30 July Orcalab reports

08:54 PDT Distant calls audible.
Good morning everyone! We began hearing distant "A1" calls on the Flower Island hydrophone about 8am. We're not quite sure which group, though it's probably the A12s returning from their fast trip to the west a couple of days ago.

09:39 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab.
The A12s are heading quickly south through Blackney Pass, now in front of OrcaLab. It it will probably take them only a few minutes to reach Johnstone Strait on the flooding tide. It's a foggy morning, so they might not be visible from CP.

09:51 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A12s emerged from the fog. They are passing CP now.

10:26 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A12S are heading east in Johnstone Strait. We're listening to them on the Critical Point hydrophone.

11:22 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A12s have reached Robson Bight & are calling close to the Critical Point hydrophone. If they continue to the east, they may head into the rubbing beaches.

12:09 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
The A12s are at the Main rubbing beach & are visible on Channel A.



12:18 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.
We decided to send an alert after a few minutes of the rub, hoping the A12s would continue rubbing a while longer.



12:55 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s are heading back to the west after a fabulous rub. The C10s have been seen heading east from Lizard Point.

13:23 PDT Superb sounds!!
The A12s are in fine form right of Critical Point

14:47 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
A12 is heading towards CP on our side, the others are spread out from mid strait to the Vancouver Island side.

14:52 PDT Orcas near mics.
The A12s are off CP qand we are hearing the Cs approaching Weynton Passage/Blackfish Sound from Donegal Head.

15:19 PDT Distant calls audible.
The C10s rounded Donegal with an unusual choice to head west past Mitchell Bay. The A12s are still near Kaikash Creek headed west.

18:03 PDT Distant calls audible.
The A12s are getting closer to Robson Bight - we're hearing their calls, along with persistent boat noise, on the Critical Point hydrophone. They are heading east. Meanwhile, the Cs have re-entered Johnstone Strait via Pearse Passage, at the western end of Pearse Islands, and are also heading east. Further out, near Numas Island, a large group of orcas has been sighted.

23:41 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
Power has been restored in Alert Bay, so we are up again! During the outage, several groups of orcas entered Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass, including the A36s, A30s, A5s, and a "G-G" group. The A12s were at the rubbing beaches as the others arrived. We are now listening to calls on the Critical Point hydrophone as the orcas make their way eastwards in the Strait. Given the reports we heard earlier, it would not be surprising if other groups are yet to come.

28 July Orcalab reports

08:35 PDT No orcas present. Good morning everyone! We were hearing distant "A" calls on the Flower Island hydrophone until around 4am, and nothing since (except boat noise). We think the groups that headed north through Blackney Pass late last evening (A11s, A8s, probably A12s) continued to the west, as did the A36s (probably), though we're not completely sure. We think some A5s & A4s, along with the C6s, are still to the east in Johnstone Strait. It's another foggy morning here, & we are waiting.

12:26 PDT No orcas present. Again we are in the middle with activity to the west and east of us. There are reports of the groups which went through last night far to the west nearing Port Hardy while there is still at least one group to the east. It is still unclear who is where. We never did hear the C6s return and wonder if there is still A5s in the eastern regions. All the A4s may now be to the west with at least the A8s & A36s. We will know soon if the A12s followed everyone west or stayed in the Strait. Lots of humpbacks not too far away.

17:52 PDT No orcas present. The Naiad Explorer (MacKay Whale Watching) reported that they left the A36s, A12s,A24s,A11s,A73 near the Jeanette Islands (Queen Charlotte Strait). They were still west bound and still moving quite fast. No reports from the east.

27 July Orcalab reports

08:39 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. Good morning everyone! We think the A12s have returned from their trip to the east & are westbound in Johnstone Strait. We began hearing echolocation on the CrPt hydrophone a little before 7am. Several orcas passed CP, quickly, a short while ago, and probably headed across Blackney Pass, though we're not sure. It is very foggy this morning & difficult to see very far.

11:12 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. The A12s moved on through Weynton Pass toward Blackfish Sound. They kept close to the Plumper Island so they were just out of our Flower Island range when they briefly vocal.

11:21 PDT Distant calls audible. We just started hearing the A12s in Blackfish Sound.

11:37 PDT Orcas hunting fish. It turned out that the call and echo location are on Critical Point! More from the east. A12s to the west.

13:09 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.The A36s are now beween the Sophia Island and CP heading west. The A12s continued into Queen Charlotte Strait.

14:40 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. The A36s continued to the west. The A12s also continued west. They are just west of Lizard Pt. in Queen Charlotte Strait.

20:50 PDT Distant calls audible. We're now hearing distant calls from the A12s on the Critical Point hydrophone... sounds like they have entered the Strait via Weynton Pass. Meanwhile, the A36s are taking their time coming down Blackfish Sound, and we have just heard the sounds of rubbing at the beaches!

21:37 PDT Orcas hunting fish. We've been listening to echolocation close to the Critical Point hydrophone. It's probably coming from the orcas that we heard briefly at the rubbing beaches about half an hour ago. Probably, they are one (or more) of the groups that have been in eastern Johnstone Strait over the past few days, though we're not sure. Meanwhile, the A36s are still in Blackfish Sound, & the A12s are eastbound in Johnstone Strait.

22:10 PDT Multiple pod calls audible. We're now listening to A4, A5, & A12 calls on the CrPt hydrophone, so it seems that at least some of the A4s & A5s have returned from the east & met up with the A12s! The A36s are still in Blackfish Sound.

22:37 PDT Multiple pod calls audible. The A4s & A5s, followed by the A12s, are heading north through Blackney Pass on the slack tide.

25 July Orcalab reports

08:53 PDT No orcas present. Good morning everyone! We last heard calls around 12:30am, when we thought the A12s were heading back to the west after their rub. However, we heard nothing more overnight, and are not at all sure what happened to them. We are waiting.

11:44 PDT No calls but orcas nearby The A12s have just entered the Ecological Reserve at the eastern boudary. They are heading west, i.e. towards the rubbing beaches. Meanwhile, the A36s are also headed west, a few km behind the A12s, but on the Cracroft Island side of the Strait.

12:17 PDT Orcas hunting fish. The A12s have arrived in Robson Bight & are fishing near Critical Point. We're listening to their echolocation on CrPt.

13:52 PDT Distant calls audible. The A12s are still headed west, spread out across the Strait, & now approaching the Blackney Pass "gap" area. They are visible on Channel A.

16:02 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras. The A12s turned back to the east around 3pm, when they were between Kaikash & Blinkhorn, on the Vancouver Island side of the Strait, and have since made their way over to the Blackney Pass area. A12 & A33 are foraging in front of CP & are visible on Channel A.

17:26 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. The A12s have moved off to the west from Blackney Pass.

18:16 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. The A12s may have turned at 5:10pm after almost getting to Big Bay.They apparently crossed over toward Kaikash Creek on Vancouver Island.

19:12 PDT Orcas near mics. The A12s turned back to the east a little after 5pm, when they were approaching Big Bay on Hanson Island. They crossed over to the Vancouver Island side of the Strait, and entered the Ecological Reserve about 6:30pm. They are now in Robson Bight, still heading east. We are listening to them on the Critical Point hydrophone.

19:31 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.The A12s are at the Beaches.

20:01 PDT Distant calls audible. We have heard from the A30s on Flower Island! The A12s seem to be finished their rub.

20:29 PDT The A12s just came back to Robson Bight.

22:13 PDT Multiple pod calls audible. The A11s, A35s,A24s, A25s, probably the A43s, A30s and the C6s have joined the A12s in the Strait.

23:14 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.The whales have gone into the Beaches.

24 July Orcalab reports:



00:09 PDT Superb sounds!! The A12s are having late dinner in the Bight!

08:20 PDT Distant calls audible. Good morning everyone! After a quiet night, during which we think the A12s & A5s went east past the Ecological Reserve, we began hearing echolocation & A12 calls on the Critical Point hydrophone about half an hour ago. Since then, the calls have become more distant & boat noise has intruded. We think the whales are heading west.

11:48 PDT No orcas present. The A12s went through Weynton Passages and have caught the last of the ebb tide into Queen Charlotte Strait. The A8s remained east and were reported of f Kelsey Bay earlier. No word on the A36s.

16:22 PDT Distant calls audible. The A12s are back in the Strait after returning from Queen Charlotte Strait via Weynton Pass. They are eastbound headed to the area adjacent to the entrance of Blackney Pass.

16:35 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras. A12 & A33 are foraging off CP.

18:22 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. The A12s have moved to the western end of Johnstone Strait.

19:10 PDT Distant calls audible. CP tells us that the A12s turned back in toward Vancouver Island just to the west of Blackney Pass and may be eastbound again.

20:52 PDT Orcas near mics. The A12s are very close to Critical Point & Robson Bight.

21:38 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom. The A12s have moved on to the rubbing beaches.

23 July Orcalab reports:

00:30 PDT Distant calls audible. The A12s and the A5s have gone through Blackney and are now in Blackfish Sound.


08:06 PDT Distant calls audible. Good morning everyone! After circumnavigating Hanson Island during the night, the A12s & A5s are now back in Blackfish Sound, heading "out" on the swiftly ebbing tide.

13:33 PDT Boat noise. We have been following the reports from the whale watch boats through morning and afternoon. The A12s and perhaps the A5s continued west for quite a while. However, they turned at 12:30pm between Black Bluff and Bere Point and are now re-approaching Lizard Point.

16:41 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. The A12s have come back into the Strait via Weynton Pass and they are now eastbound just off the Hanson Island shore. There may have been a few distant calls.

17:08 PDT Distant calls audible. The A12s moved closer to the Vancouver Island shore from mid strait. It will be difficult to see them in the afternoon haze but there are dalls porpoise nearer to CP.

18:10 PDT No calls but orcas nearbyThe A12s continue to move toward Robson Bight.

18:23 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. Just an added note to the last report. Apparently when the whales were off the CP area there were a few A5 type calls as well. This most likely means that the A8s stayed with the A12s for the whole day.

19:07 PDT Orcas near mics.They are off Robson Bight.

20:09 PDT Distant calls audible. The A12s and the A5s are headed back west toward the CP area.

22:21 PDT Boat noise. The A12s and A5s continued to the west past Blackney Pass. At the moment, we are only listening to boat noise.

23:43 PDT Distant calls audible. Sounds like the whales have been turned to the east. We are listening to the A12s again on CRPT hydrophone.

22 July Orcalab reports

14:19 PDT No orcas present. The A12s have passed the Adams River on their way to the west.They are still some distance from the Ecological Reserve. The A36s are even further east in the lower portion of the Strait. There is no word about the A4s and A5s who came in yesterday and went east with the A12s & A36s.

18:27 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.The A12s finally made it. A33 is opposit CP while the A34s are still closer to the Vancouver Island side.

20:48 PDT Distant calls audible.The A12s are to the west of CP still probably closer to the top end of Hanson Island but they mat have turned.

23:08 Superb sounds!! The A12s are now very close to CP. The others (A4s & A5s) are just approaching. We are wondering what they will choose to do. The tide is still ebbing and may encourage them to come into Blackney Pass. We have yet to hear the A36s.

21 July Orcalab reports:

05:51 PDT Orcas hunting fish. Sounds like the A12s are having their breakfast again in the Bight!

07:49 PDT Distant calls audible.Good morning everyone! It`s another gorgeous morning here, & we`re hearing occasional distant calls on the CP hydrophone as the A12s make their way to the west.

10:28 PDT Distant calls audible.We're hearing distant calls on the Critical Point hydrophone as the A12s & A8s (A42s) make their way to the east in Johnstone Strait. They are heading into the Ecological Reserve at Robson Bight.

12:10 PDT No calls but orcas nearbyThe A12s continued to the east, past the Ecological Reserve, and have met up with the A36s, who were travelling west, around Eve River. The A5s (A42s) along with an A4 group (possibly A11s) are further behind, also eastbound.

19:00 PDT No orcas present.The news from the whale watch boats is that the whales continued to the far east.

20 July Orcalab reports

00:19 PDT Distant calls audible. We are listening to the A12s. Possibly they came into Johnstone strait through Weynton Pass.

03:19 PDT Superb sounds!! The A12s are in the Bight. We are listening their calls on CRPT hydrophone.

05:40 PDT Orcas hunting fish. The A12s are back to the Bight. Sounds like having their breakfast!

07:00 PDT Distant calls audible. The A12s are headed west from Robson bight and now they're off CP.

09:54 PDT No orcas present. The A12s continued to the west and out through Weynton Passage. they are now headed to Donegal Head & Queen Charlotte Strait.

14:06 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab. The A12s are heading quickly through Blackney Pass, towards Johnstone Strait, on the flooding tide. They are silent, but should be within sight of CP soon.

17:01 PDT No calls but orcas nearbyThe A12s didn't get very far and while most are very slowly westing along the Vancouver Island shore, A12 popped up near CP and although quite distant is foraging on channel A.

19:12 PDT Distant calls audible. Sorry, it has been such a quiet day. After the A12s went into the Strait they spread out to forage but they were not very talkative. A12 was off the Cracroft shore for a while befoe the group moved on to the Izumi area. They then came back to CP and Kaikash Creek. Just lately they have woken up and begun to vocalise perhaps as they move back eastward.

20:00 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. The A12s are mostly quiet and are going east along the Vancouver Island shore, we can just make out their blows in the distance. They have passed Blinkhorn and a heading this way slowly.

21:39 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. The A12s are still around. NW Kayaks reports that they are travelling east along Vancouver Island with a group of dolphins. They have passed KaiKash Creek.

22:35 PDT Superb sounds!! The A12s sound like they have moved in closer to the Bight area.

19 July Orcalab reports:

21:13 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab. After a day without hearing or seeing orcas, the A12s have come back from eastern Johnstone Strait! They have passed CP & are now entering Blackney Pass, heading north.

23:07 PDT No orcas present. The A12s did come through Blackney and head off to the west. They were accompanied by a small group of dolphins. A33 decided to stop and forage just off the Lab while the others carried on spread out further off shore. This all happened during a lovely evening sunset.

18 July Orcalab reports:

08:47 PDT No orcas present. Good morning everyone! We've heard no calls since just before midnight, when the A12s were in the vicinity of Robson Bight, possibly westbound, and are not at all sure what happened to them after that. We are waiting.

13:21 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. The A12s and the A36s must have gone out to the west. They were found this morning in Queen Charlotte Strait by the whale watch boats & the researchers near Black Bluff. Currently they are east bound. The A36s are nearing Donegal Head while the A12s are further back just past Lizard Point. They have been asleep but the Naiad Explorer thinks they might be waking up. The humpbacks are in Queen Charlotte as well.

19:43 PDT Distant calls audible. We've been listening to occasional distant calls from the A12s on the Critical Point hydrophone. They are probably in the western part of Johnstone Strait, though visibility is poor and we haven't been able to spot them from CP.

20:14 PDT Distant calls audible. The A12s continue at the beaches.

20:31 PDT Distant calls audible. The A12s may have completed their rub.

22:09 PDT We have not heard from the A12s for a while now.

17 July Orcalab reports:

01:04 PDT Distant calls audible. We heard clear A1 calls on CP. Possibly it was from the A12s. Now we are listening their resting calls on PI hydrophone.

01:54 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. The A12s went North through Blackney Pass.

05:45 PDT Distant calls audible. We are listening to the A12s back in Johnstone strait.

09:17 PDT No orcas present. We believe the whales in the Strait went off to the east. They were last seen around 7pm on the Vancouver Island shore east of CP.

09:24 PDT Distant calls audible. We just began to hear calls again in the Strait.

10:07 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.The whales are at the beaches.

10:49 PDT No calls but orcas nearby The A12s have left the Beaches and are headed across the Strait to the Cracroft side on their way back to the west.

12:56 PDT Orcas approaching Orcalab. The A12s came up to Cracroft Point and may be headed to Blackney Pass.

13:01 PDT No calls but orcas nearbyIt looks like the A12s will keep to the Strait. They are crossing westward past the Blackney entrance to the Hanson shore.

15:14 PDT Distant calls audible. The Lukwa informs us that the A34s have grouped up off the Wastell Islands and are now pointing to the east.

16:11 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras. We have A12 and A33 just off CP foraging.

16:15 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras. A12 & A33 are forging off of CP. The A34s are closer to the Vancouver Island side.

18:03 PDT Superb sounds!! It sounds like the A12s are nearing Robson Bight.

18:14 PDT Distant calls audible. While the A12s continue to be busy in the Strait the A36s are eastbound in Blackfish Sound.

18:41 PDT Superb sounds!! How beautiful can they make it? The A12s are right in front of Critical Point.

16 July Orcalab reports:

11:57 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras. The A12s have been reported making their way through Blackney Pass, we will try and film them coming into the Strait.

12:52 PDT Orcas near mics. The A12s have entered into Johnstone Strait, now off CP.

15 Juy Orcalab reports

08:35 PDT No orcas present. It was quiet last night. We believe the A12s continued travelling north. We are waiting.

14:47 PDT No orcas present. It is a very quiet day so far. The A12s were rumoured to be coming this way a few hours ago but we have not heard or seen them.

19:19 PDT Distant calls audible. We have whales in sight of CP heading East. They are mostly on the otherside of the Strait but a male looks like he is crossing over closer to us, we will keep an eye on them and may film if they get close enough.

19:23 PDT Distant calls audible. We are listening the A12s who have entered Johnstone St.from the north. Their calls are on CP hydrophone.

21:24 PDT Orcas near mics.Sounds like the A12s are in the Bight!

22:10 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom. We started hearing rubbing sound and few A1 calls on RB hydrophone. We think the A12s who passed the bight earlier are now at the Rubbing beaches, enjoying!

14 July Orcalab reports:
10:49 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. The A12s are currently coming slowly west from the Sophias towards CP. Hopefully they will be close enough to us to film.

11:10 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras. We started to hear the A12s who came back from the east. they're off CP.



11:34 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. The A12s have now headed to the West very slowly foraging along the way. The are spread out from mid Strait to the Hanson Island shore.

14:14 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras. The A12s are easting slowly and are passing Boat Bay near the Hanson Island shore. There is also news of a group near Donegal Head who are thought to be coming this way. The surface camera should be on shortly.

15:15 PDT Superb sounds!! Its been reported that the A30s are up near Donegal Head, the A12s appear to be waiting opposite CP, perhaps the A30s will come in for a visit.

15:25 PDT Superb sounds!! The A12s finally made a decision and have headed into Blackney Pass, perhaps to meet the A30s.

16:01 PDT Distant calls audible. The A12s have gone to Blackfish Sound.

19:31 PDT Orcas (may be) approaching cameras. Hi, the A12s are vocal and we can see some of them on the other side of the Strait.

21:15 PDT Superb sounds!!All of the A12s except A33 and A12 have headed into Blackney Pass. A12 and A33 went West as far as Blinkhorn and have now turned around to perhaps follow the others.

22:00 PDT Distant calls audible.The A12s have gone to Blackfish Sound again!


Seasmoke reports:
Passenger's on this mornings tour encountered the A12 pod of Orcas in Johnstone Strait. This pod consists of nine Orcas and is lead by the 64 year old matriarch A12.
The Orcas were curious today and approached the SV Tuan for a closer look as it sat idle and drifting and guests enjoyed listening to some lovely A-Clan vocals via the hydrophone.

13 July 2005 Orcalab report:

12.11 PDT Superb sounds!! As some of you may have guessed the A12s joined the A36s from the east. Both groups are now off CP and the entrance to Blackney Pass.

14.05 PDT No calls but orcas nearby. The A12s and the A36s turned around Blinkhorn and are now moving eastward.

16.41 PDT Distant calls audible. The A36s moved off to the west once again. The A12s kept going east without saying a lot.

16.56 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom. The A12s are at the Beaches.

19.21 PDT Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom. We are hearing activity back at the Beaches once more.

19.38 PDT We think it is the A12s once more at the Beaches.

Seasmoke whalewatching reports:
Passenger's experienced a great encounter with two pods of Orcas; viewing a total of 12 as they foraged for salmon in Johnstone Strait. The A36 pod - consisting of three brothers - were observed mingling with the A12 pod. Guests aboard the SV Tuan were able to view a brand new calf; the recent birth of A62's calf who still has the jaundiced flesh as proof of this, has brought the number in the A12 pod to nine. One of the other young calves in the A12 pod was very playful and was observed spyhopping , breaching and teail-lobbing. Passengers were delighted and surprised with a close encounter with A33 (A12's son) while he was foraging and the boat was sitting idle, drifting in the tide. As he turned and made his way towards the boat and alongside, passengers were excited to see him at very close range. They also enjoyed listening to some wonderful A-Clan vocals via the hydrophone.

No orcas present.
It has been very quiet this morning. However, a group of orcas went past the Sophia Islands early this morning and a sailboat at 9:15 am saw whales heading east quickly near Broken Islands (central/east Johnstone Strait).
Helena
12 Jul 2005 10:50:21 PDT
Orcalab

No orcas present.
It turned out that the A12s,A11s and the A24s are the eastbound whales in the lower Johnstone Strait.
So it has remained quiet (and rather wet) in this part of the Strait.
Helena
12 Jul 2005 16:55:32 PDT
Orcalab

No calls but orcas nearby
The A12s have entered into Johnstone st. slowly, through blackney pass.
Tomoko
11 Jul 2005 07:02:40 PDT
Orcalab

The A34s followed A12 & A33 into the Strait a short while ago and are now headed east.
Helena
11 Jul 2005 08:56:34 PDT
Orcalab

Orcas (may be) approaching cameras.
Some of the A12s are heading west past CP. We are hearing them on the CP hydrophone, but it's raining too hard for the surface camera to be safe outside. Instead, we are filming them from inside the CP shelter.
Paul
11 Jul 2005 14:03:54 PDT
Orcalab


Distant calls audible.
We began hearing distant calls from the A12s on the Critical Point hydrophone a short while ago. It's likely that the A12s are in the western part of Johnstone Strait & may have turned back to the east.
Paul
11 Jul 2005 16:37:28 PDT
Orcalab

Seasmoke whalewatching reports:
The A12 pod of Orcas were observed as they foraged in Broughton Strait and passenger's delighted to witness one of the young calves practicing and perfecting it's breaching skills. The SV Tuan sailed the journey home; a perfect way to end a day that was brilliant in spite of the rain!

Superb sounds!!

The A12s are heading North though Blackney Pass.
Tomoko
11 Jul 2005 00:02:41 PDT
Orcalab

Distant calls audible.
The A12s have gone to Blackfish Sound.
We are listening to their calls on FI hydrophone.
Tomoko
11 Jul 2005 00:23:40 PDT
Orcalab

Distant calls audible.
The A12s may be returning from the west. (They went west along the Hanson shore just before the launch). CP can see fins far to the west. Perhaps they will convince the A36s to come in and join them. We lost track of the A36s earlier in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
10 Jul 2005 19:09:12 PDT
Orcalab

Orcas near mics.We are listening to the A12s.
Their calls are on CP hydrophone.
Tomoko
10 Jul 2005 23:24:15 PDT
Orcalab

The A12s, A4s & A5s are still in the area. The A12s have spent most of today in this part of the Strait while the A4s &A5s busied themselves elsewhere.
Helena
02 Jul 2005 18:17:32 PDT
Orcalab

Near Lizard Point, we sighted over 40 orcas (A4, A5, A12 and other pods). We also saw Dall’s porpoises and many harbour seals.
Mackay Whaletime.com