19 September 2006, Orcalab reports:
No calls but orcas nearby
The A30s are slowly making their way west from Robson Bight and toward CP. Meanwhile, most of last night's mystery has been solved. It appears that the G clan "Crowd" did move out to the west last night. We suspect now that some took Blackney Pass while others Weynton Pass to reach Blackfish Sound and Queen Charlotte Strait beyond. They are currently spread out from Lizard Point back to Malcolm Point. They have been joined by the A36s. Did the A36s have anyone new with them? The map right now is not entirely accurate but it helps show the locations that the whales are near.
Helena
19 Sep 2006 12:24:03 PDT
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
18 September 2006, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
Nick Templeton relayed that the "Crowd" was westbound from Camp Point at around 2pm. The A30s, A12, G2s,G3,G12s,G18s,G17,G29s, I11s,I15s,I31s have been in the east for the last two days. The A36s were sighted (thanks to Discovery)quite far west in Queen Charlotte Strait today. They were foraging for most of the time observed.
Helena
18 Sep 2006 17:32:28 PDT
No orcas present.
Nick Templeton relayed that the "Crowd" was westbound from Camp Point at around 2pm. The A30s, A12, G2s,G3,G12s,G18s,G17,G29s, I11s,I15s,I31s have been in the east for the last two days. The A36s were sighted (thanks to Discovery)quite far west in Queen Charlotte Strait today. They were foraging for most of the time observed.
Helena
18 Sep 2006 17:32:28 PDT
Friday, September 15, 2006
15 September 2006, Orcalab reports:
Multiple pod calls audible.
Another surprise! On this very beautiful morning, the "crowd" quickly moved through Blackney Pass headed south towards Johnstone Strait. In the last large groupd were the A36s travelling with the G3s,G29s and G18s. The group ahead was already too far south to ID but they are headed to CP and the whales are just now becoming vocal so we may get more clues. Earlier this morning the I31 calls ended close to the Bight. A lot of movement has happened in the meantime.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 08:13:23 PDT
Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The "morning whales" have reached the Main rubbing beach.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 09:58:06 PDT
No orcas present.
Time to review: We now thinl that only the A12s, I15s,I11s, part of the I31s came in last night and met up with the A30s off of Ecological Reserve before continuing eastward out of range. Possibly the G2s were there as well but that is still unclear. This morning the rest of the "crowd" arrived going through Blackney Pass. These were the G12s, part of the I31s, the G3s,G18s,G29s and, of course, the A36s.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 13:46:27 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
Thasnks to Discovery we know that the BIG CROWD has neared the Ecological Reserve on their way to the west. Might be exciting!
Helena
15 Sep 2006 15:27:09 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
They are just coming into range now.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 15:29:17 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
The groups are moving westward,already past CP.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 17:54:16 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
The A12s are the last group to come back from the east. They are approaching CP at the moment. The other groups are still to the west of CP.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 18:42:09 PDT
Distant calls audible.
The "crowd" went through Weynton Pass and are now at the top end (western) end of Blackfish Sound. The tide has just turned to the flood.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 19:54:19 PDT
Orcas near mics.
If you are wondering? The A12s rushed through Blackney, no one else followed. They are now closing in on Robson Bight after heading east in the Strait.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 21:45:20 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
We are hearing whales move through Blackney Pass heading south. There are no calls yet so we cannot be sure who is following the A12s into the Strait.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 23:10:48 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Another surprise! On this very beautiful morning, the "crowd" quickly moved through Blackney Pass headed south towards Johnstone Strait. In the last large groupd were the A36s travelling with the G3s,G29s and G18s. The group ahead was already too far south to ID but they are headed to CP and the whales are just now becoming vocal so we may get more clues. Earlier this morning the I31 calls ended close to the Bight. A lot of movement has happened in the meantime.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 08:13:23 PDT
Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The "morning whales" have reached the Main rubbing beach.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 09:58:06 PDT
No orcas present.
Time to review: We now thinl that only the A12s, I15s,I11s, part of the I31s came in last night and met up with the A30s off of Ecological Reserve before continuing eastward out of range. Possibly the G2s were there as well but that is still unclear. This morning the rest of the "crowd" arrived going through Blackney Pass. These were the G12s, part of the I31s, the G3s,G18s,G29s and, of course, the A36s.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 13:46:27 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
Thasnks to Discovery we know that the BIG CROWD has neared the Ecological Reserve on their way to the west. Might be exciting!
Helena
15 Sep 2006 15:27:09 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
They are just coming into range now.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 15:29:17 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
The groups are moving westward,already past CP.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 17:54:16 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
The A12s are the last group to come back from the east. They are approaching CP at the moment. The other groups are still to the west of CP.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 18:42:09 PDT
Distant calls audible.
The "crowd" went through Weynton Pass and are now at the top end (western) end of Blackfish Sound. The tide has just turned to the flood.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 19:54:19 PDT
Orcas near mics.
If you are wondering? The A12s rushed through Blackney, no one else followed. They are now closing in on Robson Bight after heading east in the Strait.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 21:45:20 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
We are hearing whales move through Blackney Pass heading south. There are no calls yet so we cannot be sure who is following the A12s into the Strait.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 23:10:48 PDT
Thursday, September 14, 2006
14 September 2006, Orcalab reports:
Distant calls audible.
The "crowd" came up to CP and the entrance of Blackney Pass and headed out to Blackfish Sound and beyond very quickly on the ebbing tide.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 00:43:49 PDT
Distant calls audible.
We are listening to distant A1 calls from the Flower Island hydrophone.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 07:39:19 PDT
No orcas present.
The whales have stayed pretty much in Queen Charlotte Strait all day but we got a report around 3pm from Stubbs Island Whale Watch that the A12s,A36s, I11s,I31s and the several other G clan groups are now moving eastward from Malcolm Point. The A30s spent the day very slowly moving toward that group and in Queen Charlotte Strait as well.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 16:03:42 PDT
Superb sounds!!
The "crowd" (described earlier by Stubbs Island: A12s,A36s,I11s,I31s,I33s,G02s, G12s, G18s G29s. G03s, I15s) are now past CP, following the A30s eastward.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 22:28:51 PDT
Distant calls audible.
The "crowd" came up to CP and the entrance of Blackney Pass and headed out to Blackfish Sound and beyond very quickly on the ebbing tide.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 00:43:49 PDT
Distant calls audible.
We are listening to distant A1 calls from the Flower Island hydrophone.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 07:39:19 PDT
No orcas present.
The whales have stayed pretty much in Queen Charlotte Strait all day but we got a report around 3pm from Stubbs Island Whale Watch that the A12s,A36s, I11s,I31s and the several other G clan groups are now moving eastward from Malcolm Point. The A30s spent the day very slowly moving toward that group and in Queen Charlotte Strait as well.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 16:03:42 PDT
Superb sounds!!
The "crowd" (described earlier by Stubbs Island: A12s,A36s,I11s,I31s,I33s,G02s, G12s, G18s G29s. G03s, I15s) are now past CP, following the A30s eastward.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 22:28:51 PDT
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
13 September 2006, Oralab reports:
No orcas present.
For us it was a quiet night and we suppose the I31s,A30s and the A12s went back to the east around midnight although the tide was still ebbing for a couple more hours. If they did move west, they did so pretty quietly. The map indicates where we last heard calls.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 07:50:41 PDT
Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Just after 8:30am we heard the whales from the east arrive at the rubbing beaches. So far we have heard only A1 calls. Sounds like they are on their way west.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 08:49:00 PDT
Distant calls audible.
The A1s have moved from the beaches and are now passing Robson Bight.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 09:15:16 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Possibly all the groups from the past few days are here, travelling west, together. We have heard all three A1 groups, I31s, possibly I11s and various other G groups as well.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 11:20:06 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
The whales too two different routes to Blackfish Sound, some via Weynton Pass and others through Blackney Pass. All ended up at the top end of Blackfish Sound where they foraged and waited for the tide to turn. An hour before the slack they made their move and all came through Blackney Pass and on to Johnstone Strait. Now with the tide and the wind at their backs they are headed east towards the Ecological Reserve. A wonderfully blustery day, sunny, high waves and fluffy clouds!
Helena
13 Sep 2006 16:57:10 PDT
Distant calls audible.
After the A12s,A30s,A36s, I15s,I11s,I31s and the G3s,G29s, G18s, G12s, G2s got into Johnstone Strait thy headed soon off to the east. The A30s seemed rather restless but stayed as part of the crowd. They were rather quickly out of our range after a few good rubs.Just now, we started to hear distant A30 calls returning from the east.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 22:22:52 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
It sounds like the A30s are pulling the whole crowd to the west.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 22:32:12 PDT
No orcas present.
For us it was a quiet night and we suppose the I31s,A30s and the A12s went back to the east around midnight although the tide was still ebbing for a couple more hours. If they did move west, they did so pretty quietly. The map indicates where we last heard calls.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 07:50:41 PDT
Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Just after 8:30am we heard the whales from the east arrive at the rubbing beaches. So far we have heard only A1 calls. Sounds like they are on their way west.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 08:49:00 PDT
Distant calls audible.
The A1s have moved from the beaches and are now passing Robson Bight.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 09:15:16 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Possibly all the groups from the past few days are here, travelling west, together. We have heard all three A1 groups, I31s, possibly I11s and various other G groups as well.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 11:20:06 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
The whales too two different routes to Blackfish Sound, some via Weynton Pass and others through Blackney Pass. All ended up at the top end of Blackfish Sound where they foraged and waited for the tide to turn. An hour before the slack they made their move and all came through Blackney Pass and on to Johnstone Strait. Now with the tide and the wind at their backs they are headed east towards the Ecological Reserve. A wonderfully blustery day, sunny, high waves and fluffy clouds!
Helena
13 Sep 2006 16:57:10 PDT
Distant calls audible.
After the A12s,A30s,A36s, I15s,I11s,I31s and the G3s,G29s, G18s, G12s, G2s got into Johnstone Strait thy headed soon off to the east. The A30s seemed rather restless but stayed as part of the crowd. They were rather quickly out of our range after a few good rubs.Just now, we started to hear distant A30 calls returning from the east.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 22:22:52 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
It sounds like the A30s are pulling the whole crowd to the west.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 22:32:12 PDT
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
12 September 2006, Orcalab reports:
Multiple pod calls audible.
Not sure when it happened but all the groups are back in the Strait and already heading back to the west. CP can see groups on the Vancouver Island spread from Kaikash Creek and almost Blinkhorn! There must have been a alot of movement last night from the time after we heard the A12s pass through Blackfish Sound.
Helena
12 Sep 2006 07:25:52 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Around 8:30am these very interesting whales turned around a little shy of Blinkhorn. The I15s were first get get to the beaches and we suspect the A36s followed. There are whales spread out back to Critical Point and across the Strait - all moving eastward despite the ebbing tide (the tide turned at 8:30am as well). The Gikumi has found the A12s stalled off of Donegal Head. We believe the A30s,A36s,I15s,I11s,I31s,G2s,G3s,G29,G18s and G12s should be the groups in the Strait.
Helena
Distant calls audible.
We are now hearing distant A12s (not a lot of calls) in Blackfish Sound. They apparently dropped into the western end of Blackfish for a bite to eat. The other groups are still eastbound past Naka Creek.
Helena
12 Sep 2006 13:12:46 PDT
Distant calls audible.
The A12s went through Weynton Pass. They are now eastbound in Johnstone Strait. The other groups (the A30s,A36s, Gs, I11s, I15s and I31s) have continued eastward from Naka Creek.
Helena
12 Sep 2006 14:31:17 PDT
Distant calls audible.
After a lovely long foraging pause off of the entrance ot Blackney Pass and CP the A12s have finally moved off towards the east. We got a report that the G18s left all the other easbound groups off the Adams River earlier and are on their way back to the west.
Helena
12 Sep 2006 18:10:44 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Not sure when it happened but all the groups are back in the Strait and already heading back to the west. CP can see groups on the Vancouver Island spread from Kaikash Creek and almost Blinkhorn! There must have been a alot of movement last night from the time after we heard the A12s pass through Blackfish Sound.
Helena
12 Sep 2006 07:25:52 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Around 8:30am these very interesting whales turned around a little shy of Blinkhorn. The I15s were first get get to the beaches and we suspect the A36s followed. There are whales spread out back to Critical Point and across the Strait - all moving eastward despite the ebbing tide (the tide turned at 8:30am as well). The Gikumi has found the A12s stalled off of Donegal Head. We believe the A30s,A36s,I15s,I11s,I31s,G2s,G3s,G29,G18s and G12s should be the groups in the Strait.
Helena
Distant calls audible.
We are now hearing distant A12s (not a lot of calls) in Blackfish Sound. They apparently dropped into the western end of Blackfish for a bite to eat. The other groups are still eastbound past Naka Creek.
Helena
12 Sep 2006 13:12:46 PDT
Distant calls audible.
The A12s went through Weynton Pass. They are now eastbound in Johnstone Strait. The other groups (the A30s,A36s, Gs, I11s, I15s and I31s) have continued eastward from Naka Creek.
Helena
12 Sep 2006 14:31:17 PDT
Distant calls audible.
After a lovely long foraging pause off of the entrance ot Blackney Pass and CP the A12s have finally moved off towards the east. We got a report that the G18s left all the other easbound groups off the Adams River earlier and are on their way back to the west.
Helena
12 Sep 2006 18:10:44 PDT
Monday, September 11, 2006
11 September 2006, Orcalab reports:
Multiple pod calls audible.
Life began again around 3am when we heard the A30s heading east back in Johnstone Strait. After an hour we began to hear distant G clan calls coming up from the east. Since then there has been steady movement. The I11s just went through Blackney Pass and are now in Blackfish Sound while the rest,the A30s,I15s,I31s,A36s and the other G groups, are spread out foraging from CP to the area off of Robson Bight.
Helena
11 Sep 2006 07:27:48 PDT
No orcas present.
After the I11s went through Blackney Pass the other groups( the A30s,I15s,I31s,G2s,G3s,G18s,G29s,G12s and the A36s) all went through Weynton Pass on the ebb tide and then stalled for quite a while in Queen Charlotte Strait. They still seem determined to remain there and are even heading west off Lizard Point, despite the strong flooding tide which should be encouraging them to come back. There was a report of a group of 8 heading west at Stimpson Reefs quite a while ago but we have not heard anything turn up near the Ecological Reserve yet. So it is a very in between day today.
Helena
11 Sep 2006 15:59:25 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Life began again around 3am when we heard the A30s heading east back in Johnstone Strait. After an hour we began to hear distant G clan calls coming up from the east. Since then there has been steady movement. The I11s just went through Blackney Pass and are now in Blackfish Sound while the rest,the A30s,I15s,I31s,A36s and the other G groups, are spread out foraging from CP to the area off of Robson Bight.
Helena
11 Sep 2006 07:27:48 PDT
No orcas present.
After the I11s went through Blackney Pass the other groups( the A30s,I15s,I31s,G2s,G3s,G18s,G29s,G12s and the A36s) all went through Weynton Pass on the ebb tide and then stalled for quite a while in Queen Charlotte Strait. They still seem determined to remain there and are even heading west off Lizard Point, despite the strong flooding tide which should be encouraging them to come back. There was a report of a group of 8 heading west at Stimpson Reefs quite a while ago but we have not heard anything turn up near the Ecological Reserve yet. So it is a very in between day today.
Helena
11 Sep 2006 15:59:25 PDT
Sunday, September 10, 2006
10 September 2006, Orcalab reports:
Orcas near mics.
After staying off the entrance to Blackney Pass for quite a while, where to go was finally resolved with the A30s taking off and heading into Blackney Pass. The I15s stayed with them until the decision was made and then they followed the I11s and I31s to Robson Bight. Just recently, we thought we might have heard the A36s in the big group off of the Bight - did they come up from the east? The A30s have not had a lot to say. Reports from the east said the A12s spent the day in Discovery Channel. No word on the other G clan groups who should be still to the east - somewhere.
Helena
10 Sep 2006 20:32:01 PDT
Orcas near mics.
After staying off the entrance to Blackney Pass for quite a while, where to go was finally resolved with the A30s taking off and heading into Blackney Pass. The I15s stayed with them until the decision was made and then they followed the I11s and I31s to Robson Bight. Just recently, we thought we might have heard the A36s in the big group off of the Bight - did they come up from the east? The A30s have not had a lot to say. Reports from the east said the A12s spent the day in Discovery Channel. No word on the other G clan groups who should be still to the east - somewhere.
Helena
10 Sep 2006 20:32:01 PDT
Saturday, September 09, 2006
09 September 2006, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
Except for a few additional distant calls east of Critical Point around midnight, it has been a pretty quiet night. So we think the whales kept going east.
Helena
09 Sep 2006 08:49:23 PDT
Distant calls audible.
We just started to hear super faint G and A calls east of the eastern end of the Reserve. Whales coming west!
Helena
09 Sep 2006 10:50:33 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
What a busy place - Johnstone Strait. So far the A30s, A36s, G18s, I11s, I15s, G02s have been identified. There are probably more, if not most of the groups from yesterday. They all went up west to the entrance of Weynton and then pushed their way partly through the Pass against the strongly ebbing tide before they turned around. They are now moving with the current back into Johnstone Strait. Hard at this point to tell if they have met up with new incoming groups.
Helena
09 Sep 2006 15:30:34 PDT
No orcas present.
This feels very similar to last night with the whales continuing to the east past the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve despite the ebbing tide. After midnight they will have the tide with them which will certainly make it easier for them to go further east. In the area we believe are: all the A1s, the I11s,I15s,I31s, G2s,G3s, G18s,G12s, G29s.
Helena
09 Sep 2006 21:47:08 PDT
No orcas present.
Except for a few additional distant calls east of Critical Point around midnight, it has been a pretty quiet night. So we think the whales kept going east.
Helena
09 Sep 2006 08:49:23 PDT
Distant calls audible.
We just started to hear super faint G and A calls east of the eastern end of the Reserve. Whales coming west!
Helena
09 Sep 2006 10:50:33 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
What a busy place - Johnstone Strait. So far the A30s, A36s, G18s, I11s, I15s, G02s have been identified. There are probably more, if not most of the groups from yesterday. They all went up west to the entrance of Weynton and then pushed their way partly through the Pass against the strongly ebbing tide before they turned around. They are now moving with the current back into Johnstone Strait. Hard at this point to tell if they have met up with new incoming groups.
Helena
09 Sep 2006 15:30:34 PDT
No orcas present.
This feels very similar to last night with the whales continuing to the east past the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve despite the ebbing tide. After midnight they will have the tide with them which will certainly make it easier for them to go further east. In the area we believe are: all the A1s, the I11s,I15s,I31s, G2s,G3s, G18s,G12s, G29s.
Helena
09 Sep 2006 21:47:08 PDT
Friday, September 08, 2006
08 September 2006, Orcalab reports:
Distant calls audible.
The I15s showed up at the top end of Blackfish Sound after apparently coming through Weynton Pass earlier. (Thanks to Jim Borrowman for the sighting)They have met up with the A30s who went north through Blackney Pass earlier to arrive at the same location as the I15s. Both groups are spread out, vocal, milling. We have heard of an "Incoming" group further west in Queen Charlotte Strait. This might be an interesting afternoon.
Helena
08 Sep 2006 09:55:01 PDT
Distant calls audible.
The A30s and the I15s eventually made it into Blackney Pass just as the tide was changing from slack to flood. They are now in Johnstone Strait. They were excited,breaching, spyhopping, porpoising when travelling through the Pass. We have heard (thanks to DFO) that at least the Gs,A36s,A12s and some of the I31s are the incoming group reported earlier. It is raining harder! Yea! Yea!
Helena
08 Sep 2006 12:02:29 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
The map will not show it but all the groups who were in Queen Charlotte Strait earlier went through Blackfish Sound and Blackney Pass to get into Johnstone Strait. These groups are now eastbound following the I15s and the A30s who disappeared that direction quite a while ago. As reported: the A12s, I35s (including I46 and I80), the G2s, G3s,G18s,G12s, I112s and A36s all arrived today.
Helena
08 Sep 2006 17:45:53 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
After quite the jamboree (?sp) in Robson Bight, it seems as if the whales have kept going to the east. The tide is now ebbing but whether that will change their momentum is hard to say. Anyway, we figure around 80 whales are "in" today. Nice to have all the A1s back. Just about the whole of G clan is here as well.
Helena
08 Sep 2006 21:18:29 PDT
Distant calls audible.
The I15s showed up at the top end of Blackfish Sound after apparently coming through Weynton Pass earlier. (Thanks to Jim Borrowman for the sighting)They have met up with the A30s who went north through Blackney Pass earlier to arrive at the same location as the I15s. Both groups are spread out, vocal, milling. We have heard of an "Incoming" group further west in Queen Charlotte Strait. This might be an interesting afternoon.
Helena
08 Sep 2006 09:55:01 PDT
Distant calls audible.
The A30s and the I15s eventually made it into Blackney Pass just as the tide was changing from slack to flood. They are now in Johnstone Strait. They were excited,breaching, spyhopping, porpoising when travelling through the Pass. We have heard (thanks to DFO) that at least the Gs,A36s,A12s and some of the I31s are the incoming group reported earlier. It is raining harder! Yea! Yea!
Helena
08 Sep 2006 12:02:29 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
The map will not show it but all the groups who were in Queen Charlotte Strait earlier went through Blackfish Sound and Blackney Pass to get into Johnstone Strait. These groups are now eastbound following the I15s and the A30s who disappeared that direction quite a while ago. As reported: the A12s, I35s (including I46 and I80), the G2s, G3s,G18s,G12s, I112s and A36s all arrived today.
Helena
08 Sep 2006 17:45:53 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
After quite the jamboree (?sp) in Robson Bight, it seems as if the whales have kept going to the east. The tide is now ebbing but whether that will change their momentum is hard to say. Anyway, we figure around 80 whales are "in" today. Nice to have all the A1s back. Just about the whole of G clan is here as well.
Helena
08 Sep 2006 21:18:29 PDT
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