Wednesday, August 08, 2007

08 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

As the A30s and the I11s continue to the west past Kaikash Creek, the A36s have turned up inside Robson Bight.
Helena
08 Aug 2007 16:39:39 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

After the A36s turned up in the Bight the A30s and the I11s turned around off the western end of Johnstone Strait and went east along the Vancouver Island shore. The A36s hurried westward and entered Blackney Pass just after 7pm. They continued into Blackfish Sound and beyond. The A30s and the I11s continued east toward the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
08 Aug 2007 21:26:18 PDT

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

7 August 2007, Orcalab reports

No orcas present.

Early this morning, the A12s continued west in Johnstone Strait and turned into Blackney Pass. By 2:30am they were heading through Blackfish Sound. It was unclear whether the A24s stayed with the A12s. We last heard their calls around 11:30pm when they were still in the Strait. The A30s were ahead of both these groups having entered Blackfish Sound by 10:30pm. The A36s are most likely still east in Johnstone Strait. This morning whales were seen in Queen Charlotte Strait around 6am.
Helena
07 Aug 2007 08:02:01 PDT


Distant calls audible.

The A30s are back at the western end of Blackfish Sound. The A36s at 7:30pm were westbound at Ripple Point (still very far east) and the A12s and the A24s most likely continued east from the rubing beaches.
helena
07 Aug 2007 21:19:12 PDT

Monday, August 06, 2007

06 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A36s were at he rubbing beach a little while ago.
Tomoko
06 Aug 2007 00:06:49 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

After moving eastward last night there are whales back near Critical Point.
Helena
06 Aug 2007 08:05:52 PDT

Sunday, August 05, 2007

05 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Early this morning there were A4 calls (?A24s) in Johnstone Strait. Tracking was difficult thanks to the boat noise and the distant nature of the calls. We did not hear the A12s or A36s once they disappeared to the west yesterday evening. No word about the A30s who most likely are still to the east.
Helena
05 Aug 2007 07:52:50 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

As the A12s and the A36s make their way east out of Queen Charlotte Strait we began to hear a few rubs at the main beach in the Ecological Reserve. No calls yet so we are not sure if it is the A30s or the A24s or both coming from the east.
Helena
05 Aug 2007 15:21:34 PDT

Distant calls audible.

It turned out to be the A24s who was rubbing just after 3pm. Now they are heading west, we just started picking up their calls on CP hydrophone. The A12s came into the Strait through Weynton Pass, going east.
Tomoko
05 Aug 2007 18:11:52 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Here is what has been happening today. The A24s came up from the east and headed west. The a12s travelled eastward through Queen Charlotte Strait with the A36s, however, only the A12s went through Weynton Pass and into Johnstone Strait. They then travelled east. After going west the A24s turned in time to join the A34s and head east together. As they were so engaged, the A36s, decided to finally come all the way through Blackney Pass and enter Johnstone Strait. This was about 6:30 pm. Some of the whales are now going through the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
05 Aug 2007 20:37:06 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

After a long and wonderful rub the A12s and the A24s headed back west to Robson Bight. The A36s may still be nearby. The ebbing tide might encourage a bigger move west. At 4:30pm, Nic Templeman reported that the A30s were westbound off Kelsey Bay.
Helena
05 Aug 2007 22:55:53 PDT
05 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Early this morning there were A4 calls (?A24s) in Johnstone Strait. Tracking was difficult thanks to the boat noise and the distant nature of the calls. We did not hear the A12s or A36s once they disappeared to the west yesterday evening. No word about the A30s who most likely are still to the east.
Helena
05 Aug 2007 07:52:50 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

As the A12s and the A36s make their way east out of Queen Charlotte Strait we began to hear a few rubs at the main beach in the Ecological Reserve. No calls yet so we are not sure if it is the A30s or the A24s or both coming from the east.
Helena
05 Aug 2007 15:21:34 PDT

Distant calls audible.

It turned out to be the A24s who was rubbing just after 3pm. Now they are heading west, we just started picking up their calls on CP hydrophone. The A12s came into the Strait through Weynton Pass, going east.
Tomoko
05 Aug 2007 18:11:52 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Here is what has been happening today. The A24s came up from the east and headed west. The a12s travelled eastward through Queen Charlotte Strait with the A36s, however, only the A12s went through Weynton Pass and into Johnstone Strait. They then travelled east. After going west the A24s turned in time to join the A34s and head east together. As they were so engaged, the A36s, decided to finally come all the way through Blackney Pass and enter Johnstone Strait. This was about 6:30 pm. Some of the whales are now going through the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
05 Aug 2007 20:37:06 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

After a long and wonderful rub the A12s and the A24s headed back west to Robson Bight. The A36s may still be nearby. The ebbing tide might encourage a bigger move west. At 4:30pm, Nic Templeman reported that the A30s were westbound off Kelsey Bay.
Helena
05 Aug 2007 22:55:53 PDT

Saturday, August 04, 2007

04 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The A12s and the A36s headed north through Blackney Pass. We are not sure if the A24s were with them.
Tomoko
04 Aug 2007 03:00:59 PDT

No orcas present.

Last night the A36s were heard accompanying the A12s to the entrance of Blackney Pass. The A12s definitely went through Blackney Pass to Blackfish Sound and it is possible the A36s were still with them. The story is less clear for the A24s as their calls ended for us much earlier while they were still in Johnstone Strait so they too may or may not have continued with the A12s to the west. For us, the A1 calls faded just before 3am when they became distant in Blackfish Sound. We will see what develops this morning.
Helena
04 Aug 2007 07:39:22 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The a12s are on their way back to Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass while the A36s (yes, they must have gone west with the A12s earlier) are foraging at the western end of Blackfish Sound.
Helena
04 Aug 2007 10:12:34 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s did the unusual move of not heading east once in the Strait. Instead they went west and are near Beaver Cove (west of Telegraph Cove). The A36s are still off the western end of Blackfish Sound.
Helena
04 Aug 2007 13:11:55 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s moved toward Robson Bight and the beaches beyond. All of the group did not have a rub as they most likely were spread out across the Strait as they went east. We have not heard the A36s in Blackfish Sound for quite a while.
Helena
04 Aug 2007 17:59:58 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s have returned west to the Robson Bight area. The A36s are apparently still in Blackfish Sound, still foraging off the very western end.
Helena
04 Aug 2007 19:06:44 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A12s are travelling (but also foraging) north through Blackney Pass. Just before they entered, the A36s dropped down closer to Blackney Pass from Blackfish Sound BUT did not come into view.
Helena
04 Aug 2007 21:28:37 PDT

Friday, August 03, 2007

03 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The A30s are foraging in Blackfish Sound. The A36s are off Lizard Point.
Helena
03 Aug 2007 09:25:39 PDT


Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30s have gone in for a rub. The A24s and hte A12s are hurrying up from the east and have now passed St Vicents Bight. The A36s are still to the west.
Helena
03 Aug 2007 17:17:20 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A36s finally made it to Johnstone Strait BUT they went through Weynton Pass and NOT past us. We have yet to see them in the daytime. They are headed east. The A12s have also made back to these parts and are currently headed west past Critical Point. Sooooo?... where are the A30s? They were at the beaches just a while ago. AND where are the A24s. Perhaps these questions will be answered soon.
Helena
03 Aug 2007 20:33:13 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A24s have arrived back from the east and have rejoined the A12s and the A36s off of the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
03 Aug 2007 22:50:43 PDT

Thursday, August 02, 2007

02 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The A36s have been foraging in Blackfish Sound for the past several hours. Meanwhile, the A30s are in western Johnstone Strait. We're hearing occasional calls from them on the Critical Point hydrophone.
Helena
02 Aug 2007 07:23:10 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A30s, who have been moving around Johnstone Strait since 3am, are eastbound once again toward Robson Bight. We have not heard the A36s, who earlier flirted twice with coming into Blackney Pass, since around 6am. No word on the A24s, Rs or A12s so far this morning.
Helena
02 Aug 2007 09:44:03 PDT

No orcas present.

It is always interesting being around the residents. Last night, there was an exchange. The A24s and the R7s went off with the waiting A36 brothers. They have been spotted in Queen Charlotte Strait by Seasmoke Charters this morning. This all happened without any noticeable acoustic exchanges. This left the A30s to turn eastward by themselves. As they move further east there has been a report of a group (?the A12s) moving westward from Camp Point.
Helena
02 Aug 2007 12:38:22 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We have been busy trying to keep track of the various groups in the area. The A24s, true to form, were silent until they reached Johnstone Strait. And it wasn't until they reached the beaches that they actually made any noises at all. The A36s keep waxing and waning toward Blackney Pass, never quite making it (so far at least) and the A30s have returned from the east and hooked up with the A24s off the Ecologial Reserve. The R7s, we believe, kept going west in Queen Charlotte Strait after spending part of the morning with the A24s and the A36s. All of this would be easier if the whales kept in range and vocal but then it wouldn't be as interesting or challenging.
Helena
02 Aug 2007 20:23:43 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

At least the A30s just travelled north through Blackney Pass, perhaps to visit with the entrenched A36s in Blackfish Sound. We have lost track of the A24s since their turn at the beaches earlier. The A12s have not yet showed up from the east either. Time will tell.
Helena
02 Aug 2007 22:44:34 PDT

Sunday, July 29, 2007

29 July 2007, Orcalab reports:


Multiple pod calls audible.

Hmmm.... we just had the A5s and the A12s go through Blackney pass in very mixed fashion. They have headed east and may have been joined by the A36s.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 12:12:36 PDT

Superb sounds!!

After the A36s merged with the A35s (who had been sitting off Blinkhorn before moving east to Kaikash Creek) the whales crossed over to the entrance oF Blackney Pass and for a while everyone went west. Behind them the A12s and the A5s were moving west as well. After reaching the entrance to Blackney Pass they all looked like they were going to head back east but they then stalled. Although drifting and changing direction they have been very vocal. Word has reached us that there are other groups in Queen Charlotte Strait heading this direction. Despite the constant boat noise the calls have been constant and clear, everyone chatting at once.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 15:50:25 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

After shuffling back and forth in Johnstone Strait all the groups (the A5s, A35s and the A12s) finally left via Blackney Pass on the ebb. Prior to this,the A36s left the strait via Weynton Pass and headed to Blackfish Sound where they acoustically interacted with the small A11 group (including Springer) as they made their way through Blackfish Sound toward Blackney Pass. The a36s continued west by themselves. Just after the A11s came into our view we became aware of the whales exiting Johnstone Strait. The A11s turned and led everyone away into Blackfish Sound. There were not many calls during all of this. way. The A30s apparently continued eastward to Nodales Channel. We do not know where the A24s are at the moment.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 20:22:42 PDT

Saturday, July 28, 2007

28 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

The A30s are off Lizard Point. The A24s and the A36s are west bound recently out of Nodales. Dolphins are leaping all over Blackney Pass.
Helena
28 Jul 2007 20:14:39 PDT

Friday, July 27, 2007

27 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

For us it was a quiet night butasmall group of orcas managed to slip by silently this morning. They headed north out of Johnstone Strait and through Blackney Pass. Last night, the A24s were last seen still heading east (could it have been them this morning?) and the A36s were still hanging out just inside Nodales Channel.
Helena
27 Jul 2007 07:58:32 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

It has been a slow day for the A24s. They were the group who went through Blackney Pass before 7am. They spent the day in Queen Charlotte Strait.They are in Blackney Pass right now working their way slowly through against the current. They are taking advantage of the tide by foraging as they go. "Progress" is slow and relaxed. A78 breached just before they started to slip backwards towards the north again. it may be a while before we find out how determined they are to get back to Johnstone Strait or whether they bide their time until the turn of the tide at 11pm. They are not vocal, not even echol locating so far. The A36s were reported to have left Nodales Channel at 1pm and sort of moving west although they were still not far from Chatham Point.
Helena
27 Jul 2007 20:51:22 PDT

Thursday, July 26, 2007

26 July 2007, Orcalab reports

No orcas present.

Between 12:25amand 3:30 am the A24s travelled west in Johnstone Strait and north through Blackney Pass. We believe the A36s are still east as the last report (thanks, Nick) said that they were last seen yesterday evening in Nodales Channel.
Helena
26 Jul 2007 07:47:24 PDT

No orcas present.

A further morning update: 7 orcas were seen this morning heading west through Queen Charlotte Strait at Black Bluff. There were apparently males in the group so we wonder now if the A36s joined up with the A24s rather than remaining east as we first thought. The MacKays also report that acruiseship sighted two large groups heading east just south of Port Hardy. Itmay get busy yet!
Helena
26 Jul 2007 08:17:10 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

It has turned out that the A36s did remain east and this morning the A24s turned around and are now eastbound from Lizard Point.
Helena
26 Jul 2007 10:38:06 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A24s made it all the way back to the Strait via blackney Pass. They headed quickly to the east and are now off the Main rubbing beach.
Helena
26 Jul 2007 16:46:27 PDT

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

25 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

We have fixed our internet problem and so can once again post comments. The morning before last the A36s came back to the area. They travelled through Blackney Pass and on to eastern Johnstone Strait. Following several hours behind were the A24s. Prior to these visits, we had the C10s, C6s and D7s pass through. They followed (by a day or so) the A12s, A11s, A35s, A43s and A51s back out past Port Hardy. All in all it has been busy but with considerable gaps in the action around these parts.
Helena & Paul
25 Jul 2007 13:51:12 PDT

Boat noise

The A36s and the A24s are together BUT they only got 1/2 the way back to Kelsey Bay (Ripple Point) before turning and heading back toward Nodales Channel at the eastern end of Johnstone Strait.
Helena
25 Jul 2007 15:06:02 PDT

Monday, March 05, 2007

05 March 2007, Cetaceanlab reports:

In the morning of March 5th, we started hearing A-calls on our “Home” station. The whales were most likely traveling north in Squally Channel. It may have been a fairly large group and we were able to determine that an A1 group was present (most likely the A36s), and a B,C,D group. It was a pleasant surprise for us to listen to the B,C,D Orcas as we never had them this early in the season in our study area.
05 March 2007, Cetaceanlab reports:

We had a small group of transient Orcas close to Taylor Bight and enjoyed a close encounter of a juvenile/young adult humpback whale that came very close to the shore of our Lab. We also had the first acoustic recording of a group of resident Orcas. In the morning of March 5th, we started hearing A-calls on our “Home” station. The whales were most likely traveling north in Squally Channel. It may have been a fairly large group and we were able to determine that an A1 group was present (most likely the A36s), and a B,C,D group. It was a pleasant surprise for us to listen to the B,C,D Orcas as we never had them this early in the season in our study area.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

16 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

The A36s, followed by the other A1s, headed north through Blackney Pass just before & just after daylight, and are presently in Blackfish Sound. We're listening to their lovely calls without boat noise, and are sorry not to be able to share them with you, as our connection is still down.
Helena
16 Nov 2006 08:54:18 PST

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

15 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

Hey it is an A1 day! The A30s,A12s and the A36s (vocal at the moment) have travelled south through Blackney Pass on their way to Johnstone Strait. They look like they might be excited by the prospect! We are.
Helena
15 Nov 2006 16:28:14 PST

Orcas near mics.

The A30s, A12s, and A36s are in Johnstone Strait now.
Helena
15 Nov 2006 17:09:50 PST

Performing maintenance

Unfortunately, we lost our connection again earlier this evening, while we were enjoying listening to all the A1 matrilines being together. This time, the problem is beyond our control, but we're hoping to be "up" again tomorrow. Please excuse the inconvenience.
Paul & Helena
15 Nov 2006 23:11:00 PST

Thursday, October 26, 2006

26 October Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

These distant A1 calls are in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
26 Oct 2006 00:06:51 PDT

Performing maintenance

We are experiencing connection problems & are unable to stream live audio at the moment. Please excuse the inconvenience - we'll be back again as soon as possible, hopefully later today. Just now, all the "A1" groups are in Johnstone Strait, along with several G clan groups.
Paul & Helena
26 Oct 2006 09:05:13 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Currently we are listening to the A30s and possibly the A12s as well. Earlier today the A30s left the Strait (around 2:30am) and then returned to the Strait with the A12s,A36s and G clan groups possibly via Weynton Pass. We were experiencing a power outage around the time the whales arrived in the Strait and so can't be sure which route they actually took. Regardless, they continued east past CP and Robson Bight. The A12s and the A30s hung back for a while and the A30s came back to the entrance of Blackney Pass. Since then, and quite recently, the A12s resurfaced. Both groups continue to be vocal in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
26 Oct 2006 17:20:32 PDT

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

25 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

This sounds like the A36s coming back west with some of the G clan groups. There were several low, unusual calls near Critical Point as well.
Helena
25 Oct 2006 14:49:47 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The whales are off CP. We have heard the A12s along with other G clan groups. Not sure where the A36s are at the moment but there seems to be groups still closer to Critical Point. There is also a tug heading into JS right now.
Helena
25 Oct 2006 16:42:28 PDT

No orcas present.

The way it looks right now we think the whales continued off to the west. The distant A36s were quite vocal before we lost track of the calls but we could still a few Gs as well. Since then it has been steady boat noise.
Helena
25 Oct 2006 20:06:40 PDT

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

24 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

The A36s have pulled some of the Gs back with them to Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass. They are headed eastward.
Helena
24 Oct 2006 08:11:01 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A1 calls we heard a short while ago were in Blackfish Sound. We have been waiting to see what might develop. The tide is flooding and this may mean this group might make it to Johnstone Strait.
Helena
24 Oct 2006 13:33:53 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Hmmm...the last note made need a bit of revision. We are now hearing both A1 and G clan calls off the very top end of Blackfish Sound. So we are going to wait a bit longer to see if these groups are "incoming" or as we now suspect "out going". The flooding tide is a confusing factor but : Time will tell.
Helena
24 Oct 2006 13:49:09 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Should have stuck with the first guess! The flooding tide did bring the whales into Johnstone Strait. It sounds like A12 vocals along with some of the G groups.
Helena
24 Oct 2006 14:27:55 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The 200+ dolphins that rushed through Blackney Pass to Johnstone Strait sound like they have found the A12s & Gs! By the way a lone humpback also transited Blackney Pass bound for the Strait as well.
Helena
24 Oct 2006 15:28:44 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

it does sound like there are a lot of G clan groups on hand. We are also wondering if the A12s might be reunited now as there has been quite an increase in their type of calls. The groups sound like they are off the CP area now. We are finally getting real rain - only trouble is - we are not use to it now!
Helena
24 Oct 2006 16:16:40 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Forgot to mention that the A36s are there too.
Helena
24 Oct 2006 16:17:55 PDT

Boat noise

We believe the groups carried on to the east. There have been a few bouts of dolphin calls since.
Helena
24 Oct 2006 22:10:35 PDT