Friday, August 31, 2007

31 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Where to start? The A30s are currently travelling north through Blackney Pass. Someone is at the beaches rubbing and recently there was distant A5 calls on Critical Point. Earlier the A30s were with the A4s, A5s and A12s off Robson Bight before scattering in different directions east and west.
Helena
31 Aug 2007 01:08:14 PDT


Distant calls audible.

Just after starting a recording because the A30s were reported off of Bold Head in Blackfish Sound, we began hearing A5 calls in Johnstone Strait. We suspect this might be the start of the A12, A4, A5 parade from the east.
Helena
31 Aug 2007 10:42:43 PDT

Thursday, August 30, 2007

30 August 2007, Orcalab reports

No orcas present.

Good morning. We've heard no calls since just after midnight, when we think the A30s were passing the rubbing beaches, heading east. This means that all the A, G, & R clan groups here yesterday are probably still somewhere to the east of us.
Helena
30 Aug 2007 05:50:41 PDT


Orcas near mics.

The A30s are certainly holding down the middle. The A36s, I15s and I31s did go out Weynton and the A30s moved toward the CP area just ahead of the Rs coming up from the east along the Vancouver Island shore. Nick Templeman reports that at 11am the A12s, A4s and A5s were also westbound (isn't everyone?) off Kelsey Bay.
Helena
30 Aug 2007 11:42:59 PDT


Multiple pod calls audible.

The A30s have begun heading back to the east from CP, possibly to meet up with several groups of orcas coming west. They include at least some of the A4s, A5s, & A12s, who were reported to be heading west from Kelsey Bay around 11am today.
Helena
30 Aug 2007 16:08:51 PDT

Boat noise

Boy this was quick, The A12s,A5s and almost all of the A4s (only the small A11 group has not been accounted for so far) moved quickly to the west. The A30s doubled backed while the groups came "in" but now may also be westbound.
Helena
30 Aug 2007 17:50:56 PDT


Multiple pod calls audible.

Bight Party: A30s, A4s,A5s,?A12s
Helena
30 Aug 2007 20:43:32 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The Bight party continues!
Helena
30 Aug 2007 21:26:57 PDT

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

28 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Add I15, A1 and A4 calls to the list of whales up to Robson Bight.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 12:08:02 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It is really sounding like the whole gang is back, A30s, A36s, A12s, A4s,A5s,I15s, and I33s. Still moving west.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 12:54:46 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Actually these groups are spread from Telegraph Cove back to west of the Reserve.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 12:59:58 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

As the A36s rushed through Blackney Pass from Blackfish Sound, the groups to the west of Blackney Pass turned back to the east, a few had ventured well into Weynton Pass before the turn.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 14:35:25 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The whales are not far off the entrance to Blackney Pass and CP area. Recently, A4s were the loudest. It is only 1/2 hour to the slack tide and then the tide will ebb. Will this be enough to encourage them all out via Blackney? Or will the stay Strait sid?
Helena
28 Aug 2007 17:04:14 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Definitely stayed Strait side.The calls were distant for so long we began to wonder if they were headed back to the west. Fortunately, calls got louder and we now believe the whales (the A12s,A30s,A4s.A5s,I15s,A36s have been heard) are headed to the Robson Bight area.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 18:43:10 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Getting even closer to Critical Point. The I31s need to be added to the list. No one left, the A36s came in. The wind has dropped (quite windy today),however, the rain continues.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 19:04:54 PDT

No orcas present.

And east they all went! - some 12 hours after arriving back from the east this morning.
Helena
28 Aug 2007 21:48:05 PDT

Monday, August 27, 2007

27 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

We heard no calls overnight & think the various groups of orcas in the Strait yesterday are probably somewhere to the east of us (though we're not sure).
Helena
27 Aug 2007 07:17:01 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

A radio report of a small group of orcas heading west off Naka Creek about 40' ago suggests that at least one of the groups that has been in the east is returning to our area. We are listening.
Helena
27 Aug 2007 10:39:35 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We're listening to close calls from the I31s, I15s & A12s as they arrive in Robson Bight on their way to the west. A short while ago some of them went into the Main rubbing beach briefly.
Helena
27 Aug 2007 12:38:59 PDT

Orcas near mics.

An A5 group is passing CP, following after the I31s, A12s. The I15s and A36s are further away but also moving westward.
Helena
27 Aug 2007 14:19:29 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Since the last post: We think now that the I15s left via Weynton Pass at the time all the groups were opposite Telegraph Cove around 5pm. The I33s, A36s, A12s and A5s all then went back to the east. The A36s stalled off of the entrance of Blackney and eventually came north through the Pass. They were moving very quickly. The rest continued eastward and are now off Robson Bight.
Helena
27 Aug 2007 21:10:08 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Hmm... Just when we thought the whales were staging, getting ready to go past Critical Point, they stayed put. AND then the I15s turned up again so perhaps it was all about waiting for the I15s to catch up. Probably they didn't go out afterall. Will they go east now?
Helena
27 Aug 2007 21:55:10 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Sounds like they may be going to the east afterall.
Helena
27 Aug 2007 22:27:55 PDT

Friday, August 24, 2007

24 August, Orcalab reports:


No calls but orcas nearby

The day just gets busier. A group of transient (T46s +) who were first seen about an hour ago in Weynton Pass have turned up off cracroft Point heading east. Meanwhile, it appears that the A30s have picked up the rest of the I31s and are headed back east in Queen Charlotte Strait. The A36s never went as far as the A30s in Queen Charlotte Strait have been in range from time to time. And finally (?) the A12s who must have gone east and not followed the big group out to the west two nights ago, are on their way west in Johnstone Strait and have past the Eve River.
Helena
24 Aug 2007 13:39:19 PDT

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

22 August 2007, Orcalab reports:


Orcas near mics.

We are once again hearing A1 calls approaching Robson Bight.
Helena
22 Aug 2007 07:19:59 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

In addition to the A1 calls (?A12s) we are hearing A4s as well. The whales are westbound once again, not quite up to the area opposite Blackney Pass.
Helena
22 Aug 2007 09:17:45 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It is starting to sound like everyone is beginning to file back from the east.
Helena
22 Aug 2007 09:33:09 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The various groups have all turned (I15s off CP, others off Big Bay) and are headed back to the east again.
Helena
22 Aug 2007 10:58:10 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

As the "groups" (the A30s, A4s, A5s, I15s, I33s, A12s) continued eastward in Johnstone Strait we began to hear not only the A36s in Blackfish Sound BUT also R clan calls! Never rains but pours.
Helena
22 Aug 2007 19:28:39 PDT

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

21 August 2007, Orcalab reports:


Orcas near mics.

The I33s and most likely soon the I15s have arrived back in the area adjacent to the Ecological Reserve. The A30s turned when between Little Kaikash and Blinkhorn and are headed to the entrance of Blackney Pass where they have stopped to forage. A bit of a surprise, the A12s are reported to be east bound at Camp Point (as of 12pm) travelling with the A35s and the A24s. Other groups were also headed east headed toward Camp Point. This means that the A12s got back to the Strait sometime last night, possibly when the other groups were so excited when off the entrance of Blackney Pass. We never heard A12 calls so their entrance was a quiet one.
Helena
21 Aug 2007 12:50:12 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The I15s and the I33s crossed the entrance to Blackney Pass and are continuing west along the Hanson Island shore. Part of the slick has touched shore along the Johnstone Strait side of Hanson Island and these two groups just swam through a lot of it. Further east, headed for Chatham Point, are the surprising A12s, A4s (all) & A5s (all). The sun is out now and although the last of the afternoon burst, the temperature on the water will apparently help evaporate some of the spilled fuel. Fingers still crossed.
Helena
21 Aug 2007 14:41:11 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The I15s are at the rubbing beaches and the I33s are probably not far behind. We are also, and have been hearing A1 calls in Johnstone Strait. This was occuring while the A30s were in Blackfish Sound. With the A12s reported to the far east we are left wondering what is happening. Stay tuned, hopefully it will become clearer.
Helena
21 Aug 2007 18:42:45 PDT

Monday, August 20, 2007

20 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The I15s (and maybe I33s) went north through Blackney Pass. When they got into Blackfish sound, we heard A1 calls with them. Did the A12s come down to pick them up? The A30s are still somewhere near the bight.
Tomoko
20 Aug 2007 02:46:57 PDT

No orcas present.

It was a busy night! After the I15s,A30s, and I33s arrived in Robson Bight and did all that beautiful calling, they stalled off the Ecological Reserve for a while. In the end, the I15s and the I33s peeled away from the A30s and headed to the entrance of Blackney Pass around 12:30am. The I15s and the I33s travelled through Blackney Pass to the north, (they cleared Blackney Pass by 1:30am) leaving the A30s heading further east in the Strait. The last I15/I33 in Blackfish Sound calls were at 2:07am. We also heard a few distant surprise A1 calls in Blackfish Sound. There had beena few A12 like calls in the Strait earlier and we will review these and the A1 calls in Blackfish Sound to see if any of the A12s came back "up" the Strait and out with the I15s/I33s. If so, perhaps that was what all the waiitng off the Reserve was about between 12 and 1 am. The last A30 calls were at 3:13am.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 07:32:58 PDT

Distant calls audible.

After a radio report of a group of 15 plus just entering Johnstone Strait via Weynton Pass we began to hear, through the horrific boat noise, a few distant I15 calls. They may still have the I33s with them. We may also be hearing As.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 09:00:46 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Busy, reports are coming in that there are westbound whales as well as the groups returning and heading east. Possibly, the various A groups (some or even all?) have come up from the east. The scene will get a bit clearer in a while when there is visual information. We are hampered by the constant boat noise. We are hearing As as well as the G clan calls. Exciting!
Helena
20 Aug 2007 09:10:55 PDT

Orcas near mics.

A lot has been happening. The A12s came up from the east, met up with the I15s off of CP, turned and went back toward Vancouver Island BUT then the A12s pulled away and headed off to the west along Hanson Island. The I15s and the I33s continued toward Robson Bight.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 11:45:17 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

At 11:50am a barge loaded with equipment tipped over in Robson Bight spilling its load of equipment into the water near Critical Point. The authorities are on scene assessing the damage. The I15s and the I33s were close when this happened. They grouped up and headed off to the east. We have heard some of their calls (and recently rubs) on the rubbing beach system since. The A12s, at about 12:20pm, turned around off Turn Point and are now eastbound off Hanson Island.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 12:51:40 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s just travelled north through Blackney Pass into Blackfish Sound. They have just become vocal. The I15s and the I33s continued east.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 14:48:21 PDT

No orcas present.

This is one time I am happy to report that there are no whales calling. The A12s,as far as we know continued west and the I15s and the I33s continued east. There are a lot of whales in the general area and this has to be a concern. The oil slick is growing and the news so far is very troublesome. We will try to keep you updated as information comes in.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 17:11:55 PDT

Sunday, August 19, 2007

18 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Nap time might be over. The I15s are vocal on CP so they must be moving back to the west. The A12s are coming in from the west but it is still a bit early to tell which route they will choose. Earlier, the nap seemed to end with a few A4 calls.
Helena
18 Aug 2007 15:03:37 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

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

Multiple pod calls audible.

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

Thursday, August 16, 2007

16 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

We have orcas all around us this morning! The I15s, I31s, A36s & A24s are in Blackfish Sound, and at least some of the A4s & A12s are in Johnstone Strait. We've been hearing their calls all night & the sun has just risen on another lovely day.
Helena
16 Aug 2007 06:40:14 PDT

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

15 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

We heard a close and intense bout of A12 calls off Cracroft Point at 4:10am. These calls became distant and ended at 5:30am. It's likely that the calls were from the A34s going back into Johnstone Strait and then heading east, though we're not sure, as A12 & A33 were in the Strait yesterday, independently of the A34s.
Helena
15 Aug 2007 07:03:03 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


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

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

14 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

We last heard the I15s (briefly) at the rubbing beaches around 2:30am. They were heading east, along with the I31s & A12s. It's a lovely & calm sunny morning here. We are waiting.
Helena
14 Aug 2007 07:53:09 PDT

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

No calls but orcas nearby

The I15s and the I33s (not all of the I31s were seen today) are in the midst of an afternoon nap, drifting eastward past the Ecological Reserve. The A36s and the A34s stalled off of Lizard Point and spent most of the day foraging.
Helena
14 Aug 2007 18:38:38 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A34s and the A36s are now moving. They are at Donegal Head and have yet to decide on Weynton Pass or Blackfish Sound. Just a few calls.
Helena
14 Aug 2007 18:53:29 PDT

No orcas present.

The A36s and the A34s faded away perhaps back into Queen Charlotte Strait. They had been quite vocal at the "top" end of Blackfish Sound and for a while it sounded like they might venture in. BUT....???
Helena
14 Aug 2007 22:38:07 PDT

Monday, August 13, 2007

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

I had forgotten that we also had lost track of A12 and A33 and here they are, travelling north through Blackney Pass quickly!
Helena
13 Aug 2007 08:15:02 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

Distant calls audible.

A12 and A33 apparently stalled off of Cracroft Point after getting into Johnstone Strait.
Helena
13 Aug 2007 14:48:57 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

Sunday, August 12, 2007

12 August 2007, Orcalab reports:


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

Friday, August 10, 2007

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

Thursday, August 09, 2007

09 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

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

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

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

Monday, August 06, 2007

06 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

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

Sunday, August 05, 2007

05 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Early this morning there were A4 calls (?A24s) in Johnstone Strait. Tracking was difficult thanks to the boat noise and the distant nature of the calls. We did not hear the A12s or A36s once they disappeared to the west yesterday evening. No word about the A30s who most likely are still to the east.
Helena
05 Aug 2007 07:52:50 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

As the A12s and the A36s make their way east out of Queen Charlotte Strait we began to hear a few rubs at the main beach in the Ecological Reserve. No calls yet so we are not sure if it is the A30s or the A24s or both coming from the east.
Helena
05 Aug 2007 15:21:34 PDT

Distant calls audible.

It turned out to be the A24s who was rubbing just after 3pm. Now they are heading west, we just started picking up their calls on CP hydrophone. The A12s came into the Strait through Weynton Pass, going east.
Tomoko
05 Aug 2007 18:11:52 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Here is what has been happening today. The A24s came up from the east and headed west. The a12s travelled eastward through Queen Charlotte Strait with the A36s, however, only the A12s went through Weynton Pass and into Johnstone Strait. They then travelled east. After going west the A24s turned in time to join the A34s and head east together. As they were so engaged, the A36s, decided to finally come all the way through Blackney Pass and enter Johnstone Strait. This was about 6:30 pm. Some of the whales are now going through the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
05 Aug 2007 20:37:06 PDT

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

Saturday, August 04, 2007

04 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The A12s and the A36s headed north through Blackney Pass. We are not sure if the A24s were with them.
Tomoko
04 Aug 2007 03:00:59 PDT

No orcas present.

Last night the A36s were heard accompanying the A12s to the entrance of Blackney Pass. The A12s definitely went through Blackney Pass to Blackfish Sound and it is possible the A36s were still with them. The story is less clear for the A24s as their calls ended for us much earlier while they were still in Johnstone Strait so they too may or may not have continued with the A12s to the west. For us, the A1 calls faded just before 3am when they became distant in Blackfish Sound. We will see what develops this morning.
Helena
04 Aug 2007 07:39:22 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The a12s are on their way back to Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass while the A36s (yes, they must have gone west with the A12s earlier) are foraging at the western end of Blackfish Sound.
Helena
04 Aug 2007 10:12:34 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s are now eastbound in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
04 Aug 2007 11:20:32 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s did the unusual move of not heading east once in the Strait. Instead they went west and are near Beaver Cove (west of Telegraph Cove). The A36s are still off the western end of Blackfish Sound.
Helena
04 Aug 2007 13:11:55 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s moved toward Robson Bight and the beaches beyond. All of the group did not have a rub as they most likely were spread out across the Strait as they went east. We have not heard the A36s in Blackfish Sound for quite a while.
Helena
04 Aug 2007 17:59:58 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A12s have returned west to the Robson Bight area. The A36s are apparently still in Blackfish Sound, still foraging off the very western end.
Helena
04 Aug 2007 19:06:44 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A12s are travelling (but also foraging) north through Blackney Pass. Just before they entered, the A36s dropped down closer to Blackney Pass from Blackfish Sound BUT did not come into view.
Helena
04 Aug 2007 21:28:37 PDT

Friday, August 03, 2007

03 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

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

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A24s have arrived back from the east and have rejoined the A12s and the A36s off of the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
03 Aug 2007 22:50:43 PDT

Thursday, August 02, 2007

02 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

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

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

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

01 August 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


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