A11s left with the A5s to the North

Multiple pod calls audible.

It seems we're connected again, after being down most of the night. Sorry about that, as it has been very exciting vocally & socially. There has been a lot of movement since yesterday. The groups that were in the east came quickly back to the west in the afternoon & met up with the I15s/I31s, who had spent hours resting in western Johnstone Strait yesterday afternoon before heading into the beaches for an excited rub just before the A11s & co met them around 7pm. The A12s & A36s came back into the Strait via Weynton Pass & headed east just before dark. Most of the groups headed north via Blackney Pass around midnight & then headed back into the Strait around 3am. At the moment, the A30s & I31s are in Blackfish Sound. We think the A12s headed east from Robson Bight around 3am.
Helena
29 Jul 2008 06:18:23 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A11s, followed by the A5s, have just travelled north through Blackney Pass on the swiftly ebbing tide.
Helena
29 Jul 2008 07:37:04 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

A lot has been happening while we were "down". First of all, this morning we have heard the I15s and possibly other G clan members arrive into Johnstone Strait. We are also hearing A1 calls and hopefully soon will sort out who. Yesterday, the A30s continued west toward the A24s and A5s who spent the day in the Lower Johnstone Strait (Nick Templeman report). Then yesterday evening, A12 and A33 travelled through Blackfish Sound,Blackney Pass and into Johnstone Strait. They were first seen by Troy Bright at Berre Point. They looked well and energetic, foraging as they travelled past us. A small minke kept company briefly. Again this morning, we had a group of dolphins who added to the mix.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 08:00:39 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

This parade has no end. We are now listening to A4 calls!
Helena
27 Jul 2008 09:09:23 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Some of the orcas (A4s) have reached the rubbing beaches!
Helena
27 Jul 2008 09:46:02 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

We think that the A11s are there today (at the Beaches)
Helena
27 Jul 2008 10:14:22 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A11s, A36s & others have turned back to the west & are spread out across the Strait opposite Naka Creek. They are moving slowly but should be within range of our hydrophones again before long.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 14:10:48 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

After passing the Beaches, the I15s, I31s and the A36s turned back to the west. They have now passed CP and are on their way west. The A11s, who were seen earlier have not been yet identified as part of this western run. Meanwhile, the A30s,A5s, A12s and A24s were in the Lower Johnstone Strait where at least some, if not all, went southeast of Nodales Channel.
Helena
27 Jul 2008 17:15:14 PDT

A24s are with the A5s east in Johnstone Strait

No calls but orcas nearby

The A30s continued east. They are now just about to enter the Ecological Reserve. Meanwhile, the A5s and A24s were reported off Camp Point (east Johnstone Strait) this morning.
Helena
26 Jul 2008 11:04:08 PDT

Orcalab reports: A24s with A5 matrilines in JS

Multiple pod calls audible.

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


Orcas near mics.

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

Multiple pod calls audible.

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

Orcas near mics.

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

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Someone touched in at the Beaches on their way to Critical Point. We are now hearing A24 calls so perhaps they are in the lead.
Helena
24 Jul 2008 21:13:05 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

After coming in close to Critical Point the A4 and A5 groups seemed to go around the "corner". The A5s have already been to the beaches. The A34s were still west of Critical Point.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 22:36:20 PDT

Superb sounds!!

Sounds like the A4s,A5s and the A34s have moved back toward the Ecological Reserve.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 21:08:38 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Despite the boat noise in Johnstone Strait the calls have been quite clear at times as they come near the hydrophones. The Cliff" had the A34s, A23s, A8s and A24s pass by and by now the groups are passing CP, some in quite close.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 19:05:26 PDT

No orcas present.

It has been quiet (except for boat noise) since around 1am. We think several of the groups from yesterday (A12s, A5s, at least some A4s) remained in Johnstone Srtrait & were probably headed east by midnight. At least one C group headed north via Blackney Pass around 12:30am. It's a quiet morning here, on & under the water. We are waiting.
Helena
23 Jul 2008 08:01:17 PDT

Distant calls audible.

Curious. More questions. We are hearing both A4 and Cs in Johnstone Strait. Have the A11s come west after the rub? Did all the Cs go out to Blackfish Sound? Did some stay? Or have they looped around Hanson Island?
Helena
22 Jul 2008 22:41:35 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Oh boy! The A11s are rubbing while the Cs travel into Blackfish Sound. Both are vocal.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 20:47:09 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Marie, staying late on the Cliff, reports that the Cs are with the A11s opposite Robson Bight headed east.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 20:16:37 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

It has been interesting trying to figure out all of the movement around the area. It now appears the A11s (including Springer) arrived in the Strait possibly past Alert bay. As they were making their way east, the Cs went past the Cliff to the west, ignoring the A5s, A34s and possibly the A24s (an earlier arrival this afternoon) who continued east to the eastern end of the Reserve. We still have plenty of questions and tracking.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 19:22:26 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Several developments! More orcas have been sighted heading east past Alert Bay; the A4 group that came in via Weynton Pass has made it as far as the rubbing beaches; the A5s & A34s are headed towards the Cracroft side from Robson Bight; and the Cs are westbound again, now off the Sophias.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 18:44:33 PDT

There have been new developments. The A4s are back via Weynton Pass. They are now eastbound in Johnstone Strait. The A8s and the A23s are westbound to meet them. Currently, they are moving toward Cracroft Point. The A34s are following.
Helena
22 Jul 2008 17:21:44 PDT

No orcas present.

Jack Springer "down east" reported to the "Cliff" that the A23s and the A8s spent yesterday in Frederick Arm. We also heard that the A11s have been spending some time in Queen Charlotte Strait lately so they have not gone too far away. Promising news.
Helena
19 Jul 2008 10:08:51 PDT

Boat noise

As far as we know the A5s continued eastward. There was a report of whales in Queen Charlotte Strait this morning. Nice to imagine it was the absent A11s. We will see what develops overnight. Lovely sunny day with humpbacks, dall porpoise and minke whales,
Helena
13 Jul 2008 22:53:05 PDT

No orcas present.

Once the whales got into Blackfish Sound they became vocal for a while longer before fading off into the distance. Very foggy this morning.
Helena
13 Jul 2008 09:10:52 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

And once again these groups passed north through Blackney Pass into Blackfish Sound.
Helena
13 Jul 2008 00:21:37 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Well this is interesting! We are hearing A4 and A5 calls in the entrance of Blackney Pass once again.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 23:10:04 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

The A11s and the A5s came up to Cracroft point once again but this time they turned into Blackney Pass and rushed northward into Blackfish Sound. A60 was very active, waiting for the A8s to push through,foraging and posrpoising along. The whales were spread right across Blackney. They are now all in Blackfish Sound, still vocal.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 18:14:56 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The boats let us know that the G17s headed off towards Sointula - a quick tour with an interesting departure choice. At 1:40pm the A11s (all of them) and the A8s and A23s turned off the Wastells and began their journey back to the east while the G17s departed for points west.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 14:42:44 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A11s, A5s and G17s are continuing west past the entrance of Blackney Pass.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 12:33:20 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A4s,A5s and Gs are approaching the Cracroft Point/Blackney Pass area.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 12:06:08 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The whales, after a brief rub, turned and headed back to the west. One group on Vancouver Island is just clearing the western boundary of the Reserve and others are opposite the "Cliff" across from Robson Bight.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 11:32:15 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

We still are unable to listen to our normal range. But the "Cliff" was able to update our reports as the groups (the A11s,G17s and A5s) passed Critical Point.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 10:13:40 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A4s and the Gs took advantage of the slack tide and went into Johnstone Strait where we think we heard A5 calls as well. All are east bound toward the Reserve by now. Also a report via Nic Templeman that 3 large male fins were seen at 7:15am off Stimpson Reef.
Helena
12 Jul 2008 09:19:25 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s and the A8s went up to the western end of Hanson Island by 6pm. From there they turned back to the east and just a short while ago we heard them off of Cracroft Point. Perhaps they will continue eastward. The tide is dropping but they have been swimming against the tide all day. Interesting note: CetaceaLab has seen the A30s and A4s and heard A5 calls as well. Seeming the A51s have not been seen here we have to conclude they are still north.
Helena
07 Jul 2008 19:41:29 PDT