Wednesday, August 10, 2005

10 August Orcalab reports

16:40 PDT No calls but orcas nearby
Lots happening! the A12s turned off big bay and are now headed across to the Vancouver Island shore. A group of transient orcas have come out of Knight Inlet and are headed toward Donegal Head. And finally, the very BIG group which was seen earlier in the day is still far to the west of the "core area". Some of the groups have broken off and moved away while another group remains off the Port Hardy airport and is still eastbound. There is not yet a complete description of who has been positively sighted but it may include A4s, A5s along with Cs.

21:29 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
If you are watching Channel A you will have realised that a silent group came through Blackney and are passing CP. For us at the Lab the whales were on the far side in fading light but we think that the A4s and A5s were in the two groups which passed. While they were entering the last part of Blackney, just before entering the Strait, we began to hear R clan calls on Flower Island. There is currently a large boat in Blackfish which is drowning the calls. This could soon be very exciting!

21:58 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
The Rs, who are very vocal are still in Blackfish Sound, close to the Flower Island hydrophone. Ahead of them, the C10s, A5s, &A4s are already in Johnstone Strait, heading east.

22:53 PDT Multiple pod calls audible.
Everyone is momentarily quiet BUT the Rs are negotiating the last part of Blackney while the A12s,A4s, A5s and Cs are passing Critical Point. Strange how they all fell silent at the same time!

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