No orcas present.

An interesting postscript: about 9 transients were seen heading west past Port McNeill around 7:45pm. This was possibly a different group from the group who were vocal in Blackfish Sound just 20 minutes earlier. Thanks to Bill and Donna MacKay for the report. Busy night!
Helena
31 May 2007 20:23:15 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Yesterday, Stubbs Island Whale Watch found a group of transients off the western end of Blackfish Sound.
Helena
23 May 2007 08:01:46 PDT

No orcas present.

A couple of sightings to add. On May 14th the same group of transients came back into Blackney Pass later in the day. Farewell Harbour, out for their first sport fishing of the season spotted them in the entrance of Blackney Pass and gave us the heads up. It was early evening but we were able to watch the group travel north through the Pass. Then yesterday, the Lukwa (Stubbs Island), on the lookout for a reported humpback, found the T2s in Weynton Pass very close to some Dalls Porpoise. Further north, there have been a few northern resident encounters off the central coast. It certainly feels as if the season is beginning to ramp up!
Helena
16 May 2007 13:19:17

No calls but orcas nearby

Still have one group lurking in the area. Today, a group of 5 was seen heading west towards Alder Bay. There was a young baby in the group. Thanks to Bill and Wendy for the report.
Helena
11 May 2007 15:32:14 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Cruise ships and cruising transients this morning! A group of 5 transients were in Blackney Pass from 6:15 to about 7am. They headed north and at 8:15am they were mid channel at the western end of Blackfish Sound pointed toward Donegal Head. There were no calls and the group had one male and 4 others.
Helena
14 May 2007 08:45:43 PDT

No orcas present.

The area seems very busy with transients these days.Yesterday, yet another group of transients were seen near Port McNeill. Thanks to the new MacKay grandparents (visit their website) for the latest report.
Helena
08 May 2007 09:21:06 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Again we have heard transient calls. However, the calls only lasted a very brief time and we have not been able to figure out where the whales are in the area. We will hope they resume calling soon.
Helena
07 May 2007 14:35:51 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We just had a long session with very vocal and visable transtients (4) in Blackney Pass. Their behaviours and the numerous gulls circling about suggests they must have completed a successful hunt. They have now travelled into Blackfish Sound but are still vocal.
Helena
04 May 2007 19:57:34 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

A group of 4 transients just passed south through Blackney Pass. One male accompanied 2 females and a calf. They were for a time very interested in a sealion but we don't believe they made a kill. The other sealions clustered in the water became quite agitated as the transients passed. Things have since settled down.
Helena
03 May 2007 08:14:38 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Well... after only distant sightings and uneventful orca days...transients are vocal in Blackfish Sound just now.
Helena
01 May 2007 17:28:24 PDT

No orcas present.

April has been rather tempermental with various storms hitting the coast alternating with lovely spring days. Over the past week there were a couple of reports of possible transient sightings near Alert Bay and we continue to hear dolphins from time to time.
Helena
21 Apr 2007 23:30:04 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

There have been several reports (from Alex Morton, the MacKays and the Alert Bay ferry crew) of transients roaming around the area ffor the last few days. Several Northern Resident groups have also been spotted by CetaceaLab (northern BC) through the month of March, making for their busiest March to date.
Helena
31 Mar 2007 21:09:35 PST

Distant calls audible.

We are hearing transient calls in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
27 Mar 2007 16:46:02 PST

No orcas present.

Nice distant dolphins last night and lots of robins!
Helena
22 Mar 2007 11:50:03 PST

No orcas present.

Still rather uneventful. However, the MacKays were able to report the good news that a small humpback was seen March 11th near Haddington Island. We saw our first robin in the garden today - Spring must be just around the corner!
Helena
18 Mar 2007 14:25:14 PST

No orcas present.

We have not posted for quite a while but it does seem appropriate today to be with everyone in marking Luna's sad anniversary. Early this morning we heard a single transient call, a timely reminder that life carries on. On a very positive note, we are very relieved to hear that the Batholist Project has been cancelled. Hats off to Living Oceans, the DFO and the many people who voiced their concerns through letters, emails and petitions.
Helena & Paul
10 Mar 2007 14:22:19 PST

No orcas present.

As far as we know , it has been uneventful since we last heard the A5s disappear to the east in Johnstone Strait. So much time has gone by we wonder if they returned and left without us being aware of their movements. Meanwhile, the weather has been mixed & mild. There is still snow on the mountains and recently crocus in the garden.
Helena
18 Feb 2007 15:55:11 PST

Distant calls audible.

Some of the A5s are still around. We recently heard their calls off the entrance to Blackney Pass in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
10 Feb 2007 15:16:39 PST

No orcas present.

Around 5pm the whales went past Robson Bight and out of range to the east.
Helena
10 Feb 2007 23:10:06 PST

No orcas present.

A rather late post: Yesterday around 20pm we heard, ever so briefly, A5 calls once again. The event was too short lived for us to locate where they were. Today it has been just typical boat noise punctuated by quieter times.
Helena
09 Feb 2007 17:25:25 PST

Distant calls audible.

A little while ago we began to hear the I31s at the top of Blackfish Sound.
Helena
07 Feb 2007 12:46:45 PST