Monday, July 31, 2006

31 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Most of the activity today has been off the eastern end of Cracroft Island. The whales (A30s and A5s) finallly decided to head back to the west. The A12s and A11s, who had earlier travelled back to the Strait via Blackney, turned back to the west, after reaching the Broken Islands. Their progress has been slow all day as they may have been waiting for the A30s and A5s to catch up. Despite the flooding tide they have all managed to keep moving west and the lead groups are now in the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
31 Jul 2006 17:10:12 PDT

Sunday, July 30, 2006

30 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

No calls overnight so we believe the A30s,A12, A4s and A5s are still to the east in Johnstone Strait. Yesterday, the Naiad thought that there may be additional groups there as well.
Helena
30 Jul 2006 09:13:17 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s came back from the east. They passed CP and continued west to Turn Point. A short while ago they turned. Meanwhile, some of the A4s followed the A12s up from the east. They are still east of CP. The A30s were reported still quite far east and so far we have not heard the A5s.
Helena
30 Jul 2006 15:59:05 PDT

Saturday, July 29, 2006

29 July 2006, Orcalab reports

No orcas present.

Overnight: The A30, A4 & A5 calls continued until 11:30pm as these whales went back and forth in the Ecological Reserve. Then at 2am we briefly heard calls once more but unfortunately we were unable to locate where the calls were coming from. The tide was flooding and so they may have decided to go with it and head east. But it is a bit uncertain.
Helena
29 Jul 2006 07:51:13 PDT

No orcas present.

Indeed the whales went to the east, to the very far east, Sayward, Camp Point and Nodales.
Helena
29 Jul 2006 15:24:05 PDT

Friday, July 28, 2006

28 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The A30s finally have made it to the Strait. Coming in on the last of the flood tide they travelled south through Blackney Pass a short while ago. They had company - the A35s were with them! The A35s must have headed west silently after their last rub yesterday and met up with the A30s in Blackfish Sound in order to travel together toward the Strait. CP reports seeing them by 6:43am.
Helena
28 Jul 2006 06:56:02 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

A morning of surprises. The A30s left the A35s to go east in the Strait by themselves while they returned to Blackfish Sound via Blackney Pass.
Helena
28 Jul 2006 08:13:54 PDT

Distant calls audible.

After disappearing for most of the day, the A30s zipped through Blackfish Sound and Blackney. They are now eastbound. Meanwhile the A35s sound like they are westbound from the Boat Bay area. Will the A12s, A5s and the rest of the A4s come out of the east as well?
Helena
28 Jul 2006 17:03:48 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

it sounds like the A30s have met up with not just the A35s! We are now hearing other A4 calls as well as A5 and everyone has gone to the beach.
Helena
28 Jul 2006 18:18:47 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

And west they come. So far we have heard A30, A4 and A5 calls. They seem to be west bound from Boat Bay and Critical Point.
helena
28 Jul 2006 21:54:02 PDT

Thursday, July 27, 2006

27 July 2006, Orcalab reports


No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s are back! Right now they are trying to make their way through Blackney against the strong ebbing tide - they are about half way. It was very exciting to hear their calls in Blackfish Sound just as we were finishing dinner. Earlier the A35s went in for a rub. They were accompanied by a few dolphins. It was not clear which direction they went after they were finished at the beaches. It will be a while before the A30s make it all the way into the Strait.
Helena
27 Jul 2006 22:21:34 PDT

Orcas near mics.

They didn't make it! Instead, just after posting the last comment, the A30s turned around and went with the tide. They are now back in Blackfish. What will they do next? Wait for the tide and come in later? Go back to Queen Charlotte Strait? Or try Weynton?
Helena
27 Jul 2006 22:52:40 PDT