Superb sounds!!

So very quickly under an unbelievably starry sky the A24s,A25s and A23s passed through Blackney to Blackfish Sound.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 00:09:49 PDT

Superb sounds!!

So very quickly under an unbelievably starry sky the A24s,A25s and A23s passed through Blackney to Blackfish Sound.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 02:57:23 PDT

No orcas present.

it took a while tis morning but the A25s,A24s and A23s were finally located at 10:30am near Windy Point. They were east bound. There has been an unconfirmed report of orcas near the Mainland side in the Wells Pass area. Vague but exciting. The tide will be in flood around 4:30pm.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 13:32:55 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23,A24s and the A25s have been coming west for quite a while this afternoon. The Lukwa reports that they are stalled off Naka Creek in the midst of thousands of finning and jumping sockey that are passing through the area. It is quite the sight!
Helena
16 Aug 2010 15:52:18 PDT

Distant calls audible.

here they come! Closer and closer! The hydrophone at the east end is now picking up A4 and A5 calls.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 17:21:53 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A23, A24s and A25s are moving along headed west "up" the Strait.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 18:51:51 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We need to clear something up. Jan you are correct - there it was in our chats with CetaceaLab - mention of A51's new baby seen in April of this year! Nice to get the record straight.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 19:00:51 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Hmmmm. difficult to track whales if they are silent. They had been heading to the Sophia Island east of Cracroft Point against the tide in Johnstone Strait. Their calls were never close and so far we have not heard them cross the entrance of Blackney. Did they turn or keep going? hopefully, we will soon know more.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 21:11:41 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The whales finally made it back around to Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass. Nice to think they didn't want to leave the area just yet. We are hearing A4 calls so far.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 03:01:03 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A5s are there in Johnstone Strait as well as the A4s moving eastward. The tide will turn in less than an hour to the flood.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 03:20:38 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A4s and A5s continued toward the Ecological Reserve since last report. The last calls we heard were at 7:04am off the far end of the Reserve.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 07:36:28 PDT

No orcas present.

it took a while tis morning but the A25s,A24s and A23s were finally located at 10:30am near Windy Point. They were east bound. There has been an unconfirmed report of orcas near the Mainland side in the Wells Pass area. Vague but exciting. The tide will be in flood around 4:30pm.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 13:32:55 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23,A24s and the A25s have been coming west for quite a while this afternoon. The Lukwa reports that they are stalled off Naka Creek in the midst of thousands of finning and jumping sockey that are passing through the area. It is quite the sight!
Helena
16 Aug 2010 15:52:18 PDT

Distant calls audible.

here they come! Closer and closer! The hydrophone at the east end is now picking up A4 and A5 calls.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 17:21:53 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A23, A24s and A25s are moving along headed west "up" the Strait.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 18:51:51 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We need to clear something up. Jan you are correct - there it was in our chats with CetaceaLab - mention of A51's new baby seen in April of this year! Nice to get the record straight.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 19:00:51 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Hmmmm. difficult to track whales if they are silent. They had been heading to the Sophia Island east of Cracroft Point against the tide in Johnstone Strait. Their calls were never close and so far we have not heard them cross the entrance of Blackney. Did they turn or keep going? hopefully, we will soon know more.
Helena
16 Aug 2010 21:11:41 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We've been listening to A4 & A5 calls on the Rubbing Beach hydrophone for the past hour. Quite a lovely dawn.
Helena
15 Aug 2010 05:47:19 PDT

No orcas present.

At 10am the A23s, A24s and A25s were off Port Neville heading east. By 12pm they were off Kelsey Bay still heading east. Seems like they are gone from this area for the day at least.
Helena
15 Aug 2010 13:35:57 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Sounds like the A24s,A25s and A23s are arriving back and headed towards the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
15 Aug 2010 20:43:09 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Getting closer... great news from Jared Towers... A51 has anew baby!
Helena
15 Aug 2010 20:52:09 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A5 & A4 groups have reached Robson Bight. We're hearing them on the Critical Point hydrophone, along with the sounds of fishing boats.
Helena
15 Aug 2010 21:32:57 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Lovely A4 and A5 calls as the whales move into Blackney Pass from Johnstone Strait..
Helena
15 Aug 2010 23:51:38 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since around 11:30pm last night, and think the A23s headed east after their rub. As so often lately, we are waiting. Meanwhile, we're enjoying a lovely sunny morning with a flat calm ocean.
Helena
14 Aug 2010 09:09:01 PDT

Boat noise

A few developments are in the works this morning. The A23s wer located off of Camp Point around 10am. An hour late they were off kelsey Bay heading west quickly. At the other end of the core area a group of 12 orcas were spotted off of Black Bluff heading east. This group is said to consist of at least the A24s and the A25s. They are currently off Lizard Point and still coming toward Donegal Head! Fairly soon we will be able to put them on the map.
Helena
14 Aug 2010 11:57:02 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A25s and the A24s have just entered Johnstone Strait after coming through Weynton Pass.
Helena
14 Aug 2010 14:22:31 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A24s and the A25s are now vocal!
Helena
14 Aug 2010 14:38:18 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The eastbound orcas are at Izumi Rock, close to Vancouver island, and are now audible on the Critical Point hydrophone. Meanwhile, the westbound orcas are at Eve River, with some distance to go before they are in range of our hydrophones.
Helena
14 Aug 2010 16:28:06 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A24s and the A25s have reached the beaches.
Helena
14 Aug 2010 17:10:54 PDT

Distant calls audible.

These A5 and A4 calls are still off the east end of the Ecological Reserve. Sounds like they are still involved at the beaches. We believe that the A23s made it up to the others before 7pm. Marie saw two males waiting offshore of the beaches at one point and so thought that the A23s were there.
Helena
14 Aug 2010 20:53:59 PDT

Distant calls audible.

These very distant A4 (A24s) and A5 (A23s and A25s) calls are still off the far eastern end of the Ecological Reserve. Right now it seems as if they might be continuing to the east. The tide however is in ebb.
Helena
14 Aug 2010 21:50:20 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls overnight, and think the A23s probably headed east. Foggy morning here, but calm.
Helena
13 Aug 2010 07:25:07 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s were found this morning off of York Island (near Kelsey Bay) at 10am. They have been travelling back to the west for most of the day and are currently nearing Naka Creek. This means that if they keep going they will soon be in range of the east end of the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
13 Aug 2010 15:46:14 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s, according to Luke and Marie at Boat Bay, have rounded Swaine Point on the Cracroft Island side and still headed west.
Helena
13 Aug 2010 19:33:50 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A23s apparently got as far as Swaine Point (or just past it) and then went straight across to the Bight. As we are hearing calls at the far end of the Reserve and at Critical Point we think the A23s split and are spread out along Vancouver Island in the Reserve. Also, today the Naiad Explorer saw resident whales in Browning Pass (Port Hardy area) but they were heading away from the area. Included in the possible list were the A11s, the A25s, the A24s and the A8s. We are hoping to get more information from Bill and Donna at some point.
Helena
13 Aug 2010 20:45:55 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Sounds like the A23 did not make it very far west as they are back at the east end of the Reserve once more. There was even a rub. Before, Marie thinks it was A43 who went as far as the beaches while the others stayed behind in the Bight.
Helena
13 Aug 2010 22:46:47 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Very close calls and echo location near Robson Bight. We had lost track of the A23s last night around 11:20pm. Previous to that time the calls had become quite distant and it was difficult to place where the whales were exactly.Through the night there was very loud boat noise as the fishing continued. The wind is still quite strong this morning.
Helena
12 Aug 2010 07:32:32 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s are ,aking their way steadily westward along the Vancouver Island shore. They are currently off of the Kaikash Creek area at the moment. Lots of fish boats heading west also. Trollers continue to fish but the gill-net opening is over for the time being.
Helena
12 Aug 2010 09:19:03 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

just before 10am the a23s turned back to the eat while still off the Kaikash Creek area. They are now moving back towards the Reserve.
Helena
12 Aug 2010 11:29:07 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s actually made the turn to the east closer to Little Kaikash Crrek (west of Kaikash) at 9:40am. They got as fat as the Bight and then angled out across Johnstone Strait at 11:30am. They then went west directly in front of Marie on the Cliff and are now approaching the Sophia Islands.
Helena
12 Aug 2010 12:00:24 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Thank goodness there is a network of observers out there! The A23s are ever so quiet. lately, they crossed the entrance way of Blackney Pass, first to reach Hanson Island and then back again to Cracroft Point where they are now. Apparently, according to the Naiad Explorer they are currently stalled off of CP, spy hopping and generally relaxing. The tide has turned to full flood by now.
Helena
12 Aug 2010 13:31:18 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Since the last report: Straitwatch had told us that the A23s were spy-hopping a lot off of CP-the entrance to Blackney Pass. Eventually, they moved on to the Ecological Reserve. They went quite far into the Bight. At that time we heard a few calls and some echo location as they passed Critical Point to the east. Marie was able to tell us that they went to the east end of the Reserve but did not go in for a rub at any of the beaches and remained offshore until they turned west at around 5pm. Sounds like they are back at Critical Point. Again sparse calls and a bit of echo location. At the same time (1:30pm) that the A23s were off of CP we got a report from Bill Mackay that the A30s had been seen off of Pine Island (western Queen Charlotte Strait).
Helena
12 Aug 2010 18:01:15 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s have passed the western boundary of the Ecological Reserve westbound once again.
Helena
12 Aug 2010 18:53:24 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s must have turned again as they continue to pace Johnstone Strait. Marie reports they are eastbound again mid strait off Boat Bay. They are going against the ebbing tide.
Helena
12 Aug 2010 20:19:44 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A23 have made it to the east end of the Reserve.
Helena
12 Aug 2010 21:34:50 PDT

No orcas present.

Last night we were very hopeful after more reports of orcas near Scarlett Point, Gordon Channel and a short while later, 7 miles from Numas Island. There was even a report of whales in Hardy Bay which sounded like possible transients. Donna Mackay kindly relayed the various sightings. So we were convinced and even laid bets for which time the orcas would be heard during the night's strong flooding tide. Sadly, we had a peaceful and uninterrupted sleep and woke this morning to the sound of fish finders and motors. Dave Towers relayed a report he heard that there is a large Chinook run going down the west side of Vancouver Island. If that is the case, the orcas might just follow it and give us (the Johnstone Strait area) a pass. Of course, we hope that will not happen. Stay tuned.
Helena
11 Aug 2010 08:07:37 PDT

No orcas present.

The last report we had was that the A23s were just east of Kelsey Bay (they are making progress west) at 12:45pm. Then at 5:40pm we thought (or imagined very faint calls. Nothing developed so we were not confident about this being real. A good sized westerly stirring "out there". The gill-netters will continue to fish until tomorrow.
Helena
11 Aug 2010 20:47:28 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

Whew! Pretty sure that was real even if it was brief (so far). We think there was echo location in the Robson Bight area. Lots of boat noise and wave action from the heavy northwet wind. Stay tuned.
Helena
11 Aug 2010 21:44:04 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Finally! Distant A5 calls in Johnstone Strait means that the A23s have indeed made it to the western part of the Strait and that the earlier echo location and distant calls marked the beginning of their return. Nice even despite the constant boat noise.
Helena
11 Aug 2010 22:54:28 PDT

No orcas present.

Thanks Gary for the info about the A23s heading deeper into Nodales at 7:30pm yesterday. "Up here" the night was uneventful - again!
Helena
10 Aug 2010 07:20:06 PDT

No orcas present.

Encouraging news from below. Jack reported to Marie on the Cliff that the A23s were at Little Bear Bay just before noon and heading west quickly. later at 2:30pm as he was leaving jack reported that the A23s were up to Humpback Bay. They were apparently very vocal and active. Yea! Lots of fish showing up today. Last year we didn't see any "jumpers" but today the passes are alive with salmon moving through. Yea!
Helena
10 Aug 2010 16:16:22 PDT

No orcas present.

We had been hoping that the strong flooding tide would encourage the A30s to make it into this area. But the night was uneventful as far as we know (we didn't hear any calls). So we imagine things are pretty much the same as yesterday with us in between and the A23s east and everyone else to the west. It would nice to be wrong and surprised!
Helena
09 Aug 2010 08:55:46 PDT

No orcas present.

I thought I should post Aaron's report about the A23s this afternoon for the record. Thank Aaron for keeping everyone informed with such a great report! "I last saw the A23s at 430pm today heading east into Nodales Channel along the Thurlow shoreline, grouped up and swimming slowly along after a little rub on the rocks at the S.tip of Turn Island. Then a few spy-hops and frolics by the calf, A95 and back to travelling in calm waters and warm evening sunshine. The ebb has arrived in the last hour so they may have already turned. " Aaron@Sonora
Helena
09 Aug 2010 21:42:54 PDT

No orcas present.

We heard no orcas calling overnight, but it sounds like the A23s are headed back west after their visit to Nodales Channel, so they could be in western Johnstone Strait later today. Thanks to Hurricane Jack for the report. Meanwhile, there was a humpback in Blackney Pass around 8am, possibly now in Blackfish Sound. The commercial fishing opening continues today.
Helena
08 Aug 2010 09:46:25 PDT

Boat noise

Before noon, around 11:30am we had word from Hurricane Jack via marie that the A23s made it to Bear Point before turning back to the east. Word has it (Mackay whale watching) the A30s are off Pine Island (far end of Queen Charlotte Strait). (10:30am) Last night a group was spotted off Hunt Rock headed into the area so perhaps this was the A30s.
Helena
08 Aug 2010 12:49:23 PDT

No orcas present.

Just had a nice chat with Bill Mackay who spent the day with the A30s aboard the Naiad Explorer. At first the A30s went east again to Hunt Rock from the Pine Island area. Then they returned to Pine Island and at 4:30pm they turned east once more. Bill left them off Scarlett Point mid strait travelling with a bit more purpose. Bill said it was so beautiful "out there" and that you could hear a pin drop it was so quiet. Hurricane Jack reported to Marie that the A23s turned west at 3:30pm and an hour later they were back at Ripple Point. Jack noted that they went behind the narrow gap behind Howe Island to get to Chatham Point. Jack also reported that there are still a lot of Chinook salmon in Nodales. Blackfish Sound open tomorrow for fishing.
Helena
08 Aug 2010 17:31:57 PDT

No orcas present.

We did not hear the A23s return within range through the night. Drizzly and misty this morning while a humpback passes through to the south. Last night, a humpback wa very close in to Hanson Island, just off this bay.
Helena
07 Aug 2010 07:19:14 PDT

Boat noise

Fishing,fishing,fishing. Lots of boats and the A23 are reported resting between Hickey Point and Kelsey Bay moving slowly east still.
Helena
07 Aug 2010 11:46:55 PDT

No orcas present.

I meant to pass thi along after marie conveyed an update from the eastern Johnstone Strait just after I got it. But time pased quickly with other concerns so here goes. just before 5pm the A23 were at Chatham Point looking like they were headed for nodales Channel.Apparently, they were quiet for the entire day and content to mosey along at a slowish rate, resting & ambling their way steadily eastward. It was a beautiful day here with humpbacks and lots of Dalls porpoises. The Naiad passed by. On board was an old friend and volunteer from 11 years ago, Elodie with her lovely young child in her arms.
Helena
07 Aug 2010 22:21:18 PDT

Boat noise

Fishing continues today and so does the fog. We did not hear any orcas during the night. This morning a few sea lions have paraded by just offshore through the seagulls.
Helena
06 Aug 2010 07:18:50 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s (A43s) have arrived! They were sighted by Alex Morton off Lizard Point about noon, & have been making their way east since. They are now heading through Weynton Pass & should be in Johnstone Strait soon. Thanks Alex!
Helena
06 Aug 2010 13:34:32 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A23s are now in Johnstone Strait, heading east. We are hearing distant calls from them on the Critical Point hydrophone, along with lots of boat noise.
Helena
06 Aug 2010 14:08:45 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A23 have dodged the fish boats on their way east to the Bight. There are still many boats but they seem to be managing to travel and forage. Experts I guess at this game!
Helena
06 Aug 2010 17:50:59 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A23s are rubbing at the beach (Strider) just west of the Main beach.
Helena
06 Aug 2010 19:23:26 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

They made it to the Main beach.
Helena
06 Aug 2010 19:41:52 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Still there!
Helena
06 Aug 2010 20:45:03 PDT

Boat noise

Difficult to say what happened to the A23s. The last calls we heard were at 8:45pm at the east end of the Reserve. Perhaps they continued east.
Helena
06 Aug 2010 21:41:57 PDT

Boat noise

Ok, so the night was "orca quiet" BUT there was quite a lot of boat noise as today there will be a fishing opening for the seine boats. This is the first time since 2006 that commercial seine boats have been allowed to set their nets in Johnstone Strait. It reflects the fact that the sockeye have returned in fairly good numbers. Very importantly, the food fishery has been also able to catch salmon for distribution amongst First Nations groups. Last year, the food fishery was virtually non existent. Sockeye are not on the orcas preferred menu list. Chinook (they are not targeted by the commercial fishery directly but are by the sports fishery) and Chum (their run comes later in the year) have been found to be the fish eating orcas favourites. The orcas absenting from this area might suggest that the whales are in search of better Chinook (aka Spring, King, Smiley, Tyee) hotspots somewhere else along the coast. Dense fog is blanketing the area this morning. The large number of forest fires on the BC Mainland is apparently contributing to this situation which is too bad as we were anticipating being able to witness the northern lights caused by the recent solar storms.
Helena
05 Aug 2010 08:22:24 PDT

Boat noise

Through the fog we can hear a humpback off of the Lab. Zero/zero.
Helena
05 Aug 2010 09:15:49 PDT

No orcas present.

We have been following the reports of a lone small Gray whale who has been travelling west in Johnstone Strait. This whales was first reported off of the Cliff by Marie at 11am. Just now the Island Odyssey reports that the whale is off of the Wastell Island east of Telegraph Cove.
Helena
05 Aug 2010 13:50:25 PDT

No orcas present.

We heard no calls overnight.
Helena
04 Aug 2010 07:39:37 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Not orca BUT lots of Pacific White-sided in Blackfish Sound!
Helena
04 Aug 2010 12:32:20 PDT

No orcas present.

It was a good day. The dolphins and humpback came into Blackney Pass in the afternoon. The dolphins went into Johnstone Strait, the humpbck back to Blackfish Sound. Bill Mackay found a group of transients further west in Queen Charlotte Strait but no residents. There may have been transients in Johnstone Strait last night. Rob Williams reported that 6 blows went through Pearse Passage and into the Strait between 10-11pm and a kayak group at the north end of Hanson Island heard orca blows at 10:30pm. Not sure how all the reports fit but quite sure the whales know.
Helena
04 Aug 2010 19:48:30 PDT

No orcas present.

A quiet night, a foggy morning.
Helena
03 Aug 2010 08:38:50 PDT

No orcas present.

A couple of updates have come in. Bill Mackay thinks the residents may have spent part of the day near Blunden Harbour/Browning Island foraging amongst scores of jumping salmon. Bill was relaying a report he got when he arrived back at the dock. Wayne on the Lukwa during the evening trip was surprised by 6 transients off of Lizard Point around 7pm. These whales included the T2Cs and were headed west. Also, today, there were 2 minke whales in Weynton Pass, Freckles the humpback was seen approaching the White Cliff Islets in Queen Charlotte Strait and there was a large group of dolphins in Queen Charlotte Strait as well.
Helena
03 Aug 2010 20:29:09 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Mostly we are hearing distant A1 calls as whales approach the eastern boundary from the east. However, someone, in the lead, came in close to the rubbing beaches and had a rub. We lost track of the C6s completely by 11:30pm when there were just a few calls, a postscript to their distant calls that ended previously at 8:47pm. We think they went to the west, possibly even out.
Helena
02 Aug 2010 01:55:23 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A12s have reached Robson Bight, lovely calls, a little fishing, no boat noise, quite wonderful.
Helena
02 Aug 2010 03:05:54 PDT

Boat noise

Boat noise is intruding, too bad.
Helena
02 Aug 2010 03:16:12 PDT

No orcas present.

Earlier, both the A12s and the A36s came west from the east end to the Bight starting at 2:29am. The session was quite nice until the loud boat noise overtook the recording. After which, the calls became distant as the whales continued west. Around 6am, we could hear them off the entrance to Blackney Pass, still in Johnstone Strait, perhaps closer to Vancouver Island. We lost them at 6:42am not too much further west.
Helena
02 Aug 2010 08:43:15 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

An added note: The A12s and A36s are moving out through Weynton Passage now after leaving Johnstone Strait. Perhaps we will hear them when they reach the other side, Blackfish Sound.
Helena
02 Aug 2010 09:19:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

A short while ago we began to hear the whales as they crossed the "top" (west) end of Blackfish Sound after coming through Weynton Pass
Helena
02 Aug 2010 10:06:33 PDT

No orcas present.

A12s and 36s slowly heading north in a resting line off Bere Pt. at 18:30. Great to see them!
Kate@Bere Point
02 Aug 2010 19:18:05 PDT

Thanks Kate, good to know where the A12s and A36s were at 6:30pm (Berre Point/Queen Charlotte Strait.). Too bad they were west bound but it sounds like they had a good day fishing all the same. Also, Sally was just here. Nice to see her and we hope the rest of her stay aboard the Odyssey goes well. Friendly group.
Helena
02 Aug 2010 22:26:40 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A12s are rubbing!
Helena
01 Aug 2010 02:05:11 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A12s are rubbing!
Helena
01 Aug 2010 07:57:11 PDT

No orcas present.

For us calls faded from the east end of the Ecological Reserve around 3am. This most likely means the A12s and probably the A36s) continued east perhaps hoping to reconnect with the C6s. Foggy this morning.
Helena
01 Aug 2010 08:00:35 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Not really in our range but a group of transients travelled through Knights Inlet this morning. At 9am they were seen off Village Island. They are now in the entrance of Knights between Wedge and Jumble Islands northeast of Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile, the C6s were seen off Helmken Island at 10am. Another group (possibly the A12s and A36s) were off Hickey Point. Both groupings were east bound.
Helena
01 Aug 2010 12:34:27 PDT

No orcas present.

The transients today turned out to be the T2s and the T21s. They never did come into range but stayed near Knights Inlet. The C6s and the A12s and A36s were westbound at Hickey Pt just before 4pm.
Helena
01 Aug 2010 18:50:03 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Back from the east already!
Helena
01 Aug 2010 19:16:17 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

That was a nice rub!
Helena
01 Aug 2010 19:33:49 PDT

Orcas near mics.

From the Beaches to the Bight the C6s are making their way west.
Helena
01 Aug 2010 20:02:07 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We lost track of the C6s about an hour ago when their calls became distant and faded. The tide is not ebbing.
Helena
01 Aug 2010 22:01:03 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

The A36s and A12s are making their way to the east, in the Bight now.
Tomoko
31 Jul 2010 00:29:43 PDT

Distant calls audible.

A12s and A36s are still in the strait. and Sounds like B-subclan whales are in Blackfish sound.
Tomoko
31 Jul 2010 06:02:46 PDT

Boat noise

Foggy morning. A12s and A36s left rubbing beach just before 8am. Group of whales (this must be the B-sunclan group) have seen in Blackfish Sound 7am this morning, heading west.
Tomoko
31 Jul 2010 10:18:33 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The C6s just passed Orcalab headed south to the strait.
Tomoko
31 Jul 2010 11:35:49 PDT

Distant calls audible.

A12s and A36s are back from the east. maybe they heard C6s. We re hearing A1 calls on RB and C calls on CRPT.
Tomoko
31 Jul 2010 12:30:45 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

A36s and A12s are at Rubbing beach. Sounds excited.
Tomoko
31 Jul 2010 12:51:43 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

A12s and A36s turned east after rub. C6s are opposite Boat bay.
Tomoko
31 Jul 2010 13:03:11 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A12s and the A34s carried on to the west. A Paul and I headed back to Hanson Island in the late afternoon around 5pm the whales were opposite CP and Kaikash Creek area fairly spread out. We continued to hear faint distant calls through boat noise ( a pack of cruise ships and tugs went through Blackney Pass on their way to Johnstone Strait). The calls have been quite intermittent. As far as we know the C6s continued their journey to the east.
Helena
31 Jul 2010 21:26:30 PDT

Distant calls audible.

At least the A36s are getting louder once again.
Helena
31 Jul 2010 21:32:44 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A1 groups sound as if they are approaching the Ecological Reserve from the west.
Helena
31 Jul 2010 22:03:03 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We're listening to these wonderful calls, without boat noise, on the Critical Point hydrophone. Sounds like the A1s are back in Robson Bight.
Helena
31 Jul 2010 23:10:27 PDT

Distant calls audible.

A5 calls on FI hydrophone. Sounds lkie the A8s went north through Blackney Pass.
Tomoko
30 Jul 2010 03:13:38 PDT

Distant calls audible.

After A8s have gone to the north, we started hearing A12s and A36s coming back from the east. Sounded like they had food breakfast. right now they are off Blinkhorn. And there is a report of whales off Lizerd point this morning, this group must be A8s. We are not sure where A11s are.
Tomoko
30 Jul 2010 10:22:33 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Whales are still sleeping. Marie on the Cliff reported A12 is in between 2 A36 boys, A34s are behind them, in a nice resting line. They are mid strait opposite Critical point now.
Tomoko
30 Jul 2010 14:59:07 PDT

No orcas present.

We heard no calls for a while. We are not sure which direction they went.
Tomoko
30 Jul 2010 22:09:43 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are hearing distant A4 and A5 calls on RB. Must be the A11s and A8s coming back from the east. Not sure where A12s and A36s are now.
Tomoko
29 Jul 2010 03:29:51 PDT

Superb sounds!!

A12s and A36s didn't leave the area. We started hearing them on CRPT hydrophone, while A11s and A8s are visitting Rubbing beach.
Tomoko
29 Jul 2010 04:27:07 PDT

Distant calls audible.

All the whales have turned east. Marie on the Cliff saw A34s and A11s for sure and the others slowly going east, passed CRPT.
Tomoko
29 Jul 2010 09:42:31 PDT

No orcas present.

Marie on the Cliff Reported the whales are opposite Adam river, still heading east very slowly in a resting line.
Tomoko
29 Jul 2010 15:45:27 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We started hearing A5 calls on Rubbing beach hydrophone. sounds like the whales are coming back from the east!
Tomoko
29 Jul 2010 22:25:22 PDT

No orcas present.

We had a quiet night. No report of the A12s, A36s, A11s and A8s who has gone to the east. But there is a report of whales in North, near Scarlet point. Not sure about the direction and how many.
Tomoko
28 Jul 2010 11:30:59 PDT

No orcas present.

The A11s and A8s are off Ripple point, westing. And there is a report of the whales off Kelsey bay, also westing, it means coming back this way (this group must be the A12s and A36s). They are picking up speed, so hopefully we can hear them this evening!!
Tomoko
28 Jul 2010 13:57:25 PDT

Distant calls audible.

They are back. a little while ago we strated hearing A12s and A36s calls on Rubbing Beach hydrophone. Someone had a short rub.
Tomoko
28 Jul 2010 20:59:26 PDT

Orcas near mics.

They came up to Critical point. we are hearing their calls and echo location.
Tomoko
28 Jul 2010 21:09:21 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Sounds like the whales who went out last night have came back torugh weynton pass, kept their way to the east passed RB now.
Tomoko
27 Jul 2010 06:46:19 PDT

No orcas present.

Bill on the Naiad reported that the whales were opposite camp point around 13:20, still eastbound that time.
Tomoko
27 Jul 2010 18:11:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

For the past few hours we have been listening to quite a lovely mix of A1,A4 and A5 calls as the groups shifted from Robson Bight to the beaches and then even further east. They don't seem to be in any particular hurry. They left off of Critical Point starting at 12:30am and for the next two hours lingered in and around the east end of the Reserve heading into the rubbing beaches for a few rubs. The tide will be flooding until 4:30am.
Helena
26 Jul 2010 02:50:05 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The groups started to make their way back to the west around 3am, and are now in Robson Bight. We're mostly hearing A1s, but the A4s & A5s are there too. Lovely sounds as the light comes to a new day.
Helena
26 Jul 2010 05:34:48 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Last night's concert went on and on. Finally, at least some of the whales moved back to the west and past Critical Point and on toward the western end of Johnstone Strait. Around 7am the distant calls ceased. Ten minutes ago we began to hear A12 calls once again and a local boat, the Western Moon, reported seeing whales off of Blinkhorn.
Helena
26 Jul 2010 09:01:27 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

A small group of transient orcas is heading south through Blackney Pass, against the ebbing tide. Meanwhile, the A34s & other residents are approaching the entrance of Blackney Pass from the west (heading east). They are silent, so far as we know.
Helena
26 Jul 2010 09:54:45 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're hearing distant calls on the Critical Point hydrophone, from several groups now making their way to the east in Johnstone Strait. A46 is with A12, A28 and A11 near the "Cliff" observation site opposite Robson Bight, and A37 is with a large group of other orcas, including A4s & A5s, now off the Sophias. All are slowly eastbound. Thanks to Marie for her report from the Cliff.
Helena
26 Jul 2010 11:44:44 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The sleepy whales are waking up and nearing (or already in) Robson Bight. A12s. A36 A11s, A73 and A8s are in quite mixed groups. A55,A66 and A37 are enjoying an all "boys" moment while A12, A11 and A28 are mulling things over in an all female get together. meanwhile, the transients are enduring the now noisy residents by carrying on east following the residents mid strait. Their dives are 5-6 minutes and they are making progress fairly slowly and have not yet changed direction. Ooops! Hot off the press! Everyone turned back to the west at 12:18pm. The transients (the T2s) switched west from just west of the Cliff and are headed to the Sophias. The residents who are spread right across the Strait with some still close to Critical Point and in the Reserve woke up, called and turned. Interesting day. The transients are in the lead and picking up speed.
Helena
26 Jul 2010 12:31:36 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The Transients went north through Blackney pass around 3:30pm. The Residents have turned east, their calls are on CRPT hydrophone.
Tomoko
26 Jul 2010 17:47:39 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

The A12&A36s, A8s and A11s are all in the bight foraging. A34s are CI side, just passed the Cliff to the east. There are small group of transients(T10s) who came up from the east in the strait, they have turned back to the east.
Tomoko
26 Jul 2010 18:19:38 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

and now they are rubbing!!
Tomoko
26 Jul 2010 18:52:45 PDT

Distant calls audible.

After the great rub, the whales have turned west around 19:20. Marie on the Cliff reported the A12s and A36s are CI side, A11s are mid strait, she didn't see A8s but maybe they are along VI side. All going west.
Tomoko
26 Jul 2010 20:29:09 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The whales went north through Blackney Pass. A12s in lead, followed by A36s. ( at least)
Tomoko
26 Jul 2010 22:37:56 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no "resident" orcas calling overnight, though we did hear transients briefly at around 11:30pm. We thought they were probably in western Johnstone Strait, but boat noise took over almost immediately, and we don't know what happened afterwards. No reports of orcas this morning so far.
Helena
25 Jul 2010 06:27:57 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We've just started to hear distant "A" calls on the rubbing beach hydrophone, and a few minutes ago heard a report that orcas are westbound at the eastern boundary of the Ecological Reserve. Sounds like at at least some of the orcas that have been fishing in Nodales Channel lately are returning from the east!
Helena
25 Jul 2010 10:16:54 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A4s & A5s have had a good rub at the Main rubbing beach & are now headed west, close to shore. Soon, we should hear them on the Critical Point hydrophone. We started streaming live audio again, by the way, as soon as they cam within range of our hydrophones.
Helena
25 Jul 2010 10:38:37 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The groups this morning are quite spread out with the A11 in the lead. A11 herself is full of vim and vigor this morning. She delighted Marie with a full breach 400 meters off the Cliff as she travelled west. A56 and her calf were with her at that time. Right now, she is headed to Cracroft Point on her own. The A8s are on the other side and just a bit further east but also going west. behind them are the A1s and we are waiting for a closer look before we determine who is where exactly.
Helena
25 Jul 2010 12:18:21 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

here is an update from Marie on the Cliff: Angela reported that Springer is travelling with the A8s today. They are about up to Kaikash Creek. The A36s and A12 are ahead of the A34s off of Izumi.Further to the west are A11/A56 and her little one.
Helena
25 Jul 2010 14:02:35 PDT

Distant calls audible.

This is exciting! We started hearing calls in Blackfish Sound around 6:33pm. This was after whales left Johnstone Strait and travelled through Weynton Pass. The Lukwa soon called in to say some of the whale were headed "down" Blackfish. This mean they are coming our direction. Lovely!
Helena
25 Jul 2010 19:09:12 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Well we never saw the whales afterall. The tide was ebbing strongly and that certainly did not encourage them. However, we are hearing the A34s in Johnstone Strait again. At this point we don't have many clues as to who went out Weynton Pass, whether it was all the groups or not.
Helena
25 Jul 2010 22:36:49 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Sounds like everybody (A12s,A36s,A4s and A5s) are moving back toward the Bight. As Nolwenn said "It is a party!"
Helena
25 Jul 2010 23:00:28 PDT

Superb sounds!!

It is only getting better as they near the Bight.
Helena
25 Jul 2010 23:36:02 PDT

No orcas present.

We heard no calls overnight, and have heard no reports of orcas nearby (or distant) this morning. We are waiting.
Helena
24 Jul 2010 09:21:31 PDT

Performing maintenance

No orcas are nearby at the moment, so we have stopped live audio streaming, to conserve bandwidth (and costs). We will resume streaming again when orcas are nearby. Please excuse the inconvenience.
Paul & Helena
24 Jul 2010 11:01:28 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

A group of 5 yet to be identified transients have travelled into the area at the Pearse Islands. They were reported by Rob Williams travelling eastward. No resident orcas in this area today but there were some fairly active humpbacks. Alert Bay had their annual Sea Fest today.
Helena
24 Jul 2010 21:15:55 PDT

No orcas present.

Well, it has been a beautiful sunny day here, and for the first time in ages, it was not windy. There were no orcas in the immediate area but Freckles and Twister, two familiar humpbacks, spent most of the day in Blackney Pass along with a minke, Dalls porpoise, dolphins and sea lions. Hard to complain. The A12s,A36s, A8s and A11s/A73 had a good day as well chowing down on Spring salmon in Nodales Channel (eastern JS). The Mackays, on the Naiad Explorer, had an exciting day with a large group of resident orcas north of Port Hardy. Possibly the C6s and the I11s as well as others were there. Unfortunately, they were headed out to sea by the early afternoon.
Helena
23 Jul 2010 21:13:41 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Just before 3am we began to hear calls from groups coming back from the east. The whales proceeded to Robson Bight. Unfortunately, we lost track of them by 4:39am when their calls dropped off. The tide is ebbing so we wonder if they continued west with it.
Helena
22 Jul 2010 06:40:23 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Marie on the Cliff can see in the high winds orca just entering the eastern end of the Reserve! They must have gone back to the east after all.
Helena
22 Jul 2010 12:42:26 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We think we can account for the A34s, the A8s, probably the A11/73 and earlier there were enough males for the A36s to be there as well. That probably puts A12 in the mix as well. The A34s are continuing west past Kaikash Creek and the A8/11/73 group is further east of them. The A36s disappeared into the afternoon glare and big winds.
Helena
22 Jul 2010 15:52:35 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Not yet close - but it sounds like the A34s at least are moving back eastward toward Robson Bight. The tide will turned to flood in just over 30 minutes from now. We are waiting to hear if all the same groups are still travelling with each other.
Helena
22 Jul 2010 21:19:20 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Lovely A36s in the mix now and a even an A11 call in there too. Getting closer to the Bight by the minute.
Helena
22 Jul 2010 21:25:32 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Sounds like the A8s and the A11s are already on the beaches with the A12s and the A36s following from Critical Point.
Helena
22 Jul 2010 22:03:04 PDT

No orcas present.

We have an internet connection and audio back. Whatever problem BC Tel was having seems to be resolved. This morning, the C6s continued to travel away from the area via Queen Charlotte Strait. They were first sighted at 9am westbound off of Lizard Pt. At 12:30pm they were off of bere Point sill going west. An unidentified group was seen of off Port Hardy at 8am. This group ha since gone out Goletas Channel and by 12:30pm they were off Sushartie Bay still westbound as well. Below, in the lower, east end of Johnstone Strait, the A11s, A8s, A12/A36s have been identified. So far the A34s have not been accounted for.
Helena
21 Jul 2010 13:26:00 PDT

No orcas present.

The treat today were the dolphins who moved into Blackney Pass from Blackfish Sound this afternoon. The orcas continued to move away in opposite directions. At 1:10pm, the Mackays left the C6s 21/2 miles northwest of Malcolm Point. The A8s/A11s and A12 and the A36s were off Davis Point around noon. All pretty quiet except the chatty dolphins briefly here in the middle.
Helena
21 Jul 2010 20:27:33 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A5s & A12s (A34s) are continuing their night together in Robson Bight.
Helena
20 Jul 2010 02:53:39 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A36s are also there.
Helena
20 Jul 2010 02:59:38 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since around 3:30am, when we think the A36s & A12, along with the A34s, headed north through Blackney Pass. We're not sure what happened to the A5s & A4s, but think it likely that they headed back to the east.
Helena
20 Jul 2010 07:41:31 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since around 3:30am, when we think the A36s & A12, along with the A34s, headed north through Blackney Pass. We're not sure what happened to the A4s, but think they may have headed back to the east. The A5s had a long rub between midnight and 1am, and may have headed east afterwards. We are waiting.
Helena
20 Jul 2010 07:47:36 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Time to catch up. We were saying farewell to Sam and while we were doing so the C6s came into Johnstone Strait unannounced at 9:20am and then travelled eastward silently and sleepily. They started off going "down" the Hanson Island shore but crossed from Turn Point to Kaikash Creek and carried on down the Vancouver Island shore toward Robson Bight. They have since spread out a bit but are till silent. Meanwhile, we believe the A34s along with A12 and the A36s left for Queen Charlotte Strait around 3:30am and may now be the group off of bere Point heading westward. We lost track of the A11s in the early evening and the A8s by 1:20am. We had the impression they went east in Johnstone Strait . This morning they were found off Ripple Point.
Helena
20 Jul 2010 11:17:09 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We're listening to the A34s, A36s & A12, & the C6s, who got together after the A34s, A36s & A12 entered Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass in lovely late afternoon light. Quite wonderful.
Helena
20 Jul 2010 19:55:04 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A12s have reached the Beaches.
Helena
20 Jul 2010 20:37:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The C6s are vocal once again in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
20 Jul 2010 21:23:09 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The C6s just crossed the entrance to Blackney Pass on the Johnstone Strait side. We think they are headed west. Meanwhile the A1s may have continued east from the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
20 Jul 2010 22:00:16 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A34s are back! We've been listening to their clear calls, without boat noise, on the Parson Island hydrophone, as they make their way from Blackney Pass into Johnston Strait. It's just beginning to get light here - lovely start to a new day!
Helena
19 Jul 2010 05:05:57 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Of course, as soon as we mention no boat noise, along it comes! The A34s are now making their way east in Johnstone Strait. We're listening to them on the Critical Point hydrophone, with boat noise.
Helena
19 Jul 2010 05:19:54 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Very energetic fishing near Critical Point (calls & echolocation) and energetic rubbing at the Main rubbing beach, over the last little while. An A5 group is there as well as the A34s.
Helena
19 Jul 2010 06:58:54 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A34s are having a rub! New blog post.
Helena
19 Jul 2010 07:56:01 PDT

Superb sounds!!

After a great rub, the A34s are back in Robson Bight, fishing. Wonderful clear calls & echolocation!
Helena
19 Jul 2010 08:44:48 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Marie had the lovely experience of seeing A34 and her new calf swim under the Cliff heading to the west with the others groups spread out across Johntone Strait. A12 was mid strait being followed by two others while two other groups who were close together began to angle toward the Cracroft shore. Marie is busy confirming ids.
Helena
19 Jul 2010 09:37:34 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We have a correction to make: A12 is still with the A36s but they are in Queen Charlotte Strait this morning heading east toward Lizard Point. Thanks to the Naiad Explorer for the report. Marie thinks she was soooo excited to see A34's new little one that she only gave the whales who were mid strait a glancing look. perfectly understandable. The Lukwa is pretty sure the A11s are in with the other Johnstone Strait groups. Nice to have this great whale watching community who everyday provide really useful information about the whales and their whereabouts.
Helena
19 Jul 2010 10:50:40 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A34s, the A8s and the A11/73 groups continued west across the entrance of Blackney Pass and then further to the west. The last calls most likely signaled a turn. The whales are spread out near the entrance of Weynton Pass. As far as we know A12 and the a36s are still moving east in Queen charlotte Strait.
Helena
19 Jul 2010 12:01:36 PDT

Distant calls audible.

A12 and the boys are making their way toward Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass. This will put them just behind the other groups (the A8s,A11s/73 and the A34s who are moving toward Robson Bight.
Helena
19 Jul 2010 14:53:05 PDT

Superb sounds!!

These beautiful sounds came as the whales neared and rounded Critical Point in Robson Bight. Amazing what the A5s do to a signal! Something about their calls is so energized. if they keep going east maybe a rub is in the offing.
Helena
19 Jul 2010 17:58:50 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Another rub! Sounds like A5s & A1s so far, probably more to come!
Helena
19 Jul 2010 18:20:55 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Jut before 7pm the A12s and the A8s returned west to the Robson Bight/Swaine Point area. These calls became quite distant and by 8:14pm we no longer could hear them. Just now we are hearing calls (A36s +) once again in the Strait.
Helena
19 Jul 2010 22:21:07 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Against the flow of the tide the A36s/A12 have moved closer to the eastern end of the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
18 Jul 2010 00:00:01 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A36s and presumably A12 as well never ventured far away from this part of Johnstone Strait during the night and after they were heard at the east end of the Reserve between 12 and 1am. They were heard briefly again around 4am and just now getting louder and clearer on the Critical Point system.
Helena
18 Jul 2010 06:29:16 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Adjusting the map a bit after these closer calls.
Helena
18 Jul 2010 06:36:35 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

After the bite in the Bight and nice rub!
Helena
18 Jul 2010 08:28:01 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

After the bite in the Bight and nice rub! I should also add, it sounds like the A11s/73 and the A8s are on their way back to join the A36s and A12.
Helena
18 Jul 2010 08:28:56 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The three groups are on the move to the west. A28 is travelling with the A11s/73 on the Cracroft side and A12 with A37 are with the rest of the A8s across on the Vancouver Island shore. Thanks Marie for the details.
Helena
18 Jul 2010 09:48:33 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A11s,A8s,A36s,A12 and A73 all continued west to the Entrance of Weynton Pass. There they turned back to the east at 12:18pm. This is when we started to hear calls again. The calls are mostly from the A4 group.
Helena
18 Jul 2010 12:39:10 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A8s,A11s/A73, A36s/A12 are headed east along the Vancouver Island shore. They are not calling but are travelling east at a moderate rate.
Helena
18 Jul 2010 14:52:34 PDT

Superb sounds!!

After a rub, with whistles mixed calls and echolocation, the whales are headed back to the west again, now in Robson Bight. Lovely calls.
Helena
18 Jul 2010 17:37:05 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Amazing! Back at Robson Bight after another quick rub.
Helena
18 Jul 2010 19:45:06 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A8s apparently crossed from Vancouver Island and are "running" up the Cracroft Island side. The A11s/73 and the A36s/A12 are continuing along Vancouver Island.
Helena
18 Jul 2010 20:01:46 PDT

Distant calls audible.

So yet another turn around and the whales back at the eastern end of the Reserve.
Helena
18 Jul 2010 22:16:08 PDT

No orcas present.

Well, quiet right now so time for a few added notes. Marie reported that at 9:15pm 4 whales went past Boat Bay. She wondered if they might be A11,A56 and calf and A73. These whales angled directly over toward the beaches.Later, at 9:35pm Marie saw A12 snuggled in between A37 and A46. They were resting as they drifted eastward. Earlier, Jared Towers reported around 8pm that there were inbound whales off of Malcolm Point - perhaps all the rubbing is prep for company coming?
Helena
18 Jul 2010 22:52:24 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Gotta love this. The groups finally went through Weynton Pass and we picked them up on the "other" side, top of Blackfish Sound. Sounds like they are crossing toward Queen Charlotte Strait. We can hear the A4s,A36s and even possibly the A5s, who have been quite hard to track tonight. So perhaps all three groups are together and for the time being westbound.
Helena
17 Jul 2010 00:08:56 PDT

Boat noise

We last heard calls at 1:40am. At that time the calls were quite distant. The A5 group had become more evident around 12:30am and we wondered if they had "caught up with the leading A4s and A1s. Then around 1am all the groups joined in sounding rather excited for a brief time and lingering for a while longer in the space between wanson Island, Malcolm Island and Hanson Island. Gradually, they became more distant again.The last group to be heard were the A5s. They may have continued further west with the still ebbing tide. We did not hear them come back into Johnstone Strait so left it there for the night.
Helena
17 Jul 2010 08:20:19 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

A12 and the A36s are finally making their way into Johnstone Strait! They have spent the majority of the day in Queen Charlotte Strait. late in the afternoon they loked like they might choose Blackney Pass as the route in but they thought better of it and went via Weynton Pas instead. Most of the Campbell River boats came all this way today only to find out about 10 orcas in blind channel (eastern Johnstone Strait). No ids on this group yet but there is speculation from this end that it might be the A8s/11s/73 group once again. If so, they returned to Johnstone Strait after the last calls heard in Blackfish Sound before 2am. Always interesting trying to keep track.
Helena
17 Jul 2010 17:11:54 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Now some calls from the A36s and A12!
Helena
17 Jul 2010 17:15:39 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

A12 and the "boys" are nearing Robson Bight. Today has been unbelievable for boat traffic.
Helena
17 Jul 2010 19:41:51 PDT

Superb sounds!!

This has been spectacular tonight. The A36s have been foraging very close into the Bight for quite a while.
Helena
17 Jul 2010 21:10:48 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're hearing calls from the A36s on the Critical Point hydrophone. Sounds like they (probably with A12) have made it back into Johnstone Strait.
Helena
16 Jul 2010 03:09:47 PDT

Boat noise

Boat noise has taken over Johnstone Strait - hopefully, it will go away before too long.
Helena
16 Jul 2010 03:24:32 PDT

No orcas present.

A quick update from about 10am: The A36s with A12 are possibly heading east off Windy Point (unconfirmed fisherman's report). The A8s and A11s with A73 are heading west quickly toward them and are probably east of Kelsey Bay still..
Helena
16 Jul 2010 12:36:01 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

Orcas are returning to Robson Bight from the east.
Helena
16 Jul 2010 19:11:12 PDT

Distant calls audible.

So far there have been A4 calls so we thing the A11s and A73 might be in the lead coming west through the Reserve.
Helena
16 Jul 2010 19:24:17 PDT

Orcas near mics.

And now the A1s! The A36s and A12 are following the A11s and A73 west.
Helena
16 Jul 2010 20:28:51 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A11s and A73 went west past the entrance to Blackney Pass and then probably west a bit more before turning around and going back to the east. Their calls are getting louder and closer on the Critical Point system. We have lost track of A12 and the A36s and unsure if there have been any A8 calls at all (we have been distracted by the return of the June Cove from today's town-run. Transients were seen today off of Alert Bay around 5pm.
Helena
16 Jul 2010 23:02:08 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Pretty hard to read these guys with all the boat noise in the Strait. However, since the last post the A4 calls have become distant again. We possibly finally heard some distant A5 calls. Did the A11s/73 turn to wait for the A8s and then carry on to the west with the ebb? Only time and a little patience will tell. As said, not exactly the best conditions right now.
Helena
16 Jul 2010 23:37:14 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Just to catch up. It sounded like the A8s and A11s went east earlier this evening (9pm approx) from the Ecological Reserve. The A12s and A36s had followed them to Robson Bight but they have since turned and moved into Blackney Pass. We believe they are taking the last of the ebb in advance of the slack to flood to reach Blackfish Sound.
Helena
15 Jul 2010 01:47:13 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A36s with A12 and the A34s must have caught the flood back to Johnstone Strait. They since circled Hanson Island and passed through Blackney Pass to the north again. They are now in Blackfish Sound. The A36s were in the lead.
Helena
15 Jul 2010 07:51:35 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A36s with A12 made a try for Blackney Pass after coming back to Blackfish Sound from Queen Charlotte Strait. They were working their way very slowly south against the ebbing tide but not really making progress
Helena
15 Jul 2010 22:00:26 PDT

No orcas present.

Thanks kate@Bere Pt for the report about the A30s heading west to Malcolm Point this morning. In addition to that, Jim Borrowman of Stubbs Island Whale Watch reported this morning (just now) that the small R group (R13,47 and W3) headed west past Stubbs Island on its west side and into Cormorant Channel. We heard about 10 echo location clicks at 1:11am but nothing else for the rest of the night.
Helena
14 Jul 2010 09:14:32 PDT

No orcas present.

The groups who have been down to the east, the A36s, A12s, A8s,A11s and A73 are making their way back to the western Johnstone Strait. They are still east of the Ecological Reserve but moving quickly west. We are unsure, at this point, about what happened to the largish group who were with the A30s and the Rs two nights ago We had thought they might have been the C6s and it is still unclear if they made it all the way to Johnstone Strait and went east OR they turned around and went back out to the west. Time may tell.
Helena
14 Jul 2010 12:15:01 PDT

Orcas near mics.

We're hearing calls close to the rubbing beach hydrophone, & a groups of 6 orcas was sighted heading west at the eastern boundary of the Reserve a few minutes ago... sounds like a rub coming soon!
Helena
14 Jul 2010 13:15:29 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We're hearing these wonderful clear calls and echolocation on the Critical Point hydrophone, as the orcas move quickly to the west, grabbing a bite in the Bight as they go.
Helena
14 Jul 2010 13:47:51 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We are listening to the A8s, A11s/A73, the A12s (all) and the A36s head west from the Ecological Reserve area.
Helena
14 Jul 2010 14:28:45 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

There have been a lot of A4 calls (including Springer) as the groups cross the entrance to Blackney Pass on the Johnstone Strait side. Nice!
Helena
14 Jul 2010 15:31:12 PDT

Distant calls audible.

After travelling west to Turn Point and Blinkhorn the groups turned around to the east at 4:30pm. They then travelled back to the Bight area.
Helena
14 Jul 2010 19:39:10 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Quite the social group somewhere near the Ecological Reserve. Sounds like they had a good day, happy to be with each other! Lots of boat noise too unfortunately.
Helena
14 Jul 2010 21:14:58 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Yes, you are right. It is the A30s. After moving eastward for a bit the A30s have come back in range of Critical Point. Perhaps they are fairly offshore and not as yet close to Robson Bight.
Helena
13 Jul 2010 01:40:14 PDT

Superb sounds!!

This has been just great. The A30s are very much in the Bight and enjoying a good bite to eat by the sounds of it!
Helena
13 Jul 2010 02:41:07 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

In for the rub after the bite in the Bight.
Helena
13 Jul 2010 03:58:09 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A30s are back in Robson Bight, fishing & calling, sounds like a lovely dawn, without boat noise.
Helena
13 Jul 2010 04:43:45 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s travelled west after returning to the Bight at 4am. The tide began to ebb at 5am. Stubbs Island reported seeing this group off of Telegraph Cove at 7:30am. They were still moving west toward beaver Cove.
Helena
13 Jul 2010 08:52:55 PDT

No orcas present.

We just heard from the Lukwa that the A30s have gone around Donegal Head and heading into Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
13 Jul 2010 09:53:32 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

A while ago we heard some echolocation. It was eventually repeated on the Critical Point hydronphone. The Cliff was able to locate three fins near Robson Point in the Bight. This small group is foraging but quite silent. On the otherside, the A30s gave everyone the slip so everyone wondered if they had back tracked into Blackfish Sound. So far no indication that this is what has happened although the tide is in flood and this might encourage the A30s this direction. Fingers crossed.
Helena
13 Jul 2010 12:19:59 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

There was a bit of a mystery today. Three whales headed west through Robson Bight this morning. They were all small fins and difficult to see in the windy conditions. We heard just enough echo location to locate the whales in the Strait. The Cliff later informed us of their journey up Vancouver Island to Little Kaikash. The whale watch boats let us know when they turned back to the east in the afternoon. Meanwhile, we were all scratching our heads wondering who was there in this unusual combination of two female adult fins and a little one. One little call helped to point us in the right direction - Rs. But only one group, the R13s, was anywhere near that small and we still could not explain the third whale. After a phone call to Jared Towers there was some clarification. DFO's Graeme Ellis had encountered the same group earlier and further north. It turns out that W3 after losing another and her last son this year chose to travel with R13 and her little one, R47. They are still eastbound at last report and still very, very quiet. W3 along with A12 are the oldest matriarchs in the community.
Helena
13 Jul 2010 18:05:49 PDT

Helena, thanks for that update. Does this also mean that R7 also died this or last year?
Jan@Netherlands
13 Jul 2010 20:45:16 PDT

Hi Jan, Sorry we were busy here and I didn't see your note. R7 has been missing since 2008.
Helena@Hanson I
13 Jul 2010 22:28:00 PDT

Distant calls audible.

These distant A1 calls (?A30s) are in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
13 Jul 2010 21:33:38 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We began hearing distant "A1" calls on the Critical Point hydrophone a short while ago, not sure who, not sure where, but somebody is out there.
Helena
12 Jul 2010 07:04:33 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Some of the mystery may have been solved. At 8am, two males were seen off of Telegraph Cove. A third whale was also reported at the ame time. We heard only distant A12 calls at 6:40am. Perhaps, the A36s with A12 managed to make their way back here from the east on this very strong ebb tide. Very, very windy today so sighting conditions are poor and these whales have disappeared and we have not heard anything since. There is a report of whales to the east still. At 9am they were headed to Thurston Bay. last night Hurricane Jack reprted they were in Cordero Channel at 8pm. Also, from yesterday, Bill and Donna Mackay had an exciting encounter with a very large group of orcas off of Gordon Channel neat Port Hardy. Included in that group were possibly the C10s, Ds, I22s and I18s. All of these are A clan whales. So despite the "silence" there is actually a lot happening. Even the sun is shining!
Helena
12 Jul 2010 10:17:01 PDT

Distant calls audible.

These distant calls are coming from two different directions. The A34s have come in from Weynton Pass and are quickly heading east. The A36s (A12 has yet to be located) are travellling quickly westward to meet up with the new arrivals.
Helena
12 Jul 2010 15:39:46 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A30s just went by the Lab moving very slowly against the strong ebbing tide. But they were not alone. In the late eveing light we watched another group, perhaps the C6s, adjust themselves into the back eddy close to hanson Island. They finally made way towards Johnstone Strait. We have not yet heard them. The tide will turn in about two hours so hopefully it will be come easier,
Helena
12 Jul 2010 22:41:21 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Really don't know what to make of this yet. We have not heard any C like calls but there were a few very loud "R" like calls clsoe to Robson Bight. This probably needs more clues before we can say who beyond the A30s came in tonight,. Stay tuned! They are nearing the Bight now.
Helena
12 Jul 2010 23:43:44 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A8s are on their way back from the east. The A11s are most likely not too far away from them as well, although, we have not heard them yet. We lost track of the A36s and A12 when they were still not far from the Ecological Reserve around 6pm. At that time they were west bound again after some shuffling back and forth.
Helena
11 Jul 2010 03:41:13 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The whales are fairly close to Vancouver Island and they have moved further west so despite the constant boat noise the calls are quite clear. I forgot to mention that we first started to hear calls just after 3am.
Helena
11 Jul 2010 03:49:22 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A11S (WITH A73) are there as well as the groups continue west from the Reserve.
Helena
11 Jul 2010 03:57:59 PDT

No orcas present.

We lost track of the whales around 6am. The A36s/A12 may have joined up with the A8s and A11s just before this and perhaps returned eastward. It is a very foggy morning and all has been quiet for the last few hours.
Helena
11 Jul 2010 08:57:54 PDT

No orcas present.

A recent report of a sighting of orcas near Eve River, heading east in a resting line, suggests that at least some of the A11s, A8s, A36s with A12, are heading back to the east in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
11 Jul 2010 11:25:08 PDT

No orcas present.

We are very much left in between this morning. A large group of orcas was reported off Pine Is. (Queen Charlotte Strait) this morning. Originally, they were reported eastbound but a later update from the Naiad Explorer corrected this to west bound from the eastern end of Gordon Channel. No firm ids yet. AND, the A8s,A11s, A73 and A12 and the A36s are east bound at Hickey Point (lower Johnstone Strait).
Helena
11 Jul 2010 13:01:37 PDT

No orcas present.

A bit of a blank this morning along with a blanket of fog. So far nothing to report. The night was quiet and the Boat Bay crew never heard blows from the A36s/A12 passing the area around Robson Bight so their whereabouts are unknown. We believe the A8s and A11s continued east out of the Reserve yesterday.
Helena
10 Jul 2010 09:10:17 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The fog is lifting a bit and along with it there is some clarity about the whale movement. As we lost track of the A36s and A12 before 9pm we had the impression that they were in Johnstone Strait. After a few calls this morning we were able to determine that they were still there and finally a report from Angela mentioned that they were off Izumi Rock (west of Robson Bight) heading west. There had been a report of a lone fin off of Donegal Head this morning and this was most likely a minke whale. The other residents ,the A8s and A11s are far to the east in Nodales Channel. The A36s and A12 are only intermittently vocal as they continue westward in the Strait.
Helena
10 Jul 2010 11:22:01 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A36s and A12 have been parked all day in front of CP. They have been quite spread out and calling only a few times.
Helena
10 Jul 2010 15:05:54 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A36s along with A12 are now in the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
10 Jul 2010 16:06:24 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A36s and A12 are going back to the west. They turned at 4:37pm and have been foraging once again in the Bight. Word from "below", the A8s and A11s and A73 are also west bound from Camp Point. Thanks Marie for the reports. We have also been hearing dolphins in Blackfish Sound. Humpbacks in Blackney round out the picture.
Helena
10 Jul 2010 17:50:30 PDT

Orcas near mics.

It doesn't seem like they are venturing far from the Bight.
Helena
10 Jul 2010 18:39:17 PDT

Performing maintenance

Our connection to the internet is intermittent at this time, so please bear with us (& Keta Cable). Apologies for the inconvenience, & our best wishes to all.
Paul & Helena
10 Jul 2010 21:58:08 PDT

No orcas present.

A quiet night once again! We did hear a couple of "calls" in Johnstone Strait around 10pm buried in boat noise. Nothing developed from this so it left us wondering if it might have been dolphins. Confusing and not much to go on. Lovely morning once again.
Helena
09 Jul 2010 08:20:25 PDT

No orcas present.

I should add that there is a wonderful humpback heading south in Blackney Pass.
Helena
09 Jul 2010 08:40:25 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We heard a report of orca blows at Naka Creek, from the Maple Leaf, a short while ago, and just now are hearing A4 & A5 calls on the rubbing beach hydrophone, so it sounds like the gang is coming back from the east!
Helena
09 Jul 2010 09:53:04 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We're listening to these great calls from the A36s on the Critical Point hydrophone - sounds like the orcas are moving quickly westward.
Helena
09 Jul 2010 10:33:27 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Sounds like the A36s (w. A12 probably) are travelling fairly quickly to the west along with the A8s and A11a and A73. Stronger A5 calls at the moment.
Helena
09 Jul 2010 10:50:01 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The orcas are continuing west spread out in the vicinity of Telegraph Cove.
Helena
09 Jul 2010 14:31:48 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The groups came back from the west. A12 and the A36s came into Blackney Pass and headed north after some foraging. meanwhile, the A11s,A8s and A73 continued toward Robson Bight where they are now. Sounds like they too are stopping for dinner. Apparently, A56's new baby was very excited as they travelled eastward. Audio is working again. Sorry, we were working on the batteries, interrupted power and the computer did not boot. We fixed it in time to hear these great sounds from the groups in the Bight.
Helena
09 Jul 2010 17:34:37 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Sorry, this is a bit late but the A8s went in for a good rub. We never heard the A4s but we know, thanks to Marie, that they were there!. The A36s and A12 disappeared to Blackfish Sound.
Helena
09 Jul 2010 19:13:18 PDT

Distant calls audible.

It sounds like the A36s (still with A12 possibly) went around Hanson Island and back into Johnstone Strait.
Helena
09 Jul 2010 20:50:34 PDT

No orcas present.

Hmmmm..... quiet night except for the BIG ants that came out with yesterday's heat. Lovely summer morning, light everywhere.
Helena
08 Jul 2010 07:13:13 PDT

No orcas present.

At 10am the Naiad Explorer received news that all the residents (A11s, A73, A36s, A8s and A12 were headed to Frederick Arm and Sonora Island. Stripe and other humpback continue to go about their business around here.
Helena
08 Jul 2010 12:35:37 PDT

No orcas present.

Here is the report from the east: "We had all the orca down Nodales today I was with them most the day. Jeff found them at Davies Pt by Thurston Bay @ 9ish am then off to Hall Pt easting. They then turned around 11-1130 and headed back west to Davies Pt. I left them there around 1pm I'm sure Hurricane Jack will have an update tonight. Last I heard around 2pm they were past Chatham Pt still westing." AJ@CR
Helena
08 Jul 2010 18:53:15 PDT

No orcas present.

We heard no calls overnight, & think the A36s & A12 are probably somewhere to the east of us. We are waiting.
Helena
07 Jul 2010 08:12:30 PDT

No orcas present.

A daytime report is in: the A36s and A12 are off Camp Pt. in the lower Johnstone Strait.
Helena
07 Jul 2010 09:39:44 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

There is a new incoming group! No positive ids yet but a fisherman reported orcas off of Donegal Head headed to Blackfish Sound. The whale watch boats have arrived on scene and think that the whales are pointing toward Weynton Pass. A group of dolphins came into Blackney Pass just after the orca report. They were vocal. A12 and the brothers are near Kelsey Bay.
Helena
07 Jul 2010 14:16:03 PDT

Superb sounds!!

This is so lovely. A5 and A4 calls in Johnstone Strait continue as they move eastward.
Helena
07 Jul 2010 15:03:11 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

We heard a burst of close echolocation on the Critical Point hydrophone a few minutes ago... sounds like the orcas are grabbing a bite in the Bight!
Helena
07 Jul 2010 17:00:58 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Someone sounds like they got to the beaches, no calls just yet!
Helena
07 Jul 2010 17:17:00 PDT

No orcas present.

We now know (thanks to Jared Towers and Marie Fournier) that A11, A56 and A73 travelled in today with the A8s. A56 has a new baby! but sadly A13 is missing. They all continued east out of the Ecological Reserve after each group had a silent rub at the beaches. At 7pm A12 and the A36s were seen headed into Nodales Channel. A beautiful minke whale also came in close to CP while Paul and Fiona were there. What a nice day!
Helena
07 Jul 2010 20:41:22 PDT

No orcas present.

We were not aware of any calls during the night so we will wait for the daytime reports. It will be interesting to see where A12 and the A36s are this morning.
Helena
06 Jul 2010 08:09:54 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are hearing A1 calls off of the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
06 Jul 2010 10:33:41 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A36s and A12 apparently turned back to the east after Boat Bay (10:30am) and they have now passed the Broken Islands and still heading east. Aaron's repot to Marie at the Cliff).
Helena
06 Jul 2010 15:06:43 PDT

No orcas present.

No sign of A12 and the A36s yet this morning BUT orcas have been sighted in Nodales Channel (report from Hurricane Jack) so possibly this will turn out to be A12 and the brothers. A humpback passed by the Lab yesterday evening fairly close to the Lab in the fading light.
Helena
05 Jul 2010 10:50:00 PDT

No orcas present.

I thought to post Aaron's report on this side for the record. Thanks Aaaron so very much! "1pm, left the 3 whales @ Hall Pt. @ the N tip of Sonora Island, well spread out, happily foraging this way then that, close to the shore in calm glittering waters, possibly in Frederick Arm by now. No vocals that I could hear, just clicks. The tide is beginning to turn and they will likely swim back out to the W. with it. " Aaron@sonora@sonora
Helena
05 Jul 2010 15:25:08 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Good Morning! Sounds like the A36s ( and ? A12) are once again in Blackfish Sound. Wet and foggy this morning.
Helena
04 Jul 2010 05:03:47 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A36s with A12 cleared into Blackfish Sound at 3:05pm afterforaging for quite a while off of Big Bay in Johnstone Strait. A humpback and minke whale in Blackney Pass complimented another full day today.
Helena
04 Jul 2010 15:33:18 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A36s and most likely A12 are back in Johnstone Strait. Humpbacks have been in Blackney Pass the entire day. Just now, one fellow was heading north through the Pass.
Helena
04 Jul 2010 21:23:45 PDT

A36s (2 brothers) and A12

No calls but orcas nearby

The dolphins have all gone through to Johnstone Strait. meanwhile, the orcas in Queen Charlotte Strait have been identified as A37, A46 (the remaining two brothers of the A36s) and A12. They are till lingering off of Lizard Point. No direction home yet. Still west of Blackfish Sound and out of range. Jared Towers supplied the identification.
Helena
03 Jul 2010 11:19:00 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A36s, with A12, are reported to be heading east in Blackfish Sound. They are silent, but there's a good chance we'll see them soon!
Helena
03 Jul 2010 15:08:00 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A36s, with A12, are just now entering Johnstone Strait. They called before entry - so great to hear them again!
Helena
03 Jul 2010 16:47:09 PDT

Superb sounds!!

These lovely calls are from the two A36 brothers as they near Robson Bight. A12 led the brothers into Johnstone Strait at 4:41pm. We have heard her only briefly so far.
Helena
03 Jul 2010 18:58:34 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Yes! They got to the beaches! First rub of the season.
Helena
03 Jul 2010 19:39:38 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

And now back to Robson Bight!
Helena
03 Jul 2010 20:20:14 PDT

Humpbacks on Canada Day

No orcas present.

On Canada Day (July 1), Jackie reported: 4 humpbacks in the area yesterday, including "Freckles" the smaller animal with the unique skin condition: "Stripe" BCZ0004 "Twister" BCY0291 "Freckles" BCY0727 "KC" BCY0291 - thank you Marie and Nic!
Helena
02 Jul 2010 07:24:15 PDT

No orcas present.

I just caught up with the comment board and saw Maureen's note Re the A30s! "Thought I'd let you know we saw the A30s at the northwest end of Banks Island on June 6." Cheers Maureen Gordon@Maple Leaf That is really good news. Thanks.
Helena
02 Jul 2010 07:43:11 PDT

T014, T124C, T065A, T065A2, T065A3, T036A1, and CA058.

No calls but orcas nearby

Here is a note for yesterday. Late after noon and early evening 7 transients headed west in Johnstone Strait. The Robson Bight Wardens gave the heads up and this was followed up by Jared Towers who gave the following report: "The transients that left Campbell River early this morning passed Alert Bay still westbound about an hour ago. We witnessed them kill a Dall's porpoise in Weynton prior to this. They were quite a random mix, 7 total. T014, T124C, T065A, T065A2, T065A3, T036A1, and CA058." The Lab was busy following their progress and even our boat, headed home from Alert Bay, managed to catch a glimpse of them as they crossed the entrance of Weynton Pass at the Stephenson Islands. A lone humpback was also in Blackney during the arrival of the June Cove. Quite the day for everyone.
Helena
01 Jul 2010 07:16:33 PDT

A34s spotted

No orcas present.

Cetacealab has seen the A34s recently and Bill and Donna Mackay tried to follow up a report of several "fins" in Fitzhugh Sound. Nothing has shown up as yet west of Port Hardy. Meanwhile, as we wait an wait.... the humpbacks and minke continue their residency in the "core" area much to the delight of the whale watchers.
Helena
29 Jun 2010 08:13:52 PDT

Humpbacks

No orcas present.

Yesterday a very familiar pair of humpbacks, Chunky and Stripe (aka Notchos & Salsa) were going back and forth between Blackney Pass and Blackfish Sound. Twister was also around for a loose trio.
Helena
26 Jun 2010 06:34:00 PDT

No orcas present.

Lovely, lovely morning here! A humpback was lazily travelling north this morning in Blackney Pass at 6am. Paul has posted his 3rd IWC comment. There have been problems accessing orcalab.org. Anna thinks it may be the host server. Please be patient and keep trying. It is working again right now. Paul was off this afternoon to the Avaaz presentation of their petition.
Helena
22 Jun 2010 07:57:24 PDT

Humpbacks

No orcas present.

No sign of resident whales yet in this area but several humpbacks continue to be settling in for the season. Recently, there have been large groups of dolphins (200 - 500) quite nearby and small groups of Dalls porpoise have rounded out the increasingly busy scene.
Helena
21 Jun 2010 04:45:59 PDT

No orcas present.

Jackie reports that a new, never seen in this area, humpback is around. We hae had a mum & baby in Blackney for the last few days. The young one delighted everyone by breaching twice. No Ids yet.
Helena
21 Jun 2010 19:46:17 PDT

Performing maintenance

Audio should be working again. Today, humpbacks moving between Blackfish Sound and Blackney Pass for most of the day. According to the Tuan (Seasmoke Whale Watching) there were also dolphins in Blackfish Sound earlier. And finally some sun as well.
Helena
19 Jun 2010 16:42:18 PDT

L pod in the area

Distant calls audible.

Here is a surprise! A group of yet to be idenified orcas passed through Blackfish Sound and Blackney Pass earlier. They are just becoming audible nearing Robson Bight. Still difficult to hear but it does not yet sound like northern residents. 200 dolphin were also seen by Stubbs Island Whale Watch along with three humpbacks.
Helena
17 Jun 2010 15:50:17 PDT

No orcas present.

Yes, the whales today were the Ls (Southern Residents) doing a tour around Vancouver Island. Mary Borrowman at Stubbs Island Whale Watching confirmed the information. Hopefully, they are well on their way back to the San Juans!
Helena
17 Jun 2010 21:35:54 PDT

A32 Cracroft missing

CetaceaLab reports that a large group of northern resident whales were nearby yesterday (June 15). The group included the A5s, A24s, A34s, Cs and Ds. The A36s were also there along with A12. This is the second sighting of the A36s with A12. Sadly, it looks as if A32 (Cracroft) is now gone as he was not seen during either encounter. He will be missed very much. On another track, Paul is off to the IWC. The meeting is being held in Agadir, Morocco this year. We have set up a blog on www.orcalab.org (link at the top right) so that he will be able to post summaries and comments during the meeting. It is a crucial year for the IWC and for whales. The threat to resume commercial whaling is a very real possibility.
Helena
16 Jun 2010 08:27

Audio streaming

Boat noise

Thanks to JStream and Jesse Gordon, we're streaming live audio again. Thanks, too, for your patience!
Paul & Helena
03 Jun 2010 22:19:08 PDT

Chatting dolphins

We had very vocal dolphins on the critical point hydrophone last night from 2230-0545 this morning!! Just now we spotted ~100 dolphins traveling North through Blackney Passage and they were briefly vocal on the Flower island hydrophone.
Marie
30 May 2010 11:22:48 PDT

Minke whale

Spring is definitely in the air around here, yesterday we had a Minke about 75m in front of the lab heading South @ 1715 as well as a humpback about 170m off the lab heading North @1805!
Marie
29 May 2010 11:08:30 PDT

Grey whale in JS

We spotted a Gray whale from the lookout station called Sundance in Johnstone Strait!!! It was 250m offshore heading West @1250.
Marie & Leah
27 May 2010 16:04:33 PDT

Humpback whale

We just spotted a humpback by the Swanson island shoreline slowly heading North!!
Marie
26 May 2010 12:55:13 PDT

T018 and T019s

No orcas present.

Lots of transient movement lately. Jared Towers reported that T18 & T19 were seen travelling west yesterday afternoon past Alert Bay.
Helena
25 May 2010 08:03:30 PDT

Just an update - We have confirmed the the T's we had in Blackney Pass yesterday were T018 and T019's.
Leah
25 May 2010 09:08:58 PDT

T14

No calls but orcas nearby

We had T14 silently pass by the lab at 1835 yesterday. He was only 60m off shore and the water was like glass, a beautiful sight! At 1937 he made a few calls on Flower Island. Then at 0100 this morning we had dolphins on the Parson Island hydrophone.
Leah & Marie
24 May 2010 10:21:31 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We managed to spot 4 transients,1 male, heading North through Blackney Passage at 1439, despite the strong winds and choppy seas. They took a detour into Parson Bay then turned at 1515 and headed South and out of view by 1600.
Marie & Leah
24 May 2010 16:34:09 PDT

Performing maintenance

We are making some changes to our network, so will be down for a while. Hope to be back live soon. Thanks for your patience, & our best wishes to you all.
Paul & Helena
23 May 2010 15:59:08 PDT

T093, T097

We caught up with T093 and T097 in Blackney Pass yesterday at 1835 on our way to the rubbing beaches to perfrom some maintenance. Jared Towers picked them up in Weyton as they headed west and confirmed their identification. We have also had dolphins on Flower Island since 0300. Things are really picking up around here:)
Leah & Marie
21 May 2010 05:10:27 PDT

We received word from Jim Borrowman that 3 Orcas, including 1 adult male, headed east past Telegraph Cove at 2000hrs last night.
Leah
20 May 2010 15:40:03 PDT

T020, T021, T002C, T002C1 and T002C2

Just a quick note to say the transients from May 15th were T020, T021, T002C, T002C1 and T002C2.
Marie
19 May 2010 10:29:09 PDT

Transients

No calls but orcas nearby

We had 5 Transient's quietly head south in Blackney Pass last night at 2100hrs. We watched them for a short while until they slipped into the fog, what a beautiful sight. The water was flat calm and you could hear their respiration from across the Pass. We would have updated you all then, but we were having problems with the internet:)
Leah & Marie
18 May 2010 07:36:21 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We watched 5 Transient's quietly head south in Blackney Pass last night at 2100hrs as they slipped into the fog. The water was so calm you could hear their blows loud and clear across the Pass. We couldn't update you all in real time as we had no internet, but all is good now.
Leah & Marie
18 May 2010 07:39:09 PDT

Performing maintenance

We are making some technical changes that will interrupt our internet connection commencing around 11am PST on Sunday May 16th. We're not sure how long the changeover will take, but it could be a few days. Please excuse the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience!
Paul & Helena
15 May 2010 22:51:02 PDT

Transients nearby

No calls but orcas nearby

We spotted five transients chasing a sealion off of Parson Island @1330, Southbound!! The same group have now headed North through Blackney Passage.
Marie & Leah
15 May 2010 15:53:26 PDT

Just a quick update on the Southern Residents: K and L pods were seen by Campbell River on Thursday May 13th heading South, so they may have passed by here silently, and yesterday L pod was spotted by San Juan Island!
Marie
15 May 2010 18:58:06 PDT

No orcas present.

Thanks to JStream, we are streaming live audio again. No calls, but the ocean is quiet on this cool & calm morning. Nice.
Paul & Helena
06 May 2010 07:10:57 PDT

Performing maintenance

Hi, Yesterday, an unfortunate bird flew into a power cable in Port McNeill and knocked out the Keta Cable service. We lost our connection for several hours. We have a connection back but there still seems to be problems. At this time, we are unable to stream audio. Hopefully, we will be able to correct the problem and be back streaming again. Thank you for your patience.
Helena & Paul
05 May 2010 11:21:29 PDT

T55s

No orcas present.

The transients feeding off of Weynton Island (entrance to Johnstone Strait at Weynton Pass) turned out to be the T55s. Thank for the update Jared and Jackie. Perhap these were the same whales we heard later in the Strait.
Helena
03 May 2010 09:28:38 PDT

Transients calling

Superb sounds!!

We're listening to clear transient calls, amidst persistent boat noise, on the Critical Point hydrophone. Thanks to Jackie Hildering for her report of 4 transients at Weynton Island a couple of hours ago... it sounds like the orcas are heading east now.
Helena
02 May 2010 16:18:17 PDT

T073 and T074

No orcas present.

Apparently, T073 and T074 went west past Alert Bay early yesterday afternoon. Jared Towers left them at 3pm near Port McNeill.
Helena
01 May 2010 07:20:44 PDT

Transients calling

Distant calls audible.

The transient calls are in Blackfish Sound The last calls sounded a bit closer. Dawn just getting going here
Helena
25 Apr 2010 05:21:26 PDT

No orcas present.

Live audio streaming has resumed, thanks to JStream!
Paul & Helena
20 Apr 2010 09:09:31 PDT

We are hearing dolphins on the critical point hydrophone again :)
Marie
16 Apr 2010 19:06:20 PDT

T002C's, T20 and T21

Distant calls audible.

We have heard a few intermittent calls on Flower island this morning!
Marie & Leah
15 Apr 2010 08:14:38 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We got a report from Jared Towers that T002C's, T20 and T21 were seen in Johnstone Strait just West of Telegraph Cove, heading West @0835.
Marie & Leah
15 Apr 2010 15:52:51 PDT

We heard dolphins vocalizing and echolocating on the critical point hydrophone around 1745 this evening. Its been another beautiful sunny day on Hanson!
Marie
11 Apr 2010 19:17:35 PDT

We spotted our first 2010 Humpback about 70m off of the Lab this morning. The sun is shining and the sea lions are frolicking, it is absolutely glorious!
Leah
10 Apr 2010 10:40:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We heard two brief calls in Johnstone Strait. We are still working on the system and hope to get sound streaming to you all as soon as we can.
Leah & Marie
09 Apr 2010 10:23:25 PDT

Transients calling

Superb sounds!!

We are hearing great transients calls on Critical point! Sorry we are not streaming we are still trying to fix the system.
Marie & Leah
06 Apr 2010 22:17:29 PDT

Just an update to say that we have neither heard nor seen any orca for two solid weeks. However, the sun is shining, the wind has calmed the Hummingbirds have arrived and it has been a beautiful Easter weekend. Happy Easter from Orcalab!
Leah and Marie
05 Apr 2010 11:00:45 PDT

Performing maintenance

We seem to be having some technical difficulties with the internet connection and are working to get everything back on line. However, we haven't heard any calls since our last post.
Leah
29 Mar 2010 14:15:57 PST

Transients calling

Orcas near mics.

We had a group of 4 transients, with 1 male, traveling North in Blackney Passage at 0900AM. We are now hearing transient calls on Flower island!
Marie & Leah
22 Mar 2010 09:14:24 PST

Distant calls audible.

We can hear more Transient calls on Flower Island.
Leah & Marie
22 Mar 2010 10:20:55 PST

Distant calls audible.

Calls have been coming through sporadically over the last couple of hours. The calls are now a little more frequent in Johnstone Strait. A report from Mike Durban also came in early this afternoon of approximately 15 orca heading west from Kelsey Bay.
Leah & Marie
22 Mar 2010 19:36:39 PST

No orcas present.

A quick update of the orca activity over the past few days. The calls we heard on March 18th were transients by Flower island. A group of 4-7 orca were spotted by Blinkhorn in Johnstone Strait heading West @1630 on March 18th.
Marie
20 Mar 2010 10:39:49 PST

Distant calls audible.

We are happy to report there are distant calls on Flower island!
Marie & Leah
18 Mar 2010 01:45:23 PST

No orcas present.

We have not had any orca activity for over a week but we are enjoying a calm & chilly morning here on Hanson island.
Marie
12 Mar 2010 09:27:15 PST

more transient calls

Superb sounds!!

Calls have begun to come through again, but this time they are on Parson Island hydrophone.
Leah
02 Mar 2010 04:33:56 PST

Transient calls

Superb sounds!!

We are hearing transient calls at critical point!
Marie & Leah
01 Mar 2010 22:56:35 PST

Transients passing quietly

No calls but orcas nearby

We just had a group of four transients quietly head South through Blackney Passage!
Marie & Leah
26 Feb 2010 14:04:28 PST

G3s,G16s, G31s. G27s. and G2s

No orcas present.

For the record: Graeme Ellis (DFO) was able to identify that the following groups; the G3's, G16's, G31's, G27's and G2's were present in the area on February 7. This was a good encounter and rare for the Gs to be here in Johnstone Strait during the winter. Although they have been encountered elsewhere on the coast we have not seen them, as a group, since the summer of 2006. Leah and Marie's efforts to get good ID photos were very much appreciated.
Helena & Paul
21 Feb 2010 10:32:34 PST

Transients passing quietly

No calls but orcas nearby

We just had a group of 7 transients quietly heading North through Blackney Passage!
Marie & Leah
20 Feb 2010 10:28:02 PST

Transient calls in JS

Distant calls audible.

We are hearing calls in Johnstone Strait!
Marie
19 Feb 2010 06:53:25 PST

No calls but orcas nearby

The calls from early this morning were transients! A group of 8-10 headed West in Johnstone Strait and went past Ledge Point at 0900 (thanks to Jackie, Bill/Donna and Alex for spotting them). Its another beautiful sunny calm day here on Hanson!
Marie & Leah
19 Feb 2010 11:00:20 PST

Boat noise

Last night around 9pm a few Gclan calls came through on the Critical Point hydrophone. The few calls were quiet and sporadic and very hard to hear with all of the boat noise.
Leah
12 Feb 2010 17:45:43 PST

J pod

No orcas present.

Here is a bit of quite interesting news. On January 23rd J pod made an unexpected visit to Johnstone Strait. Leah made a nice recording of their calls and we asked John Ford to confirm who it was. We let Susan Berta of Orca Network Sightings know and she provided the following information: "Wow - that's very interesting! We had them here on Jan. 3/4, then not again until J1 showed up alone at the end of Jan. for a few days, freaking us all out, then the rest of J's showed up Jan. 29th - cool! Thanks so much for the report" Susan Ls and Ks have used this area before but a J pod visit is unique.
Helena & Paul
08 Feb 2010 23:21:14 PST

No orcas present.

Just a catch up from yesterday: the Gs went through Blackney Pass after travelling west from the Bight. They headed into Blackfish Sound with their calls fading off as they moved further away.
Helena
08 Feb 2010 11:43:19 PST

I31s and Gs

Superb sounds!!

We are hearing the I31's and another group in heading West in Johnstone Strait.
Leah & Marie
07 Feb 2010 09:22:50 PST

Superb sounds!!

Sounds like the Gs with the I31s are heading west! Sounding very relaxed this sunny morning.
Leah
07 Feb 2010 09:23:59 PST

I31s also present

Distant calls audible.

Good Morning!! We've got whales in Johnstone Strait heading West.
Leah & Marie
06 Feb 2010 08:12:31 PST

Superb sounds!!

We've confirmed I31's as they travel East in Johnstone Strait. They are very vocal and calls are coming in very clear now on Critical Point.
Leah & Marie
06 Feb 2010 08:57:06 PST

A5s are back!

Superb sounds!!

We are hearing clear calls on critical point hydrophone
Leah & Marie
05 Feb 2010 10:10:00 PST

Distant calls audible.

We are hearing A5 calls in Johnstone Strait, they are heading West.
Leah & Marie
05 Feb 2010 11:20:35 PST

Transients calling in JS

No orcas present.

We still haven't heard any calls. The system has been running quite well with a little bit of sun here and there. It's another calm but cloudy day.
Leah
03 Feb 2010 11:09:29 PST

Distant calls audible.

There were a short duration of calls and the whales have just gone quiet in Johnstone Strait.
Leah and Marie
03 Feb 2010 17:39:45 PST

Orcas near mics.

Transient calls in Johnstone Strait!
Helena
03 Feb 2010 18:04:49 PST