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Orca Network 

Whale Sighting Report  
In This Issue
Southern Residents
Transients/Bigg's Whales
Unidentified Orcas
Coastal Orcas
Gray whales
Orca Network recommends:
The Lost Whale, by Michael Parfit and Suzanne Chisolm  
An intensely personal story...but this person is a young orca.  

Lost Whale book...ver scaled  

 To learn more about orcas: 

Orcas in Our Midst, volume 3, by Howard Garrett

Orcas in Our Midst,

Vol. 3: Residents and Transients, How Did That Happen?

Click here  

to order YOUR copy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The bestseller about orcas in captivity.

Death at SeaWorld, by David Kirby 

DeathatSeaWorld


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April 8, 2015

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.
Mothers and offspring get sorted out! The J16s, which include the two new J pod calves J50 and J52, spent the better part of April 7th foraging up and down the west side of San Juan Island. Turns out they were only residents around and conditions were ideal for researchers from the Center for Whale Research (CWR) to observe the family and sort out maternity.  "The new calf stayed pretty glued to J36's side for entire encounter and appeared healthy and energetic...Since J52 was next to J36 for the entire encounter, there is no reason to believe it is anyone else's calf other than J36. We will let everyone know if the situation changes in any way." You can read the full encounter report and see more beautiful photos in CWR's April 7th Encounter 18 with the J16s.

Naturalists, captains, guests, and shore-based viewers have had many chances to see the many different pods of mammal eating Transients who have been navigating the San Juan Islands (even ducking into Friday Harbor) and near Victoria the past several days.

It's been just about one year since Washington State Department of Natural Resources announced an end to ghost shrimp harvesting in Saratoga Passage and we are seeing the payoff for the Gray whales who depend on that shrimp. Several reports have the grays returning this year to places they have not frequented for the past several. Check out the amazing photos from shore based viewers who had wonderful up close encounters with several grays on multiple occasions.

We are looking forward to our two fundraising whale watch cruises on Sunday  April 12th and Sunday April 19th. We still have space on either trip and would love to have you along with us.  We will board the Mystic Sea at Langley Marina and cruise beautiful waters around Whidbey Island in search of Gray whales who have been seen everyday.

Purchase April 19th tickets. Cost is $75/person and include appetizers and wine.

Purchase April 12th tickets.  Cost is $100/person and includes hors d'oeuvres & local wines donated by local restaurants.

And don't forget to spruce up or make your favorite whale or marine critter costume to join in the family-friendly fun-filled Welcome the Whales Parade and Festival on Saturday April 18th in Langley. Details can be found HERE.

Corrections to our April 4th Sightings Report:
Use this corrected link to Center for Whale Research March 24th Encounter #13.
AND For the record, on April 3 Ken Balcomb saw J16, J42, and J50. And Dave Ellfrit saw J41 and J51 - not the other way around as posted.

Orca Network 
Photo of the Day
April 7 
"Since J52 was next to J36 for the entire encounter, there is no reason to believe it is anyone else's calf other than J36. We will let everyone know if the situation changes in any way."
Photo by Center for Whale Research 
 
Southern Residents
April 7
Newest J pod calf J52 with her/his mom J36
Photo by Center for Whale Research

April 7
 J50 (born December 2014) and her mom J16 in Haro Strait
Photo by Center for Whale Research

April 7
Today during our trip we visited the J16's, a small matriline group of Jpod, on the west side! This group has 2 of the 3 new calves in Jpod! J50 and J52!
Traci Walter

April 7
J16s tucked in close together along west side of San Juan Island
Photo by Traci Walter

April 7
J36 and J52
Photo by Heather McIntyre

April 7
1:28pm - For those watching from the west side of San Juan Island, word is that the J16s are heading north up the west side, probably approaching Lime Kiln now. This would be a good time to listen to www.orcasound.net.

April 7
1:15 pm - Echolocation on Lime Kiln Hydrophone
Connie Bickerton

************************

April 6
Orca watchers, here's your latest update on tagged orca L84.
6 April update - Since the last update a week ago on 30 March, the whales have remained off the southwest coast of Washington. L84's tag went back to a duty cycle of transmitting every day beginning on 31 March. The whales remained in a relatively small area in the nearshore waters just north of the entrance to the Columbia River from 31 March until 4 April. By April 5th they had traveled north to just south of the mouth of Willapa Bay,
where they have remained through this morning (6 April).
Northwest Fisheries Science Center 2015 Southern Resident Killer Whale Satellite Tagging

Transients/Bigg's whales
April 8
10:21 am - Starting to hear them in the distance on Lime Kiln hydrophne now.
Pam Ren

April 8
9:55-10:15 am - Amazing Transient calls on OS! Loud calls, whistles and clicks. They were still going when I turned off hydrophone.
Alisa Lemire Brooks

April 8
9:43 am - Activity on OrcaSound (Transients)
Jill Clogston

********************

April 7
T123A
Photo by Traci Walter

April 7
...After our normal trip (out with J16s) as we were getting ready to get off the boat, a friend and fellow whale watch captain who was on the ferry said there were whales INSIDE of Friday Harbor! Ekk! How did we miss them?!!? Well, they were doing long dives and were tucked close to shore. Just goes to show you, never ever ever stop looking! They were the group we were with the other day, the T49A's and the T123's!
Traci Walter

April 7
Not sure who, but what a fantastic eye patch and a bit of white on the upper lip!
Photo by Traci Walter 

April 7
7:06 pm -  Orcas just went through Wasp past between Crane Island and Shaw. There were possibly two to three adults and one baby. Close to South shore on Shaw. Headed Eastbound.
Gretchen Sanders Halvorsen

April 7
2:00 pm - Spotted 3-4 today from the ferry half way between Fri. Harbor and Anacortes.
Lisa Miller Donaldson

April 7
About 1:30 pm - WA State Ferries reported 6 to 8 orcas off Blakely Island, headed for Peavine Pass.

April 7
About 1-1:30 pm - My sister saw some orcas (with calf) from the Lopez ferry dock.
Emily Cressman Blakeway

*******************

April 6
I CANNOT believe the amazing weather we've had lately as well as the various Bigg's (transient) Killer Whales that have been around! Today it was the T49A's and the T123's. We were just south of San Juan Island and followed them til they went around the bottom of Lopez Island. Just a beautiful day.
Traci Walter

April 6
From an encounter with T49As and T123s,
Cattle Point in the background.
Photo by Traci Walter

April 6
Photo by Traci Walter

April 6
T123C and T049A1 east bound south of Discovery on the morning of April 6th
Photo by Mark Malleson

****************

April 5
Good evening! We had an amazing day with the T36A's and the T49B's south of San Juan Island today. They seemed to be munching on something as there were lots of birds around picking up scraps. The whales lolly-gagged around all afternoon and it was wonderful to spend that time with them. As you can see, the scenery wasn't too shabby either.
Katie Jones

April 5
Photo by Katie Jones

April 5
Photo by James Mead Maya

April 5

Here's a few from my encounter today from an encounter with the  

T036A's and T049Bs.  All photos taken with a zoom lens and cropped.

Photo by Heather McIntyre

April 5
Photo by Heather McIntyre

April 5
T036A's and T049B's west bound near Hein Bank on April 5th
Photo by Mark Malleson

April 5
T036A and T036A2 south bound in San Juan Channel on the morning of April 5th
Photo by Mark Malleson

April 5
09:40 am - Lopez Island sighting. Rarely seen Orcas moving south along Lopez Island between Otis Perkins Day Park and Shark Reef Park (San Juan Channel). Several adult females and juveniles, possibly a young adult male. 6-10 total, possibly a sub-adult male but nothing massive.
Kirsten Frits

*****************

April 4
T49C going south in San Juan Channel with Deer Harbor in the background.
Photo by Traci Walter

April 4
Today we started out with beautiful weather, a full boat, and no whale reports. That changed very quickly as we got word about a potential sighting right in San Juan Channel! Another boat was able to get there and confirm the rumor. Very soon after leaving the dock, we joined up and were able to hang out with T49C, a lone transient male Killer Whale. He sometimes hangs out with other groups that move through the area, but is by himself on occasion. We also got down to Whale Rocks area to check out the Steller sea lions, Harbor seals, and Bald Eagles. We then went back up to T49C in time to watch him kill presumably a Harbor seal. Beautiful day out there! Thank you for the photos from stowaway Traci Walter Photography.
Western Prince Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours

April 4
T049C in San Juan Channel
Photo by James Gresham

April 4
T049C near Shaw Island
Photo by James Gresham

*****************

April 1
T036A and T036A3 surfing past Discovery Island on April 1st
Photo by Mark Malleson

April 1
We had the T036A's along with the T049A's east bound off of Victoria in the afternoon. Thanks to Paul from Sooke Explorations for the initial heads up of inbound transients out west in the morning.
Mark Malleson
Unidentified Orcas
April 8
1:20 pm - Two orca off of Coffin Point near Ladysmith, about ten miles south of Nanaimo, BC.
Megan Norfolk

April 8
7:23 am - 5-6 orcas traveling west then east on the north side of Orcas Island, spotted from Sucia Island. At least one adult male, couple females and probably baby/yearling.
Stephanie Church

Coastal Orcas
April 7
9:00 am - call from Mike Claussen reporting a pod of 3-6 orcas "not far out" from shore near Bandon, Oregon.

******************

April 3
10:00 am - was on what we call the Bandon High Spot, approx. 43 05. 124 50. It's about 18 mi. west of Bandon, Oregon. Single male followed right alongside us for 15-20 min. while we were trolling for salmon. Appeared to be all by himself. While he was with us he appeared to be very curious about us. He stayed about 10' from our starboard side for about 15 min. He would dive to a depth of maybe 10 or 20 feet and swim parallel to us for a couple of minutes, then surface and kind of roll on his side a little and stare at us with one big eye. He repeated the same basic maneuver 8 or 10 times before he swam off. We were in a area with a fair amount of feed that had several humpbacks feeding on it and were catching occasional salmon. There were also sea lions in the area, including some very young ones. The salmon we caught were empty so I'm not sure what we were metering but sardines and shrimp were being caught in the general area.
Ken Gossard (see photo)

April 3
Single orca followed right alongside for 15-20 minutes.
About 18 miles west of Bandon, Oregon.
Photo by Ken Gossard
Gray whales
April 8
5:15pm - Well another one out from southend Fox Spit with whale watching boat
5:00 pm -Both have passed Fox Spit and are now heading out mid channel and south towards Langley.
4:40 pm - They are now at the northend of Fox Spit (Whidbey Island) heading south
3:30 pm -just saw a spout north of Baby Island and south of Hidden Beach (Whid
bey Island) It's more near north side of Baby Island
Marilyn Armbruster

April 8 
Heart shaped blow. Three gray whales in Saratoga Passage
Photo by Marilyn Armbruster 
 
April 8 
Gray whale #49 (Patch) and friends in Saratoga Passage
Photo by Marilyn Armbruster 

April 8
2:20 pm - Just saw two grays headed north in Saratoga Passage just north of Cama Beach, mid-channel...Looks like they are headed over to the Whidbey side north of Hidden Beach
Ann Brockenbrogh

April 8
10:45 am - A couple of Grays in between West Point and Skiff Point this morning. I saw a spout in the far distance, then nothing for a while; thought they were gone, then one came up about 10' away from my paddleboard. What a surprise!
Urban Surf

April 8
About 10 AM a gray whale passed Langley about 100 yards from shore by Boy and Dog park. A Chamber of Commerce meeting was interrupted to watch the whale.

April 8
9:30 am - 2 gray whales swimming south on the Whidbey side of Saratoga Passage towards Langley about 20 mins ago. They look to be right outside Langley now.
Becky Wilson

April 8
9:20 am - Two gray whales seen feeding off Sandy Point. Now headed to Clinton, feeding along the way.
Mary Ann Mansfield

******************

April 7
At around 7:35 pm tonight, we were at Legion Park (Everett) and saw several blows between Jetty Island and Priest Point, closer to Priest Point and probably directly south of it.  We saw it right away when we pulled into the spot - a great sunset which illuminated the blows nicely!
Shelby Hight Fifield

April 7
We saw Humpacks or Grays (unconfirmed) in middle of the Sound in between Carkeek Park and Indianola at dusk from our paddleboards. Too far off to tell which exactly.
Erik Sandstrom

April 7
3:55 pm - On vacation at Ocean Shores, WA. Have been watching several (2 or 3), gray whales, feeding in the same spot off the beach for the last 90 minutes.
Karen Knight

April 7
Gray whales in the surf off of Ocean Shores, Washington coast.
Photo by Karen Knight

April 7
Fluke up of a gray whale rolling in the surf off of Ocean Shores, Washington coast.
Photo by Karen Knight

April 7
I took a whale watching trip today and  the group was able to see two gray whales right at the East shore of Hat Island. They were feeding and they were very active! It was impressive. I don't have a good camera but these are some of the pictures I was able to take. The Naturalist ID the whales as #383 and #22. I hope they are of use to you. Thanks for all your hard work. With much appreciation.
Isabel Doran

********************

April 6
1:33pm - Correction, make that 2 grey whales!
1:10pm - One grey whale spotted off Greenbank headed south. ♡
Wendi Levy

April 6
12:50 pm - report from Christy Korrow: One gray mid passage almost to Langley, heading south east.

April 6
12:47pm - Jill Hein updates: they have #383, #56 and #22 by Greenbank, feeding back and forth; #44 (Dubnuck) by Fox Spit; and earlier had #49 (Patch) and #21 headed south in Saratoga Passage - Gray whale soup out there today!
12:05 pm  - Jill Hein called from the Mystic Sea with reports of 5 or 6 gray whales from Langley to Greenbank. There were two approaching the beach at Greenbank, 1 or 2 south of Fox Spit, and Patch and other one off Langley this morning.

April 6
Gray whale #383 fluke
Photo by Jill Hein

April 6
Gray whale #56 fluke
Photo by Jill Hein

April 6
Gray whale #49 (Patch) fluke
photo by Jill Hein

April 6
11:15 am - Two grays moving north right at Fox Spit. Moving fast and staying under a bit. Blows around mid channel north of point.
Sara Young

April 6
9:33 am - Two gray whales spotted from Bells Beach in the distance near Camano. First sighted around 8 am and now closer to Camano.
Molly Proue

April 6
7:25 am - Christie Shaffer called from Whidbey Shores, just south of Fox Spit on Saratoga Passage, Whidbey Island, to report watching three gray whales, feeding close to shore. After 10-15 minutes they moved slowly south.

April 6
7:00 am - Grays feeding, Saratoga Passage.
Photo by James Hale

*********************

April 5
Spent an incredible evening at Fox Spit watching 3 gray whales from shore...whales scooping shrimp and close to shore. I almost fainted...WOW...you could almost touch them...you could feel their mist and smell their breath! The sea lions and birds were happy too.
Marilyn Armbruster

April 5
Gray pec fin raised as it lay on it's side feeding close to shore.
Photo by Marilyn Armbruster

April 5
Three Gray whales feeding very close to shore off of Fox Spit,
Whidbey  Island in Saratoga Passage
Photo by Marilyn Armbruster

April 5
Beautiful Gray whale feeding on it's side.
Photo by Marilyn Armbruster

April 5
6:58 pm - Most headed towards baby island now. One rounded the corner and is headed south now. What an amazing incredible day!!! At times the whales came within 30 feet of the beach! We watched them for 2.5 hours!!!
6:02 pm - At least 4 grays at fox spot right now! 3 headed towards baby island
Sara Young

Gray whales close to shore on their sides feeding.
Photo by Sara Young

April 5
5:25 pm - They are very active near shore in front of that beach community below Saratoga road on Whidbey across from south end of Camano Island state park. Lots of blows and churning water.
5:06 pm - Whidbey folks, they are headed your way fast. Lots of blows lots of tail views. They are well north of Langley but seem headed in that direction.
2:53 pm - 2 grays headed into Elger Bay (Camano Island)
Krista Paulino

April 5
3:00 pm - From Whidbey shores, looking east then west. The seagulls are enjoying the crumbs left by at least 4 greys. Mostly together, sometimes in couples. We are THRILLED to have our friends back after 3 or 4 years of few sightings which we now  attribute to the commercial ghost shrimp culling. Easter Sunday, 3pm,  for 2 hours, these whales enjoyed high tide and rolled in the beach feeding and, we think, celebrating. They were at most 30 feet from our deck at high tide. We  are overjoyed to welcome these magnificent creatures back in our 'hood.
Penny Thackeray
April 5
1:28 pm - Two (maybe three) Gray whales who just seems to be milling/feeding up north between East Whidbey and West Camano Island (s) - in Saratoga Passage
Photo by Stu Davidson

April 5
Gray whale in Saratoga Passage
Photo by Stu Davidson

April 5
11:30 am - I just spotted a Gray whale just off possession beach heading south. I believe it was just one. It was moving pretty fast.
Tiffany Reynolds

*******************

April 4
Trip report: Headed out with sunny skies and a light wind, getting a few reports of some grays south past the Clinton/Mukilteo Ferry. The wind got stronger, so when reports came in of
two grays (#22 and #56) north of Langley, Capt. Monte made a quick u-turn to get back into calmer water. We came upon these two and surprisingly, they stayed extremely close together throughout the entire encounter. They were generally heading south, but moving around toward Camano, then toward Langley. Saw some great views of their blow holes, and some very nice fluke up tail dives, allowing the passengers to clearly see the differences in the white pattern on the underside. As we left them, they were headed over to Camano, most likely for some feeding. Another beautiful day on Mystic Sea with great passengers, including some kids who got their very first whale sighting!
Bonnie Gretz, volunteer naturalist.

April 4
Gray whales in Saratoga Passage
Photo by Bonnie Gretz

April 4
Photo by Bonnie Gretz

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.