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Multiple pod calls audible.
We have continued to be busy with these various groups. We believe around 5:30pm part of the I15s went west past the entrance to Blackney Pass. At 6:18pm the faint A5 calls on the Critical Point hydrophone signalled that the A23s and A25s were moving west. By 6:52pm they had progressed west enough to be picked up on the CP hydrophone. Nik's parent out with the evening Stubbs tour saw whales in Weynton Pass at 7pm. Then at 7:41pm we heard A1 (A30s), I15 and the A23s/A25s in Blackfish Sound. The A30s and the A23s/A25s then moved south into Blackney Pass and have just recently cleared on their way to johnstone Strait. Our remaining questions are: did the A34s continue out to Queen Charlotte Strait and did the G clan group who were with the A23s/A25s off the Rubbing Beach continue east away from the Ecological Reserve and what have the I15s decided to do this evening?
Orcalab
29 Aug 2016 21:05:28 PDT |
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Distant calls audible.
Some things you just can't plan for! A tree fell down on hydro wires and took the Internet down with it. The whole of Alert Bay was down and this affected us -- And, of course, a lot happened in the meantime. At 1pm the A23s and A25s after travelling south in Blackney Pass and east in Johnstone Strait began arriving in Robson Bight. With them we believe (from the calls) were part of G12 pod who came in from Weynton Pass. Some of the I15s were not far away as well and had probably followed the others eastward after also coming through Weynton Pass earlier. While this was happening the A30s and the A34s who had also come through Blackney Pass from Blackfish Sound had stalled off the CP and entrance to Blackney Pass. There they pretty much stayed while the A23s/A25s and their G clan companions headed for the east end of the Reserve stopping in at the Main beach for a rub. We were sorry this was not broadcast as four individuals passed over the camera and A61 did an extended rub which was visible on the surface camera. The rub was over by 2:41pm. A short while after this excitement the A30s and the A34s finally made up their minds to come north through Blackney Pass. They cleared at 3:13pm into Blackfish Sound where they have stayed calling. Whales are headed west presently (possibly some of the I15s) past CP and the entrance of Blackney Pass. The wind is calming down but the Boat Bay party (an annual event) was postponed much to the disappointment of everyone.
Orcalab
29 Aug 2016 17:30:27 PDT |
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Multiple pod calls audible.
It has been busy here so here is a bit of a catch-up! After our quiet night we heard reports early this morning of whales gathering off the top end of Blackfish Sound. Not long after at 9:35am, we began to pick up A1,A5 and I15 calls on the Flower Island hydrophone. At 10:14am the A23s and A25s came in sight in the choppy seas. They were moving fast with the flooding tide. It has been a while since we last saw them. Meanwhile, we came to understand that other whales had come into the Strait via Weynton Pass and around 10:36 we heard I15 calls there as they started to make their way in and east. It took a while but the A34s, A46 and the A30s (all the A1s) came into view and travelled from Blackfish toward Johnstone Strait. They too were going fairly quickly and cleared our view by 11:59am. We watched them on the Parson Island camera negotiate their way toward CP and then by 12:08pm we watched them in the Strait where opposite CP they turned and began to mill. We could still hear faint G clan calls to the west of the A1s. Right now the A5s are calling fairly loudly as they approach Robson Bight presumably. The A30s, I15s are in the background.
Orcalab
29 Aug 2016 13:08:02 PDT |
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Distant calls audible.
We have picked up the I15s on Critical Point. We heard (probable) faint I15 calls earlier in Blackfish Sound, and they have apparently taken Weynton Pass to Johnstone Strait.
OrcaLab
29 Aug 2016 11:01:54 PDT |
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No calls but orcas nearby
The A23/A25s have now cleared to the South from Blackney Pass. They are quiet at the moment but we have been hearing nice calls on Parson Island
OrcaLab
29 Aug 2016 10:46:45 PDT |
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Distant calls audible.
Started hearing A5 calls (sounds like A23s/A25s) and I15s with some A1 calls on Flower Island hydrophone!
Orcalab
29 Aug 2016 09:57:09 PDT |
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Distant calls audible.
We are hearing A1 and A5 calls on Flower Island
OrcaLab
29 Aug 2016 09:55:12 PDT |
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No calls but orcas nearby
Seasmoke has reported a group of orca this morning at Bold Head
OrcaLab
29 Aug 2016 09:25:26 PDT |
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No calls but orcas nearby
After an unusually "quiet" night we have a report of orcas at the "top" end of Blackfish Sound. The wind is still blustery but the forecast promises lighter winds. Beginning to feel Fall around the corner!
Orcalab
29 Aug 2016 09:22:15 PDT |
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