May 15
Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research called to report Transients at Kelp Reef at 4:35 pm

May 15
Hillary from Beam Reach called to say that a pod of orcas reported earlier in the day in Active Pass were Transients, at 2:15 pm they were in Swanson Channel.

T100s

No calls but orcas nearby

This is a bit late but this afternoon as we headed into town to vote a small group of orcas crossed our path in Weynton Pass. The whales were headed to Johnstone Strait where they eventually headed east. We didn't really stop but Jim Borrowman was able to get some IDs and is pretty sure it was the T100s. Earlier in the day, there were orcas in Robson Bight again. This has been a fairly busy transient month so far.
Helena
12 May 2009 22:57:52 PDT

May 11
Ken Balcomb at the Center for Whale Research received a report of ~20 orcas in Shelter Cove, between Ft. Bragg & Eureka, CA, killing sea lions close to shore.
Orca Network also received a message from Carlos Cordina (sp?) on May 11th reporting he was out in a boat near Crescent City, CA and encountered a lot of orcas. We have been unable to reach him for more details at this time but will keep trying.

May 11
8 to 10 killer whales, 1 bull, reported in front of Campbell River, B.C. early afternoon today (5/11).
Matthew Ellis, Eagle Eye Adventures

T14

May 10
I just talked with Radar out of Victoria. He has T14 ("Pender") out by Sheringham now.
Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island

T40

May 10
We got a report from Susan McLeod at 4:50 pm, of 4 - 5 orcas between west Fulford Harbor, Salt Spring and Pender island, west of Russell Island, heading north. She described one of them as having a flopped over fin, possibly T40/Captain Hook?

Correction/Clarification - May 10:
I reported the sighting of 4-5 orcas yesterday (in yesterday's whale report). I want to correct the location. I guess that I gave too much information on the phone and didn't make myself clear. I saw the orcas pretty much between Salt Spring Island and North Pender Island - out where the Swanson Channel and perhaps the Satellite Channel intersect - south of Beaver Point, Salt Spring Island.
I live on the west side of Fulford Harbour on Roland Road and observed the orcas way out beyond Russell Island (from my vantage point on Roland Road). I do have a good spotting scope and am pretty sure that the male that I saw had a dorsal fin that was completely bent over at the top (it looked like it was rolled over). Probably T40/Captain Hook - sb I hope that this helps.
Susan MacLeod, Salt Spring Island, B.C.

T14

May 10
The Ocean Magic encountered T 14 , 'Pender' this afternoon (5/10) at 1.30pm, near Sheringham light house. He was typically all alone and definitely heading out west this time. Last time I saw him on April 10th he was keeping company with the T30's and T11's near Piers Island, Swartz Bay. It was so nice to see he had company at that time.
Marie , Orca-Magic POW.

May 10
This morning our vessel "Fastcat" was half way between Race Rocks and Crescent Bay when Marine Naturalist, Rachel, spotted a large dorsal fin in the distance. We slowed down and after a few more surfacings soon realized we had found T14 "Pender". During the 30 minutes we observed T14 he was zig-zagging across Juan De Fuca Strait and then suddenly made a number of sharp direction changes, possibly making a kill underwater of one of the Harbor Porpoise we had also seen in the area. It was great to see the old guy out there in all his splendor!
(see more of Andrew's report under Minkes & Grays)
Andrew Lees, Marine Naturalist, Five Star Whale Watching

T18s

May 8
Transient Orcas T18's swam by Campbell River today between 10:00am and 2:00pm.
Matthew Ellis,
Eagle Eye Adventures

T19b ?

No calls but orcas nearby

We were just informed that there are 5 orcas in Robson Bight heading east.
Helena
07 May 2009 13:23:04 PDT

From the audience:
Just a note....5 orcas southbound past Cape Mudge on Quadra Island at 1200 today
Haywire@c.r. bc
08 May 2009 13:01:18 PDT

Thanks Haywire, wonder if these were the same as here yesterday.
Helena@Hanson Island
08 May 2009 13:44:51 PDT

Could be.......out with the flood. too far away to confirm but the male looked alot like T-19b....
Haywire@c.r. bc
08 May 2009 13:56:08 PDT

T40

Transient Orcas
attack Steller Sea Lion
May 7, 2009
Photo by
John Boyd


May 7
I had the opportunity to go out and see "Captain Hook" (T40) and the other transients, and witness a rare interaction between the Transients & a Steller Sea Lion. The 5 transients spent over an hour and a half toying with the sea lion, occasionally letting it "get away" before they'd lunge after it. The two younger whales were obviously practicing their techniques, and we kept wondering if they were just toying with the sea lion or if they'd really eat it. Finally, after 90 minutes of this behavior, they decided to eat and the steller was pulled below the surface and all five orcas disappeared for several minutes. When they returned to the surface, there was no sign of the sea lion. It was amazing to see the power of the orcas as they batted around this large animal. An awe-inspiring day that my words do not truly convey.
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, Friday Harbor

May 7
The Ocean Magic spent time with Capt. Hook, T 40 this afternoon. He was with four other Transient Orca. Possibly three females and a youngster. This was my first ever observation of this male with a distinct looking dorsal fin (see photo below). He sure is an old male Orca.
Marie, Orca-Magic Prince Of Whales, Victoria



Transient Orca T40
"Capt. Hook"
May 7, 2009
Photo by Marie O'Shaughnessy

T71s T40

May 7
At 4:19 p.m. on May 7th, 2009 Center staff Dave Ellifrit, Erin Heydenreich and guest John Boyd responded to a report of Transients off Kelp Reef as well as J pod off the South end of San Juan Island. The T71's (T71, T71A and T71B) and T40 were encountered at 4:33 p.m. just north of Kelp Reef (48° 33.15 N, 123° 13.54 W). The whales were actively hunting a Steller Sea Lion. The transients continued to attack the sea lion for about an hour. The sea lion was determined to have been killed around 6:00 p.m. At 6:21 the encounter ended and the transients continued traveling slowly north at (48° 34.39 N, 123° 13.48 W). Center staff continued down the west side of San Juan Island in search of J pod.

May 7
Just to let you know I had an excited telephone call from my Mum in Ladysmith (Vancouver Island) B.C. today around 5.30 pm - she was watching four Orcas from her condo looking down on to Transfer Beach, Ladysmith. They were in full activity mode with plenty of seagulls hanging around. Orcas here are not a common sight - what a treat.
Sandra Pollard, Whidbey Island

May 7
4:03 pm - calls on OrcaSound hydrophones now - seeing Transient T40 plus others. 4:06 pm - Transients were going after a sea lion, was hoping to capture more calls.
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island

May 7
What an afternoon. First the Transients off of Discovery Island, then the Js at Iceberg Pt, then more Transients on the way home at Kelp Reef eating a Steller. Also, observed and photographed a bleeding Steller sea lion off Whale Rocks today off of south Lopez Is. I don't know about the small one. We hardly ever see them in here.
Capt. Jim and Mrs. Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Westside Charters

Ts near Nanaimo

May 5
For your records we had a group of 9 transients out front of Nanaimo today heading north. best regards,
Jared Towers, Cetacean Research Technician, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo BC

T118, T121, T164 and T70

May 3
Sighting of 4-6 transients hunting and catching a seal half mile off powell river, b.c. around noon on may 3. Seal came and hid under our boat and whales came over and circled us flushing out the seal caught and ate him, displaying spy hopping, tail lobbing, and breaching. Have many pictures. Possible identification of t 118,121, 164, 70.
Mv catalyst, Bill and shannon bailey

T124A's and T86A's

Active Pass Transients
May 2, 2009
Photo by Jill Persick

May 2, 2009
We found a group of about 5 transients in Active Pass yesterday (May 2nd). We travelled with them into Swanson channel and they were travelling southbound when we left. I got a few really good ID shots so I thought I'd send them in.
Jill Persick, Steveston Seabreeze Adventures

ID's on the Active Pass Transients in photos from May 2 by Jill Persick:
Looks like the T124A's and the T86A's. The first pic is T124A2 and T86A.
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research

My guess is the one with the 2 nicks could be T86A. The one with it could be T86A2.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales

T49s near Race Rocks

Transient Orcas
T49's
Race Rocks, B.C.
April 28, 2009
Photo by Andrew Lees

April 28
Today reports first came in around 11.30am of Transient Orcas near Sheringham Lighthouse. We headed out on a 2pm trip and caught up with the 5 Transient Orcas just North of Race Rocks. The Orcas were later identified as the T49's by Ron Bates, MMRG. Whilst we observed the T49's we did see signs of a kill underwater and the Orcas milling around after the kill.
Andrew Lees, Marine Naturalist, Five Star Whale Watching

T20 through Seymour Narrows

Transient Orca
T20 southbound
through Seymour Narrows
April 28, 2009
Photo by Matthew Ellis


April 28
Transient killer whales T20 and T21 and 7 other small fins (T23's?) came through Seymour Narrow's on a big ebb tide yesterday (4/28) and swam past Campbell River at about 5pm southbound.

T20, T21, T2s, T123s

No calls but orcas nearby

Today, two faily sizable transient groups travelled into Johnstone Strait from the west. Jim Boprrowman managed to get IDs. Here is a list of some of today's orcas:T20, T21, T2, T2C, T2C1, T2C2, T123 and T023D
Helena
27 Apr 2009 17:40:34 PDT

T49s

April 26
It was a great encounter with the T49's (5 Transient orcas) yesterday April 26th on our Ocean Magic trip at 12.15pm. These animals were confirmed by Mark Malleson. We came across them off Secretary Island, Sooke, Vancouver Island. They were frolicking close to shore. They were encountered again on a later trip east and south of Race Rocks. They were very active with tail slaps and spyhops. Beautiful conditions on the water. Spring is here at last.
Marie, Orca-Magic, POW


April 26
So we headed out at 1:00 today with the familiar questions, "Do you know where the Orcas are?" And the too familiar response, "Not right now - " Then about 45 minutes later came the call and we headed out toward Victoria.We encountered a group of Transient Orcas, still unidentified (see photo).
Thanks,
Capt. Jim and Mrs. Capt. Jim Maya,
Maya's Westside Charters, San Juan Island


Transient Spyhop
Strait of Juan de Fuca
off Victoria, B.C.
April 26, 2009
Photo by Capt. Jim Maya

April 26
Jim Maya's pics from the 26th are the T49A's and B's again. The spyhopper (the photo included in yesterday's whale report) is T49A with her slightly funky jawline.
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Reserch, San Juan Island


Transient Orcas
T49A's & B's
Strait of Juan de Fuca
off Victoria, B.C.
April 26, 2009
Photo by Capt. Jim Maya

T40

On Monday April 20th, my classmates and I were heading into Mitchell Bay after our first full day at sea when our Captain, Todd Shuster, noticed a collection of whale watching boats off in the distance. We took the opportunity to turn around and were rewarded by seeing a group of transient killer whales by Sidney Island. There was one male orca, which we later identified as T40, with four females or juveniles. We have not identified the other four whales yet. Males are typically easier to identify because they have larger dorsal fins, but T40 is especially easy to pick out because the tip of his dorsal fin is bent over. It was a very exciting hour watching the whales and the boats around them. A few times the whales took a view of the world above them by spy hopping and jumped into the air a couple of times as well. After the initial exhilaration, we began to confer about the behavioral state of the whales. We were unable to deploy the hydrophones in time to record any sounds. It was a good learning experience to enable us to be more proficient in organizing equipment so that next time we come across whales we will be able to record all forms of data. I feel fortunate that on our first full day at sea we came across orcas.
There are many more comments and pictures about sightings of this group of whales at orcanetwork .org. I will be able to post a picture or two of the experience when I get on land and have a more reliable internet connection.
The Beam Reach students onboard the Gato Verde

T40, T124's and T90's in Haro Strait

April 20
Encounter 12 was conducted by Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit on April 20 with T40 (Captain Hook), T124's and T90's in Haro Strait. They came in past Race Rocks in the morning and travelled up Haro Strait past Moresby Island by evening, making at least two kills enroute.

T40 (Captain Hook)

April 20
Mark Malleson of Prince of Whales called to report 7 - 10 Transient orcas at 9 am, east of Race Rocks heading east.

T103 east of Sooke park

April 17
Mark Malleson of Prince of Whales called to report Transient orca T103 off E. Sooke Park, S. Vancouver Island at 12:30 pm, heading east. It happened to be the exact same place & date he had observed T103 alone last year!

April 17
I was on the Ocean Magic 12.15 pm sailing today and this lone Transient was seen at Beecher Bay, Metchosin, Vancouver Island. It was identified by Mark Mallerson,POW, as T 103. Mark was already out in a Zodiac when we arrived. A good looking male who was fairly illusive, and taking long dives. A good day to be out again in the sunshine, even with the wind and choppy seas.
Marie, Orca-Magic, POW

April 11
Encounter 10 was conducted by John Durban and Dave Ellifrit on 11 April 2009 with T123's in Haro Strait. An adult male was seen with them when first sighted from shore, but was not with them when encountered at 1218 PM.
Photo & report at Center for Whale Research

Photograph by Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research

April 11
Encounter 11 by Center for Whale Research was conducted by John Durban and Dave Ellifrit and Meghan and Katie Mckillop with T14 and the T49's near Gooch Island, BC on 11 April 2009 around 5:30 PM. T14 may have been the male seen but not encountered with T123's earlier in the day. He seems to be wandering from group to group of transients, and is often by himself.

Photograph by Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research
T14

T14, T30a and T11a sighted near Swartz Bay

April 10
Mark Malleson's 10 am Zodiac trip caught up with the big group of Transients near Swartz Bay today. He encountered the same ones reported yesterday, 9th April. I saw three big males T14, T30A and T11A along with many females. Great day seeing all those Transients together. All we needed was more sunshine. Happy Easter to you.
Marie, Orca-Magic POW

April 10
Orca Network received a call from Rob Lawson of Powell River, B.C, reporting 3 orcas in Malaspina Strait at 12:45 pm today. There was a male, female & young calf - the male had a vertical white line on his fin (more description below). They were in the N. end of Malaspina Strait, heading SE.
he then sent this update: The male is not in the photo groups (ID Guide), very big, vertical white strip on dorsal fin is about 1/3 to 2/3 of the ways to the top. Cute baby, very small, must be this years?? thanx from the best coast,
Rob Lawson, Powell River B.C.

Transients are save

April 9
Mark Malleson of Prince of Whales called this afternoon with some good news - they found all the Transients that were in the Strait of Juan de Fuca on April 7th when sonar was used in the Strait, were present today! At about 3:10 pm, off the Dungeness Lighthouse heading east, they ID'd these Transient orcas: T30s', T172,
T49A's. T14, plus T11 and T11A (who were not present on the 7th).
He also had a report from the Mill Bay Ferry of Transient orcas T123, 123A, & 123B heading into Saanich Inlet this morning, then heading back out toward Goldstream early this afternoon.

T30s east of Sooke

April 7
Jeff LaMarche called Orca Network at 11:20 am to report ~ 6 Transient orcas 2.5 miles SE of East Sooke Park, S. Vancouver Island, taking a Steller Sea Lion. So far, ID's included 4 T30's, T172 & possibly T38. Mark Malleson was with them, hopefully we'll have more photos for tomorrow's report!

April 7
At about 11 AM Tuesday, April 7, While working as Lighthouse Keepers for a week at New Dungeness Spit Lighthouse, Karla Harrison saw a group of four orcas in Dungeness Bay at approximately N48.17974 W123.10975 (datum is that used by NASA's Worldwind. I've been trying to find it without success), directly south of the lighthouse and about 100 yards off the beach. They were moving West when first seen, but turned back to the east after rolling, blowing and displaying their dorsal fins several times. Several of us observed them from the lighthouse tower and Karla took the appended pictures with a Canon Powershot 590 camera. I thought they might be useful in identifying the individuals. In the picture with the male's fin showing, the whale in front of him seems to have a white spot near the tip of her fin. They did not appear to be feeding. After turning to the east to leave the bay and blowing three or four times, they were not seen again. Apparently they moved away without surfacing. After the whales left, we saw two groups of harbor seals quite close to shore, and wondered if they were taking refuge from the orcas, but the latter were not seen. I would appreciate hearing from you if you are able to identify individuals.
Mike Marsh

We forwarded the photos sent with this report on to researchers, and heard this back from Mark Malleson:
My guess is T14 with the T49A's as they were headed that direction last night. The fin shape is right for T14.
Mark Malleson, Victoria B.C.





Transient Orcas
T30, 30B, 30C and T172
E. Sooke Park,
S. Vancouver Island B.C.
April 7, 2009
Photo by Mark Malleson



T30 leaping during
Steller sea lion attack
SE of E.Sooke Park,
Vancouver Island, B.C.
April 7, 2009
Photo by Mark Malleson

April 7 w/Correction
The morning departure out of Victoria started out as any other normal wildlife tour, but that all changed at 1115 hrs. when I lucked out and found a small group of very active Killer Whales a few miles Southwest of Race Rocks Lighthouse. Upon arrival to this very active group of Orcas, I noticed that there was a large Sea Lion in the water with the whales. Whales were ID'd as T30, T30A, T30B, T30C and T172, respectively. (did not include the possible T38 included in the last report). Our location at this point was 2.5 nm SW of Church Rk. (Offshore of East Sooke Park). The five Transients were lunging and thrashing around frantically at the surface trying to stun or knockout this large Steller Sea Lion. For 25 minutes the five whales continually rammed the poor guy from all directionsuntil the Sea Lion magically caught a huge stroke of luck. Somehow the Steller Sea Lion had managed to drift right into the path of a giant floating kelp bed which he immediately took refuge in. I stayed on scene for as long as possible to see what was going to happen to the Sea Lion. At 1215, I finally had to leave the area to head back to Victoria to pickup the afternoon trip. As I left the area, the whales were still circling the kelp bed, taunting the Sea Lion. I never did see the final outcome of the encounter and the only two boats that were on scene were Mallard and myself. Absolutely brilliant Transient encounter off of East Sooke Park. Magic !!
On the afternoon trip, the five whales had moved well to the East of Race Rocks and were all grouped up in traveling mode doing long dives of 5-8 minutes. We picked the whales up at 1530 hrs. 3.5 nm SE of Race Rocks and left them one hour later at 1635 hrs. headed Southwest 3.9 nm SW of Race Rocks Lighthouse.
Jeff Lamarche, Seafun Safaris

T14 and T49s off Victoria

April 6
Mark Mallard of Prince of Whales called at 1:10 pm to report Transient orcas, including T14/Pender, & the T49's off the Victoria Waterfront. They had just made a kill. There was another group of Transients reported between Salmon Bank and Hein Bank as well - we'll hopefully have more details & ID's in tomorrow's report.



On April 6,2009, T14 came in past Race Rocks at 08:30 and appeared on the Race Rocks webcam with at least seven other transient killer whales. In the group were T123, T123A, and new calf, T123B, pictured here (see above photo). Also in the group were the T49's.
Report & more photos at Center for Whale Resarch

Transient Orcas T49s
hunting a porpoise
April 6, 2009
Photo by Monika Wieland

April 6
Today I saw my first orcas of 2009, and what a sighting it turned out to be! I was out with Captain Jim on the Peregrine this afternoon and we saw 8 transients in Haro Strait (we saw a group of 3 and a group of 5 - and there was another group reported further south). First we had the group of three including a pink little calf. I'm not sure who they were, but Ken Balcomb and others got good looks so hopefully they will report who it was. They spent about 15-20 minutes chasing a harbor porpoise around. At times it was hard to tell the calf apart from the porpoise as they both appeared so small next to the two adult females. The grand finale was a huge lunge by one of the adult females that launched the porpoise high into the air! (See first photo above.) I didn't even register it fully when I saw it but I somehow managed to click my camera and capture the proof. That was the last we saw of the porpoise, except for some lungs floating on the surface a little later. Shortly thereafter we were surprised by another group of five Ts. We knew they were in the area but thought they had headed in the other direction, so it was a pleasant surprise for them to pop up in our vicinity. The big male was T14, and I believe he was with the T49s. T49B and T49B1 were both in that group, and we left them heading south while the other group of 3 was heading north.
Monika Wieland, San Juan Island

April 6
Thought you might enjoy this pic (see photo below), with Mt Baker as a backdrop for the T49As and others. T14,' Pender ', was with this group this morning on Mark Mallerson's 11am trip. We finally found this illusive group, just off the Victoria waterfront, near Clover Point, after much searching. Marie, Orca-Magic, POW


T49s & T14 with Mt. Baker
Victoria, B.C.
April 6, 2009
Photo by Marie O'Shaughnessy

April 6
Well, looks like the first part of the trip (onboard NOAA's McArthur II Cruise) was So. Residents and then has been transient fest ever since. After Sunday'w Transient encounter we started zig-zagging south and about 4 AM (4/6) started picking up infrequent calls on the hydrophone array - we werent sure on ecotype - we were able to stay with and localize at sunrise and turned out to be another big group of Transients - at least 15 split into in several groups, including the whales we had Sunday afternoon! Candi and Dave are still working on the IDs.but at least the T11s, T46Bs, CA195 et al,. We were able to get out in the small boat and deployed two satellite tags - one on T11 and the other on a female-sized whale that ID is still to be determined. Robin Baird will have maps up on the Cascadia web site in the next couple of days. Made a swing down past Hecta Bank last night and now making the run north to be back in Seattle Thurs AM.
Brad Hanson, NWFSC, onboard the McArthur II

Transietn CA79

April 5
I got some great looks at a few transients today in Monterey Bay while onboard the Monterey Bay Whale Watch/Sea Wolf II (my first transient sighting, which is ironic considering I've seen the southern residents here, and on my birthday nonetheless!). I believe there was a male, two females and a calf, although I was not able to get a good photo of the calf- less female. Do these look familiar at all? (see photo above) Thanks,
Jessica Riggin, California State University Monterey Bay

Reply/ID from Alisa Schulman-Janiger:
I recognize the big well-marked male in your photo (above). This is CA79, a large adult transient male that was first seen off Pt. Reyes in 1989. He is primarily sighted in Monterey Bay; I saw him there in 2000. I cannot ID the female as of yet.
Alisa Schulman-Janiger, California Killer Whale Project, ACS/LA Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project, Director

In memory of T44

We have received more great photos and links to slide shows and photos of Transient orca T44, who was found dead on Monday. A necropsy has been performed by Dr. John Ford, Dr. Stephen Raverty and others, though no obvious cause of death was immediately apparent. It will be several weeks before results from tests of samples taken during the necropsy are available - we will update you on any further information as it comes in. We have also posted several news stories about T44 on our News Page, which we will continue to update as well.
Thanks to Chantelle and Rachael for sharing these great tributes (see below) in memory of T44 -
Susan & Howard, Orca Network

Upon second glance through my sets it turns out i have hundreds of t44 images (Ok well just short of 200 :) I am putting together a slide show (click here to view). I didn't realize till now that he is probably my most photographed whale other than J1.
here is one for trial island (pictured here).
Chantelle Tucker

Hi Susan, Here is a photo set - of T44 on flickr. he will be missed.
Rachael M. Griffin, Aquagreen Marine Research, Victoria BC

Orcanetwork report

April 4
Bob Whitney of Port Townsend called to report 2 female orcas off Pt. Wilson heading NW at 8:30 am. He only saw them surface once - possible Transients?

Transient calls near Race Rocks

April 1
High winds on the outer coast sent us back in to the Strait of Juan de Fuca late Tuesday. While patrolling the Straits of Juan de Fuca yesterday (April 1) we did hear hear some transient calls for a short while when we were west of Race Rocks - array bearings indicated they were to the east but we were not able to locate the whales visually - hope to head back out tomorrow night.
Brad Hanson, NWFSC, onboard the McArthur II

T44 found dead, floating near Port Hardy

Orcalab reports

A couple of days ago, the MacKays were told of a sighting of a dead orca floating near Hope Island (near Port Hardy). The DFO was alerted and with the help of a Coast Guard boat, that was in the vicinity, the whale was secured. DFO was able to identify the 31 year old transient male as T44. A necropsy will be performed in the next day or so. Finding a whale, soon after death, is a very rare occurrence and presents an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge.
Helena
01 Apr 2009 08:24:18 PST

T30s and T49A's near Victoria

March 29
Just in from a great trip on the water with Mark Malleson. So nice to be in the sunshine for a change! We encountered 9, possibly 10 Transients between 2-3pm. Certainly the T49A's and the T 30's were ID by Mark, and were seen frolicking around together. We came across them 5 miles south of Trail Island and they certainly were very happy Orcas. We saw lots of happy behaviours , including fluke lobs, breaching, cartwheels and spyhops. They even motored over to us at one point and some of the animals disappeared beneath us giving out international visitors a great thrill.
Marie, Orca-Magic POW, Victoria B.C.

March 29
Mark Malleson of Prince of Whales called at 2:15 pm to report the Transients were 5 miles south of Trial Island near Victoria, heading north slowly. There are 9 of them, identified as the T30's and T49A's

March 29
Mark Malleson of Prince of Whales called to report hearing faint Transient calls on the hydrophones, and sighting a pod of Transients from shore about 5 miles south of Trial Island at 10:30 am - there appear to be 6 or 8 of them.

March 29
I am hearing Transients on the Lime Kiln hydrophone's right now.....12:50pm PST
Barbara Ellingsen

March 29
1220 pm - hearing same faint calls again on Lime Kiln Hydrophones, just like earlier today. it was reported to me by Jim Maya that there were Transients about 3 to 4 miles south of Trial Island.
and an update:
That previous alert was from a sighting of the Ts at about 11:30, so sounds like they have moved back up a bit. I had heard them at 8:40/9:15/9:39/9:59/10:20/10:50/12:20
Jeanne Hyde, San Juan Island

March 29
10:03 am: faint calls on Lime Kiln hydro - just tuned in...
10:21 am: Transients? Calls are still faint - uh oh, I think a boat is coming.
Annika@Shoreline

March 29
0955: Unusual transient(?) KW(?) calls on Lime Kiln hydrophone now. (from Jeanne via Jeff) Recording up soon at OrcaSound.net .
Scott Veirs/Jeanne Hyde

March 29
Orca Vocalizations on Lime Kiln hydrophones right now (8:55 am). Thanks to Jeanne for letting me know! Sounded perhaps like Transients.
John Boyd, San Juan Island

March 28
I picked up the T49A's (Transient orcas) this afternoon westbound in Race Passage (Race Rocks) swimming against a big flood tide.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales, Victoria B.C.

March 29
Just thought I'd let you know that after we saw the T30s and T49s this afternoon we decided to check out the seals and birds in the Chain Islands in Oak Bay and ended up seeing T14 heading past the islands on the west side of Chatham Island and then N up Haro Strait from Baynes Channel. We watched him from about 1500 to 1530. Cheers -
Kyla Graham-Kordich, Victoria B.C.

Ts in the Pt Grenville area

March 28
We went back in the Strait of Juan de Fuca last night (3/28) to get out of high winds on outer coast that came up in afternoon. Although we were able to stay with Ls acoustically into early morning hours their calls were only intermittent and then we started to also pick up calls from transients. Shortly thereafter all we had were transient calls and visually located a large group Ts - about 30 - in the Pt Grenville area. We stayed with them for a couple of hours. Preliminary IDs from Dave and Candi include T74, T36s, T36b (with a new calf), T50, T63, T65, T65b, T68s, T73, T73c,d,CA195, T99with 3 kids.
Brad Hanson, NOAA NWFSC, aboard the McArthur II

T's off Trial Island BC

March 26
Lucky to be out once again with Mark Malleson, to encounter 6 Transients south of Trial Island on the way toward Discovery Island, between 3- 4pm, The T10's were ID by Mark . The bull was travelling with three 'exotics '...not sure who they were at this time, but I am sure Mark, Ken Balcomb or David Ellifrit, will soon have an identity for them. Possibly, T10 and T10C were seen farther off by themselves. Marie, Orca-Magic, POW

T10b

March 26
5:45-6:30 - 2 miles southeast of Kelp Reef, Haro Strait.
It was one of those days! We got news of Orcas right at the end of our first trip so I rushed in for my second group. We zoomed out but couldn't find them, so we went down to Whale Rocks to see the Steller Sea Lions. They are always amazing. My passengers were disappointed, but they understood that it's not Sea World out there.
On the way home, while we were right in front of Lime Kiln Lighthouse, I saw a splash way in the distance over toward Kelp Reef. Sure enough it was the wayward Transients. They had made a kill and were very active. See pictures... We left them at 6:00 two miles southeast of Kelp.
My folks were so happy, which always makes me happy.
Capt. Jim Maya, Maya's Charters, San Juan Island

March 26
I had the T26's and the T10's south of Discovery this afternoon heading north for Haro Strait.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales, Victoria B.C.

Orcalab reports more Transient calls

Distant calls audible.

We're hearing distant calls on the Parson Island hydrophone. Sounds like there are transient orcas in Johnstone Strait. The calls are getting louder, so the orcas may be headed east, or possibly towards Blackney Pass.
Helena & Paul
20 Mar 2009 04:34:32 PST

T30s en T172 at Race Rocks

March 19
Mark Malleson of Victoria called to report Transient orcas T30, T30A,B & C, & T172 east of Race Rocks heading west at 1530. Observed one seal kill.

Orcalab reports Transients in JS

Distant calls audible.

There are vocal transients in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
18 Mar 2009 17:15:40 PST

T100s, T101s and T102 off Discovery Island

Transient spy-hop,Discovery Island, Victoria BC Canada March 13, 2009
Photo by Marie O'Shaughnessy

March 13
I was lucky to be out on this special day, Friday 13th March, for it was an awesome day with a group of transients. These animals were spotted north east of Ten Mile Point by Mark 'Mallard' of Prince of Whales, who was on shore earlier at 10.30 am. They appeared to be hunting a sea lion. We later found them again on the 1pm Zodiac trip south of Sea Bird lighthouse. They were very active and appeared to be cleaning up a kill as were the gulls all around us. The transient identity by Mark and Ken Balcomb who was also out on the water, were the T100, B, C + D. T101, A + B, and T102. A fantastic show of whale watching.
Marie, Orca-Magic, POW

March 13
Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research called to report a group of about a dozen Transient orcas off Discovery Island, B.C. Canada at 11 am - at 3:45 pm they were still in the area. Initial ID's were the T101s & T102.


Transient fluke, Discovery Island, Victoria BC March 13, 2009
Photo by Marie O'Shaughnessy

T100s, T101s and T124s attacking a sealion

March 13
Mark Malleson spotted splashing and fins offshore of Ten Mile Point, Vancouver Island at 1015 AM and notified me that it looked like Transient killer whales beating up on something in Haro Strait. I cast off from Oak Bay in "Orca" at 1043, and found the whales near Fulford Reef at 1058 still beating up an animal that was an adult male Steller Sea Lion weighing approximately one ton. The T100's, T101's and T124's were explosively ramming and tossing the sea lion into the air, while adult male T102 and sub-adult male T97 circled in the background. The whales were being very careful to avoid being bitten or slashed by the canine teeth of the sea lion, and were mostly hitting it from behind or below. At 1140 it was all over for the sea lion and the young whales began breaching while the adult females submerged for minutes at a time. The males appeared to be involved in sex play, and the gulls swirled and dove for sea lion scraps. I left them south of Discovery Island at 48 degrees 23.42 minutes N by 123 degrees 12.2 minutes W in a sloppy ebbing tide.
Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research

T41s spotted Strait of Juan de Fuca

Transient orca T44 Strait of Juan de Fuca
March 8
Photo by Paul Blake


March 8
One mile west of Sekiu River, 4 (orca) individuals seen from shore heading west. Male and juvenile (?) together swimming west. About 200 yards behind and further out, female and juvenile (?) surfacing and diving in one place 6 times and then moving west. Photos from shore 500mm.
Paul Blake

ID's on photos from this report from Center for Whale Research:
Looks like the T41's plus someone else. The bull is T44 and T41A is in there too.
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research

T59s waiting for stranded dolphin

Cetacealab reports

It was just passed 7am this morning when I started to hear calls from pacific white-sided dolphins on our hydrophone right here in Taylor Bight. It sounded like a lot of dolphins and they seemed to be getting closer and closer. The sun was not about to rise for another hour but because of the clear sky there was already enough daylight to perhaps see them. It is rather unusual for the dolphins to come close into our bay especially in large numbers, so I was pretty excited to go and see them. Just as I was about to open the door to go outside I heard what I thought were faint transient Orca calls among the now close dolphin chatter. Intuitive I grabbed the video camera instead of binoculars not knowing that I was about to witness something extremely extraordinary.

As I walked towards our viewing platform I saw a group of dolphins deep in the east corner of Taylor Bight. They were swimming very fast either hunting fish or running away from potential danger. A few moments later I reached the platform and immediately heard an Orca blow to the west. There were the transients, four of them, two females and two juveniles travelling very slowly and staying close to shore. They were not following the big group of dolphins instead they stayed in the same area going in big circles remaining so very close to the rocky shoreline. It took me a few minutes to understand what was going on as the whales disappeared behind exposed rocks due to the low tide. They were pacing, waiting. But what was it that they were waiting for? In order to find out I had to go back towards the house as the whales were right close to the beach on the west side. Of course Neekas, our dog, was with me, and in anticipation on what I was to see I locked her in the house. Then I slowly walked to the beach on the west side. The four transients were swimming right close to edge of the rocky beach in only about 10feet of water and just a few meters away from them barely above the tideline on the rocks was the reason why they were there. A young juvenile dolphin. The poor thing most likely beached itself while it was chased by the whales. It was still alive, its tail still touching the waters edge. I did not go close instead I stayed in the forest and filmed the event from a distance. The last thing I wanted to do is interfere. My emotions were divided, on the one hand there were these beautiful transient Orcas close to my house and on the hand there was this small dolphin scared to the bone and facing death. The tide was still ebbing so it would be at least another two hours before the water would be high enough for the whales to perhaps grab the dolphin. They continued to stay close to the beach, taking turns on who would patrol close by the dolphin. They were clearly excited, especially the juveniles as they spy-hopped and rolled over each other numerous times. I did not get the feeling that my presence disturbed them, after all they continued to patrol the beach for another hour. At least one of the whales was always in eye contact with the beached dolphin and sometimes they would create waves with their tail flukes hoping the waves would pull the dolphin off the beach. To witness their strategic patrol was just amazing!

But then, just after the tide turned towards a flood the whales suddenly disappeared. I thought they just a took long dive and would continue their patrol but minutes later I saw the whole group heading out of Taylor Bight. To be sure I waited another 10minutes but they never came back. I saw them one more time as they surfaced close to the east end of Taylor Bight, following the big group of dolphins perhaps. Now I was left with a young dolphin on the beach that so urgently needed to be back in its element in order to have a second chance. I put on my drysuit and slowly approached the dolphin. I could see a few deep scratches it was bleeding from, most likely from barnacles on the rocks. The water was rising fast now, the rear end of the dolphin already submerged. So I gently lifted its body to get it back in the water. I turned its head towards the open water and held it. I waited for the dolphin to start swimming out of my hands and after a its breathing calmed down from the stress it did just that. A few shallow dives and then a long one and off it went. I heard myself screaming “You go girl!” I saw it a few more times surfacing before it was out of my sight. Of course it is hard to say what its survival chances are, the sooner it finds its pod again the higher the chances will be...

This was truly an experience of a lifetime and one that I (Hermann) will never forget in my life!

I later figured out that the transients where the T59s.

Transients near San Juan Island

23 februari

A late breaking report of "very strange sounds on OrcaSound's Lime Kiln and Orca Sound Hydropones at 1837 - are they Ts?? follow up at 1850: faint calls on Lime Kiln then switched to Orca Sound Hps. and the same call was repeated over and over - really loud. y the time I sent the prior post they had stopped. I learned that the Ts were coming back south a while ago and so that might very well have been them.
Jeanne Hyde, the Whale Museum, San Juan Island
*
I got a call from Captain Ivan this morning that there were whales inbound at Victoria, and then it was confirmed as a very large group of Transients! I got another call that the whales were still around, actually just across Haro Strait near Gooch Island. So off we went to see if we would be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the whales. Suddenly about 800 yards ahead of us the water fairly burst with froth as 9 orcas came to the surface simultaneously! This group of Transients were heading north at a fairly fast 9-10 knot pace as they continued north. We didn't know where the other whales that had been sighted had gone off to, so finally around 4pm we turned south to head home. Suddenly another group of orcas appeared ahead of us. Fortunately for us, this group (T102 is the only one I can give an ID for) was south bound and led us down Sydney Island. We left the whales at the southern tip of Sydney still heading south.
John Boyd (JB) & Mrs. JB Marine Naturalist & His Wonderfully Patient wife! Friday Harbor
*
Orca Network received reports from The Center for Whale Research & Mark Malleson of Prince of Whales, who were out with the whales, which turned out to be a very large group of Transient orcas. Mark said after they got the report from the Victoria Clipper, they found the whales off the south end of Trial Island near Victoria, & tentatively ID'd them as the T87's, T100's, T101's, and the T124's.
*
They fanned out into 3 groups and headed up Haro Strait moving fast. More IDs & info: Mallard and I figured out that we had a total of 19 whales around today from the T87's, T90's, T100's, T101's, T124's, and T124A's. We got on them near Beaumont Shoals around 1235 and left them just north of Kelp Reef at about 1350.
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island

Watched the T30's (transient orcas) kill a harbour seal 5 miles south of Trial Island in afternoon. They were last seen westbound.
Mark Malleson, Victoria, BC Canada

Transients near Victoria

HAD A GROUP OF APPROX 12 -14 TRANSIENTS ON THURSDAY JAN 29 OFF OF VICTORIA HEADING WEST WHICH INCLUDED THE T124'S AND T87'S. NO SIGN OF ANY ON FRIDAY AFTER THOROUGH SEARCH FROM VICTORIA TO SOOKE.
MARK MALLESON, Victoria, BC Canada

Jan. 18
Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research reported approx. 8 - 9 Transient orcas near Victoria on Sunday, Jan. 18th at 2:30 pm. The group included T30, T30A and friends - zig zagging elusively

T55s in Johnstone Strait

No orcas present.

A bit late, but yesterday (Oct.11), just before noon, a group of transients (the T55s) turned up in Blackney Pass once again. They cruised a group of sea lions and probably made a kill. Jared Towers later identified the group in Johnstone Strait. The whales were vocal for quite a while. None of the calls were very loud on our system. Quiet day here, all the best to everyone this Canadian Thanksgiving.
Helena & Paul
12 Oct 2008 11:42:24 PDT

Transients in Weynton Pass

No calls but orcas nearby

Whales everywhere, both transients and residents! The A30s were in Johnstone Strait this morning and may have just come through Blackney Pass headed to Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile, there were also transients in Weynton Pass. Last night, we heard distant A1 calls around 2:15am.
Helena
07 Oct 2008 16:06:16 PDT

T55 within a group of 500 dolphins

No calls but orcas nearby

Our connection has been unstable today. However, here is a short update of the day's events so far. The A30s disappeared to the east, oast Robson Bight, around 3am. They recently have returned to the Bight (around 10am). Prior to the A30s' return, a small group of transients were in Blackney Pass in the middle of about 500 dolphins, sealions and two humpbacks. In a second, the dolphins and sealion porpoised awy to the west and the humpbacks disappeared. The transients lingered a while longer before sauntering off to the west also.
Helena
05 Oct 2008 11:38:41 PDT

No orcas present.

We heard from the A30s once again earlier this evening. They became quiet after reaching the area off the entrance of Blackney Pass. Meanwhile, the transients of this morning turned out to be the T55s (thanks to Graeme Ellis for the identification and later updates) who apparently made an extensive tour of the whole area, ending up in Blackfish Sound at the same time the A30s were off Blackney Pass in Johnstone Strait. They may have turned back to the west. Also, the Island Roamer found another transient group in Baronet Channel headed toward Knight Inlet. A busy and at times very wet day!
Helena
05 Oct 2008 22:33:48 PDT

Transients resting

Seasmoke reports

This morning orcas were sighted out in front of Alert Bay, just ahead of passengers arriving to board and so it was with much excitement that the tour got underway. It turned out to be the same seven Transient orcas (mammal feeders, mostly marine) who were in the area two days ago, on August 30; the T34’s, T37’s and T72. When SV met up with the orcas they had just finished feeding and were resting and passengers were able to view these transient orcas in their relaxed state. Resting is rarely seen in transients , representing less than 3 % of their overall activity, as compared to 10-15% for residents. Passengers observed that the resting transients were uninterested in two Harbour Porpoises swimming nearby. After a time, the orcas began to travel to the west, passing west of Pultney Point on Malcolm Island.

Transients in JS

Seasmoke reports
We first sighted the A12’s off Weynton Passage as they crossed over to the VI shore in the heavy flood current. A55 was foraging steadily in the current off on his own while A34 and the rest of her offspring were foraging and at times could be seen resting, near to the VI shore; their beautiful A-Clan calls were heard via the hydrophone. They soon began to travel east, crossing over to Cracroft Point and passengers enjoyed some wonderful viewing as they foraged nearby the boat in the flood current at Blakney Passage. On our way home, when heading back to the west, 7 Transient orcas were also sighted traveling east down the VI shore. They had been identified as the T34’s, T37’s and T72. The sightings of Transient orcas this summer has been few and so it was an afternoon made even more interesting by their appearance in Johnstone Strait.

Transients in San Juan Channel, August 5, 2008

5 August, 2008
Begin Encounter: 4:18 p.m.
Start Lat: 48° 34.45 N
Start Long: 123° 02.20 W
End Encounter: 6:18 p.m.
End Lat: 48° 31.67 N
End Long: 123° 56.20 W
Observers: Dave Ellifrit, Erin Heydenreich, Courtney Smith and Mackenzie Consoier

Center for Whale Research staff responded to a report of transients in San Juan Channel, August 5, 2008. The T124's, T20, T21 and T90 were encountered traveling south in a tight group mid channel north of Friday Harbor. The Center followed the whales past Fisherman's Bay on Lopez Island, where the encounter ended at 6:18 p.m.

Orcas near mics.

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

Multiple pod calls audible.

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

Orcalab reports:

Last night, the Boat Bay camp heard 5-6 blows in the Reserve. Just now a small group of transients are headed into Knights Inlet quickly.
Helena
20 Jul 2008 12:37:13 PDT

Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

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

Orcalab reports
No orcas present.

Apparently there were even orcas today. Just heard that there were a couple of transients seen earlier in Blackfish Sound headed north. Too bad we missed them!
Helena
17 Jun 2008 13:31:07 PDT

T20, T21, T69A, and T69A1

No calls but orcas nearby

Apparently, the Lukwa (Stubbs Island Whale Watching) has found a small group of transients in the vicinity of Blackfish Sound. We also just saw a humpback moving slowly south through Blackney Pass.
Helena
12 Jun 2008 14:48:36 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The small group of transients reported earlier have made their way through Blackney Pass headed toward Johnstone Strait. The male remained offshore while the 2 females and calf followed the Hanson Island shore.
Helena
12 Jun 2008 16:07:25 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The transients turned and went back to Blackfish Sound!
Helena
12 Jun 2008 16:50:42 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Stubbs Island identified the whales as T20, T21, T69A, T69A1.
Helena
12 Jun 2008 17:20:32 PDT

Transients in Blackfish sound

Orcalab reports:


No calls but orcas nearby

A small group of transients travelled through Blackney Pass this morning headed toward Blackfish Sound. There were no calls. The whales looked relaxed as they travelled along. The sea is calm and the sky sunny, lovely. We will resume audio streamig tomorrow.
Helena
31 May 2008 09:25:48 PDT

27 May 2008, The Centre for Whale research reports:

May 27, 2008
Transients
Platform: Orca
Departed Snug Harbor: 5:00 p.m.
Begin Encounter: 5:36 p.m.
Start Lat: 48° 31.43 N
Start Long: 123° 13.37 W
End Encounter: 6:35 p.m.
End Lat: 48° 35.93 N
End Long: 123° 14.40 W
Returned to Snug Harbor: 6:35 p.m.
Observers: Ken Balcomb, John Durban, Erin Heydenreich

T102 and T20 were traveling at a medium pace nothbound through Haro Straight about 200 meters from T21,T101,T101A and T101C.
**
T40 off Victoria.
T40 inbound from Race Rocks headed for Victoria
**

18 May 2008, Orca Network reports:

We headed out from Victoria across to the Haro Strait and approx. a couple of miles SE of Kelp Reef, at 1345, we just happen to come acrosss 2 lone Transients, one identified as T20 (and the other T21?). We proceeded to observe them as they headed north, and left them with other WW boats off the east side of Sidney Island at around 1445.
Tim Hunt
Orca Spirit/former Beam Reach student

20 May Orca Network report

Orca Network received a call from a reporter for the Eureka (CA) Times Standard about an orca that charged up on a beach and grabbed a harbor seal. Half of the whale's body was out of the water. The whale then tossed the seal away and slid back into the water. At least 3 juvenile orcas were nearby. Was it all a hunting lesson for the young ones? He said there were some reports of a larger group of orcas further offshore. Orcas are known to beach themselves to catch sea lions in Patagonia, Argentina and in the Crozet Islands in the Indian Ocean, but this is believed to be the first report of an orca grabbing a seal off a beach in North America. This occurred in front of about a dozen people who all tell the same basic story. The beach is called Indian Beach, in Trinidad Bay, about 20 miles north of Eureka CA, near the Humbolt Bay Marine Lab. The story will appear in the above paper tomorrow. No photos were taken as far as the reporter knows.

19 May 2008, Orca Network reports:

Hi Susan and Howard,
I believe the transients in Sansum Narrows on Monday were T20 and T21. I left them Sunday night off Coal Island(Swartz Bay) at 6:30pm and then picked them up again in Sidney Channel between James Island and Sidney Island at 8:30pm.

Simon @ Ocean Ecoventures

17 May 2008, Orca Network reports

Orca Network received a call Monday AM from Gregory Gilbertson about a sighting of roughly ten orcas ~2:30 PM, approx. 25 miles west of Newport OR (240 degrees from Newport), in an area known as the "chicken ranch." He described them as hunting whales so these may have been Transients (or Offshores? or Residents?).

Transients pass Victoria waterfront

The Center for Whaleresearch reports:

May 14, 2008
Transients
Platform: Orca
Depart Snug Harbor: 10:55 a.m.
Begin Encounter: 11:35 a.m.
Start Lat: 48° 25.17 N
Start Long: 123° 16.83 W
End Encounter: 12:38 p.m.
End Lat: 48° 38.6 N
End Long: 123° 32.3 W
Return Snug Harbor: 2:05 p.m.
Observers: Dave Ellifrit.

Report by Dave Ellifrit: "I left Snug at 10:55 a.m. (overcast and mostly calm) and got on scene around 11:35 a.m. just west of the Chain Islets (48°25.17N, 123°16.83W). The eight whales were tight and heading southwest at a medium speed. The whales present were T87, T88, T90, T90B, T124, T124D, T124E, and a sprouter who I don't remember seeing before. I will have to send a picture of him off to Graeme (Ellis, DFO) for an I.D." (Graeme Ellis reports that the transient male Dave refers to is T073B, "who we haven't seen for a few years, so nice score!")
"By around 11:55 a.m. the whales were off the south tip of Trial Island still tight but had slowed down a bit. Most of the whales appeared to be resting but T124E and the sprouter were just slightly off to the side rolling around together. I saw a "seasnake" from those two that I think belonged to T124E, so I'm pretty confident he is a young male. I left the whales with a couple Victoria boats at 12:38 p.m. about 2 miles southwest of Trial Island (48°38.6N 123°32.3W). The whales were still tight and slowly heading southwest. After fueling up at Roche, I made back to Snug Harbor at 2:05 p.m."


photo by Dave Ellifrit. This photo was taken under DFO license #2006-08/SARA-34.
T73B and T87 pass close to the rocks of Trial Island, May 14, 2008.

More Photos

Just thought I'd add a little more info about the Transients sighted off Victoria. It seems as though we picked up the T's where Dave Ellifrit left them. We had a 1pm trip and came out of Victoria Harbor and they were approx. 2 miles SW of the Ogden Pt Breakwater. They then hugged the shoreline and swam right up against the breakwater, with one of the individuals rolling over and giving the lucky people walking along the breakwall a nice view of its white underside. It was amazing to see them right at the tip of Ogden Pt at the mouth of Victoria Harbor. They then crossed the mouth of the harbor and headed in a general SW direction towards Albert Head.
Tim Hunt, Orca Spirit/former Beam Reach student

8 May 2008, Orca Network reports

Just a quick report that I heard a few transient calls between about 11:50 and midnight PDT on OrcaSound. The first couple were very loud and squawky -- at first I thought it was a great blue heron getting surprised and eaten by something! The subsequent calls were spaced a few minutes apart, rapidly grew fainter, and sounded like transient calls.
Scott Veirs, Beam Reach Marine Science and Sustainability School

7 May 2008, Orcan Network reports

Another report of T20 and (apparently) T21 -- same place (Eastern entrance to Sooke Basin) , close to the same time, in fact 50 hours later. Animals were almost exactly on top of the aypoint where I had marked them on May 05. Time of sighting was 15:42 and seas were 6ft.-plus at in a roaring flood current.
Chris Zylstra, Victoria B.C. Canada
*
T20 and T21 going West off Sooke this afternoon in 5to 6 ft. seas at 1455.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C. Canada

May 5 2008, Orca Network reports

Orca Network received a call this morning from Chris Peterson, reporting a sighting of orcas off the N. end of Texada Island, B.C Gulf Islands. There were at least 3 orcas, near Rebecca Rock, observed from 11-11:30 am.
*
1204 hr - 1300hr. Bull orca T20 and (another T?) spotted in 3 ft. seas (4 ft. and building by the time we left the animals) approx. 2 NM offshore of Sooke Bluffs (Eastern entrance to Sooke Basin) at 1204hr. Current was a strong flood at Race Rocks but, further west and offshore, there was still a river of ebb current that the Westbound Transients sought out and rode West (of course dragging us into more exciting seas as time wore on). Left the animals near 1300hr approaching Otter Pt., still 2 plus NM offshore. Behaviour: 3-4 min dives between 3-4 minute "surfacings" (time near surface). No apparent hunting; animals traveling 4-6 Kn. (S.O.G).
Chris Zylstra, Victoria B.C.

03 May 2008, Orca Network reports:

Orca Network received a call from Dave Metz of Newport, OR at 10:10 am, he was observing 3 orcas swimming up the Yaquina River in Newport. They went 200-300 yards upriver, nearly to the Newport Bridge, then turned & were starting to swim back down river. He referred Angie to us, who was nearby watching the orcas - she first saw the orcas at 10:00 am as she was driving over the Newport bridge. She followed them along the jetty and took some photos which she will send to us. It is likely these are Transient orcas looking for a seal or two.We received several photos of the Orcas reported Saturday morning in the Yaquina River, Newport OR, along with an additional report (which leaves no doubt that they were Transients!).

From Jim Rice: I've received this additional piece of information about Saturday's orca sighting: "I was out at S. Jetty this evening and ran into a young man walking the road who saw the orcas kill at least one harbor seal this morning. He lives near the start of the S. Jetty road. He thought there were 5 orcas, and they killed the seal on the south side between the bridge and the finger jetty. Barry"
Jim Rice, Stranding Coordinator, Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Marine Mammal Institute, OSU

Orca Network shared Angi's photos (which weren't great ID shots, but one had some saddle patches) with researchers, and Dave Ellifrit of the Center for Whale Research replied: I will go way, way out on a limb here and take a GUESS that this MIGHT be T49C and T50. The fin shape is right and I think I can believe that I see nicks where they should be. I believe both of those whales have been photographed down that direction before too. Other than that, I can't say for sure!
Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, San Juan Island

02 May 2008, Orcanetwork reports:

T14 tail slapping away near Sooke! Curious to know just how many T's were turned up 3-4 NM West of Crescent Bay (Olympic Peninsula) today -- sounded like quite a few (around 1600hr).
Chris Zylstra , Victoria B.C.

I should be sleeping, but am listening to the Orcasound hydrophone and it is 1:34am. I am hearing whales and I think they sound like transients!
Annika, Shoreline, Wa.

Yes, it was T calls at 0133-35 off Lime Kiln .
Ken Balcomb, Senior Scientist, Center for Whale Research, Friday Harbor

02 May 2008, The Centre for Whale Research reports:

Large group of Transients head east
past Race Rocks, May 2, 2008

The T100's, T101's, T124's and T90 with T90B (15 animals) head east past Race Rocks on Friday evening. They were first picked up near Pillar Point at 3:30 p.m.

01 May 2008, The Center for Whale Research report:

T14 was picked up again today, this time back on his own. He was first spotted at 10:10 a.m. cruising through the kelp forests of East Sooke Park. He then continued east through Race Passage and crossed Victoria's waterfront.
He passed by Trial Island at 5:00 p.m. and went through Oak Bay. I last saw him exiting Baynes Channel going north past Ten Mile Pt. at 6:45 p.m.

28 April 2008, Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

We are listening to transient calls in Blackfish Sound. A large group of transients just past us,heading north, quite close to the Hanson Island shore. Lots of rolling, tail slaps etc and now vocal!
Helena
28 Apr 2008 11:14:50 PDT

27 April 2008, Orcanetwork report

T14 accompanying T36a's and T49a's (I think). Animals were originally sighted at Salmon Bank marker approx 14:20 (by another whale watcher). I arrived at 14:55, .3 NM NNE of Northern Hein Bank marker. 6-7 Transient orca were traveling West-bound, zig-zagging to the North every so often. Witnessed harbour porpoise in the immediate area but no hunting behaviour. Animals turned northbound at approx. 15:55 appeared heading for Lime Kiln.
Christoper Zylstra, Victoria B.C.

26 April 2008, Orcanetwork report

We spent the afternoon, enjoying flat water, bright sunshine, and a group of transient orcas (7?), along with male, T-14. This fairly tight group was spotted on the west side of D'Arcy Island along the west side of Haro Strait. We arrived about 1:00 p.m. and watched as the group zig-zagged around the channel between Vancouver Island and D'Arcy Island. They were on long dives, and then surfaced, going either north or south - or west, or east. There appeared to be several youngsters with the older females, and a calf that was maybe just over a year.
Nan Simpson, Marine Naturalist - Western Prince

26 April 2008. Cetaceanlan reports:

It was early Friday morning, the waters were choppy in Whale Channel as we travelled north to Money Point, our day's destination to work on a storm damaged hydrophone station. We were almost there, just halfway across the mouth of Verney Passage, when Hermann yelled "WHALE!!!". I lifted my ski goggles, which were covered in sea spray, to see the telltale mist above the unmistakable dorsal fin of a male orca. Splashing in the distance followed, and a bigger group of Orcas revealed themselves with small explosions of mist from their blows. As we detoured into the picturesque channel shrouded with steep-walled hanging valleys and snow capped peaks, it became apparent that these were Transients, about 8, travelling quickly down the north shoreline of the channel. Travelling down the center of the channel angling towards the main group was T162, the big male we first spotted, who has a distinguishing cut out of the base of his dorsal fin. While we were taking ID photos and soaking in the grace and mystery of these beings, it became apparent that this wasn't the only group of orcas in the passage. More blows on the other side of the channel! As we slowly made our way across the channel jumping from group to group trying to get ID shots, Hermann estimated that there were over 20 whales spread across the channel! Among them, T162, T54, T58, and possibly T59. It is so rare to observe that many transients travelling together, we were truly lucky to have been there to witness it. What could be the reason for such a gathering of transients? Could they have been searching for a large group of dolphins? Do they come together like this more often than we think? Whatever the reason for such a large group of transients, prey populations must be healthy and abundant enough to support such behaviour. Over the past 2 weeks transients have been dominating the hydrophone activity, as well as sitings. Just before dinner on Saturday evening the T69's swam right by the house! Luckily, we spotted them through the living room window or else they would have passed right by without even the slightest sound over the hydrophone! Not even an echolocation click! How do they find their way? With every encounter and vocalization, my wonder and respect for these whales grow.

25 April 2008, Orcanetwork report:

A group of Transient Orcas (I counted 7), in southwest Haro Strait, a ways offshore from Gordon Head. We definitely ID'ed T14, and were informed that the remainder of the group was the T36A's and T49A's. When we arrived, the T's were travelling slowly Westbound, doing typical long dives. A short time later, the whole group turned and headed Eastbound, now appearing to swim with a purpose in mind. Our Captain, wisely looking ahead, observed a Steller Sea Lion amongst a crowd of seagulls. The Sea Lion was obviously enjoying a fresh meal, and seemed oblivious to what was approaching from behind. We observed the T's lunge at the sea lion, and what followed was much splashing and turmoil at the surface, with the sea lion's flippers appearing several times, pointed upwards. There was an extended period of no action at the surface, followed by the departure of the T's, once again headed back in the direction from whence they came. We felt that was rather quick for the dispatch and consuming of an animal as large and powerful as a Steller. A minute later, the Steller appeared at the surface, heading away from the whales. Where we expected to witness a prolonged and possibly messy battle, we instead observed the prey putting on a brave and effective defence. There were some cheers for the sea lion, and some expressions of respect being heard over the radio. As the T's headed towards Discovery Island, we were finally able to finally get a closer look at them and observed that one female had some extensive damage to her dorsal fin on the left side. As this was the first time I had seen these T's this year, I don't know if the damage had been inflicted during the brief battle we witnessed, or if it had occurred earlier. A zoomed and cropped photo is attached (see above). Our passengers were thrilled with seeing the whales, and there was not one complaint about the long journey on a chilly April day to witness the amazing power of these top predators, even if they weren't successful, this time.
Joan Lopez, Naturalist, Vancouver Whale Watch
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Well, it's been a busy whale day for Haro Strait. First we had transients around 8:30 AM heading SOUTH, then later a group of transients headed towards Race Rocks going west. Later this afternoon, around 3:30 pm, I got a call saying all the transients were now heading in with the floodtide. So I wasn't too surprised at 9:30 PM to hear a group of whales passing Kelp Reef. The water was so still you could see the lights of Victoria reflected on the water, and the sound of multiple whale blows clearly carried on the cool evening air!
John Boyd (JB), Marine Naturalist, San Juan Island
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There were up to 30 Orcas feeding on a gray whale that they had killed on the 23rd (in Monterey Bay, CA)!
Steve Johnston, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA
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Mark Malleson of Victoria called at 11:29 am to report Transient orca T14, "Pender" off Victoria, heading west. He also had 7 Transient orcas - the T36A's & T49A's - off Race Rocks, heading east at the same time.

25 April 2008, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

There was a small group od orcas who headed quickly through Blackney Pass toward Johnstone Strait.
Helena
25 Apr 2008 16:32:40 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are hearing very faint transient calls in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
25 Apr 2008 16:54:40 PDT

22 April 2008, Orcanetwork reports:

There were sightings of about 20 Orcas in Monterey Bay. One report was that they were hunting a gray whale calf, but the calf escaped. I didn't see them, but the report is from a reliable source!
Steve Johnston, Monterey Bay Aquarium

21 April 2008, The Centre for Whale Research report:

T100s and T101s travel northbound in Haro Strait, April 21, 2008


T102 northbound in Haro Strait, April 21, 2008.
photo by Ken Balcomb.


photo by Dave Ellifrit.
T102 surfaces among the T100's and T101's travelling north in Haro Strait.


I first spotted them milling around a group of birds south west of Discovery Island (48.4 123.3) at 2:05 p.m. They looked like they were finishing off a kill. I left them heading north-west up Haro Strait near Beaumont Shoals at 2:50 p.m."

April 21, 2008
T100's and T101's
Platform: Orca
Begin Encounter: 5:00 p.m.
Start Lat: 48° 62.01 N
Start Long: 123° 24.43 W
End Encounter: 5:50 p.m.
End Lat: 48° 70.46 N
End Long: 123° 24.21 W
Observers: Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit.

Staff of the Center for Whale research encountered and observed transients northbound in Haro Strait April 21, 2008. The adult male T102 was traveling with the T100's and T101's - eight whales in total. "After Mark Malleson's visit with them off Discovery Island, they travelled up Haro Strait and into the Canadian waters of Swanson Channel," said Ken Balcomb, director of the Center for Whale Research. "We observed the eight whales for nearly an hour and no hunting was observed during that time. Though we saw a dozen juvenile Dall Porpoises in Boundary Pass not far from the whales, and many harbor seals in the water off Stuart Island. It was reported by a whale-watch operator that these Transients fed earlier in the day off Discovery Island, so perhaps they were not hungry for the rest of the day."

20 April 2008, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

We're listening to transient calls on the Flower Island hydrophone, the first orcas we've heard for some time. Cold & sunny days here & we're fine, hope all of you are too. Good news about Robson Bight a couple of days ago - the diesel fuel tanker lying at the bottom is going to be removed, hopefully before the northern resident orcas return (see update story on OrcaLab site).
Helena & Paul
20 Apr 2008 23:59:54 PDT

19 April 2008, Centre for Whale Research reports:

Thanks to Ivan on Western Prince we were able to see T14 take out a couple of seals this afternoon during snow flurries between Forrest and Domville Island. The gulls and even a bald eagle were able to take advantage of a few scraps left behind. He was originally picked up near Mandarte Island at around 1:30 p.m. heading north west. He was last seen north of Coal Island heading west towards Satellite Channel at appoximately 2:30 p.m.

16 April 2008, Orcanetwork reports:

Report by Adam U, Center for Whale Research: "Here are some shots of the action today. Dave and I had (Transient orcas) T49A, T49A1, T49A2, T49B, T49B1, T36A and T36A1. Started out pretty standard-issue then got really cool; they got something right along the rocks at Edwards Point but we were waaaay offshore so we missed most of the action. Then they nailed this Dalls Porpoise which was probably part of a mom/calf pair. I think they got the calf too, but it was hard to see exactly what was going on. Then they cruised south of Eagle Point and nailed this Harbor Seal right next to us. Incredible photos from Dave & Adam on the Center for Whale Research website.

April 5 2008, Center for Whale Research report:

At 7:30 a.m ., faint transient killer whale calls were heard on the Lime Kiln hydrophone, and at 7:52 a.m. approximately 15 killer whales were observed traveling north, line abreast, in Haro Strait off Bellevue Point.
As they passed the Center for Whale Research at 8:20 a.m., T87, T124, T124A, and T88 were identified from the porch; and, at 8:55 a.m. "Orca Starlet" cast off from Snug Harbor to ascertain the remaining identifications. Almost immediately, at 8:58 a.m. we observed T14 by himself heading rapidly north off Mitchell Bay in Haro Strait toward the larger group of whales off Kellett Bluff. As the breeze picked up against the ebbing tide, the seas became rough, but we managed to approach the larger group and identify T87, 88, 124, 124A, 124A1, 124A2, 124A3, 124D, 124E, 71, 71A, 71B, 71C?, 90, 90A in a tight fast traveling group in mid-Haro Strait by the time they reached the turbulent eddies west of Speiden Channel. At 10:25 a.m., we terminated the encounter for safety reasons because of rough water. Mark Malleson on Mount Young spotted another group of killer whales in a tight group off Bellevue Point as soon as we left the transients, so we responded via calmer waters in Mosquito Pass and ventured back out into the churning water to encounter J pod in Haro Strait in front of the Center for Whale Research. At 10:55. We took proof of presence photos and left them heading toward Kelp reef at 11:05 a.m. Back at the Center for Whale Research, we heard T14 calls on the Orca Sound hydrophone and observed him on the SE side of D'Arcy Island at the same time that J pod was 1 mile SE of Kelp reef. For a brief time, a few J pod calls were heard concurrent with the T calls. Reports from the whale-watching fleet indicated that the T87 group continued north to Swanson Channel and through Active Pass by day's end; T14 remained behind them several miles traveling north off the west side of Pender Island; and J pod also continued north in Swanson Channel at last report. In the afternoon, Mark Malleson went west in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and encountered seven additional transient killer whales heading west toward Sooke (see above report). They were T49A, 49A1, 49A2, 49B, 49B1, 36A, and 36A1. Mark took photographs of some very interesting fresh tooth rakes on the dorsal fin of T36A, suggesting that there may have been a very recent agonistic event of some kind.
Center for Whale Research

30 March 2008, Orca Network reports:

Orca Network received a call from Harry Olund at 1:40 pm, reporting 5 orcas off Yaquina Head, Newport, OR possibly feeding on a gray whale.
*
Mark Malleson called at 12:10 pm to report a few Transients had been sighted from shore, milling off Constance Bank. At 1:05 pm they were westbound off Victoria, heading toward Race Rocks, & had been ID'd as T20 & T21.

28 March 2008, Orca Network reports:

Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research relayed a report from Mark Malleson of Transient orca T103 off Sooke, S. Vancouver Island, at 3:20 pm heading west.

25 March 2008, Orca Network reports:

Transients westbound along southern coast of Vancouver Island, B.C. I first spotted the T20's from shore at 12:30 p.m. just 1.5 nautical miles south of Beacon Hill west bound. I picked them up at 2:40 p.m. one half nautical mile south of Becher Bay slowly traveling against the flood current in a large ground swell. I left them at 3:41 p.m. at 48° 19.1 N, 123° 43.1 W (.75 nm south of Secretary Island).
Mark Malleson
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Transient orcas T20 and T21 off Victoria near noon, carried on west. Going west from Sooke about 1700.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.

23 March 2008, Orca Network Reports:

Transients sighted from Gonzales lookout, Vancouver Island, B.C. In the morning I spotted KW's from Gonzales lookout, which turned out to be the T20's with the group of females and juveniles (T49A's, 36A and A1) from the previous two encounters.
Malleson
*
Orcas south of Trial Island inbound. Mark Malleson picked them up about noon.
Later: Seems now they are transients, T20's and ??. "Mallard" left them going North at Halibut Island just before 1700. And still later: It seems we had 9-10 T's off Victoria and on up North into Haro St. T20, T21, T49's T36's and a few more.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.

21 March 2008, Orca Network reports:

Transients encountered off Pedder Bay towards Race Rocks. I spotted the T49A's and T36A with 36A1 in Pedder Bay at 1:30 p.m. They were feeding on something fairly significant as there were a lot of gulls picking up scraps as they were frollicking around. There were a few squeaks and whistles heard at the surface. They were slowly west bound but doubled back to the east when they got into Race Passage and were last seen milling east of Race Rocks.
Mark Malleson
*
John Ford relayed a report from Graeme Ellis of approx. 9 Transient orcas off Nanaimo at about 7 pm
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I just got a call at 4:45 pm from Captain Ivan who heard on the radio that a group of Transient Orcas were spotted East of Race Rocks.
John Boyd, San Juan Island

20 March 2008, Orca Network reports:

Transients observed hunting a Sea Lion off Parry Bay. The T10's were first picked up east bound in Race Passage at 11:30 a.m.. The T49A's with T36A and T36A1 appeared to the south-west of Constance working on a steller at 2:00 p.m. The T10's joined them and at approximately 2:50 p.m. they killed a steller sea lion in Parry Bay (between William Head and Albert Head). At 7:00 p.m. I watched them from shore swim past Clover Point for south Trial Island.
Mark Malleson
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The whales (Transient orcas) were T10's, T49,s and a few more; on the 21st the T49's and not sure who else.
Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria B.C.

19 March 2008, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Transient calls out there somewhere. We have not located a source so no map at the moment.
Helena
19 Mar 2008 20:37:09 PST

17 March 2008, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Just a bit more news on yesterday's transients. Jackie Hinderling saw 5 transients in Beaver Cove later that same afternoon. Unfortunately, they were being harassed by a boat. I guess some people don't realise how little it takes to disturb these whales. On the northern resident front: DFO has encountered a large group (several pods) further north. This will certainly help this year's survey!
Helena
17 Mar 2008 15:20:10 PST

16 March 2008, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

We are hearing transient calls in Johnstone Strait once again. Cold, grey and snowy today!
Helena
16 Mar 2008 12:58:17 PST

9 March 2008, Orcalab reports

No orcas present.

For the record the MacKays reported that a large group of transients were seen off Port Hardy yesterday. The transients certainly have been busy lately.
Helena
09 Mar 2008 10:23:45 PST

7 March 2007, Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

Very interesting transient calls in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
07 Mar 2008 22:30:36 PST

No calls but orcas nearby

4 March 2008, Orcalab reports

Bill and Wendy have seen a group of 4-5 transients off of the east end of Pearse Islands in Johnstone Strait. This west of Hanson Island. The two females, one male, one juvenile and a possible sprouter, may have done a kill, and then headed off to Stubbs Island. Pictures have been sent to the DFO.
Helena
04 Mar 2008 12:18:55 PST

No calls but orcas nearby

A group of 7 transients have been in Blackney Pass for the last hour. They surrounded a seal which then disappeared. This may have been a kill. By dark they were still in Blackney, a little further south, milling opposite a group of young sea lions. The group consisted of females, juveniles and one young calf.
Helena
04 Mar 2008 18:59:49 PST

02 March 2008, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

Transients in Blackfish Sound!
Helena
02 Mar 2008 21:04:21 PST

26 February 2008, Orcalab reports

No orcas present.

We have had recent reports of 5 transients in Johnstone Strait yesterday and in Weynton Passage today. Thanks to the MacKays for both reports.
Helena
26 Feb 2008 21:55:24 PST

19 February 2008, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

We just had 4 transients pass by headed north through Blackney Pass. It looked to us like the T18s. They have not made any calls but T19B (the young male) made a lovely spyhop before moving on.
Helena
19 Feb 2008 13:46:47 PST

Superb sounds!!

We're listening to the T18s in Blackfish Sound, after they passed silently through Blackney Pass, heading north. Lovely sounds & no boat noise!
Helena
19 Feb 2008 14:50:36 PST

10 February 2008, Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

The transients are in Johnstone Strait not too far from the Robson Bight area!
Helena
10 Feb 2008 12:51:04 PST

No calls but orcas nearby

The transient calls seem to have ended for the moment. The tide is flooding and this may have encouraged them to head east. But we will see. They managed to be heard a few times over the boat noise (which is also gone now too).
Helena
10 Feb 2008 14:36:56 PST

No calls but orcas nearby

A group of seven transients were seen off the Pearse Islands by Bill and Wendy so , if the same group (probably) as heard earlier, they went off to the west and not east. Bill and Wendy thought they possibly made a kill off Weynton Island. They continued west toward Sointula.
Helena
10 Feb 2008 15:59:51 PST