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