27 November 2006, Orcalab reports:
No calls but orcas nearby
Around 2pm we heard transients in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
27 Nov 2006 16:00:21 PST
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Saturday, November 11, 2006
11 November 2006, Orcalab reports:
No calls but orcas nearby
We just heard from the MacKays that there are about a dozen whales in Beaver Cove foraging. So this means that besides the A30s, who were east of Beaver Cove until recently, there are other groups in the Strait as well. Exciting!
Helena
11 Nov 2006 10:59:21 PST
Distant calls audible.
We started to record at 4:15pm soon after the first clear A30 call in Johnstone Strait. The A30s are now on both the Critical Point and Cracroft systems, perhaps heading east. We also had another two reports about other orcas. At noon, a group was seen heading west past Ledge Point near Port McNeill. Also, a lone male was seen at the top end of Blackfish Sound just before noon. Tempting to think that these whales were transients.
Helena
11 Nov 2006 17:18:20 PST
No calls but orcas nearby
We just heard from the MacKays that there are about a dozen whales in Beaver Cove foraging. So this means that besides the A30s, who were east of Beaver Cove until recently, there are other groups in the Strait as well. Exciting!
Helena
11 Nov 2006 10:59:21 PST
Distant calls audible.
We started to record at 4:15pm soon after the first clear A30 call in Johnstone Strait. The A30s are now on both the Critical Point and Cracroft systems, perhaps heading east. We also had another two reports about other orcas. At noon, a group was seen heading west past Ledge Point near Port McNeill. Also, a lone male was seen at the top end of Blackfish Sound just before noon. Tempting to think that these whales were transients.
Helena
11 Nov 2006 17:18:20 PST
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
15 October 2006, Orcalab reports:
Multiple pod calls audible.
So here is what we know. Around 5:30am, we heard A1 calls off Cracroft Point. Soon after there were both A1 and G calls in the entrance to Blackney Pass. The G calls unfortunately ceased. However, we are fairly confident that the A12s entered the Strait at this time and headed east. Independent of the A12 calls was another A1 group further east. To make matters more complicated as the A12s were entering a group headed north in Blackney Pass. As this group reached Blackfish Sound we heard a few A1 N3 calls so we know one of the 3 A1 groups went that direction. Acoustic discrimination was difficult because the group only made "resting calls" .Then as if this wasn't enough activity, a small group of transients headed south through Blackney around 8am. We have since heard the A12s travel past Critical Point and continue east. Whew! and it is not yet 10am. Hopefully, we will get the chance to sort out who left & who stayed later today.
Helena
15 Oct 2006 09:33:44 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
So here is what we know. Around 5:30am, we heard A1 calls off Cracroft Point. Soon after there were both A1 and G calls in the entrance to Blackney Pass. The G calls unfortunately ceased. However, we are fairly confident that the A12s entered the Strait at this time and headed east. Independent of the A12 calls was another A1 group further east. To make matters more complicated as the A12s were entering a group headed north in Blackney Pass. As this group reached Blackfish Sound we heard a few A1 N3 calls so we know one of the 3 A1 groups went that direction. Acoustic discrimination was difficult because the group only made "resting calls" .Then as if this wasn't enough activity, a small group of transients headed south through Blackney around 8am. We have since heard the A12s travel past Critical Point and continue east. Whew! and it is not yet 10am. Hopefully, we will get the chance to sort out who left & who stayed later today.
Helena
15 Oct 2006 09:33:44 PDT
Saturday, October 14, 2006
14 October 2006, Orcalab reports:
No calls but orcas nearby
Always a bit hectic on Town Run days. And a lot going on with the whales too. Around 12:10pm there were transient calls on CP along with the I31s (not the I11s by the way) on Flower Island. We no longer hear the transients and the I31s have disappeared into Weynton Pass. They should re-emerge in the Strait shortly. Thanks to Robin Abernathy and Jim & Jackie for help with the monitoring and sightings.
Helena
14 Oct 2006 12:43:06 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
Always a bit hectic on Town Run days. And a lot going on with the whales too. Around 12:10pm there were transient calls on CP along with the I31s (not the I11s by the way) on Flower Island. We no longer hear the transients and the I31s have disappeared into Weynton Pass. They should re-emerge in the Strait shortly. Thanks to Robin Abernathy and Jim & Jackie for help with the monitoring and sightings.
Helena
14 Oct 2006 12:43:06 PDT
Friday, October 06, 2006
06 October 2006, Orcalab reports:
Orcas near mics.
Just a short while ago we heard transient calls at the east end of the Reserve.
Helena
06 Oct 2006 15:22:23 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
There be A30s too. In addition to the transients the A30s were located on the opposite side of the Strait heading west, close to the Cracroft Island side. Interesting the transients were vocal, the residents silent.
Helena
06 Oct 2006 16:42:42 PDT
Distant calls audible.
Those transients are still vocal! And still moving west in Johnstone Strait. Where are the A30s now?
Helena
06 Oct 2006 18:24:30 PDT
Orcas near mics.
Just a short while ago we heard transient calls at the east end of the Reserve.
Helena
06 Oct 2006 15:22:23 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
There be A30s too. In addition to the transients the A30s were located on the opposite side of the Strait heading west, close to the Cracroft Island side. Interesting the transients were vocal, the residents silent.
Helena
06 Oct 2006 16:42:42 PDT
Distant calls audible.
Those transients are still vocal! And still moving west in Johnstone Strait. Where are the A30s now?
Helena
06 Oct 2006 18:24:30 PDT
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Saturday, September 23, 2006
23 September 2006, Orcalab reports:
Orcas near mics.
While the A12s and the A30s neared CP a fairly large group of Transients (including the T18s) circled around Hanson Island and entered Blackney Pass. They are now well on their way to Blackfish Sound while the A12s and the A30s forage off of Cracroft Point and the entrance to Blackney Pass. The transients are silent, the residents very vocal.
Helena
23 Sep 2006 15:12:59 PDT
Orcas near mics.
While the A12s and the A30s neared CP a fairly large group of Transients (including the T18s) circled around Hanson Island and entered Blackney Pass. They are now well on their way to Blackfish Sound while the A12s and the A30s forage off of Cracroft Point and the entrance to Blackney Pass. The transients are silent, the residents very vocal.
Helena
23 Sep 2006 15:12:59 PDT
Friday, September 22, 2006
22 September Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
Yesterday, Nick Templeton reported seeing T2 & T2C (and her calves) in Fredrick Arm (eastern Johnstone Strait) in the afternoon involved in an intense hunt for Dall porpoise. The successful hunt lasted 25 minutes. Nick was certain the adults were teaching the calves how to hunt.
Helena
22 Sep 2006 08:05:25 PDT
No orcas present.
Yesterday, Nick Templeton reported seeing T2 & T2C (and her calves) in Fredrick Arm (eastern Johnstone Strait) in the afternoon involved in an intense hunt for Dall porpoise. The successful hunt lasted 25 minutes. Nick was certain the adults were teaching the calves how to hunt.
Helena
22 Sep 2006 08:05:25 PDT
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
20 September Orcalab reports:
A small group of transients travelled through Cllio Channel, out of Baronet Passage and into Johnstone Strait.
Helena
20 Sep 2006 15:21:56 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
The transients turned out to be the rest of T2B's family. The Gikumi folowed T2, T2C and her calves into the Strait and left them heading east just east of CP. Helena
20 Sep 2006 15:41:03 PDT
A small group of transients travelled through Cllio Channel, out of Baronet Passage and into Johnstone Strait.
Helena
20 Sep 2006 15:21:56 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
The transients turned out to be the rest of T2B's family. The Gikumi folowed T2, T2C and her calves into the Strait and left them heading east just east of CP. Helena
20 Sep 2006 15:41:03 PDT
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
19 September 2006, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
Hi, power was down in Alert Bay so it was difficult to post coments. A lot happened today. The "Crowd" (the A12s and G clan) moved off to the west this afternoon. As they did so two other events occured. The A30s moved to the west, got just past Big Bay and then turned around and went back to the east past Critical Point and a group of 6 transients moved into Blackfish Sound and east to the Strait. These were ( thanks to Jared Towers for the IDs) the T60s, T124C and T2B. T2B has a new calf and Jared informs us that the calf is less than 20 days old because he saw T2B without a calf that long ago. This is rather exciting! Right now all is quiet, whales dispersing in all sorts of different directions.
Helena
19 Sep 2006 19:49:42 PDT
No orcas present.
Hi, power was down in Alert Bay so it was difficult to post coments. A lot happened today. The "Crowd" (the A12s and G clan) moved off to the west this afternoon. As they did so two other events occured. The A30s moved to the west, got just past Big Bay and then turned around and went back to the east past Critical Point and a group of 6 transients moved into Blackfish Sound and east to the Strait. These were ( thanks to Jared Towers for the IDs) the T60s, T124C and T2B. T2B has a new calf and Jared informs us that the calf is less than 20 days old because he saw T2B without a calf that long ago. This is rather exciting! Right now all is quiet, whales dispersing in all sorts of different directions.
Helena
19 Sep 2006 19:49:42 PDT
Monday, September 11, 2006
11 September 2006, Orcalab reports:
Orcas near mics.
Several notes: Most current, we are hearing the A12s off of the Ecological Reserve and most likely headed west; we saw a small group of transients heading north through Blackney Pass; the large group of residents who went into Queen Charlotte Strait are most likely still there. Thanks to Jackie of Stubbs Island Whale Watching and Jared Towers for help with the visual IDs today.
Helena
11 Sep 2006 20:26:19 PDT
Orcas near mics.
Several notes: Most current, we are hearing the A12s off of the Ecological Reserve and most likely headed west; we saw a small group of transients heading north through Blackney Pass; the large group of residents who went into Queen Charlotte Strait are most likely still there. Thanks to Jackie of Stubbs Island Whale Watching and Jared Towers for help with the visual IDs today.
Helena
11 Sep 2006 20:26:19 PDT
Saturday, August 26, 2006
August 26 2006, Seasmoke reports:
This afternoon MV Cetacea saw all the same animals plus a group of 4 Transient Orcas known as the T18 group while SV Tuan saw the Transients as well as some of the I31 pod foraging nearby. The Orcas were vocal off and on all day long and engaged in relaxed social behaviour and some foraging. Guests aboad Tuan had 2 very unexpected wildlife encounters on the way home, 1 being bowriding Dall's Porpoises, and 2 being another group of Transient Orcas right between our departure points of Alder and Alert Bay. These animals were T2B, and the T60's. Their blows were clearly illuminated against the bright low sun on the calm sea. A beautiful way to end the day.
This afternoon MV Cetacea saw all the same animals plus a group of 4 Transient Orcas known as the T18 group while SV Tuan saw the Transients as well as some of the I31 pod foraging nearby. The Orcas were vocal off and on all day long and engaged in relaxed social behaviour and some foraging. Guests aboad Tuan had 2 very unexpected wildlife encounters on the way home, 1 being bowriding Dall's Porpoises, and 2 being another group of Transient Orcas right between our departure points of Alder and Alert Bay. These animals were T2B, and the T60's. Their blows were clearly illuminated against the bright low sun on the calm sea. A beautiful way to end the day.
26 August 2006, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
While most of the resident orcas were at the beaches the T18s plus maybe T124C passed by on the Cracroft Island side. When they were opposite Boat Bay Jared Towers witnessed the I33s pop up just 200 to 300 metres away. The transients sped away to the west and into Blackney Pass. As they reached Blackfish we could hear the I31s (the I33s) leading the rest of the resident groups to the west. Just before dark they were off Telegraph Cove. Where they have gone since is a but of a mystery. The last faint and very distant calls were heard just after 8pm. Did the strong ebb tide encourage them to leave via Weynton? A fishing opening today has increased the boat noise in the Strait making it hard to hear any distant calls.
Helena
26 Aug 2006 22:52:21 PDT
No orcas present.
While most of the resident orcas were at the beaches the T18s plus maybe T124C passed by on the Cracroft Island side. When they were opposite Boat Bay Jared Towers witnessed the I33s pop up just 200 to 300 metres away. The transients sped away to the west and into Blackney Pass. As they reached Blackfish we could hear the I31s (the I33s) leading the rest of the resident groups to the west. Just before dark they were off Telegraph Cove. Where they have gone since is a but of a mystery. The last faint and very distant calls were heard just after 8pm. Did the strong ebb tide encourage them to leave via Weynton? A fishing opening today has increased the boat noise in the Strait making it hard to hear any distant calls.
Helena
26 Aug 2006 22:52:21 PDT
Monday, August 21, 2006
21 August 2006, Orcalab reports:
No calls but orcas nearby
After the resident groups met & socialised they headed east out of the Reserve and continued with the flood tide. Just recently a small group of transients were spotted off Blinkhorn in the Strait. They crossed to the Hanson side and then through Blackney Pass and "up" Baronet Passage. We caught a glimpse of them as they moved along the Blackney pass side of Cracroft Island before disappearing.
Helena
21 Aug 2006 17:24:06 PDT
No orcas present.
All is pretty quiet. The transients (the T12s) turned around and went back out to the Strait and carried on to the west around 6pm. We have not heard the residents return.
Helena
21 Aug 2006 22:45:59 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
After the resident groups met & socialised they headed east out of the Reserve and continued with the flood tide. Just recently a small group of transients were spotted off Blinkhorn in the Strait. They crossed to the Hanson side and then through Blackney Pass and "up" Baronet Passage. We caught a glimpse of them as they moved along the Blackney pass side of Cracroft Island before disappearing.
Helena
21 Aug 2006 17:24:06 PDT
No orcas present.
All is pretty quiet. The transients (the T12s) turned around and went back out to the Strait and carried on to the west around 6pm. We have not heard the residents return.
Helena
21 Aug 2006 22:45:59 PDT
Sunday, August 20, 2006
20 August 2006, Orcalab reports:
Multiple pod calls audible.
To catch up: the A12s,A4s and the A5s are westbound in Johnstone Strait. After quick, on the fly, rubs they past the Ecological Reserve and Boat Bay. CP watched the A24s and the A35s pass on their side . The whales are spread out across the Strait still pretty much in the Kaikash Creek and CP area. And they are having a bite to eat. The surprise of the day were the transients (T11,T11A and possibly two others) who turned up suddenly at the eastern end of Hanson Island. They went west quickly ahead of the advance of the resident orcas who were passing Critical Point at the time. They have since been sighted in Bauza Cove. The Cs and Ds and the I35s have been reported eastbound by the Roller Bay nearPort Hardy.
Helena
20 Aug 2006 16:16:17 PDT
T11 and T11a Photo made by Jared Towers
Multiple pod calls audible.
To catch up: the A12s,A4s and the A5s are westbound in Johnstone Strait. After quick, on the fly, rubs they past the Ecological Reserve and Boat Bay. CP watched the A24s and the A35s pass on their side . The whales are spread out across the Strait still pretty much in the Kaikash Creek and CP area. And they are having a bite to eat. The surprise of the day were the transients (T11,T11A and possibly two others) who turned up suddenly at the eastern end of Hanson Island. They went west quickly ahead of the advance of the resident orcas who were passing Critical Point at the time. They have since been sighted in Bauza Cove. The Cs and Ds and the I35s have been reported eastbound by the Roller Bay nearPort Hardy.
Helena
20 Aug 2006 16:16:17 PDT
T11 and T11a Photo made by Jared Towers
Friday, August 11, 2006
11 August 2006, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
The resident orcas who came during the night have remained east all day. A fairly large group of transients (the T100s) turned up off Donegal Head this morning. The went west toward Alet Bay and Port McNeill and then turned around and headed for Alder Bay and Beaver Cove. They were identified by DFO. The fishing opening will close at 6pm so we anticipate the area to be a little less busy tonight.
Helena
11 Aug 2006 16:40:01 PDT
Superb sounds!!
The Ds, Cs & A30s have returned from the east and are now off Robson Bight. Nick Templeton of Painter's Lodge reported tonight that the I15s were on their way through Seymour Narrows (north of Campbell River) on the slack tide while the A12s, A24s & A11s had been in Frederick Arm (also very far east). The Bs were in Nodales (also very far east) The A36s and the Gs were also seen in the east today. The T100s continued to tour the area. After nearing the Reserve they turned and headed back west. They were last seen by the Blue Fjord around 8:30pm off the Nimpkish River opposite Alert Bay.
Helena
11 Aug 2006 22:00:21 PDT
No orcas present.
The resident orcas who came during the night have remained east all day. A fairly large group of transients (the T100s) turned up off Donegal Head this morning. The went west toward Alet Bay and Port McNeill and then turned around and headed for Alder Bay and Beaver Cove. They were identified by DFO. The fishing opening will close at 6pm so we anticipate the area to be a little less busy tonight.
Helena
11 Aug 2006 16:40:01 PDT
Superb sounds!!
The Ds, Cs & A30s have returned from the east and are now off Robson Bight. Nick Templeton of Painter's Lodge reported tonight that the I15s were on their way through Seymour Narrows (north of Campbell River) on the slack tide while the A12s, A24s & A11s had been in Frederick Arm (also very far east). The Bs were in Nodales (also very far east) The A36s and the Gs were also seen in the east today. The T100s continued to tour the area. After nearing the Reserve they turned and headed back west. They were last seen by the Blue Fjord around 8:30pm off the Nimpkish River opposite Alert Bay.
Helena
11 Aug 2006 22:00:21 PDT
Friday, August 04, 2006
04 August 2006, Orcalab reports:
No calls but orcas nearby
The T18s just went by - they are the same group that went into Johnstone Strait yesterday. This morning they headed back to the west, past CP and into Blackney Pass. We also heard that the residents are still east near Camp Point. The good news is that they are west bound.
Helena
04 Aug 2006 12:02:21 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
The T18s just went by - they are the same group that went into Johnstone Strait yesterday. This morning they headed back to the west, past CP and into Blackney Pass. We also heard that the residents are still east near Camp Point. The good news is that they are west bound.
Helena
04 Aug 2006 12:02:21 PDT
Thursday, August 03, 2006
03 August 2006, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
The whales who went past the beaches last night at around 11pm have not yet returned to the western part of johnstone strait. There were sketchy reports of groups in Nodales and Frederick Arm this morning. Meanwhile, a group of transients (the T18s) turned up off the White Cliff Islands. This may have been the same group reported in Knight Inlet yesterday. The T18s went through Weynton Passage (seems to be the prefered route these days) and east in Johnstone Strait. We also heard that the Bs may have exited the area yesterday via Goletas Channel (near Port Hardy). On review of the tape from the day they came into Johnstone Strait we think the A36s may have been there as well.
Helena
03 Aug 2006 16:22:09 PDT
No orcas present.
The whales who went past the beaches last night at around 11pm have not yet returned to the western part of johnstone strait. There were sketchy reports of groups in Nodales and Frederick Arm this morning. Meanwhile, a group of transients (the T18s) turned up off the White Cliff Islands. This may have been the same group reported in Knight Inlet yesterday. The T18s went through Weynton Passage (seems to be the prefered route these days) and east in Johnstone Strait. We also heard that the Bs may have exited the area yesterday via Goletas Channel (near Port Hardy). On review of the tape from the day they came into Johnstone Strait we think the A36s may have been there as well.
Helena
03 Aug 2006 16:22:09 PDT
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