22 September Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

We heard no calls overnight, and think that the numerous groups (A12s, A30s, A36s, I15s, I11s, I31s) that headed "out" yesterday afternoon, after many days of intense socialising, may have moved further to the west. We are hoping that at least some of them will return before long, but meanwhile, we are waiting.
Paul
22 Sep 2005 09:24:05 PDT

No orcas present.

Well this has been the first day all season without orcas in the area. We did receive two reports from MacKay Whale Watching that a very large group of whales were west of Port Hardy this morning: Most likely the same whales as of yesterday. After all the intensity of movement and vocals the quiet takes some adjustment. But the return will be like starting over again!
Helena
22 Sep 2005 22:13:21 PDT

21 September Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

Good morning everyone! The wonderful morning chorus of "A1" and "G-I" calls we're listening to is in Robson Bight. Sounds like the groups that were in the Strait yesterday afternoon & last night (A12s, A30s, I15s, I11s. I31s) are probably still together. It's another very foggy morning here... but hopefully it will become clear later this morning.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 07:35:08 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The party in Robson Bight seems to be going on & on, so we've sent an acoustic alert.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 08:54:33 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Some of the crowd have moved off to the east & are at the rubbing beaches... Channel B. Others are still in the Bight.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 09:19:53 PDT

Distant calls audible.

It seems that at least some of the orcas have moved off to the west & are now in the vicinity of Izumi Rock... we're starting to hear them in the distance on the CP hydrophone.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 10:01:04 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

Some of the orcas are close to CP & are occasionally visible through the fog. Channel A.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 10:40:28 PDT

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

The A36s have headed north through Blackney Pass on the swiftly ebbing tide. Others may follow them soon. It's too foggy to see much, but their calls have been clear on the Local Left hydrophone, now on Flower Island as they head into Blackfish Sound. The I15s are in the entrance to Blackney Pass, audible on the Parson Island hydrophone. There are still many orcas in Johnstone Strait, including the A12s & I11s/I31s. We're listening to them on the CP & CrPt hydrophones.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 11:23:27 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A36s continued to the west through Blackfish Sound this morning while the other groups (the A12s,A30s,I15s,I11s,and I31s) continued to the west in Johnstone Strait and out through Weynton Pass. They have lingered off the top end of Blackfish and the eastern regions of Queen Charlotte Strait for some time now. From time to time we can hear their distant calls.
Helena
21 Sep 2005 15:50:28 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since mid afternoon, when the various groups of orcas were headed north from Blackfish Sound. We are waiting.
Paul
21 Sep 2005 23:05:34 PDT

20 September Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Good morning everyone! It sounds like the crowd that headed south into Blackney Pass on the ebbing tide last evening, and then turned back, has finally made it into Johnstone Strait, this time on the slack. We began hearing distant calls on the Critical Point hydrophone around 6:30 am, & since then have heard the A30s, A12s, I15s, & I11/31s. They are heading east, on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait.
Paul
20 Sep 2005 07:10:01 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s left the other groups andjust passed by the lab in Blackney on their way to Blackfish Sound. Just as they entered Blackfish Sound we could hear the A36s there as well. The calls are now growing distant perhaps going with the ebbing tide. The large group in the Strait have been silent for a while and now there is boat noise.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 08:42:45 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We just had an interesting pass. We think the I35s along with I80 headed to Blackfish from the Strait. They were followed by the A30s and part of the I15s (including I41). It certainly was not all of the I31s nor all of the I15s. Meanwhile, the A36s and the A12s are headed toward the Foster Islands in Queen Charlotte Strait. Where are the other I31s, I15s and I11s?
Helena
20 Sep 2005 10:22:42 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Although they just became quiet. The whales have been making their way through Weynton Pass on the flood tide. The turn in Queen Charlotte Strait started just before the slack tide and by the time the lead group was nearing Weynton Pass the flood was in progress. We are now beginning to hear the first groups arrive in Johnstone Strait. Their calls are very distant. The large number of whales were so spread out that the calls on Flower Island faded at the same time the lead group reached the Strait. If everyone who was here returns (this time including the A36s) there will be near to 60 whales in the area. Acouple of humbacks have added to the spectacular day.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 14:10:19 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The whales have now reached the entrance to Blackney and are soon to cross over to CP.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 15:21:03 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The I15s, I31s,I11s, A1s have moved closer to the Reserve. Thunder and lightening have given way to lovely sunshine once more.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 16:58:55 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We just had quite a few whales head east past CP. They were spread out from midstrait to the Vancouver Island shore and they stretched all the way from the Reserve to CP. Everyone seemed to be mixed up but we definitely saw I41 (I15s), I64 (I11s), I42 (I31s), and I46 (I31s), as well as the A30s, A12, and possibly the A36s.
Mary and Julie@CP
20 Sep 2005 17:20:10 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Now the whales are spread out from Critical Point to the Beaches.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 17:51:14 PDT

No orcas present.

We think the whales left for the east after their pass of the beaches.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 21:46:37 PDT

Superb sounds!!

All the groups are making their way back past the Bight and on towards CP. Right now the A30s and the I15s are closest to the Bight but before them the I11s,I31s and A12s already made their way and we are just picking up their calls on CP.
Helena
20 Sep 2005 23:32:13 PDT

19 September Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Since 2am we have been listening to very relaxed A30s, I11s and I15s in and around the area between the Reserve and the Sophia Islands.
Helena
19 Sep 2005 05:32:26 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A30s,I15s,and I11s shifted back to the west. They are currently off the entrance to Blackney Pass (still in the Strait).
Helena
19 Sep 2005 06:29:43 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The whales seemed to have moved to the west of CP.
Helena
19 Sep 2005 08:27:50 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The I11s, I15s and A30s swept quickly through Weynton Pass and arrived off the top end of Blackfish Sound a short while ago. Some boat noise but nice clear mix of calls.
Helena
19 Sep 2005 09:23:31 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It looks like all or most of the groups that headed "out" early this morning are heading back "in". Others, including the G17s, are possibly with them, or following. At the moment, we're listening to the A30s on the Flower Island hydrophone, & we've also heard the I15s. The last of this day & the night ahead could be busy!
Paul
19 Sep 2005 16:56:07 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Sometimes standing still is the perfect thing to do. This evening in front of the lab the I31s, I33s and I11s passed by mid channel ahead of the I15s and the A30s. When just past the lab in they all suddenly made a loud collective burst . Then as they re-surfaced most were pointing the opposite direction towards Blackfish Sound. After some serious milling they all headed off back to the north silently. The evening colours on the calm sea were wonderful and as the whales disappeared we could hear the A12s moving eastward in the Strait. The A12s had passed us just a short while before only they actually made it to the Strait. So CP too had its treat when the A12s passed closely by. Amazing and wonderful.
Helena
19 Sep 2005 19:53:37 PDT

18 September Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Sorry, it has been a busy morning but we should update everyone. There was a lot of movement during the night. The A12s came back to the Strait at the same time the other groups were east of the Reserve. Early this morning the groups "re-grouped" and came back westward in the Strait. They left the area via Weynton and we eventually picked them up in Blackfish Sound as they continued to make their way to the west. We last heard calls (the I15s and the A30s) around 7:30am.
Helena
18 Sep 2005 09:18:19 PDT

Distant calls audible.

At least some of the groups that headed north early this morning have returned to Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass. At the moment, we're hearing the A30s & I15s on the Critical Point hydrophone, as they head to the east. Others are probably there too.
Paul
18 Sep 2005 13:20:16 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A30s have reached the entrance of Blackney Pass & are CP - Channel A. Other orcas are spread out across the Strait to the Vancouver Island side.
Paul
18 Sep 2005 13:44:55 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

All the groups have moved down toward the Reserve now. The A30s held off for a while while the I15s and the other groups passed by. We think the A12s, I31s, I11s, I15s and A30s all came in together earlier.
Helena
18 Sep 2005 16:14:18 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Ah Ha! The I15s, A30s and the I11s have come back from the east.
Helena
18 Sep 2005 19:31:00 PDT

No orcas present.

The whales were last heard on the Critical Point hydrophone. We are not sure ,at this point, which direction they decided on. However, the tide is flooding so perhaps they elected to go east.
Helena
18 Sep 2005 22:53:59 PDT

17 September Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Good morning everyone! Between bouts of boat noise, we've been listening to the A36s, A12s, A30s, I15s & I31s since around 5:30am. The A36s & A12s travelled north through Blackney Pass around 6am. We think the others are still in Johnstone Strait, though it wouldn't be surprising to see them head "out" on the swiftly ebbing tide too.
Paul
17 Sep 2005 07:24:28 PDT

Superb sounds!!

It sounds like the A30s & I31s are together in Robson Bight & are close to the Critical Point hydrophone. For the moment, there is just a little boat noise, so the calls are clear.
Paul
17 Sep 2005 08:03:39 PDT
Superb sounds!!

After hours of silence, the I15s have finally made their continued presence known... they are in Robson Bight with the A30s & I31s.
Paul
17 Sep 2005 08:54:41 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

They are still a bit distant but CP is filming the I15s approaching from the Sophia Islands. The A30s and I31s are not far away but perhaps favouring the Vancouver Island shore.
Helena
17 Sep 2005 10:39:39 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The orcas in the entrance of Blackney Pass, visible on Channel A, are the A30s and some of the I31s. The I15s are further to the west, as are the other I31s.
Paul
17 Sep 2005 13:27:05 PDT

Superb sounds!!

A mix of I15s, I31s & A30s is in the entrance of Blackney Pass. Some of them are visible on Channel A. Their calls are clear, and for a nice change, there is very little boat noise, so we've sent an alert.
Paul
17 Sep 2005 14:45:25 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

After a wonderful time off CP and then Critical Point the whales have shifted to the Rubbing Beaches.
Helena
17 Sep 2005 18:37:22 PDT


No orcas present.

As you m ay have guessed the whales continued to the east so all is "quiet" now.
Helena
17 Sep 2005 20:09:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We began hearing distant "A1" calls on the Flower Island hydrophone about half an hour ago... sounds like the A12s & possibly the A36s are returning!
Paul
17 Sep 2005 23:39:51 PDT

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 (may be) approaching cameras.

The A30s have tuened back to the east and are now heading past CP. Channel A.
Paul
16 Sep 2005 11:43:23 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

15 September Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

We are listening to the I15s, A30s, and A12s on the Critical Point hydrophone. It sounds like the whales are enjoying the relief from boat noise as much as we are.
Mary@the Lab
15 Sep 2005 00:27:58 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A12s and I15s just traveled North through Blackney Pass, we were hearing GI calls on Flower Island before this so perhaps they were going to meet someone. We are not sure what happened to the A30s yet.
Julie @ OL
15 Sep 2005 07:28:53 PDT

Orcas near mics.

We are listening to the A30s on CP right now. The I15s and A12s and possibly some others are spread out from Bold Head to Stubbs Island. We are waiting to find out which way they are headed.
Mary@OL
15 Sep 2005 09:13:07 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We've got orcas everywhere this morning. The A30s are still hanging out off CP. They are calling occasionally. Up in Blackfish Sound, the A36s, A12s, I15s, and G17s are reported to be nearing Donegal Head. The I31s are to the east, way down near Campbell River. The tide is going to reach maximum flood in about an hour, so we are waiting to see if the big group up to the north will turn and head back this way.
Mary@OL
15 Sep 2005 11:23:53 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The large group have entered the strait through Weynton Passage, we are not sure exactly if everyone came in but if they did, the A12s, A36s, I15s and G17s should now be going east along the Vancouver Island shore. The A30s started going east shortly before they came into the strait.
Julie @ OL
15 Sep 2005 14:37:02 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

We have now all the groups in the Strait. Three groups at the Vancouver Island side near Kaikash and the A36´s and some small fins are with them midchannel at little Kaikash...they coming up to CP now...channel A
Paul T. and Melanie @CP
15 Sep 2005 14:52:43 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

Now the I15´s and maybe the G17´s are in the East of Johnstone Strait, going still east near the Vancouver Island side. The A12´s are now in Blackney Pass after foraging in the Gap. The A36´s are still near CP. Channel A
Paul T and Melanie @CP
15 Sep 2005 16:01:48 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The I15´s and maybe the G17´s are in the Bight now. We can here them close to the Crpt Hydrophone. The A36´s are in Blackney and the A12´s are in Blackfish Sound.
Paul T. and Melanie @CP
15 Sep 2005 16:46:43 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A36s are calling on Flower Island again. They sound as if they may have turned back towards us. After a quick rub, all is quiet in the Strait. We will have to wait and see where the I15s, G17s, and A30s ended up.
Mary@OL
15 Sep 2005 18:15:52 PDT

14 September Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

We've been listening to the I31s, who have returned from the east and are in or near Robson Bight. We've been listening to them on the Critical Point hydrophone for the past couple of hours. The I15s, and at least some of the "A"s are nearby, also audible on CrPt. Boat noise is dominating the underwater soundscape at present, but hopefully it will end & the orcas will resume calling soon.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 04:56:36 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Good morning everyone! There is instense boat noise everywhere this morning, from the fishing "opening" today, and from other traffic, so it's difficult to hear anything else. We think the I15s, I31s & A30s headed east from Robson Bight around 6am, and there is a recent radio report of orcas, not far to the east, who are westbound.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 09:20:49 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The I15s & at least some of the "As" are at the Main rubbing beach! Channel B.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 12:20:33 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The I15s have reached Robson Bight, along with some of the "As", westbound.
Paul
14 Sep 2005 12:45:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We believe the I15s , A30s and A12s are coming west. Just now they stalled off the western boundry in the Reserve. The I31s are apparently near Kelsey Bay and the transients have continued west toward Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
14 Sep 2005 13:38:35 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

After A30´s, A12´s and the I15´s passed CP one hour ago to the west, the A12´s back at CP going east again...Channel A
Paul and Melanie@CP
14 Sep 2005 17:33:04 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Although the whales aren't very vocal, we are hearing a couple of A1 calls (probably the A30s) on the Flower Island hydrophone and some very distant calls on Cracroft Point from the A12s and I15s.
Mary @ the Lab
14 Sep 2005 18:43:26 PDT

Orcas near mics.

We actually have the A30s in the Strait with the I15s and A12s. The A36s are calling on Flower Island and we are hoping they will come past the lab before it gets dark.
Mary @ the Lab
14 Sep 2005 19:28:03 PDT

13 September Orcalab reports:

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Good morning everyone! The A30s are back at thr rubbing beaches! They were the first of the groups to come back from the east, around midnight, followed by the A12s, I15s & I31s. By around 4am all the groups had gone back to the east (we think). It now seems that at least some of them are heading west again.
Paul
13 Sep 2005 07:27:21 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

The A30s headed west after their brief rub, and are now back in Ronson Bight, fishing... we're hearing echolocation on the Critical Point hydrophone.
Paul
13 Sep 2005 08:01:32 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Correction to my earlier note - the A12s headed north through Blackney Pass around 2:30am. We've been hearing the A30s in Robson Bight for the past while.
Paul
13 Sep 2005 08:34:00 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The I15s have surprised us by suddenly appearing close to CP, heading west, foraging as they go. Channel A. other orcas are on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait, also westbound, possibly the A30s, though we're not yet sure.
Paul
13 Sep 2005 10:10:25 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A30s and the I15s moved past CP to the west earlier. The A30s had moved up to the Big Bay as part of their stall off the entrance of Blackney Pass. The I15s went a little further west but both groups might now be heading back to the entrance & the area off CP.
Helena
13 Sep 2005 12:33:09 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The I15s and A30s have tuned back to the east at the top of Johnstone Strait. The A12s are also reported to be heading this way from the top of Blackfish Sound. If any of the groups are vocal, we should start to hear them soon.
Mary @ the Lab
13 Sep 2005 16:25:53 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The Johnstone Strait groups (the A30s and the I15s) are passing CP at the moment. only a few calls from the A12s up in Blackfish Sound earlier.
Helena
13 Sep 2005 16:57:25 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s are making their way down Blackfish Sound, towards Blackney Pass & Johnstone Strait. We're listening to them on the Flower Island hydrophone.
Paul
13 Sep 2005 18:02:15 PDT

Orcas near mics.

We believe the a12s are on their way toward Blackney but we are not sure what happened to the I15s. We had a report that they had turned at the same time as the A30s but CP only saw the A30s. We are also waiting to determine if the A36s are with the A12s. So lots still to figure out!
Helena
13 Sep 2005 18:15:39 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We have had quite a few calls. The I15s let us know that they did get down to the Reserve from the west not long ago. There they joined the A30s. While they were chatting it up the A12s came into Blackney Pass and our view. They are still making their way slowly to the south & Johnstone Strait. They are very spread out content so far to take their time.
Helena
13 Sep 2005 19:50:18 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The a12s took a long time getting to the Strait but once they did they did not take long to pass Cracroft Point and head east. We heard the A36s briefly and are not sure if they went "in" or went back out. Perhaps we will know in a while.
Helena
13 Sep 2005 21:30:58 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We re still hearing faint calls in the Strait. generally the whales seemed to be headed east, perhaps taking the Cracroft side instead of going through the Reserve.
Helena
13 Sep 2005 23:07:13 PDT

12 September Orcalab reports:

07:50 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
Good morning everyone! We've been listening to the I15s & A30s in Johnstone Strait for the past several hours, sometimes in Robson Bight & sometimes more distant. At the moment, they are westbound, with the A30s close to CP. Channel A. We think the A12s may have headed north through Blackney Pass around 3am. We don't know where the A36s are, or what happened to the "incoming" orcas sighted heading east from Port Hardy yesterday afternoon. It's a foggy morning here, and the ocean is calm... looks like another fine day ahead.

08:51 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab.
At least some of the orcas that were near CP a short while ago are heading north into Blackney Pass. The list of groups present in Johnstone Strait this foggy morning is the same as yesterday - A30s, A36s, A12s, I15s. We think the A12s must have re-entered Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass silently. The calls we're listening to are on the Parson Island hydrophone.

10:09 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
This morning is so foggy, it's hard to see what's happening. However, we are fairly sure that the I15s & all the "A1" groups (A30s, A12s, A36s) are in or near the entrance of Blackney Pass. Occasionally, from glimpses in fog, some of them look like they want to head north through Blackney, & others seem to be heading west.

12:37 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The world's greatest pingers, the I31s, have arrived on the scene! Quite possibly, they were part of the large group of orcas sighted heading west from Port Hardy yesterday, though we're not sure. They are presently heading east in Blackfish Sound, so we hope to see them soon. It looks like the I15s, who travelled north through Blackney Pass about an hour ago, may have joined them. Meanwhile, the A12s & A36s are foraging at the "top" of Blackfish, & the A30s are slowly headed east from CP, angling towards Robson Bight.

14:39 PDT Orcas near mics.
we had a visit from some of the I31s, others remained in Blackfish Sound. The small group included I46, I80 and I62 spread out in Blackney, lingered, foraged and milled before turning back to the west to join the rest of their family & the I15s. The A12 s and the A36s moved on to Queen Charlotte Strait. The I15s moved over toward the Hanson Island side of Blackfish Sound putting them between the I31s and the A12s. The A30s as far as we know remaind in the Strait.

16:13 PDT Boat noise
The I15s went back to the Strait via a small passage adjacent to Weynton Pass. The AS30s gave a brief but intense burst of calls just prior to this move. We do not, at this moment, know what happened to the A12s, A36s and the I31s. The A12s were vocal for a time in Blackfish just before the I15s made their move.

17:17 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
We think the a30s have arrived at the beaches while the others make their way east along the Vancouver Island shore from Kaiakash to east of Blinkhorn.

17:44 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A30s have finished their rub abd headed off to the west. The I31s are passing CP to the east. Others are following.

18:06 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A30s have returned to the Bight while the I31s, I15s and A12s continue east toward them.

19:49 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The whales have arrived at the beaches again. (?As first)

22:53 PDT No orcas present.
We've heard no calls for several hours & think A30s, A12s, I15s, & I31s have headed to the east in Johnstone Strait. The A36s are probably somewhere to the north/west of us. We are waiting.

11 September Orcalab reports:

06:53 PDT Superb sounds!!
Good morning everyone! It's another lovely September morning here, after a very interesting night, not the least of which was a spectacular display of Northern Lights. The A12s headed north through Blackney Pass a little before 11pm, leaving the A30s, A36s & I15s in Johnstone Strait. We heard these groups off & on during the night, sometimes close to the hydrophone in Robson Bight. There were a couple of rubs. At dawn we were listening to the A36s close to the Critical Point hydrophone, and another "A1" group at the beaches. The A1s are now also in Robson Bight. It's possible they are the A30s, though the A12s could have come back into the Strait silently. We think the I15s may be a little to the east, though we're not sure. Altogether, this is shaping up to be another fine day.
Paul
11 Sep 2005 06:53:31 PDT

07:10 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
It sounds like the I15s are back in the Bight, as are the A30s & A36s.

09:11 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The I15s, A30s & A36s are heading west past CP. Channel A.

12:29 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A12s turned up at the top end (western end) of Blackfish Sound. They are headed east. The Johnstone Strait groups (the I15s, A30s and A36s are east bound with some angling straight for CP. CP is filming.


13:15 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab.
The A12s are heading south through Blackney Pass, swimming quietly in a group, amidst intense boat noise from 2 tugs and other vessels. Meanwhile, the A30s are hanging about at the entrance of Blackney Pass. Channel A.

16:18 PDT Distant calls audible.
After exchanging places with the A12s the A30s travelled north through Blackney Pass and stalled at the western edge of Blackfish Sound. The A12s carried on to the Bight area & the I15s. The A36s followed after pausing at CP. The A30s have since turned and are making their way back toward Blackney Pass. We heard reports today of a large group (including the G17s & the I11s).
Helena
11 Sep 2005 16:18:28 PDT

16:47 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab.
The A30s turned around in Blackfish Sound & are heading back south through Blackney Pass. They will probably be within sight of CP soon. Meanwhile, a group of orcas is hurrying westward along the Vancouver Island shoreline, presently off Kaikash. Possibly, these are the I15s. Further to the west, a large group of orcas, possibly including the I11s & G17s is heading to the east from Port Hardy, & should be approaching Malcolm Point around now.
Paul
11 Sep 2005 16:47:45 PDT

22:11 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A1s are making their way toward Cracroft Point.

23:05 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
We think all the A1s (A30s, A36s, A12s) are in western Johnstone Strait. At the moment, we're listening to the I15s & A30s, on the Critical Point hydrophone, but the other groups are probably not far away.

10 September Orcalab reports:

08:25 PDT No orcas present.
Good morning everyone! We've heard no calls since around 3:30am, when the A36s & a "G" group of orcas were in Robson Bight. We're not sure what happened to them after that, or what happened to the A30s & A12s after we lost track of them late yesterday afternoon. We are waiting, & enjoying a lovely September morning.

11:54 PDT No orcas present.
We heard a report this morning that the I15s were off Cedarstedt Creek (east of the Reserve) in Johnstone Strait. Just recently, Robson Bight Charters spotted blows not far from Naka Creek which is a bit further to the west of cedarstedt creek. It looks like they may be heading west. Also Discovery Expeditions found a large group of whales near Wells Passage in Queen Charlotte Strait. There has been mention of the A11s. A73, A8s, A12s and possibly I11s as well. This sounds like the group which went west two days ago. We have not had any reports of the A36s, A30s & G17s this morning. There are also lots of humpbacks in the area this morning and 3 harlequin ducks arrived back from their summer haunts.

12:22 PDT Orcas near mics.
The whales have entered the rubbing beaches.

12:28 PDT Distant calls audible.
We can hear the A30s and the I15s at the beaches.

13:08 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The whales did a hurried but intense rub and then quickly left for the west. They are spread out and besides the A30s & I15s we now think the A12s and the A36s are there as well.

14:43 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The A30s, I15s, A12s, & A36s are continuing to the west after passing CP.

16:26 PDT Distant calls audible.
The whales got as far as the wastell Islands just shy of telegraph Cove and turned back to the east. We began hearing the A36s (probably furthest east) first and then the I15s who turned out into mid strait from the Hanson shore. (Stubbs Island report)

19:08 PDT Superb sounds!!
The I15s and the A1s must be in the Bight now. Next stop the beaches?

20:42 PDT Distant calls audible.
It really doesn't sound like any of the whales went to the beaches afterall. We are now mostly hearing the A30s and the I15s. The tide is ebbing and that may be enough to bring them back to the west.

09 September Orcalab reports:

18:02 PDT Orcas near mics.
CP reports that the A30s turned up offshore of Cracroft Point. It is still pretty blowy in the Strait but right now there are dolphins? porpoises? in the waves. Also we briefly heard G clan calls off Critical Point.

20:58 PDT Distant calls audible.
We had a bit of a surprise when a large group od whales suddenly went past CP to the west. They were silent. Our guess is that the Gclan calls we heard briefly earlier were from part of these whales coming west from the Bight area. Perhaps when the very large group of 60 whales that were around two days split into two groups, some going east and others out to the west. Unfortunately they did not leave a clear acoustic trail and we don't know who went where exactly. From the few calls this afternoon we think that maybe the G17s stayed & went east and wonder if the I15s were with them because they had been so friendly that previous morning. Oh well, perhaps the picture will get clearer eventually. Lovely moon tonight - glad to have it back!

23:15 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A36s and someone from the G clan are travelling south through Blackney Pass!

08 Septeber Orcalab reports:

08:24 PDT No orcas present.
Good morning everyone! We've heard no calls since around 4am, when the A30s were audible in the diatance on the Critical Point hydrophone. We're not sure what direction they were going in, or where they are now. We are waiting.

08:50 PDT Orcas hunting fish.
We began hearing echolocation on the Critical Point hydrophone a few minutes ago... sounds like someone is having a bite in the Bight!

10:19 PDT Distant calls audible.
The DFO research vessel, the Roller Bay, confirmed that both the A12s and A30s are in the Strait together. They are spread out and west bound mid strait opposite the Sophia Islands. The Roller Bay will be continuing their prey reseach throughout today.

10:32 PDT Distant calls audible.
CP reports that they now can see the A30s all together midstrait opposite the Sophias. They look, at this point, like they are headed toward CP.

11:04 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab.
The A12s (in the lead) are about to come into Blackney Pass. Hopefully, the A30s will follow.

11:39 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
After a brief rub, the A30s are continuing to the east. Meanwhile, the A12s are heading into Blackfish Sound, travelling quickly on the ebbing tide.

11:43 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
It looks like the A30s have turned back to the west again - they may be going in for another rub!

13:46 PDT Distant calls audible.
We've been hearing occasional distant calls from the A12s after over last while, on the Folower island hydrophone. They are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound, and look like they may head back to Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass soon. We don't know where the A30s are at the moment.

15:50 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s are heading east past CP. Channel A.

17:53 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab.
The A12s may be heading into Blackney Pass.

18:13 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s remained in the Strait.

19:28 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s finally decided to come through Blackney Pass. They have entered Blackfish Sound now.

23:07 PDT No orcas present.
We've heard no calls for several hours & think the A12s probably continued to the north from Blackfish Sound, & the A30s probably headed east in Johnstone Strait. However, we aren't sure. We are waiting.

07 September Orcalab reports:

08:37 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Good morning everyone! After a night during which the A30s shuffled back & forth between Robson Bight & Blackney Pass, they've finally decided to head east, and are now at the Main rubbing beach. Channel B.

10:25 PDT Orcas near mics.
Earlier this morning the A30s came out of the east and went west to the entrance of Blackney Pass. After travelling a bit further the west (by the sounds) they may have crossed over closer to the Vancouver Island side and then back past the entrance of Blackney and into the Reserve. We heard them again briefly at the beaches and believe now they turned back to the wesy yet again and are currently somewhere in the Reserve. Yesterday, was an intyeresting day, especially after the A12s and the I11s entered the Strait. In total there were about 60 whales. Although it was difficult to track all their movements we think the A30s, I15s and G17s formed one large group that kept to the same general movements. The A12s and the I11s m,ay have picked up the A11s and the A8s after they came out of the east. And perhaps the A12s.I11s etc went off back to the west while the I15s, G17s and A30s went east. Hopefully today will sort out and confusion or whether this was a reasonable guess as to what happened. Time will tell but we won't be surprised by diffeent realities. Stand by!

13:33 PDT Orcas near mics.
The overall picture is a bit clearer thanks to two reports;Robson Bight Charters reported that the A12s were off Camp Point in the lower Johnstone Strait earlier this morning and Troy Bright reported hearing both Gs and As pass Black Bluff around 4:30am headed to the west. We still don't know if all the Gclan groups left the area. We certainly did not pick up any sounds off the top end of Blackfish during the night. Meanwhile, the A30s turned between Little Kaikash and Blinkhorn around 1pm and are now headed east past CP. Very nice calls regardless of the boat noise.

13:36 PDT Orcas near mics.
It looks like A39 is very hungry.

15:54 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A30s turned back to the east off Big Bay on Hanson Island around 3pm. They are now back in the Blackney Pass "gap", foraging, and are visible on Channel A.

18:55 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A30s moved toward the Reserve a while ago after returning to the Cracroft Point area for another bout of fishing. We had quite a bit of boat noise (still do) but now we can at least clearly hear their calls once more. They sound closer to Critical Point so perhaps they have moved into the Bight.

06 September Orcalab reports

09:01 PDT Boat noise
Good morning everyone... it's another lovely morning here! At the moment, we're only hearing boat noise, but around 7am we began to hear distant I15 & "A" calls on the Critical Point hydrophone. We've heard occasional calls since then, but boat noise has been persistent too. We're not sure where the orcas are at the moment, but they're probably not far from Robson Bight.

11:03 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
Ok! So this is exciting. At some point in the night the G17s moved into the Strait. They found the I15s and the A30s and all three groups are off Kaikash Creek at the moment perhaps waiting for the A12s and the I11s who are off Donegal Head slowly coming into the area. Not sure if the A12s and the I11s will take Weynton Pass or come down by the Lab. The A30s, I15s and G17s are being very quiet and we have only heard a few I11 calls on the Flower Island system. The A36s are further west in Queen Charlotte Strait also headed east.

11:30 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
Adding to today's mix, the A11s & A8s, are heading west past Adams River, on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait, and could be approaching the Ecological Reserve in an hour or so. Meanwhile, the I15s, A30s & G17s have turnnd back to the east & are heading for Robson Bight, also close to Vancouver Island.

13:58 PDT Superb sounds!!
Despite the boat noise the day continues to be exciting. There about 60 orcas in the Strait at the moment. They are converging. The I11s and the A12s came in via Blackney (past the Lab). They were all mixed up together, playful and in a hurry. They passed CP (some close) and rushed off to the east and the rest of the waiting groups (the A11s, A8s, A30s, I15s and the G17s). The get together will probably happen offf of the Cliff and Robson Bight. It will be interesting to see how they pull it off.

15:17 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Whales have reached the Beaches.

15:21 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
It sounds like the G17s got there first.

Superb sounds!!
The I15s are now at the beaches taking a turn.

16:53 PDT Superb sounds!!
The a11s have gone into the Main beach as well. The A30s were heard on Critical Point just before this.

17:15 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
We're mostly back to boat noise, but among the many groups in Johnstone Strait today, the A30s are near the Critical Point hydrophone, so we can hear them!

18:30 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The westward moving groups are passing CP now.

05 September Orcalab reports:

08:08 PDT Distant calls audible.
The transients are still calling in Johnstone strait. Overnight: the resident orcas (the A11s, I15s, A8s and the A30s - in that order) headed east past the reserve. We last heard the A30s around 3:30am. We first heard the transients at 2:43am when they were in Blackfish Sound. They quickly moved to the Strait while the A30s enjoyed a rub before moving on to the east after the other resident groups.
Helena
05 Sep 2005 08:08:09 PDT

13:58 PDT No orcas present.
The I15s turned back to the west just before 1pm east of the Reserve. They are just now entering the Reserve at the east end. The A30s were found in the eastern reaches of Johnstone Strait.

21:20 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A30s have joined the I15s after spending the day in the lower Johnstone Strait.

22:19 PDT Superb sounds!!
Very cool A30s and I15s off of the Reserve.

09:03 PDT No orcas present.
Good morning everyone! It's another very foggy morning here & we've heard no calls since around 2:30am, when the I15s & A30s were near Robson Bight. We're not sure what direction they headed in. We are waiting.

09:17 PDT Orcas near mics.
We didn't have to wait long! The calls we're listening to are on the Critical Point hydrophone... sounds ike at least the A30s are back in the Bight!

12:06 PDT Distant calls audible.
Things have moved along since the last report: the A30s continued to the west and the I15s have come up along the Cracroft Island shore towards CP.

13:50 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
Another group of orcas, probably the A11s and A8s, is heading west in Johnstone Strait, some are approaching CP. Channel A. Meanwhile, the I15s are headed west from Blackney Pass, & the A30s are headed east from Blinkhorn.

14:18 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A30s are in the entrance of Blackney Pass, & the A8s are off CP. Channel A.

16:18 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
it has been a very full afternoon with the A11s/A73 7 a8s coming up from "below" to join the I15s and the A30s. The A30s have blended with the A11s and the a8s west of CP and are now on their way over to join the I15s who are closer now to the Vancouver Island shore. The I15s had been close to CP before their move west and they were followed by the A11s & A8s soon after. The small humpback just went past CP.

19:30 PDT Distant calls audible.
The whales continue to be in the far western section of the Strait and so we are still hearing distant calls.

22:16 PDT Superb sounds!!
After moving west slowly in Johnstone Strait for most of the day, the whales turned to the east at about 7pm. The A11s are probably ahead and have passed CP with the A8s, A30s and I15s making their way to the east behind them under a beautiful star filled sky.

08:05 PDT Orcas near mics.
Good morning everyone! We listened to the I15s hanging out in or near Robson Bight throughout the night, but lost track of them a little after 6am. We think they may have headed east, but we're not sure. A short while ago, we began hearing "A" "resting" calls close to the Critical Point hydrophone, so it seems likely that at least some of the orcas in the Strait yesterday are still nearby. It's another very foggy morning here, so visibility is poor.

08:55 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A30s and the I15s are both in the Strait perhaps moving westward toward the area off the entrance of Blackney Pass. Very foggy this morning.

11:01 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A30s turned near Blinkhorn around 10:10 am and have been making their way back to the east ever since. They are now mid strait just about opposite the entrance to Blackney Pass. I41 is travelling with them. Other I15s are closer to the Vancouver Island side not far from the Reserve's western boundary. The fog is lifting.

12:46 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The whales are approaching CP along the Cracroft Island side from the east.

16:17 PDT Distant calls audible.
The calls of the I15s and the A30s are getting stronger on Critical Point despite the constant boat noise. Both groups are now moving toward & into the Reserve.

16:35 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A30s and the I15s are in the Bight. Lovely!

17:52 PDT Boat noise
It seems that the A30s and the I15s have moved off of Critical Point. The tide is at slack and will turn to an ebb pretty soon so we will have to see where these two groups turn up next. They certainly sounded like they are still enjoying each other's company! Meanwhile we will have to wait out the boat noise of what ever is going past the Bight right now.

22:07 PDT Orcas near mics.
A few hours after the last calls the I15s have returned to the Bight. Most likely they had gone off to the east with the A30s earlier.

05:18 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
It sounds like the A11s & A8s have come back from the east again & are with the A30s & I15s in Robson Bight again... we are listening to them on the Critical Point hydrophone.

09:55 PDT Distant calls audible.
Good morning everyone! We're hearing distant calls from the I15s & A30s as they make their way to the west in Johnstone Strait. We're not sure what happened to the A4s & A5s after their brief appearance earlier this morning.

11:10 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The whales have turnedand are headed back to the east. Some are already in the entrance of Blackney while others are moving along the Vancouver Island shore.

11:332 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A30s are in front of CP.

12:17 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
We have now been listening to A4 & I15 calls as well as the A30s.

16:16 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
Time again to catch up: The A30s stayed forever off of CP while the I15s went off to the Rerserve with the A11s and the A8s. After their rub we heard the I15s,A4s and the A5s return to tthe Robson Bight area. The A30s left to the east and were last seen angling over towards Izumi.

18:22 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The groups are moving up the Vancouver Island shore to the west, the lead group is approaching Little Kaikash just past the Blackney Pass entrance.

19:10 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
As we suspected the whales have turned. Straitwatch confirmed this for us and apparently they turned just shy of Blinkhorn and began to angle towards CP.

21:17 PDT Orcas near mics.
it sounds like everyone (A11s,A8s,A73,A30s & I15s) have returned to the area off the Bight. There has already been one cruiseship pass through and perhaps another is on its way through Blackfish. In between is nice.

01 September Orcalab reports:

08:44 PDT Distant calls audible.
Good morning everyone! After a concert that went on for hours in Robson Bight, the I15s & A30s have finally moved off to the west. They are presently off Kaikash, on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait. We're hearing them on the CP & Parson Island hydrophones.

09:54 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The I15s & A30s have turned back to the east, and are now coming within range of the surface camera at CP. Channel A.

10:50 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
Cp is still filming. The A30s are in the entrance to Blackney Pass. The I15s are sort of heading west along the Hanson shore from Big Bay.

13:30 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The A30s have made it to the Main rubbing beach! Channel B.

13:53 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A30s have finished at the beaches and are headed back to the west.

15:32 PDT Distant calls audible.
Time to catch up: The a30s left the beaches at 1:48pm and came back to the Reserve. Both the I15s and the A30s have since continued moving to the west. however, the whales are spread out and there has been a fair amount of stop & go.

17:07 PDT Distant calls audible.
The a30s and the I15s continued to the west. The I15s were favouring the Cracroft and Hanson side while the A30s kept closer to the Vancouver island shore.

19:26 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A30s are getting louder on Parsons Island, we haven't heard the I15s for a while. Maybe they are headed to the east we will have to wait and see.

21:56 PDT No orcas present.
We believe the a30s went east. We lost track of the I15s after they went to the west with the A30s earlier and wonder if they went out Weynton?

31 August Orcalab reports

15:22 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
After meeting up off Robson Bight the A11s,A8s and the I15s headed east. A few brushed past the beaches. The transients of earlier are a bit further east near Naka Creek. They are also east bound at the last report. The A30s are east bound in Blackfish Sound nearing Blackney Pass.

16:02 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A30s are negotiating the last part of Blackney Pass on their way to Johnstone Strait.

16:19 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A30s are passing CP.

O20:54 PDT rcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
A night time rub! The A30s?

30 August Orcalab reports:

05:54 PDT No orcas present.
OL Overnight: We think the A30s and the I15s went off to the east. Thye A30s disappeared around 1:30 after being close to Critical Point and the I15s followed after their rub at 2:20. All quiet since.

10:25 PDT No orcas present.
there are some report of whales from the east; the A11s and A8s are off Windy point(west of Kelsey Bay), heading east. The A36s and Bs are off Camp point(east of Kelsey), heading west. No mention about the A30s and I15s this morning.


13:31 PDT Distant calls audible.
info correction; we had some report about A11s and A8s off windy point this morning, but it seems like the group was A30s. they are coming back to the west. The I15s are off Kaikash, VI side.

19:30 PDT Orcas near mics.
We are hearing A30s calls on CRPT. they must had came back from the east!

20:08 PDT Superb sounds!!
We can see a group of whales going east to the Bight. we think it must be the I15s who have turned to the east around 1630. We are listening to the A30s and I15s on CRPT hydrophone.

22:49 PDT Superb sounds!!
We have been listening to beautiful sounds of A30s, A36s and I15s in the Bight.

29 August Orcalab reports:

08:07 PDT No orcas present.
Good morning. It has been, as far as we know, quiet over night. We last heard calls (A30s) at the rubbing beaches and critical Point (Bs). We think all the groups went to the east on the flood tide last night. Foggy this morning.

13:11 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
There west bound whales at the east end of the Reserve.

13:54 PDT Orcas near mics.
We've been listening to the I15s & A30s close to the Critical Point hydrophone, as they make their way back to the west. Unfortunately, there is also very persistent boat noise on CrPt.

17:05 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The I15s and the A30s turned around 3:12pm just west of Kaikash Creek on the Vancouver Island shore. Both groups moved together toward the Reserve (4:30pm) with some of the I15s moving out to mid strait. Perhaps they are headed for the Beaches!

18:06 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The A30s are enjoying a rub! Channel B.

18:57 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A30s finished their rub, some of the I15s ran up to Izumi and now it sounds like everyone is in the Bight again!

22:38 PDT Superb sounds!!
The I15s and A30s are still in Robson Bight making beautiful sounds. We are not sure which direction they will take.

28 August Orcalab reports

07:48 PDT No orcas present.
Good morning everyone! We've heard no calls since around 3am, when the A30s were in Blackfish Sound after heading north through Blackney Pass. We are waiting.

11:01 PDT No orcas present.
We have learned from Troy Bright (researcher on Malcolm Island) via Stubbs Island Whale Watching that the Bs and the A30s and possibly the I15s are off Bere Point in Queen Charlotte Strait. Currently they are pointed to the west but the tide is flooding.

12:28 PDT No orcas present.
The flood tide did help. The Bs after meeting up with the A30s and the I15s off of bere Point in Queen Charlotte Strait and east bound with the others and are now approaching Lizard Point.

13:24 PDT Distant calls audible.
We're beginning to hear distant calls from the I15s at the "top" of Blackfish Sound. Others are with them, and others yet are following as far back as Lizard Point. It's shaping up to be a busy afternoon!

15:07 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
We just had a small group of transients go by, headed north, mid channel. They breached as they left our view and then apparently gave chase to a minke in Blackfish Sound. The residents were coming east in Blackfish at the time. The hunt is continuing opposite Bold Head. The Bs are not far away.

16:32 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A30s followed the A36s and the i15s into the strait and at about the same time the Bs came in via Weynton Pass (4pm). the B had been following the rest into Blackfih sound when the transient/minke whale encounter happened. They turned and went through the "Blow-hole to Weynton Pass and then on to the Strait. from eye witness accounts the transients were unable to catch the minke.

21:01 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Possibly it is the A30s at the beaches. The Bs sound like they may headed that way from Critical Point.

27 August Orcalab reports:

03:40 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
We think the A11s along with A73 & the A8s have come up from the east and joined the I15s, A30s and the A36s off Robson Bight and are now heading west toward CP.

04:48 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab.
The A30s have already come up to CP and have turned into Blackney Pass. We can hear their blows. Boat noise in the Strait has quietened the others (the A11s,A8s,A36s and I15s for now):

08:12 PDT Orcas near mics.
Good morning everyone! After a busy early morning, we're hearing the I15s close to the Critical Point hydrophone, and distant "A" calls on the Flower Island hydrophone.

10:23 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A30s came back from Blackfish Sound via Blackney pass and re-entered the Strait shortly afterwards. they are now headed east. The I15s were quite close to critical just before this so they are not too far away in the Strait. Earlier this morning we lost track of the A4s and the A5s and the a36s and think they may have returned east from the Bight around 4:30am.

10:33 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
correction: the a30s turned to the west after reaching the Strait. There were whales reported near Blinkhorn earlier. Reports now coming in are commenting on seeing I14 so perhaps the I15s went up the Vancouver island shore while the A30s were returning. The A30s are almost to Turn Point by now.

13:15 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The I15s and probably the A30s as well are eastbound opposite CP tight along the Vancouver Island shore. They are very , very quiet.

14:10 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
I cannot keep up with the A30s today! They are now travelling through the last part of Blackney on their way, once again, to the Strait. They must have circled around Hanson and NOT joined the I15s on Vancouver Island. We could blame the weather and the silence of the whales. However, let's hope we are on track now.

20:21 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
For the moment, we're back again, though we don't know for how long. We will try to let you know before the next shutdown. Meanwhile, the A30s are alone in western Johnstone Strait, near Blinkhorn, heading east silently.

21:57 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A30s are still moving to the east. Right now we are hearing their echo location on the Cracroft Point hydrophone.

26 August Orcalab reports:

04:01 PDT Orcas near mics.
We began hearing "A1" calls close to the Critical Point hydrophone a short while ago. There's a good chance they're from the A36s, but we're not yet sure.

05:35 PDT Orcas near mics.
The calls we heard around 4am were probably from the A30s. They have now moved up to the entrance of Blackney Pass - we're hearing them on the CP & PI hydrophones.

07:31 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
A group of orcas is foraging in the entrance of Blackney Pass. Channel A. We're hearing echolocation & A clan "resting" calls, so most likely they are the A30s.

07:47 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
Both the A30s & A36s are foraging in the entrance of Blackney Pass.

11:06 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A36s joined the I15s on the Vancouver Island shore off Kaikash and then both groups carried on up toward the Bauza Islets. The A30s are still on the opposite side near Weynton Island. I41 is right in the middle of the I15s. the whales just turned back to the east.

15:02 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A30s are opposite the Bight mid strait. The I15s and the A36s are still together. They moved away from the Vancouver Island shore at Izumi and angled toward the "Pig Ranch" (east of the Sophia Islands). The A36s are apparently paying the I15s a lot of attention. All groups,for now, are continuing on aneastward trend, across and against the ebb flow. The A8s, A11s and A73 are still in the "lower "Johnstone Strait area.

16:10 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The I15s, A30s and the a36s have moved past critical Point looking like they were thinking about the beaches.

16:29 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Some of the orcas have reached the rubbing beaches! Channel B.

17:18 PDT Superb sounds!!
As the rub continued between some of the A36s and the I15s we also tuned into Critical Point where other members of the I15s are foraging and some A1s (A30s) offshore. Since then the rub maybe over and all the whales headed to the west again.

21:19 PDT No orcas present.
We are not sure where the whales decided to go after returning to Critical Point. The boat noise was very loud for a good hour during which we lost track of the whales. There were no reports of whales coming further west than the Bight. perhaps they went east again. We will have to wait & see. Great day with reports of both the A30 males and the A36s paying particular attention to some of the I15s.

25 August Orcalab reports:

07:00 PDT Orcas near mics.
Orcalive Over night: Good morning everyone! The i15s made it back to the Strait and sound like they are now eastbound near to the Reserve. The A30s stayed in the Strait and we could hear them every so often through the early hours.

24 August Orcalab reports:

08:34 PDT No orcas present.
Orcalaive Overnight: We believe the I15s and the A30s slipped off to the east. It has been quiet since 12:30am.

14:30 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A30s have come from the east and are passing Robson Bight. The I15s possibly responded to their calls by beginning to turn. the group by Blinkhorn is angling outward while the other group on the hanson side is now reaching the western end of Hanson.

15:16 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The I15s completed their turn and are east bound. The A30s (also silent) are still east of CP.

19:13 PDT Distant calls audible.
There was a brief set of vocals, mostly from the I15s along with a few from the A30s as well. The sleepy whales are now off the Reserve not really going in any one direction. lots of dolphins trying to wake them up though.

19:50 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The whales are at the beaches.

20:49 PDT Superb sounds!!
The I15s are moving into Blackney Pass and the A30s are westbound from the Bight.

22:33 PDT Distant calls audible.
We are listening to the A30s again in the strait. The I15s travelled north through Blackney & faded off towards the west.

23 August Orcalab reports:


07:01 PDT Superb sounds!!
Good morning everyone! After as busy night, during which the I15s, A30s & A36s came back into Johnstone Strait on the flooding tide, we're hearing echolocation and I15 calls close to the Critical Point hydrophone. "A" calls are there too, so we think all 3 groups are probably still together, now in Robson Bight. There is no boat noise, so we're sent an alert.

08:24 PDT Distant calls audible.
The calls have become distant on the Critical Point hydrophone. We think the orcas (I15s, A30s) are moving to the west in Johnstone Strait.

09:57 PDT Orcas near mics.
The calls are getting close to the Critical Point hydrophone again... sounds like the I15s & A30s have turned back to the east & are now in Robson Bight again.

11:30 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The whales are still westbound and are now opposite the Sophia Islands favouring the cracroft shoreline.

13:28 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A36s are travelling north through Blackney Pass while the i15s and the A30s are moving west along Vancouver Island.

15:48 PDT Superb sounds!!
The lovely chorus we've been listening to for the last while is coming from the A30s & I15s via the Critical Point hydrophone... they are in Robson Bight. We're also hearing the A36s, occasionally, in Blackfish Sound.

16:36 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
A 39 is having a rub by himself. Others may follow. Channel B.

18:00 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
it looks like the rub is over and the A30s are headed back to the west in search of the I15s perhaps. Next stop Critical Point.

20:12 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A30s are approaching CP along the Cracroft Island shore, they are filming Channel A.

21:48 PDT Distant calls audible.
The I15s & A30s remain in the Strait. the A30s passed CP fairly closely on their way to the sunset. the I15s, a little bit slower, followed closer to the Vancouver Island shore.

22:17 PDT Orcas near mics.
The I15s & A30s are close to CP - we're not sure if they will head north through Blackney Pass on the ebbing tide, as they did last night, but they might.

22 August Orcalab reports

07:47 PDT Superb sounds!!
Good morning everyone! There is no fog this morning, and we've been listening to lovely calls from the A30s & I15s on the Critical Point hydrophone for hours. We think they are fairly close to Robson Bight, perhaps heading east, though we're not sure of their direction. The A11s & A8s were also in the Strait overnight, but we lost track of them around 2am.

09:10 PDT Distant calls audible.
The orcas are travelling back to the east - the back and forth has been happening throughout the night. Currently the A30s are eastbound crossing to the Vancouver Island shore from the area adjacent to the entrance off Blackney Pass. It is unclear, at this point, where the I15s are. Their calls have been distant all morning.

10:04 PDT Distant calls audible.
The I15s moved down to the entrance of Weynton after Telegraph Cove and have 'whipped" through Weynton Pass. They are pointed north still following the ebb tide. the A30s are continuing east toward the Reserve.

10:32 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A30s are sounding very excited in Robson Bight!

10:35 PDT Superb sounds!!
The a30s have excitedly moved into the Bight. I15s at the top end of blackfish Sound/ Queen Charlotte Strait.

10:46 PDT Orcas hunting fish.
Maybe the A30s' excitement was about a bunch of fish in Robson Bight... from their sounds, they're certainly having a bite!

11:28 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The A30s are off the rubbing beaches now.

11:38 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
Short lived event. The A30s took off to the west. The I15s are still westbound in the fog off Lizard Point and the a11s and the A8s are possibly not far from Kelsey Bay. Last report was Race Passage headed east. The a36s are currently off Kelsey Bay headed west. They came west from Bear Point this morning.

11:53 PDT Orcas hunting fish.
The A30s are back in Robson Bight, fishing.

12:52 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A30s are still in fine form despite the boat noise. They are still not far from the Bight. meanwhile, we have started to hear the I15s at the western end of Blackfish Sound. they turned back to the east off Lizard just before noon.

13:55 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A30s are not far from Kaiaksh Creek on the Vancouver Island side. A39 moved out toward the middle on his own. The I15s, meanwhile, are just about to enter the Strait via Weynton Pass.

18:11 PDT Orcas near mics.
We can move the map along a bit now. The a30s after regrouping off of CP crossed to Vancouver island off the Sophias about 1 hour ago. The very slow sleepy I15s followed and both groups are now entering the Reserve and waking up!

20:35 PDT Orcas near mics.
The calls are on CP! The A30s and the i15s have picked up the A36s and all are westbound now.

21:28 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A36s and the I15s definitley went north through Blackney Pass from Johnstone Strait and carried on to Blackfish Sound. We are still trying to determine if the A30s have gone with them.

21:35 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A30s are definitely in Blackfish along with the I15s and the A36s.

22:50 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The calls of the I15s, mixed with those of the A30s & A36s, are on the Flower Island hydrophone.

21 August Orcalab reports:

01:02 PDT Orcas near mics.
We are hearing A1 calls on CRPT. sounds like A30s are coming back to the Bight after rubbing.

08:11 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A30s & I15s are heading towards CP from the Sophias. Channel A.

14:15 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
To catch up: the A30s and the I15s continued east to the Reserve. The I15s had crossed between Big Bay and the eastern end of Hanson Island and moved over to the Vancouver island shore. The A30s moved into midstrait beforew each group headed into the reserve. Meanwhile, we heard A4 and A5 calls on Flower island and Local Left. It's probable that the A11s/A8s came through Blackney and crossed to Kaikash Creek. Since then the I15s turned out of the Reserve followed, now, by the A30s.

15:34 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A30s are in front of CP. The I15s are off Little Kaikash. The A11s and the A8s are nearby as well.

19:10 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A11s and the A8s are heading east at Critical Point. The I15s are also going east along the Vancouver Island shore from Kaikash Beach, the A30s shouldn't be far behind.

20 August Orcalab reports

08:51 PDT No orcas present.

All quiet this morning but we seem to be up and running. We lost track of the A30s around 10pm last when they were still in the Strait. We heard blows in Blackney heading south a short while later but it was never clear who they might be.

12:21 PDT Orcas near mics.
Sounds like some of the groups are coming back from the east. We are listening to A30s and A4 calls on CRPT hydrophone.

13:38 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The A30s, A11s, A8s and A73 are currently spread out in the Izumi area heading west but stopping to forage from time to time. The I15s are further back. We may not have mentioned but I41's dorsal fin has totally collapsed to the right. hopefully he is ok. he is 25 years old.

15:22 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The A11s, A73 & the A8s are going west up the Hanson Island shore near Big Bay. A73 was with a group of dolphins for a while. Some A30s are way back east of Boat Bay We think perhaps A39 travelled west maybe as far as the CP area but ? let the others continue. Still pretty foggy.

16:46 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
Just after 3pm A13 pulled the others over to the Vancouver Island shore from Big Bay after being surrounded by dolphins. The groups continued up to blinkhorn and beyon where they milled about for a while. We heard A30 calls off Critical Point about this same time. right now the A11s have apparently turned toward Weynton Pass from the Wastell Islands just east of Telegraph Cove.

17:38 PDT Distant calls audible.
We have started to hear the A30s on CP again. Are they coming from the Izumi area once again.

19:47 PDT Distant calls audible.
We've been hearing distant calls from the A4s on the Flower Island hydrophone... sounds like the A11s & A8s have headed north through Weynton Pass. Meanwhile, the A30s are headed back to the east & are mid-strait, off the east end of Hanson Island
Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

20:11 PDT The A30s are milling off of CP just as we began to hear I15s coming from the east. they are probably past Boat Bay on their way west.

20:48 PDT Superb sounds!!
My the I15s sound great tonight. Even the A30s are not interupting.

20:58 PDT Superb sounds!!
Ah yes the A30s too!

23:38 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
And the rub goes on!

19 August Orcalab reports

04:08 PDT Distant calls audible.
After A36s left the beaches, we started hearing A30 calls (at least) on CRPT hydrophone.

04:41 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A30s are in the Bight.

06:10 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A30s are going west in Johnstone strait. their calls are now on CP. very foggy outside.

09:19 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The silent a30s surprised Paul T and Mari by turning up in front of CP. They are heading east.

11:48 PDT Distant calls audible.
The fog is lifting and the A30s are continuing east on the Cracroft side just Boat Bay.

12:47 PDT Orcas near mics.
Despite the boat noise the A30s are sounding great in the Bight. They crossed from Boat Bay and are in the reserve now fishing. Reports from Robson Bight Charters via the Naiad: the a11s and the A8s are back in Nodales, the A36s are headed east from Hickey Point and the I15s are west bound at Camp Point. The t18s are in Chancellor Channel. fog is rolling back in but the sun keeps trying.

15:31 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A30s came up the Vancouver Island shore to Kaikash Creek & turned back to the east just before 2:50pm. They are just about to enter the Bight.

19:58 PDT Orcas near mics.
The a30s are back in the Bight after a short travel to the east.

18 August Orcalab reports

07:58 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
Good morning everyone! We began hearing the the A30s on the Critical Point hydrophone shortly after 7am, but are not yet sure of their direction. And, a few minutes ago, a small group of transient orcas passed close to CP, heading east. This is already an interesting day!

08:24 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
It turned out the the A30s were heading west. They are now are off CP. Channel A.

09:49 PDT Superb sounds!!
The I15s have come into the Strait via Blackney Pass and have met up with the A30s in the entrance of Blackney Pass.

12:00 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The first orcas have reached the rubbing beaches. Channel B.

14:27 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The I15s and the A30s conrinued quickly to the east. They are now well past Naka Creek. Meanwhile, the transients of earlier this morning travelled back to the west & the Sophia Islands where they killed a Dalls porpoise. They vocalised briefly and then headed off to the east again. The Naiad Explorer found the A36s off the White Cliff Islets just north of Swanson Island in Queen Charlotte Strait.

17 August Orcalab reports:

05:05 PDT Orcas hunting fish.
Good morning everyone! We began hearing echolocation & calls close to the Critical Point hydrophone about 4:30am... sounds like the A30s have returned from the east & are having a bite in the Bight!

05:36 PDT Distant calls audible.
The calls of the A30s have been getting distant on the Critical point hydrophone - sounds like they are making their way to the west quickly. We've also been hearing distant "B subclan" calls on CrPt & think that the Bs may also be returning from the east, probably on the Cracroft Island side of Johnstone Strait.

06:47 Distant calls audible.
The calls are now getting distant on the CP hydrophone... sounds like the A30s & Bs are moving to the west in Johnstone Strait, though not far from Blackney Pass. The tide is ebbing swiftly, so it's possible they will decide to head north through Blackney.

07:42 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
We've heard no calls for the past while, but think the A30s & Bs are not too far away... perhaps towards the western end of Johnstone Strait, or heading "out" via Weynton Pass.

10:05 PDT No orcas present.
We are not sure where the A30s ended up but the Bs were seen off the Pearse Islands, Johnstone Strait side, at around 8am after coming west from the Bight. Right now they are in Weynton Passage heading back to the Strait so it is unclear what loop they took to get there.

10:12 PDT No orcas present.
A bit more information: Stubbs island Whale Watching just told us that the Bs went around the Pearse Island group back into Weynton passage. Currently they are just about to enter the Strait but are silent at the moment. Pacific Northwest Kayaking, whjo are camped near Kaikash Creek saw both the bs and the A30s pass at 7am headed west. The Bs kept going but the A30s turned a little bit further to the west of their camp and returned to the east. This might explain why their call got louder for a while before we lost track of them acoustically. Very foggy early this morning but visiblity quite good now.

17:34 PDT Orcas near mics.
Sounds like the A30s have come west to the Bight. The Bs kept going toward Pulteney Point.

19:12 PDT Distant calls audible.
CP reports that the A30s turned back to the east at the east end of Kaikash.

23:19 PDT Distant calls audible.
After beautiful Transient calls, we started hearing A30 calls on CRPT hydrophone.

14 August Orcalab reports

10:03 PDT No orcas present.
Another foggy morning here. We think the A12s continued up into Queen Charlotte Strait after passing through blackney pass at 4:30am. There has been a report of whales off Lizard Point milling. As of now there has been no identifications. Down to the east the A36s are off Kelsey Bay (Robson Bight Charters report). They are headed east with others yet to be identified. We thought that after the 1:30am rub the A30s, A4s, A5s, Cs and A36s went off to the east. The A5s we believe came up from the east to have the rub and encourage the others to follow them back to the east. We will keep you updated when the information comes in. meanwhile, we are waiting for the thick fog to lift and begin our day.

13 August Orcalab reports

09:34 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The A30s have arrived back in the Strait and have met up with the A12s,A4s,A36s and Cs. they are eastbound from the west end of Hanson Island. meanwhile the very big group of transients of the last couple of days just went through Blackney to blackfish Sound after passing CP.

10:01 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The whales have moved down the hanson shore and approaching the entrance to Blackney Pass. We may be filming soon.

11:30 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
It is certainly one of those days - very intense. The transients are continuing west from the west end of Blackfish Sound while the residents (the A36s, Cs (C10s,C6s), A4s (A11s at least) and A30s continue to move into the Reserve. The A12s turned back to the west at the Sophias and are moving towards CP once more.

17:46 PDT Distant calls audible.
all the groups have turned. Spread out, heading to the east.

18:23 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
As the A12s went the farthest east they became last on the turn. We are currently listening to the A30s closing in on the bight & Critical Point .
Helena
13 Aug 2005 18:23:38 PDT

19:16 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Old news by now- but the whales are having a lovely rub this evening. A30s first.

21:16 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
It is getting very dark at the beaches but the A36s and the C10s are very much there, taking their turn after the A4s and A30s. Perhaps they will go back and join in again.

22:27 PDT Distant calls audible.
Westbound? The night begins!

4 August Orcalab reports

08:25 PDT Orcas hunting fish.
Since 7:48am we have been hearing echolocation on Critical Point. We believe the A12s and the A30s went to the east just before 1am. we have also been following reports from Campbell River (thank you)of fairly large group(s) headed toward Seymour Narrows leading us to wonder if the groups that had reached Comox the other day are beginning to make their way back to Johnstone Strait. The A36s and the A8s have spent their time for the last several days together in the eastern regions of the Strait. Meanwhile, lovely day hear, clear skies and a warm sun.

09:08 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
We just received a report from the Wardens that there are 3 groups going back and forth near Boat Bay. Currently the whales are moving eastward. This maybe the A30s, A12s, A36s and A8s.

11:13 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
There are two groups, we think the A30s and the A12s heading towards us from Izumi, they are quite spread out and foraging. More whales are reported in the reserve, but we don't have full details on those whales yet. Surface camera is on channel A.

11:24 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
Oh boy, some of the Gs have made it this far and are spread along the Vancouver Island shore heading west. The A30s are in the lead and moving quickly. We are filming but I 'll send out an alert.

13:05 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The whales have moved to the west. They are spread out from Telegraph Cove to the entrance of Weynton Pass. They have not made it easy to make identifications. They are not very vocal now and they are taking long dives while travelling fast. We need them to put on the breaks and turn!

3 August Orcalab reports

08:08 PDT No orcas present.
We think that both the A30s and the A12s ended up going through Blackney Pass last night. Although they were silent there were enough blows for groups to be there. We didn't hear anything overnight so it is difficult to know whether or not the whales continued out to the west or circled back to the Strait. Foggy here this morning and still quiet.

08:45 PDT Orcas hunting fish.
We began hearing very close echo location on Critical Point in the Bight a short while after hearing distant calls at 8:30am

08:49 PDT Distant calls audible.
Besides the whales closer to the Bight there is another group on the very far side of the Strait near Kaikash. This group is west bound. The Strait does not have fog like Blackney Pass at the moment.

09:11 PDT Distant calls audible.
Since the whales "opened" up and became vocal we believe the group nearer the Reserve is the A30s while the A12s are further west. A12 is crossing toward CP and so we are filming. I'll send out an Alert.

10:58 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s look like they might head into Weynton Passage. meanwhil, the A30s are coming toward the CP area from Kaiakash. The humpback continues to circle in front of CP.

12:37 PDT Distant calls audible.
The a12s have come "out" of Weynton and are headed toward Bold Head while the A30s have decided to turn back to the east after spending a lot of time off of CP milling and foraging.

13:55 PDT Distant calls audible.
This is the A30s travelling toward the Reserve.

14:50 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The A30s are rubbing. The A12s are west of Bold head.

16:21 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A30s left the beaches to the west while the A12s continued into Queen Charlotte Strait.

17:10 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
There are whales approaching CP, probably the A30s, Channel A.



19:44 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A30s continued west from the CP area to the "top" end of Hanson Island and meanwhile the A12s are in the process of making their way back to the Strait via Weynton Passage after spending part of the afternoon in Queen Charlotte Strait. Today there wer four minke whales, dolphin, porpoises and humpbacks too as well as the orcas!

22:07 PDT Distant calls audible.
Both the A30s and the A12s are probably eastbound in the strait The A30s have been the most vocal. The A12s may be resting.

2 August Orcalab reports

09:40 PDT Distant calls audible.
We began hearing distant "A1" calls on the Flower Island hydrophone a short while ago. Sounds like either the A12s or A30s (or both) are back at the "top" of Blackfish Sound.

11:02 No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s have moved into Johnstone Strait. A12 and A33 are taking the Hanson shore and the A34s are crossing over to the Vancouver Island side at Blinkhorn, The A30s are off Bold Head in Blackfish Sound. We are waiting for details about the whales further east. There have been no updates this morning on the very large group of orcas that were off Comox yesterday afternoon. (These whales had gone through Seymour Narrows and past Campbell River the previous day. Only the A11s and the G17s continued out of the area. Perhaps the A12s and the A30s are waiting (as we are) for the return of the others. Might be an interesting few days.

11:50 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A30s are moving quickly through Blackney Pass headed toward Johnstone Strait.

13:25 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A30s sound like they have gone in close to Critical Point.

15:16 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A30s have reached Robson Bight again, heading west, after travelling a short distance to the east. We don't think they went into the rubbing beaches. Meanwhile, the A12s are headed west, mostly along the Vancouver Island side, but A12 & A33 are on the Cracroft Island side, approaching the Sophias - it's possible they will come into view from CP soon.

17:18 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A30s are going west along the Vancouver Island shore from Little Kaikash, A38 is mid strait. The A12s are at Blinkhorn westing we think.

19:22 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A30s and A12s turned to the east at about 18:00pm. The A30s have just passed Kaikash Beach along the Vancouver Island shore and the A12s are farther back all grouped up and appear to be resting.

20:08 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
After travelling west the A12s and the A30s turned around 6pm. The A12s are very slowly making their way toward Little Kaikash while angling out from the Vancouver Isalnd shore. The A30s are approaching the Reserve very close to Vancouver Island. We eventually did hear that the A36s and the A8s were off Camp Point before moving back to Nodales Channel.

20:38 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A30s must have arrived at Critical Point.

21:46 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
After a great rub, the A30s have (probably) moved off to the east.

23:21 PDT Distant calls audible.
The a1s are moving through Blackney pass under a star filled sky.

23:37 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
A bit more detail. The group travelling quietly through Blackney is headed north and may be the A12s. Another group can be heard infrequently on CP. This may be the A30s if they didn't go east as first thought. The sky is still wonderous! Good morning Europe!

1 August Orcalab reports:

15:00 PDT Orcas near mics.
Surprise! The A30s are the whales west bound out of the Reserve. Last night they must have gone back to the Strait. At least they are vocal now.

20:47 PDT Distant calls audible.
We're hearing distant "A1" calls on the Flower Island hydrophone... sounds like the A30s are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound.

31 July Orcalab reports

23:43 PDT No orcas present.
Good evening! We have been caught up with various things tonight . We had a surprise visit from the A30s at dusk. The A30s had not been seen in the western Johnstone Strait all day. They were silent as they passed and in a BIG hurry. We had been expecting the A11s because they were reported coming in and so you can imagine our surprise. The A11s must have fallen behind the A30s because not long after the A30s had cleared we heard them on Flower Island.

26 July Orcalab reports:

10:16 PDT No orcas present. Le Caique (Robson Bight Charters out of Kelsey Bay) reported this morning that the whales: probably all of last night's groups; the A12s,A30s,A4s,A43s,A25s & C6s + the A36s and A8s, are quite far to the east in the lower eastern portion of Johnstone Strait and still eastbound.

11:20 PDT No orcas present.The Naiad Explorer (MacKay Whale Watching) reports that there is a group heading west a few miles east of th Ecological Reserve.

11:21 PDT No orcas present.The Naiad now reports that it is the A30s and quite a few others nearing Forward Bay.

12:54 PDT We are listening the A30s and A4s who came back from the east.

13:30 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.The A30s and A4s are now off CP.

16:44 PDT Distant calls audible.The whales have gone to the north through Weynton pass. They are slowly coming down to Blackney with flooding tide. We are hearing the A30 calls on FI.

20:10 PDT Distant calls audible.We have been hearing the A30s in Blackfish Sound from time to time. They never did come back down through Blackney on the tide.Instead they probably met up with the A35s (and perhaps the A24s as well) after they came through Weynton Pass. The A30s,according to the Lukwa,were off Bold Head and then moved west to Donegal where the young ones from all the groups became involved in a lot of play. One can just imagine the lovely evening scene.

25 July Orcalab reports

20:01 PDT Distant calls audible.We have heard from the A30s on Flower Island! The A12s seem to be finished their rub.

21:18 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.The A30s, A11s, A23s, & others, are about to enter Johnstone Strait. We're listening to them on the Parson Island hydrophone & they should be visible from CP soon.

22:13 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.The A11s, A35s,A24s, A25s, probably the A43s, A30s and the C6s have joined the A12s in the Strait.

23:14 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.The whales have gone into the Beaches.

16 July Orcalab reports:

05:39 PDT Distant calls audible. We are listening to the A4s and some A1 calls. The whales are back from the east.

06:51 PDT Superb sounds!! We are listenig to the A4s and A1(at least A30s) on CP!

15 July 2005 Orcalab reports:

14:47 PDT No orcas present. It is a very quiet day so far. The A30s and perhaps the A11s are still in the East and were seen this morning easting past Chatham Point. We are still waiting.

14 July Orcalab reports:

15:15 PDT Superb sounds!! Its been reported that the A30s are up near Donegal Head, the A12s appear to be waiting opposite CP, perhaps the A30s will come in for a visit.

16:4 PDT Superb sounds!!We are listening to the A30s and A4 calls on the CP hydraphone. Unfortunately they are right on the VI shore and so we are unable to see them clearly, perhaps they will come closer next time. They are heading East.

18:28 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom. The groups who passed us earlier are now rubbing in the reserve. Our camera is not running yet but will be shortly.


Seasmoke whalewatching reports:
Passenger's touring this afternoon encountered the A30 and A11 pods. They had been resting until their arrival into Johnstone Strait via Weynton Passage. At this point, they awoke and began to engage in a range of very relaxed and playful behaviours, such as breaching and spyhopping. Springer (A73), well known for the story of her separation and eventual reuniting with her family in this area a few years ago was observed , and appeared to be leading her young cousins in the games. Both pods were very vocal throughout the encounter.

It was just past midnight, the full moon rising over Princess Royal Island, as suddenly with a burst of calls the A36s announced themselves on our hydrophone on Borde Island while the A30s were still audible faintly also. We think that the A36s decided not to meet the A30s in Whale Channel, instead we think they turned around and headed back to Caamano Sound because early in the morning of June 22nd (5:30am) we spotted them approaching Whale Channel, and this time they travelled north. At the very same time, a couple of hundred miles further south, Orcalab starts to listen to the A12s, A4s and A5s in Blackfish Sound, which marks the start for their Orca season. It will mark the first time that we roughly know the location of all the A-Pod whales of the northern resident community on the same day along the BC coast. As the A36s continued to travel slowly against the tide north towards Douglas Channel, the wherabouts of the R's remains a mystery for us.
Cetacealab

We were listening to a R-Clan Orca concert and within the Rs also were the A30s with their distinct N47. The water was very calm, the whales spread themselves out through the whole channel and paraded to the North. We only got a few IDs of them, but enough to make us think that all of the R5s were present. We saw for sure R22,R29,R25 and the A30s.
Cetacealab

The A30s surprised us in the early morning of May 30th, as they came down Whale Ch. Janie heard their calls on the hydrophones while Hermann was out having morning coffee with people in the seaweed camp of Kiel. The A30s travelled right by Kiel much to the delight of the Hartley Bay elders who were already busy drying seaweed on the rocks. We followed the A30s for a little while as they travelled south through Caamano Sound. They were quite spread out with the two big males A38 and A39 in the lead. Then we saw A50, and with her a tiny little calf that was trying to keep up with mum. As far as we know this calf has not been seen before so we are very delighted to have seen this new addition to the A30s. We followed the whales as far down as the Duckers Islands and then turned around as they continued their travels towards Laredo Sound on a beautiful sunny day.
Cetacealab