Saturday, August 18, 2007

18 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

As the sleepy whales (the A5s,I15s and I33s) in Jonhstone Strait continue their rest, the A30s and the A11s have been reported heading west toward Kelesey Bay. There is also a group heading east toward Donegal Head, out of Queen Charlotte Strait. No ids as of yet. The tide will flood in about 1/2 hour. The A36s, by the way, are over by Blunden Harbour.
Helena
18 Aug 2007 13:56:17 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

After the boat noise (more cruise ships) was over we began hearing A1 & A4 calls at the rubbing beaches! We're not sure, but the A30s may have returned from their (fast) trip to the east. Possibly, the A4 calls at the beaches are from the A11s. Meanwhile, the I15s, I33s, A5s & A12s are slowly making their way east in the Strait... we're hearing them on the CP & PI hydrophones.
Helena
18 Aug 2007 18:42:46 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Since the last post: The A30s and the A11s (A11,A56, A13 and A73) travelled to the west from the Bight and showed up off CP around 7:40pm. There they joined the BIG group (the I15s, the rest of the A4s, the A5s, the I33s and the newly arrived back A12s) in a BIG mix-up. Eventually, despite the ebbing tide, they all moved over to the Vancouver Island side and continued east. They are approaching Robson Bight right now. Thanks to everyone for all the reports today; Nick for keeping track of the A30s and A11s, Marie on the "Cliff" for keeping track of movements east of CP, Paul Tixier for watching from CP, and the whale watch boats for keeping everyone up-to-date throughout the day. It may be a busy night!
Helena
18 Aug 2007 21:34:25 PDT

No comments: