Thursday, September 08, 2005

08 Septeber Orcalab reports:

08:24 PDT No orcas present.
Good morning everyone! We've heard no calls since around 4am, when the A30s were audible in the diatance on the Critical Point hydrophone. We're not sure what direction they were going in, or where they are now. We are waiting.

08:50 PDT Orcas hunting fish.
We began hearing echolocation on the Critical Point hydrophone a few minutes ago... sounds like someone is having a bite in the Bight!

10:19 PDT Distant calls audible.
The DFO research vessel, the Roller Bay, confirmed that both the A12s and A30s are in the Strait together. They are spread out and west bound mid strait opposite the Sophia Islands. The Roller Bay will be continuing their prey reseach throughout today.

10:32 PDT Distant calls audible.
CP reports that they now can see the A30s all together midstrait opposite the Sophias. They look, at this point, like they are headed toward CP.

11:04 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab.
The A12s (in the lead) are about to come into Blackney Pass. Hopefully, the A30s will follow.

11:39 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
After a brief rub, the A30s are continuing to the east. Meanwhile, the A12s are heading into Blackfish Sound, travelling quickly on the ebbing tide.

11:43 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
It looks like the A30s have turned back to the west again - they may be going in for another rub!

13:46 PDT Distant calls audible.
We've been hearing occasional distant calls from the A12s after over last while, on the Folower island hydrophone. They are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound, and look like they may head back to Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass soon. We don't know where the A30s are at the moment.

15:50 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s are heading east past CP. Channel A.

17:53 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab.
The A12s may be heading into Blackney Pass.

18:13 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s remained in the Strait.

19:28 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s finally decided to come through Blackney Pass. They have entered Blackfish Sound now.

23:07 PDT No orcas present.
We've heard no calls for several hours & think the A12s probably continued to the north from Blackfish Sound, & the A30s probably headed east in Johnstone Strait. However, we aren't sure. We are waiting.

No comments: