EVENT & TRIP REGISTRATIONS:
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Gray Whales of Baja's San Ignacio Lagoon
Feb 24-28, 2017
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Information, registration, & previous trip photos
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Visit Orca Network's
LANGLEY WHALE CENTER (LWC)
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115 Anthes Ave
Langley,
Whidbey Island
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Open
Thurs - Sun 11 - 5
Displays, videos, gift shop, lending library
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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.
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The Lost Whale, by
Michael Parfit and
Suzanne Chisolm
An intensely personal story...but this person is a young orca.
 ______________ To learn more about orcas: 
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
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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.
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Sign up for our
Whale Sighting
or Free Lolita
Email Lists
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| January 31, 2017
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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J pod was found in Juan de Fuca on the 27th last seen traveling eastbound, they were then heard in the very early hours of the 28th on the Lime Kiln hydrophone. We've no ID's on a large group seen later that morning eastbound in Active Pass heading towards Georgia Strait, but we suspect it was Js; they were encountered again the next morning off Victoria and left near Race Rocks heading west.
Bigg's killer whales have been making the rounds through out the Salish Sea this past week. A large group was found in Haro heading north; the T85s hung out for a few days before heading back out west; for several days one unidentified pod (possibly the T46s) was seen mostly cruising Possession Sound and Saratoga Passage; and the T46s were hunting and celebrating with cartwheels and breaches in Penn Cove.
The juvenile humpback who has been documented for at least the past 2 months maintains a presence in Dalco Passage and the Narrows around Point Defiance in Tacoma. So far s/he appears to be in good health and moving normally.
Rounding out the report is a surprise encounter with the remnants of the larger pod of Common dolphins who arrived last June, or another small pod who has found their way into Puget Sound.
UPCOMING EVENTS & SAVE THE DATE:
~ FEBRUARY 24-28, 2017 - Visit the Gray Whales of Baja's San Ignacio Lagoon
We still have a space for our 9th annual five-day Expedition to Baja to visit the friendly Gray Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon February 24-28, 2017
Click HERE for Baja registration, trip information, and past trip photos.
~ SAVE THE DATE: April 8, 2017
Welcome the Whales Festival and Parade, Langley, Whidbey Island.
Orca Network
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Photo of the Day
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January 29
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| J26 spyhop.
We left J's spread out moving west out the Juan de Fuca this afternoon
They came south through Oak Bay single file in the morning.
Photo by Mark Malleson, January 29, 2017
(Photos taken under Federal Permits NMFS PERMIT: 15569/ DFO SARA 388)
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Southern Residents
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January 29
At approximately 9:00 I received a call from George Hamilton who had a large group of whales moving past his house just north of Ten Mile Point. I told him to send me some pictures to confirm whether they were SRKW's or T's. I suspected J's/L87 from the description. Sure enough they were. I watched them from the apartment come around 10 mile Point and proceed single file through Oak Bay. On the way to town I drove along the waterfront to watch them from shore. They went past the golf course and then swung south of Trial. I watched them porpoising for a short while on a line for Constance Bank before I left to get the boat. At 1045 I came across the first whale L87 who appeared to be the furthest north of the group close to the Victor Hotel buoy. The whales were very spread out and doing fairly long dives. They continued past William Head and I assumed they would go through Race Passage but they swung east and south of Race Rocks and continued west. I left them at 1245 slightly west of Race Rocks. (See full summary report and photos at Center for Whale Research Encounter 11) Mark Malleson |
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J26 in the Juan de Fuca 6 miles south west of Race Rocks.
Photo by Mark Malleson, January 29, 2017
(Photos taken under Federal Permits NMFS PERMIT: 15569/ DFO SARA 388)
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| J47 frolicking near Race Rocks.
Photo by Mark Malleson, January 29, 2017 |
********************* January 28 Heard some J's on Lime Kiln's hydrophones around 12:30am this morn...Erin Corra *********************** January 27 Went out today in search of wildlife around Sooke waters...It was a great encounter with the J16's and others of our endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (heading eastbound) and a male Elephant Seal around Race Rocks Lighthouse! Paul Pudwell, Sooke Coastal WW |
| Members of J pod eastbound Juan de Fuca Strait.
Photo by Paul Pudwell, January 27, 2017 |
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| J42 - Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Photo by Paul Pudwell, January 27, 2017 |
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| | Photo by Paul Pudwell, January 27, 2016 |
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"...As the sun came out and made spotting easier we continued back south of Race Rocks. Mark spotted a blow and a dorsal fin which turned out to be J16. She was travelling with J42 & J50. They were foraging and hard to track..." (See full summary report and photos at Center for Whale Research Encounter 8 )Mark and Hannah Malleson
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Unidentified killer whales
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January 28
830 am - killer whales in Active Pass heading towards Georgia Straight. About 10 whales with one male that I saw and one calf. Only pictures are on my cellphone not the best ID pics. (Possibly J pod who was heard on Lime Kiln around 12:30 a.m.- ALB)
Brook Speed
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Bigg's killer whales (Transients)
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January 31
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| T46 and her son T46D (born 2000) in Penn Cove.
"Looked like 4 and they were getting seals."
Photo by Jennifer Swenson Dohner, January 31, 2017
(ID's by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research) |
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| Looks like T47E.
Penn Cove backdropped by the town of Coupeville, Whidbey Island.
Photo by Jennifer Swanson Dohner, January 31, 2017
(ID notes by Melisa Pinnow, Center for Whale Research) |
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| A member of the T46s cartwheeling in Penn Cove.
Photo by Jennifer Swenson Dohner, January 31, 2017 |
- Approx 3:00 p.m. - They were nearing Polnell Point - long down times. I barely glimpsed them - not sure if they'll head around the point or turn south down Saratoga. Jill Hein - They left Penn Cove about 2:20 or so, caught very distant look at them from Long Point around 2:45, then lost them...really far away. Too far for i.d.s2:05 p.m. - At least 3 including 1 male across from Coupeville Wharf on Oak Harbor side of Penn Cove. Very active as if on/or celebrating a kill; breaches, cartwheels, gulls swooping.Bonnie Gretz |
| A member of the T46s tail lobbing in Penn Cove.
Photo by Bonnie Gretz, January 31, 2017 |
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| The pod engaged in a lot of post-kill surface activity.
Photo by Bonnie Gretz, January 31, 2017 |
- 1:10 p.m. - Not completely sure but we think we just saw a couple of Orca at the mouth of Penn Cove. East of Monroe Landing and closer to that side too. We were across the way and, based on your description one was male. We lost sight of them but they appeared to be headed towards Coupeville or maybe the mussel rafts. Maureen Denny ********************** January 29 - Puget Sound
10:44 a.m. - They are still hanging out here by the ferry. About a mile off Clinton ferry dock...Looks to be at least 2-3 one is an adult and heading towards Everett, mid channel... I was coming fromMukilteo and about a 3/4-1 mile from Clinton and they were to the north of us heading towards Everett/hat island area but I looked for them when I got to Clinton and couldn't see them anymore 8:19 a.m. - Orcas this morning in the middle of the Clinton/Mukilteo ferry route. I think going south towards Edmonds. I work on the ferry and will keep a lookout. Melissa Simmons - 8:14 a.m. - Just saw a few orcas near Clinton ferry terminal. Heading south. Maybe two, male and female. We were on the ferry about 1/4 mile or less from the terminal. The boat stopped before landing and we all wondered why, when my friend noticed something in the water and I saw the big male dorsal fin. We just happened to be sitting on the right side of the ferry! Jill Irwin |
| Large male off Clinton ferry dockas viewed from WS Ferry this morning.
Photo by Jill Irwin, January 29, 2017 |
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| A female orca swimming Possession Sound near Clinton, Whidbey Island backdropped by Camano Head, the Cascade Mountain range and Mt. Baker.
Photo by Jill Irwin, January 29, 2017 |
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| | Photo by Jill Irwin, January 29, 2017 |
January 29 - Howe Sound 2 Orcas spotted in Howe sound today! i didn't get the privilege of seeing them but my neighbor said one of their dorsal fins was the biggest he's ever seen (4 ft at least) - at 9:15 am they were almost at horseshoe bay (going south on east side).Lori Payne ********************* January 28 - Juan de Fuca I came across the T085's on the afternoon of January 28th offshore of Sooke Basin heading back out the Juan de Fuca Strait. Perhaps their winter visit to the area is done for now. Hopefully they will become regular visitors to the area. (See Marks full summary report and photos at Center for Whale Research Encounter 10 )Mark Malleson |
| T085B (born 1995) west bound Juan de Fuca Strait - off of Sooke, BC.
Photo by Mark Malleson, January 28, 2017
(taken under permit #MML-001) |
January 28 - Puget Sound 1:00 pm - 4 orcas ( 2 adults, 2 juveniles) in Saratoga Passage. Feeding, playing. They were within 200 feet of the shoreline, about the midpoint between Fox Spit and Baby Island. They were heading toward Baby Island although we couldn't beyond our trees so could have gone toward Coupeville. We got some video if you want; we'll try to send it. Mary Laissue - This morning about 9:30 am we were treated to a fabulous energetic display of about 6 females (juvenile included) 1 male while on Possession Sound between Gedney Is and Everett likely fishing?? Our private passenger ferry was able to stop on route going West to enjoy the activity, close up of female breaching do you know which resident group this??? Most passengers saw Orcas in the wild first time ever! Amazing. UPDATE: Sorry we docked and lost sight as they seemed stationary don't think they went south or west of Gedney (Hat). Charlene & Chuck |
| Beautiful back-flipping orca in Possession Sound near Everett.
Photo by Charlene Day, January 28, 2017 |
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| | Photo by Charlene Day, January 28, 2017 |
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| | Photo by Charlene Day, January 28, 2017 |
********************** January 27 - Saratoga Passage 4:20 pm - call from Connie Barrett, Camano Island, husband saw 5 killer whales in Saratoa Passage heading north. Two were near the Whidbey side (Greenbank area) and 3 were off Cama State Park, Camano Island.January 27 - Haro Strait |
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The T085's celebrating after a seal kill near Kelp Reef.
Photo by Mark Malleson, January 27, 2017
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"... Dave arrived, aboard "Orcinus", to the scene of the T85s just starting their seal kill as described above by Mark and Hanna at about 1420. T85C was the breacher and he appears to be another male. After Mark and Hanna left at 1455, the T85s traveled slowly north in a tight group past the east entrance to Hughes Passage. They spread out briefly before coming back together. At about 1530, the whales milled some and gulls began diving on the spot again. The whales had probably been carrying a part of a seal as it did not look like another kill. T85C and T85D dropped back and appeared to feed on a dropped piece of seal while T85, T85A, and T85B took a brief nap. T85C and T85D soon caught back up and the group continued traveling north until they turned northwest into Minors Channel. Dave left the T85s at 1601 still traveling northwest in Miners Channel between the northwest side of Sydney Island and Mandarte Island."See Mark Malleson and Dave Ellifrit's full encounter summary and photos at Center for Whale Research Encounter 9********************
January 26 - Puget Sound
3:35 p.m. - Any other Whale reports at Edmonds ferry? My dad just spotted two fins mid Chanel south of Edmonds ferry. Possibly orcas.
Melinda Barajas
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Around 230 pm saw 2-3 orcas east of Eglon and south of Possession. Just milling around at a distance. One looked to be a male. Could not get a good pic as I was some distance away but maybe transients??
Toby BlackJanuary 26 - Juan de Fuca |
| The T085's were off Victoria on the morning of January 26th. They headed west out Race Passage turned around and were last seen heading east east of Race Rocks.
I hadn't seen them since January 22nd 2011 according to CWR records.
Photo by Mark Malleson, January 26, 2017 |
********************* January 25 Thanks to Rod King on 4Ever Wild for heads up for a large group of east bound T's in the Juan de Fuca. We saw a large group of females and juveniles with a new calf mid strait south of Bechey Head. The T086A's were among the group and the T101's were several miles inshore on the Canadian side. I sent a picture to Dave Ellifrit and he suspects that I had a shot of T071B. It looks like the T071's were there and I was able to confirm T124D as well. She may have been the mother of the newish calf. Mark Malleson |
| Several pods of Bigg's were encountered heading eastbound in Juan de Fuca Strait.
Photo by Mark Malleson, January 25, 2017
(see encounter notes above) |
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Humpback whales
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January 30
At 1:06 p.m. Sofie Fatale reports seeing a humpback (presumably the over-wintering juvenile humpback) off the north side of Point Defiance in Dalco Passage.********************** January 29 Juvenile humpback travelling northbound into Colvos Passage about a quarter mile off Gig Harbor shore at 1030am.Michele Riley Campbell ********************* January 28 4:58 p.m. - Visible from the Narrows viewpoint of 5 Mile Drive at Point Defiance.Anglea Batie Carlin - We saw him about 3:00 right across from Gig Harbor!...my husband says...Latitude 47.425774 and Longitude -122.572745. Just to the east of the opening of Gig Harbor moving slowing to the north towards Colvos Passage.Suzi Wright - 2:05 p.m. - Island Explorer 4 just found him/her. Apparently he's been hanging out with a freighter for most of the day. Still down by Pt. Defiance.Erin Johns Gless - Maia from WSF relayed a report of a humpback 1/4 mile off Pt. Defiance at 1:18 pm- Humpback was off Ruston Way earlier today. About 11 am heading towards Point Defiance area from near Les Davis pier.Bryan Owen ******************** January 27 5:05 p.m. - s/he is still milling around the Narrows off Narrows viewpoint primarily mid channel. 2-9 minute down times.4:25 p.m. - s/he is circling around off Narrows viewpoint. Just went down on a dive. Beautiful!4:15 p.m. - After leaving for a while and coming back to the park... stopped at Narrows viewpoint when humpback surface in glassy calm waters straight out from the viewpoint heading north bound. S/he came from mid channel aiming towards us at Point Defiance. Here watching with volunteers Desiree Sauve and Bill Clogston and several other excited humans. 1:35 p.m. - I found the humpback...s/he is mid channel milling about with a sea lion between Tacoma Narrows bridge and tip of Point Defiance. Trending slowly southeast. As viewed from south side of Point Defiance. Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network |
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Juvenile humpback off Narrows Viewpoint. This juvenile humpback whale has been over-wintering in Puget Sound for at least the past 2 months, reported primarily in the Dalco Passage and Tacoma Narrows, most often around Point Defiance area. Here is a few minutes with her/him at sundown.
Video by Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
January 27, 2017
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| The over-wintering juvenile humpback goes on a dive in the Tacoma Narrows directly out from the Narrows Viewpoint at Point Defiance Park, Tacoma.
Photo by Desiree Sauve, January 27, 2017 |
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| | Photo by Desiree Sauve, January 27, 2017 |
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| | Photo by Desiree Sauve, January 27, 2017 |
********************* January 26 3:34 p.m. - Walking my dogs in the Pt. Defiance Dogpark and happened to see "Speckles" the Humpback surfacing off Salmon Beach. Northbound towards the Point.Melissa Burke ********************* January 24 2:19 p.m. - still diving off Dalco Passage Viewpoint. Doing circles out there feeding. I'm off to the dogpark now. It's so beautiful out here today! 2:10 p.m. - I've seen 2 dives. Trending towards Sunrise Beach Gig Harbor. There's 3 really chatty Eagles here too. 1:40 p.m. - "Speckles" the Humpback is off Dalco Passage Viewpoint. About mid channel, right off viewpoint heading towards Owen Beach (eastbound). Did a long dive, and haven't seen it again. Melissa Burke
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Common dolphins
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January 27
I came across some dolphins today while cruising around Olympia. I started filming as soon as I spotted them; next thing I knew they were playing in my wake!!
Trevor Lake |
| My dog and I went for an early afternoon boat ride from Steamboat Island to the South end of Anderson Island. En route we encountered a group of about 5 dolphins that began following my boat and playing in the wake.
Video by Trevor Lake, January 27, 2017 |
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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.
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"
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/video if at all possible.
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