 4 hour intervals (10pm, 2am, etc) with the last replay being at 5pm PST tomorrow. The live webcast will end at about 6pm PST tomorrow, October 31st, after the final replay. The presence of orcas calling, or being on camera, could affect the replay schedule, as we will switch to live if this happens.
Paul
30 Oct 2005 11:55:16 PST

Replay

The first replay will begin in a few minutes (about 6pm PST. It will last about an hour. Many thanks to Julie & Andrew for editing the video, and Helena for editing the audio. If orcas asre heard during the replay, we will switch to live.
Paul
30 Oct 2005 17:57:09 PST

No orcas present.

We've been waiting all day to hear calls, & are still waiting... so far, it's another stormy night without orcas here. Next replay begins in about half an hour.
Paul
30 Oct 2005 21:32:32 PST

Replay

We are just about to start the 2nd replay (just after 10pm)
Helena
30 Oct 2005 22:05:43 PST

Superb sounds!!

The A5s & A4s are back! We're listening to them on the Parson Island hydrophone as they head towards Johnstone Strait.
Paul
29 Oct 2005 00:46:36 PDT

No orcas present.

It has been a while now since we heard calls. Possibly the whales (the A4s, A5s and A1s)continued to the east after lingering off Critical Point. Meanwhile Pacific Whitesided dolphins can still be heard in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
29 Oct 2005 04:08:09 PDT

No orcas present.

We have not heard anything now for a few hours but the whales went east and will come back at some point. We read with interest Cetacealab's report about seeing the A4s a few days ago. They have travelled! And by the sounds of things earlier this morning they still had energy to burn.
Helena
29 Oct 2005 10:36:01 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since early this morning, & think that the large group of orcas (A1s, A4s, A5s) that headed into Johnstone Strait shortly after midnight must have continued to the east. We are waiting for their return!
Paul
29 Oct 2005 18:46:31 PDT

No orcas present.

Good morning everyone! We heard no calls overnight & are not sure what happened to the A12s & A36s. We are waiting, & meanwhile having a very wet morning after yesterday's storm.
Paul
28 Oct 2005 10:37:18 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A36s are off CP at the moment.
Helena
28 Oct 2005 16:04:10 PDT

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

It looks like the A36s are heading north into Blackney Pass, taking an easy ride on the ebbing tide. They are silent for the moment & are passing a tug heading south into Johnstone Strait.
Paul
28 Oct 2005 16:30:59 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We've been listening to the A36s at the "top" of Blackfish Sound for more than the past hour... they are silent at the moment, but probably not far away.
Paul
28 Oct 2005 18:56:56 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls for several hours, & think the A36s probably continued to the north from Blackfish Sound. However, we aren't sure. We are waiting.
Paul
28 Oct 2005 22:01:12 PDT

No orcas present.

I just reviewed the tapes from around 6pm after the A36s went into Blackfish Sound and a few additional calls were heard. The A5s are clearly there! This might explain why the A36s were in such a rush.
Helena
28 Oct 2005 23:03:55 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The whales were active throughout the night and carried on moving around the area. Right now we are hearing very faint calls in the Strait and wonder if the A12s and the A36s are both to the west of CP nearer the "top" end of Hanson Island not far from the entrance of Weynton.
Helena
27 Oct 2005 09:50:49 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s have turned up in front of CP on this sunny (soon to be grey) south east day.
Helena
27 Oct 2005 10:32:21 PDT


No calls but orcas nearby

The A12s have headed north through Blackney Pass, on the slack tide, & are now in Blackfish Sound. For the moment, they are silent.
Paul
27 Oct 2005 14:38:29 PDT

Orcas near mics.

So here come the A36s.
Helena
27 Oct 2005 16:58:14 PDT

No orcas present.

We had the impression that the A36s were headed west but the calls have been few.
Helena
27 Oct 2005 19:26:37 PDT

Performing maintenance

Due to power problems Orcalive will be down for a while, we will be back up and runnin as soon as possible.
Julie and Andy @ CP
26 Oct 2005 06:04:26 PDT



Distant calls audible.

We're back, almost (Channel B so far) & are listening to occasional calls from the A12s, who are foraging at the "top" of Blackfish Sound.
Paul
26 Oct 2005 11:36:58 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A36s are foraging off CP at the moment after traveling from Robson Bight. The A12s are reported to be between Penfolds and Bold Head.
Julie @ CP
26 Oct 2005 14:02:06 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A36s are now up between Big Bay and the top edge of Hanson Island. They are foraging and it looks like one of the brothers is surrounded by Dalls Porpoises. We had the first snow on the mountains last night, while this evening more storms are forecast.
Julie @ CP
26 Oct 2005 15:26:04 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A36s have turned back to the east and are crossing towards Blinkhorn Pen. at the moment. Also we had a report that the A12s after foraging in Queen Charlotte Strait grouped up and turned eastward as well before 4pm.
Helena
26 Oct 2005 17:04:57 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A12s are heading back into Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass. We're listening to them on the Parson Island hydrophone, without boat noise!
Paul
26 Oct 2005 19:28:45 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Lovely calls from the A112s as they entered the very noisy Johnstone strait. nice reality there for a while. We think the A36s continued east ahead of the A12s earlier.
Helena
26 Oct 2005 20:03:46 PDT

Distant calls audible.

So.... the A36s left the Strait for Blackfish Sound! This was a surprise and it was quickly done. Now we are not sure where the A12s ended up. The constant boat noise in the Strait is unfortunate.
Helena
26 Oct 2005 22:00:04 PDT

Distant calls audible.

It sounds like the A12s are up with the A36s in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
26 Oct 2005 22:39:47 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A36s are back in the Strait after circling round through Weynton Pass. We have not heard from the A12s for a while.
Helena
26 Oct 2005 23:17:16 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s appeared from the east in stormy waters about 20 minutes ago and are now foraging in the rip of Blackney Pass, its difficult to see everyone and so far we are not sure of the whereabouts of the A36s.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 09:07:06 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12's travelled through Blackney Pass, foraging along the way and we are now hearing them in the Blackfish Sound.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 12:31:07 PDT

Boat noise

The A12's have made it back into the Strait via Weynton Passage. We can't see them at the moment due to rain, but keep an eye on channel A in case they come close!
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 15:39:08 PDT

Boat noise

The A12s are probably foraging in the rip of Blackney Pass again. The weather here turned about 20 mins ago after a brief calm spell and we can't see them at the moment due to rain and waves.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 16:32:13 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are still listening to distant calls on the Critical Point hydrophone.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 19:19:28 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A12's are making their way East in Johnstone Strait. We are hearing them on C.P. and Critical Point.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 22:24:06 PDT

Superb sounds!!

For once there is no boat noise, and we are listening to these beautiful calls of the A12's on Critical Point.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 22:46:00 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Good morning. The A36s woke us up once again just after 4am. They sounded this time not too far from Robson Bight. We are waiting to see if they are coming west in Johnstone Strait. A few interesting low grunts (growls) at the moment/
Helena
24 Oct 2005 04:35:38 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A12s have been sighed heading west towards CP. Possibly, the A36s are there too, though we're not sure at the moment. Channel A. It's another stormy day here!
Paul
24 Oct 2005 08:48:31 PDT

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

As the tide moves towards slack, the A12s (& possibly A36s) have finally decided to head north into Blackney Pass.
Paul
24 Oct 2005 10:40:25 PDT

Distant calls audible.

While the A12s finish their path through Blackney Pass towards Blackfish Sound we can hear the A36s approaching the entrance to Blackney Pass in the Strait. A tug heading south is providing loud boat noise in the same entrance way. Slack tide (to the ebb) began at 11:15am.
Helena
24 Oct 2005 11:28:20 PDT


Distant calls audible.

Every so often we still catch a few calls in Blackfish Sound so the whales arenot moving off too quickly - most likely a good fishing day.
Helena
24 Oct 2005 16:15:41 PDT

Distant calls audible.

I knew I waited too long to post. We are now hearing calls once again in the Strait.
Helena
24 Oct 2005 16:27:49 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We feel a bit like we are chasing the A36s. We certainly can't catch up - they are too fast & too complicated. We have lost track of them again. The a12s certainly have made it a bit easier. After they re-entered Johnstone Strait they vocalised as they moved east to the entrance of Blackney. Just after we got word they were coming into Blackney we suddenly saw the A36s half way through BUT headed south with a group of porpoises. One of them breached. As they moved into the gap between Parson Island and Hanson Island they met up with the waiting, floating A12s. Everyone (orcas and porpoise) took a deep dive. Finally the A12s showed, headed north along Parson Island. The A36s and the porpoise were no where to be seen and everyone was quiet. We are pretty sure the A12s made it to Blackfish Sound.
Helena
24 Oct 2005 19:08:47 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Good morning everyone! We've been listening to distant "A1" calls, amidst persistent boat noise, on the Critical Point hydrophone for the past hour. Possibly, both the A12s & A36s have come back into Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass. However, there is so much boat noise that we're not sure if both groups are there.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 10:25:51 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A36s are approaching the Blackney Pass "gap" & are visible on Channel A. The A12s are further behind, on the Vancouver island side of the Strait.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 11:08:20 PDT

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

It looks like the A12s & A36s are heading north into Blackney Pass. Some of them are still visible on Channel A.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 11:49:25 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s & A36s have travelled north through Blackney Pass & are now in Blackfish Sound - A55 & A46 were together. The calls we're listening to are on the Flower Island hydrophone.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 12:38:51 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're still listening to the A12s & A36s... sounds like they are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 13:49:27 PDT

Performing maintenance

We will be down for a short while... hope to be up again soon.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 17:01:19 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're up again, & hearing distant calls from the A12s & A36s on the Critical Point hydrophone... sounds like they have re-entered Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass & are heading east.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 17:28:21 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s and the A36s have circled around Hanson Island via Weynton Passage once more and are moving east toward the area off the entrance to Blackney Pass.
Helena
23 Oct 2005 17:43:27 PDT

Distant calls audible.

It sounds like the whales have decided to stay in the Strait for now. We are hearing calls on the Critical Point station.
Helena
23 Oct 2005 20:14:22 PDT

No orcas present.

We are back to guessing what direction the A12s and the A36s chose in the end. The A36s were the last group heard and as the tide is now ebbing it is tempting to think that they went back out to the west but when they were last calling the tide was still pushing eastward. So now we wait and hopefully they will give up a few more clues before long.
Helena
23 Oct 2005 23:08:43 PDT

No orcas present.

Good morning everyone! We heard the A12's in Blackfish Sound a couple of times during the night, and think they probably moved to the north as the tide changed to ebb around 9am. We are waiting, and meanwhile enjoying a quiet rainy morning after yesterday's storm.
Paul
22 Oct 2005 11:17:20 PDT

Orcas near mics.

It sounds like the A12s have come back into Blackfish Sound.
Helena
22 Oct 2005 13:07:53 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s are still in Blackfish Sound just a bit further away from the hydrophone than before. The tide will turn to the flood around 3:30pm. This may encourage them back to the Strait.
Helena
22 Oct 2005 14:48:44 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since mid afternoon, when the A12s were at the "top" of Blackfish Sound. It's most likely they are somewhere to the north of Blackfish Sound, though we're not sure.
Paul
22 Oct 2005 22:47:58 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

A very stormy day. A group of transients are working the area off of Parson Island. They were first seen heading south but then stalled and are now going back and forth in about the same place as first seen. At least one male and maybe 2 -3 others.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 10:19:56 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We have lost track of the transients. One minute it looked like they had pulled away from whatever was interesting them and were angling over towards us. Then we couldn't find them again. There were no calls.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 11:27:57 PDT


Orcas approaching Orcalab.

The A12s have just passed CP & are now (probably) heading north into Blackney Pass.
Paul
21 Oct 2005 12:57:50 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The a12s are travelling close to each other through Blackney Pass. They are silent so far and about half way through the pass on their way north.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 13:23:58 PDT

No orcas present.

We forgot to post a note re the A12s and their movements. They continued into Blackfish Sound where they were vocal briefly and then silent.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 18:04:50 PDT

Superb sounds!!

After the A12s came back into the range of the Critical Point hydrophone, we're now listening to their echoing calls in the Robson Bight area again.
Sven
20 Oct 2005 00:59:31 PDT

No orcas present.

The A12s might have gone east in Johnstone Strait with the flooding tide...we didn't hear any more calls for about 45mins now.
Sven
20 Oct 2005 02:27:32 PDT


No calls but orcas nearby

The a12s came back from the east just a little while ago. Julie and Andy can see two blows in the direction of Izumi Rock (just west of the Ecological Reserve. John Ford reported the A36s are off Lizard Point foraging.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 12:11:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s moved up the Vancouver Island side fairly quickly on the last of the ebb and got as far as opposite Big Bay where it looks like they may be turning. The tide (by the book) turns in 15 minutes to the flood. We are hearing distant calls.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 13:04:21 PDT

No orcas present.

After just a brief call the A12s disappeared to the west. possibly they are headed for Weynton Pass.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 16:58:05 PDT


Distant calls audible.

After chasing the calls of the A12s we have finally caught up with them off the top end of Blackfish Sound after they presumably went through Weynton Pass.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 18:27:49 PDT

No orcas present.

Well, the A12s may have headed out to Queen Charlotte Strait. The tide is ebbing (strong currents) and this may have encouraged them. The A36s were out that direction earlier today so perhaps they also went to find them.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 20:52:29 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A12s are foraging in the entrance of Blackney Pass (Channel A), due to the weather and the A12s being reasonably quiet we are not sure which direction they came from. Apologies for any flickering on the surface camera we are trying to combat the technical difficulties.
Julie and Andy @ CP
19 Oct 2005 14:56:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're listening to distant A1 calls on the Critical Point hydrophone. The whales are not calling very frequently so we're not sure who this is, yet.
Sven
19 Oct 2005 19:45:56 PDT

Superb sounds!!

It sounds like the A12s are in Robson Bight, close to the Critical Point hydrophone.
Paul
19 Oct 2005 21:04:55 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We've heard no calls for a while now, & think the orcas have probably moved to the east past the Critical Point hydrophone.
Paul
19 Oct 2005 23:21:10 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Good morning everyone! We've been listening to the A12s in Johnstone Strait since a bit before 5am. At the moment, they are mid-Strait off Blackney Pass, heading east. We're hearing them on the Critical Point, CP & Parson Island hydrophones.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 07:52:20 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

It;s now light enough to use the surface camera - the A12s are vicible in the distance on Channel A.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 07:59:48 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're hearing occasional calls on the Critical Point hydrophone as the A12s make their way to the east. At present, they are mostly on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait, approaching Izumi Rock.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 09:10:32 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A12s are back in the entrance of Blackney Pass (Channel A). They may head north through Blackney soon.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 10:07:15 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s have gone into Blackfish Sound while the A36s headed east toward the Bight. Today is A55's birthday! Sixteen years ago we saw the four adult A12s in Blackney Pass in the morning. They disappeared for a while to the west and when they came back in the afternoon A34 had her little calf beside her. A12 was positioned not too far away while A33 and his brother A31 waited off to the side.
Helena
18 Oct 2005 11:20:48 PDT

Distant calls audible.

How cool is this? The birthday boy A55, all by himself, came into Blackney and foraged mid channel opposite the Lab! AND he was vocal! - now what did Dave just say to Libby? While alone in Blackney his family continued to call in Blackfish Sound. Eventually he turned north to rejoin his group. The are calling now in Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile, we heard the A36s again in the Strait. Just for interest sake, A55 did a variety of calls while opposite us. Its all on the tape!
Helena
18 Oct 2005 12:28:31 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

While we continue to hear the A12s at the "top" of Blackfish Sound, we're watching the A36s, who are now foraging mid-Strait off Blackney Pass, on Channel A.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 15:07:31 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

After foraging off of CP and the entrance to Blackney Pass the A36s have moved on to the west.
Helena
18 Oct 2005 17:47:24 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

Good morning everyone! After a quiet night, a large group of orcas has suddenly appeared heading towards CP from the east. Channel A.
Paul
17 Oct 2005 09:37:20 P

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

The orcas passed CP quickly and headed north through Blackney Pass, travelling fast in 2 groups (14+ total) on the swiftly ebbing tide. They are now in Blackfish Sound. We've heard no calls so far. We're uncertain as to exactly who is there, but are leaning towards the D7s, as well as others. Hopefully, they will become vocal before they get out of range, & we'll get further clues.
Paul
17 Oct 2005 10:17:19 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The orcas appear to have travelled out of our range without making any calls, so we're still unclear as to who was there. However, Jared Towers is out looking for them, in pouring rain in his little open boat, hoping to take ID photos, so we may learn more later.
Paul
17 Oct 2005 11:41:52 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls for some time now & are not sure what happened to the orcas who travelled north through Blackney Pass earlier. We are waiting.
Paul
17 Oct 2005 14:36:08 PDT

Orcas near mics.

We just suddenly heard a call while in the house. The call was from the Strait.
Helena
17 Oct 2005 17:19:06 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We have sent an alert. This sounds like the missing whales. CP can see a large group heading west from the Sophias. Right now we are listening to the A12s.
Helena
17 Oct 2005 17:30:22 PDT

Distant calls audible.

What a day! The A12s dropped the Gs off at Blackney and the Gs rushed through leaving the A12s still in the Strait. The A12s have since sounded like they are moving west. Perhaps they will go around via Weynton. We lost track of the Gs in Blackfish Sound presumably still heading west to Queen Charlotte Strait. But did I mention the lovely Harvest Moon which rose directly opposite the Lab?
Helena
17 Oct 2005 19:42:24 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s are audible on the Critical Point hydrophone again after they dissappeared earlier to what sounded like the west. We just began to hear them on CP, so they probably going east again.
Sven & Thomas
17 Oct 2005 21:55:43 PDT

No orcas present.

The A12s went silent more than an hour ago now, so we are not sure if the whales continued to go east or they turned again.
Sven
17 Oct 2005 23:27:22 PDT

No orcas present.

Hmmm.... quiet night. Now we are wondering just where did the orcas ended up yesterday? There have been no reports - no whale watchers are out and about and we have not heard from anyone else. meanwhile, another Pacific system is moving in and the weather is developing into another storm. Fires are lit and sweaters and socks are on.
Helena
16 Oct 2005 10:20:43 PDT

Boat noise

Well besides the boat noise there are the few odd calls. Not sure just who yet. The calls are distant on the Critical Point station in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
16 Oct 2005 13:29:53 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The orcas we've been listening to on the Critical Point hydrophone over the last while are now at the rubbing beaches. Channel B. Sorry for the camera noise.
Paul
16 Oct 2005 15:46:31 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We had a feeling the whales were going to head for the beaches so CP was on the look-out when they went in. From the few calls that we heard we think that perhaps the Cs or at least some of their cousins are here. We would love to hear more than "resting" type calls. They almost got going off Critical before going east. Perhaps they will come back to the west with the ebb.
Helena
16 Oct 2005 16:13:28 PDT

No orcas present.

Hmmm.... quiet again - not even boat noise right now! The "Cs" headed east, maybe to find the others? Time will tell. Meanwhile, from an incredibly wet Hanson Island (the forest has several "lakes" now) have a great evening (or day) wherever you might be.
Helena
16 Oct 2005 22:37:22 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We're listening to A & G clan calls on the Critical Point hydrophone. The orcas are probably mostly on the Cracroft Island side of the Strait, near Robson Bight. Sounds like the same groups as yesterday. They re-entered Johnstone Strait around midnight & have been making their way to the east since then.
Paul
15 Oct 2005 03:50:36 PDT

Performing maintenance

Hi There will be a brief interuption in the feed while we do some work on the systems. Sorry but we will be back hopefully soon.
Helena
15 Oct 2005 11:19:32 PDT

No orcas present.

(Maintenance complete) The A12's, A36's and the G's were vocal till about 6am and then headed farther east. We heard no calls since then.
Sven
15 Oct 2005 12:35:46 PDT

No orcas present.

After all the activity in the early morning the rest of the day has been unusually uneventful - except for the flock of geese flying north????? Have a good night - we are listening.
Helena
15 Oct 2005 22:05:19 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We began to hear distant A1 and G clan calls on Flower Island hydrophone. Yesterday evening the whales remained at the top of Blackfish Sound for quite a while, so we'll see if they decide to come 'in' this time.
Sven
14 Oct 2005 01:20:39 PDT

No orcas present.

Obviously they G's and A1's decided not to come east this time. We heard no calls for more than one hour now.
Sven
14 Oct 2005 02:46:39 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Just before 9am we once again heard the "gang" arrive within range of the Flower Island hydrophone. Once again they seemed to have stalled at the top end of Blackfish Sound no doubt enjoying hopefully a good feast of salmon. Yesterday Paul saw the largest group of finning chums he has ever seen. Finning is when the chum rise to the surface exposing their dorsal fin as they move along. It can be quite the sight. very often their heads poke up as well. So far we have heard both the A12s, A36s and the same G clan groups of the last several days. Still waiting to have a peek to confirm just who is out there. The offshores were last seen near Port Hardy. Graeme Ellis of DFO was up in the area and had the day & good conditions to get the ID photos. Very exciting.
Helena
14 Oct 2005 09:34:33 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are not going to get our "peek". The whales decided to go into the Strait via Weynton Passage. We just started to pick up their calls way to the west of CP. Quite a miserable day out there - wind and rain.
Helena
14 Oct 2005 10:51:25 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We're listening to the A12s, A36s and several G's on the CP and Parson Island hydrophones. They're foraging in the entrance of Blackney Pass for quite a while already. The weather is rainy and windy again, so it's difficult to identify them.
Sven
14 Oct 2005 12:53:11 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The orcas (A12s, A36s, G18s, maybe others)have just travelled north through Blackney Pass & are heading west in Blackfish Sound. We're listening to them on the Flower Island hydrophone.
Paul
14 Oct 2005 15:01:34 PDT

No orcas present.

Good evening. It has been quiet for hours eveer since the orcas headed off to the west. We had a wonderful surprise this afternoon just as the storm eased off . Many flocks of geese passed overhead. The Snow geese flew over Blackney Pass stark white against the dark green island shapes.
Helena
14 Oct 2005 21:48:06 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We've been listening to distant "G" & "A" clan calls on the Flower Island hydrophone for about half an hour. They sound like the same groups that were in Johnstone Strait yesterday afternoon.
Paul
13 Oct 2005 04:10:51 PDT

Boat noise

We began hearing distant calls, amidst boat noise, on the Critical Point hydrophone, about 45' ago, but are uncertain as to whether they were from resident or offshore orcas. After travelling rapidly to the east last evening, the offshores returned to the west, and were near Robson Bight around 1am. By 9am they were off Pearse Passage, near Alert Bay. They were still in that general area around 10:30am, when we heard calls that could have been from G clan or offshore orcas. Boat noise has been very persistent since then, and we've heard no more calls. We are waiting.
Paul
13 Oct 2005 11:24:21 PDT

Orcas near mics.

A short while ago we started to hear the A12s on Flower Island. Earlier this morning we must have been listening to the Offshores when they were stalled off Alert Bay. This is normally out of our range but every so often we experience extended coverage. The offshores are now off Port McNeill still west bound.
Helena
13 Oct 2005 13:43:11 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're now hearing distant "A" & "G" calls on the Critical Point hydrophone, as well as continuing to hear the A12s on Flower Island. Sounds like at least some of the orcas that have been together over the last few days are back in Johnstone Strait, with the A12s nearby.
Paul
13 Oct 2005 14:43:38 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We think everything shifted back to Blackfish Sound and the A12s. We are now listening to the several G groups in Blackfish and CP can no longer see any whales up near Blinkhorn. Most likely they moved back to Blackfish via Weynton. Maybe they were checking the Strait for those offshores! The tide is now ebbing.
Helena
13 Oct 2005 15:49:08 PDT

No orcas present.

After the whales spend about an hour in Blackney Pass they went slowly through Blackfish Sound and disappeared to the west.
Sven
12 Oct 2005 00:42:54 PDT

Distant calls audible.

After we heard no calls for about an hour, some of the G's (so far) just turned back and calling occasionally on the Flower Island hydrophone.
Sven
12 Oct 2005 01:38:09 PDT

No orcas present.

The G's were calling on Flower Island for just a few minutes. Since then we heard no more calls. They most likely went west.
Sven
12 Oct 2005 02:57:52 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

Good morning everyone! It's a cool, wet & windy morning here, with the A36s in front of CP, heading east. Channel A. We're also hearing G clan calls further away.
Paul
12 Oct 2005 09:13:43 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A36s sound like they went ahead toward Critical Point with the various G clan groups while this time the A12s followed behind. Currently we are listening to the A12s on CP and the others on Critical Point.
Helena
12 Oct 2005 10:44:20 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Interesting that, although I thought I had selected the map highlight for the area including CP and Critical Point last time, only the CP area came up! Just after that the whales (the A36s and Gs) who had gone east of CP came back & joined up with the A12s off the entrance of Blackney Pass.
Helena
12 Oct 2005 11:58:30 PDT



Distant calls audible.

We're still hearing distant "A" & "G" calls on the Critical Point hydrophone, and think that the various groups that were foraging in the entrance of Blackney Pass earlier have moved off to the west. We're not sure about their exact location because it's raining too hard for CP to see. Boat noise is still very persistent in Johnstone Strait.
Paul
12 Oct 2005 15:24:42 PDT

Superb sounds!!

This is exciting! We had received reports around 3:30pm of a large group of whales moving through Pearse Passage (between Alert Bay and Pearse Islands) headed for the Strait. We had been listening to the A12s,A36s and various G groups all morning and when they headed off to the west we thought that they might be going to meet the incoming group. As the new group moved east in the Strait we started to understand that they were Offshores. The northern residents have been very quiet - listening too no doubt. The weather is very wet and quite dark. The boat noise is not making it very easy either.
Helena
12 Oct 2005 16:40:05 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The offshore calls are getting stronger as they move closer toward the Bight.
Helena
12 Oct 2005 18:29:24 PDT

No orcas present.

All quiet now. The big question in all of our minds is what happened to the northern residents? They must have "crossed" paths with the offshores at some point. They ceertainly must have heard them on Flower Island when off the entrance of Blackney Pass and then later as the offshores came east into the Strait. So did the residents go out Weynton Passage to avoid the incoming group? We believe the offshores continued to the east.
Helena
12 Oct 2005 23:16:36 PDT

Distant calls audible.

just a short while ago we started to hear A1 and G calls on Critical Point. CP has seen one male mid strait off to the far west so most likely the whales came in via Weynton on the last of the flood and are making their way to the east.
Helena
11 Oct 2005 10:32:03 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We have heard the A36s along with the Gs. They are getting closer and are now in range of CP but still to the west.
Helena
11 Oct 2005 10:55:40 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A36s and Gs have passed CP and are heading into the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. They are traveling mid strait and along the Vancouver Island shore,we didn't get a clear look at the group this time and so we are not sure which Gs are present yet.
Julie and Andy @ CP
11 Oct 2005 12:34:44 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The Gs and the A36s have moved on closer to the Bight. They can still be heard even with the constant boat noise. They sound pretty relaxed & social. There are a lot of "quiet" calls with a few slightly more energetic bursts from time to time.
Helena
11 Oct 2005 12:37:21 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It is beginning to sound like the A12s are there as well. Also there have been a few I31 type calls as well. Perhaps the same groups of the last week are again together in the Strait.
Helena
11 Oct 2005 13:06:06 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The groups have moved into the area near to Robson Bight.
Helena
11 Oct 2005 13:43:07 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Some of the orcas are rubbing. Channel B. The unpleasant noise we're hearing is from a camera problem - sorry about that.
Paul
11 Oct 2005 14:27:22 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

It looks like the orcas have left the rubbing beaches and are returning to the west... possibly, we'll soon hear them again on the Critical Point hydrophone.
Paul
11 Oct 2005 15:28:01 PDT

Distant calls audible.

At least some of the orcas returning to the west have reached the area off Robson Bight. We're listening to them on the Critical Point hydrophone, along with a lot of boat noise.
Paul
11 Oct 2005 15:36:13 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Some of the orcas are closer to the Critical Point hydrophone now... we've heard the A36s & possibly G3s so far, along with another "G-G" group, and with others likely to come.
Paul
11 Oct 2005 16:13:56 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The whales after stalling near the Bight for a while may now be moving "up" the Strait to the west. We are hearing calls in the CP range.
Helena
11 Oct 2005 16:58:08 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

As they move westward, some of the orcas are coming within range of the surface camera at CP. Channel A.
Paul
11 Oct 2005 17:19:36 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A36s are taking up the rear. They finally left the area off the Bight and are now approaching CP & the entrance to Blackney Pass area. We can still hear the others to the west of the A36s from time to time.
Helena
11 Oct 2005 18:46:15 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The distant A1 and G clan calls we're hearing are still on Critical Point. We just started to hear them on CP again after they disappeared there for about an hour. Sounds like they have turned on their way west and going east now with the flooding tide.
Sven
11 Oct 2005 20:55:02 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A1's and G's went into Blackney Pass and we're now listening to them on the Local Left hydrophone as they're heading north.
Helena & Sven
11 Oct 2005 22:16:10 PDT

No orcas present.

We heard no more calls for more than one hour now. Assuming they didn't move silently along all the way through Critcal Point, CP and PI hydrophone ranges, they most likely went east again.
Sven@the lab
10 Oct 2005 00:51:37 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We're listening to multiple pods (mostly A1 calls) at the CP hydrophone, echoes to Critical Point and to Parson Island hydrophones. We've send an alert.
Sven
10 Oct 2005 07:26:28 PDT

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

The A12s have just entered Blackney Pass, we didn't see anyone else but the visibility is poor. We will see what the day brings.
Julie and Andy @ CP
10 Oct 2005 09:44:56 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A12s have spent four hours pacing back and forth in the entrance to Blackney Pass. It looks like they may have decided to go in this time.
Julie and Andy @ CP
10 Oct 2005 10:58:43 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A12s passed by the lab and we are now hearing them on Flower Island.
Julie and Andy @ CP
10 Oct 2005 11:40:52 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since mid afternoon, when the A12s were at the "top" of Blackfish Sound. Possibly, they continued on into Queen Charlotte Strait, though we're not sure. We are waiting.
Paul
10 Oct 2005 20:45:44 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

There are Orca opposite C.P on channel A quite distant going East still no positive I.D.!
Julie and Andy @ CP
09 Oct 2005 10:52:40 PDT

Boat noise

We think we have the A12s midstrait slowly going east at Kaikash Beach, but we are not sure who else might be here. Hopefully the whales will be more vocal soon, the weather is making it difficult for us to see everyone.
Julie and Andy @ CP
09 Oct 2005 12:57:30 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

We just heard some short calls and also a few rubs on the Rubbing Beach hydrophone. The A1's and G's we heard around noon today were silent since then and headed east when last seen, so probably we heard some of them rubbing about 20 minutes ago. Looks like it was just a brief rub.
Sven@the lab
09 Oct 2005 20:15:13 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're listening to distant A1 calls (so far) on the Critical Point hydrophone. They most likely came from the east and are now in the robson bight area. A general waternoise is audible since it is still windy and rainy in Johnstone Strait.
Sven@the lab
09 Oct 2005 22:26:24 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Hello everyone, there has been a report that there are Orca between Bold Head and Penfolds so they are not so very far away.
Julie and Andy @ CP
08 Oct 2005 13:30:15 PDT

No orcas present.

We have heard no calls and heard nothing more about the whereabouts of the whales since the report earlier this afteroon. In the Orcalab tradition we are patiently waiting.
Julie and Andy @ CP
08 Oct 2005 19:28:26 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Good morning everyone! We're listening to A1 and G clan calls on the Critical Point hydrophone. It sounds like the A36s, A12s & at least part of the I31s (probably I46 & I80) are back in Robson Bight. We're not sure what route they took to get there, or if the "G-G" groups that have been with them lately are also there, but silent, or if they have separated. Nice way to start another rainy day!
Paul
07 Oct 2005 05:55:38 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We've heard no calls for over 2 hours, and think that the orcas we were listening to earlier were headed east past Robson Bight. They're probably not too far away, and though they could keep going, they might turn back to the west soon. We are waiting, and meanwhile enjoying what has turned out to be a lovely morning.
Paul
07 Oct 2005 08:42:17 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

It turned out that the orcas were headed east early this morning, and did turn around not too far away. They are now headed west, spread out across from Robson Bight, approaching the Sophias, and should be within sight of the CP camera soon. Channel A. We're hearing their calls on the Critical Point hydrophone. The large group sounds like it has the same members as it has over the last few days, i.e. A12s, A36s, I46+I80, G3s, G18s, though it's possible others are there too.
Paul
07 Oct 2005 10:10:55 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The orcas (A12s, A36s, I46+I80, G3s, G29s, not sure if the G18s are still with them) are now in Blackfish Sound, heading west, having passed quickly through Blackney Pass on the swiftly ebbing tide. We're listening to them in the distance on the Flower Island hydrophone.
Paul
07 Oct 2005 11:58:02 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since early afternoon... we are waiting.
Paul
07 Oct 2005 22:52:49 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Good morning everyone! We've been listening to the A36s in Blackfish Sound for the last couple of hours, and recently, to the A12s & Gs as well (probably the G3s & G18s). They all came back from the east last evening, and headed through Weynton Pass around midnight. Since then, they've been hanging out at or near the "top" of Blackfish Sound. Now, because the calls are getting closer to the Flower Island hydrophone, we think they may be heading back towards Johnstone Strait.
Paul
06 Oct 2005 09:29:18 PDT

No orcas present.

Rain, Rain & Rain. It is a wet one today! The ocean is calm and we were hoping that the whales would come down this way but there were just too many ebbing tide hours to go while they were off the top end of Blackfish Sound. Their collective sounds faded off our systems around 10:30am. At that point it wasn't clear if they were moving further into Weynton Passage or heading "out". It turned out that they were moving west into Queen Charlotte Strait. The Naiad Explorer saw the large group off Lizard Point later that morning. They have not yet returned on the flood. We are waiting.
Helena
06 Oct 2005 15:24:34 PDT

No orcas present.

Good morning! Other than the brief weird sounds at 5am (sealion close to hydrophone?) it was a quiet night. We lost track of the whales around 11pm when they were still vocal in the Strait. The tide was still ebbing at the time but due to turn within an hour. So it is possible they went either direction with ease. The guess around here is split. It will be interesting to find out who guessed correctly. Any bets?
Helena
05 Oct 2005 11:18:59 PDT

Orcas near mics.

They are back! Clear A1 and G calls off Robson Bight. They sound like they are coming from the east.
Helena
05 Oct 2005 19:09:20 PDT

Orcas near mics.

It sounds like the whales have moved west up the Strait to the entrance of Blackney Pass. So far this evening we have heard both the A36s and the A12s along with the Gs of yesterday and the I31s (maybe still just I46 & I80).
Helena
05 Oct 2005 20:48:00 PDT
Distant calls audible.

They have kept to the Strait so far asnd we think they may have gone west past CP and the entrance to Blackney Pass. Still quite windy out but not as bad as last night.
Helena
05 Oct 2005 21:51:09 PDT

No orcas present.

Good morning everyone! We heard a few calls, briefly, on the Flower Island hydrophone just before midnight, but have heard nothing since. We are waiting, and meanwhile enjoying a lovely start to what looks like a windy day ahead.
Paul
04 Oct 2005 07:11:15 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A12s, A36s & I46+I80 are heading west in Blackfish Sound, after travelling north through Blackney Pass. They are mostly silent, but made a few calls as they headed through Blackney Pass.
Paul
04 Oct 2005 09:10:31 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We began hearing distant "A1" and "G-I" calls on the Critical Point hydrophone about half an hour ago... sounds like at least some of the orcas who headed north through Blackney Pass earlier this morning have re-entered Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass.
Paul
04 Oct 2005 12:32:46 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A12s, A36s & I46+I80 are heading east in Johnstone Strait, now opposite Blackney Pass. They are mostly on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait, but may be crossing over towards Cracroft Island. Channel A.
Paul
04 Oct 2005 14:05:03 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

A "G-G" group of orcas, including the G18s, has just headed into Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass & are in front of CP. Channel A.
Paul
04 Oct 2005 14:25:50 PDT

Superb sounds!!

After lots of foraging and playful behaviour all the groups for the time being at least have passed CP and are now going east.
Julie @ CP
04 Oct 2005 16:22:39 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The various groups of orcas are in or near Robson Bight... we're listening to them on the Critical Point hydrophone.
Paul
04 Oct 2005 17:31:01 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Some of the orcas have reached the rubbing beaches - Channel B.
Paul
04 Oct 2005 18:36:32 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The orcas have left the rubbing beaches and headed east. The sounds of pebbles moving that we're hearing are from waves crashing on shore at low tide, not from orcas rubbing. Apologies to those who logged on after we sent an alert, only to find the (brief) rub was over.
Paul
04 Oct 2005 19:10:21 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We began hearing distant "A1" and "G-I" calls on the Critical Point hydrophone a short while ago... sounds like the A12s, A36s, & at least some of the I31s have returned to Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass.
Paul
03 Oct 2005 00:13:21 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We're still listening to very clear A1 and G-I calls now in the Robson Bight area on the Critical Point hydrophone.
Sven@OL
03 Oct 2005 03:10:50 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The whales that had been in the Strait changed direction just before the slack tide and travelled back to the entrance of Blackney Pass and then travelled north to Blackfish Sound where they vocalised briefly. We had heard both A1 and I31 calls in the Strait but only clearly heard A12s in Blackfish Sound. However there were enough blows heard in Blackney to possibly account for all the A12s, the I31 pair of I46 & I80 as well as the A36s. All has been quiet since just before 5am. We believe they kept going west into Queen Charlotte Strait with the ebb tide.
Helena
03 Oct 2005 05:32:37 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We've heard no calls since early this morning, but the A12s, A36s, & part of the I31s (I46, I80) are not far away. They spent the morning just to the north of Blackfish Sound, & are presently near Lizard Point. It's possible they will come back "in" on the flooding tide this afternoon.
Paul
03 Oct 2005 13:48:35 PDT

No orcas present.

It apppears that the A12s, A36s and I46 & I80 stayed in Queen Charlotte Strait for the day.
Helena
03 Oct 2005 20:33:47 PDT

No orcas present.

Good morning everyone! We heard no calls overnight, and once again, are waiting.
Paul
02 Oct 2005 09:49:08 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're listening to A1 and G-clan calls on the entrance of Blackney Pass area, mid-Strait to the Vancouver Island side.
Sven@OL
02 Oct 2005 12:58:01 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A36s are heading south through Blackney Pass, and will probably soon meet up with the A12s & I46/I80. We're presently listening to the A36s & A12s on the Parson Island & CP hydrophones.
Paul
02 Oct 2005 15:23:19 PDT

Distant calls audible.

On the ebb tide: With A33 in the lead, I46 following and I80 with the A34s & A12s and finally the A36s in the rear, the scene quickly shifted from Johnstone Strait to Blackfish Sound via Blackney. The whales are still in range in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
02 Oct 2005 18:16:04 PDT

No orcas present.

It seems that the A12s, I46, I80 and eventually the A36s continued travelling west into +Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
02 Oct 2005 22:12:13 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Good morning everyone! After a quiet night (except for boat noise) we began hearing distant "G-clan" calls on the Flower Island hydrophone a little before 7:45am. It sounds like the orcas are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound. Perhaps they will head into Johnstone Strait when the tide turns to flood in about an hour from now. Meanwhile, we're enjoying our first (lovely) October morning.
Paul
01 Oct 2005 08:36:15 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A12s & at least some I31s have entered Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass & are now heading east past CP. Channel A.
Paul
01 Oct 2005 09:56:45 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s and the I31s have finaslly moved closer to the Reserve and Robson Bight.
Helen
01 Oct 2005 12:16:58 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s along with I80 and I46 are headed west back to CP.
Helena
01 Oct 2005 15:50:22 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s, along with I46 & I80, have travelled north through Blackney Pass on the ebbing tide, and are now in Blackfish Sound. They are making occasional calls amongst intense boat noise.
Paul
01 Oct 2005 17:47:34 PDT

No orcas present.

It has been a very quiet day. A minke and two humpbacks turned up but no sign of any orcas. There have been very few "no orca" days this season so it is a little hard to get use to the quiet. In July we had only one day without orcas but they were in the east so technically still in the "area". In August there was also one day where the whales stayed east for the entire day. So far in September there have been two totally blank days. All in all the activity level has been fairly constant. The month the I15s were here was particularly intense. We have actually recorded more this year, by this time, than last year. So far we have seen: all the A1s, A4s, A5s,Bs, Cs, Gs and Rs. We have not seen: the Ds, Hs, I1s, I2s, I17 & I18s. The Ds & Hs have been tending to use the Johnstone Strait area less frequently than they did in the 1980s. The Hs after their pod suffered several deaths hooked up with the I17s and I18s, groups which only ever came into the Johnstone Strait area once or twice a season, as have the I1s & I2s. Although the C6s, Ws and R2s showed up they hardly spent anytime in the area and that is somewhat uncharacteristic. What has been interesting this year has been the use of the lower part of the Johnstone Strait (what we call the east) by the groups especially the A4s and the A5s. The A8s (A5s) and the A11s(A4s) seemed to be "down there" forever. The season certainly isn't over yet and it will be interesting to see who comes by while the dog (chum) salmon are running.
Helena
30 Sep 2005 16:38:49 PDT

Orcas near mics.

A short while ago whales (Gs) arrived back in the Robson Bight area. Tjey sound like they came up from the east and are now westbound.
Helena
29 Sep 2005 07:27:03 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The G group sounds like it is definitely heading west. This sounds like the group which went east at 4:30am yesterday morning. We have not heard last nights groups yet this morning.
Helena
29 Sep 2005 08:37:43 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The whales are still milling off the entrance to Blackney, sometimes shifting west and then back to the east. Most of the activity is in the rip just to the west of CP.
Helena
29 Sep 2005 10:22:59 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The Gs have moved from Johnstone Strait to Blackfish Sound via Blackney Pass.
Helena
29 Sep 2005 13:12:26 PDT

No orcas present.

It has been a while now ( 12:30pm) since the Gs ( the G3s & G18s) left Balckney for Blackfish Sound. Unfortunately it has been a busy "boat" day with lots of heavy traffic in transit through the area. The weather is trying to improve though.
Helena
29 Sep 2005 15:37:37 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since the G3s & G18s headed "out" from Blackfish Sound early this afternoon. We are waiting, and meanwhile, enjoying a star-filled night.
Paul
29 Sep 2005 23:40:53 PDT

Orcas near mics.

We were woken up by lots oif G clan calls on Critical Point. We also heard only briefly a few A1 calls as well. The whales sounded like they were already past Cracroft Point and closing in on Robsob Bight. The group we have been listening to now sound as if they are past Critical Point on their way to the east. Were they the last grroup?
Helena
28 Sep 2005 04:42:42 PDT

No orcas present.

We have been trying to sort out the distant A1 calls we heard at 7am. They were over before located. However, the A36s turned up not too far away near Lizard Point in Queen Charlotte Strait later this morning. Captain Wayne on the Lukwa (Stubbs Island) phoned to let us know. The weather is unsettled today so Wayne most likely elected to go west because the Gs that went east in the Strait earlier (4:30 am) have not been seen or heard from since. Wayne lucked out with the A36s. The tide will turn to the ebb around 3pm so perhaps this will encourage the eastern whales to venture back in range.
Helena
28 Sep 2005 12:15:26 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Just a short while ago we started hearing A36s and G clan calls on Flower Island.
Helena
28 Sep 2005 15:31:03 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The G clan & A1 groups we were listening to in Blackfish Sound earlier have now moved into Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass. We're listening to them in the distance on the Critical Point hydrophone.
Paul
28 Sep 2005 17:21:59 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The groups have moved east to opposite the entrance of Blackney Pass in the Strait. The calls remain somewhat distant and therefore we think the whales are closer to the Vancouver Island shore. Visibility is poor due to the rain & low cloud..
Helena
28 Sep 2005 18:12:36 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A36s are obviously interested in Blackney Pass but they are calling so infrequently it is difficult to know if they are coming into the Pass. The wind has picked up once more and it is impossible to hear if there are blows outside. The Gs have been silent for quite a while now.
Helena
28 Sep 2005 20:29:26 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Good morning everyone! We've been listening to the A12s as they make their way north through Blackney Pass, and a short while ago heard what sound like the I15s in Blackfish Sound. The A12s breached several times in Blackney Pass, making us think they might be excited at the prospect of meeting up with incoming orcas!
Paul
27 Sep 2005 06:48:47 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Indeed the A12s and probably the A36s as well have met up with incoming G clan whales! They are currently milling together at the top end of Blackfish Sound undecided at the moment which direction they will choose. Lovely September morning here.
Helena
27 Sep 2005 08:08:04 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We think we are hearing the G3s at the moment on Flower Island. The seems to be other G clan whales as well and we are waiting for a bit more clarity. Another boat is moving through Blackfish.
Helena
27 Sep 2005 08:54:04 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We're listening to Transients. They're in the entrance of Blackney. On Channel A
Sven
27 Sep 2005 12:33:46 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The transients who were busy a short while ago in the entrance of Blackney Pass have moved to the east of CP. From the glimpse we had as they passed CP we think they may have been the T18s.
Helena
27 Sep 2005 14:12:50 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The T18s slowly made their way to the Sophia's and after some milling around were last seen heading east along the shore.
Julie @ CP
27 Sep 2005 14:46:43 PDT

No orcas present.

The big group of Gs and A1s have not yet come back to this part of the area. They were last seen well west in Queen Charlotte Strait but they had turned at that time (Naiad Explorer report). We'll have to "see" what tonight brings.
Helena
27 Sep 2005 22:08:16 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Overnight, the A12s & A36s went some distance to the east. They are now returning to the west, & are mid-Strait opposite Robson Bight. They are moving slowly, & foraging a lot of the time.
Paul
26 Sep 2005 14:07:33 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

At least some of the A12s are heading across the Strait, towards CP. Channel A.
Paul
26 Sep 2005 16:04:46 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s who earlier ventured all the way through Blackney Pass to the north did a short turna around and came right back to Blackney just after entering Blackfish Sound. They have now almost gone from our view as they head towards the Strait and the A36s once more. We have heard reports of a large group of orcas in the Port Hardy area headed east this afternoon. Tugs & humpbacks have been using Blackney while the A12s have moved around.
Helena
26 Sep 2005 18:18:14 PDT

No orcas present.

It is hard to know just what the A12s and the A36s decided to do once the A12s were back in the Strait. All calls were only distant suggesting they were still some distance from Robson Bight. However, the A12s were last seen resting facing east. The tide has now turned to the flood so perhaps they have drifted along with it to the east.. Hopefully they will give us a stronger clue before morning.
Helena
26 Sep 2005 22:03:47 PDT

No orcas present.

Good morning everyone! Once again, we've had a quiet night (except for boat noise) and are not sure what happened to the A36s after their long foraging session in Blackfish Sound yesterday afternoon. We are waiting, and meanwhile anjoying a lovely calm morning with the prospect of a sunny day ahead.
Paul
25 Sep 2005 08:43:58 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

While we have been watching humpbacks in Blackney Pass we started to hear whales at the beaches rubbing.
Helena
25 Sep 2005 11:39:20 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The orcas at the rubbing beaches are the A36 brothers. It looks like they must have headed into Johnstone Strait at some point during the night, without us being aware of them!
Paul
25 Sep 2005 11:48:12 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A36s are crossing from the Vancouver Island side of Johnstone Strait, near Kaikash, towards Blackney Pass. They are visible on Channel A. Meanwhile, a large group of orcas has been sighted eastbound on the north side of Malcolm Island, so there is a good chance that at least some of the orcas that headed "out" a few days ago are now coming back "in".
Paul
25 Sep 2005 15:25:24 PDT

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

The A36s are moving along smartly now. They are moving to the entrance of Blackney Pass. Troy bright has meanwhile let everyone know that he heard & saw a group of whales (As) headed east from Bere Point in Queen Charlotte Strait. It may become busy again!
Helena
25 Sep 2005 15:37:30 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A36s kept going to the west after passing CP and the entrance of Blackney Pass.
Helena
25 Sep 2005 17:30:10 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We began hearing distant calls from the A12s on the Flower Island hydrophone a short while ago... seems like they're heading for Johnstone Strait on the flooding tide.
Paul
25 Sep 2005 18:21:07 PDT

Orcas near mics.

It sounds like the A12s and the A36s have met up in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
25 Sep 2005 21:14:06 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The a12s and the A36s sound as if they are moving closer to the Reserve.
Helena
25 Sep 2005 23:43:23 PDT

No orcas present.

Good morning everyone! Once again, we've heard no calls overnight, so we are still waiting.
Paul
24 Sep 2005 07:42:50 PDT

Distant calls audible.

It would appear that the A36s who were seen earlier in Queen Charlotte Strait have made their way east enough toward Blackfish Sound for their calls to be heard on Flower Island. The tide is rising and this may encourage the three brothers to venture our way. Fingers crossed!
Helena
24 Sep 2005 15:46:18 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Hard to know which category to place the last calls we heard BUT they were very interesting AND we think that they probably belong to a humpback, perhaps the one that was in Blackfish Sound/Blackney today. This young juvenile spent most of the day roaming the nearby waterways. We are not sure if someone else (perhaps some dolphins) were not also contributing. If this was a humpback it will have been the most sustained bout of vocals we have heard from this species in this area. We do not know what happened to the A36s who had been vocal on Flower Island just before the cruiseship passed through. The tide has now turned to an ebb.
Helena
24 Sep 2005 21:14:43 PDT

No orcas present.

Good morning everyone! We've heard no calls overnight, & once again, are waiting.
Paul
23 Sep 2005 07:54:03 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls today. However, orcas were not very far away. The A36s were sighted by the Naiad Explorer (Mackay Whalewatching) in Goletas Channel near Port Hardy, and a group of transient orcas that included the T2s was sighted by the Gikumi (Stubbs Island Whalewatching) in eastern Baronet Passage, a little to the east of us.
Paul
23 Sep 2005 22:56:16 PD

No orcas present.

We heard no calls overnight, and think that the numerous groups (A12s, A30s, A36s, I15s, I11s, I31s) that headed "out" yesterday afternoon, after many days of intense socialising, may have moved further to the west. We are hoping that at least some of them will return before long, but meanwhile, we are waiting.
Paul
22 Sep 2005 09:24:05 PDT

No orcas present.

Well this has been the first day all season without orcas in the area. We did receive two reports from MacKay Whale Watching that a very large group of whales were west of Port Hardy this morning: Most likely the same whales as of yesterday. After all the intensity of movement and vocals the quiet takes some adjustment. But the return will be like starting over again!
Helena
22 Sep 2005 22:13:21 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Good morning everyone! The wonderful morning chorus of "A1" and "G-I" calls we're listening to is in Robson Bight. Sounds like the groups that were in the Strait yesterday afternoon & last night (A12s, A30s, I15s, I11s. I31s) are probably still together. It's another very foggy morning here... but hopefully it will become clear later this morning.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 07:35:08 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The party in Robson Bight seems to be going on & on, so we've sent an acoustic alert.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 08:54:33 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Some of the crowd have moved off to the east & are at the rubbing beaches... Channel B. Others are still in the Bight.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 09:19:53 PDT

Distant calls audible.

It seems that at least some of the orcas have moved off to the west & are now in the vicinity of Izumi Rock... we're starting to hear them in the distance on the CP hydrophone.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 10:01:04 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

Some of the orcas are close to CP & are occasionally visible through the fog. Channel A.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 10:40:28 PDT

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

The A36s have headed north through Blackney Pass on the swiftly ebbing tide. Others may follow them soon. It's too foggy to see much, but their calls have been clear on the Local Left hydrophone, now on Flower Island as they head into Blackfish Sound. The I15s are in the entrance to Blackney Pass, audible on the Parson Island hydrophone. There are still many orcas in Johnstone Strait, including the A12s & I11s/I31s. We're listening to them on the CP & CrPt hydrophones.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 11:23:27 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A36s continued to the west through Blackfish Sound this morning while the other groups (the A12s,A30s,I15s,I11s,and I31s) continued to the west in Johnstone Strait and out through Weynton Pass. They have lingered off the top end of Blackfish and the eastern regions of Queen Charlotte Strait for some time now. From time to time we can hear their distant calls.
Helena
21 Sep 2005 15:50:28 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since mid afternoon, when the various groups of orcas were headed north from Blackfish Sound. We are waiting.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 23:05:34 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Good morning everyone! It sounds like the crowd that headed south into Blackney Pass on the ebbing tide last evening, and then turned back, has finally made it into Johnstone Strait, this time on the slack. We began hearing distant calls on the Critical Point hydrophone around 6:30 am, & since then have heard the A30s, A12s, I15s, & I11/31s. They are heading east, on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait.
Paul
20 Sep 2005 07:10:01 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s left the other groups andjust passed by the lab in Blackney on their way to Blackfish Sound. Just as they entered Blackfish Sound we could hear the A36s there as well. The calls are now growing distant perhaps going with the ebbing tide. The large group in the Strait have been silent for a while and now there is boat noise.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 08:42:45 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We just had an interesting pass. We think the I35s along with I80 headed to Blackfish from the Strait. They were followed by the A30s and part of the I15s (including I41). It certainly was not all of the I31s nor all of the I15s. Meanwhile, the A36s and the A12s are headed toward the Foster Islands in Queen Charlotte Strait. Where are the other I31s, I15s and I11s?
Helena
20 Sep 2005 10:22:42 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Although they just became quiet. The whales have been making their way through Weynton Pass on the flood tide. The turn in Queen Charlotte Strait started just before the slack tide and by the time the lead group was nearing Weynton Pass the flood was in progress. We are now beginning to hear the first groups arrive in Johnstone Strait. Their calls are very distant. The large number of whales were so spread out that the calls on Flower Island faded at the same time the lead group reached the Strait. If everyone who was here returns (this time including the A36s) there will be near to 60 whales in the area. Acouple of humbacks have added to the spectacular day.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 14:10:19 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The whales have now reached the entrance to Blackney and are soon to cross over to CP.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 15:21:03 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The I15s, I31s,I11s, A1s have moved closer to the Reserve. Thunder and lightening have given way to lovely sunshine once more.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 16:58:55 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We just had quite a few whales head east past CP. They were spread out from midstrait to the Vancouver Island shore and they stretched all the way from the Reserve to CP. Everyone seemed to be mixed up but we definitely saw I41 (I15s), I64 (I11s), I42 (I31s), and I46 (I31s), as well as the A30s, A12, and possibly the A36s.
Mary and Julie@CP
20 Sep 2005 17:20:10 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Now the whales are spread out from Critical Point to the Beaches.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 17:51:14 PDT

No orcas present.

We think the whales left for the east after their pass of the beaches.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 21:46:37 PDT

Superb sounds!!

All the groups are making their way back past the Bight and on towards CP. Right now the A30s and the I15s are closest to the Bight but before them the I11s,I31s and A12s already made their way and we are just picking up their calls on CP.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 23:32:13 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Since 2am we have been listening to very relaxed A30s, I11s and I15s in and around the area between the Reserve and the Sophia Islands.
Helena
19 Sep 2005 05:32:26 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A30s,I15s,and I11s shifted back to the west. They are currently off the entrance to Blackney Pass (still in the Strait).
Helena
19 Sep 2005 06:29:43 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The whales seemed to have moved to the west of CP.
Helena
19 Sep 2005 08:27:50 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The I11s, I15s and A30s swept quickly through Weynton Pass and arrived off the top end of Blackfish Sound a short while ago. Some boat noise but nice clear mix of calls.
Helena
19 Sep 2005 09:23:31 PDT

Four sea lions are hanging out just off CP. Channel A.
Mary and Julie@CP
19 Sep 2005 11:30:59 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It looks like all or most of the groups that headed "out" early this morning are heading back "in". Others, including the G17s, are possibly with them, or following. At the moment, we're listening to the A30s on the Flower Island hydrophone, & we've also heard the I15s. The last of this day & the night ahead could be busy!
Paul
19 Sep 2005 16:56:07 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A12s have just travelled south throuigh Blackney Pass & are entering Johnstone Strait. A12&33 are in front of the A34s, who are close together in a group. Channel A.
Paul
19 Sep 2005 18:37:27 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Sometimes standing still is the perfect thing to do. This evening in front of the lab the I31s, I33s and I11s passed by mid channel ahead of the I15s and the A30s. When just past the lab in they all suddenly made a loud collective burst . Then as they re-surfaced most were pointing the opposite direction towards Blackfish Sound. After some serious milling they all headed off back to the north silently. The evening colours on the calm sea were wonderful and as the whales disappeared we could hear the A12s moving eastward in the Strait. The A12s had passed us just a short while before only they actually made it to the Strait. So CP too had its treat when the A12s passed closely by. Amazing and wonderful.
Helena
19 Sep 2005 19:53:37 PDT

No orcas present.

Sorry, it has been a busy morning but we should update everyone. There was a lot of movement during the night. The A12s came back to the Strait at the same time the other groups were east of the Reserve. Early this morning the groups "re-grouped" and came back westward in the Strait. They left the area via Weynton and we eventually picked them up in Blackfish Sound as they continued to make their way to the west. We last heard calls (the I15s and the A30s) around 7:30am.
Helena
18 Sep 2005 09:18:19 PDT

Distant calls audible.

At least some of the groups that headed north early this morning have returned to Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass. At the moment, we're hearing the A30s & I15s on the Critical Point hydrophone, as they head to the east. Others are probably there too.
Paul
18 Sep 2005 13:20:16 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A30s have reached the entrance of Blackney Pass & are CP - Channel A. Other orcas are spread out across the Strait to the Vancouver Island side.
Paul
18 Sep 2005 13:44:55 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

All the groups have moved down toward the Reserve now. The A30s held off for a while while the I15s and the other groups passed by. We think the A12s, I31s, I11s, I15s and A30s all came in together earlier.
Helena
18 Sep 2005 16:14:18 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Ah Ha! The I15s, A30s and the I11s have come back from the east.
Helena
18 Sep 2005 19:31:00 PDT

No orcas present.

The whales were last heard on the Critical Point hydrophone. We are not sure ,at this point, which direction they decided on. However, the tide is flooding so perhaps they elected to go east.
Helena
18 Sep 2005 22:53:59 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Good morning everyone! Between bouts of boat noise, we've been listening to the A36s, A12s, A30s, I15s & I31s since around 5:30am. The A36s & A12s travelled north through Blackney Pass around 6am. We think the others are still in Johnstone Strait, though it wouldn't be surprising to see them head "out" on the swiftly ebbing tide too.
Paul
17 Sep 2005 07:24:28 PDT

Superb sounds!!

It sounds like the A30s & I31s are together in Robson Bight & are close to the Critical Point hydrophone. For the moment, there is just a little boat noise, so the calls are clear.
Paul
17 Sep 2005 08:03:39 PDT
Superb sounds!!

After hours of silence, the I15s have finally made their continued presence known... they are in Robson Bight with the A30s & I31s.
Paul
17 Sep 2005 08:54:41 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

They are still a bit distant but CP is filming the I15s approaching from the Sophia Islands. The A30s and I31s are not far away but perhaps favouring the Vancouver Island shore.
Helena
17 Sep 2005 10:39:39 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The orcas in the entrance of Blackney Pass, visible on Channel A, are the A30s and some of the I31s. The I15s are further to the west, as are the other I31s.
Paul
17 Sep 2005 13:27:05 PDT

Superb sounds!!

A mix of I15s, I31s & A30s is in the entrance of Blackney Pass. Some of them are visible on Channel A. Their calls are clear, and for a nice change, there is very little boat noise, so we've sent an alert.
Paul
17 Sep 2005 14:45:25 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

After a wonderful time off CP and then Critical Point the whales have shifted to the Rubbing Beaches.
Helena
17 Sep 2005 18:37:22 PDT


No orcas present.

As you m ay have guessed the whales continued to the east so all is "quiet" now.
Helena
17 Sep 2005 20:09:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We began hearing distant "A1" calls on the Flower Island hydrophone about half an hour ago... sounds like the A12s & possibly the A36s are returning!
Paul
17 Sep 2005 23:39:51 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

From the sounds the whales seem to be making their way back to the west past the Reserve. We have heard so far the A30s, G17s, possibly the A36s and either (or both) the I11s and I31s. The I15s will probably add themselves to the list at some point as well. Lovely morning, lovely whales even with the persistent boat noise.
Helena
16 Sep 2005 07:16:56 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

Some of the westbound orcas are on the Cracroft Island side of the Strait, passing CP. Channel A. Others are on the Vancouver Island side, near Kaikash. It looks like at least some of them are going to head north through Blackney Pass.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 08:22:08 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're hearing occasional distant calls on the Critical Point hydrophone as the orcas move to the western end of Johnstone Strait. A few minutes ago, we also heard distant calls on the Flower Island hydrophone, though we're not sure who was making them.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 09:42:00 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're still hearing occasional distant calls from the various groups (A30s, A36s, I15s, I11s, G17s) that now spread out across Johnstone Strait at the Weynton Pass end. The sounds we heard in Blackfish Sound a while ago were probably from dolphins.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 11:04:28 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A30s have tuened back to the east and are now heading past CP. Channel A.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 11:43:23 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The close calls we've been hearing are from A54 & A75. The other A30s are further out in the Blackney Pass "gap". All are foraging. Meanwhile, it looks like the other groups near Weynton Pass may be turning back to the east, though we're not yet sure. Orcas have also recently been sighted near Lizard Point, westbound.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 12:38:53 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s moved off to the west from Blackney Pass a while ago, but have now turned back to the east again. They are visibler on Channel A. We're hearing their calls on the Parson Island Hydrophone. The other groups decided to head north through Weynton Pass, against the flooding tide. Some of them are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound, others are still in Weynton Pass. We're hearing G clan calls in the distance on the Flower Island hydrophone. Meanwhile, a group of transients has been sighted off Bold Head... they are now heading towards the Penfolds.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 14:17:09 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s have moved back towards the west from Blackney Pass, possibly to meet up with the rest of the groups they were with earlier (A12s, A36s, I11s, G17s) now re-entering Johnstone Strait at Weynton Pass.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 15:46:40 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Just a short while ago we started hearing the A36s and G clan calls (I11s most likely) on Flower Island. Previous reports from the whale watch boats had said that the I11s had doubled backed through Weynton Pass after just reaching the Strait. The impression then was that the other groups including the A12s nd the I15s continued east in the Strait. We have not heard any calls other than the A30s in the Strait so we are waiting to see where the various groups end up tonight. So far today we have heard the A30s, A12s, A36s, G17s, I11s and I15s. The I31s were reported east yesterday.
Helena
16 Sep 2005 18:10:08 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We now believe that all the groups except the A30s went back out Weynton Pass and into Queen Charlotte Strait where they continued off to the west. The A30s are sleeping west of CP and the I31s are probably to the east.
Helena
16 Sep 2005 19:29:03 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are currently listening to the A36s and the I15s making their way back closer to Blackfish Sound after venturing into Queen Charlotte Strait with the I11s, A12s and G17s. Too early to tell whether or not the I11s and G17s were "dropped off" and have continued to the west. As far as we know the A30s remained behind in the Strait and were last seen a few hours ago resting off of Blinkhorn.
Helena
16 Sep 2005 21:08:10 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It sounds like the A12s are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound, along with the A36s & I15s. We also heard the A30s in Johnstone Strait a while ago. With the moon shining on a calm ocean, this is shaping up to be a lovely night.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 22:47:31 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We are listening to the I15s, A30s, and A12s on the Critical Point hydrophone. It sounds like the whales are enjoying the relief from boat noise as much as we are.
Mary@the Lab
15 Sep 2005 00:27:58 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A12s and I15s just traveled North through Blackney Pass, we were hearing GI calls on Flower Island before this so perhaps they were going to meet someone. We are not sure what happened to the A30s yet.
Julie @ OL
15 Sep 2005 07:28:53 PDT

Orcas near mics.

We are listening to the A30s on CP right now. The I15s and A12s and possibly some others are spread out from Bold Head to Stubbs Island. We are waiting to find out which way they are headed.
Mary@OL
15 Sep 2005 09:13:07 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We've got orcas everywhere this morning. The A30s are still hanging out off CP. They are calling occasionally. Up in Blackfish Sound, the A36s, A12s, I15s, and G17s are reported to be nearing Donegal Head. The I31s are to the east, way down near Campbell River. The tide is going to reach maximum flood in about an hour, so we are waiting to see if the big group up to the north will turn and head back this way.
Mary@OL
15 Sep 2005 11:23:53 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The large group have entered the strait through Weynton Passage, we are not sure exactly if everyone came in but if they did, the A12s, A36s, I15s and G17s should now be going east along the Vancouver Island shore. The A30s started going east shortly before they came into the strait.
Julie @ OL
15 Sep 2005 14:37:02 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

We have now all the groups in the Strait. Three groups at the Vancouver Island side near Kaikash and the A36´s and some small fins are with them midchannel at little Kaikash...they coming up to CP now...channel A
Paul T. and Melanie @CP
15 Sep 2005 14:52:43 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

Now the I15´s and maybe the G17´s are in the East of Johnstone Strait, going still east near the Vancouver Island side. The A12´s are now in Blackney Pass after foraging in the Gap. The A36´s are still near CP. Channel A
Paul T and Melanie @CP
15 Sep 2005 16:01:48 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The I15´s and maybe the G17´s are in the Bight now. We can here them close to the Crpt Hydrophone. The A36´s are in Blackney and the A12´s are in Blackfish Sound.
Paul T. and Melanie @CP
15 Sep 2005 16:46:43 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A36s are calling on Flower Island again. They sound as if they may have turned back towards us. After a quick rub, all is quiet in the Strait. We will have to wait and see where the I15s, G17s, and A30s ended up.
Mary@OL
15 Sep 2005 18:15:52 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We've been listening to the I31s, who have returned from the east and are in or near Robson Bight. We've been listening to them on the Critical Point hydrophone for the past couple of hours. The I15s, and at least some of the "A"s are nearby, also audible on CrPt. Boat noise is dominating the underwater soundscape at present, but hopefully it will end & the orcas will resume calling soon.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 04:56:36 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Good morning everyone! There is instense boat noise everywhere this morning, from the fishing "opening" today, and from other traffic, so it's difficult to hear anything else. We think the I15s, I31s & A30s headed east from Robson Bight around 6am, and there is a recent radio report of orcas, not far to the east, who are westbound.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 09:20:49 PDT

Boat noise

As the boat noise continues, a group of orcas has been sighted heading west, mid Strait, off the Sophias. They may be visible from CP soon.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 09:57:30 PDT

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

The westbound orcas turned out to be a group of transients, the T18s. They have headed into Blackney Pass & are now moving quickly north through it.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 10:51:15 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The I15s & at least some of the "As" are at the Main rubbing beach! Channel B.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 12:20:33 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The I15s have reached Robson Bight, along with some of the "As", westbound.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 12:45:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We believe the I15s , A30s and A12s are coming west. Just now they stalled off the western boundry in the Reserve. The I31s are apparently near Kelsey Bay and the transients have continued west toward Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
14 Sep 2005 13:38:35 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

After A30´s, A12´s and the I15´s passed CP one hour ago to the west, the A12´s back at CP going east again...Channel A
Paul and Melanie@CP
14 Sep 2005 17:33:04 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Although the whales aren't very vocal, we are hearing a couple of A1 calls (probably the A30s) on the Flower Island hydrophone and some very distant calls on Cracroft Point from the A12s and I15s.
Mary @ the Lab
14 Sep 2005 18:43:26 PDT

Orcas near mics.

We actually have the A30s in the Strait with the I15s and A12s. The A36s are calling on Flower Island and we are hoping they will come past the lab before it gets dark.
Mary @ the Lab
14 Sep 2005 19:28:03 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Good morning everyone! The A30s are back at thr rubbing beaches! They were the first of the groups to come back from the east, around midnight, followed by the A12s, I15s & I31s. By around 4am all the groups had gone back to the east (we think). It now seems that at least some of them are heading west again.
Paul
13 Sep 2005 07:27:21 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

The A30s headed west after their brief rub, and are now back in Ronson Bight, fishing... we're hearing echolocation on the Critical Point hydrophone.
Paul
13 Sep 2005 08:01:32 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Correction to my earlier note - the A12s headed north through Blackney Pass around 2:30am. We've been hearing the A30s in Robson Bight for the past while.
Paul
13 Sep 2005 08:34:00 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The I15s have surprised us by suddenly appearing close to CP, heading west, foraging as they go. Channel A. other orcas are on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait, also westbound, possibly the A30s, though we're not yet sure.
Paul
13 Sep 2005 10:10:25 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A30s and the I15s moved past CP to the west earlier. The A30s had moved up to the Big Bay as part of their stall off the entrance of Blackney Pass. The I15s went a little further west but both groups might now be heading back to the entrance & the area off CP.
Helena
13 Sep 2005 12:33:09 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The I15s and A30s have tuned back to the east at the top of Johnstone Strait. The A12s are also reported to be heading this way from the top of Blackfish Sound. If any of the groups are vocal, we should start to hear them soon.
Mary @ the Lab
13 Sep 2005 16:25:53 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The Johnstone Strait groups (the A30s and the I15s) are passing CP at the moment. only a few calls from the A12s up in Blackfish Sound earlier.
Helena
13 Sep 2005 16:57:25 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s are making their way down Blackfish Sound, towards Blackney Pass & Johnstone Strait. We're listening to them on the Flower Island hydrophone.
Paul
13 Sep 2005 18:02:15 PDT

Orcas near mics.

We believe the a12s are on their way toward Blackney but we are not sure what happened to the I15s. We had a report that they had turned at the same time as the A30s but CP only saw the A30s. We are also waiting to determine if the A36s are with the A12s. So lots still to figure out!
Helena
13 Sep 2005 18:15:39 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We have had quite a few calls. The I15s let us know that they did get down to the Reserve from the west not long ago. There they joined the A30s. While they were chatting it up the A12s came into Blackney Pass and our view. They are still making their way slowly to the south & Johnstone Strait. They are very spread out content so far to take their time.
Helena
13 Sep 2005 19:50:18 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The a12s took a long time getting to the Strait but once they did they did not take long to pass Cracroft Point and head east. We heard the A36s briefly and are not sure if they went "in" or went back out. Perhaps we will know in a while.
Helena
13 Sep 2005 21:30:58 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We re still hearing faint calls in the Strait. generally the whales seemed to be headed east, perhaps taking the Cracroft side instead of going through the Reserve.
Helena
13 Sep 2005 23:07:13 PDT