A24s at Saint Vincents Bight

No calls but orcas nearby

We began hearing A4 calls in Johnstone Strait a little before 7am. We're not sure where the calls were located, but we heard them on the Critical Point hydrophone. The orcas are silent now, and there is a lot of water noise from wind, so listening conditions aren't great.
Helena
30 Jun 2009 07:47:13 PDT

No orcas present.

Probably, the A24s were in the Ecological Reserve earlier when we heard the calls. The Lkuwa received a report that there were whales there about 7:45am. They have not yet been found since but it is thought they may have continued eastward from the Reserve.
Helena
30 Jun 2009 10:25:46 PDT

A 24's eastbound at Saint Vincents Bight at 11 am
Garry Henkel@Campbell River
30 Jun 2009 11:04:28 PDT

A24s

No calls but orcas nearby

Stubbs Island Whale Watch had a lucky day. Just as they were coming out of Telegraph Cove they came across the A24s heading east. They left them off Cracroft Point (CP) at about 10:40am still east bound.
Helena
28 Jun 2009 11:22:24 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A24s are fairly close to Robson Bight and seem to have woken up a bit.
Helena
28 Jun 2009 13:52:27 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Actually, the A24s are still a bit to the west of Robson Bight, closer to the Sophia Islands mid straight. Pretty clear sounds through the boat noise.
Helena
28 Jun 2009 14:19:12 PDT

Orcas near mics.

Sorry! I need to set an alarm, the computer did its noon glitch. This is a programme issue and hopefully we can work it out of the system. Meanwhile, the A24s have really picked it up heading to the east now at a good travel rate.
Helena
28 Jun 2009 14:23:29 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

The A24s are at the beaches.
Helena
28 Jun 2009 16:44:32 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

I believe the rub is over now for a while. Perhaps we will be able to figue out which way they head from there.
Helena
28 Jun 2009 17:26:02 PDT

Distant calls audible.

These A4 calls (?A24s still) are now opposite the entrance to Blackney Pass in Johnstone Strait.
Helena
28 Jun 2009 21:18:27 PDT

A24s arrived with a new baby!

No calls but orcas nearby

Stay tuned! Orcas on the move! There have been several reports: yesterday 30 orcas were seen off the Bella Bella area,last night there was a group off Duval Point, this morning off Black Bluff, and later (just recently) orcas easting from Lizard Point. We may get busy! A minke was also reorted off Telegraph Cove this morning. Thanks to Mackay and Stubbs Island Whale Watching for the updates.
Helena
27 Jun 2009 08:38:12 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A23s are on their way in with another group following behind as they head to the top end of Blackfish Sound. (Stubbs Island)
Helena
27 Jun 2009 09:49:22 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

The A24s just went south by the Lab, close to Hanson Island. A24 has a new baby too!
Helena
27 Jun 2009 11:37:29 PDT

Superb sounds!!

The A24s are just entering Johnstone Strait!
Helena
27 Jun 2009 11:45:32 PDT

Distant calls audible.

The A24s continue to move eastward toward the Ecological Reserve. Not sure about the reports of other groups. Only the A24s have been positively sighted.
Helena
27 Jun 2009 12:42:27 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A24s went past Critical Point and then turned around and now have gone all the way back west, past CP, Blackney Pass. They are now approaching Big Bay on Hanson Island.
Helena
27 Jun 2009 15:44:02 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The A24s have turned back to the east headed now toward the Ecological Reserve: Sounds like summer!
Helena
27 Jun 2009 19:41:20 PDT

Orcas near mics.

It sounds like the A24s might have moved closer to Robson Bight.
Helena
27 Jun 2009 22:47:34 PDT