Oralab reports: With the A8s and A23s in JS, A5 calls heard in Blackfish. The A51s?

Multiple pod calls audible.

Nice surprise! We just heard A51s group in Blackfish Sound! We had been listening to the A24s, A8s and A23s in Johnstone Strait but after a brief gap in their calls we heard A5 calls in Blackfish. Soon after we heard blows and saw fins in the moonlight pass north through Blackney Pass. We assume the A8s, A23s and A24s were on their way to meet up with the newcomers. It will be interesting to "see" what happens next for the tide is ebbing for quite a while longer.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 01:14:43 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We just learned that the A34s are back in these parts and are currently "hanging" out just east of the Sophia islands (east of CP). No reports yet of last night's Queen Charlotte Strait bound, A24s and A5s.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 09:14:18 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

A further quick update as it happens: The A8s and the a23s have turned up back in Johnstone Strait eastbound off Kaikash Creek. They most likely used Weynton Pass.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 09:24:07 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Some of the orcas have reached the Main rubbing beach!
Helena
25 Jul 2008 10:44:14 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A34s crossed the entrance to Blackney Pass and continued west along the Hanson Island shore. Meanwhile, the A8s, A23s and the A51s got to Naka Creek and then turned west.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 13:33:37 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A24s and the A5s (all) came back west from Naka Creek while the A34s sauntered up to Beaver Cove, west of Telegraph Cove. They eventually turned around and began a slow movement back to the east as the A24s and the A5s turned ahead of them and moved into the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 16:31:04 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Some of the A5s touched in at the Rubbing Beaches.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 16:59:44 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The rub is finished and the A24s and the A5s are westbound. The A8s are midstrait opposite Critical Point while others are deep into the estuary. We can also hear the A24s and the A34s.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 18:26:56 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A4s, A5s and the A34s came up even with the entrance of Blackney Pass and now seem to be turning back to the east once again.
Helena
25 Jul 2008 20:42:44 PDT