21 July Orcalab reports:
Multiple pod calls audible.
What a contrast to yesterday's lazy, hazy summer day! All was quiet this morning and then the reports started to surface. The Lukwa (Stubbs Island Whale Watch) heard R calls out in Queen Charlottee Strait. The Tuan (Seasmoke Charters) saw the A36s with many, many whales off Donegal Head. Then we were told the super big group was headed east in Blackfish Sound and headed for Blackney. And then: In rushed over 80 whales, spread out across Blackney, excited and in a rush to get to the Strait. In the Strait, the A12s, A4s and the A5s were coming up from the east and Robson Bight to meet the incoming gang. Whales were everywhere! It was a superpod of grand proportions. At last count, 117 (thanks to Graeme Ellis and John Ford of DFO)whales were in the area. There were several G clan groups, the Ds, several R clan groups and of course the same As of the last several weeks. They rushed toward the Ecological Reserve where one group went into the Main rubbing beach for more than an hour. Now, the groups are reorganising for a trip back to the west.
Helena
21 Jul 2006 17:55:31 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
The official count is now 127! An opportunity for another look by the DFO came when the whales moved toward CP early this evening. Our day was made complete when,after passing CP with beautiful calls and a glimpse underwater, they entered Blackney and headed northwest to the sunset. The big question is: Will they be back or was this the visit?
Helena
21 Jul 2006 20:51:28 PDT
Add from the comment board:
Hi Jan,The list we got from Graeme Ellis included: The R4/5s, Ws, I31s,G3s,G12s,G31s.G2s,G29s,A36s,A12s,A4s,A5s,Ds,C6s. I will ask if other Rs (R2s,R17s)were present. I hope this helps. It was quite a day!
Helena@Hanson I
21 Jul 2006 22:58:56 PDT
Friday, July 21, 2006
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
18 July 2006, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
Last night the A12s, A4s and the A5s passed Robson Bight and seemed to keep going. It would be nice if the A36s convinced the D7s to return. They were last seen still headed west near the Jeanette Islands in Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
18 Jul 2006 07:23:23 PDT
No orcas present.
Last night the A12s, A4s and the A5s passed Robson Bight and seemed to keep going. It would be nice if the A36s convinced the D7s to return. They were last seen still headed west near the Jeanette Islands in Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
18 Jul 2006 07:23:23 PDT
Monday, July 17, 2006
17 July 2006, Orcalab reports:
Multiple pod calls audible.
Well we found the rest of the groups. This morning they came west from the Robson Bight area and passed through Blackney Pass in front of us. The A36s were in the lead with the A24s, A8s, A34s following. behind then came A12 & A33 along with the A35s. The small A11 group with A73 were the last group through. They were travelling with another group who we did not confidently identify - it may have been someone else from the A5 pod. They are all in Blackfish Sound now. A large humpback was in Blackney (and still is ) as the groups went through.
Helena
17 Jul 2006 07:55:28 PDT
No orcas present.
Since this mornings update, the whales continued to the west. A very faint "D" call in the Strait this morning suggests that yesterday's evening arrival into the Strait most likely stayed with the A12s,A36s,A4s and A8s but took Weynton Pass back out to Queen Charlotte where they advanced to the west ahead of the A36s etc. This all happened before 8am and for the rest of the day we followed the reports of their progress on the radio and watched the humpbacks in Blackney Pass and off CP.
Helena
17 Jul 2006 18:37:50 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
Well we found the rest of the groups. This morning they came west from the Robson Bight area and passed through Blackney Pass in front of us. The A36s were in the lead with the A24s, A8s, A34s following. behind then came A12 & A33 along with the A35s. The small A11 group with A73 were the last group through. They were travelling with another group who we did not confidently identify - it may have been someone else from the A5 pod. They are all in Blackfish Sound now. A large humpback was in Blackney (and still is ) as the groups went through.
Helena
17 Jul 2006 07:55:28 PDT
No orcas present.
Since this mornings update, the whales continued to the west. A very faint "D" call in the Strait this morning suggests that yesterday's evening arrival into the Strait most likely stayed with the A12s,A36s,A4s and A8s but took Weynton Pass back out to Queen Charlotte where they advanced to the west ahead of the A36s etc. This all happened before 8am and for the rest of the day we followed the reports of their progress on the radio and watched the humpbacks in Blackney Pass and off CP.
Helena
17 Jul 2006 18:37:50 PDT
Sunday, July 16, 2006
16 July 2006, Orcalab reports:
Distant calls audible.
An interesting start to the day! The whales are just where they left off at 1am. Just a short while ago we began to hear distant calls. The whales are still east of CP but they are headed west.
Helena
16 Jul 2006 07:13:18 PDT
Distant calls audible.
Sorry I forgot the map. It should be the A36s (in the lead) along with the A4s,A8s and A12s if all the groups are there.
Helena
16 Jul 2006 07:15:45 PDT
No orcas present.
After a lot of back and forth starting just after day break the day ended in some confusion. In the afternoon we heard of new incoming groups.A while later the A12s,A4s,A8s and the A36s became very excited as they trekked west past CP. The reason for their excitment became evident when we heard the distant calls of the Cs and Ds just in via Weynton Passage. Then for some reason the calls dropped. Finally, A32 was seen travelling back to the east and a short while after that a few A4 calls. Unfortunately, those were our only clues and we are not sure where the A12,A8s and those new whales ended up. Time will hopefully tell.
Helena
16 Jul 2006 22:31:59 PDT
Distant calls audible.
An interesting start to the day! The whales are just where they left off at 1am. Just a short while ago we began to hear distant calls. The whales are still east of CP but they are headed west.
Helena
16 Jul 2006 07:13:18 PDT
Distant calls audible.
Sorry I forgot the map. It should be the A36s (in the lead) along with the A4s,A8s and A12s if all the groups are there.
Helena
16 Jul 2006 07:15:45 PDT
No orcas present.
After a lot of back and forth starting just after day break the day ended in some confusion. In the afternoon we heard of new incoming groups.A while later the A12s,A4s,A8s and the A36s became very excited as they trekked west past CP. The reason for their excitment became evident when we heard the distant calls of the Cs and Ds just in via Weynton Passage. Then for some reason the calls dropped. Finally, A32 was seen travelling back to the east and a short while after that a few A4 calls. Unfortunately, those were our only clues and we are not sure where the A12,A8s and those new whales ended up. Time will hopefully tell.
Helena
16 Jul 2006 22:31:59 PDT
Friday, July 14, 2006
14 July 2006, Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
We believe that the whales who had been stalled off Robson Bight for several hours finally shifted east of the Ecological Reserve, just after 11pm last night. The rest of the night was quiet
Helena
14 Jul 2006 07:15:19 PDT
No orcas present.
The resident groups (the A12s,A36s,A4s and A8s) stayed far to the east today. Two transients wandered Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
14 Jul 2006 22:41:44 PDT
No orcas present.
We believe that the whales who had been stalled off Robson Bight for several hours finally shifted east of the Ecological Reserve, just after 11pm last night. The rest of the night was quiet
Helena
14 Jul 2006 07:15:19 PDT
No orcas present.
The resident groups (the A12s,A36s,A4s and A8s) stayed far to the east today. Two transients wandered Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
14 Jul 2006 22:41:44 PDT
Thursday, July 13, 2006
13 July 2006, Orcalab reports:
No calls but orcas nearby
Living inside a vortex: Yesterday "everyone" came back and headed into Johnstone Strait where they went east briefly. After milling around the Robson Bight area they moved west early this morning. The A36s led the A4s and the A8s into Blackney Pass from Johnstone Strait and headed into Blackfish Sound. The A36s were all business but the rest were very social, kids playing, mums travelling with mums. A13 has suffered some damage to the top of his fin. The recent wound is showing up white. It makes for quite change in appearance. We did not see the A12s and could not say for sure that the A24s were in this crowd.
Helena
13 Jul 2006 07:13:16 PDT
Superb sounds!!
A long day... the A36s,A4s and A8s headed into Queen Charlotte Strait via Blackney Pass at first light. The A12s elected to head east in Johnstone Strait. While the A12s began their trekk back west toward Robson Bight the sleepy Queen Charlotte gang managed to turn around and head back also.They "drifted" east in Blackfish Sound along the Hanson Island shore, passing Dong Chong Bay (the scene 4 years ago today of Springer's arrival by boat and short stay in the pen),toward Johnstone Strait. After a brief stall in the Johnstone Strait entrance way to Blackney they pushed on and eastward toward the A12s who were coming from the opposite direction. As the A12s passed, the bigger group, turned around and followed. Eventually, everyone turned again and excitedly rushed toward the Ecological Reserve. One "final" move back to west brought them only as far as the area in front of the Bight where they parked themselves for hours, calling, calling, calling. At this stage, one can only guess if the strong ebbing tide will eventually encourage them to go further west.
Helena
13 Jul 2006 23:03:52 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
Living inside a vortex: Yesterday "everyone" came back and headed into Johnstone Strait where they went east briefly. After milling around the Robson Bight area they moved west early this morning. The A36s led the A4s and the A8s into Blackney Pass from Johnstone Strait and headed into Blackfish Sound. The A36s were all business but the rest were very social, kids playing, mums travelling with mums. A13 has suffered some damage to the top of his fin. The recent wound is showing up white. It makes for quite change in appearance. We did not see the A12s and could not say for sure that the A24s were in this crowd.
Helena
13 Jul 2006 07:13:16 PDT
Superb sounds!!
A long day... the A36s,A4s and A8s headed into Queen Charlotte Strait via Blackney Pass at first light. The A12s elected to head east in Johnstone Strait. While the A12s began their trekk back west toward Robson Bight the sleepy Queen Charlotte gang managed to turn around and head back also.They "drifted" east in Blackfish Sound along the Hanson Island shore, passing Dong Chong Bay (the scene 4 years ago today of Springer's arrival by boat and short stay in the pen),toward Johnstone Strait. After a brief stall in the Johnstone Strait entrance way to Blackney they pushed on and eastward toward the A12s who were coming from the opposite direction. As the A12s passed, the bigger group, turned around and followed. Eventually, everyone turned again and excitedly rushed toward the Ecological Reserve. One "final" move back to west brought them only as far as the area in front of the Bight where they parked themselves for hours, calling, calling, calling. At this stage, one can only guess if the strong ebbing tide will eventually encourage them to go further west.
Helena
13 Jul 2006 23:03:52 PDT
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
12 July 2006, Orcalab reports:
Multiple pod calls audible.
The A12s,A4s and A5s have come back from the east and are continuing west past Kaikash Creek.
Helena
12 Jul 2006 06:56:02 PDT
Distant calls audible.
It sounds like the whales that were headed west in Johnstone Strait went through Weynton Pass and are now headed out into Queen Charlotte Strait, crossing the top end of Blackfish Sound.
Helena
12 Jul 2006 08:44:10 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
After travelling Queen Charlotte Strait for most of the day the A12s,A4s and perhaps the A8s returned to the Strait via Weynton Passage. They then travelled east past Robson Bight.
Helena
12 Jul 2006 20:43:57 PDT
I forgot to mention thta the A36s were with the other groups at least as far as Weynton Passage but it was unclear if they continued into the Strait.
Helena
12 Jul 2006 20:45:27 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
The A12s,A4s and A5s have come back from the east and are continuing west past Kaikash Creek.
Helena
12 Jul 2006 06:56:02 PDT
Distant calls audible.
It sounds like the whales that were headed west in Johnstone Strait went through Weynton Pass and are now headed out into Queen Charlotte Strait, crossing the top end of Blackfish Sound.
Helena
12 Jul 2006 08:44:10 PDT
No calls but orcas nearby
After travelling Queen Charlotte Strait for most of the day the A12s,A4s and perhaps the A8s returned to the Strait via Weynton Passage. They then travelled east past Robson Bight.
Helena
12 Jul 2006 20:43:57 PDT
I forgot to mention thta the A36s were with the other groups at least as far as Weynton Passage but it was unclear if they continued into the Strait.
Helena
12 Jul 2006 20:45:27 PDT
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
11 July 2006, Orcalab reports
No orcas present.
A quiet day since the A12s,A4s and A8s went east just after midnight. They kept going and this morning were seen near Sayward still eastbound. The whalewatch boats found four humbacks to fill out their day and then in the later part of the afternoon the A36s were found miling off of Lizard Point. We are hoping that they will "drop down" just a bit further and get in range of Flower Island. Finally, rain, real rain, today - you can just about hear the forest sigh with relief. But we need much more and the sky is now lifting.
Helena
11 Jul 2006 16:38:15 PDT
No orcas present.
A quiet day since the A12s,A4s and A8s went east just after midnight. They kept going and this morning were seen near Sayward still eastbound. The whalewatch boats found four humbacks to fill out their day and then in the later part of the afternoon the A36s were found miling off of Lizard Point. We are hoping that they will "drop down" just a bit further and get in range of Flower Island. Finally, rain, real rain, today - you can just about hear the forest sigh with relief. But we need much more and the sky is now lifting.
Helena
11 Jul 2006 16:38:15 PDT
Monday, July 10, 2006
10 July Orcalab reports:
No orcas present.
Indeed, the A36s made it "in"! They travelled into Blackney just before midnight with the A11s (and maybe the A24s were still there as well) and then continued into Johnstone Strait. By 3am they were passing the Rubbing Beaches. It has been quiet since then.
Helena
10 Jul 2006 08:42:02 PDT
No orcas present.
Indeed, the A36s made it "in"! They travelled into Blackney just before midnight with the A11s (and maybe the A24s were still there as well) and then continued into Johnstone Strait. By 3am they were passing the Rubbing Beaches. It has been quiet since then.
Helena
10 Jul 2006 08:42:02 PDT
Sunday, July 09, 2006
09 July 2006, Orcalab reports
Distant calls audible.
We just started to hear A4 calls again on Critical Point. Just before dark last night yesterday's groups (the A12s,A4s,A8s and A36s) started to arrive back from Queen Charlotte Strait via both Blackney Pass and Weynton Pass. The incoming groups met off the entrance to Blackney and then continued to the east. The A11s, the last group, followed a short while later and may be the group now returning to the west.
Helena
09 Jul 2006 07:39:56 PDT
Superb sounds!!
We are listening to A4 and A36 calls in Blackfish Sound. We will see if the A36s make it all the way in tonight. Last night they retreated to Queen Charlotte Strait after being heard in Blackfish Sound briefly.
Helena
09 Jul 2006 22:39:05 PDT
Distant calls audible.
We just started to hear A4 calls again on Critical Point. Just before dark last night yesterday's groups (the A12s,A4s,A8s and A36s) started to arrive back from Queen Charlotte Strait via both Blackney Pass and Weynton Pass. The incoming groups met off the entrance to Blackney and then continued to the east. The A11s, the last group, followed a short while later and may be the group now returning to the west.
Helena
09 Jul 2006 07:39:56 PDT
Superb sounds!!
We are listening to A4 and A36 calls in Blackfish Sound. We will see if the A36s make it all the way in tonight. Last night they retreated to Queen Charlotte Strait after being heard in Blackfish Sound briefly.
Helena
09 Jul 2006 22:39:05 PDT
Saturday, July 08, 2006
08 July 2006, Oralab reports:
No orcas present.
Quiet night, nothing seemed to change over night.
Helena
08 Jul 2006 07:42:12 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
"Nothing seemed to change" was not exactly accurate - in fact everything changed overnight! The problem for us was that it all happened silently. The A12s, A4s and A8s travelled west in the Strait and were completely silent until just before the entrance of Weynton Passage. We heard a single call over the boat noise at around 8:30am. This was just about the same moment when Jim Borrowman, looking out from Telegraph Cove saw a single fin near Weynton Passage. When he got over to the whales they were already well into the Pass and heading out to Blackfish Sound and Donegal Head beyond. An interesting split happened. A12 and A33 along with the A8s and the A35s came down into Blackney Pass and Johnstone Strait while the A11s and the rest of the A12s (the A34s) joined the A36s and travelled out through Queen Charlotte Strait. After a short while A12 and A33 led the A35s and the A8s back out through Blackney and on to Queen Charlotte Strait where they are now, several kilometres behind the "other gang". A rather neat day of interesting twists. Warm southeast winds continued to blow.
Helena
08 Jul 2006 16:55:56 PDT
No orcas present.
Quiet night, nothing seemed to change over night.
Helena
08 Jul 2006 07:42:12 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
"Nothing seemed to change" was not exactly accurate - in fact everything changed overnight! The problem for us was that it all happened silently. The A12s, A4s and A8s travelled west in the Strait and were completely silent until just before the entrance of Weynton Passage. We heard a single call over the boat noise at around 8:30am. This was just about the same moment when Jim Borrowman, looking out from Telegraph Cove saw a single fin near Weynton Passage. When he got over to the whales they were already well into the Pass and heading out to Blackfish Sound and Donegal Head beyond. An interesting split happened. A12 and A33 along with the A8s and the A35s came down into Blackney Pass and Johnstone Strait while the A11s and the rest of the A12s (the A34s) joined the A36s and travelled out through Queen Charlotte Strait. After a short while A12 and A33 led the A35s and the A8s back out through Blackney and on to Queen Charlotte Strait where they are now, several kilometres behind the "other gang". A rather neat day of interesting twists. Warm southeast winds continued to blow.
Helena
08 Jul 2006 16:55:56 PDT
Friday, July 07, 2006
07 July 2006, Orcalab reports
Multiple pod calls audible.
What a night. After circling Hanson Island twice the A12s and the a4s finally headed up into Blackfish Sound where they waited for the A36s to bring in some of the A5s and either the I31s or I11s. The A36s left via Blckney Pass around first light and continued back west into Blackfish. The A12s and the A5s may have continued east (at least for now) while the I11/I31 group sounded like they came up to Craroft Point behind the A36s. however, they never came into Blackney and we wonder if they and one of the A groups continued off to the west in the Strait.
Helena
07 Jul 2006 06:36:22 PDT
No orcas present.
After all the excitment of new groups arriving, the rest of the day was a bit anticlimatic. By 630am the A36s and the I31s (only I46, I80, and the I33s were identified by Jared Towers) took different paths out of the area. We have no idea what happened to the A4s, A12s amd the A5s - did they leave as well via Weynton Pass or did they go east? Time will probably let us in on the secret. For now, boat noise and the sound of the southeast wind.
Helena
07 Jul 2006 22:10:22 PDT
Multiple pod calls audible.
What a night. After circling Hanson Island twice the A12s and the a4s finally headed up into Blackfish Sound where they waited for the A36s to bring in some of the A5s and either the I31s or I11s. The A36s left via Blckney Pass around first light and continued back west into Blackfish. The A12s and the A5s may have continued east (at least for now) while the I11/I31 group sounded like they came up to Craroft Point behind the A36s. however, they never came into Blackney and we wonder if they and one of the A groups continued off to the west in the Strait.
Helena
07 Jul 2006 06:36:22 PDT
No orcas present.
After all the excitment of new groups arriving, the rest of the day was a bit anticlimatic. By 630am the A36s and the I31s (only I46, I80, and the I33s were identified by Jared Towers) took different paths out of the area. We have no idea what happened to the A4s, A12s amd the A5s - did they leave as well via Weynton Pass or did they go east? Time will probably let us in on the secret. For now, boat noise and the sound of the southeast wind.
Helena
07 Jul 2006 22:10:22 PDT
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
5 July 2006, Orcalab reports:
Boat noise
We believe the A12s are making their way west from Critical Point, following the pattern set earlier by the A36s and A4s who may have continued west into Queen Charlotte Strait. It was a busy night with a lot of movement in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
05 Jul 2006 08:59:09 PDT
Distant calls audible.
A further note: The A12s can be heard now on CP as they continue west and we now believe the C10s and A5s were with the A4s and A36s on their trek to Queen Charlotte Strait earlier.
Helena
05 Jul 2006 09:31:36 PDT
Boat noise
We believe the A12s are making their way west from Critical Point, following the pattern set earlier by the A36s and A4s who may have continued west into Queen Charlotte Strait. It was a busy night with a lot of movement in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
05 Jul 2006 08:59:09 PDT
Distant calls audible.
A further note: The A12s can be heard now on CP as they continue west and we now believe the C10s and A5s were with the A4s and A36s on their trek to Queen Charlotte Strait earlier.
Helena
05 Jul 2006 09:31:36 PDT
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
