24 August, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Crazy busy. After the meeting off the entrance to Blackney Pass the A36s came into Blackney Pass and headed north. A52 and her calf followed part way through the Pass but turned south again after getting half way. As the a36s disappeared into Blackfish a mixed group with A73, R13 and her calf, the rest of the A35s and A56 travelled south through Blackney. Eventually, A13 and A11 followed. We can still hear the A30s and the A36s on Flower Island occassionally. The I15s,A5s, I33s, A24s and the R2s and R7 all went back to the east afte their meeting off of the Blackney entrance.
Helena
24 Aug 2007 10:12:30 PDT

23 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

There are three threads we are following this morning. First, a group of transients showed up this morning in Blackfish Sound and continued west into Queen Charlotte Strait. Second, we heard A5 calls back in Johnstone Strait fairly close to Critical Point. This group went off to the beaches. There may be another group on the Cracroft side. Third, the majority of the group that went out this morning at 5am is off Malcolm Point in Queen Charlotte Strait. They were still going west when fisrt seen this morning but have since turned around and are moving back to the east.
Helena
23 Aug 2007 11:35:01 PDT

No orcas present.

Nice to be in the middle again. The A5s continued east this afternoon and no word, as of now, that they have turned. The BIG group in Queen Charlotte Strait is still eastbound but very slowly and are currently in the area east of Black Bluff
Helena
23 Aug 2007 15:46:52 PDT

Boat noise

The A5s are back and heading west along Cracroft Island opposite Robson Bight. The I15s, I33s, A30s and possibly the A24s are off Lizard Point slowly eastbound and closer to Port Hardy, the R2s & R7s have been picked up by the A11s. They have stalled there for the moment.
Helena
23 Aug 2007 17:10:38 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Nice set of calls from the A5s who are headed back east after cutting in close to CP, crossing the entrance to Blackney Pass & reaching the eastern end of Hanson Island. Were they trying to anticipate the groups from Queen Charlotte Strait?
Helena
23 Aug 2007 19:18:19 PDT

Superb sounds!!

We've been listening to the I15s & I33s, along with the A36s, as they make their way towards Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass. Meanwhile, the A5s are in Robson Bight, near Critical Point, grabbing a bite (we're hearing constant echolocation from them on the CrPt hydrophone).
Helena
23 Aug 2007 20:38:21 PDT

Boat noise

Once they got into the Strait, the arriving orcas were immersed in persistent boat noise. The I15s, I33s & A36s are headed east towards Robson Bight & the A5s have passed beyond Critical Point, also eastbound.
Helena
23 Aug 2007 22:30:52 PDT

No orcas present.

For the moment at least, it looks like the A5s, I15s, I33s & A36s are all headed east. The last calls we heard were from the I15s about half an hour ago, when they touched into the rubbing beaches briefly.
Helena
23 Aug 2007 23:38:19 PDT

22 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

It sounds like the A5s & A4s are in Robson Bight as well as the A30s, I15s & I33s. Quite a party, just wish it was happening elsewhere.
Helena
22 Aug 2007 02:39:24 PDT

Boat noise

Sigh. A very beautiful morning with low fog and calm seas. Earlier this morning, the A4s and A5s joined the I15s, I33s and the A30s, before 1am, in the area off Robson Bight. The whales stalled until about 3:15am when their calls grew quickly fainter. They may have shifted toward the Cracroft Island shore before moving back eastward in the short term. Calls ended by 4:30am.
Helena
22 Aug 2007 06:34:54 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

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Whales are back at the beaches. However, others (A11s,A5s,A30s) are very vocal on Critical Point.
Helena
22 Aug 2007 20:19:33 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Recently, the A4s then the A5s have taken a turn at the beaches. The A36s are still vocal in Blackfish Sound. No further R calls - a mystery!
Helena
22 Aug 2007 21:08:33 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

A lot of back and forth.! The calls had faded off after the last rub, and for a while, it seemed the whales may have gone east. But they ( A30s, A4s and A5s so far) have returned west and at the moment not far from Critical Point. Today, the whales were in mixed groups for a good portion of the day. It was a very hot day which probably furthered evaporation of the spill. There was still some slick around the eastern end of Hanson Island. But it was a very thin, although greasy layer, by the afternoon. Apparently, no damaged birds have been found and there does not appear to be any more fuel coming from the scene of the accident. Clean-up crews are still at work and DFO scientists are monitoring the whales.
Helena
22 Aug 2007 23:28:36 PDT

21 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

The I15s are opposite CP and moving on toward the entrance to Blackney Pass. The I33s are nearby. The other groups, the A4s and A5s seem like they are further offshore of Cracroft, passing the entrance to Blackney Pass. The A30s are not far ahead.
Helena
21 Aug 2007 00:18:49 PDT


Distant calls audible.

The A4s, A5s, I33s, I15s and the A30s seem to have moved eastward from Robson Bight since 3am. We are hearing a few distant calls on the rubbing beach system.
Helena
21 Aug 2007 03:32:58 PDT

No orcas present.

We've heard no calls since around 3:30am & think the various groups continued to the east. We won't mind at all if they stay there for a while!
Helena
21 Aug 2007 07:57:21 PDT


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

20 August 2007, Orcalab reports:


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


Distant calls audible.

We are now hearing A4 calls off the main rubbing beach. They must be following the A30s west.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 22:06:43 PDT

Distant calls audible.

And now the A5s!
Helena
20 Aug 2007 22:16:53 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A30s continue to lead the other groups to the west. We have been able to hear them approach the area in range of CP and the entrance to Blackney Pass for the last while. The others are spread "back" to the Reserve.
Helena
20 Aug 2007 23:29:16 PDT

18 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

After the a5s arrived in robson Bight, the other groups, who had travelled west, turned off Bauza Cove, before 9am and then proceded east. At least the I15s and I33s returned. At the moment we are not sure where the A4s got to. The I15s and the I33s are just entering the Reserve while the A5s have become somewhat distant on the Critical Point station.
Helena
18 Aug 2007 11:19:49 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

As the sleepy whales (the A5s,I15s and I33s) in Jonhstone Strait continue their rest, the A30s and the A11s have been reported heading west toward Kelesey Bay. There is also a group heading east toward Donegal Head, out of Queen Charlotte Strait. No ids as of yet. The tide will flood in about 1/2 hour. The A36s, by the way, are over by Blunden Harbour.
Helena
18 Aug 2007 13:56:17 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

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

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s and the I33s just travelled south through Blackney Pass and are about to enter Johnstone Strait. Their travels were preceded just a few calls in Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile. the A11s and the A5s are still resting in Johnstone Strait and the I15s,A36s and the A24s are to the west.
Helena
16 Aug 2007 12:57:08 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A24s and the I15sfollowed the A30s and the I33s to Johnstone Strait. They elected to follow the Hanson Island shore with I43 and I16 in the lead.
Helena
16 Aug 2007 13:37:54 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Both the A30s and the A5s have gone in for a rub as well as the A4s.
Helena
16 Aug 2007 15:46:01 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The whales have headed off to the east from the rubbing beaches after an incredibly long (4 hours) rubbing session during which all of the groups (A4s, A5s, A30s, I15s, I33s) visited and revisited the Main rubbing beach. What a rub!
Helena
16 Aug 2007 18:40:02 PDT

No orcas present.

It seems that all the groups headed off to the east together after their marathon rub. We last heard a report, around 8pm, that they were at the Adams River, still in a relaxed clump, heading east. We are waiting.
Helena
16 Aug 2007 22:52:33 PDT

15 August 2007, Orcalab reports:



Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

While the A30s linger in Blackfish Sound and the A36s remain in Queen Charlotte Strait, on the Johnstone Strait side, the whales (the A4s, A12s and I31s (maybe just the I33s)have headed east to the rubbing beaches. The I15s are still a bit further west and we have not heard A5 calls clearly today, leaving us, wondering if they are still very far east.
Helena
15 Aug 2007 15:54:31 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

I should have added that we heard from Nick Templeman that all the A5s were in eastern Johnstone Strait but that they were on their way west this evening.
Helena
15 Aug 2007 22:50:03 PDT

14 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

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

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

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


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

11 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Another busy night with the A4s, A5s and A30s continuing to move back and forth in Johnstone Strait. In the end, the A30s and an A4 (?A11) group followed the rest of the A4s and A5s (who had disappeared east of the Reserve before midnight) back to Critical Point and beyond. This morning there have been reports of whales, east of the Reserve, asof a couple of hours ago.
Helena
11 Aug 2007 09:03:51 PDT

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

No calls but orcas nearby

The A11s led the A30s, the A5s and possibly the A24s through Blackney Pass and into Blackfish Sound just a short while ago. There looked like there was a least one other group in the crowd. Very few calls and prior to coming in only the A30s were vocal. Earlier we heard A4s,A30s and A5s, starting after 2am (see previous notes).
Helena
10 Aug 2007 11:11:39 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

This morning's groups have, after spending time off the top end of Blackfish Sound, gone through Weynton Passage and east in Johnstone Strait. The A35s were added to the list of A11s, A30s, all the A5s and A24s.
Helena
10 Aug 2007 16:08:17 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Awhile ago the A30s headed off to the west. The A11s were following but turned around again. Soon after all the rest of the groups began a trek up Johnstone Strait. As they did so, the A30s "appeared" acoustically once again. All the groups are not far from the CP and entrance to Blackney Pass. The calls have been quite continuous and are only now slowing down.
Helena
10 Aug 2007 22:18:16 PDT

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

08 August 2007, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Good Morning! Early this morning, just after 4am, we began to hear calls in Blackfish Sound. These turned out to be A1 (?A30) and A4 (?A11). Calls ended one hour later. Then at 6am calls started once again. This time it was A5 and A4. The whales are just now in sight, making their way south through Blackney, just ahead of the ebb (to flood) tide.
Helena
08 Aug 2007 06:48:39 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

A11 and A13 were the last two through from Blackfish Sound. Everyone is now in Johnstone Strait heading east toward or in the Ecological Reserve. The groupings were very mixed and spread out as they went through but we believe all the A5s were there and the two A11 matriines (including Springer).
Helena
08 Aug 2007 08:43:12 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

As the A11s and the A5s enjoy themselves at the rubbing beaches the A30s and the I11s (following) passed slowly and silently through Blackney Pass. These two groups are in Johnstone Strait now. The rub continues.
Helena
08 Aug 2007 09:58:34 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A30s went for a rub and then travelled off to the eastern boundary of the Reserve. The I11s followed and currently we can hear them off the main beach. The A5s and the A4s disappeared out of range to the east a while ago.
Helena
08 Aug 2007 13:58:25 PDT

29 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Hmmm.... we just had the A5s and the A12s go through Blackney pass in very mixed fashion. They have headed east and may have been joined by the A36s.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 12:12:36 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

There are A4 call in the mix as well. There is a small group reported at Blinkhorn and we wonder if the A35s are there. The others got as far as the Bight and turned back to the west. A30s were seen earlier this morning off Port Neville (east of here) with possibly the A24s.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 13:39:12 PDT

Superb sounds!!

After the A36s merged with the A35s (who had been sitting off Blinkhorn before moving east to Kaikash Creek) the whales crossed over to the entrance oF Blackney Pass and for a while everyone went west. Behind them the A12s and the A5s were moving west as well. After reaching the entrance to Blackney Pass they all looked like they were going to head back east but they then stalled. Although drifting and changing direction they have been very vocal. Word has reached us that there are other groups in Queen Charlotte Strait heading this direction. Despite the constant boat noise the calls have been constant and clear, everyone chatting at once.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 15:50:25 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

After shuffling back and forth in Johnstone Strait all the groups (the A5s, A35s and the A12s) finally left via Blackney Pass on the ebb. Prior to this,the A36s left the strait via Weynton Pass and headed to Blackfish Sound where they acoustically interacted with the small A11 group (including Springer) as they made their way through Blackfish Sound toward Blackney Pass. The a36s continued west by themselves. Just after the A11s came into our view we became aware of the whales exiting Johnstone Strait. The A11s turned and led everyone away into Blackfish Sound. There were not many calls during all of this. way. The A30s apparently continued eastward to Nodales Channel. We do not know where the A24s are at the moment.
Helena
29 Jul 2007 20:22:42 PDT

25 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

We have fixed our internet problem and so can once again post comments. The morning before last the A36s came back to the area. They travelled through Blackney Pass and on to eastern Johnstone Strait. Following several hours behind were the A24s. Prior to these visits, we had the C10s, C6s and D7s pass through. They followed (by a day or so) the A12s, A11s, A35s, A43s and A51s back out past Port Hardy. All in all it has been busy but with considerable gaps in the action around these parts.
Helena & Paul
25 Jul 2007 13:51:12 PDT

21 July 2007, Orcalab reports

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Just now, the A5s are at the rubbing beaches, where they've been for the past hour. The A11s are headed east in Johnstone Strait towards the Ecological Reserve at Robson Bight, & the rest of the A4s are in Blackfish Sound, heading towards the Strait. Also in the Strait today are the A12s, though we're not sure where they are at the moment. Much further to the east are the Cs (both C6s & C10s) and probably all the Ds. Things orca have certainly become much more summerlike in the last day! The weather is quite different - rainy & cool, and a welcome change for our parched forest & garden.
Paul & Helena
21 Jul 2007 19:01:03 PDT

15 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

All is pretty quiet so far today. Most likely the groups that were here yesterday (the A12s, A11s, A73 and A8s) were spotted in Goletas Channel heading west this morning. They left this area early evening via Blackney Pass. A few dolphins and humpbacks remain in the area.
Helena
15 Jul 2007 13:50:51 PDT

No orcas present.

A little update. Apparently yesterday's groups stalled, turned and are headed east ythrough Goletas. Thanks to MacKay Whale Watch.
Helena
15 Jul 2007 13:56:25 PDT

14 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

The 5 year Springer Reunion is in progress in Telegraph Cove and there are a lot of fingers crossed that she and her family and friends will come back from eastern Johnstone Strait by this afternoon. All was quiet over night (except boat noise, of course) and so we believe they are still east. Yesterday, T14 went through the area generating some excitment.
Helena
14 Jul 2007 09:03:51 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Guess what? The whales have returned from the east no sooner than the last post. They are off Robson Bight heading west. Sweet guys they let us sleep!
Helena
14 Jul 2007 09:16:29 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Today was rather wonderful. The Springer Reunion was scheduled to go out on their whale watch, thanks to Stubbs Island, at 2pm. just before the hour struck the A12s led the march up the Strait to just shy of Telegraph Cove. The A11s with Springer were in the rear. A short while later the whales turned and proceded back to the east. They are passing through the Ecological Reserve at the moment. The A8s were travelling with the A35s closer to the Cracroft Island side while the A12s were midstrait and the A11s closer to the Vancouver Island side and now in the lead.
Helena
14 Jul 2007 16:53:59 PDT

12 July 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

Just a little over an hour ago we awoke to R clan calls in Blackfish Sound. As these calls grew more distant blows were heard in Blackney pass heading south. When the blows went around the "corner" and into Johnstone Strait we began to hear A4s and A12s and so far no further R clan calls. The whales are headed east in the Strait.
Helena


Orcas near mics.

Still no more Rs but there are now also A5 calls in with the A12s and A4s.
Helena
12 Jul 2007 04:43:35 PDT

9 June 2007, Cetacean lab reports:

On June 9th we had a report of a large group of orcas to the south of us. As usual we were quick to get our boat ready and since it was so calm we decided to bring Neekas, our dog, with us to see how she responds to our new boat. This turned out to be a great plan. She loved the boat and the whales were extremely attracted to her as she hung her nose over the bow checking them out. One young juvenile swam right beside the boat, on its side, just staring at Neekas, totally bored with us as our camera clicked away. This day we were with the A30s, the A5s including A51 and her calf and all of the A4s.

01 May 2007, Cetacean lab reports:

Well if this first day of May is any indication of what lies ahead, then this will be a fabulous season. It started for us in the dark, close to midnight, a few faint A5 Resident Orca calls on the hydrophone station in Whale Channel. The calls continued for 45 minutes fairly faint. Just as the tide changed to a flood the calls faded and we assumed the whales must have turned and taken advantage of the free ride the flow the water now provided. The next morning at 9am we could hear very faint calls once again in Whale Channel. The calls were getting closer and closer and soon we could determine that we were listening to A5 and A1 calls. At the same time we received an email from Coast Guard and they reported 18 orcas near the top end of Grenville Channel the day before. They were able to take some pictures which we would take a look at later. For now we focused on the acoustic information as this group of whales moved south in Whale Channel, hoping we would soon hear calls on the Home Station. So far lots of A5 calls, then a series of N47-A1 calls, we were so excited as this would mean the A30s were in this group!! Then silence, not a single call, Hermann went to the point to look, I stayed inside hoping to hear even a resting call. Oddly enough after 15 minutes that is exactly what I did hear, one resting call, then an explosion of calls, all on the Home Station. Next Hermann called on the hand held that I should truly run out to the point. This I did and just in time. Out front there were blows and dorsal fins spread out from us to the little island across the way. We counted at least 15 orcas, vocally we knew we had an A5 group, the A30s and possibly an A4 group as there were definitely a few A4 N4 type calls. Some of the calls were so close, others distant with a beautiful tin like echo that seems to vibrate with the exact rhythm of the water. To our amazement, at the same time as this orca parade, the plumpest male sea lion we have ever seen swam by just a few feet from shore. With out a doubt this male could hear both the calls from these orcas and the blows but showed no interest what so ever. How interesting that they know the difference from a resident to a transient orca so precisely, though for survival purposes this does make sense. This group of orcas continued towards Fawcett, vocal the entire way, then a sudden turn and south they all went. We came back inside to take good look at the pictures sent to us by Coast Guard and sure enough they had the same group yesterday close to Rupert that we were seeing today, the A30s, A42s, A51s plus an A4 group.

10 February 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Some of the A5s are still around. We recently heard their calls off the entrance to Blackney Pass in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
10 Feb 2007 15:16:39 PST

No orcas present.

Around 5pm the whales went past Robson Bight and out of range to the east.
Helena
10 Feb 2007 23:10:06 PST

09 February 2007, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

A rather late post: Yesterday around 20pm we heard, ever so briefly, A5 calls once again. The event was too short lived for us to locate where they were. Today it has been just typical boat noise punctuated by quieter times.
Helena
09 Feb 2007 17:25:25 PST

06 February 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

After a day break, we are again hearing the A5s in Johnstone Strait. They are not far from the entrance to Blackney Pass. Last night we briefly heard dolphins in the area.
Helena
06 Feb 2007 11:28:48 PST

04 February 2007, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

Today we again heard A5 calls in Johnstone Strait. They were first heard off the entrance to Blackney Pass and then a while later off Robson Bight. We believe they went to the east around 1pm.
Helena
04 Feb 2007 19:12:37 PST

03 February 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

We thought that the whales might have left as yesterday we got reports of a large group heading out past Alert Bay and Port McNeill between 1 and 2pm. But just now we are again hearing A5 calss in Johnstone Strait. Wet and windy here today.
Helena
03 Feb 2007 15:37:54 PST

31 January 2007, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

Now it is the A8s turn! We just started hearing A5 call near to Robson Bight.
Helena
31 Jan 2007 14:48:10 PST

02 February 2007, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

We have heard the I31s and A5s once again this morning in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
02 Feb 2007 13:01:50 PST

01 February 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Ans now they have joined forces. The A5s and the I31s are travelling together in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
01 Feb 2007 10:50:38 PST

No orcas present.

The A5s (the A51, A43s confirmed) and the I31 group headed east past Robson Bight a while ago.
Helena
01 Feb 2007 14:36:32 PST

28 January 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Well here they are! A short while ago we started hearing A5 calls in Johnstone Strait. We are still trying to figure out exactly where.
Helena
28 Jan 2007 09:12:13 PST

No orcas present.

It was the A8s who we heard this morning. After disappearing past Critical Point they returned this afternoon. By evening they were eastbound again. Alex morton was hearing G clan calls once again.
Helena
28 Jan 2007 23:56:26 PST

24 January 2007, Orcalab reports:

Superb sounds!!

Around 1pm some of the A5s and I33s travelled south into Johnstone Strait via blackney Pass. The groups stalled off the entrance to Blackney Pass for a very long time. They seem to have finllay made the move towards the Ecological Reserve. The A5s are in the lead.
Helena
24 Jan 2007 17:48:37 PST

16 January 2007, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

We just began to hear A5 calls in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
16 Jan 2007 12:46:14 PST

Distant calls audible.

We have been hearing G clan resting calls along with the A5s. All in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
16 Jan 2007 14:08:33 PST

02 January 2007, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

good morning! Once again we are hearing A5 and I31 type calls in johnstone Strait. They seem to have connected with A4s. All these groups, travelling together, may be heading west for the moment.
Helena
02 Jan 2007 10:47:16 PST

01 January 2007, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

A good start to the New Year! A short while ago we were startled by loud A5 calls on the Parson Island hydrophone. We probably missed the first A5 group, but there were other whales in sight in Blackney Pass headed for Johnstone Strait, by the time we got to the Lab. As the first A5 group passed close to CP, the rest of the groups were negotiating the last part of Blackney Pass. As they neared Johnstone Strait, we heard I31 type calls along with other A5 calls. They now sound like they are slowly going east in the Strait. They are still calling frequently.
Helena
01 Jan 2007 15:49:11 PST

24 December 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

We began to hear A5 calls once more in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
24 Dec 2006 13:45:07 PST

Distant calls audible.

And A4s as well!
Helena
24 Dec 2006 14:26:27 PST

Distant calls audible.

The A4s and a5s who wer in Johnstone Strait moved around to Blackfish Sound perhaps taking the ebbing tide out to Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
24 Dec 2006 19:19:18 PST

23 December 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Sorry we have not posted that the A4s and the A5s were both heard this morning as they travelled east towards the Ecological Reserve and beyond. We are again hearing calls as at least some of the A4s travel back to the west. There is also heavy boat noise in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
23 Dec 2006 21:28:44 PST

No orcas present.

It is possible the whales went back to the east. We only heard a few calls and a little bit of echo location and then nothing. Another stormy night!
Helena
23 Dec 2006 23:20:32 PST

22 December 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

They are still there. Just a short while ago we started to hear "As" in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
22 Dec 2006 12:13:40 PST

Distant calls audible.

The A4s and the A5s are continuing to call. They are still in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
22 Dec 2006 18:39:26 PST

20 December 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

The A5s are back! Possibly heading west towards Cracroft Point. Hopefully, the A4s are still there as well.
Helena
20 Dec 2006 13:40:14 PST

Distant calls audible.

On this very dark and very stormy night the A4s are calling in Johnstone Strait. We have been hearing calls on and off since the afternoon.
Helena
20 Dec 2006 18:45:08 PST

19 December 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Tonight, around 9pm we again heard distant "A" calls in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
19 Dec 2006 00:01:06 PST

Superb sounds!!

The a4s and the A5s are off the entrance to Blackney Pass in Johnstone Strait!
Helena
19 Dec 2006 10:57:57 PST

Superb sounds!!

The A4s and the A5s have moved east into Robson Bight.
Helena
19 Dec 2006 12:02:21 PST

17 December 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

We began hearing distant "A" calls (probably A5s) on the Critical Point hydrophone around 8:30pm. The Strait was been very noisy because of the storm as well as boats, but we continued to hear calls until a little after 9pm. We think the orcas were probably headed east but aren't sure. We are waiting.
Helena
17 Dec 2006 22:41:35 PST

04 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Just after 7am we began to hear A calls in Blackfish Sound. The calls were extremely distant. Earlier the A30s,A4s and A5s went through Blackney Pass after coming west in the Strait. Their calls ended around 3:40am and so perhaps these groups are the very distant As we heard most recently. Going Weynton?
Helena
04 Sep 2006 07:57:13 PDT

03 September 2006, Orcalab reports:


Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

As the Bs,A12s,I33s move further east we have become aware of other groups moving west into the eastern part of the Reserve. So far, at the beahces we have heard: I11s,Gs,I15s,As and now I11s again I31s. There are, to put it mildly, a lot of whales in Johnstone Strait - all near and around the Michael Bigg/Robson Bight Ecological Reserve.
Helena
03 Sep 2006 12:35:26 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s,Bs & A5s have gone in for a rub as the other groups make their way eastward toward them.
Helena
03 Sep 2006 17:58:16 PDT

02 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Boat noise

The I11s may not have listened to the siren call after all. We believe they headed back to the west where they were earlier today. We are waiting to find out if they head out or turn back once again. We still believe the I15s and i35s+ continued to the east. The A30s, A4s,A5s and the three G groups are still east as well.
Helena
02 Sep 2006 21:08:52 PDT

01 September 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

The day keeps developing along positve lines. The Gs have joined the A30s, I15s and I11s off the Robson Bight area after a brief rub at the beaches. The A4s,A5s and A12s are not far off as well.
Helena
01 Sep 2006 09:17:05 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

All the groups, numbering near to 90 whales, are going west. The majority have already passed CP. The list includes: the A5s,I11s,A30s,I15s,G3s,G18s, G29s,A4s,A12s,and possibly the I31s.
Helena
01 Sep 2006 11:16:53 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Now there a lot of whales everywhere! The A12s and the I31s came through Blackney pass a short while ago and they are now on their way west through Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile, all the others have turned, some got as far as the entrance to Weynton Passage, and they are now silently eastbound. The A30s are in the lead and must be near Izumi Rock and the Reserve beyond. A12, herself, led the charge into Blackney.
Helena
01 Sep 2006 13:45:38 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The whales have been back at the beaches for hours. The A30s and the I15s had a fisrt rub and then as they other groups (the A4s,A5s, Gs,I11s) slowly made their way past Critical Point another long rub began. Eventually, someone from each call group joined in and the rub continued forever. They may have finally decided to move on. meanwhile ,we have not heard the I31 and A12s. We had heard they were trying to come back via Weynton against the ebb tide but no "word" yet as to how far they have come.
Helena
01 Sep 2006 19:20:21 PDT

30 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

A large group of orcas, including A1s, A4s, A5s & several G & R clan groups has just headed north through Blackney Pass.
Helena
30 Aug 2006 04:58:44 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Oh boy, still a lot of movement. The A30s,I15s and the R group have come back from the top of Blackfish Sound, travelled through Weynton Pass and headed east in Johnstone Strait. Other groups, the A12s, A5s, I31s and possibly others are following but look like they might come through Blackney Pass. We are waiting. Earlier this morning: the A30s,A11s, I15s, Gs, Rs and I11/I31s passed through Blackney on their way north and west. They were "sort of" following the A36s, Hs and Is who had ventured in as far as Blackney pass before returning to Blackfish Sound and heading out. The A12s, A5s and the rest of the A4s may have stayed Strait side, going to the west and out via Weynton Pass. After sorting themselves out they groups have split and begun travelling as described above.
Helena
30 Aug 2006 12:35:05 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The I15s,A30s,R2s and R7s have moved on from Robson Bight. The I15s have gone into the beaches. The I31s,A12s, A4s,A5s, G3s,G18s,probably the G29s, and I11s went through Blackney Pass, past CP and are now crossing towards the Reserve from the Cracroft Island side.
Helena
30 Aug 2006 14:34:01 PDT

Distant calls audible.

We last heard I31 calls on Flower Isalnd just before 10pm. We have the impression that at least some of the groups may have exited via Weynton Pass after traveling west in the Strait soon after their rub. The boat noise tonight is dreadful. Just a little while ago we began hearing the As (A4s+) still in the Strait. They may be heading back eastward, toward the Reserve, despite the tide that will be ebbing until 4am.
Helena
30 Aug 2006 23:07:57 PDT

28 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Most of the groups were back in the Strait by 3am & heading east. The A12s are presently having an energetic rub.
Helena
28 Aug 2006 06:33:16 PDT

Boat noise

After a great rub the groups may have headed off to the east. hard to say how far they will go as the tide is now ebbing. We thought they might come back but we have not heard anything for over an hour now. Before the rub, when the whales were off the Robson Bight area, we think the I31s may have come and joined the others around 5am. It was after this that the groups went down to the beaches for an hour rub which ended around 7:30am.
Helena
28 Aug 2006 09:18:18 PDT

Boat noise

Sorry, I forgot to mention who we have heard this morning from the time the majority of the whales had come in: A30s,A12s, A36s, A4s,A5s, I11s,Gs, I15s and possibly the I31s as well.
Helena
28 Aug 2006 09:20:21 PDT

No orcas present.

The G3s, G18s and G29s were almost toally silent as they made their way the entire length of the upper Johnstone Strait area. They woke up in time to go for a rub around 6:40pm. from the beaches they continued east. We heard an update from the eastern part of Johnstone Strait this evening, thanks to Nick of Painter's Lodge. Apparently, the large group (the A12s,A30s, I11s,I15s, A4s, A5s, possibly the G2s and I31s ended up near Bear Bight. This is almost as far east as the Strait goes. It may be a quiet night up here. Nothing developed from the idea that the Rs and the Bs were in town earlier.
Helena
28 Aug 2006 22:22:33 PDT

27 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

A great start to the morning. At 5:40am we began to hear groups coming into Blackfish Sound. They did go out through Weynton Pass last night. Jim Borrowman saw them heading into Weynton around 7:50pm. Then 12 hours later here they were, in Blackfish Sound. The first calls were Gs so we thought we might see a lot more groups. When they came around the corner into Blackney, close to the Lab, we only identified the G29s! But they were with the A11s, all the A5s, A30s, I15s, A35s, maybe the A24s. Missing from yesterday were the I31s. We also could not clearly say that the A12s were there as well. It was lovely and as the tide turned to the slack the whales picked up speed and rushed (breaching) into Johnstone Strait. They are headed east towards the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
27 Aug 2006 07:25:52 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Great! A second wave. This time the A12s led the I11s,G2s and others into Blackney from Blackfish Sound. They went into Johnstone Strait against the ebb tide and then headed eastward only to "shut down" and become still just west of the Sophia Islands. The "first wave" is to the east of them still.
Helena
27 Aug 2006 11:18:49 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

All the groups are on their way back to western johnstone Strait. The A12s seem to be in the lead but the A30s are not far behind. They are spread across from shore to shore.
Helena
27 Aug 2006 19:18:58 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It looked like they wanted to go west, some were up to Big Bay but the A24s had other ideas... they wanted to go out Blackney Pass so they called and called and pretty soon all the groups followed them through to Blackfish Sound. The calls are now distant as they continue to move west.
Helena
27 Aug 2006 22:04:41 PDT

26 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

Sorry again, we had internet problems this morning AND it has been busy.... the A30s,A36s and I15s have come in. The A12s,I31s,A4s and A5s all came west (starting at 5am), some up as far as Telegraph Cove. The A24s , travelling just behind the A35s,poked their noses into Blackney Pass to have a listen while the others positioned themselves off Weynton Pass tp listen for the incoming A30s,A36s and I15s. Once in all the groups headed east together slowly against the last of the ebbing tide. They are now all in the Reserve, some at the beaches (A12s), others just in at the western boundary.
Helena
26 Aug 2006 13:13:31 PDT

No orcas present.

While most of the resident orcas were at the beaches the T18s plus maybe T124C passed by on the Cracroft Island side. When they were opposite Boat Bay Jared Towers witnessed the I33s pop up just 200 to 300 metres away. The transients sped away to the west and into Blackney Pass. As they reached Blackfish we could hear the I31s (the I33s) leading the rest of the resident groups to the west. Just before dark they were off Telegraph Cove. Where they have gone since is a but of a mystery. The last faint and very distant calls were heard just after 8pm. Did the strong ebb tide encourage them to leave via Weynton? A fishing opening today has increased the boat noise in the Strait making it hard to hear any distant calls.
Helena
26 Aug 2006 22:52:21 PDT

25 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

Starting at 3:40am we began to hear the groups coming back to the west. A few skipped over the rubbing beaches. Mostly we were hearing A12 and A5 calls. After rounding Critical Point they fell silent until they were in the entrance of Blackney Pass and about to go through the pass. The A11s were in the lead followed by a large group. We clearly saw the A12s, A5s and possibly the rest of the A4s. They are in Blackfish Sound now. Still no calls.
Helena
25 Aug 2006 07:13:57 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Sorry, it was a town run today (groceries & laundry) . When we got back in the early evening we passed the whales heading east in the Strait around Big Bay. The a12s, A4s & A5s after leaving Blackfish Sound this morning travelled west in Queeen Charlotte and found the I31s. All the groups then travelled back to the Strait via Weynton Pass. They, then went down to the Reserve and had a rub. once finished at the beaches they have started back to the west. Quite the routine, quite the day!
Helena
25 Aug 2006 21:39:39 PDT

24 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

The last calls we heard early this morning were at 1am as the whales moved east past the Ecological Reserve. But they have returned. Just a short while ago we heard the A12s,A5s and A4s round Critical Point. They moved off to the west fairly smartly, heading toward the Sophias & CP.
Helena
24 Aug 2006 08:03:01 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The whales continued to the west until big Bay. They have just turned back to the east. The A12s,A5s and some of the A4s passed on the cracroft/hanson side. The A11s may be over on the Vancouver Island shore.
Helena
24 Aug 2006 09:55:13 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Sorry, we lost our connection and the ability to update. It was quite busy. Earlier as the main group of A12s, A4s & A5s neared the western boundary, the A24s splintered off and rushed back to CP, through Blackney Pass and around Hanson Island. They moved down the Strait and met up with the others. The whales then came back to the west, some as as far as Telegraph Cove. Another turn happened and the whales grouped up and moved quickly east, stalling for a bit in the Bight before heading to the rubbing beaches where they are now. The flood is not until after midnight.
Helena
24 Aug 2006 21:59:00 PDT

23 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

The A12s,A4s, and A5s finally all made it to Johnstone Strait at the start of the flood tide. They headed east quickly and we lost track of them around 1:30am. The A12s & some of hte A5s were the trailing group, the A4s were in the lead.
Helena
23 Aug 2006 07:52:13 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A5s suddenly rounded Critical Point with the A12s further off shore of them. The groups are rapidly moving to the west. The A4s will most likely soon follow.
Helena
23 Aug 2006 08:59:03 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s,A5s and the A4s all went west to the Turn Point area and then turned (how appropriate!) and crossed toward the Vancouver Island shore for the trek eastward. Seams like a typical summer routine.
Helena
23 Aug 2006 12:44:34 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

After a short but interesting rub by the A5s at the Main beach the whales are on their way back to the west.
Helena
23 Aug 2006 15:37:05 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

These whales continue to be interesting. They came west only as far as Big Bay on Hanson Island, west of CP. They then turned and formed up into what looked like resting lines but judging from the constant vocals it is a weird "rest". They are facing into the ebb tide however and not moving very far from the area off CP.
Helena
23 Aug 2006 21:43:49 PDT

22 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Soon after 3am we began to hear the groups coming back through the Ecological Reserve on their way west. The A12s, A4s,A5s, Cs and Ds marched up the Strait and through to Blackfish Sound.
Helena
22 Aug 2006 06:45:58 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

At 7:40pm we began to hear distant A calls in Blackfish Sound. This turned out to be the A12s,A4s and A5s returning from their day's journey into Queen Charlotte Strait. The Cs and the Ds have not returned. The whales made slow but somewhat steady progress against the ebbing tide. They will now have the advantage of the slack tide and then the flood to help their progress to the Strait and points east. The last of the groups are still in Blackney while others have already made it through. It was quite interesting that at one point we had an A4 group on CP, another on Parson Island and the third on Local left at the same time.
Helena
22 Aug 2006 23:38:34 PDT

21 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

We had a busy and interesting night. Before 1:30am we started hearing Cs and Ds in Johnstone Strait. They headed east toward the Ecological Reserve. After a while the A12s, A4s and A5s became vocal and move into the Robson Bight area. Possibly, at least some of these groups headed back to the west. We are now hearing calls once again and CP can see blows over by Little Kaikash, just to the west of CP. It is rather like where we left off yesterday evening although there are now more whales!
Helena
21 Aug 2006 08:30:06 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We think we might now understand what has happened. Not only is the Strait a busy place for boats but the whales have been on the move all night as well. We now believe the c6s and the Ds came in just after 1am. The A12s,A4s & A5s were there to meet them either up near Weynton Pass or by coming up from below Robson Bight. The A12s,A4s and A5s definitely followed the Cs and Ds to the east past Robson Bight/Boat Bay. AND this morning the C10s (maybe) also came in via Weynton Pass and once again the As came over to meet them as they approached the western boundary. The C6s also returned and made it to CP where they negotiated a quick turn around, only to head over to the very social scene on the other side near the western boundary. All groups are now spyhopping,breaching but still moving eastward slowly together.
Helena
21 Aug 2006 10:01:56 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

After the resident groups met & socialised they headed east out of the Reserve and continued with the flood tide. Just recently a small group of transients were spotted off Blinkhorn in the Strait. They crossed to the Hanson side and then through Blackney Pass and "up" Baronet Passage. We caught a glimpse of them as they moved along the Blackney pass side of Cracroft Island before disappearing.
Helena
21 Aug 2006 17:24:06 PDT

20 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

After spending a couple of days to the east of Johnstone Strait, at least some of the groups are heading back to the west & are now approaching the Ecological Reserve. Another lovely sunny day here.
Helena
20 Aug 2006 13:12:26 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

To catch up: the A12s,A4s and the A5s are westbound in Johnstone Strait. After quick, on the fly, rubs they past the Ecological Reserve and Boat Bay. CP watched the A24s and the A35s pass on their side . The whales are spread out across the Strait still pretty much in the Kaikash Creek and CP area. And they are having a bite to eat. The surprise of the day were the transients (T11,T11A and possibly two others) who turned up suddenly at the eastern end of Hanson Island. They went west quickly ahead of the advance of the resident orcas who were passing Critical Point at the time. They have since been sighted in Bauza Cove. The Cs and Ds and the I35s have been reported eastbound by the Roller Bay nearPort Hardy.
Helena
20 Aug 2006 16:16:17 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The tide is still ebbing, the Strait is flooded with boat noise and the calls a re infrequent. We know that the A12s, A4s and A5s went west towards the Wastells and the entrance of Weynton Pass earlier and we suspect that they turned and started back east. The mystery for us is how far east have they come? At7pm CP thought they saw blows right up against the Vancouver Island shore near Little Kaikash, west of CP. Since then we have heard both A5 and A1 calls but only on Cracroft Point. Hopefully, we will soon be able to figure out just where in the Strait are the whales.
Helena
20 Aug 2006 22:31:53 PDT

19 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Quiet night so we think the whales stayed to the east.
Helena
19 Aug 2006 07:35:09 PDT

No orcas present.

The A12s,A4s and A5s stayed in the far east all day. We heard reports that they were seen in Nodales. Meanwhile, the Naiad Explorer and the Roller Bay found the I35s near Port Hardy.
Helena
19 Aug 2006 22:49:21 PDT

18 August2006, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

Good morning! The A12s,A4s and A5s came back into range just after 3am. After a rub they continued west through the noisy Strait. Leading the groups, the A11s and the A8s travelled north through Blackney Pass. While the A11s/A73 continued into Blackfish Sound the A8s doubled backed to wait for the A12s and the rest of the A4s & A5s. They have all just cleared into Blackfish Sound. A Scotch mist and busy squirrels gathering pine cones.
Helena
18 Aug 2006 07:39:16 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A12s,A4s and A5s have come back from the west. They turned between the Penfolds and Fosters around 12:30pm. At the turn they formed a resting line and started to move east in Queen Charlotte Strait. They all came in through Weynton Passage and they are now making their way east parallel to Hanson Island, getting close to the "bottom" end.
Helena
18 Aug 2006 15:29:08 PDT

No orcas present.

After travelling back the A12s, A4s and A5s continued east to the beaches and beyond. The rest of the evening has been "quiet".
Helena
18 Aug 2006 23:26:17 PDT

17 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

A foggy morning... yesterday evening the A12s came back to the west with the A4s and the A5s. They eventually made their way past CP and into Blackney Pass and out to Blackfish Sound. One A4 group (?the A11s) were left in Johnstone Strait and we wonder if they went back to the east. All quiet for the ret of the night after 11:30pm.
Helena
17 Aug 2006 07:00:26 PDT

No orcas present.

Sorry, it has been a busy day here.... The travels of the A12s, all the A4s & all the A5s made for an interesting day. Starting off near Pulteney Point (western end of Malcolm Island) these whales took the not so common route past Port Mcneill, Haddington Island, Alert Bay to reach Johnstone Strait. Once there they continued east as usual. Some of the A4s and the A5s went in for a beautiful hour long rub which ended around 8:30pm. We think they have carried on eastward. busy night in the Strait as fishing is still happening.
Helena
17 Aug 2006 23:20:49 PDT

16 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

A pretty quiet night after a few distant calls on the Critical Point were heard after the whales last rubbing session. Just a short while ago we heard distant A5 calls again. CP is watching a group come west between the Sophias and CP.
Helena
16 Aug 2006 08:17:17 PDT

Orcas near mics.

An added note: we are listening to A4s now as well. Could it be the A24s again?
Helena
16 Aug 2006 08:18:56 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The whole gang (the A24s,A43s,A35s and A51s) has just gone by CP headed to the west headed not to the east end of Hanson Island.
Helena
16 Aug 2006 08:33:21 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A4s and A5s turned once they got to Turn Point and the entrance to Weynton Pass. We are waiting to find out if they all turned together. They are now east bound.
Helena
16 Aug 2006 10:00:41 PDT

15 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

At 4am we again heard the A4 & A5s as they moved toward Critical Point. After some foraging they passed Critical Point. Around 6:30am they were off the Rubbing Beaches. Then at 7:30am they were on their way back to the west. We have heard a report from the MacKays that there are wave after wave of orca groups passing Masterman Islands near Port Hardy.
Helena
15 Aug 2006 08:32:55 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

An A5 group has gone into the Main Beach for a rub. This morning the A24s went past. They were very spread out at first and then (to our delight) moved over to "our side" and continued north to Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile, the A35s,A51s and A43s came west in the Strait and passed close to CP. After they reached Big bay they turned and crossed to Vancouver Island. They then "ran" down the shoreline and entered the Reserve at the western boundary at 11:30am.
Helena
15 Aug 2006 13:10:31 PDT

Boat noise

The A24s took an interesting tour today. They used Swanson Passage to get from Knight Inlet to West Pass. This brought them to Blackney Pass. They then went south, paused in the last stretch of Blackney while the A35s,A51s,and A43s (who had been waiting in the entrance of Blackney Pass after coming westward in the Strait a short while earlier) moved over to the east end of Hanson Island. All these groups are now travelling in same direction to the west along Hanson Island.
Helena
15 Aug 2006 16:46:29 PDT

14 August 2006, Orcalab reports:


Multiple pod calls audible.

Good Morning! The A12s,A4s,A5s and the Bs continued to wait off Robson Bight/Boat Bay until around 2am and then finally shifted east. This was very close to when we started to first hear the I15s and the A30s in Blackfish Sound. They were joined by the A36s and several Gs groups, who then proceded ahead to Blackney Pass. After passing through Blackney Pass in a BIG rush all these groups entered the Strait and continued east. They are currently still passing Robson Bight. The tide is in full flood.
Helena
14 Aug 2006 05:36:24 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The whales who went east early this morning are returning and the lead groups are already up to Boat Bay. Meanwhile, the Naiad has been reporting a very large group (included are Ws,Ds,Rs and more) off the Port Hardy area. They are not yet committed to fully coming down to the east.
Helena
14 Aug 2006 13:56:15 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A36s are once again leading the several G groups westward in the Strait. We are also hearing A4s,A5s,A12s & Bs but i don't think we have heard the a30s and the I15s yet. It is,however, a BIG crowd.
Helena
14 Aug 2006 16:18:51 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

My goodness what a day. The OLers were here after their encounter with the Rs, Ws,Ds,C6s,C10s mid Queen Charlotte Strait off Pine Island on the Naiad Explorer. Meanwhile, the A30s,A36s, I15s, A12s, A35s,A24s,A51s, A43s, Bs and the several G groups came out of the east and travelled toward WeyntonPassage. There the Gs probably took off through Weynton Passage and the others returned to the entrance of Blackney Pass where after sorting themselves out they headed into Blackney Pass and past the Lab. The A24s and the Bs were the last through. CP saw the A12s continue to the west in the Strait and it is still unclear what they are going to do.
Helena
14 Aug 2006 20:48:52 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A4s,A5s are back in the Strait after circling Hanson Island. The G groups are with them as well as the A12s/
Helena
14 Aug 2006 22:17:28 PDT

Boat noise

A little bit confusing... the A112s along with one of the A5 groups have rounded Critical Point and have gone east. The Gs,the other A5s, A4s and Bs who were further west have disappeared. Did they go back out? Or did they fall asleep?
Helena
14 Aug 2006 23:31:36 PDT

13 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

Just after the I5s and the A30s headed through Blackfish Sound, the A12s, A11s,A35s,A24s, A51s 7 possibly the A43s came up from the east with the B7s and travelled west on both shores to the Weynton Pass area. They have since turned and are now making their way back. So far we have heard A1 and A4 calls. Lots of boat noise as the seine boats prepare for the 8:30am opening tomorrow.
Helena
13 Aug 2006 18:31:15 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The whales,especially the A5s have been very vocal while off Robson Bight. The A12s, A4s and Bs chirp in from time to time. The increase in the A5 calls has made us wonder if the A8s have joined the others. We keep expecting them to all head for the beaches but so far they have stalled and there really has not been a lot of movement west or east, more north and south, shifting from one shore of Johnstone Strait to the other. There is still a lot of boat noise.
Helena
13 Aug 2006 22:45:23 PDT

12 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

The I15s and the A30s crossed the Strait to Vancouver Island and are now in the Ecological Reserve rounding Critical Point. The A12s,A4s, A5s, Gs and A36s are still to the east. There is a report of a group near Port Neville westbound. Sadly, it looks like I15 and I41 are missing. Graeme Ellis had a chance to look at the group this morning. We had already guessed that I41 was gone but did not know about I15. I16 has most likely lost her youngest calf.
Helena
12 Aug 2006 14:43:49 PDT

11 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

After the A30s and the I15s disappeared to the east in Johnstone Strait all was quiet until 11pm. Then... calls in Blackfish Sound. In came the Cs, Ds, Gs, and A36s through Blackney Pass. They reached Johnstone Strait on the slack tide andthen made their way east. Just as the last of these groups were approaching Robson Bight the A12s,A4s,A5s,A30s and Bs came up from the east. By 2:30am everyone had turned and moved in the same direction together, We last heard calls at 3:15 as the groups passed the eastern boundary of the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
11 Aug 2006 07:17:59 PDT

10 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Good morning! The A12s & A5s kept us busy for most of the night while they stalled off Robson Bight. The A24s & Bs were further east but eventually made their way back to the A12s and A5s. Finally, just as these groups moved off to the east, the A30s and the I15s entered the Strait via Weynton Pass. The A30s, ahead of the I15s, went past CP mid strait around 6am. As they crossed over to the Ecological Reserve the I15s followed. The I15s have just rounded Critical Point. Very low tide this morning and it will be ebbing until around noon. This means the I15s and A30s worked the whole time against the tide in order to reach the Strait & the Reserve.
Helena
10 Aug 2006 07:52:57 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A11s turned up unexpectedly in Johnstone Strait. We probably missed them going through Blackney Pass. They went west briefly and then turned and headed over to the Vancouver Island shore and down to the Reserve. They are now past Critical Point. While westbound and before their turn they were vocal briefly. This may have influenced the other groups (the A30s,A12s and I15s to finally turn around at the entrance to Weynton Passage. These groups are now slowly moving east but still west of CP. Lovely day ... strong northwesterly breeze but very sunny. There was a large group reported off Camp Point. This may be the Bs, A24s and maybe all of the A5s and the A35s. Hopefully, we find out for sure.
Helena
10 Aug 2006 15:48:09 PDT

09 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

The B7s led the parade back to the west starting at 2:50am. All the groups (the A4s,A5s,A30s,A12s,Gs,I31s,Rs etc) followed. With the exception of the small A11 group, who went through Blackney Pass, all the rest continued west in Johnstone Strat. We are just now hearing the first groups arrive at the top end of Blackfish Sound after exiting the Strait via Weynton Pass.
Helena
09 Aug 2006 06:39:59 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s came back from Queen Charlotte Strait ahead of the B7s, A24s,A51s and A43s. They all came through Blackney Pass. The A12s are now entering the Ecological Reserve while the others are slowly resting west of the Sophias. The rest of the groups (the A36s, A11s, I15s, Rs, Ds, I31s & Gs) are still headed west in Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
09 Aug 2006 14:22:15 PDT

08 August Orcalab reports:


Multiple pod calls audible.

The A36s have gone through Blackney Pass and into Blackfish Sound. Meanwhile, the A30s, I31s, Gs and I15s have continued west in Johnstone Strait. We believve the Bs may have turned around and headed back towards the Reserve after making it as far as Cracroft Point. We have heard a few A4 calls as well. There should still be a a fairly large group to the east, the A5s, possibly the A12s, some more of the A4s and the C6s and D7s. It is very, very foggy today.
Helena
08 Aug 2006 08:26:27 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

There are groups of whales everywhere! In the Strait: the B7s did turn back with the A11s but they are making there way past Critical Point. The A35s just finished at the Beaches and there may be others behind them (the rest of the A4s and A5s). The C6s (at least part of the pod) have gone past Alert Bay to the west. The A30s, I15s, I31s, A36s abd Gs (at least some of the G groups) are out in Queen Charlotte meeting up with incoming Rs and other groups. We don't know where the D7s got to as yet. Very, very busy!
Helena
08 Aug 2006 12:14:29 PDT

No orcas present.

Another superpod day! Several of the groups (the A30s,I31s,Gs, A12s ,A36s and Ds) this morning circled around Hanson Island and met up with the incoming Rs. The C6s headed off by themselves past Alert Bay. The A12s then led all the groups in via Blackney Pass just as the fog was clearing. The groups headed east in Johnstone Strait. After a jump into the beaches together they carried on to the east by 4:30pm. It has been quiet since. Our count was well over 100 whales.
Helena
08 Aug 2006 22:26:02 PDT

06 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas near mics.

This is becoming quite the day! The I15s and the A36s have already gone through Blackney Pass and east in Johnstone Strait. Bothe groups went in for a rub but the A36s have since come back to the west. The whalewatch boats have been keeping an eye on the Bs in Queen Charlotte Strait. They have company. R clan & possibly G clan calls have also been heard. The good news for us is that these groups are moving towards Blackfish Sound. Are the A36s coming west to meet up? Meanwhile the A30s,A4s,A5s are still quite far east. They were reported in Sunderland Channel earlier. They too were headed west.
Helena
06 Aug 2006 12:38:19 PDT

05 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

We believe the majority of the groups from last night, the C6s,D7s, A4s and A5s went east of the Ecological Reserve. We heard the A30s briefly off Robson Bight at 6am but lost track of which direction they headed soon after. We think they may have slipped east as well. In amongst the incoming Cs and Ds, Jared Towers may have found a small G group as well!
Helena
05 Aug 2006 08:00:48 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The whales have been heading up to the west most of the afternoon. The A30s (who we heard around 6am) never did go as deep to the east as the others). Now, the A30s are in the lead ahead of the C6s,D7s,A4s,A5s. We have even heard that the A12s may be there as well.
Helena
05 Aug 2006 16:29:41 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We just had the A30s, A4s,A5sC6s,D7s come west and turn not far from the entrance to Blackney Pass. They are now headed back towards the Ecological Reserve. We did not hear A12s nor Gs at this time.
Helena
05 Aug 2006 19:12:18 PDT

No orcas present.

All is quiet now. The A30s, A4s,A5s just finished their rub and headed off to the east. Before the rub,there had been one more 'go around the block" for all the groups, including the Ds and Cs. The turn to the east was shy of CP this time and we lost track of the Cs & Ds. did they go east along Cracroft Island? Or did they head off in the other direction? We were left hanging a bit. It would be nice if they stayed for while longer.
Helena
05 Aug 2006 23:15:24 PDT

04 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

All "quiet" again tonight - can't remember a season where we have such uninterrupted sleep! We presume the A30s, ?A12s, A4s and A5s are still to the east. This is a long, long weekend with a salmon derby in progress.
Helena
04 Aug 2006 08:59:52 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The resident whales who had been east are starting to arrive back at the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
04 Aug 2006 18:06:50 PDT

Boat noise

The A4s and A5s are still calling and quite excited but there is quite loud boat noise as well. We also received a report from Donegal Watcher via the Lukwa that 3 males and 5 females are on their way into Johnstone Strait from Queen Charlotte. We didn't hear any calls in Blackfish Sound and will have to wait for their arrival in the Strait. They have just gone into Weynton Pass.
Helena
04 Aug 2006 18:34:47 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It turned out to be both the D7s and the C6s. All the groups are now heading towards the Ecological Reserve. The A30s followed the A4s and the A5s to meet the incoming Ds & Cs. There was apparently quite a spoyhopping session as the groups met up.
Helena
04 Aug 2006 20:41:33 PDT

02 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A30s, A4s (all matrilines) and A51s went west as far as Beaver Cove (west of Telegraph Cove) and then turned just after 1pm. They are now headed back east.
Helena
02 Aug 2006 13:51:33 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A30s,A4s and A5s are westbound again after a lovely rub.
Helena
02 Aug 2006 17:37:28 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Another circuit of Johnstone Strait has brought the whales back to the rubbing beaches. This time they got only as far as the entrance of Blackney Pass when they excitedly decided to head back to the Ecological Rserve.
Helena
02 Aug 2006 21:06:54 PDT

No orcas present.

The whales may have continued to the east past the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
02 Aug 2006 22:00:55 PDT

01 August 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Last night I was just about to write an update when there were calls heard in Blackfish Sound. It turned out to be the A12s. Just before 9pm when the A30s,A11s and some of the A5s turned back to the east off Hanson Island, the A12s continued out through Weynton Pass. The A30s & Co continued going east toward the Reserve where they may have encountered the rest of the A5 groups along with the A24s. All these groups then conntinued east past the Reserve and were out of our range by 1am. We believe the A12s kept moving west into Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
01 Aug 2006 07:30:41 PDT

No orcas present.

The A12s have spent the day in Queen Charlotte Strait. They eventually began to move back toward the east just about the time reports reached us that there is a large group of orcas incoming from further west. The A30s,A4s and A5s are still in the eastern part of Johnstone Strait.
Helena
01 Aug 2006 16:19:19 PDT

31 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Most of the activity today has been off the eastern end of Cracroft Island. The whales (A30s and A5s) finallly decided to head back to the west. The A12s and A11s, who had earlier travelled back to the Strait via Blackney, turned back to the west, after reaching the Broken Islands. Their progress has been slow all day as they may have been waiting for the A30s and A5s to catch up. Despite the flooding tide they have all managed to keep moving west and the lead groups are now in the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
31 Jul 2006 17:10:12 PDT

30 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

No calls overnight so we believe the A30s,A12, A4s and A5s are still to the east in Johnstone Strait. Yesterday, the Naiad thought that there may be additional groups there as well.
Helena
30 Jul 2006 09:13:17 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s came back from the east. They passed CP and continued west to Turn Point. A short while ago they turned. Meanwhile, some of the A4s followed the A12s up from the east. They are still east of CP. The A30s were reported still quite far east and so far we have not heard the A5s.
Helena
30 Jul 2006 15:59:05 PDT

29 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Overnight: The A30, A4 & A5 calls continued until 11:30pm as these whales went back and forth in the Ecological Reserve. Then at 2am we briefly heard calls once more but unfortunately we were unable to locate where the calls were coming from. The tide was flooding and so they may have decided to go with it and head east. But it is a bit uncertain.
Helena
29 Jul 2006 07:51:13 PDT

No orcas present.

Indeed the whales went to the east, to the very far east, Sayward, Camp Point and Nodales.
Helena
29 Jul 2006 15:24:05 PDT

28 July 2006, Orcalab reports:


Distant calls audible.

After disappearing for most of the day, the A30s zipped through Blackfish Sound and Blackney. They are now eastbound. Meanwhile the A35s sound like they are westbound from the Boat Bay area. Will the A12s, A5s and the rest of the A4s come out of the east as well?
Helena
28 Jul 2006 17:03:48 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

it sounds like the A30s have met up with not just the A35s! We are now hearing other A4 calls as well as A5 and everyone has gone to the beach.
Helena
28 Jul 2006 18:18:47 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

And west they come. So far we have heard A30, A4 and A5 calls. They seem to be west bound from Boat Bay and Critical Point.
helena
28 Jul 2006 21:54:02 PDT

27 July 2006, Orcalab reports

No orcas present.

The whales carried on calling off the Ecological Reserve until about 1:30am. Some of the A4s and the A12s followed the very vocal A5s to the east. Three hours later the whales went in for a couple of rubs. We last heard calls there at 5:30am.
Helena
27 Jul 2006 08:38:16 PDT

No orcas present.

This is a VERY blustery day & difficult conditions for the whale watch boats. The A12s,A11s,A24s, A8s,A51s, and A43 are most likely the whales headed east toward Kelsey Bay. A short while ago they were off St Vicent's Bight (Big Beautiful Bay). In the opposite direction are the A35s who were missing form yesterday's groups. They are coming east through Queen Charlotte Strait approaching Lizard Point.
Helena
27 Jul 2006 12:44:15 PDT

26 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s,A4s and A5s just rushed through Blackfish Sound and Blackney Pass. They are now in Johnstone Strait and heading east toward the Ecological Reserve. The A12s were all together and slightly behind the rest. The A24s,A43s and A51s were just off the Hanson Island side while the A11s were midstrait just ahead of the A12s. We did not clearly see the A8s and the A35s but they may have been the spread out whales in the front.
Helena
26 Jul 2006 14:59:27 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Actually the rub is just over but the whales enjoyed quite a rub and are not headed back to the west.
Helena
26 Jul 2006 17:10:10 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The whales came back west until they got to the eastern end of Hanson Island. They then turned around and moved closer to Vancouver Island for the run back to the Reserve. The A5s just went past Critical Point. Could they and the others be on their way back to the rubbing beaches?
Helena
26 Jul 2006 20:36:43 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Just a slight amendment: the A5s must be travelling back up the Vancouver Island shore in the Reserve. The others still sound further off shore.
Helena
26 Jul 2006 23:17:54 PDT

21 July Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

We think the orcas are probably still somewhere to the east of us in Johnstone Strait, though we arent sure. Lovely sunny morning here, with fog low to the water & islands peeking avove.around the edges of the islands.
Helena
21 Jul 2006 08:53:00 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

What a contrast to yesterday's lazy, hazy summer day! All was quiet this morning and then the reports started to surface. The Lukwa (Stubbs Island Whale Watch) heard R calls out in Queen Charlottee Strait. The Tuan (Seasmoke Charters) saw the A36s with many, many whales off Donegal Head. Then we were told the super big group was headed east in Blackfish Sound and headed for Blackney. And then: In rushed over 80 whales, spread out across Blackney, excited and in a rush to get to the Strait. In the Strait, the A12s, A4s and the A5s were coming up from the east and Robson Bight to meet the incoming gang. Whales were everywhere! It was a superpod of grand proportions. At last count, 117 (thanks to Graeme Ellis and John Ford of DFO)whales were in the area. There were several G clan groups, the Ds, several R clan groups and of course the same As of the last several weeks. They rushed toward the Ecological Reserve where one group went into the Main rubbing beach for more than an hour. Now, the groups are reorganising for a trip back to the west.
Helena
21 Jul 2006 17:55:31 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The official count is now 127! An opportunity for another look by the DFO came when the whales moved toward CP early this evening. Our day was made complete when,after passing CP with beautiful calls and a glimpse underwater, they entered Blackney and headed northwest to the sunset. The big question is: Will they be back or was this the visit?
Helena
21 Jul 2006 20:51:28 PDT

Add from the comment board:
Hi Jan,The list we got from Graeme Ellis included: The R4/5s, Ws, I31s,G3s,G12s,G31s.G2s,G29s,A36s,A12s,A4s,A5s,Ds,C6s. I will ask if other Rs (R2s,R17s)were present. I hope this helps. It was quite a day!
Helena@Hanson I
21 Jul 2006 22:58:56 PDT

20 July Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12,A4s and the A5s stayed off the Robson Bight/ Sophia Islands area for most of the night. The whales were very vocal and from their non stop sounds we guessed that they were feeding most of the night. Around 4:30 they finally slipped past Critical Point to the east. They are now returning and we are once again picking up calls from Critical Point.
Helena
20 Jul 2006 07:50:12 PDT

No orcas present.

it was not much of a move to the west. In fact the A12s,A4s and A5s are eastbound, currently off Windy Point (about 1/2 the way from the Ecological Reserve to Kelsey Bay).
Helena
20 Jul 2006 14:31:21 PDT

19 July 2006 Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s,A4s and A5s are passing Robson Bight on their way to the west. Silent just now, they were quite vocal as they passed Critical Point a short while ago.
Helena
19 Jul 2006 07:08:09 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Kind of like yesterday. Up and down the Strait. This time the A12s,A4s and A5s made it past CP and the entrance of Blackney Pass and further before turning & crossing over to vancouver Island & back to the east.
Helena
19 Jul 2006 09:39:46 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Another day of back and forth in the Strait ending with a late evening bite to eat off Cracroft Point and a pass through Blackney. They are back in the Strait via Weynton Pass after a quick circle of Hanson Island. We assume they will head east.
Helena
19 Jul 2006 23:42:53 PDT

18 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

Last night the A12s, A4s and the A5s passed Robson Bight and seemed to keep going. It would be nice if the A36s convinced the D7s to return. They were last seen still headed west near the Jeanette Islands in Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
18 Jul 2006 07:23:23 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Very "reserved" whales today! The whales came back from the east this morning (A12s,A4s, A5s) but they have spent the day going back and forth in or near the Ecological Reserve. At the moment they are off the Sophias (the furthest they have come so far) and still moving slowly westward.
Helena
18 Jul 2006 15:18:20 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

This time they only got as far as the entrance to Blackney Pass before they turned back to the Reserve once again. On this turn they fell asleep and drifted on the flooding tide. The calls ceased. Right now they are passing Robson Bight on their slow roll to the east. Lovely, lovely day here, sunshine all around and light winds.
Helena
18 Jul 2006 18:55:15 PDT

17 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

Well we found the rest of the groups. This morning they came west from the Robson Bight area and passed through Blackney Pass in front of us. The A36s were in the lead with the A24s, A8s, A34s following. behind then came A12 & A33 along with the A35s. The small A11 group with A73 were the last group through. They were travelling with another group who we did not confidently identify - it may have been someone else from the A5 pod. They are all in Blackfish Sound now. A large humpback was in Blackney (and still is ) as the groups went through.
Helena
17 Jul 2006 07:55:28 PDT

No orcas present.

Since this mornings update, the whales continued to the west. A very faint "D" call in the Strait this morning suggests that yesterday's evening arrival into the Strait most likely stayed with the A12s,A36s,A4s and A8s but took Weynton Pass back out to Queen Charlotte where they advanced to the west ahead of the A36s etc. This all happened before 8am and for the rest of the day we followed the reports of their progress on the radio and watched the humpbacks in Blackney Pass and off CP.
Helena
17 Jul 2006 18:37:50 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Tonight: in rushed the A12s, A4s and some of the A5s via Blackney pass. They put on quite a show as they grabbed a bite or two as they moved through Blackney. They are well on their way now toward Robson Bight, excited to be back after their quick but long jaunt to the west.
Helena
17 Jul 2006 22:22:04 PDT

16 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

Distant calls audible.

An interesting start to the day! The whales are just where they left off at 1am. Just a short while ago we began to hear distant calls. The whales are still east of CP but they are headed west.
Helena
16 Jul 2006 07:13:18 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Sorry I forgot the map. It should be the A36s (in the lead) along with the A4s,A8s and A12s if all the groups are there.
Helena
16 Jul 2006 07:15:45 PDT

No orcas present.

After a lot of back and forth starting just after day break the day ended in some confusion. In the afternoon we heard of new incoming groups.A while later the A12s,A4s,A8s and the A36s became very excited as they trekked west past CP. The reason for their excitment became evident when we heard the distant calls of the Cs and Ds just in via Weynton Passage. Then for some reason the calls dropped. Finally, A32 was seen travelling back to the east and a short while after that a few A4 calls. Unfortunately, those were our only clues and we are not sure where the A12,A8s and those new whales ended up. Time will hopefully tell.
Helena
16 Jul 2006 22:31:59 PDT

14 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

We believe that the whales who had been stalled off Robson Bight for several hours finally shifted east of the Ecological Reserve, just after 11pm last night. The rest of the night was quiet
Helena
14 Jul 2006 07:15:19 PDT

No orcas present.

The resident groups (the A12s,A36s,A4s and A8s) stayed far to the east today. Two transients wandered Queen Charlotte Strait.
Helena
14 Jul 2006 22:41:44 PDT

13 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

No calls but orcas nearby

Living inside a vortex: Yesterday "everyone" came back and headed into Johnstone Strait where they went east briefly. After milling around the Robson Bight area they moved west early this morning. The A36s led the A4s and the A8s into Blackney Pass from Johnstone Strait and headed into Blackfish Sound. The A36s were all business but the rest were very social, kids playing, mums travelling with mums. A13 has suffered some damage to the top of his fin. The recent wound is showing up white. It makes for quite change in appearance. We did not see the A12s and could not say for sure that the A24s were in this crowd.
Helena
13 Jul 2006 07:13:16 PDT

Superb sounds!!

A long day... the A36s,A4s and A8s headed into Queen Charlotte Strait via Blackney Pass at first light. The A12s elected to head east in Johnstone Strait. While the A12s began their trekk back west toward Robson Bight the sleepy Queen Charlotte gang managed to turn around and head back also.They "drifted" east in Blackfish Sound along the Hanson Island shore, passing Dong Chong Bay (the scene 4 years ago today of Springer's arrival by boat and short stay in the pen),toward Johnstone Strait. After a brief stall in the Johnstone Strait entrance way to Blackney they pushed on and eastward toward the A12s who were coming from the opposite direction. As the A12s passed, the bigger group, turned around and followed. Eventually, everyone turned again and excitedly rushed toward the Ecological Reserve. One "final" move back to west brought them only as far as the area in front of the Bight where they parked themselves for hours, calling, calling, calling. At this stage, one can only guess if the strong ebbing tide will eventually encourage them to go further west.
Helena
13 Jul 2006 23:03:52 PDT

12 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A12s,A4s and A5s have come back from the east and are continuing west past Kaikash Creek.
Helena
12 Jul 2006 06:56:02 PDT

Distant calls audible.

It sounds like the whales that were headed west in Johnstone Strait went through Weynton Pass and are now headed out into Queen Charlotte Strait, crossing the top end of Blackfish Sound.
Helena
12 Jul 2006 08:44:10 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

After travelling Queen Charlotte Strait for most of the day the A12s,A4s and perhaps the A8s returned to the Strait via Weynton Passage. They then travelled east past Robson Bight.
Helena
12 Jul 2006 20:43:57 PDT

I forgot to mention that the A36s were with the other groups at least as far as Weynton Passage but it was unclear if they continued into the Strait.
Helena
12 Jul 2006 20:45:27 PDT

11 July 2006, Orcalab reports

No orcas present.

A quiet day since the A12s,A4s and A8s went east just after midnight. They kept going and this morning were seen near Sayward still eastbound. The whalewatch boats found four humbacks to fill out their day and then in the later part of the afternoon the A36s were found miling off of Lizard Point. We are hoping that they will "drop down" just a bit further and get in range of Flower Island. Finally, rain, real rain, today - you can just about hear the forest sigh with relief. But we need much more and the sky is now lifting.
Helena
11 Jul 2006 16:38:15 PDT

10 July 2006, Orcalab reports


Multiple pod calls audible.

This has been one of those days where the whales move back and forth in the Strait. The A11s (without the A35s) and the A24s were first to move to the west in the Strait and then turn and go all the way back east of Robson Bight where they joined up with the A12s,A8s and possibly the A35s for another run to the west. They have completed this run, getting as far as the Wastells/Telegrapg Cove, and have once again turned back to the east. Through the constant boat noise we can, after a short break, hear their calls once again. We will have to wait to see if they decide to go the full length of the western Strait and head back to the Bight.
Helena
10 Jul 2006 21:15:50 PDT

09 July 2006, Orcalab reports

Distant calls audible.

We just started to hear A4 calls again on Critical Point. Just before dark last night yesterday's groups (the A12s,A4s,A8s and A36s) started to arrive back from Queen Charlotte Strait via both Blackney Pass and Weynton Pass. The incoming groups met off the entrance to Blackney and then continued to the east. The A11s, the last group, followed a short while later and may be the group now returning to the west.
Helena
09 Jul 2006 07:39:56 PDT

08 July 2006, Oralab reports:

No orcas present.

Quiet night, nothing seemed to change over night.
Helena
08 Jul 2006 07:42:12 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

"Nothing seemed to change" was not exactly accurate - in fact everything changed overnight! The problem for us was that it all happened silently. The A12s, A4s and A8s travelled west in the Strait and were completely silent until just before the entrance of Weynton Passage. We heard a single call over the boat noise at around 8:30am. This was just about the same moment when Jim Borrowman, looking out from Telegraph Cove saw a single fin near Weynton Passage. When he got over to the whales they were already well into the Pass and heading out to Blackfish Sound and Donegal Head beyond. An interesting split happened. A12 and A33 along with the A8s and the A35s came down into Blackney Pass and Johnstone Strait while the A11s and the rest of the A12s (the A34s) joined the A36s and travelled out through Queen Charlotte Strait. After a short while A12 and A33 led the A35s and the A8s back out through Blackney and on to Queen Charlotte Strait where they are now, several kilometres behind the "other gang". A rather neat day of interesting twists. Warm southeast winds continued to blow.
Helena
08 Jul 2006 16:55:56 PDT

07 July 2006, Orcalab reports

Multiple pod calls audible.

What a night. After circling Hanson Island twice the A12s and the a4s finally headed up into Blackfish Sound where they waited for the A36s to bring in some of the A5s and either the I31s or I11s. The A36s left via Blckney Pass around first light and continued back west into Blackfish. The A12s and the A5s may have continued east (at least for now) while the I11/I31 group sounded like they came up to Craroft Point behind the A36s. however, they never came into Blackney and we wonder if they and one of the A groups continued off to the west in the Strait.
Helena
07 Jul 2006 06:36:22 PDT

No orcas present.

After all the excitment of new groups arriving, the rest of the day was a bit anticlimatic. By 630am the A36s and the I31s (only I46, I80, and the I33s were identified by Jared Towers) took different paths out of the area. We have no idea what happened to the A4s, A12s amd the A5s - did they leave as well via Weynton Pass or did they go east? Time will probably let us in on the secret. For now, boat noise and the sound of the southeast wind.
Helena
07 Jul 2006 22:10:22 PDT

5 July 2006, Orcalab reports:


Distant calls audible.

A further note: The A12s can be heard now on CP as they continue west and we now believe the C10s and A5s were with the A4s and A36s on their trek to Queen Charlotte Strait earlier.
Helena
05 Jul 2006 09:31:36 PDT

4 July 2006 Orcalab reports:

No orcas present.

We believe that the A12s,A36s,A4s,A5s and Cs are still in the eastern reaches of Johnstone Strait.
Helena
04 Jul 2006 08:41:35 PDT

3 July 2006, Orcalab reports:

Multiple pod calls audible.

We just had an exciting moment as the Cs and A5s passed the Lab very quickly on their way to the Strait.
Helena
03 Jul 2006 19:15:19 PDT