16 September Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

From the sounds the whales seem to be making their way back to the west past the Reserve. We have heard so far the A30s, G17s, possibly the A36s and either (or both) the I11s and I31s. The I15s will probably add themselves to the list at some point as well. Lovely morning, lovely whales even with the persistent boat noise.
Helena
16 Sep 2005 07:16:56 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

Some of the westbound orcas are on the Cracroft Island side of the Strait, passing CP. Channel A. Others are on the Vancouver Island side, near Kaikash. It looks like at least some of them are going to head north through Blackney Pass.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 08:22:08 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're hearing occasional distant calls on the Critical Point hydrophone as the orcas move to the western end of Johnstone Strait. A few minutes ago, we also heard distant calls on the Flower Island hydrophone, though we're not sure who was making them.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 09:42:00 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're still hearing occasional distant calls from the various groups (A30s, A36s, I15s, I11s, G17s) that now spread out across Johnstone Strait at the Weynton Pass end. The sounds we heard in Blackfish Sound a while ago were probably from dolphins.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 11:04:28 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The close calls we've been hearing are from A54 & A75. The other A30s are further out in the Blackney Pass "gap". All are foraging. Meanwhile, it looks like the other groups near Weynton Pass may be turning back to the east, though we're not yet sure. Orcas have also recently been sighted near Lizard Point, westbound.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 12:38:53 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s moved off to the west from Blackney Pass a while ago, but have now turned back to the east again. They are visibler on Channel A. We're hearing their calls on the Parson Island Hydrophone. The other groups decided to head north through Weynton Pass, against the flooding tide. Some of them are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound, others are still in Weynton Pass. We're hearing G clan calls in the distance on the Flower Island hydrophone. Meanwhile, a group of transients has been sighted off Bold Head... they are now heading towards the Penfolds.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 14:17:09 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s have moved back towards the west from Blackney Pass, possibly to meet up with the rest of the groups they were with earlier (A12s, A36s, I11s, G17s) now re-entering Johnstone Strait at Weynton Pass.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 15:46:40 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Just a short while ago we started hearing the A36s and G clan calls (I11s most likely) on Flower Island. Previous reports from the whale watch boats had said that the I11s had doubled backed through Weynton Pass after just reaching the Strait. The impression then was that the other groups including the A12s nd the I15s continued east in the Strait. We have not heard any calls other than the A30s in the Strait so we are waiting to see where the various groups end up tonight. So far today we have heard the A30s, A12s, A36s, G17s, I11s and I15s. The I31s were reported east yesterday.
Helena
16 Sep 2005 18:10:08 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We now believe that all the groups except the A30s went back out Weynton Pass and into Queen Charlotte Strait where they continued off to the west. The A30s are sleeping west of CP and the I31s are probably to the east.
Helena
16 Sep 2005 19:29:03 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are currently listening to the A36s and the I15s making their way back closer to Blackfish Sound after venturing into Queen Charlotte Strait with the I11s, A12s and G17s. Too early to tell whether or not the I11s and G17s were "dropped off" and have continued to the west. As far as we know the A30s remained behind in the Strait and were last seen a few hours ago resting off of Blinkhorn.
Helena
16 Sep 2005 21:08:10 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It sounds like the A12s are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound, along with the A36s & I15s. We also heard the A30s in Johnstone Strait a while ago. With the moon shining on a calm ocean, this is shaping up to be a lovely night.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 22:47:31 PDT