Sunday, October 30, 2005

30 October Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Good morning everyone! Once again, we've had a quiet night (apart from boat noise) & think that the A1/A4/A5 group of orcas that headed east in Johnstone Strait after their energetic entrance at midnight 2 nights ago, are probably somewhere to the east. We are, of course, hoping they will return soon! Meanwhile, we're enjoying a rather blustery morning here, & all's well... we hope things are going well for you, too, wherever you are.
Paul
30 Oct 2005 10:13:05 PST

Saturday, October 29, 2005

29 October Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

The A5s & A4s are back! We're listening to them on the Parson Island hydrophone as they head towards Johnstone Strait.
Paul
29 Oct 2005 00:46:36 PDT

No orcas present.

It has been a while now since we heard calls. Possibly the whales (the A4s, A5s and A1s)continued to the east after lingering off Critical Point. Meanwhile Pacific Whitesided dolphins can still be heard in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
29 Oct 2005 04:08:09 PDT

No orcas present.

We have not heard anything now for a few hours but the whales went east and will come back at some point. We read with interest Cetacealab's report about seeing the A4s a few days ago. They have travelled! And by the sounds of things earlier this morning they still had energy to burn.
Helena
29 Oct 2005 10:36:01 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since early this morning, & think that the large group of orcas (A1s, A4s, A5s) that headed into Johnstone Strait shortly after midnight must have continued to the east. We are waiting for their return!
Paul
29 Oct 2005 18:46:31 PDT

Thursday, October 27, 2005

27 October Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The whales were active throughout the night and carried on moving around the area. Right now we are hearing very faint calls in the Strait and wonder if the A12s and the A36s are both to the west of CP nearer the "top" end of Hanson Island not far from the entrance of Weynton.
Helena
27 Oct 2005 09:50:49 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s have turned up in front of CP on this sunny (soon to be grey) south east day.
Helena
27 Oct 2005 10:32:21 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A12s have headed north through Blackney Pass, on the slack tide, & are now in Blackfish Sound. For the moment, they are silent.
Paul
27 Oct 2005 14:38:29 PDT

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

26 October Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

We're back, almost (Channel B so far) & are listening to occasional calls from the A12s, who are foraging at the "top" of Blackfish Sound.
Paul
26 Oct 2005 11:36:58 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A36s are foraging off CP at the moment after traveling from Robson Bight. The A12s are reported to be between Penfolds and Bold Head.
Julie @ CP
26 Oct 2005 14:02:06 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A36s have turned back to the east and are crossing towards Blinkhorn Pen. at the moment. Also we had a report that the A12s after foraging in Queen Charlotte Strait grouped up and turned eastward as well before 4pm.
Helena
26 Oct 2005 17:04:57 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A12s are heading back into Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass. We're listening to them on the Parson Island hydrophone, without boat noise!
Paul
26 Oct 2005 19:28:45 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Lovely calls from the A12s as they entered the very noisy Johnstone strait. nice reality there for a while. We think the A36s continued east ahead of the A12s earlier.
Helena
26 Oct 2005 20:03:46 PDT

Distant calls audible.

So.... the A36s left the Strait for Blackfish Sound! This was a surprise and it was quickly done. Now we are not sure where the A12s ended up. The constant boat noise in the Strait is unfortunate.
Helena
26 Oct 2005 22:00:04 PDT

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

25 October Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

The A12s appeared from the east in stormy waters about 20 minutes ago and are now foraging in the rip of Blackney Pass, its difficult to see everyone and so far we are not sure of the whereabouts of the A36s.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 09:07:06 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12's travelled through Blackney Pass, foraging along the way and we are now hearing them in the Blackfish Sound.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 12:31:07 PDT

Boat noise

The A12's have made it back into the Strait via Weynton Passage. We can't see them at the moment due to rain, but keep an eye on channel A in case they come close!
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 15:39:08 PDT

Boat noise

The A12s are probably foraging in the rip of Blackney Pass again. The weather here turned about 20 mins ago after a brief calm spell and we can't see them at the moment due to rain and waves.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 16:32:13 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are still listening to distant calls on the Critical Point hydrophone.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 19:19:28 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A12's are making their way East in Johnstone Strait. We are hearing them on C.P. and Critical Point.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 22:24:06 PDT

Superb sounds!!

For once there is no boat noise, and we are listening to these beautiful calls of the A12's on Critical Point.
Julie and Andy @ CP
25 Oct 2005 22:46:00 PDT

Monday, October 24, 2005

24 October Orcalab reports:

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A12s have been sighed heading west towards CP. Possibly, the A36s are there too, though we're not sure at the moment. Channel A. It's another stormy day here!
Paul
24 Oct 2005 08:48:31 PDT

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

As the tide moves towards slack, the A12s (& possibly A36s) have finally decided to head north into Blackney Pass.
Paul
24 Oct 2005 10:40:25 PDT

Distant calls audible.

While the A12s finish their path through Blackney Pass towards Blackfish Sound we can hear the A36s approaching the entrance to Blackney Pass in the Strait. A tug heading south is providing loud boat noise in the same entrance way. Slack tide (to the ebb) began at 11:15am.
Helena
24 Oct 2005 11:28:20 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Every so often we still catch a few calls in Blackfish Sound so the whales arenot moving off too quickly - most likely a good fishing day.
Helena
24 Oct 2005 16:15:41 PDT

Distant calls audible.

I knew I waited too long to post. We are now hearing calls once again in the Strait.
Helena
24 Oct 2005 16:27:49 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We feel a bit like we are chasing the A36s. We certainly can't catch up - they are too fast & too complicated. We have lost track of them again. The a12s certainly have made it a bit easier. After they re-entered Johnstone Strait they vocalised as they moved east to the entrance of Blackney. Just after we got word they were coming into Blackney we suddenly saw the A36s half way through BUT headed south with a group of porpoises. One of them breached. As they moved into the gap between Parson Island and Hanson Island they met up with the waiting, floating A12s. Everyone (orcas and porpoise) took a deep dive. Finally the A12s showed, headed north along Parson Island. The A36s and the porpoise were no where to be seen and everyone was quiet. We are pretty sure the A12s made it to Blackfish Sound.
Helena
24 Oct 2005 19:08:47 PDT

Sunday, October 23, 2005

23 October Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Good morning everyone! We've been listening to distant "A1" calls, amidst persistent boat noise, on the Critical Point hydrophone for the past hour. Possibly, both the A12s & A36s have come back into Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass. However, there is so much boat noise that we're not sure if both groups are there.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 10:25:51 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A36s are approaching the Blackney Pass "gap" & are visible on Channel A. The A12s are further behind, on the Vancouver island side of the Strait.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 11:08:20 PDT

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

It looks like the A12s & A36s are heading north into Blackney Pass. Some of them are still visible on Channel A.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 11:49:25 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s & A36s have travelled north through Blackney Pass & are now in Blackfish Sound - A55 & A46 were together. The calls we're listening to are on the Flower Island hydrophone.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 12:38:51 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're still listening to the A12s & A36s... sounds like they are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 13:49:27 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're up again, & hearing distant calls from the A12s & A36s on the Critical Point hydrophone... sounds like they have re-entered Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass & are heading east.
Paul
23 Oct 2005 17:28:21 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s and the A36s have circled around Hanson Island via Weynton Passage once more and are moving east toward the area off the entrance to Blackney Pass.
Helena
23 Oct 2005 17:43:27 PDT

Distant calls audible.

It sounds like the whales have decided to stay in the Strait for now. We are hearing calls on the Critical Point station.
Helena
23 Oct 2005 20:14:22 PDT

No orcas present.

We are back to guessing what direction the A12s and the A36s chose in the end. The A36s were the last group heard and as the tide is now ebbing it is tempting to think that they went back out to the west but when they were last calling the tide was still pushing eastward. So now we wait and hopefully they will give up a few more clues before long.
Helena
23 Oct 2005 23:08:43 PDT

Saturday, October 22, 2005

22 October Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Good morning everyone! We heard the A12's in Blackfish Sound a couple of times during the night, and think they probably moved to the north as the tide changed to ebb around 9am. We are waiting, and meanwhile enjoying a quiet rainy morning after yesterday's storm.
Paul
22 Oct 2005 11:17:20 PDT

Orcas near mics.

It sounds like the A12s have come back into Blackfish Sound.
Helena
22 Oct 2005 13:07:53 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s are still in Blackfish Sound just a bit further away from the hydrophone than before. The tide will turn to the flood around 3:30pm. This may encourage them back to the Strait.
Helena
22 Oct 2005 14:48:44 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since mid afternoon, when the A12s were at the "top" of Blackfish Sound. It's most likely they are somewhere to the north of Blackfish Sound, though we're not sure.
Paul
22 Oct 2005 22:47:58 PDT

Friday, October 21, 2005

21 October Ocalab reports

Orcas approaching Orcalab.

The A12s have just passed CP & are now (probably) heading north into Blackney Pass.
Paul
21 Oct 2005 12:57:50 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The a12s are travelling close to each other through Blackney Pass. They are silent so far and about half way through the pass on their way north.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 13:23:58 PDT

No orcas present.

We forgot to post a note re the A12s and their movements. They continued into Blackfish Sound where they were vocal briefly and then silent.
Helena
21 Oct 2005 18:04:50 PDT

Thursday, October 20, 2005

20 October Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

After the A12s came back into the range of the Critical Point hydrophone, we're now listening to their echoing calls in the Robson Bight area again.
Sven
20 Oct 2005 00:59:31 PDT

No orcas present.

The A12s might have gone east in Johnstone Strait with the flooding tide...we didn't hear any more calls for about 45mins now.
Sven
20 Oct 2005 02:27:32 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The a12s came back from the east just a little while ago. Julie and Andy can see two blows in the direction of Izumi Rock (just west of the Ecological Reserve. John Ford reported the A36s are off Lizard Point foraging.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 12:11:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s moved up the Vancouver Island side fairly quickly on the last of the ebb and got as far as opposite Big Bay where it looks like they may be turning. The tide (by the book) turns in 15 minutes to the flood. We are hearing distant calls.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 13:04:21 PDT

No orcas present.

After just a brief call the A12s disappeared to the west. possibly they are headed for Weynton Pass.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 16:58:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

After chasing the calls of the A12s we have finally caught up with them off the top end of Blackfish Sound after they presumably went through Weynton Pass.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 18:27:49 PDT

No orcas present.

Well, the A12s may have headed out to Queen Charlotte Strait. The tide is ebbing (strong currents) and this may have encouraged them. The A36s were out that direction earlier today so perhaps they also went to find them.
Helena
20 Oct 2005 20:52:29 PDT

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

19 October Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

The A12s are foraging in the entrance of Blackney Pass (Channel A), due to the weather and the A12s being reasonably quiet we are not sure which direction they came from. Apologies for any flickering on the surface camera we are trying to combat the technical difficulties.
Julie and Andy @ CP
19 Oct 2005 14:56:05 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're listening to distant A1 calls on the Critical Point hydrophone. The whales are not calling very frequently so we're not sure who this is, yet.
Sven
19 Oct 2005 19:45:56 PDT

Superb sounds!!

It sounds like the A12s are in Robson Bight, close to the Critical Point hydrophone.
Paul
19 Oct 2005 21:04:55 PDT

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

18 October Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Good morning everyone! We've been listening to the A12s in Johnstone Strait since a bit before 5am. At the moment, they are mid-Strait off Blackney Pass, heading east. We're hearing them on the Critical Point, CP & Parson Island hydrophones.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 07:52:20 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

It;s now light enough to use the surface camera - the A12s are vicible in the distance on Channel A.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 07:59:48 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're hearing occasional calls on the Critical Point hydrophone as the A12s make their way to the east. At present, they are mostly on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait, approaching Izumi Rock.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 09:10:32 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

The A12s are back in the entrance of Blackney Pass (Channel A). They may head north through Blackney soon.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 10:07:15 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s have gone into Blackfish Sound while the A36s headed east toward the Bight. Today is A55's birthday! Sixteen years ago we saw the four adult A12s in Blackney Pass in the morning. They disappeared for a while to the west and when they came back in the afternoon A34 had her little calf beside her. A12 was positioned not too far away while A33 and his brother A31 waited off to the side.
Helena
18 Oct 2005 11:20:48 PDT

Distant calls audible.

How cool is this? The birthday boy A55, all by himself, came into Blackney and foraged mid channel opposite the Lab! AND he was vocal! - now what did Dave just say to Libby? While alone in Blackney his family continued to call in Blackfish Sound. Eventually he turned north to rejoin his group. The are calling now in Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile, we heard the A36s again in the Strait. Just for interest sake, A55 did a variety of calls while opposite us. Its all on the tape!
Helena
18 Oct 2005 12:28:31 PDT

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

While we continue to hear the A12s at the "top" of Blackfish Sound, we're watching the A36s, who are now foraging mid-Strait off Blackney Pass, on Channel A.
Paul
18 Oct 2005 15:07:31 PDT

Monday, October 17, 2005

17 October Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

We just suddenly heard a call while in the house. The call was from the Strait.
Helena
17 Oct 2005 17:19:06 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We have sent an alert. This sounds like the missing whales. CP can see a large group heading west from the Sophias. Right now we are listening to the A12s.
Helena
17 Oct 2005 17:30:22 PDT

Distant calls audible.

What a day! The A12s dropped the Gs off at Blackney and the Gs rushed through leaving the A12s still in the Strait. The A12s have since sounded like they are moving west. Perhaps they will go around via Weynton. We lost track of the Gs in Blackfish Sound presumably still heading west to Queen Charlotte Strait. But did I mention the lovely Harvest Moon which rose directly opposite the Lab?
Helena
17 Oct 2005 19:42:24 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s are audible on the Critical Point hydrophone again after they dissappeared earlier to what sounded like the west. We just began to hear them on CP, so they probably going east again.
Sven & Thomas
17 Oct 2005 21:55:43 PDT

No orcas present.

The A12s went silent more than an hour ago now, so we are not sure if the whales continued to go east or they turned again.
Sven
17 Oct 2005 23:27:22 PDT

Saturday, October 15, 2005

15 October Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

We're listening to A & G clan calls on the Critical Point hydrophone. The orcas are probably mostly on the Cracroft Island side of the Strait, near Robson Bight. Sounds like the same groups as yesterday. They re-entered Johnstone Strait around midnight & have been making their way to the east since then.
Paul
15 Oct 2005 03:50:36 PDT

No orcas present.

(Maintenance complete) The A12's, A36's and the G's were vocal till about 6am and then headed farther east. We heard no calls since then.
Sven
15 Oct 2005 12:35:46 PDT

Friday, October 14, 2005

14 October Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

We began to hear distant A1 and G clan calls on Flower Island hydrophone. Yesterday evening the whales remained at the top of Blackfish Sound for quite a while, so we'll see if they decide to come 'in' this time.
Sven
14 Oct 2005 01:20:39 PDT

No orcas present.

Obviously they G's and A1's decided not to come east this time. We heard no calls for more than one hour now.
Sven
14 Oct 2005 02:46:39 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Just before 9am we once again heard the "gang" arrive within range of the Flower Island hydrophone. Once again they seemed to have stalled at the top end of Blackfish Sound no doubt enjoying hopefully a good feast of salmon. Yesterday Paul saw the largest group of finning chums he has ever seen. Finning is when the chum rise to the surface exposing their dorsal fin as they move along. It can be quite the sight. very often their heads poke up as well. So far we have heard both the A12s, A36s and the same G clan groups of the last several days. Still waiting to have a peek to confirm just who is out there. The offshores were last seen near Port Hardy. Graeme Ellis of DFO was up in the area and had the day & good conditions to get the ID photos. Very exciting.
Helena
14 Oct 2005 09:34:33 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We are not going to get our "peek". The whales decided to go into the Strait via Weynton Passage. We just started to pick up their calls way to the west of CP. Quite a miserable day out there - wind and rain.
Helena
14 Oct 2005 10:51:25 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We're listening to the A12s, A36s and several G's on the CP and Parson Island hydrophones. They're foraging in the entrance of Blackney Pass for quite a while already. The weather is rainy and windy again, so it's difficult to identify them.
Sven
14 Oct 2005 12:53:11 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The orcas (A12s, A36s, G18s, maybe others)have just travelled north through Blackney Pass & are heading west in Blackfish Sound. We're listening to them on the Flower Island hydrophone.
Paul
14 Oct 2005 15:01:34 PDT

No orcas present.

Good evening. It has been quiet for hours ever since the orcas headed off to the west. We had a wonderful surprise this afternoon just as the storm eased off . Many flocks of geese passed overhead. The Snow geese flew over Blackney Pass stark white against the dark green island shapes.
Helena
14 Oct 2005 21:48:06 PDT

Thursday, October 13, 2005

13 October Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

We've been listening to distant "G" & "A" clan calls on the Flower Island hydrophone for about half an hour. They sound like the same groups that were in Johnstone Strait yesterday afternoon.
Paul
13 Oct 2005 04:10:51 PDT

Boat noise

We began hearing distant calls, amidst boat noise, on the Critical Point hydrophone, about 45' ago, but are uncertain as to whether they were from resident or offshore orcas. After travelling rapidly to the east last evening, the offshores returned to the west, and were near Robson Bight around 1am. By 9am they were off Pearse Passage, near Alert Bay. They were still in that general area around 10:30am, when we heard calls that could have been from G clan or offshore orcas. Boat noise has been very persistent since then, and we've heard no more calls. We are waiting.
Paul
13 Oct 2005 11:24:21 PDT

Orcas near mics.

A short while ago we started to hear the A12s on Flower Island. Earlier this morning we must have been listening to the Offshores when they were stalled off Alert Bay. This is normally out of our range but every so often we experience extended coverage. The offshores are now off Port McNeill still west bound.
Helena
13 Oct 2005 13:43:11 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're now hearing distant "A" & "G" calls on the Critical Point hydrophone, as well as continuing to hear the A12s on Flower Island. Sounds like at least some of the orcas that have been together over the last few days are back in Johnstone Strait, with the A12s nearby.
Paul
13 Oct 2005 14:43:38 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We think everything shifted back to Blackfish Sound and the A12s. We are now listening to the several G groups in Blackfish and CP can no longer see any whales up near Blinkhorn. Most likely they moved back to Blackfish via Weynton. Maybe they were checking the Strait for those offshores! The tide is now ebbing.
Helena
13 Oct 2005 15:49:08 PDT

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

12 October Orcalab reports:

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

Good morning everyone! It's a cool, wet & windy morning here, with the A36s in front of CP, heading east. Channel A. We're also hearing G clan calls further away.
Paul
12 Oct 2005 09:13:43 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A36s sound like they went ahead toward Critical Point with the various G clan groups while this time the A12s followed behind. Currently we are listening to the A12s on CP and the others on Critical Point.
Helena
12 Oct 2005 10:44:20 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Interesting that, although I thought I had selected the map highlight for the area including CP and Critical Point last time, only the CP area came up! Just after that the whales (the A36s and Gs) who had gone east of CP came back & joined up with the A12s off the entrance of Blackney Pass.
Helena
12 Oct 2005 11:58:30 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We're still hearing distant "A" & "G" calls on the Critical Point hydrophone, and think that the various groups that were foraging in the entrance of Blackney Pass earlier have moved off to the west. We're not sure about their exact location because it's raining too hard for CP to see. Boat noise is still very persistent in Johnstone Strait.
Paul
12 Oct 2005 15:24:42 PDT

Superb sounds!!

This is exciting! We had received reports around 3:30pm of a large group of whales moving through Pearse Passage (between Alert Bay and Pearse Islands) headed for the Strait. We had been listening to the A12s,A36s and various G groups all morning and when they headed off to the west we thought that they might be going to meet the incoming group. As the new group moved east in the Strait we started to understand that they were Offshores. The northern residents have been very quiet - listening too no doubt. The weather is very wet and quite dark. The boat noise is not making it very easy either.
Helena
12 Oct 2005 16:40:05 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The offshore calls are getting stronger as they move closer toward the Bight.
Helena
12 Oct 2005 18:30:04 PDT

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

11 October Orcalab reports:

10:32 PDT Distant calls audible.
just a short while ago we started to hear A1 and G calls on Critical Point. CP has seen one male mid strait off to the far west so most likely the whales came in via Weynton on the last of the flood and are making their way to the east.

10:55 PDT Distant calls audible.
We have heard the A36s along with the Gs. They are getting closer and are now in range of CP but still to the west.

12:34 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A36s and Gs have passed CP and are heading into the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. They are traveling mid strait and along the Vancouver Island shore,we didn't get a clear look at the group this time and so we are not sure which Gs are present yet.

12:37 PDT Distant calls audible.
The Gs and the A36s have moved on closer to the Bight. They can still be heard even with the constant boat noise. They sound pretty relaxed & social. There are a lot of "quiet" calls with a few slightly more energetic bursts from time to time.

13:06 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
It is beginning to sound like the A12s are there as well. Also there have been a few I31 type calls as well. Perhaps the same groups of the last week are again together in the Strait.

13:43 PDT Orcas near mics.
The groups have moved into the area near to Robson Bight.

14:27 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Some of the orcas are rubbing.

15:28 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
It looks like the orcas have left the rubbing beaches and are returning to the west... possibly, we'll soon hear them again on the Critical Point hydrophone.

15:36 PDT Distant calls audible.
At least some of the orcas returning to the west have reached the area off Robson Bight. We're listening to them on the Critical Point hydrophone, along with a lot of boat noise.

16:13 PDT Superb sounds!!
Some of the orcas are closer to the Critical Point hydrophone now... we've heard the A36s & possibly G3s so far, along with another "G-G" group, and with others likely to come.

16:58 PDT Distant calls audible.
The whales after stalling near the Bight for a while may now be moving "up" the Strait to the west. We are hearing calls in the CP range.

17:19 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
As they move westward, some of the orcas are coming within range of the surface camera at CP. Channel A.

18:46 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A36s are taking up the rear. They finally left the area off the Bight and are now approaching CP & the entrance to Blackney Pass area. We can still hear the others to the west of the A36s from time to time.

20:55 PDT Distant calls audible.
The distant A1 and G clan calls we're hearing are still on Critical Point. We just started to hear them on CP again after they disappeared there for about an hour. Sounds like they have turned on their way west and going east now with the flooding tide.

22:16 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A1's and G's went into Blackney Pass and we're now listening to them on the Local Left hydrophone as they're heading north.

Monday, October 10, 2005

10 October Orcalab reports:

07:26 PDT Superb sounds!!
We're listening to multiple pods (mostly A1 calls) at the CP hydrophone, echoes to Critical Point and to Parson Island hydrophones. We've send an alert.

09:44 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab.
The A12s have just entered Blackney Pass, we didn't see anyone else but the visibility is poor. We will see what the day brings.

10:58 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A12s have spent four hours pacing back and forth in the entrance to Blackney Pass. It looks like they may have decided to go in this time.

11:40 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A12s passed by the lab and we are now hearing them on Flower Island.

20:45 PDT No orcas present.
We've heard no calls since mid afternoon, when the A12s were at the "top" of Blackfish Sound. Possibly, they continued on into Queen Charlotte Strait, though we're not sure. We are waiting.

Sunday, October 09, 2005

09 October Orcalab reports:

10:52 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
There are Orca opposite C.P on channel A quite distant going East still no positive I.D.!

12:57 PDT Boat noise
We think we have the A12s midstrait slowly going east at Kaikash Beach, but we are not sure who else might be here. Hopefully the whales will be more vocal soon, the weather is making it difficult for us to see everyone.

20:15 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
We just heard some short calls and also a few rubs on the Rubbing Beach hydrophone. The A1's and G's we heard around noon today were silent since then and headed east when last seen, so probably we heard some of them rubbing about 20 minutes ago. Looks like it was just a brief rub.

22:26 PDT Distant calls audible.
We're listening to distant A1 calls (so far) on the Critical Point hydrophone. They most likely came from the east and are now in the robson bight area. A general waternoise is audible since it is still windy and rainy in Johnstone Strait.

Friday, October 07, 2005

07 October Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.
Good morning everyone! We're listening to A1 and G clan calls on the Critical Point hydrophone. It sounds like the A36s, A12s & at least part of the I31s (probably I46 & I80) are back in Robson Bight. We're not sure what route they took to get there, or if the "G-G" groups that have been with them lately are also there, but silent, or if they have separated. Nice way to start another rainy day!

08:42 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
We've heard no calls for over 2 hours, and think that the orcas we were listening to earlier were headed east past Robson Bight. They're probably not too far away, and though they could keep going, they might turn back to the west soon. We are waiting, and meanwhile enjoying what has turned out to be a lovely morning.

10:10 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
It turned out that the orcas were headed east early this morning, and did turn around not too far away. They are now headed west, spread out across from Robson Bight, approaching the Sophias, and should be within sight of the CP camera soon. Channel A. We're hearing their calls on the Critical Point hydrophone. The large group sounds like it has the same members as it has over the last few days, i.e. A12s, A36s, I46+I80, G3s, G18s, though it's possible others are there too.

11:58 PDT Distant calls audible.
The orcas (A12s, A36s, I46+I80, G3s, G29s, not sure if the G18s are still with them) are now in Blackfish Sound, heading west, having passed quickly through Blackney Pass on the swiftly ebbing tide. We're listening to them in the distance on the Flower Island hydrophone.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

06 October Orcalab reports:

09:29 PDT Superb sounds!!
Good morning everyone! We've been listening to the A36s in Blackfish Sound for the last couple of hours, and recently, to the A12s & Gs as well (probably the G3s & G18s). They all came back from the east last evening, and headed through Weynton Pass around midnight. Since then, they've been hanging out at or near the "top" of Blackfish Sound. Now, because the calls are getting closer to the Flower Island hydrophone, we think they may be heading back towards Johnstone Strait.

15:24 PDT No orcas present.
Rain, Rain & Rain. It is a wet one today! The ocean is calm and we were hoping that the whales would come down this way but there were just too many ebbing tide hours to go while they were off the top end of Blackfish Sound. Their collective sounds faded off our systems around 10:30am. At that point it wasn't clear if they were moving further into Weynton Passage or heading "out". It turned out that they were moving west into Queen Charlotte Strait. The Naiad Explorer saw the large group off Lizard Point later that morning. They have not yet returned on the flood. We are waiting.

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

05 October Orcalab reports:

11:18 PDT No orcas present.
Good morning! Other than the brief weird sounds at 5am (sealion close to hydrophone?) it was a quiet night. We lost track of the whales around 11pm when they were still vocal in the Strait. The tide was still ebbing at the time but due to turn withing an hour. So it is possible they went either direction with ease. The guess around here is split. It will be interesting to find out who guessed correctly. Any bets?

19:09 PDT Orcas near mics.
They are back! Clear A1 and G calls off Robson Bight. They sound like they are coming from the east.

20:48 PDT Orcas near mics.
It sounds like the whales have moved west up the Strait to the entrance of Blackney Pass. So far this evening we have heard both the A36s and the A12s along with the Gs of yesterday and the I31s (maybe still just I46 & I80).

21:51 PDT Distant calls audible.
They have kept to the Strait so far asnd we think they may have gone west past CP and the entrance to Blackney Pass. Still quite windy out but not as bad as last night.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

04 October Orcalab reports:

09:10 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s, A36s & I46+I80 are heading west in Blackfish Sound, after travelling north through Blackney Pass. They are mostly silent, but made a few calls as they headed through Blackney Pass.

12:32 PDT Distant calls audible.
We began hearing distant "A1" and "G-I" calls on the Critical Point hydrophone about half an hour ago... sounds like at least some of the orcas who headed north through Blackney Pass earlier this morning have re-entered Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass.

14:05 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s, A36s & I46+I80 are heading east in Johnstone Strait, now opposite Blackney Pass. They are mostly on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait, but may be crossing over towards Cracroft Island. Channel A.
Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.

14:25 PDT A "G-G" group of orcas, including the G18s, has just headed into Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass & are in front of CP. Channel A.

16:22 PDT Superb sounds!!
After lots of foraging and playful behaviour all the groups for the time being at least have passed CP and are now going east.

17:31 PDT Superb sounds!!
The various groups of orcas are in or near Robson Bight... we're listening to them on the Critical Point hydrophone.

18:36 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
Some of the orcas have reached the rubbing beaches - Channel B.

19:10 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The orcas have left the rubbing beaches and headed east. The sounds of pebbles moving that we're hearing are from waves crashing on shore at low tide, not from orcas rubbing. Apologies to those who logged on after we sent an alert, only to find the (brief) rub was over.

Monday, October 03, 2005

03 October Orcalab reports:

00:13 PDT Distant calls audible.
We began hearing distant "A1" and "G-I" calls on the Critical Point hydrophone a short while ago... sounds like the A12s, A36s, & at least some of the I31s have returned to Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass.

03:10 PDT Superb sounds!!
We're still listening to very clear A1 and G-I calls now in the Robson Bight area on the Critical Point hydrophone.

05:32 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The whales that had been in the Strait changed direction just before the slack tide and travelled back to the entrance of Blackney Pass and then travelled north to Blackfish Sound where they vocalised briefly. We had heard both A1 and I31 calls in the Strait but only clearly heard A12s in Blackfish Sound. However there were enough blows heard in Blackney to possibly account for all the A12s, the I31 pair of I46 & I80 as well as the A36s. All has been quiet since just before 5am. We believe they kept going west into Queen Charlotte Strait with the ebb tide.

13:48 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
We've heard no calls since early this morning, but the A12s, A36s, & part of the I31s (I46, I80) are not far away. They spent the morning just to the north of Blackfish Sound, & are presently near Lizard Point. It's possible they will come back "in" on the flooding tide this afternoon.

20:33 PDT No orcas present.
It apppears that the A12s, A36s and I46 & I80 stayed in Queen Charlotte Strait for the day.

Sunday, October 02, 2005

02 October Orcalab reports:

12:58 PDT Distant calls audible.
We're listening to A1 and G-clan calls on the entrance of Blackney Pass area, mid-Strait to the Vancouver Island side.

15:23 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A36s are heading south through Blackney Pass, and will probably soon meet up with the A12s & I46/I80. We're presently listening to the A36s & A12s on the Parson Island & CP hydrophones.

18:16 PDT Distant calls audible.
On the ebb tide: With A33 in the lead, I46 following and I80 with the A34s & A12s and finally the A36s in the rear, the scene quickly shifted from Johnstone Strait to Blackfish Sound via Blackney. The whales are still in range in Blackfish Sound.

22:12 PDT No orcas present.
It seems that the A12s, I46, I80 and eventually the A36s continued travelling west into +Queen Charlotte Strait.

Saturday, October 01, 2005

01 October Orcalab reports:

08:36 PDT Distant calls audible.
Good morning everyone! After a quiet night (except for boat noise) we began hearing distant "G-clan" calls on the Flower Island hydrophone a little before 7:45am. It sounds like the orcas are at the "top" of Blackfish Sound. Perhaps they will head into Johnstone Strait when the tide turns to flood in about an hour from now. Meanwhile, we're enjoying our first (lovely) October morning.

09:56 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
The A12s & at least some I31s have entered Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass & are now heading east past CP. Channel A.

12:16 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A12s and the I31s have finaslly moved closer to the Reserve and Robson Bight.
Distant calls audible.

15:50 PDT The A12s along with I80 and I46 are headed west back to CP.

Distant calls audible.

17:47 PDT The A12s, along with I46 & I80, have travelled north through Blackney Pass on the ebbing tide, and are now in Blackfish Sound. They are making occasional calls amongst intense boat noise.