16 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s and the I33s just travelled south through Blackney Pass and are about to enter Johnstone Strait. Their travels were preceded just a few calls in Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile. the A11s and the A5s are still resting in Johnstone Strait and the I15s,A36s and the A24s are to the west.
Helena
16 Aug 2007 12:57:08 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A24s and the I15s followed the A30s and the I33s to Johnstone Strait. They elected to follow the Hanson Island shore with I43 and I16 in the lead.
Helena
16 Aug 2007 13:37:54 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Both the A30s and the A5s have gone in for a rub as well as the A4s.
Helena
16 Aug 2007 15:46:01 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The whales have headed off to the east from the rubbing beaches after an incredibly long (4 hours) rubbing session during which all of the groups (A4s, A5s, A30s, I15s, I33s) visited and revisited the Main rubbing beach. What a rub!
Helena
16 Aug 2007 18:40:02 PDT

No orcas present.

It seems that all the groups headed off to the east together after their marathon rub. We last heard a report, around 8pm, that they were at the Adams River, still in a relaxed clump, heading east. We are waiting.
Helena
16 Aug 2007 22:52:33 PDT

15 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas hunting fish.

We began hearing echolocation close to the Critical Point hydrophone shortly before 8am. There were also a few "N3" calls, so we think a group of A clan orcas must be heading west in Robson Bight.
Helena
15 Aug 2007 08:04:40 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A30s are back! They are just off Robson Bight. Last night they were in Nodales (about as far east as you can get in Johnstone Strait at 8pm). Do they have company?
Helena
15 Aug 2007 08:57:55 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The parade has begun. There are A4s, G clan calls along with the A30s. All groups are westbound.
Helena
15 Aug 2007 09:28:00 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The groups in Johnstone Strait who continued west, maybe as far as Beaver Cove, turned 40 minutes ago, and are now headed east spread out across Johnstone Strait. The A36s are still in Queen Charlotte Strait but they are reported to be with another group westbound from Lizard Point.
Helena
15 Aug 2007 12:46:31 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s left Johnstone via Weynton Pass and are at the western end of Blackfish Sound. The extra group with the A36s has yet to be substantiated and the remaining groups in Johnstone Strait are slowly moving to the east still. No word (or calls) on who was in Robson Bight heading west a short whle ago.
Helena
15 Aug 2007 13:38:01 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

While the A30s linger in Blackfish Sound and the A36s remain in Queen Charlotte Strait, on the Johnstone Strait side, the whales (the A4s, A12s and I31s (maybe just the I33s)have headed east to the rubbing beaches. The I15s are still a bit further west and we have not heard A5 calls clearly today, leaving us, wondering if they are still very far east.
Helena
15 Aug 2007 15:54:31 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

There has been quite a bit of movement. The I15s, A4s, I31s (I33s at least) and A12s moved west in the Strait to the entrance of Blackney Pass while the A30s have moved around in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
15 Aug 2007 17:45:57 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

In fact the A30s are moving toward Blackney Pass and the others have moved off to the west a bit.
Helena
15 Aug 2007 17:49:44 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The I15s zipped through Blackney Pass on their way to Blackfish Sound. This left the A4s in Johnstone Strait and most likely (until we hear differently) the A12s, I33s as well. The A30s were last heard in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
15 Aug 2007 22:43:24 PDT

14 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Interesting day shaping up. The A34s are eastbound in Queen Charlotte Strait. Last night they accompanied the I15s and I31s to Blackney Pass. We thought they had continued with the other two groups east in Johnstone Strait. However, at some point they must have pulled away and headed back west to meet up with the A36s again. Right now, the I31s have returned from the east and are moving slowly west (hardly any calls) toward Cracroft Point. The A30s, A12 & A33, the I15s, A4s and A5s are still east of the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
14 Aug 2007 12:00:11 PDT

13 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

Calls from the I31s,I15s, A4s and A5s gradually faded away until just after 1am. We had the impression these groups were westbound at that time and may have left Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass. This morning, after 6am, we have heard (briefly so far) a group come up to Critical Point. We have yet to determine who is there but last night we had lost track of the A30s.
Helena
13 Aug 2007 06:52:16 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

A12 and A33 just rushed south through Blackney Pass. They were located this morning east of Lizard Point in Queen Charlotte Strait. We have just learned that a couple of whales have been spotted entering the east end of the Reserve heading west. Also, from "below" the A30s, A11s, and some of the A5s are eastbound, heading toward bear Point. Apparently they spent 2 hours off of Camp Point waiting for the tide to turn to flood.. There has been no sighting of the rest of the A12s (the A34s so far today - they left yesterday via Blackfish Sound.)
Helena
13 Aug 2007 13:50:22 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The group off the eastern end turned out to be the I15s. They went in for a brief rub and presumably kept going west. A12 and A33 are headed toward them and they are calling now. We are having to rethink our impression about what happened last night: instead of going west the A5s, A4s went east with the A30s. The I15s followed suit. Our remaining question, and perhaps it will onn be answered, is what happened to the I31s? The was a reoort this morning of a group of 9 -12 off of Bold Head. We heard no calls and they disappeared into the fog before any boats were out.
Helena
13 Aug 2007 14:14:52 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

A busy night! Shooting stars, excited whales. The I15s and the I31s went through Weynton Pass earlier and met up with the A34s. A12 ansd A33 had rushed up to Blackfish earlier as well but they returned back to Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass on their own. They continued east and have recently passed Critical Point. Meanwhile, the I15s and Co, after a deep rest off the western end of Blackfish Sound, began to move east into Blackney Pass with the A34s and possibly others. There are a lot of blows going through the Pass. The lead groups are about to enter Johnstone Strait.
Helena
13 Aug 2007 23:22:28 PDT

12 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

The A36s waited for the I15s and the I31s and brought them down Queen Charlotte Strait to the A30s and the A11s. These groups travelled through Blackney Pass and are now on their way to Johnstone Strait.
Helena
12 Aug 2007 00:11:36 PDT

No orcas present.

All the groups that came in just before midight (A36s,I15s & I31s) along with the A30s and A11s) carried on to the east in Johnstone Strait. They were past the Ecological Reserve by just after 2am. They seemed to be in a hurry but a few (I15s + As) had time to touch in at the main rubbing beach on their way. We've heard nothing since & it's a very foggy morning here.
Helena
12 Aug 2007 07:39:46 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It is quite the parade. All the groups are filing up from the east, stopping for a rub or two, moving on to CP and beyond. The A12s have come along for the party and the A5s, the rest of the A4s as well. All the A1s are present, in company with the I15s & I31s. Might be a good exercise to figure out how many whales are here today!
Helena
12 Aug 2007 13:47:58 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

After the A30s & A11s finished their rub they came west to the Bight, arriving about the time the others groups turned and headed back to the east. Some of the groups got as far as Hidden Cove (Telegraph Cove area).
Helena
12 Aug 2007 15:48:09 PDT

Boat noise

The A36 brothers have just headed north through Blackney Pass, all together, and are now in Blackfish Sound. The other groups (A11s, A12s, A30s, I31s, I15s) are still in Johnstone Strait, between Blackney Pass & Robson Bight, and headed east. We're listening to their calls amidst persistent boat noise.
Helena
12 Aug 2007 17:27:10 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Time to catch up. The A36s left the area via Blackney Pass & travelling through Blackfish Sound. The A34s (no one saw A12 and A33!) followed. We think the A30s pulled the I31s and I15s east in Johnstone Strait for a while leaving the A4s and the A5s around the Robson Bight area. The I31s and the I15s have returned to the Bight just a short while ago. The groups are very vocal!
Helena
12 Aug 2007 23:00:27 PDT

11 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Another busy night with the A4s, A5s and A30s continuing to move back and forth in Johnstone Strait. In the end, the A30s and an A4 (?A11) group followed the rest of the A4s and A5s (who had disappeared east of the Reserve before midnight) back to Critical Point and beyond. This morning there have been reports of whales, east of the Reserve, asof a couple of hours ago.
Helena
11 Aug 2007 09:03:51 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

This has become a busy orca day once again. This morning a small group of transients (T2B, the T60s) were spotted south of Stubbs Island. They most likely were involved in a Dalls porpoise hunt north of Stubss. (Jared Towers/Sea Smoke report). From there they moved through the Pearse Island and have just now turned toward Johnstone Strait from Cormorant Island. Meanwhile, the A30s and the A11s have returned from the east and are currently westbound in the Strait. Also, the A36s were off Bere point this morning and just recently two more groups (the I31s and I15s, Bill MacKay report) are headed east through Queen Charlottte Strait from the Port Hardy area.
Helena
11 Aug 2007 13:23:16 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s and the A11s continued west as far as Blinkhorn and then turned around to the east. They were quite spread out across the Strait before the turn.
Helena
11 Aug 2007 16:00:51 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

After a few nice and interesting calls off the entrance to Blackney Pass, the A30s and the A11s (A13,A11,A73,A56) travelled through Blackney Pass to the north.
Helena
11 Aug 2007 18:01:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are finally beginning to hear the incoming groups on Flower Island. They sound like they are still not moving very fast but they have the slack and then soon the flood tide with them.
Helena
11 Aug 2007 22:52:38 PDT

10 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

At 2:15am whales, starting with the A30s and followed by A5s and A4s, rounded the corner at Critical Point, to the Robson Bight area. They have basically stalled in the general area east of Cracroft Point and the Ecological Reserve since then. The calls have been at times quite lovely and continuous. We have not yet so far heard A12s but the A11s may have come back.
Helena
10 Aug 2007 06:19:25 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A11s led the A30s, the A5s and possibly the A24s through Blackney Pass and into Blackfish Sound just a short while ago. There looked like there was a least one other group in the crowd. Very few calls and prior to coming in only the A30s were vocal. Earlier we heard A4s,A30s and A5s, starting after 2am (see previous notes).
Helena
10 Aug 2007 11:11:39 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

This morning's groups have, after spending time off the top end of Blackfish Sound, gone through Weynton Passage and east in Johnstone Strait. The A35s were added to the list of A11s, A30s, all the A5s and A24s.
Helena
10 Aug 2007 16:08:17 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Awhile ago the A30s headed off to the west. The A11s were following but turned around again. Soon after all the rest of the groups began a trek up Johnstone Strait. As they did so, the A30s "appeared" acoustically once again. All the groups are not far from the CP and entrance to Blackney Pass. The calls have been quite continuous and are only now slowing down.
Helena
10 Aug 2007 22:18:16 PDT

09 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The A30s and the I11s are trekking back west from the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
09 Aug 2007 07:28:47 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

As the A30s and the I11s continue west another group has rounded the corner from the east at Critical Point.
Helena
09 Aug 2007 08:00:57 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It was the A12s who turned up off Critical Point. Can the A4s and the A5s be far behind?
Helena
09 Aug 2007 08:31:05 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

All the groups are converging at the eastern end of Hanson Island in Johnstone Strait. The A12s, A4s andA5sall came up from the east and headed to Cracroft Point. Meanwhile the A30s and the I11s, after turning around off Blinkhorn, headed east along the Hanson Island side. Right now the A30s and the I11s are quiet (and have been so for a while after the turn) and the A12s, A5s and A4s are sproadically vocal.
Helena
09 Aug 2007 10:39:51 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A30s and the I11s have "merged" with the A25s and the A23s off of CP while the A12s cross over toward the Bight from the Sophias. So far we have not actually heard any A4s and Nick Templeman reports that the A8s and the A11s (? all of them) stayed east last night and are not far from Rock Point (Chatham Point area.
Helena
09 Aug 2007 11:14:19 PDT

Boat noise

This has been our most complicated day to date. After the A25s and the A23s socialised with the A30s and the I11s there was a split, with the A5s turning east and the I11s and A30s turning west. The A12s and the A24s never did make it to CP at this time. Instead they turned east and crossed over from the Sophias. They went all the way to the eastern boundary where they turned west once more. By 3pm they were opposite Robson Bight. From there they moved up to the CP area (only the A12s were vocal) and crossed the entrance to Blackney Pass. Meanwhile the A30s and the I11s had continued west toward Telegraph Cove. From there the A30s turned back east before 5pm while the I11s moved into Weynton Pass. The A12s had moved back east as well and just before 6pm they were opposite Robson Bight once again. By this time, the groups had begun to shut down for a rest. The A23s and A25s may have gone all the way to the beaches for a very short rub and by 5:30pm they were back off Critical Point. The short of this is that the groups are in their various groups heading east in different locations throughout the Strait. The I11s are still undecided in the entrance to Weynton Passage. The A36s are still likely in Queen Charlotte Strait, way to the west. And the A8s and A11 are still westbound in the lower Johnstone Strait.
Helena
09 Aug 2007 18:26:53 PDT

08 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Good Morning! Early this morning, just after 4am, we began to hear calls in Blackfish Sound. These turned out to be A1 (?A30) and A4 (?A11). Calls ended one hour later. Then at 6am calls started once again. This time it was A5 and A4. The whales are just now in sight, making their way south through Blackney, just ahead of the ebb (to flood) tide.
Helena
08 Aug 2007 06:48:39 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

A11 and A13 were the last two through from Blackfish Sound. Everyone is now in Johnstone Strait heading east toward or in the Ecological Reserve. The groupings were very mixed and spread out as they went through but we believe all the A5s were there and the two A11 matriines (including Springer).
Helena
08 Aug 2007 08:43:12 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

As the A11s and the A5s enjoy themselves at the rubbing beaches the A30s and the I11s (following) passed slowly and silently through Blackney Pass. These two groups are in Johnstone Strait now. The rub continues.
Helena
08 Aug 2007 09:58:34 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30s went for a rub and then travelled off to the eastern boundary of the Reserve. The I11s followed and currently we can hear them off the main beach. The A5s and the A4s disappeared out of range to the east a while ago.
Helena
08 Aug 2007 13:58:25 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A30s and the I11s have turned around and are back off Robson Bight. Houdini and her calf (the most famous humpback of this area!) is in the Bight as well.
Helena
08 Aug 2007 14:25:17 PDT

Orcas near mics.

As the A30s and the I11s continue to the west past Kaikash Creek, the A36s have turned up inside Robson Bight.
Helena
08 Aug 2007 16:39:39 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

After the A36s turned up in the Bight the A30s and the I11s turned around off the western end of Johnstone Strait and went east along the Vancouver Island shore. The A36s hurried westward and entered Blackney Pass just after 7pm. They continued into Blackfish Sound and beyond. The A30s and the I11s continued east toward the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
08 Aug 2007 21:26:18 PDT

07 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Early this morning, the A12s continued west in Johnstone Strait and turned into Blackney Pass. By 2:30am they were heading through Blackfish Sound. It was unclear whether the A24s stayed with the A12s. We last heard their calls around 11:30pm when they were still in the Strait. The A30s were ahead of both these groups having entered Blackfish Sound by 10:30pm. The A36s are most likely still east in Johnstone Strait. This morning whales were seen in Queen Charlotte Strait around 6am.
Helena
07 Aug 2007 08:02:01 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A30s just turned up, almost exactly where they left off 12 hours ago! They are travelling south through Blackney Pass at the moment. We cannot see them because of the thick fog but we can hear their calls and blows. The A12s AND the A24s are eastbound in Queen Charlotte Strait headed for Donegal Head (east end of Malcolm Island).
Helena
07 Aug 2007 11:32:47 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s and the A24s continued east once in johnstone strait. They came in via Weynton Pass. The A30s took themselves off to the rubbing beaches. When finished there they returned west, first to Robson Bight, and then further where they connected with A12 and A33 (the A34s and the A24s were pretty preoccupied with each other all day long). The A30s then continued west and are currently between Bauza and Blinkhorn (east of Telegraph Cove) on the Vancouver Island side. The A12s and Co are off the Ecological Reserve heading east. There was a rumour that the little R7 group might be tucked in with the A24s and the A34s. An interesting note was when the A12s and the A24s came into the Strait the A24s did most of the talking west of Cracroft Point and then when the groups were east of Cracroft Point the A12s were most vocal.
Helena
07 Aug 2007 18:22:48 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s are back at the western end of Blackfish Sound. The A36s at 7:30pm were westbound at Ripple Point (still very far east) and the A12s and the A24s most likely continued east from the rubing beaches.
helena
07 Aug 2007 21:19:12 PDT

06 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

The A30s are back from the east. From the echolocation we're been hearing, it sounds like they're finding a bite to eat in Robson Bight!
Helena
06 Aug 2007 08:21:15 PDT

Orcas near mics.

At 11:55am the A30s, who had continued west to Telegraph Cove and the entrance of Weynton Pass from Robson Bight, turned and crossed over to the Hanson Island side and proceded eastward. They have just past Cracroft Point.
Helena
06 Aug 2007 13:56:54 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Ataround 3:30pm the a30s turned while in the Ecological Reserve and headed west. They passed CP and continued west. After a gap in calls they have once again begun calling. Perhaps they are on their way east again?
Helena
06 Aug 2007 19:33:21 PDT

Distant calls audible.

A rather interesting development. Possibly both the A12s and the A24s have made it back to Robson Bight from the east while the A30s may have ended up in Blackfish Sound. The tracking continues to be difficult as the whales are creating large gaps between calling bouts.
Helena
06 Aug 2007 23:24:39 PDT

05 August 2007, Orcalab reports:


No calls but orcas nearby

After a long and wonderful rub the A12s and the A24s headed back west to Robson Bight. The A36s may still be nearby. The ebbing tide might encourage a bigger move west. At 4:30pm, Nic Templeman reported that the A30s were westbound off Kelsey Bay.
Helena
05 Aug 2007 22:55:53 PDT

03 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The A30s are foraging in Blackfish Sound. The A36s are off Lizard Point.
Helena
03 Aug 2007 09:25:39 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A30s are making their way south through Blackney Pass, stopping now and then to have a bite to eat.
Helena
03 Aug 2007 15:06:42 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30s have gone in for a rub. The A24s and hte A12s are hurrying up from the east and have now passed St Vicents Bight. The A36s are still to the west.
Helena
03 Aug 2007 17:17:20 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A36s finally made it to Johnstone Strait BUT they went through Weynton Pass and NOT past us. We have yet to see them in the daytime. They are headed east. The A12s have also made back to these parts and are currently headed west past Critical Point. Sooooo?... where are the A30s? They were at the beaches just a while ago. AND where are the A24s. Perhaps these questions will be answered soon.
Helena
03 Aug 2007 20:33:13 PDT

02 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The A36s have been foraging in Blackfish Sound for the past several hours. Meanwhile, the A30s are in western Johnstone Strait. We're hearing occasional calls from them on the Critical Point hydrophone.
Helena
02 Aug 2007 07:23:10 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A30s, who have been moving around Johnstone Strait since 3am, are eastbound once again toward Robson Bight. We have not heard the A36s, who earlier flirted twice with coming into Blackney Pass, since around 6am. No word on the A24s, Rs or A12s so far this morning.
Helena
02 Aug 2007 09:44:03 PDT

No orcas present.

It is always interesting being around the residents. Last night, there was an exchange. The A24s and the R7s went off with the waiting A36 brothers. They have been spotted in Queen Charlotte Strait by Seasmoke Charters this morning. This all happened without any noticeable acoustic exchanges. This left the A30s to turn eastward by themselves. As they move further east there has been a report of a group (?the A12s) moving westward from Camp Point.
Helena
02 Aug 2007 12:38:22 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We have been busy trying to keep track of the various groups in the area. The A24s, true to form, were silent until they reached Johnstone Strait. And it wasn't until they reached the beaches that they actually made any noises at all. The A36s keep waxing and waning toward Blackney Pass, never quite making it (so far at least) and the A30s have returned from the east and hooked up with the A24s off the Ecologial Reserve. The R7s, we believe, kept going west in Queen Charlotte Strait after spending part of the morning with the A24s and the A36s. All of this would be easier if the whales kept in range and vocal but then it wouldn't be as interesting or challenging.
Helena
02 Aug 2007 20:23:43 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

At least the A30s just travelled north through Blackney Pass, perhaps to visit with the entrenched A36s in Blackfish Sound. We have lost track of the A24s since their turn at the beaches earlier. The A12s have not yet showed up from the east either. Time will tell.
Helena
02 Aug 2007 22:44:34 PDT

01 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Another quiet night. We believe the A24s continued east past the Ecological Reserve and that the A30s continued west through Queen Charlotte Strait. The A12s should still be to the east. Very foggy this morning.
Helena
01 Aug 2007 08:36:21 PDT

No orcas present.

A surprise for us! The a30s just went through Blackney Pass headed for Johnstone Strait. This was our first daytime sighting of this group. They have a small group of Rs with them (perhaps the R2/7 group) and the A24s have come up from the east to greet them. The A24s are past Boat Bay and the other two groups are now past Cracroft Point. Party? Summer?
Helena
01 Aug 2007 18:29:31 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A30s and the ?R7s are travelling east in Johnstone Strait and have made acoustic contact with the A24s.
Helena
01 Aug 2007 18:54:06 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The orcas are at the rubbing beach after calling beautifully off Critical Point. The A12s were last reported still in the vicinity of Nodales Channel this evening.
Helena
01 Aug 2007 20:24:25 PDT

No orcas present.

We believe the A30s, R7s and A24s went off to the east.
Helena
01 Aug 2007 21:50:05 PDT

31 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30s and the A24s have made their way back to the Ecological Reserve from the east leaving the A12s "below" and heading towards Nodales Channel. So far the A24s have touched in at the Main beach.
Helena
31 Jul 2007 15:12:11 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A24s certainly have a strong work ethic! They and the A30s rushed up from the east, pushed hard against the tide, and did not stop until they went through Weynton Pass to the western end of Blackfish Sound. After a bout of A30 calls the A24s, still travelling against the tide, came east to Blackney Pass. They are no longer in a rush - the A30s are nowhere in sight leaving us to wonder if they have gone west. The evening is still young. The A24s just began to call.
Helena
31 Jul 2007 21:21:15 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

30 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

While the A12s and company make their way through Queen Charlotte Strait slowly, the A24s have returned to the Bight from the east and are making their way westward. The A30s were reported in Frederick Arm (eastern Johnstone Strait) this morning. The night was uneventful.
Helena
30 Jul 2007 12:08:56 PDT


No orcas present.

I forgot to add that the A30s were west bound at Ripple Point earlier in the evening. (Thanks Nick for the report).
Helena
30 Jul 2007 20:29:25 PDT

29 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

The A30s are back! They are heading into Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass, spread out. We can hear their welcome calls on the LL & PI hyrdophones. It's hard to hear their blows through the misty drizzle & easterly wind, but there's no doubt they are there. If it wasn't for the weather, which feels like fall we'd be tempted to think summer has begun!
Helena & Paul
29 Jul 2007 00:46:59 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30s are at the Rubbing Beaches.
Tomoko
29 Jul 2007 03:57:30 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Hmmm.... we just had the A5s and the A12s go through Blackney pass in very mixed fashion. They have headed east and may have been joined by the A36s.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 12:12:36 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

There are A4 call in the mix as well. There is a small group reported at Blinkhorn and we wonder if the A35s are there. The others got as far as the Bight and turned back to the west. A30s were seen earlier this morning off Port Neville (east of here) with possibly the A24s.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 13:39:12 PDT

Superb sounds!!

After the A36s merged with the A35s (who had been sitting off Blinkhorn before moving east to Kaikash Creek) the whales crossed over to the entrance oF Blackney Pass and for a while everyone went west. Behind them the A12s and the A5s were moving west as well. After reaching the entrance to Blackney Pass they all looked like they were going to head back east but they then stalled. Although drifting and changing direction they have been very vocal. Word has reached us that there are other groups in Queen Charlotte Strait heading this direction. Despite the constant boat noise the calls have been constant and clear, everyone chatting at once.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 15:50:25 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

After shuffling back and forth in Johnstone Strait all the groups (the A5s, A35s and the A12s) finally left via Blackney Pass on the ebb. Prior to this,the A36s left the strait via Weynton Pass and headed to Blackfish Sound where they acoustically interacted with the small A11 group (including Springer) as they made their way through Blackfish Sound toward Blackney Pass. The a36s continued west by themselves. Just after the A11s came into our view we became aware of the whales exiting Johnstone Strait. The A11s turned and led everyone away into Blackfish Sound. There were not many calls during all of this. way. The A30s apparently continued eastward to Nodales Channel. We do not know where the A24s are at the moment.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 20:22:42 PDT

28 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

There maybe some excitment afoote! Today, MacKay Whale watching found the A30s headed east north of Port Hardy and apparently, they are pulling others with them. Thanks to Stubbs Island for the relay of this information. Nick also reported in: apparently the A24s got together with the A36s fairly far to the east of here around 11am. The "brothers" have lured the A24s further eastward, of course. In the middle of all of this activity we are waiting patiently and following the reports of minkes (thanks to Sea Smoke Charters for that info), humpbacks etc.
Helena
28 Jul 2007 17:12:20 PDT

No orcas present.

The A30s are off Lizard Point. The A24s and the A36s are west bound recently out of Nodales. Dolphins are leaping all over Blackney Pass.
Helena
28 Jul 2007 20:14:39 PDT

11 June 2007, Cetaceanlab reports:

This day was amazing, just the sun and no wind, a perfect water day. Sure enough it was the A30s again, this time with the A24s.

30 June 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

We were listening calls from several families since 4am; at least someone from A1 and R-clan. they were in Blackfish sound that time, but stopped calling about an hour ago. We are not sure which direction they have gone, back to North or to Weynton pass.
Tomoko
30 Jun 2007 05:55:30 PDT

Distant calls audible.

what a surprise! A30s are back! their calls are on Flower Island hydrophone.
Tomoko
30 Jun 2007 10:54:54 PDT

10 June 2007, Cetaceanlab reports:

The next morning started very early. A report of orcas came at 6am, it was quite windy so Hermann said he would go out by himself as we did not think Neekas would appreciate the ride, she does not like to be left behind. Hermann traveled towards the shore of Campania when suddenly I heard A1 calls on the hydrophone in Whale Channel. This meant that a second group was coming in much closer to the lab. I called Hermann to let him know. He decided to come back this way as the weather was much calmer here. He picked us up and soon we were surrounded by blows and black dorsal fins of all sizes. We traveled with them as they made their way towards the first group Hermann had been with earlier. After taking identification pictures of every whale we knew for sure we had the A30s and the A24s, but still not sure on the 3rd group. So we put down the hydrophone and let out ears do the work for us. Very clear A1 and A4 calls, then there it was, C calls!! Once we arrived home we would go through the pictures more closely and try to determine which group this was. It turned out they were the C10s! This group of families eventually made their way north in Squally.

9 June 2007, Cetacean lab reports:

On June 9th we had a report of a large group of orcas to the south of us. As usual we were quick to get our boat ready and since it was so calm we decided to bring Neekas, our dog, with us to see how she responds to our new boat. This turned out to be a great plan. She loved the boat and the whales were extremely attracted to her as she hung her nose over the bow checking them out. One young juvenile swam right beside the boat, on its side, just staring at Neekas, totally bored with us as our camera clicked away. This day we were with the A30s, the A5s including A51 and her calf and all of the A4s.

01 May 2007, Cetaceanlab reports

Well if this first day of May is any indication of what lies ahead, then this will be a fabulous season. It started for us in the dark, close to midnight, a few faint A5 Resident Orca calls on the hydrophone station in Whale Channel. The calls continued for 45 minutes fairly faint. Just as the tide changed to a flood the calls faded and we assumed the whales must have turned and taken advantage of the free ride the flow the water now provided. The next morning at 9am we could hear very faint calls once again in Whale Channel. The calls were getting closer and closer and soon we could determine that we were listening to A5 and A1 calls. At the same time we received an email from Coast Guard and they reported 18 orcas near the top end of Grenville Channel the day before. They were able to take some pictures which we would take a look at later. For now we focused on the acoustic information as this group of whales moved south in Whale Channel, hoping we would soon hear calls on the Home Station. So far lots of A5 calls, then a series of N47-A1 calls, we were so excited as this would mean the A30s were in this group!! Then silence, not a single call, Hermann went to the point to look, I stayed inside hoping to hear even a resting call. Oddly enough after 15 minutes that is exactly what I did hear, one resting call, then an explosion of calls, all on the Home Station. Next Hermann called on the hand held that I should truly run out to the point. This I did and just in time. Out front there were blows and dorsal fins spread out from us to the little island across the way. We counted at least 15 orcas, vocally we knew we had an A5 group, the A30s and possibly an A4 group as there were definitely a few A4 N4 type calls. Some of the calls were so close, others distant with a beautiful tin like echo that seems to vibrate with the exact rhythm of the water. To our amazement, at the same time as this orca parade, the plumpest male sea lion we have ever seen swam by just a few feet from shore. With out a doubt this male could hear both the calls from these orcas and the blows but showed no interest what so ever. How interesting that they know the difference from a resident to a transient orca so precisely, though for survival purposes this does make sense. This group of orcas continued towards Fawcett, vocal the entire way, then a sudden turn and south they all went. We came back inside to take good look at the pictures sent to us by Coast Guard and sure enough they had the same group yesterday close to Rupert that we were seeing today, the A30s, A42s, A51s plus an A4 group.

25 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Around 7:43am we began to hear the A30s in the distance in Johnstone Strait. The Alaska ferry was coming west through the Strait at the same time. It has since cleared into Blackfish Sound after coming through Blackney. The whales are still calling.
Helena
25 Nov 2006 08:27:24 PST

No calls but orcas nearby

We now understand that the whales are west of Cracroft Point.
Helena
25 Nov 2006 09:48:50 PST

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s continued west and around 2pm were heading toward Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
25 Nov 2006 14:46:10 PST

22 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Eary this morning the A30s headed east past Robson Bight. The last calls were around 3am.
Helena
22 Nov 2006 08:59:00 PST

21 November 2006, Orcalab reports

Boat noise

We began hearing the A30s in Johnstone Strait a short while ago, but now we're only hearing boat noise!
Helena
21 Nov 2006 23:30:21 PST

20 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

A short while ago we began to hear the A30s in Blackfish Sound. The calls are very distant.
Helena
20 Nov 2006 10:39:52 PST

Distant calls audible.

There are now distant A1 calls in Johnstone Strait along with a lot of boat noise. The A30s may have used Weynton Pass to re-enter the Strait.
Helena
20 Nov 2006 12:34:26 PST

Orcas near mics.

The A30s are now off the entrance to Blackney Pass in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
20 Nov 2006 16:39:18 PST

No orcas present.

We believe the A30s travelled past Robson Bight to the east a short while ago.
helena
20 Nov 2006 23:04:17 PST

18 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

It sounds like the A30s have returned to Johnstone Strait with the I31s. They are presently getting close to Robson Bight & are calling frequently. Boat noise is persistent in the background of an otherwise lovely recording.
Helena
18 Nov 2006 00:54:55 PST

No orcas present.

In addition to the I31s and the A30s in Johnstone Strait early this morning, there was also a vocal humpback (maybe even two) somewhere between Cracroft Point and Robson Bight.
Helena
18 Nov 2006 17:02:29 PST

16 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

The A36s, followed by the other A1s, headed north through Blackney Pass just before & just after daylight, and are presently in Blackfish Sound. We're listening to their lovely calls without boat noise, and are sorry not to be able to share them with you, as our connection is still down.
Helena
16 Nov 2006 08:54:18 PST

15 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

We have re-established our connection. let us know how it sounds. The A30s were in Johnstone Strait earlier today. They were ever so briefly vocal around 10am and sounded as if they were not too far off Robson Bight. There are also dolphins around, first in Blackfish Sound last night and then into Johnstone Strait. The heavy rain & southeast winds are over. it is now blowing hard from the northwest.
Helena
15 Nov 2006 15:40:48 PST

Superb sounds!!

Hey it is an A1 day! The A30s,A12s and the A36s (vocal at the moment) have travelled south through Blackney Pass on their way to Johnstone Strait. They look like they might be excited by the prospect! We are.
Helena
15 Nov 2006 16:28:14 PST

Orcas near mics.

The A30s, A12s, and A36s are in Johnstone Strait now.
Helena
15 Nov 2006 17:09:50 PST

Performing maintenance

Unfortunately, we lost our connection again earlier this evening, while we were enjoying listening to all the A1 matrilines being together. This time, the problem is beyond our control, but we're hoping to be "up" again tomorrow. Please excuse the inconvenience.
Paul & Helena
15 Nov 2006 23:11:00 PST

14 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

We've been listening to occasional A1 calls in western Johnstone Strait since late this afternoon, probably from the A30s. They've been silent for the past hour, so we're not sure where they are at the moment. We are waiting.
Helena
14 Nov 2006 19:57:27 PST

13 November 2006: Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

The A30s continued eastward earlier and currently are off Robson Bight in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
13 Nov 2006 04:01:23 PST

Distant calls audible.

After commenting on the lack of consistent calls when single groups are around the A30s have done well by calling throughout the night while moving around Johnstone Strait.
Helena
13 Nov 2006 08:31:39 PST

Distant calls audible.

The A30s are travelling north through Blackney Pass on their way after their chatty night to Blackfish Sound.
Helena
13 Nov 2006 10:56:20 PST

Orcas relaxing.

The whales (probably A30s) have made it back into the Strait. We're listening to their "resting calls" on the Critical Point hydrophone.
Helena
13 Nov 2006 21:27:05 PST

12 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

The A30s are off the entrance to Blackney Pass and may be headed into Blackney from Johnstone Strait.
Helena
12 Nov 2006 21:51:55 PST

Boat noise

The slack tide to an ebb brought a lot of traffic past & through the entrance to Blackney Pass. The A30s are still in the Strait.
Helena
12 Nov 2006 23:02:13 PST

11 November Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s have headed east past Robson Bight. When first heard this morning they were east of Cracroft Point already.
Helena
11 Nov 2006 07:48:15 PST

Distant calls audible.

Hmmm... The last comment needs revision. The A30s are still west of Robson Bight perhaps closer to Cracroft Point. The tide will ebb at 9:18 am PST and this may be influencing their direction.
Helena
11 Nov 2006 08:26:54 PST

Distant calls audible.

The A30s have been off the entrance to Blackney Pass for the last while.
Helena
11 Nov 2006 09:58:48 PST

No calls but orcas nearby

We just heard from the MacKays that there are about a dozen whales in Beaver Cove foraging. So this means that besides the A30s, who were east of Beaver Cove until recently, there are other groups in the Strait as well. Exciting!
Helena
11 Nov 2006 10:59:21 PST

Distant calls audible.

We started to record at 4:15pm soon after the first clear A30 call in Johnstone Strait. The A30s are now on both the Critical Point and Cracroft systems, perhaps heading east. We also had another two reports about other orcas. At noon, a group was seen heading west past Ledge Point near Port McNeill. Also, a lone male was seen at the top end of Blackfish Sound just before noon. Tempting to think that these whales were transients.
Helena
11 Nov 2006 17:18:20 PST

Distant calls audible.

Tracking a single group is probably harder than doing 10 because of the long gaps between bursts. Keeps us on our toes but also scratching our heads from time to time. The A30s are still being heard on Critical Point and CP. They may be east of CP now but they seemed very spread out with independent calls on both these stations.
Helena
11 Nov 2006 19:10:09 PST

10 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

Boat noise

We began hearing "A1" calls a short while ago, and think at least the A30s are off the entrance of Blackney Pass. Boat noise is now dominating.
Helena
10 Nov 2006 22:06:30 PST

Distant calls audible.

The boat noise has gone & we've resumed listening to the A30s & possibly other A1s in Johnstone Strait off the entrance to Blackney Pass. The calls sound loudest on the Parson Island hydrophone, but are also on the Cracroft Point & Critical Point hydrophones.
Helena
10 Nov 2006 23:41:15 PST

04 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Yesterday the A12s and the A30s came back into Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass and headed east from there. Today has been uneventful.
Helena
04 Nov 2006 20:41:50 PST

03 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

We still have our broadcast problems but for the last several hours we have been listening to the A12s and the A30s at the western end of Blackfish Sound. The calls have stopped and we are not sure where the whales ended up.
Helena
03 Nov 2006 13:33:54 PST

02 November 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Around 8pm last night the A30s turned up in Blackfish Sound and travelled south through Blackney Pass to Johnstone Strait. Once through the Pass they met up with the A12s who may have returned to the Strait via Weynton Pass. It was an energetic meeting. But as if an echo of October 28th both groups just vanished off our radar. Finally, just before 3am we heard A1 calls once again in the Strait. The calls didn't last long and it has been quiet since. Stormy day today.
Helena
02 Nov 2006 08:13:42 PST

Orcas near mics.

Of course, as soon as we posted the no calls sign, the whales turned up off of Robson Bight. Both the A12s and the A30s are likely westbound in Johnstone Strait. There is also loud boat noise.
Helena
02 Nov 2006 08:28:15 PST

Orcas near mics.

The A12s and the A30s came west to the entrance of Blackney Pass. Two hours before the slack to ebb tide they began their entrance into the Pass & into view. With the A12s in the lead the whales have slowly made their way towards Blackfish Sound. The A30s are now opposite the Lab mid channel while the A12s are most likely already in Blackfish Sound. Good calls from both groups. Very sorry we are still unable to broadcast sound.
Helena
02 Nov 2006 12:50:30 PST

28 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

The A30s and the A12s are back in Johnstone Strait heading east toward Robson Bight. We first heard their calls at 6:25 am.
Helena
28 Oct 2006 08:54:37 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A12s (A33 in the lead) and the A30s just passed through Blackney Pass again. They are now in Blackfish Sound heading west. Again they were very relaxed in the absence of any boats. The "kids" were particularly energetic doing breaches and roll overs several times. A39 seemed to pace himself at the back of the main grouping. A38 was not too far away from A55.
Helena
28 Oct 2006 11:37:34 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s and the A30s have contiued to call throughout the day while in Blackfish Sound. All of their calls have been very distant leading us to suppose they "hung" out at the western end of Blackfish Sound. The calls are just now a bit stronger and the tide is coming this direction now although there is very little associated current with this high tide. Maybe it will be enought to encourage the whales back this way. Heavy rain & moderate wind today.
Helena
28 Oct 2006 16:31:28 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Well they did it. The A12s and the A30s are travelling through Blackney Pass. A12 and A33 were way in front. The"kids" & young mums from both groups were bunched together, still very playful. There were lots of spyhops but no breaches this time. A55 was was with A34 while A39 and A38 foraged. The progress south is quite slow with lots of stops & turns but they are more than half way through.
Helena
28 Oct 2006 17:40:53 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Its been weird and wonderful off of Cracroft Point but the whales now seem like they are settling down to a rest. A tug just entered the Strait and it is now quite noisy.
Helena
28 Oct 2006 18:58:07 PDT

Boat noise

An added note: We have had good news from the DFO. Earlier we thought G23 (G17s) was missing. She is a relatively young mother and her loss would have been very sad and unexpected. Happily, it seems she is fine and still with her group. Meanwhile: The A12s and A30s are now continuing eastward toward the Reserve. We still do not know what happened to the A36s and the Gs after we lost track of them when they headed east a few days ago.
Helena
28 Oct 2006 19:11:36 PDT

No orcas present.

All quiet after the tug passed the whales in the Strait.
Helena
28 Oct 2006 21:41:05 PDT

27 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Just so you know: the A12s (we think all of them were there) and the A30s passed back through Blackney Pass from Johnstone Strait to Blackfish Sound this morning on the slack tide. They were through Blackney by 9:25am. Both groups looked very relaxed. There were several breaches, some foraging, lots of tail slaps from the kids, and everyone was rolling around as well. They stayed in Blackfish Sound for a while until presumably they caught the ebb tide and moved on.
Helena
27 Oct 2006 12:21:32 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Just before dark and just before the slack tide,the A30s and the A12s, came into Blackney Pass and headed into Blackfish Sound where they are now. They were still very relaxed and "opened up" vocally while in the Pass.
Helena
27 Oct 2006 19:34:41 PDT

26 October Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

These distant A1 calls are in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
26 Oct 2006 00:06:51 PDT

Performing maintenance

We are experiencing connection problems & are unable to stream live audio at the moment. Please excuse the inconvenience - we'll be back again as soon as possible, hopefully later today. Just now, all the "A1" groups are in Johnstone Strait, along with several G clan groups.
Paul & Helena
26 Oct 2006 09:05:13 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Currently we are listening to the A30s and possibly the A12s as well. Earlier today the A30s left the Strait (around 2:30am) and then returned to the Strait with the A12s,A36s and G clan groups possibly via Weynton Pass. We were experiencing a power outage around the time the whales arrived in the Strait and so can't be sure which route they actually took. Regardless, they continued east past CP and Robson Bight. The A12s and the A30s hung back for a while and the A30s came back to the entrance of Blackney Pass. Since then, and quite recently, the A12s resurfaced. Both groups continue to be vocal in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
26 Oct 2006 17:20:32 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Just a very short while ago we had a largish group of whales silently travel Blackney Pass to Johnstone Strait. We suspect that this was likely the A30s and maybe even the A12s heard earlier heading west in Johnstone Strait. Possibly these whales circled Hanson Island via Weynton & Blackney Passes. Horrible boat noise at the moment as yet another tug travels south through the Pass.
Helena
26 Oct 2006 22:11:47 PDT

25 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The A30s are clearly back in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
25 Oct 2006 01:56:41 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s have continued to move around Johnstone Strait.
Helena
25 Oct 2006 09:24:18 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A30s are getting closer to the Cracroft Point hydrophone & there is no boat noise - lovely calls.
Helena
25 Oct 2006 09:38:32 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s are making their way quickly through Blackney Pass headed for Blackfish Sound. A38 took the lead while A39 made the passage along with A30, the A50s. The A54s were slightly ahead of A39's group.
Helena
25 Oct 2006 10:13:44 PDT

No orcas present.

The A30s seem to have gone out of range of the Flower Island hydrophone. Time will tell if they kept going west into Queen Charlotte Strait or turned into Weynton Passage on the floding tide.
Helena
25 Oct 2006 13:59:47 PDT

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

14 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

It sounds like the A30s have made their way as far west as the vicinity Robson Bight - we're listening to their calls. without boat noise, on the Critical Point hydrophone.
Helena
14 Oct 2006 00:21:59 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s are slowly making their way west from the area off the Bight & toward Cracroft Point.
Helena
14 Oct 2006 01:48:03 PDT

Superb sounds!!

How clear was that! The humpback somewhere between CP and Critical Point is calling along with the A30s!
Helena
14 Oct 2006 02:27:33 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s never made it all the way to Cracroft Point. Around 3am they turned around and headed back toward Robson Bight and now it seems as if they have passed Critical Point and are continuing east. The humpback was still audible not too long ago as well.
Helena
14 Oct 2006 05:36:43 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Jim Borrowman let us know that he thinks the I11s are between the Penfold Is. and Bold Head. They are foraging but generally headed east. The A30s,A36s and the Gs are still to the east and the humpbacks are quiet. The sun is trying after a refreshing rain.
Helena
14 Oct 2006 11:54:53 PDT

13 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Hmmm.... these whales are a difficult read. We did not hear any no calls overnight & don't know what happened to the G & A clan groups we were hearing near Robson Bight last evening.
Helena
13 Oct 2006 08:33:27 PDT

No orcas present.

Today we did hear of orcas to the east. Most of the groups were headed east except for the A30s were apparently west bound off Kelsey Bay this afternoon. Strange Fall, normally the whales favour the western reaches of Johnstone Strait.
Helena
13 Oct 2006 16:24:43 PDT

12 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

No calls overnight lead us to believe the Gs, the A30s and the A36s kept to the eastern regions of Johnstone Strait. We now know, thanks to reports from DFO, that neither the i11s or I31s were present, only "G" groups.
Helena
12 Oct 2006 09:41:07 PDT

No orcas present.

We have still not heard the Gs and the A1s return from the east, although, we did hear a report that they were not too far from the eastern end of the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
12 Oct 2006 18:51:17 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Before the inevitable boat noise those beautiful G calls were on Critical Point. Finally, the whales are coming back to the west.
Helena
12 Oct 2006 21:36:25 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We've heard no calls for over an hour, but think the G & A clan groups we were listening to earlier (before boat noise intruded) are probably not far away. We are waiting.
Helena
12 Oct 2006 23:08:28 PDT

11 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas relaxing.

It sounds like the groups that were reported in Queen Charlotte Strait yesterday afternoon have now come into Johnstone Strait. We've been hearing occasional A & G clan "resting" calls since around 5am, when the orcas were in Blackfish Sound. They were silent going through Blackney Pass but became briefly vocal when they entered Johnstone Strait.
Helena
11 Oct 2006 06:45:02 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We've been listening to several G clan groups (I31s, I11s, G17s, probably others) along with the A30s and A36s, since they arrived in the vicinity of Robsn Bight about 2 hours ago. Boat noise has intruded occasionally, but there have been periods with just lovely orca calls as well. At the moment, we're hearing no calls, so it's possible the orcas have now moved to the east, past Robson Bight.
Helena
11 Oct 2006 09:50:03 PDT

No orcas present.

All those whales and all to the east since 10am this morning! Most likely most of G clan were with the A30s and the A36s. We didn't hear the I15s and it was unclear if both the I11s and the I31s were there. Fortunately, what goes east will come back at some point.
Helena
11 Oct 2006 21:55:41 PDT

10 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

Very sorry that the connection has been down. It should be okay now. While we were down the A30s turned up again this morning. (we did not hear calls last night). The A30s were very clear (near) Critical Point in Johnstone Strait. Since about 11:30am they have been either silent or out of range. The fog has now cleared and it is a beautiful Fall day here.
Helena
10 Oct 2006 12:55:21 PDT

No orcas present.

Sorry it seems we had a further problem BUT this is now fixed and hopefully we are back on track. Still no calls since 11:30am and we are not sure where the A30s ended up.
Helena
10 Oct 2006 17:15:42 PDT

No orcas present.

We found out tonight that the A30s went off to Queen Charlotte Strait today. They were last seen heading out to Numas Island. Thanks to the Naiad Explorer (MacKay Whale Watching) for the report. While out on Queen Charlotte Strait the MacKays heard other As and Gs in the distance so possibly new groups are returning to the area and the A30s are off to meet up with them. Exciting news! The tide will be flooding again early in the morning.
Helena
10 Oct 2006 21:27:53 PDT

09 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

All quiet after the A30s moved on to the east after their beautiful session in Robson Bight around midnight last night. The wind is calm once again and the sun is trying.
Helena
09 Oct 2006 09:53:28 PDT

08 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

Ah Ha! There be whales off Cracroft Point. The A30s?
Helena
08 Oct 2006 14:32:59 PDT

Orcas near mics.

From Cracroft Point the A30s moved eastward to Rpbson Bight.
Helena
08 Oct 2006 16:50:57 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A30s are again closing in on the Bight. Beautiful almost full moon.
Helena
08 Oct 2006 20:33:11 PDT

06 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

We heard no calls overnight & think the A30s are probably still somewhere to the east of us in Johnstone Strait. We are waiting.
Helena
06 Oct 2006 11:00:03 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Just a short while ago we heard transient calls at the east end of the Reserve.
Helena
06 Oct 2006 15:22:23 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

There be A30s too. In addition to the transients the A30s were located on the opposite side of the Strait heading west, close to the Cracroft Island side. Interesting the transients were vocal, the residents silent.
Helena
06 Oct 2006 16:42:42 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Those transients are still vocal! And still moving west in Johnstone Strait. Where are the A30s now?
Helena
06 Oct 2006 18:24:30 PDT

05 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

The Naiad Explorer found the A30s this morning in Queen Charlotte Strait just north of Swanson Island. They are apparently in a pllayful mood with the "boys" off doing the serious fishing. The map will indicate the area they are closest to but the whales are still west of the range of our Flower Island/Blackfish Sound hydrophone
Helena
05 Oct 2006 12:39:37 PDT

Distant calls audible.

And the A30s are now in range and headed into Blackfish Sound.
Helena
05 Oct 2006 13:05:28 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s after being fairly quiet as they travelled through Blackfish Sound "opened up" as they entered Blackney Pass. Perhaps this was important to them as they were quite spread out as they travelled and they needed to stay in "touch". A39 and A30 made a pair and travelled well ahead of the others. Then came the A54s followed by the A50s and A38. As they rounded the corner their calls intensified as they negotiated their way around the turn into Johnstone Strait - always an important acoustic space for them. Disappointing that boat noise accompanied their movement through Blackney and into Johnstone Strait. Until the one boat following them, Blackney Pass had been peaceful. A moment lost... and now they are once agin in the busy, noisy Strait and on toward the Reserve.
Helena
05 Oct 2006 15:47:30 PDT

04 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

We were not aware of any movement overnight within the area covered by the network. We last heard the A30s as they were moving east past the Reserve and Robson Bight.
Helena
04 Oct 2006 09:22:01 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

Ever since 10:30am the A30s have been moving steadily to the west from the eastern end of Cracoft Island. They are now off CP.
Helena
04 Oct 2006 14:54:13 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The very silent A30s have just travelled Blackney Pass to Blackfish Sound.
Helena
04 Oct 2006 16:01:30 PDT

03 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

Not orcas but dolphins. The large group of Pacific Whitesided dolphins came from the east and are now off Robson Bight. Amazing sounds!. The A30s went the other direction past Critical Point just before midnight.
Helena
03 Oct 2006 02:39:32 PDT

No orcas present.

Thought it might be an idea to catch up with today's news. The orcas have not showed up but a large group of dolphins were recently off the Plumper Islands (western end of Hanson Island). They were swimming around a couple of Humpback whales.
Helena
03 Oct 2006 14:13:39 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Just after posting the last comment I put the earphones on and realised that there are distant dolphin calls in Blackfish Sound and both rubbing and odd sounds within the Reserve.
Helena
03 Oct 2006 14:17:17 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s are travelling west past the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
03 Oct 2006 15:07:03 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Well, maybe, just maybe the A30s have turned east again.
Helena
03 Oct 2006 17:57:33 PDT

02 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

For almost the past two hours we have been listening to the A30s as they travel through Johnstone Strait.
Helena
02 Oct 2006 02:19:03 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30's passed the rubbing beaches few minutes ago only offshore. It sounds like they continiue to the east.
melanie@OL
02 Oct 2006 03:08:47 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Wild and wonderful. The a30s are back off Critical Point and despite the boat noise this is amazing. They are headed west.
Helena
02 Oct 2006 11:00:05 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30's came this morning up to CRPT from the east and went up to Cp where they built a resting line and turned again to the east. 25min ago we had ecolocation on CRPT. We are waiting for them to coming up to the Rubbing Beaches.
melanie
02 Oct 2006 18:13:32 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Around 7:20pm the A30s came back from east of Critical Point and travelled west. A short while ago their distant calls are still audible in johnstone Strait. It is not clear how far to the west they have currently come. On the last run to the west they only got as far as Cracroft Point before they turned back to the east. No word on the A12s so far today.
Helena
02 Oct 2006 20:41:37 PDT

Distant calls audible.

This helps: the A30s are still east of Cracroft Point perhaps already moving back toward the Bight.
Helena
02 Oct 2006 20:51:32 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Hmmm... not going east but west to CP! The A30s sound as if they are spread out but now approaching Cracroft Point. Calls are quite infrequent.
Helena
02 Oct 2006 21:27:04 PDT

Distant calls audible.

After CP back to the Bight.
Helena
02 Oct 2006 22:24:51 PDT

01 October 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Dolphins and orcas both in Johnstone Strait. The A1s ssound like they have returned via Weynton Pass. The dolphin group, may be the 400+ strong group which went east yesterday and may be taking up a goodly stretch of the Strait.
Helena
01 Oct 2006 05:54:07 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s came up from the east briefly and then turned back quickly off of Critical Point. The Naiad Explorer reports that the A12s are in Browning Pass (western Queen Charlotte Strait). The dolphins we heard earlier this morning were later reported off the Eve River still travelling eastward.
Helena
01 Oct 2006 11:36:03 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30s are spending a little bit of time at the beaches right now.
Helena
01 Oct 2006 12:10:30 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A30s are heading back west past Robson Bight. The boat noise is mostly the fish boats moving about in advance of the fishing opening later.
Helena
01 Oct 2006 13:21:52 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s continued west past CP and the entrance to Blackney Pass. Around 3:30pm they were off the Big Bay/Little Kaiakash area. Unfortunately, they were being harassed while moving westward. Sad... when people do not respect the whales.
Helena
01 Oct 2006 16:44:41 PDT

No orcas present.

All "quiet" after the A30s faded off into the distance. The big question is which way. We are betting they went west into Weynton Pass and out but there were no real definite signs so we will wait and listen and see.
Helena
01 Oct 2006 21:59:17 PDT

30 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Just after writing the last report the A30s started calling in Johnstone Strait. The A12s are still making their way to Blackfish Sound. It sounded from the blows as if A12 and A33 were out in front with the A34s following.
Helena
30 Sep 2006 06:31:51 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A30s have now followed the path of the A12s up to CP and the entrance of Blackney Pass. A large tug heading south through Blackney Pass will soon drown out the nice calls for a while. The A12s seem to have continued west from Blackfish Sound.
Helena
30 Sep 2006 08:54:39 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Just a short while ago there were fairly close dolphin vocals on Critical Point. Apparently, 400+ dolphins came into Johnstone Strait last night. Some went through Weynton Pass and just before midnight a small group wer in Blackney Pass. The A30s have left the Strait. They travelled through Blackney Pass to the north. They breached 15 times in a row and then a few more times before leaving our view to the north. They have just started calling. The A12s are further west in Queen Charlotte Strait foraging and milling.
Helena
30 Sep 2006 11:44:14 PDT

29 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Calls ended around 1:30am when the A30s passed offshore of the rubbing beaches and continued east. We lost track of the A12s when they were passing the entrance to Blackney Pass around 8:30pm. It is possible they continued along with the A30s or did something completely different. It will be interesting today to see what happens.
Helena
29 Sep 2006 08:41:52 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The whales are on their way back to the west via the rubbing beaches. They don't sound too, too energetic yet.
Helena
29 Sep 2006 09:09:27 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

Westward to Robson Bight! It was the A30s who touched in for a nice rub before continuing west. The day is trying to be foggy but still patchy.
Helena
29 Sep 2006 09:57:43 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s continued "up" the Strait and are now mid strait between Kaikash Creek and Blinkhorn. The A12s are following and have reached the "Pig Ranch" (near the Sophia Island east of CP). They are also mid strait.
Helena
29 Sep 2006 13:08:58 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A30s followed the A12s into Blackney Pass. The calls are wonderful! The whales are very excited, breaching as they go. Company coming?
Helena
29 Sep 2006 14:33:24 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A12s and the A30s are now in Blackfish Sound. A tug is heading south now through Blackney.
Helena
29 Sep 2006 14:45:02 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Sorrry, around 5:20pm the A12s and the A30s were seen travelling toward Johnstone Strai via Weynton Passage (thanks to the MapleLeaf). They have arrived in the Strait and have been calling since entering and travelling east.
Helena
29 Sep 2006 18:52:31 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Moving on, the A30s and the A12s have steadily moved closer to Robson Bight on their journey eastward.
Helena
29 Sep 2006 20:49:35 PDT

28 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

Back to the Bight. The A30s have moved eastward once more and are back within the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve.
Helena
28 Sep 2006 02:22:55 PDT

No orcas present.

The A12s after reaching Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass continued east and passed Robson Bight by 5am. The A30s had passed Robson Bight earlier around 2:30am.
Helena
28 Sep 2006 08:35:25 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Swinging back to the west with a stop over at the rubbing beaches.
Helena
28 Sep 2006 10:11:29 PDT

Orcas near mics.

And now up to Robson Bight and the west beyond.
Helena
28 Sep 2006 10:46:14 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s and the A30s are continuing westward past the entrance to Blackney Pass. They are favouring the Hanson Island side of the Strait.
Helena
28 Sep 2006 12:47:29 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s are now in Blackfish Sound after travelling north together through Blackney Pass. The A12s followed and are now 1/2 the distance through Blackney Pass on their way to Blackfish Sound. Like the A30s they are silent and travelling close to each other. Sunny clear afternoon.
Helena
28 Sep 2006 16:09:57 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

At least the A12s came back to the Strait via Weynton Pass. They are silent now but most likely continuing eastward past CP etc.
Helena
28 Sep 2006 21:18:59 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s are there as well!
Helena
28 Sep 2006 21:37:00 PDT

27 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

The A30s are once again headed back toward the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
27 Sep 2006 04:31:46 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

And now at the beaches!
Helena
27 Sep 2006 06:31:40 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Bouncing back, the A30s are off the Ecological Reserve heading west.
Helena
27 Sep 2006 10:05:08 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Actually the A30s are further along & probably past the Reserve.
Helena
27 Sep 2006 10:15:30 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s have been spread out while they travelled west. They got just shy of Blinkhorn before they turned back to the east. Very foggy this morning so thanks to Stubbs Island for this report.
Helena
27 Sep 2006 11:28:23 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30s are at the Beaches.
Helena
27 Sep 2006 15:08:00 PDT

Orcas near mics.

After a satisfying rub the A30s turned back to the west and have just passed Critical Point. The fog lifted for 1/2 hour, glorious blue sky & sea, now a sunny grey day again.
Helena
27 Sep 2006 15:41:01 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s finally wrenched themselves from the area around Robson Bight and moved on to the west. They are past CP & the entrance of Blackney Pass and continuing westward.
Helena
27 Sep 2006 19:07:20 PDT

26 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas relaxing.

Very infrequent resting calls from the western end of Blackfish Sound.
Helena
26 Sep 2006 11:02:50 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s, who spent the morning off the western end of Blackfish Sound, finally moved on to Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass. The A12s have not showed up but last night we had the impression that they may have slipped back to the east past robson Bight. The tide is just turning to the flood.
Helena
26 Sep 2006 13:29:47 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s are calling as they travel eastward.
Helena
26 Sep 2006 14:08:36 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A30s continued east to the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
26 Sep 2006 17:17:11 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Starting at 6:40 the A30s moved past Critical Point to the west. They came up as far as the entrance to Blackney Pass before they turned back again.
Helena
26 Sep 2006 20:02:27 PDT

No orcas present.

The A30s have been hanging out not too far from Robson Bight. The boat noise (this boat is taking forever) has now become quite loud as the boat nears Critical Point. The A30s may have gone around Critical Point to the east.
Helena
26 Sep 2006 22:27:54 PDT

25 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

The A30s may have company. The A12s are entering Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass.
Helena
25 Sep 2006 00:38:47 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A30s sound as if they were closer to Critical Point as the a12s went around Cracroft Point. There is quite the exchange going on at the moment as the groups meet up in the Strait.
Helena
25 Sep 2006 00:45:15 PDT

Distant calls audible.

What a long conversattion! The A12s and the A30s remained in Johnstone Strait for the night, moving mostly back and forth within the area east of CP.
Helena
25 Sep 2006 07:57:51 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A12s are approaching the entrance of Blackney Pass from the east. The A30s may still be further east of them.
Helena
25 Sep 2006 09:14:56 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s and the A30s headed into Blackney Pass from the Strait and are now on their way to Blackfish Sound.
Helena
25 Sep 2006 09:43:01 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s and the A30s did not go very far into Queen Charlotte Strait this morning. They have been shifting around the area off of Stubbs Island, Donegal Head and Bold Head. Together for part of the time they have split into their respective groups crossing the western end of Blackfish Sound.
Helena
25 Sep 2006 14:10:13 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We believe the A12s decided for Weynton Pass as a route to the Strait. The A30s are still at the western end of Blackfish Sound, undecided.
Helena
25 Sep 2006 14:39:15 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s are now off CP. Still wondering what the A30s will do.
Helena
25 Sep 2006 15:42:29 PDT

No orcas present.

The A12s moved off of CP and headed to the Ecological Reserve and possibly kept going east from there. The A30s may have headed off to Queen Charlotte Strait and the west. All has been quiet since the A12s neared Critical Point.
Helena
25 Sep 2006 20:13:12 PDT

24 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

It was quiet over night. The A30s are fairlyelusive. We were last aware of them off of CP just after the A12s went through Blackney Pass around 6pm.
Helena
24 Sep 2006 08:59:52 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

After the briefest of rubs the A30s have rounded the "corner" at Critical Point on their way west.
Helena
24 Sep 2006 16:30:29 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s are very hard to track these days because of the infrequency of their calls. The last calls we are certain about were on Parson Island. Which direction did they choose?
Helena
24 Sep 2006 20:22:17 PDT

Distant calls audible.

This is better! The A30s are still in Johnstone Strait, probably now headed eastward. The calls are frequent and getting stronger.
Helena
24 Sep 2006 21:21:02 PDT

23 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Starting around 10:30pm last night we heard A1 calls up until 3am in Johnstone Strait. Possibly the A30s moved back to the east. They were off CP around 12:40am but afterwards the picture of their movements is less clear as the calls remained distant for the rest of the time.
Helena
23 Sep 2006 08:38:42 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30 were located a short while ago. They have been leading another group west. The whales have just arrived in range of our hydrophone as they entered the Main rubbing beach.
Helena
23 Sep 2006 11:33:57 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

A possible correction. We have been hearing the A12s first so perhaps the A30s are further down the line. The rub has just started.
Helena
23 Sep 2006 11:44:30 PDT

Orcas near mics.

While the A12s and the A30s neared CP a fairly large group of Transients (including the T18s) circled around Hanson Island and entered Blackney Pass. They are now well on their way to Blackfish Sound while the A12s and the A30s forage off of Cracroft Point and the entrance to Blackney Pass. The transients are silent, the residents very vocal.
Helena
23 Sep 2006 15:12:59 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s have gone through Blackney Pass on their way to Blackfish Sound. The A30s stayed in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
23 Sep 2006 17:16:15 PDT

22 September Orcalab reports:

Orcas hunting fish.

We began hearing echolocation on the Critic Point hydrophone a short while ago. The A30s have been reported heading west in Johnstone Strait and were near Naka Creek an hour or so ago, so they are probably now in Robson Bight, fishing.
Helena
22 Sep 2006 15:40:36 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s carried on west "up" Johnstone Strait past Kaikash Creek.
Helena
22 Sep 2006 18:53:50 PDT

Distant calls audible.

A1 calls again in the Strait.
Helena
22 Sep 2006 22:02:09 PDT

21 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The A30s have met up with the I31s and or the I11s. The groups are heading east now in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
21 Sep 2006 07:10:13 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Both the A12s and the I11s are now in Johnstone Strait. The A12s travelled ahead of the I11s and after a brief vocal exchange the I11s followed the A12s through Blackney Pass. We had a report from Spirit of the West that two groups went east past their camp at Boat Bay this morning soon after we lost track of the A30s and the I31 calls in Johnstone Strait so this may have been these two groups.
Helena
21 Sep 2006 12:15:04 PDT

No orcas present.

We have not heard any calls since just before 3pm. We believe the I11s and the A12s moved off of CP to the east, following the A30s and the I31s.
Helena
21 Sep 2006 17:49:50 PDT

20 September Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s spent most of the morning of the western tip of Bold Head. They have just travelled south through Blackney Pass and are about to enter Johnstone Strait. They have been silent so far but were travelling at a nice moderate pace all together.
Helena
20 Sep 2006 11:46:54 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30s went in for a rub. Meanwhile, a small group of transients travelled through Cllio Channel, out of Baronet Passage and into Johnstone Strait.
Helena
20 Sep 2006 15:21:56 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The transients turned out to be the rest of T2B's family. The Gikumi folowed T2, T2C and her calves into the Strait and left them heading east just east of CP. The A30s are continuing east from the Reserve.
Helena
20 Sep 2006 15:41:03 PDT

No orcas present.

The A30s were not very vocal all of today and so we do not have a lot of confidence in which direction they have ended up in at the moment. It is possible they kept to the east but we will wait and see. Perhaps their low keyed day was a reaction to all the intensity of being in such a large crowd for so long. Time to kick back, relax and take it easy!
Helena
20 Sep 2006 22:45:17 PDT

19 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Just now we have been listening to A1 calls (the A30s) in Johnstone Strait near Robson Bight. Last night was a bit of a puzzle. Groups (the A30s, I15s, G and I31s definitely came out of the east and headed for Cracroft Point and the entrance to Blackney Pass. For a time it sounded like some of the whales entered Blackney Pass. This is when it became confusing. It was not clear if whales went all the way through Blackney Passor returned to the Strait. The A30s and the I15s stayed in the Strait.
Helena
19 Sep 2006 07:21:17 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The plot thickens. The A12s are in Blackfish Sound! The A30s are in the Strait.
Helena
19 Sep 2006 07:53:05 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30s headed east to the rubbing beaches where they are right now. The A12s are still in Blackfish Sound but seem to be steadily getting more distant. Where is everyone else?
Helena
19 Sep 2006 08:56:07 PDT

Orcas hunting fish.

Just recently: very close echo location in the Bight. Is this the A30s coming back west again after their brief rub? We have not heard the A12s in Blackfish Sound for a while.
Helena
19 Sep 2006 09:42:19 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s are slowly making their way west from Robson Bight and toward CP. Meanwhile, most of last night's mystery has been solved. It appears that the G clan "Crowd" did move out to the west last night. We suspect now that some took Blackney Pass while others Weynton Pass to reach Blackfish Sound and Queen Charlotte Strait beyond. They are currently spread out from Lizard Point back to Malcolm Point. They have been joined by the A36s. Did the A36s have anyone new with them? The map right now is not entirely accurate but it helps show the locations that the whales are near.
Helena
19 Sep 2006 12:24:03 PDT

No orcas present.

Hi, power was down in Alert Bay so it was difficult to post coments. A lot happened today. The "Crowd" (the A12s and G clan) moved off to the west this afternoon. As they did so two other events occured. The A30s moved to the west, got just past Big Bay and then turned around and went back to the east past Critical Point and a group of 6 transients moved into Blackfish Sound and east to the Strait. These were ( thanks to Jared Towers for the IDs) the T60s, T124C and T2B. T2B has a new calf and Jared informs us that the calf is less than 20 days old because he saw T2B without a calf that long ago. This is rather exciting! Right now all is quiet, whales dispersing in all sorts of different directions.
Helena
19 Sep 2006 19:49:42 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We think the A30s may have gone north through Blackney Pass.
Helena
19 Sep 2006 20:55:12 PDT

18 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Nick Templeton relayed that the "Crowd" was westbound from Camp Point at around 2pm. The A30s, A12, G2s,G3,G12s,G18s,G17,G29s, I11s,I15s,I31s have been in the east for the last two days. The A36s were sighted (thanks to Discovery)quite far west in Queen Charlotte Strait today. They were foraging for most of the time observed.
Helena
18 Sep 2006 17:32:28 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

They are back! The groups are parading west past the Ecological Reseerve.
Helena
18 Sep 2006 22:18:56 PDT

16 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s, who spent most of the morning off of Donegal Head, moved to the west to join up with the larger group heading east at Lizard Point. All these whales are nearing Donegal Head and closer to being in range of the Flower Island hydrophone.
Helena
16 Sep 2006 13:48:34 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are at the moment fixing the Flower Island hydrophone but we can still hear the I15s as they and the others head east from Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
16 Sep 2006 15:11:18 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Today is the first time for this area that all of G clan has been together. The G17s arrived to complete the list! We just had a lovely pass of all the groups through Blackney Pass. The groups are all past CP now and continuing eastward toward the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
16 Sep 2006 19:15:47 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

As you have already guessed the whalesare at the rubbing beaches,
Helena
16 Sep 2006 21:06:22 PDT

No orcas present.

After the beaches the whales most likely continued east.
Helena
16 Sep 2006 22:23:03 PDT

15 September 2006, Orcalab reports:


No orcas present.

Time to review: We now thinl that only the A12s, I15s,I11s, part of the I31s came in last night and met up with the A30s off of Ecological Reserve before continuing eastward out of range. Possibly the G2s were there as well but that is still unclear. This morning the rest of the "crowd" arrived going through Blackney Pass. These were the G12s, part of the I31s, the G3s,G18s,G29s and, of course, the A36s.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 13:46:27 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Thasnks to Discovery we know that the BIG CROWD has neared the Ecological Reserve on their way to the west. Might be exciting!
Helena
15 Sep 2006 15:27:09 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

They are just coming into range now.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 15:29:17 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The groups are moving westward,already past CP.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 17:54:16 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s are the last group to come back from the east. They are approaching CP at the moment. The other groups are still to the west of CP.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 18:42:09 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The "crowd" went through Weynton Pass and are now at the top end (western) end of Blackfish Sound. The tide has just turned to the flood.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 19:54:19 PDT

Orcas near mics.

If you are wondering? The A12s rushed through Blackney, no one else followed. They are now closing in on Robson Bight after heading east in the Strait.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 21:45:20 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We are hearing whales move through Blackney Pass heading south. There are no calls yet so we cannot be sure who is following the A12s into the Strait.
Helena
15 Sep 2006 23:10:48 PDT

14 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The "crowd" came up to CP and the entrance of Blackney Pass and headed out to Blackfish Sound and beyond very quickly on the ebbing tide.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 00:43:49 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are listening to distant A1 calls from the Flower Island hydrophone.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 07:39:19 PDT

No orcas present.

The whales have stayed pretty much in Queen Charlotte Strait all day but we got a report around 3pm from Stubbs Island Whale Watch that the A12s,A36s, I11s,I31s and the several other G clan groups are now moving eastward from Malcolm Point. The A30s spent the day very slowly moving toward that group and in Queen Charlotte Strait as well.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 16:03:42 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Welcome to OrcaLive! The A30s came through Blackney Pass this evening, travelling closely together and are now spread out foraging off of CP.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 19:19:04 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A30s have moved off the CP area and are now bound for the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 20:13:28 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Beautiful resting calls from the Gclan and A1s coming through Blackney Pass. They are travelling south toward Johnstone Strait. The A30s are quiet at the momnet but were recently in Robson Bight.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 21:43:17 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The "crowd" (described earlier by Stubbs Island: A12s,A36s,I11s,I31s,I33s,G02s, G12s, G18s G29s. G03s, I15s) are now past CP, following the A30s eastward.
Helena
14 Sep 2006 22:28:51 PDT

13 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

For us it was a quiet night and we suppose the I31s,A30s and the A12s went back to the east around midnight although the tide was still ebbing for a couple more hours. If they did move west, they did so pretty quietly. The map indicates where we last heard calls.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 07:50:41 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Just after 8:30am we heard the whales from the east arrive at the rubbing beaches. So far we have heard only A1 calls. Sounds like they are on their way west.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 08:49:00 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A1s have moved from the beaches and are now passing Robson Bight.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 09:15:16 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Possibly all the groups from the past few days are here, travelling west, together. We have heard all three A1 groups, I31s, possibly I11s and various other G groups as well.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 11:20:06 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The whales too two different routes to Blackfish Sound, some via Weynton Pass and others through Blackney Pass. All ended up at the top end of Blackfish Sound where they foraged and waited for the tide to turn. An hour before the slack they made their move and all came through Blackney Pass and on to Johnstone Strait. Now with the tide and the wind at their backs they are headed east towards the Ecological Reserve. A wonderfully blustery day, sunny, high waves and fluffy clouds!
Helena
13 Sep 2006 16:57:10 PDT

Distant calls audible.

After the A12s,A30s,A36s, I15s,I11s,I31s and the G3s,G29s, G18s, G12s, G2s got into Johnstone Strait thy headed soon off to the east. The A30s seemed rather restless but stayed as part of the crowd. They were rather quickly out of our range after a few good rubs.Just now, we started to hear distant A30 calls returning from the east.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 22:22:52 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It sounds like the A30s are pulling the whole crowd to the west.
Helena
13 Sep 2006 22:32:12 PDT

12 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Not sure when it happened but all the groups are back in the Strait and already heading back to the west. CP can see groups on the Vancouver Island spread from Kaikash Creek and almost Blinkhorn! There must have been a alot of movement last night from the time after we heard the A12s pass through Blackfish Sound.
Helena
12 Sep 2006 07:25:52 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Around 8:30am these very interesting whales turned around a little shy of Blinkhorn. The I15s were first get get to the beaches and we suspect the A36s followed. There are whales spread out back to Critical Point and across the Strait - all moving eastward despite the ebbing tide (the tide turned at 8:30am as well). The Gikumi has found the A12s stalled off of Donegal Head. We believe the A30s,A36s,I15s,I11s,I31s,G2s,G3s,G29,G18s and G12s should be the groups in the Strait.
Helena

Distant calls audible.

We are now hearing distant A12s (not a lot of calls) in Blackfish Sound. They apparently dropped into the western end of Blackfish for a bite to eat. The other groups are still eastbound past Naka Creek.
Helena
12 Sep 2006 13:12:46 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s went through Weynton Pass. They are now eastbound in Johnstone Strait. The other groups (the A30s,A36s, Gs, I11s, I15s and I31s) have continued eastward from Naka Creek.
Helena
12 Sep 2006 14:31:17 PDT

Distant calls audible.

After a lovely long foraging pause off of the entrance ot Blackney Pass and CP the A12s have finally moved off towards the east. We got a report that the G18s left all the other easbound groups off the Adams River earlier and are on their way back to the west.
Helena
12 Sep 2006 18:10:44 PDT

Orcas near mics.

It sounds like the A30s have returned from the east as well as the I31s (this was the group who joined the A12s at the beaches earlier).
Helena
12 Sep 2006 21:42:26 PDT

11 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Life began again around 3am when we heard the A30s heading east back in Johnstone Strait. After an hour we began to hear distant G clan calls coming up from the east. Since then there has been steady movement. The I11s just went through Blackney Pass and are now in Blackfish Sound while the rest,the A30s,I15s,I31s,A36s and the other G groups, are spread out foraging from CP to the area off of Robson Bight.
Helena
11 Sep 2006 07:27:48 PDT

No orcas present.

After the I11s went through Blackney Pass the other groups( the A30s,I15s,I31s,G2s,G3s,G18s,G29s,G12s and the A36s) all went through Weynton Pass on the ebb tide and then stalled for quite a while in Queen Charlotte Strait. They still seem determined to remain there and are even heading west off Lizard Point, despite the strong flooding tide which should be encouraging them to come back. There was a report of a group of 8 heading west at Stimpson Reefs quite a while ago but we have not heard anything turn up near the Ecological Reserve yet. So it is a very in between day today.
Helena
11 Sep 2006 15:59:25 PDT

10 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

The Lukwa followed up on reports of whales near Forward Bay and Naka Creek and headed down the Strait in that direction this morning. They have since located the lead groups just east of the Ecological Reserve and like yesterday the whales are coming west for the morning. Cool damp (not wet) weather this morning.
Helena
10 Sep 2006 10:19:34 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s,I15s, and I31s are past CP now and making their way west while stopping to forage intensely off the entrance to Blackney Pass. Our first of the season southeaster is stirring.
Helena
10 Sep 2006 13:22:13 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A30s, I15s and I31s left their foraging spot off the entrance to Weynton Pass in Johnstone Strait to head east to the entrance of Blackney Pass where they are now.
Helena
10 Sep 2006 16:42:48 PDT

Orcas near mics.

After staying off the entrance to Blackney Pass for quite a while, where to go was finally resolved with the A30s taking off and heading into Blackney Pass. The I15s stayed with them until the decision was made and then they followed the I11s and I31s to Robson Bight. Just recently, we thought we might have heard the A36s in the big group off of the Bight - did they come up from the east? The A30s have not had a lot to say. Reports from the east said the A12s spent the day in Discovery Channel. No word on the other G clan groups who should be still to the east - somewhere.
Helena
10 Sep 2006 20:32:01 PDT