Lots of movement today. Internet connection down

Multiple pod calls audible.

It seems we're connected again, after being down most of the night. Sorry about that, as it has been very exciting vocally & socially. There has been a lot of movement since yesterday. The groups that were in the east came quickly back to the west in the afternoon & met up with the I15s/I31s, who had spent hours resting in western Johnstone Strait yesterday afternoon before heading into the beaches for an excited rub just before the A11s & co met them around 7pm. The A12s & A36s came back into the Strait via Weynton Pass & headed east just before dark. Most of the groups headed north via Blackney Pass around midnight & then headed back into the Strait around 3am. At the moment, the A30s & I31s are in Blackfish Sound. We think the A12s headed east from Robson Bight around 3am.
Helena
29 Jul 2008 06:18:23 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A11s, followed by the A5s, have just travelled north through Blackney Pass on the swiftly ebbing tide.
Helena
29 Jul 2008 07:37:04 PDT

Performing maintenance

Sorry but our internet connection is down at the moment... we are working on the problem but don't know when it will be fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Paul
29 Jul 2008 21:50:13 PDT

I15s and I31s returning from the east. A36s and A12s are there too.

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Good morning everyone! After a sleepy night (for us) we began hearing calls on the rubbing beaches hydrophone a short while ago... sounds like the I15s/I31s & an "A1" group are returning from the east.
Helena
28 Jul 2008 07:28:28 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

We're hearing echolocation on the Critical Point hydrophone... sounds like some of the orcas are having a bite in the Bight on their way west.
Helena
28 Jul 2008 07:58:02 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A36s have turned into Blackney Pass ahead of the I15s and I31s who are just making their way out of Johnstone Strait.
Helena
28 Jul 2008 10:39:09 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Actually, the I15s and the I31s have not yet made it into Blackney Pass proper. They fell asleepand are still between CP and the bottom (east) end of Hanson Island. (Jared Towers report)
Helena
28 Jul 2008 11:19:03 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Surprise! We've just had the A12s (all of them) travel north through Blackney Pass. They are now in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
28 Jul 2008 12:49:34 PDT

I15s, I31s and the boys (A36s) arrived in Johnstone Strait

Multiple pod calls audible.

A lot has been happening while we were "down". First of all, this morning we have heard the I15s and possibly other G clan members arrive into Johnstone Strait. We are also hearing A1 calls and hopefully soon will sort out who. Yesterday, the A30s continued west toward the A24s and A5s who spent the day in the Lower Johnstone Strait (Nick Templeman report). Then yesterday evening, A12 and A33 travelled through Blackfish Sound,Blackney Pass and into Johnstone Strait. They were first seen by Troy Bright at Berre Point. They looked well and energetic, foraging as they travelled past us. A small minke kept company briefly. Again this morning, we had a group of dolphins who added to the mix.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 08:00:39 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Indeed, the plot thickens! It is the A36s who are the A1s in Johnstone Strait! Right now they are off Cracroft Point.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 08:21:39 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The whales have moved on toward the Ecological Reserve. The "Cliff" is trying to figure out who all is there.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 09:03:49 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

This parade has no end. We are now listening to A4 calls!
Helena
27 Jul 2008 09:09:23 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Some of the orcas (A4s) have reached the rubbing beaches!
Helena
27 Jul 2008 09:46:02 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

We think that the A11s are there today (at the Beaches)
Helena
27 Jul 2008 10:14:22 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A11s, A36s & others have turned back to the west & are spread out across the Strait opposite Naka Creek. They are moving slowly but should be within range of our hydrophones again before long.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 14:10:48 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We started hearing I11s or I31 type calls just a while ago. Sounds like the whales are passing off the Rubbing beaches to the west.
Tomoko
27 Jul 2008 14:54:59 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

After passing the Beaches, the I15s, I31s and the A36s turned back to the west. They have now passed CP and are on their way west. The A11s, who were seen earlier have not been yet identified as part of this western run. Meanwhile, the A30s,A5s, A12s and A24s were in the Lower Johnstone Strait where at least some, if not all, went southeast of Nodales Channel.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 17:15:14 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Sorry, a bit late but these good calls have been (and are) on Flower Island, Blackfish Sound. The i31s, I15s and A36s left Johnstone Strait earlier and went through Weynton Passage until they got to the other side.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 19:43:51 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A36s, I15s & I31s have been making their way south through Blackney Pass over the last while, and are now entering Johnstone Strait.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 20:30:07 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

And now, of course eastbound to the Reserve.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 21:29:10 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

That was a nice all pod rub!
Helena
27 Jul 2008 22:31:56 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The rub seems to be over. What now? The tide is still flooding for an hour. Will this encourage them to go looking for the other groups to the east?
Helena
27 Jul 2008 22:53:55 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30s are at the Rubbing Beaches now.
Helena
26 Jul 2008 11:58:59 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s are actually calling now.
Helena
26 Jul 2008 11:06:29 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s continued east. They are now just about to enter the Ecological Reserve. Meanwhile, the A5s and A24s were reported off Camp Point (east Johnstone Strait) this morning.
Helena
26 Jul 2008 11:04:08 PDT

Distant calls audible.

No, No, No.... the calss are not from the groups coming from the east but newly arriving A30s via Weynton Pass! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Helena
26 Jul 2008 09:26:53 PDT

Distant calls audible.

There are distant calls on Critical Point, perhaps the whales coming back from the east.
Helena
26 Jul 2008 09:22:59 PDT

No orcas present.

The groups went in for a rub and we believe they kept going east afterwards.
Helena
26 Jul 2008 00:26:40 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A4s, A5s and the A34s came up even with the entrance of Blackney Pass and now seem to be turning back to theeast once again.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 20:42:44 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The rub is finished and the A24s and the A5s are westbound. The A8s are midstrait opposite Critical Point while others are deep into the estuary. We can also hear the A24s and the A34s.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 18:26:56 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Some of the A5s touched in at the Rubbing Beaches.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 16:59:44 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A24s and the A5s (all) came back west from Naka Creek while the A34s sauntered up to Beaver Cove, west of Telegraph Cove. They eventually turned around and began a slow movement back to the east as the A24s and the A5s turned ahead of them and moved into the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 16:31:04 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A34s crossed the entrance to Blackney Pass and continued west along the Hanson Island shore. Meanwhile, the A8s, A2s and the A51s got to Naka Creek and then turned west.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 13:33:37 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We are listening to the A34s calls on CP hydrophone. They are heading west off CP. Seems like others continued to the east.
Tomoko
25 Jul 2008 12:44:59 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Some of the orcas have reached the Main rubbing beach!
Helena
25 Jul 2008 10:44:14 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

A further quick update as it happens: The A8s and the a23s have turned up back in Johnstone Strait eastbound off Kaikash Creek. They most likely used Weynton Pass.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 09:24:07 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Nice surprise! We just heard A51s group in Blackfish Sound! We had been listening to the A24s, A8s and A23s in Johnstone Strait but after a brief gap in their calls we heard A5 calls in Blackfish. Soon after we heard blows and saw fins in the moonlight pass north through Blackney Pass. We assume the A8s, A23s and A24s were on their way to meet up with the newcomers. It will be interesting to "see" what happens next for the tide is ebbing for quite a while longer.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 01:14:43 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The various groups have all continued to the west, probably on the Vancouver Island of Johnstone Strait.
Helena
24 Jul 2008 23:21:02 PDT

Orcas near mics

There are A5 calls as well:The A8s and the A23s are also westbound.
Helena
24 Jul 2008 22:26:38 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Someone touched in at the Beaches on their way to Critical Point. We are now hearing A24 calls so perhaps they are in the lead.
Helena
24 Jul 2008 21:13:05 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We just heard a report that there are westbound whales near Boat Bay (Cracroft island, opposite Robson Bight).
Helena
24 Jul 2008 21:00:26 PDT

No orcas present.

After hearing the last very faint calls at the east end of the Reserve at 1:10am, it was an uneventful night. We think the orcas continued eastward.
Helena
24 Jul 2008 07:35:14 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

After coming in close to Critical Point the A4 and A5 groups seemed to go around the "corner". The A5s have already been to the beaches. The A34s were still west of Critical Point.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 22:36:20 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Sounds like the A4s,A5s and the A34s have moved back toward the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 21:08:38 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The groups continued to the west.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 20:17:52 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Despite the boat noise in Johnstone Strait the calls have been quite clear at times as they come near the hydrophones. The Cliff" had the A34s, A23s, A8s and A24s pass by and by now the groups are passing CP, some in quite close.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 19:05:26 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Orcas have returned from the eastern parts of johnstone Strait andare entering the eastern end of the Reserve.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 16:32:30 PDT

No orcas present.

It has been quiet (except for boat noise) since around 1am. We think several of the groups from yesterday (A12s, A5s, at least some A4s) remained in Johnstone Srtrait & were probably headed east by midnight. At least one C group headed north via Blackney Pass around 12:30am. It's a quiet morning here, on & under the water. We are waiting.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 08:01:17 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Curious. More questions. We are hearing both A4 and Cs in Johnstone Strait. Have the A11s come west after the rub? Did all the Cs go out to Blackfish Sound? Did some stay? Or have they looped around Hanson Island?
Helena
22 Jul 2008 22:41:35 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Oh boy! The A11s are rubbing while the Cs travel into Blackfish Sound. Both are vocal.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 20:47:09 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Marie, staying late on the Cliff, reports that the Cs are with the A11s opposite Robson Bight headed east.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 20:16:37 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It has been interesting trying to figure out all of the movement around the area. It now appears the A11s (including Springer) arrived in the Strait possibly past Alert bay. As they were making their way east, the Cs went past the Cliff to the west, ignoring the A5s, A34s and possibly the A24s (an earlier arrival this afternoon) who continued east to the eastern end of the Reserve. We still have plenty of questions and tracking.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 19:22:26 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Several developments! More orcas have been sighted heading east past Alert Bay; the A4 group that came in via Weynton Pass has made it as far as the rubbing beaches; the A5s & A34s are headed towards the Cracroft side from Robson Bight; and the Cs are westbound again, now off the Sophias.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 18:44:33 PDT

There have been new developments. The A4s are back via Weynton Pass. They are now eastbound in Johnstone Strait. The A8s and the A23s are westbound to meet them. Currently, they are moving toward Cracroft Point. The A34s are following.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 17:21:44 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The Cs and the A34s are headed to the Ecological Reserve and the whales coming from the east have been identified as the A23s and A28.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 13:52:27 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The Cs just went south through Blackney Pass. They were very spread out but we believe both matrilines (C10s and C6s) were there. They are entering Johnstone Strait now. The A34s headed west past the entrance of Blackney Pass along the Vancouver Island shore earlier. Another group of orcas were also seen heading west at the Broken Islands (lower Johnstone Strait).
Helena
22 Jul 2008 12:21:30 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are hearing calls from newly arriving orcas on the Flower island hydrophone! Meanwhile, the A34s are westbound on the Vancouver Island side of Johnstone Strait, around Kaikash.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 10:26:55 PDT

Orcas near mics.

After a busy night moving back and forth through Johnstone Strait, Blackney Pass and Blackfish Sound, the A12s eventually ended up off the Rubbing beaches and eastbound from there by 5:55am. Just now, they are returning west off of the Ecological Reserve. We lost track of the A5s around midnight when they were still in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 08:57:26 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s made only a brief tour of Blackfish Sound. As the tide turned they have travelled back toward Johnstone Strait. One whale (?A55) has streaked ahead of the others and is already rushing eastward.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 03:13:24 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s have travelled through Blackney Pass and are now vocal in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 02:29:12 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Sounds like the whales are westbound from the Beaches.
Helena
21 Jul 2008 21:42:22 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The orcas are at the Rubbing Beaches.
Helena
21 Jul 2008 20:37:49 PDT

Orcas near mics.

We have been listening to T14 who followed the rest of the transients through Blackney Pass. He continued into Johnstone Strait where, once off Cracroft Point, he became vocal. The others had already moved into Baronet Pass (the north side of Cracroft Island adjacent to Blackney Pass). T14 moved back into the entrance of Blackney Pass, still in Johnstone Strait, and continued to call. He is still westbound while the others continued east up Baronet. The residents are continuing eastward in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
21 Jul 2008 16:17:19 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s,A8s and A23s are moving west again opposite the Sophia islands. Meanwhile, yesterday's transient group (T124, T124D, T124E, T90s, T21s) are eastbound in Blackfish Sound not far from Blackney Pass. They took a dalls porpoise a short while ago.
Helena
21 Jul 2008 14:51:17 PDT

Distant calls audible.

THE A12s met up with the A5s (who came up from the east) and immediately formed a social, resting line. They are doing lots of spyhops but almost no calls. Right now, they are mid Robson Bight.
Helena
21 Jul 2008 12:21:46 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Those were the A12s arriving back to Johnstone Strait! Hundreds of dolphins are rushing southward through Blackney at the moment.
Helena
21 Jul 2008 06:26:33 PDT

No orcas present.

We believe they continued west past Cracroft Point but at this point it is not clear what they did soon after. We are waiting.
Helena
20 Jul 2008 22:50:12 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A23s and the A8s (except A60 who is mid strait) are travelling west along Vancouver Island just shy of Kaikash Creek. Thanks Lukwa Wayne for the report. Also, Donna reported that the whales to the west were last reported near the Port Hardy airport headed east.
Helena
20 Jul 2008 20:18:18 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Medium range A5 calls at the east end of the Ecological Reserve, whales are west bound, next stop Critical Point.
Helena
20 Jul 2008 18:45:20 PDT

No orcas present.

We were hoping that a late report via the MacKays last would develop into something interesting from the west. All quiet last night andthis morning we found out from Nick Templeman that the A23s and the A8s were still very far to the east, however, they were west bound and as of an hour ago, they were off Kelsey Bay, still moving west. Last night, the Boat Bay camp heard 5-6 blows in the Reserve. Just now a small group of transients are headed into Knights Inlet quickly.
Helena
20 Jul 2008 12:37:13 PDT

No orcas present.

Jack Springer "down east" reported to the "Cliff" that the A23s and the A8s spent yesterday in Frederick Arm. We also heard that the A11s have been spending some time in Queen Charlotte Strait lately so they have not gone too far away. Promising news.
Helena
19 Jul 2008 10:08:51 PDT

No orcas present.

The excitment this afternoon was the reports of T14 making progress eastward through Queen Charlotte Strait. We waited and waited but we never saw him.
Helena
18 Jul 2008 19:21:56 PDT

No orcas present.

We are not aware of any close at hand activity over night. We checked in with the "Cliff" and they had the same impression. It was too, too windy (NW) to hear blows and ther has been no word from the eastern whale watchers yet this morning.
Helena
18 Jul 2008 09:11:10 PDT

No orcas present.

Our tuckered out sleepy A5s made their way back eastward, past CP, past the Cliff and onward.
Helena
17 Jul 2008 16:51:48 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s and the A8s did it to us again! They are back and managed to get all the way to Telegraph Cove before being seen. Thanks to Stubbs Island for the heads up report.
Helena
17 Jul 2008 09:17:32 PDT

No orcas present.

The usual suspects are wandering the lower Johnstone Strait thhis morning still going eastward.
Helena
16 Jul 2008 11:47:57 PDT

No orcas present.

They have done the BIG LOOP again! Last night, Marie from the Cliff, saw 3 orcas enter Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass. Later, around midnight, the camp opposite Robson Bight, saw a group of whales head east "down" the Strait. We did not hear any calls after 8pm last night.
Helena
16 Jul 2008 09:09:59 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A8s and the A23s continued east to Critical Point where they turned at 4:45pm and crossed back to the Cracroft Island side. From there they followed the Cracroft Island shoreline until the entrance of Blackney Pass. They then turned into the Pass and are now headed to Blackfish Sound. They have been very quiet all day.
Helena
15 Jul 2008 18:53:26 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The whales are off the western tip of Hanson Island now.
Helena
15 Jul 2008 14:15:23 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Busy morning! The A23s and the A8s, in johnstoen Strait, have turned to the west. The A23s with a28 are on the cracroft island side once again and have passed the Cliff and are headed to the Pig Ranch near the Sophia islands. The a42s are on the other side off Robson Point (the west side of Robson Point).
Helena
15 Jul 2008 12:06:06 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s and the A8s must have made a loop around Hanson Island once again for they are back in Johnstone Strait this morning heading east past the Reserve.
Helena
15 Jul 2008 09:10:30 PDT

Orcas near mics.

We believe the A5s went through Blackney Pass and are now in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
15 Jul 2008 00:13:51 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A5 calls became very loud in the entrance to Blackney Pass. We are trying to figure out if they have gone north through the Pass. There is a lot of wave noise which is making it hard to hear blows and calls have dropped off.
Helena
15 Jul 2008 00:07:03 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are hearing calls on Cracroft Point.
Helena
14 Jul 2008 23:27:33 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s and the A8s are passing the Western Boundary of the Reserve headed east. They turned earlier off Blinkhorn and made the trip eastward silently. A small group of dolphins were attentive to A60 for a while before heading toweard the others.
Helena
14 Jul 2008 18:38:52 PDT

Orcas near mics.

And also some dolphins!
Helena
14 Jul 2008 15:16:22 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are just beginning to hear A5 calls on CP! Most of the A8s were travelling up the Vancouver Island side while the a23s and A28s were on the cracroft island side.
Helena
14 Jul 2008 15:04:33 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Just heard a report that there are whales at the eastern end of the Reserve. No IDs yet but they may be heading west.
Helena
14 Jul 2008 13:22:37 PDT

No orcas present.

Pretty quiet overnight so this morning we are enjoying a calm, overcast start to the day.
Helena
14 Jul 2008 09:18:11 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Just a short while ago ther were a few dolphin calls.
Helena
13 Jul 2008 23:03:39 PDT

Boat noise

As far as we know the A5s continued eastward. There was a report of whales in Queen Charlotte Strait this morning. Nice to imagine it was the absent A11s. We will see what develops overnight. Lovely sunny day with humpbacks, dall porpoise and minke whales,
Helena
13 Jul 2008 22:53:05 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We just heard from the "Cliff". As the fog cleared they suddenly were aware of the A5s, all together, mid strait opposite Robson Point, heading east. We have not heard any calls.
Helena
13 Jul 2008 09:51:52 PDT

No orcas present

Once the whales got into Blackfish Sound they became vocal for a while longer before fading off into the distance. Very foggy this morning.
Helena
13 Jul 2008 09:10:52 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

And once again these groups passed north through Blackney Pass into Blackfish Sound.
Helena
13 Jul 2008 00:21:37 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Well this is interesting! We are hearing A4 and A5 calls in the entrance of Blackney Pass once again.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 23:10:04 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A11s and the A5s came up to Cracroft point once again but this time they turned into Blackney Pass and rushed northward into Blackfish Sound. A60 was very active, waiting for the A8s to push through,foraging and posrpoising along. The whales were spread right across Blackney. They are now all in Blackfish Sound, still vocal.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 18:14:56 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The boats let us know that the G17s headed off towards Sointula - a quick tour with an interesting departure choice. At 1:40pm the A11s (all of them) and the A8s and A23s turned off the Wastells and began their journey back to the east while the G17s departed for points west.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 14:42:44 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A11s, A5s and G17s are continuing west past the entrance of Blackney Pass.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 12:33:20 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A4s,A5s and Gs are approaching the Cracroft Point/Blackney Pass area.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 12:06:08 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The whales, after a brief rub, turned and headed back to the west. One group on Vancouver Island is just clearing the western boundary of the Reserve and others are opposite the "Cliff" across from Robson Bight.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 11:32:15 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We still are unable to listen to our normal range. But the "Cliff" was able to update our reports as the groups (the A11s,G17s and A5s) passed Critical Point.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 10:13:40 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A4s and the Gs took advantage of the slack tide and went into Johnstone Strait where we think we heard A5 calls as well. All are east bound toward the Reserve by now. Also a report via Nic Templeman that 3 large male fins were seen at 7:15am off Stimpson Reef.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 09:19:25 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We have new groups arriving! Calls on Flower Island.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 06:05:55 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The orcas continued westward. Thanks to the Columbia for the update.
Helena
11 Jul 2008 22:00:20 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A23s and the A8s have finally made it back to this part of Johnstone Strait. They are now opposite (or just west of) the entrance to Blackney Pass.
Helena
11 Jul 2008 20:46:57 PDT

No orcas present.

We didn't hear anything over night and there have been no reports of any orca activity so far this morning. There is a humpback in Blackney Pass and the winds have died down.
Helena
11 Jul 2008 09:17:45 PDT

No orcas present.

It is a very blustery but sunny day here in the upper Johnstone Strait. We are still waiting for the A8s and the A23s to come back from the east. Yesterday, two dalls porpoises came right into our bay which was very unusual and exciting.
Helena
10 Jul 2008 12:44:41 PDT

No orcas present.

Today, the A23s and the A8s stayed in the lower Johnstone Strait. At 2pm they were off Ripple Point pointing towards Nodales Channel. Thanks to Nic Templeman for the update this afternoon. We did hear a few dophins early this evening in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
09 Jul 2008 22:35:14 PDT

No orcas present.

Sorry about the poor connection. We did hear calls (briefly) during the night just after 2am. The calls we distant but again in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
09 Jul 2008 07:16:37 PDT

No orcas present.

Our connection has been going up and down all day. We are trying to get it stable so bear with us. Meanwhile the A23 and the A8s went up to Weynton Passage entrance, spread out across the Strait, and at 4pm they turned back to the east. At 6:20pm they went past Critical Point and continued east.
Helena
08 Jul 2008 21:37:49 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A23s and the A8s are continuing to the west past the entrance of Blackney Pass.
Helena
08 Jul 2008 15:12:08 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A8s and the A23s are trekking westward. The A8s are in front and closer to the Cracroft side. The A23s and A28 are following are were closer to vancouver Island. We have already heard the A8s briefly on CP. Very wet and very misty this morning and our connection was down for a while.
Helena
08 Jul 2008 14:14:56 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s and the A8s went up to the western end of Hanson Island by 6pm. From there they turned back to the east and just a short while ago we heard them off of Cracroft Point. Perhaps they will continue eastward. The tide is dropping but they have been swimming against the tide all day. Interesting note: CetaceaLab has seen the A30s and A4s and heard A5 calls as well. Seeming the A51s have not been seen here we have to conclude they are still north.
Helena
07 Jul 2008 19:41:29 PDT

Orcas near mics.

That call was from the A5s who are approaching the Cracroft Point area in Johnstone Strait. After continuing east to the Rubbing beaches (our system there is not working at the moment) they turned back to the west at 4:50pm.
Helena
07 Jul 2008 16:46:17 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A23s and the A8s gave us a thrill and decided to use the back eddiy close to hanson island for their route back to johnstone Strait against the tide! The new calf from our view looked to be definitely swimming alongside of A42. They have all cleared from our sight and are headed to the Strait. calls are infrequent at this stage.
Helena
07 Jul 2008 12:30:18 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A8s and the A23s have gone west in Johnstone Strait, entered Weynton Pass and are now crossing the top end of Blackfish Sound.
Helena
07 Jul 2008 10:36:04 PDT

No orcas present.

It seems that the A5s continued to the east. We have not heard any more reports since early afternoon when they were past Boat Bay and still eastbound. It has become unclear whether A28 actually has a calf. Today there were conflicting reports but two very reliable observers saw a new calf with A42 and not A28 so the story is still to be told. Hopefully, there will be more opportunities to sort this out.
Helena
06 Jul 2008 21:46:45 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A5s (including A28 and her new little one!) turned east just shy of Blinkhorn and headed for the ecological Reserve around 10am.
Helena
06 Jul 2008 11:59:17 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are hearing A5 calls of Cracroft Point every so often.
Helena
06 Jul 2008 09:27:52 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We heard a report just before 8am that a group of 8 orcas were headed west from Boat Bay on Cracroft Island. We are waiting to hear if they will be vocal on CP.
Helena
06 Jul 2008 08:26:19 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We heard a report just before 8am that a group of 8 orcas were headed west from Boat Bay on Cracroft Island. We are waiting to hear if they will be vocal on CP.
Helena
06 Jul 2008 08:26:14 PDT

No orcas present.

We didn't hear anything more during the rest of the night. Shortly after the orcas there was a burst of dolphin calls. The morning here is misty with slight rain.
Helena
06 Jul 2008 07:32:02 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The arriving orcas, after stalling in Blackney Pass are now in Johnstone Strait. Definitely "A" calls but very, very faint and already distant as if they travelled to the far side of the Strait before calling. We are somewhat handicapped by not having the Critical Point hydrophone at the moment but imagine the whales are eastbound headed toward the Ecological Reserve. Rather lovely to be hearing calls however distant!
Helena
06 Jul 2008 01:17:00 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We can hear blows from orcas heading south in Blackney Pass, no calls so far, not sure if they are residents or transients.
Helena
05 Jul 2008 23:24:02 PDT

No orcas present.

We didn't hear any calls during this windy night.
Helena
05 Jul 2008 08:55:47 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The dolphins are still vocal!
Helena
04 Jul 2008 05:52:58 PDT

No orcas present.

Good morning! Audio should be working again. The dolphins seemed to move further into Blackfish Sound for at times their calls were very clear and we could hear echo location as well. A humpback is strolling along opposite the Lab this morning.
Helena
04 Jul 2008 05:29:35 PDT

Distant calls audible.

There are distant vocal dolphins again in Blackfish Sound and quiet humpbacks in Blackney Pass.
Helena
03 Jul 2008 22:09:17 PDT

No orcas present.

A few more dolphin calls, plus a thunder and lightening storm rolling over the area,through the night,
Helena
03 Jul 2008 04:34:09 PDT

No orcas present.

A note from CetaceaLab (http://www.whaleresearch.ca/) that they saw the A30s on June 30th.
Helena
02 Jul 2008 10:46:22 PDT

No orcas present.

A "quiet" night. The morning is dawning grey and overcast. Waiting.....
Helena
02 Jul 2008 06:20:53 PDT

No orcas present.

Since the dolphins it has been fairly quiet through the night. Our connection was unstable as well but seems to be there at the moment. Foggy morning.
Helena
01 Jul 2008 04:36:30 PDT