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Orca Network 

Whale Sighting Report  
In This Issue
Photo of the Day
Southern Residents
Bigg's/Transient orcas
Coastal orcas
Humpback whales
Orca Network's
LANGLEY WHALE CENTER (LWC)
Has moved next door

NEW ADDRESS:
115 Anthes Ave
 Langley,
Whidbey Island
~~~
Open Thurs - Sun 11 - 5
Displays, videos, gift shop, lending library
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In order to meet our growth and expanded programs we moved next door into a larger space. To support our ongoing projects you can donate directly to
Orca Network's
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Orca Network recommends:
Puget Sound Whales for Sale: The Fight to End Orca Hunting, by
Sandra Pollard
This important volume recounts the people whose determined efforts ultimately succeeded in ending the captures.

_______________

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!

_________________

 

  David Kirby  

The bestseller about orcas in captivity

DeathatSeaWorld


Quick Links

 

Click here

to learn about L pod

orca Lolita/Tokitae,

captured in Penn Cove,

Whidbey Island, WA

in 1970, somehow surviving in a small tank at the Miami Seaquarium ever since.

Tokitae looking up at us from her tank in Miami, FL in the late 1990s 

Sign up for our 

Whale Sighting  

or Free Lolita

Email Lists


Click Here to Join
December 6,  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.
Seventh new Southern Resident Community baby in past year confirmed in L pod!

Orca Network is thrilled to join with the Center for Whale Research to announce a new baby orca born in November in L pod. The new  orca has been assigned the scientific designation *L123*. The new mom is 12-year old L103, called "Lapis," and this is her first known offspring.

The average age at first birth is over 14 years old, so this new mom will likely have the support of her mother, 38-year old L55 (Nugget), and older sister, L82 (Kasatka), who had her own new calf, L116 (Finn) in 2010. There are now seven orcas in the three generations of the L55 matriline.

The newborn is the seventh birth in the endangered Southern Resident orca population in the past year. In 1977 nine new calves were documented, and in 1986 also seven calves were born. The birth of L123 brings the total in J, K, and L pods up to 83, or 84 including Lolita, the L pod orca captured in 1970 and still on display in a theme park in Miami.

Little L123 was first noticed on November 10th by Orca Network Whale Sighting Network Coordinator Alisa Lemire Brooks and Orca Network and Langley Whale Center volunteer Sara Hysong-Shimazu who saw the newborn from Alki Point in Puget sound while Alisa and Sara were tracking and observing the orcas as part of Orca Network's Whale Sighting Network, sharing their sightings with the public via Facebook to help others in Puget Sound get to nearby shorelines to see the whales. Their observations, and Alisa's video and Sara's photos, led them to realize that there was a new calf traveling with L pod that day. The photos and video were sent to the Center for Whale Research, but they were unable to officially confirm the birth until December 4th, when Mark Malleson found most of the Southern Resident orcas in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and was able to take photos from closer range.
Alisa Lemire Brooks' beautiful video of L pod in Puget Sound on November 10th may be viewed HERE. 
Sara Hysong-Shimazu's wonderful photos of L103 and her family can be seen on her website and Facebook page.
The new arrival reminds us once again of our responsibility to make every effort to restore chinook salmon spawning habitat, and access to that habitat, to allow salmon runs to flourish and provide vital sustenance for this endangered extended orca family.

Center for Whale Research Press Release with photos.


CORRECTION TO OUR NOVEMBER 30TH REPORT: we incorrectly titled one of Heather MacIntyre's photos in 2 ways, the photo ID'd as K34 Sequim (K34 is Cali, and Sequim is K12) was in fact K43 Saturna.

Orca Network 
Photo of the Day
December 4 
L103 and new calf L123  in the Juan de Fuca Strait south of Sooke, BC on December 4th.
Photo by Mark Malleson, CWR taken under permit #MML-001 
Southern Residents
December 5
12:30 a.m. - Orcas vocalizing on Lime Kiln hydrophone now and for the last 20 minutes.
Lani Gonser Bartlett

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December 4 
Report relayed from Ken Balcomb, of most of the Southern Residents, except the L12's, off Sooke in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Very spread out and trending west out to sea.

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New calf L123 and mom L103 Lapis, south of Sooke, BC - Juan de Fuca Strait.
Photo by Mark Malleson, CWR, December 4, 2015
Taken under permit #MML-001  

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J, K, & L  were off Sooke B.C. all day today. Always amazing to see! Out watching Humpback whales we get a tip of Orca near Sooke, we were the first to find over 60 coming in from Race Rocks WOW!  What an amazing day on the water, calm, warm & Killer Whales everywhere. ( note added by Paul Dec 5th after announcement of L123: Thanks to Mark Malleson for helping us find and learn of the new born calf L123 - Mother L103 according to the Center for Whale Research. )
Paul Pudwell

A sweet look at new calf L123, Juan de Fuca Strait. 
Photo by Paul Pudwell, December 4, 2015 

1:52 p.m. - Super pod off Beachy Head heading west to Sooke right now!
Paul Pudwell

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K38 in the Juan de Fuca on December 4th.
Photo by Mark Malleson, taken under permit # MML-001

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December 3
09:37 a.m.  - A pod of eight orcas were seen from the ferry shortly after departing from Port Townsend to Keysone. The whales were south of the ferry route, moving southward.
John Rogstad WSF

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December 2
4:41 p.m. -  can see several orcas north of Edmonds ferry route now heading north near shipping lanes toward Elgon.
4:35 p.m. - tall dorsal fins approaching Edmonds / Kingston ferry route - direction is northerly
Stu Davidson
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4:15 p.m. - they passed Point Wells/Woodway still nestled all clumped together...east of mid channel, northbound...that's where I leave them. Wondering if Ks in there. Did not see any young calves. ("It was just the K13s." Brad Hanson and Candice Emmons, NOAA-NMFS)
3:35 p.m. - from Richmond Beach Saltwater park watching the pod just coming upon out from south end of beach. Tight group still northbound east of mid channel. NOAA still with them.
Alisa Lemire Brooks

K13s traveling northbound in Puget Sound. Filmed from Golden Gardens, Seattle and Kayu Kayu Ac, Shoreline.
Video by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
December 2, 2015
(ID by Brad Hanson & Candice Emmons,
NOAA-NMFS)


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3:35 p.m. -  I am seeing the research boat with them way over on the Seattle side, just north of Golden Gardens.
Sue Surowiec Larkin
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2:33 p.m. - pod has grouped up as they continue northbound at resting pace. North of Golden Gardens now a bit east of mid channel.
1:57 p.m. - from Sunset Hill Park, Ballard seeing two small groups of orcas mid channel out from south end of Shilshole marina. Look to be foraging trending northbound. 2 research boats on scene.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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1:30 p.m. -  Amy Carey relayed a report from Brad Hanson (NOAA-NMFS) that they have picked up a group off West Point/Discovery Park. Northbound.
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What appears to be the same pod of whales heading north now, although we have only been able to confirm 3 whales. Spotted at 10:55 to the south of Fauntleroy ferry terminal traveling north. North beyond Alki Point by 11:40 and out of our sight. Tail slapping observed by one whale.
Burt Miller, WSF
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11:28 a.m. - Charles Leahy called from the ferry Steilacoom on the Vashon run, reporting seeing 3 orcas heading south on the way to Fauntleroy, then two more on the way back to Vashon.
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11:15 a.m.  - Kristen reported seeing a single male orca from Lincoln Park, West Seattle, in mid-channel but seemed to be headed south and toward the Seattle side.
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At about 10:20 am on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, five orca, including at least one a large male, passed the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal headed south. I was monitoring from the Vashon Ferry Terminal. Project marine mammal observers also spotted them from 2 ferries serving the route. They were traveling quickly to the south, closer to the east side of the Sound. All pile driving was suspended until the orca left the monitoring area, which is 3.4 miles from the Vashon terminal.
I first observed the whales about 9:45 north of Alki Point, and they were about 2 miles south of Fauntleroy by 10:35.
Burt Miller, WSF
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Meg McDonald relayed a report from the captain of the Cathlamet of two orca near Vashon on the Fauntleroy route.
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Orcas (At least one juvenile and at least two additional dorsal fins) visible off south side of 9:40am Vashon-Fauntleroy ferry close to Vashon. Seemed southbound to me.
Andrew Casad

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December 1
Ivan called Dave at home in the AM to say he had whales in San Juan Channel headed toward Spieden Channel. Dave and Giles headed to Snug Harbor and left aboard Orca at 0930. Ivan stayed with the whales until Orca arrived on scene at 0944 a couple hundred yards south of Battleship Rock. Ken and Heather came out in Chimo a little later. The whales were in three groups heading south with the K13's trailing the J14's, J2, and L87 by about a hundred yards. The J16's and J19's were a couple hundred yards offshore of the others in a loose group. J39 was traveling with the J16's and J19's but we did not see any others of the J11's, J17's, or J22's....  See the full CWR encounter #99 report HERE.

J14 and J37
Photo by Deborah Giles, Center for Whale Research, December 1, 2015

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10:48 a.m. - coming in very faint on the Lime Kiln hdyrophone, short time later Burst of loud calls, quiet after that.
10:17 a.m. - turned on Orca Sound hydrophone to hear Js vocalizing. Echolocation follows. S1 calls.
Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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Little J50, Scarlet and mom, Slick, J16 today, Haro Strait, headed south...
Photo by Capt Jim Maya, December 1, 2015

J 50 Scarlet and mom J16 Slick.
Photo by Capt. Jim Maya, December 1, 2015

 J26 Mike, today in Haro Strait, 15 minutes from my dock at Snug Harbor Resort and Marina!
Photo by Capt. Jim Maya, December 1, 2015

9:17 a.m. - J Pod, or part of it, is on the north side of San Juan Island!
Jim Maya

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November 10
Panorama from West Seattle showing baby L123 looking around while traveling  with her/his family in Puget Sound.
Photo by Sara Hysong-Shimazu, November 10, 2015

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November 6
(These  photos sent to us by Meg McDonald got overlooked at the end of a long day on the 6th. It documents that at least some Ks were with Js in Colvos)

Just wanted to document K pod since I kept hearing J pod all day. I managed to catch a couple of shots at sunset. Melisa confirms this is K26 Lobo, who was fishing with Blackberry in Colvos. So we had some Ks with the Js.
Photo by meg McDonald, November 6, 2015
(ID by Melisa Pinnow, CWR)

Here's J27 Blackberry with him after they finished chasing fish.
Photo by Meg McDonald, November 6, 2015
Bigg's/Transient orcas
December 2
Dale borrowed Serengeti and allowed me to tag along to go look for some killer whales that were reported late morning east bound off of East Sooke Park. We came across the T036A's and the 099's approaching Constance Bank and spotted the T075's to the south also east bound. Thank you Simon (Cow Bay) for passing on the shore based sighting and Eagle Wing for use of the boat.
Mark Malleson

December 2
T099's east bound off of Victoria's waterfront on December 2nd.
Photo by Mark Malleson

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November 30
CA172, CA173 and CA166 in the Juan de Fuca on November 30th.
Photo by Mark Malleson
Coastal orcas
December 1 & 2
Noon - We saw orcas at Falcon Cove Beach, Clatsop County, Oregon.
First time, Dec 1: large rafts of sea lions jugging (floating with flippers in the air) just beyond the breakers, perhaps 50 sea lions. Suddenly, they started porpoising, surfing the waves, and moving fast. For a short moment, we thought they were playing, but then saw 2 small spouts among them -- whales! Sea lions kept scattering, many coming into the breakers closer to shore. By then, we guessed killer whales though we've never seen them here before. Never saw any dorsal fins. Watched the action for +- 10 minutes. Finally they all moved north of the bird rocks and we lost our view.
The next day, Dec 2, we were watching the rafts of sea lions again. This time we saw the dorsal fins and spouts as sea lions dashed in all directions. Had them in sight for about 5 minutes. The orcas moved south. We saw 2 females for sure (side by side, curved fins) and 2 small spouts farther out which we assumed were also orcas. Grays have been moving through but their spouts are bigger.
Viviane Simon-Brown
Humpback whales
December 6 
10:00 a.m.  - Through the big binocs I saw a probable humpback blow in the windy whitecaps between Point No Point and Edmonds.
Howard Garrett, Orca Network

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December 5
8:50 a.m. - Only saw it once but I believe we saw a single humpback headed south about a quarter mile off Edmonds Marina.
Toby Black

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December 4
Noon - Not just one, not just two, but three humpback blows from three whales, SE of Point No Point.
Howard Garrett, Orca Network
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9:44 a.m. - blows seem to indicate turned north in the same area - milling/feeding
9:28 a.m. whale blows Kitsap side near Elgon appears to be heading south. Type unknown at this sighting. Tall blows, my guess would be humpback. Right off shore from the huge boulder off Pilot point (just north of Eglon). *as seen from north Edmonds
Stu Davidson

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December 3
2:00 p.m. - Humpback whale,  located between Fauntleroy and Vashon Island traveling southbound.
John Rogstad, WSF

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December 1
Sarah Frey called in a report of at least two humpbacks, first at Apple Tree Pt. just north of the Kingston ferry at 10:30 am; then by 11:30 am further north, off SW Whidbey Island across from Point No Point, tail lobbing and spouting.
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.