Wednesday, August 30, 2006

30 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

A night of surprises! Not only did we hear the A36s accompany the I31s and Rs to the top of Blackfish Sound (they later travelled into Johnstone Strait by themselves via Weynton Pass, we also got to hear the A36s accompany several other groups, including the Hs, into Blackney Pass. However, after just getting part way into the Pass they returned to Blackfish Sound where they are now. Perhaps the strong ebb tide discouraged them from continuing on to the Strait. The tide will turn around 2am. A long night ahead?
Helena
30 Aug 2006 00:07:17 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

A large group of orcas, including A1s, A4s, A5s & several G & R clan groups has just headed north through Blackney Pass.
Helena
30 Aug 2006 04:58:44 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Oh boy, still a lot of movement. The A30s,I15s and the R group have come back from the top of Blackfish Sound, travelled through Weynton Pass and headed east in Johnstone Strait. Other groups, the A12s, A5s, I31s and possibly others are following but look like they might come through Blackney Pass. We are waiting. Earlier this morning: the A30s,A11s, I15s, Gs, Rs and I11/I31s passed through Blackney on their way north and west. They were "sort of" following the A36s, Hs and Is who had ventured in as far as Blackney pass before returning to Blackfish Sound and heading out. The A12s, A5s and the rest of the A4s may have stayed Strait side, going to the west and out via Weynton Pass. After sorting themselves out they groups have split and begun travelling as described above.
Helena
30 Aug 2006 12:35:05 PDT

Monday, August 28, 2006

28 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Most of the groups were back in the Strait by 3am & heading east. The A12s are presently having an energetic rub.
Helena
28 Aug 2006 06:33:16 PDT

Boat noise

After a great rub the groups may have headed off to the east. hard to say how far they will go as the tide is now ebbing. We thought they might come back but we have not heard anything for over an hour now. Before the rub, when the whales were off the Robson Bight area, we think the I31s may have come and joined the others around 5am. It was after this that the groups went down to the beaches for an hour rub which ended around 7:30am.
Helena
28 Aug 2006 09:18:18 PDT

Boat noise

Sorry, I forgot to mention who we have heard this morning from the time the majority of the whales had come in: A30s,A12s, A36s, A4s,A5s, I11s,Gs, I15s and possibly the I31s as well.
Helena
28 Aug 2006 09:20:21 PDT

No orcas present.

The G3s, G18s and G29s were almost toally silent as they made their way the entire length of the upper Johnstone Strait area. They woke up in time to go for a rub around 6:40pm. from the beaches they continued east. We heard an update from the eastern part of Johnstone Strait this evening, thanks to Nick of Painter's Lodge. Apparently, the large group (the A12s,A30s, I11s,I15s, A4s, A5s, possibly the G2s and I31s ended up near Bear Bight. This is almost as far east as the Strait goes. It may be a quiet night up here. Nothing developed from the idea that the Rs and the Bs were in town earlier.
Helena
28 Aug 2006 22:22:33 PDT

Saturday, August 26, 2006

26 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

Sorry again, we had internet problems this morning AND it has been busy.... the A30s,A36s and I15s have come in. The A12s,I31s,A4s and A5s all came west (starting at 5am), some up as far as Telegraph Cove. The A24s , travelling just behind the A35s,poked their noses into Blackney Pass to have a listen while the others positioned themselves off Weynton Pass tp listen for the incoming A30s,A36s and I15s. Once in all the groups headed east together slowly against the last of the ebbing tide. They are now all in the Reserve, some at the beaches (A12s), others just in at the western boundary.
Helena
26 Aug 2006 13:13:31 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 14, 2006

14 August 2006, Orcalab reports:


Multiple pod calls audible.

Good Morning! The A12s,A4s,A5s and the Bs continued to wait off Robson Bight/Boat Bay until around 2am and then finally shifted east. This was very close to when we started to first hear the I15s and the A30s in Blackfish Sound. They were joined by the A36s and several Gs groups, who then proceded ahead to Blackney Pass. After passing through Blackney Pass in a BIG rush all these groups entered the Strait and continued east. They are currently still passing Robson Bight. The tide is in full flood.
Helena
14 Aug 2006 05:36:24 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The whales who went east early this morning are returning and the lead groups are already up to Boat Bay. Meanwhile, the Naiad has been reporting a very large group (included are Ws,Ds,Rs and more) off the Port Hardy area. They are not yet committed to fully coming down to the east.
Helena
14 Aug 2006 13:56:15 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A36s are once again leading the several G groups westward in the Strait. We are also hearing A4s,A5s,A12s & Bs but i don't think we have heard the a30s and the I15s yet. It is,however, a BIG crowd.
Helena
14 Aug 2006 16:18:51 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

My goodness what a day. The OLers were here after their encounter with the Rs, Ws,Ds,C6s,C10s mid Queen Charlotte Strait off Pine Island on the Naiad Explorer. Meanwhile, the A30s,A36s, I15s, A12s, A35s,A24s,A51s, A43s, Bs and the several G groups came out of the east and travelled toward WeyntonPassage. There the Gs probably took off through Weynton Passage and the others returned to the entrance of Blackney Pass where after sorting themselves out they headed into Blackney Pass and past the Lab. The A24s and the Bs were the last through. CP saw the A12s continue to the west in the Strait and it is still unclear what they are going to do.
Helena
14 Aug 2006 20:48:52 PDT

Sunday, August 13, 2006

13 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Last night the Gs and A36s, accompanied by the A30s and the I15s, travelled through Blackney Pass between 7:16 and 8pm. We continued to hear all their calls until 9:15pm. After a short break, the A30s and the I15s were vocal again in Blackfish Sound, returned and came back through Blackney Pass between 12:20 and 1am. These two groups then travelled east and disappeared around Critical Point/Robson Bight around 3am. We have heard a report this morning from the MacKays that there is a large group east bound from the Port Hardy area.
Helena
13 Aug 2006 09:13:24 PDT

Saturday, August 12, 2006

12 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

The I15s and the A30s crossed the Strait to Vancouver Island and are now in the Ecological Reserve rounding Critical Point. The A12s,A4s, A5s, Gs and A36s are still to the east. There is a report of a group near Port Neville westbound. Sadly, it looks like I15 and I41 are missing. Graeme Ellis had a chance to look at the group this morning. We had already guessed that I41 was gone but did not know about I15. I16 has most likely lost her youngest calf.
Helena
12 Aug 2006 14:43:49 PDT


Multiple pod calls audible.

The G3s, G29s and probably other Gs as well came through Blackney with the A36s, A30s and the I15s. It was a lovely mixed up bunch of travelling whales catching the glow of the evening sunset. They are all now at the top end of Blackfish Sound.
Helena
12 Aug 2006 20:57:02 PDT

Friday, August 11, 2006

11 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

After the A30s and the I15s disappeared to the east in Johnstone Strait all was quiet until 11pm. Then... calls in Blackfish Sound. In came the Cs, Ds, Gs, and A36s through Blackney Pass. They reached Johnstone Strait on the slack tide andthen made their way east. Just as the last of these groups were approaching Robson Bight the A12s,A4s,A5s,A30s and Bs came up from the east. By 2:30am everyone had turned and moved in the same direction together, We last heard calls at 3:15 as the groups passed the eastern boundary of the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
11 Aug 2006 07:17:59 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

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

09 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

The B7s led the parade back to the west starting at 2:50am. All the groups (the A4s,A5s,A30s,A12s,Gs,I31s,Rs etc) followed. With the exception of the small A11 group, who went through Blackney Pass, all the rest continued west in Johnstone Strat. We are just now hearing the first groups arrive at the top end of Blackfish Sound after exiting the Strait via Weynton Pass.
Helena
09 Aug 2006 06:39:59 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s came back from Queen Charlotte Strait ahead of the B7s, A24s,A51s and A43s. They all came through Blackney Pass. The A12s are now entering the Ecological Reserve while the others are slowly resting west of the Sophias. The rest of the groups (the A36s, A11s, I15s, Rs, Ds, I31s & Gs) are still headed west in Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
09 Aug 2006 14:22:15 PDT

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

08 August Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A30s & A36s are with the i31s,Bs and some of the Gs passing CP. They came out of the east about 4:45am and have been moving west ever since.
Helena
08 Aug 2006 06:23:11 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A36s have gone through Blackney Pass and into Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile, the A30s, I31s, Gs and I15s have continued west in Johnstone Strait. We believve the Bs may have turned around and headed back towards the Reserve after making it as far as Cracroft Point. We have heard a few A4 calls as well. There should still be a a fairly large group to the east, the A5s, possibly the A12s, some more of the A4s and the C6s and D7s. It is very, very foggy today.
Helena
08 Aug 2006 08:26:27 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

There are groups of whales everywhere! In the Strait: the B7s did turn back with the A11s but they are making there way past Critical Point. The A35s just finished at the Beaches and there may be others behind them (the rest of the A4s and A5s). The C6s (at least part of the pod) have gone past Alert Bay to the west. The A30s, I15s, I31s, A36s abd Gs (at least some of the G groups) are out in Queen Charlotte meeting up with incoming Rs and other groups. We don't know where the D7s got to as yet. Very, very busy!
Helena
08 Aug 2006 12:14:29 PDT

No orcas present.

Another superpod day! Several of the groups (the A30s,I31s,Gs, A12s ,A36s and Ds) this morning circled around Hanson Island and met up with the incoming Rs. The C6s headed off by themselves past Alert Bay. The A12s then led all the groups in via Blackney Pass just as the fog was clearing. The groups headed east in Johnstone Strait. After a jump into the beaches together they carried on to the east by 4:30pm. It has been quiet since. Our count was well over 100 whales.
Helena
08 Aug 2006 22:26:02 PDT

Sunday, August 06, 2006

06 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

The I15s have arrived for the first time this season! They are accompanied by the A36s, and are presently at in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
06 Aug 2006 08:06:37 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The I15s and the A36s headed down to the east, visited the Rubbing Beach. The A36s are still Rubbing.
Tomoko
06 Aug 2006 12:01:31 PDT

Orcas near mics.

This is becoming quite the day! The I15s and the A36s have already gone through Blackney Pass and east in Johnstone Strait. Bothe groups went in for a rub but the A36s have since come back to the west. The whalewatch boats have been keeping an eye on the Bs in Queen Charlotte Strait. They have company. R clan & possibly G clan calls have also been heard. The good news for us is that these groups are moving towards Blackfish Sound. Are the A36s coming west to meet up? Meanwhile the A30s,A4s,A5s are still quite far east. They were reported in Sunderland Channel earlier. They too were headed west.
Helena
06 Aug 2006 12:38:19 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Each of the groups is taking a turn at the Beaches. So far the I15s, A36s went in soon after their arrival as the first group. The Bs and the I31s were next (the 2nd group through) and now the I15s and the A30s (up from the east) have moved in too. Off Critcial Point the G group (the 3rd group through) are moving eastward towards the Beaches. Jim Borrowman reports that the R5s,R7s, and Ws turned back in Queen Charlotte and headed out to the west without "coming" in. And now, Dall's porpoise have come right into the bay out front ogf the house - Amazing!
Helena
06 Aug 2006 17:39:06 PDT

No orcas present.

The rubs are finally over (7:30pm) and the whales off to the east once again.
Helena
06 Aug 2006 21:58:13 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