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| April 5, 2014
We are watching and visiting the whales in their home~
Please observe, love and respect them from a distance.
Having trouble viewing this Sightings Report? Archived Reports can be found HERE.
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A possible sighting of Southern Resident orcas off Bodega Head CA, about 50 miles north of San Francisco, came in on March 30. Watchers have been looking for them off Monterey but so far no sightings have come in.
Gray whales are cruising up and down Saratoga Passage daily, often stopping off at their favorite mudflats during high tides for some shrimping. Approximately 8 of the regulars have been ID'd so far this year, but more could come in over the next month or so. This report has an abundance of incredible photos, including Transient ID shots and a study of the technique gray whales use to extract the shrimp from the mud around south Whidbey Island.
Transients/Bigg's Whales are in the South Puget Sound as the sun sets this evening under cloudy skies. Possibly two groups have been seen on both the east and west sides of Vashon Island, where they were last seen yesterday afternoon. Others were seen near Port Townsend this morning, which may have the same ones seen in Rosario Strait yesterday morning.
The Langley Whale Center is only a month old and still changing almost every day. A new overhead projector and very large screen have turned the meeting room into a theater that now sports an almost life-sized gray whale head and tail, also a very big 1890's drug store cabinet now fills a back wall and will gradually be filled with interesting items. New stuff is going in and going on every day, so if you've been there already, it's probably already different, so drop by again sometime. You might also see a gray whale, like this morning when a gray had breakfast in the tideflats off Langley.
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Photo of the Day
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 | Breaching in Trincomali Channel (south of Nanaimo).
Photo by Mark Malleson, March 31, 2014.
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Possible Southern Residents
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March 30
I managed to skip out for a few hours to do a midday sea watch at Bodega Bay. Soon after settling in and scoping about 1:00 pm, I saw spouts about a mile off NW of the head. Just as I was thinking they must be California Gray Whales at this time of year, I saw one whale breach completely out of the water. They were Orcas! I counted around 20 animals with 2-3 males with the tall large dorsal fins. The pod slowly made its way south in the direction of Pt. Reyes. I and many tourists whom I shared my scope with to get them on their first whales, observed the pod for an hour before they got lost in the sun's glare as they headed south. Several breaches as well as tail slapping and spy hopping were seen. Several times I saw Orca swimming belly up!!! Black and white upon their bellys and tail, White around the eyes. Curiously, there were 2-3 California Gray Whales much closer to shore during the Orca passing.
Scott Carey
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Transients/Bigg's killer whales
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April 5
6:45 pm - Orcas sighted on north of Maury island. Four orcas were seen north of Maury island heading towards KVI beach.
Location: Vashon/Maury Island
Gordon Mueller
April 5
6:42 - Orca whales heading through Colvos Pass! Just passed the northern tip of Vashon. Heading North!
Kristi Amrine
April 5
11:00 am - Sightings on Henderson bay (Gig Harbor)! 6 orca !! 2 tall dorsal fins lots of play 4 other whales! 2 males playing tandem others tail slaps & pectoral fins up and down. Very cool day kayaking in south sound!
JoAnn Moore
April 5
11:00 am - I saw at least 6 or 7 orcas playing in Henderson Bay (northeast of Gig Harbor), 2 miles south of the Purdy boat ramp. Two tall dorsal fins and lots of splashing. Beautiful experience. I will send photos if they turn out.
Christine Burris
April 5
I was leading a paddle with 7 Kayakers from the Purdy Spit to Cutts Island, as we approached Allen Pt we sighted a group of Orcas traveling north in Henderson Bay (near Gig Harbor). We counted at least 6 in the group, 2 of which had very tall pronounced dorsal fins. The group was very active and playful. We witnessed several pectoral fin slaps, tail fin slaps, lots of playing and splashing.
Jason Learned
April 5
10:35 am - John Rogstad of WSF called to relay a report from the ferry Kennewick on the Port Townsend/Coupeville run - a pod of 6-8 orcas, heading south into Admiralty Inlet. They also report some small boats chasing the whales.
April 4
5 pm - Looks like they were headed towards salmon beach when we lost them and looks like NOAA turned back to head home. They might be headed to The Narrows (Tacoma).
Jill Clogston
April 4
4:30 - Saw orcas traveling south through the Narrows. Were first sighted on the West side of the Narrows, South of Gig Harbor, close to the beach under the bluffs. They moved out into the center of the channel North of the Narrows Bridge, and crossed under the center of the main span of the Narrows Bridge. Last seen heading South, still in the main channel about 1 to 2 miles South of the bridge.
One orca with a very tall dark dorsal fin and two smaller ones with short dorsal fins, lighter in color.
Traveling South through the Narrows, South Sound. Although, as they moved out into the center of the channel North of the Narrows Bridge, they went underwater for a minute or two. The one with the very tall dorsal fin came to the surface about 100 to 200 feet further to the East, but rejoined the others in the middle of the channel before going under the bridge.
Warren Wilson
April 4
4:25 - Just passing Owens beach heading towards the Narrows.
4:15 - Approaching the ferry lane Vashon/Pt. defiance.
3:55 - I can see them from Owen beach!!
Jason Cook
April 4
3:32 - They were mid way to Browns Point about 30 minutes ago.
Amy Carey
April 4
3:01 - Whales are past Pt. Robinson now, still heading south.
Meg McDonald
April 4
2:20 - They are slightly north of Des Moines pier mid channel with research boat.
Tanya Jackson Esparza
April 4
2:05 - orcas in south sound. Sighted a small pod, 2 to 4 orca, headed south in East Puget sound North East of Point Robinson Vashon. Headed south appeared to be feeding on seals.
Patrick McClean
April 4
2:04 - Basically still across from 3 tree.
1:56 - Vashon side...near Tramp Harbor. NOAA is with them.
1:40 - I can see some fins in the distance off three tree through my binocs. On the pier at Des Moines.
Vickie Doyle
April 4
On the 11:30 Bainbridge to Seattle ferry and saw them way in the distance in the Bremerton ferry lane.
Jay Burkett
April 4
11:33 - Jamie sees some farther south nearing West Seattle.
April 4
1:29 - Nearing three tree point.
1:19 - Some passing Dilworth. Spread across from vashon and some very close to Seattle side.
Amy Carey
 | Here's a female or young killer whale who was traveling next to T102 and T101A near today's Vashon ferry. It's more challenging to identify this animal based on dorsal fin and saddle patch -- but because wild killer whales nearly always travel next to their immediate family members, it's likely that this is either T101 (the family matriarch, born 1973) or her youngest son T101B (born 1997).
Photo by Meg McDonald, April 4, 2014. |
 | Here are transient killer whale T102 and a family member passing Point Robinson today, surfing a huge wake from a Tacoma-bound freight ship. See those distinctive rake marks on T102's saddle patch? They're probably from a tussle with a sea lion, and must have hurt when fresh--but they sure are helpful in identifying this handsome killer whale!
Photo by Meg McDonald, April 4, 2014. |
 | Here's transient killer whale T102's younger brother T101A (born 1993) surfacing near today's 12:20 Vashon ferry to the delight of many passengers.
Photo by Meg McDonald, April 4, 2014.
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 | Transient killer whale T102 (born 1984) surfaced directly in front of today's 12:20 Vashon ferry, delighting many passengers.
Photo by Meg McDonald, April 4, 2014.
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April 4
12:41 - Saw 2 surfacing in Vashon side, even with ferry dock, about 12:30 pm. Haven't re-found them yet. Heading south.
Trileigh Tucker
April 4
12:31 - Two orcas off of Fauntelroy ferry dock heading south.
Christine Zahn
April 4
12:30 - Jamie Grundhauser called in reports of the orcas, still heading south at noon. NOAA was with a group of 5 Orcas including 2 large males, the earlier group was reaching Vashon Island.
April 4
12:15 - They are just past Alki Lighthouse but north of Fauntleroy ferry.
Jamie Grundhauser
April 4
12:00 - Same three pods of orcas today around noon. Southbound at fauntleroy ferry dock and pt williams, headed south towards tacoma.
Clint Jones
April 4
11:42 - Brad Hanson called with visual confirmation of orcas off Alki. No ID's or numbers yet.
April 4
11:30 - now in front of Seattle harbor.
11:25 - re-sighted them from Queen Anne. They are porpoising mid channel just north of Eagle Harbor. NOAA just getting on scene.
10:56 - see the mid channel just south of West Point/Rolling bay still southbound.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
April 4
Woohoo!!! At 11:30am there were at least 5 or 6 Orcas off the tip of Alki Point this morning. How exciting! I've lived at Alki Point for 7 years and rarely leave the house without my binoculars in hopes of spotting whales. I'm so glad I had them this morning because this is the first time I've finally caught sight of them off Alki. One had a super tall fin that tipped over at the top. They swung around the point really close to shore, too! Thank you, Orca Network, for all you do to raise awareness for these amazing creatures!
Adrianna Wells
April 4
11:27 - Good viewing water. Staying under a while. Between magnolia and wing point. Mid channel or east. No good count.
Rick Hatten
April 4
11:05 - Eagle Harbor area. Look a little closer to BI side now.
10:56 - They are about at Yeomalt still mid channel.
10:41 - Between Bainbridge Is. and Shilsole right now
Anne Duggan Smith
April 4
10:34 - Yes they were heading south and by my estimation they might be a bit north of the Bainbridge ferry pathway about now.....or thereabouts.
9:57 - I just now saw this post and went to look thru the binoculars....sure enough I see their spouts a bit south of here (live on President Point in Kingston).
Chris Beamer Otterson
April 4
Around 8:15 am a pod of killer whales was seen heading south across the Kingston Edmonds Ferry pathway. The ferry departed from Kingston to Edmonds and the whales were seen off the bow of the vessel. Total there were 15+ whales, either in groups of about 5 or singled out. Unsure if Transients or Residents.
Kelsey Donahue
April 4
John Rogstad from WA State Ferries called at 8:16 am to say the ferry Chelan saw 8-10 orcas traveling fast eastward through Thatcher Pass, between Decatur and Blakely islands, into Rosario Strait.
April 3
Yesterday we were able to catch up with the T049A's and T065A's near Whale Rocks. They skulked through the rock piles past the seal haulouts and I left them at 1210 near Iceberg (Lopez Island) harassing a harbor seal. Thanks to Tom and Jane on Morning Star for passing them off to those of us who could make it there.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales
 | T065A, T065A5, T065A3, and T065A4 skulking past the shoreline of Long Island.
Photo by Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales Whale Watch, April 3, 2014.
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April 3
They went south, peeked into san juan channel, then headed for Iceberg on the south tip of Lopez.
Traci Walter
April 3
This afternoon at 2:45 PM a friend of mine saw three orcas in Rosario Strait from the ferry between Anacortes and Decatur.
Monika Weiland
April 3
I sighted a pod of four Orcas. They where traveling south through Cowichan Bay (BC) and stayed for a couple of minutes in front of Saltspring Island. The was one adult male and one calf in the pod.
Stefan Seiden
April 3
1:32 - Two orcas spotted off Decatur Island on the ferry from Lopez to Anacortes!
11:34 - Orcas southbound on San Juan Island, spotted at San Juan County Park! A group of 4!
Deanna Hume-Cheatwood
April 3
10 am - Thanks to a tip from Ken, Dave and I got to see the T49As and T65As cruising south past Lime Kiln. It was somewhere around 10am-ish.
-Adam U
 | Photo by Adam U, April 3, 2014.
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 | | Photo by Adam U, April 3, 2014. |
 | | Photo by Adam U, April 3, 2014. |
 | | Photo by Adam U, April 3, 2014. |
 | | Photo by Adam U, April 3, 2014. |
 | | Photo by Adam U, April 3, 2014. |
April 3
9:30 - Capt. Hobbes reports the Ts NW of Lime Kiln. Hopefully we'll hear vocalizing on the hydrophones.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
April 2
Jeff040214
KING5 facebook page: Our friend Jeff saw Mom & Baby in Port Angeles today!
 | KING5 facebook page: Our friend Jeff saw Mom & Baby in Port Angeles today!
Photo by Jeff, April 2, 2014.
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 | Transients, Thetis Island (Gulf Islands, 15 miles SE of Nanaimo), 15 whales ! - T86A, T124, T87, others.
Photos Captain David Howitt, Jim Maya's Westside Charters, March 31, 2014.
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 | Transients, Thetis Island, 15 whales ! - T86A, T124, T87, others.
Photos Captain David Howitt, Maya's Westside Charters, March 31, 2014. |
 | Transients, Thetis Island, 15 whales ! - T86A, T124, T87, others.
Photos Captain David Howitt, Maya's Westside Charters, March 31, 2014. |
 | Transients, Thetis Island, 15 whales ! - T86A, T124, T87, others.
Photos Captain David Howitt, Maya's Westside Charters, March 31, 2014. |
 | Transients, Thetis Island, 15 whales ! - T86A, T124, T87, others.
Photos Captain David Howitt, Maya's Westside Charters, March 31, 2014. |
 | Transients, Thetis Island, 15 whales ! - T86A, T124, T87, others.
Photos Captain David Howitt, Maya's Westside Charters, March 31, 2014. |
March 31
Just another killer day in the Salish Sea! Today we had 15 Bigg's Killer Whales munching on Pacific Harbour Seals for over two hours.
Simon Pidcock
 | 15 Bigg's Killer Whales, Vancouver Island Whale Watching.
Video by Simon Pidcock, March 31, 2014.
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March 31
On the morning of March 31st we were able to catch up with a group of 15 transient (Bigg's) killer whales heading north quickly up Trincomali Channel.
Thanks to Ian from Gulf Island Safaris and Simon from Ocean Ecoventures for the heads up.
Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales
 | Checking out a seal haulout on the north side of Saltspring Island.
Photo by Mark Malleson, March 31, 2014.
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March 31
We caught up with about 15 transient killer whales on our 10am trip today! We had multiple breaches and tail slaps!!!
Photo by Maria Chantelle Tucker
 | | Photo by Maria Chantelle Tucker, March 31, 2014. |
 | | Photo by Maria Chantelle Tucker, March 31, 2014. |
 | | Photo by Maria Chantelle Tucker, March 31, 2014. |
 | | Photo by Maria Chantelle Tucker, March 31, 2014. |
 | | Photo by Maria Chantelle Tucker, March 31, 2014. |
 | Sneak peek!!! T65A with her newest calf! Photo taken from Clover Pt, Victoria, BC
Photo by Marcie Callewaert, March 30, 2014. |
 | The T065A's passed through Oak Bay south bound and headed west along the shoreline of Victoria. We watched them harass a river otter in McNeil Bay and then predate on a probable seal in Ross Bay before continuing west past many onlookers at Clover Point.
Photo by Mark Malleson, with Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research, March 30, 2014.
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March 30
Saxe Point, Esquimalt. Now. Half dozen orcas. At least one very small one. Spy hopping and cruising along.
Andrew Paine
 | Another group of transients were spotted off Race Rocks today at 4:15PM. T049As.
Photo by Megan Flood, Transient Killer Whale Research Project, March 30, 2014.
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March 30
3:30 - Three groups of whales, about 10 altogether, were seen off Yellow point close to Roxton island. One female with a baby then two groups of 3 or 4 travelling south towards Ladysmith.
Karen Green
March 30
9:00 AM - Orca family. A family of one male, one female and one juvenile was seen this morning around 9:00am swimming west through Active Pass.
Andrea Mann
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Coastal Orcas (+Icelandic orcas)
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 | North Atlantic killer whales in Grundarfjorour, Iceland.
Photo by Mark Malleson, March 25th, 2014. |
 | Whale watching with Laki tours in Grundarfjorour, Iceland.
Photo by Mark Malleson, March 25th, 2014. |
April 2
I spotted seven Orcas from just north of Nye Beach about one and a half miles off shore at 5:25 pm and followed them up to Moolack beach (about 4 miles north of Newport OR)
around 5:54 pm. There were three in front and four a quarter of a mile behind them. They were two miles plus off shore at my last sighting at Mookack.
Renee Fowler, Interpretive Park Ranger
April 2
14:46 - Bill Hanshumaker reports that volunteers at both Yaquina Head and DePoe Bay have orca under observation simultaneously at this hour. Both groups appear to be headed north. Volunteers coordinator at Hatfield Marine Science Center public wing reported Renee Fowler from Oregon State Parks had spotted a pod of orcas this morning at 10:15 am off of Yachats and heading North.
April 2
At 10:15 am this morning a pod of orcas was traveling off of Yachats and heading North. Thank you to Renee Fowler from Oregon State Parks for spreading the word.
Becca
Rebecca Harver
April 2
David Oclander reports seeing about 4 orcas just beyond the surf near Yachats OR at about 8:30 this morning. He says they remained stationary for about a half hour. He said he saw a poster with our number so he decided to call.
April 2
7:54 am - Gail Brewer called to say she saw fins that might have been orcas or porpoises about 3-4 miles south of the bridge about 2 miles offshore of Yachats OR.
March 31
I just got a phone call from a girlfriend in the Pacific City OR (between Tillamook and Lincoln City) parking lot. She believes she's watching an attack on a gray whale by a small pod of transient killer whales. The gray whale is moving very slowly, in between struggles, on the inside of haystack rock. It appears small, and there may be a large gray whale nearby as well. She sees an unknown number of killer whales. She positively confirmed only two gray whales, which are currently spy hopping nearshore. She couldn't identify any male killer whales. She isn't sure how many killer whales are present, but it looks tentatively between 3-6. She's still standing by with a scope and is going to try and get some pictures and is going to take notes on the encounter.
Michelle Fournet
March 30
12:50 pm - Unknown caller reports a pod of 3 killer whales in front of Anchor Bay (80 miles north of Pt. Reyes), jumping out of the water.
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Gray whales
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The heart shaped blow of a Gray whale on a very murky day. This is either 44 "Dubknuck" or 56. Not sure which.
Photo by James Gresham, April 5, 2014.
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April 5
I was awakened this morning with a steaming cup o' joe and four words every PNW woman wants to hear, "The whales are here." Jumped (a relative verb at my age) out of bed, grabbed my camera, and shot the ballet happening before our eyes. Gray whale feeding on ghost shrimp in the Saratoga Passage, slow and methodical which for a mammal this size only makes sense. We thought it was two whales because of the span, but quickly realized it was one *huge* whale. They spin slowly, hypnotically, using their fins to stir up the ghost shrimp embedded in the sand below, and then feast. Also saw my first fluke on the Mystic Sea cruise last Friday night to benefit our new Langley Whale Center. I guess you could say it has been one whale of a week on Whidbey Island. Looking forward to the Welcome the Whales parade on the 19th. These magnificent creatures deserve a formal 'Welcome." Debra Campbell  | A gray whale feeding on his side over shallow mudflats.
Photo by Debra Campbell, April 5, 2014. |
 | | Photo by Debra Campbell, April 5, 2014. |
 | Roll on side, blast out some shrimp, gulp the muddy water, squeeze out the water but keep the shrimp, rinse and repeat.
Photo by Debra Campbell, April 5, 2014.
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 | | Photo by Debra Campbell, April 5, 2014. |
 | Then head over to a fresh mudbar for another snack.
Photo by Debra Campbell, April 5, 2014. |
April 5
10:45 am - Alisa Lemire Brooks spotted THREE gray whales entering Port Susan! On her way to staff the Langley Whale Center today, so glad she was rewarded with a whale sighting to start the day!
April 4
Mystic Sea called in a report of 3 Gray whales E of Hat Island, 1 at Mukilteo, and 1 at Clinton, shortly after noon.
April 2
5 pm - A mother Gray with her calf sighted heading north along the west shore of Point Lowell, Camano Island. The pair were moving slow with frequent blows (every minute or so). We watched them from the beach just north of the boat dock at Camano State Park as they came up from the south, easing along the shore of Point Lowell until they disappeared to the north heading directly toward Crescent Harbor.
Rob Plaza
Note: No gray whale calves have be confirmed. All the Saratoga Grays are believed to be males.
April 2
10:35AM - One Gray Whale sighted swimming South along the East shore of Camano Island at Port Susan Terrace Beach.
Robert Pelland
March 30
9:30 - I'm on Fox Spit Rd on Saratoga passage and we are watching what we think (after googling information) is a mating ritual. The whales have been fairly stationary with their fins up out of the water for about an hour now. Very interesting!!
Location: Whidbey Shores, Saratoga Passage
Keegan Porter
Note: the description resembles feeding behavior. Mating is believed to take place in Baja California, Mexico.
March 30
We're seeing 3 Gray whales feeding in Port Susan near Tulalip, headed south at 6:30 pm onboard the Mystic Sea for our Langley Whale Center fundraising cruise! A little rain isn't dampening our day!
Susan Berta
March 30
Patch (gray whale #49) and a companion just passed by Kayak Point. 3:30pm.
Gary Lingenfelter
March 30
Watched 2 grays off south end of camano state park from 2:55-3:25 as they headed north up Saratoga passage. Spouts and dorsals, no breaches or tails.
Krista Paulino
March 30
I see some whale spouts in Saratoga passage on the Camano side across from Fox Spit. looks like Mystic Sea is over there too.
Ann Brockenbrough
March 30
Saw a grey whale by the Clinton ferry dock @ 1:00 pm.
Danielle Doll
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ABOUT ORCA NETWORK
Orca Network is a 501 c3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to raising awareness about the whales of the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats.
Orca Network's Whale Sighting Network involves citizens in helping researchers track the movement of whales, and encourages people to observe whales from their homes, businesses, ferries, and beaches.
Whale reports are sent in to our Sighting Network and emailed out to researchers, agencies, and citizens on our network, and posted on our website (MAP of sightings also on website). Whale reports and observations are sent in by a variety of sources, and Orca Network does not guarantee the accuracy of any report or whale identification.
TO REPORT WHALES, CALL: 1-866-ORCANET (1-866-672-2638), email info@orcanetwork.org, or post sightings on our Orca Network Facebook page.
*BE WHALE WISE! BOATERS - NEW FEDERAL REGULATIONS IN EFFECT AS OF MAY 16, 2011:
"The new rules prohibit vessels from approaching any killer whale closer than 200 yards and forbid vessels from intercepting a whale or positioning the vessel in its path. This doubles the current approach distance of 100 yards. The rules go into effect May 16 and apply to all types of boats, including motor boats, sail boats and kayaks, in Washington"
For more information on the new Federal Regulations, visit the NOAA Fisheries website.
To report harassment of whales in US waters, call NOAA Enforcement: 1-800-853-1964;
In Canadian waters, call DFO's Observe Record and Report (ORR) Violations Hotline: 1-800- 465-4336
Report the boat name &/or a description of the boat, & get photos if at all possible.
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