The Northern Resident Killer Whales of the family pod known as the A42's have been spending a lot of time on the move between the Gibsons area along the Sunshine Coast of BC to Powell River, then back again. That's over 100 km in a day! They even spent some time rubbing on one of the local beaches - see the great video clip.
With some Transient Bigg's Orca close by in the Powell River area at the same time, we wonder if there was some confrontation between the two species. Many questions were raised due to whale behaviour and with the number of Orca seen at one time. The A42 family pod now consists of 6 animals with the newest calf, but there were another couple of Orca in the area at the same time. Confusing the issue was seeing seagulls picking up what looked like bits of blubber floating on the surface, which would only happen from hunting the many seals and sealions in the area since salmon bits sink quickly. Are the fish eating Resident Orca starting the change their diet or did the A42s disturb the other two Orca on the hunt and a kill? I could only hear echoloation clicks on the hydrophone, so no way to tell who those other two whales were behind the A42s. They seemed to vanish as the A42s continued towards Vivian Island.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins were also on the move. They appeared, at times to be getting out of the area, or away from the Transient Bigg's Orca who would appear soon after.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
With some Transient Bigg's Orca close by in the Powell River area at the same time, we wonder if there was some confrontation between the two species. Many questions were raised due to whale behaviour and with the number of Orca seen at one time. The A42 family pod now consists of 6 animals with the newest calf, but there were another couple of Orca in the area at the same time. Confusing the issue was seeing seagulls picking up what looked like bits of blubber floating on the surface, which would only happen from hunting the many seals and sealions in the area since salmon bits sink quickly. Are the fish eating Resident Orca starting the change their diet or did the A42s disturb the other two Orca on the hunt and a kill? I could only hear echoloation clicks on the hydrophone, so no way to tell who those other two whales were behind the A42s. They seemed to vanish as the A42s continued towards Vivian Island.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins were also on the move. They appeared, at times to be getting out of the area, or away from the Transient Bigg's Orca who would appear soon after.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Northern Resident Killer Whale surfacing for a breath near Harwood Island
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
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Sightings Update
ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2018-003
Jump to: Biggs Orca | NRKW Orca | Orca | PWS Dolphins
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Feb 05 2018
15:18 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T046s◦ off Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Pam Futer, Powell River, BC
14:48 • est. 5 Biggs Orca ◦T046s◦ foraging, between the Powell River Viewpoint and Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. Observed on the webcam.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
13:36 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T046s◦ just south of the sandbanks on Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales, T046s, just south of Harwood Island
Mon, 5 Feb 2018 - 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales, T046s, just south of Harwood Island
Mon, 5 Feb 2018 - 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Feb 04 2018
15:53 • 4-5 Biggs Orca ◦A42s◦ heading south on the north side of Harwood Island going towards Vivian Island, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Jump to: Biggs Orca | NRKW Orca | Orca | PWS Dolphins
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sun Feb 04 2018
16:52 • est. 8 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ feeding, between the south tip of Harwood Island and Vivian Island, Malaspina Strait. Not sure who other two elusive Orca were, but appears that a couple of other whales are foraging with the A42s. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
12:06 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ feeding, at the south end of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. I had lost the Orca for a while .
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales at the south end of Harwood Island
Sun, 4 Feb 2018 - 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales at the south end of Harwood Island
Sun, 4 Feb 2018 - 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:42 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ circling, between Vivian Island and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
10:17 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading north-west from Blubber Bay to Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Feb 03 2018
12:45 • est. 6 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ moving slowly, off the pier at Roberts Creek, Georgia Strait. They were in view for a long time from RC pier but moved slowly so took quite a while to go by. ▫ Observed from Shore
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales off of Chaster Park near Gibsons
Sat, 3 Feb 2018 - 2 items
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales off of Chaster Park near Gibsons
Sat, 3 Feb 2018 - 2 items
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
09:40 • est. 6 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ moving slowly, heading west off Chaster Park west of Gibsons, Georgia Strait. Moving slowly, maybe feeding as they appeared to stay in one spot for a while before moving on. ▫ Observed from Shore
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
Mon Jan 29 2018
13:20 • 4-6 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading east off Gospel Rock near Gower Point, Gibsons, Collingwood Channel. Second of two sightings. ▫ Observed from Shore
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales heading east off of Gospel Rock
Mon, 29 Jan 2018 - 4 items
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales heading east off of Gospel Rock
Mon, 29 Jan 2018 - 4 items
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
12:11 • est. 4-6 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ moving quickly, heading east fairly close to shore off Chaster Park near Chaster Creek, Gibsons, Georgia Strait. Traveling fast, breaching by some including the youngest one. ▫ Observed from Shore
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
Sun Jan 28 2018
14:35 • est. 5 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading south close to shore between Powell River Viewpoint and Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales close to the shore between the Powell River Viewpoint and Grief Point
Sun, 28 Jan 2018 - 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales close to the shore between the Powell River Viewpoint and Grief Point
Sun, 28 Jan 2018 - 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Jan 27 2018
08:00 • 6 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ rubbing, near Trail Islands west of Sechelt, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Martin Michael, Sechelt, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales rubbing on a beach near the Trail Islands by Sechelt
Sat, 27 Jan 2018 - 1 items
Martin Michael, Sechelt, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales rubbing on a beach near the Trail Islands by Sechelt
Sat, 27 Jan 2018 - 1 items
Martin Michael, Sechelt, BC
Jump to: Biggs Orca | NRKW Orca | Orca | PWS Dolphins
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Fri Feb 02 2018
13:19 • Orca taking long dives, heading north by the Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Unidentified Killer Whales
Killer Whales heading north by the Harwood Island Spit
Fri, 2 Feb 2018 - 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Unidentified Killer Whales
Killer Whales heading north by the Harwood Island Spit
Fri, 2 Feb 2018 - 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:45 • Orca heading north off the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
10:13 • 8 Orca heading north off Brew Bay south of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Denis Taylor, CCG, Powell River, BC
08:00 • 2 Orca heading north passing the south tip of Bowyer Island, Queen Charlotte Channel. Heading towards Squamish. ▫ Observed from Shore
Davida LeCompte, Lions Bay, BC
Tue Jan 30 2018
12:59 • Orca to the right of Coho / Kiddie Point, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Observed from Powell River. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Mon Jan 29 2018
12:30 • Orca half way between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Jan 27 2018
11:39 • 2 Orca heading north past the WOWs web cam at Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Joe VanEs, Powell River, BC
Fri Jan 26 2018
16:15 • 1 Orca heading west near Greene Point Rapids, Chancellor Channel. Big Fin.
Robin Peers, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
Jump to: Biggs Orca | NRKW Orca | Orca | PWS Dolphins
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Tue Jan 30 2018
12:08 • 15-20 PWS Dolphins heading south now close to shore heading toward Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
12:01 • PWS Dolphins to the right of the ferry leaving the Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait. Small group. Splashes.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins to the right of the Powell River Ferry terminal
Tue, 30 Jan 2018 - 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins to the right of the Powell River Ferry terminal
Tue, 30 Jan 2018 - 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Jan 27 2018
15:00 • est. 20-30 PWS Dolphins heading east just passed through Lang Bay south of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. They then circled several times and headed towards Palm Beach.
Michael Stewart, Powell River, BC
12:12 • est. 60-80 PWS Dolphins moving quickly, heading north past Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Farther out from shore now.
12:04 • est. 12 PWS Dolphins heading north between Grief Point and Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. A good dozen or so.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
11:43 • est. 15 PWS Dolphins heading north past Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
11:11 • 10 PWS Dolphins heading south past Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading south past the Powell River Viewpoint
Sat, 27 Jan 2018 - 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading south past the Powell River Viewpoint
Sat, 27 Jan 2018 - 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Fri Jan 26 2018
11:13 • PWS Dolphins on the north side of the Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait. No numbers or directions yet.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
NEW! WOWs Sightings Archive Explorer
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Dive into over 5,000 Cetacean Sightings, images, videos and audio recordings reported in our Sightings Updates with the WOWS Sightings Archive Explorer
Archive Explorer takes readers into the Cetacean world of the BC Coast. Easily view all Cetacean sighting reports together with all sighting photos and videos:
• View species such as Humpback, Grey Whale or Dalls Porpoise
• Follow the endangered Southern Residents Orca in the Salish Sea
• Search for encounters with T002C2 Tumbo
• Goto Port Alberni to watch a close-up video of Orca in the harbour
• Track the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
• Check-Out "KC", the ever popular Humphack and track his whereabouts this past August
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Explore this powerfull new research tool with the Archive Explorer Help page
Note: The Cetacean Sightings Archive is also available in database format together with sighting photo and video links for viewing, query and download here
Send your Comments and Questions to: Archive Explorer Feedback
Dive into over 5,000 Cetacean Sightings, images, videos and audio recordings reported in our Sightings Updates with the WOWS Sightings Archive Explorer
Archive Explorer takes readers into the Cetacean world of the BC Coast. Easily view all Cetacean sighting reports together with all sighting photos and videos:
• View species such as Humpback, Grey Whale or Dalls Porpoise
• Follow the endangered Southern Residents Orca in the Salish Sea
• Search for encounters with T002C2 Tumbo
• Goto Port Alberni to watch a close-up video of Orca in the harbour
• Track the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
• Check-Out "KC", the ever popular Humphack and track his whereabouts this past August
• Goto one of 12,000 named locations on the BC and WA State coast
• Print custom sighting reports and maps (Coming Soon)
Explore this powerfull new research tool with the Archive Explorer Help page
Note: The Cetacean Sightings Archive is also available in database format together with sighting photo and video links for viewing, query and download here
Send your Comments and Questions to: Archive Explorer Feedback
DONATE
to the non profit wild ocean whale society