Sunday, October 15, 2006

15 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

We began hearing calls on the Cracroft Point hydrophone a short while ago. Sounds like the A30s are returning from the east. Other orcas may be nearby as well.
Helena
15 Oct 2006 05:59:34 PDT

Orcas relaxing.

We're now hearing A & G clan "resting" calls on the Parson Island hydrophone & can also hear blows in Blackney Pass. Sounds like the orcas are heading north through Blackney Pass. Probably, the "A1" calls we were hearing earlier were from the A36s rather than the A30s.
Helena
15 Oct 2006 06:20:51 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

So here is what we know. Around 5:30am, we heard A1 calls off Cracroft Point. Soon after there were both A1 and G calls in the entrance to Blackney Pass. The G calls unfortunately ceased. However, we are fairly confident that the A12s entered the Strait at this time and headed east. Independent of the A12 calls was another A1 group further east. To make matters more complicated as the A12s were entering a group headed north in Blackney Pass. As this group reached Blackfish Sound we heard a few A1 N3 calls so we know one of the 3 A1 groups went that direction. Acoustic discrimination was difficult because the group only made "resting calls" .Then as if this wasn't enough activity, a small group of transients headed south through Blackney around 8am. We have since heard the A12s travel past Critical Point and continue east. Whew! and it is not yet 10am. Hopefully, we will get the chance to sort out who left & who stayed later today.
Helena
15 Oct 2006 09:33:44 PDT

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