Large Crowd

Multiple pod calls audible.

The very large "crowd" that was reported being in Queen Charlotte Strait yesterday, is beginning to arrive. This happens several hours after the A8s rushed out of Blackfish Sound. So far we have heard, the A30s, A4s,A5s and I15s.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 03:50:14 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Moving in... using every available route. We now are hearing Bs and possibly I31 calls already in Johnstone Strait via Blackney Pass as the A4s move through Blackney on their way to the Strait as well. Getting very crowded!
Helena
25 Aug 2009 04:27:06 PDT

Orcas rubbing on the shore bottom.

Some of the orcas have reached the rubbing beaches, others are in Robson Bight, others are headed east past Alert Bay, others are still coming. The movemenr is generally eastward.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 08:37:53 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

Boy, this is busy! First a probable correction is needed. the Bs may not be there. It was a mistake of hearing the word "Bs" for "Ds" in the early morning. What is clear is that the A1s, A4s, and A5s came into Johnstone Strait along with the I15s and I31s between 4 and 5am. The Ds never seemed to come very far to the east so we are not sure where they are now. There is a sleepy group west bound between Alert Bay and Haddington Island on the Vancouver Island pointed toward Malcolm Island. This may be the C6s. There is another large group (whales everywhere today) between Cormorant Island and Malcolm Island heading toward Sointula. The Johnstone Strait whales are west bound from the beaches to Robson Bight spread out from the Cracroft Island shore to Vancouver Island. Whew! hang on to your hats!
Helena
25 Aug 2009 09:59:39 PDT

Multiple pod calls audible.

We now know a bit more of today's distribution: the C6s and G25s are the westbound,sleepy group headed to haddington island; the Ds (all) and I22/39 are the sointula group;the i33s just went by the Cliff a short while ago following the A36s. It is not clear where the the rest of the As and I15s are at the moment.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 10:44:42 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

the orca shuffle continues: westbound in the Strait are the A30s, A36s,I31s and the I15s. They are spread out from Little Kaikash (west of CP) back to Izumi Rock (the A30s,I15s and maybe part of the I31s along the Vacouver Island side, while the A36s and I33s are on the Cracroft Island side). Eastbound are most likely the A4s,A5s and A12s ,now past the Eve River
Helena
25 Aug 2009 11:12:56 PDT

Orcas near mics.

The I33s just went north through Blackney Pass and are now westbound in Blackfish Sound.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 12:12:16 PDT

No calls but orcas nearby

Here is another correction. The A30s are probably back with their regular company heading east at Hickey Point. (A12s,A4s,A5s and A30s). the two males seen on the Vancouver Island side ahead of the I15s earlier may have been the rest of the I31s (the I33s went north through Blackney Pass). the A36s ended up going through Weynton pass and we heard them as they crossed the top end of Blackfish Sound following the I33s out to the west. The I15s are currently off the entrance to Weynton pass deciding on their next move. The I31s may be with them. Complicated day to say the least.
Helena
25 Aug 2009 14:32:32 PDT

I31s returned from the east

Distant calls audible.

After a gap of a day or so, we are again hearing I31 type calls in Johnstone Strait. Perhaps they are making their way back to the west.
Helena
08 Apr 2009 13:49:52 PDT

No orcas present.

Thanks to the Mackays we know that 4 orcas have been seen headed toward Haddington Island (between Sointula, Alert Bay and Port McNeill. This might be the whales we heard earlier.
Helena
08 Apr 2009 17:45:04 PDT

I31s returned from teh east

Distant calls audible.

We are now hearing calls in Johnstone strait, perhaps, the groups who were east are now beginning to file back. All this activity is extraordinary for April which is usually the quietest month of the calendar year.
Helena
05 Apr 2009 14:32:16 PDT

Orcas near mics.

These I31 type calls are closer to Robson Bight now. Unfortunately, the boat noise continues. The new BC ferry, replacement for the Queen of the North, went north through Blackney Pass about an hour ago. The boat noise has been constant through last night and today. But it is a lovely day, nevertheless. The ocean has calmed down, the evening light nice and soft and the temperature is more Spring like.
Helena
05 Apr 2009 18:14:09 PDT

I31s are back in the area and left to the east

Distant calls audible.

We are now hearing distant G clan calls and echo location, in Johnstone Strait,off the entrance to Blackney Pass!
Helena
04 Apr 2009 14:06:58 PST

Distant calls audible.

Possibly, the calls are from the I31s and it seems like they are eastbound.
Helena
04 Apr 2009 14:37:53 PST

No orcas present.

The whales probably continued east past Robson Bight around 5pm.
Helena
04 Apr 2009 17:09:53 PST

I31s

The last month has been incredibly busy with orcas - wouldn't you know it? The area has been visted by several transient groups, as well as, the I31s and A5s, from the northern resident community. On January 11th, the 131s were first heard coming into the area. During the following two weeks, they have travelled the entire length of Johnstone Strait. Recently, the I33 matriline has been heard and seen going back and forth from the Ecological Reserve to Telegraph Cove. Possibly, last night they were joined by the other I31s. We finally lost track of the calls, (still in the Strait), around midnight. Today, we got word that the A8s were near Pender Harbour! We had heard them come in and head east early January 20th. Pender Harbour is where Corky and 5 other A5 pod members were captured and taken away in 1969 - 39 years ago! Although the A5s have been known to travel Georgia Strait, this is an historic return to this location.
Helena and Paul
23 Jan 2009 21:37:26 PST