July 2001 Whale Sightings
Tuesday, July 31, 2001 13:00
Reported by: Susan Berta, Orca Conservancy
Location: Partridge Pt, West Whidbey Island
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: 2 orcas
Direction: north
Comment: We had a call at 1:25pm today from Bill Attwater -2 orcas off west Whidbey at Pt. Partridge, heading north - 1 breach observed. Appear to be transients? Susan
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Tuesday, July 31, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Hein Bank
Species: Minke
Pod:
Members:
Direction:
Comment: Mikes on Hein bank. Day 4 no orcas Ron Bates MMRG
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Monday, July 30, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Darcy Island, Hughes Pass
Species: Gray Whale
Pod:
Members: possible gray
Direction:
Comment: A vague report of a possible Gray on the north side of Darcy Island in Hughes Pass but not found at 1600hrs. Ron Bates MMRG
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Monday, July 30, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Hein Bank
Species: Minke
Pod:
Members: 3+ Minkes
Direction:
Comment: Hi Susan Day 3 no orcas. Minkes on Hein Bank 3+. Ron Bates MMRG
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Sunday, July 29, 2001 19:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Cape Flattery
Species: Orca
Pod: , Unknown
Members: 20 - 30 orcas
Direction: east
Comment: 20-30 orcas reported going East off Cape Flattery at 1900 on the 29th but did not get here. Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria
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Sunday, July 29, 2001 12:00
Reported by:
Location: Haro Strait/Hein Bank
Species: Minke
Pod:
Members:
Direction:
Comment: Hi Susan No Orcas, Minkes reported on Hein Bank, Salmon Bank and I had one in Haro St between Kelp Reef and Halibut Island both the morning and afternoon trips. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Friday, July 27, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Rosario Strait
Species: Orca
Pod: J Pod, and maybe K's?
Members: J22 & family
Direction: south
Comment: Rosario Strait - I was on scene at 1542hrs with J22 and family. Whales right accross the Strait, so I assume Kpod was there but I did not see them, only there for short time. Ron Bates MMRG
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Friday, July 27, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Rosario Strait
Species: Orca
Pod: J Pod
Members:
Direction: south
Comment: Whales going South in Rosario Strait at 1200, (I was on scene at 1542hrs with J22 and family.) Ron Bates MMRG
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Friday, July 27, 2001 09:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Strait of Juan de Fuca
Species: Orca
Pod: , L pod?
Members:
Direction: west
Comment: Hi Susan Whales going West from Otter Pt, Strait of Juan de Fuca and fast at 0900hrs Lpod? Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria
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Thursday, July 26, 2001 18:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Kellett Bluff, Henry Island
Species: Orca
Pod: K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comment: J's & K's were off Kellet Bluff about 1745. going North. Still no transient news. Ron MMRG
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Thursday, July 26, 2001 17:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Victoria, BC
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comment: (Lpod off Sooke at 1100hrs going East), off Constence Bank 7.5 miles So. off Victoria at 1730hrs. Still going slow. Ron MMRG
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Thursday, July 26, 2001 11:00
Reported by: Rich Osborne, The Whale Museum
Location: La Push, Olympic Coast
Species: Orca
Pod: , Possibly Offshores? L pod?
Members: 10 - 20
Direction:
Comment: Here's an interesting report from Rich Osborne of the Whale Museum - anyone have any thoughts on this? Susan
Hi Susan: I just received a very interesting sighting about a large group of orcas (10-20) that were spotted off La Push on the outer Olympic coast Thursday July 26th at around 11 AM. The person who reported it is a fisher (Clallum County MRC member- Joe Schmitt) and he definitely observed them with mackerel in their mouth. But no pictures. I'm guessing either some of L-Pod or some Offshores. Anybody else have any insights about who it might have been? Rich Osborne
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Thursday, July 26, 2001 11:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Sooke, Vancouver Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod
Members:
Direction: east
Comment: Hi Susan Lpod off Sooke at 1100hrs going East - Ron Bates
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Thursday, July 26, 2001 10:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Rosario Strait
Species: Orca
Pod: K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: toward San Juan
Comment: Jand Kpod came down Rosario in the am went toward San Juan in the pm. Ron Bates MMRG
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Wednesday, July 25, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Lime Kiln Park, San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comment: Left J's & K's entering Lime Kiln park, San Juan Island at 1600hrs. No reports of transients today. Ron Bates MMRG
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Wednesday, July 25, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Cork, Ireland
Species: Orca
Pod: , Cork orcas
Members:
Direction:
Comment: The 25th of July was the last sighting of the whales in Cork. Ron Bates, MMRG, Victoria
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Wednesday, July 25, 2001 11:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Race Rocks, Vancouver Island
Species: Orca
Pod: K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: North East
Comment: Hi Susan Met J and Kpods off Race Rocks at 1044 going N.E. Ron Bates MMRG
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Tuesday, July 24, 2001 19:00
Reported by: Derek Holzapfel
Location: South Pender Island
Species: Orca
Pod: , Unknown
Members: 12 orcas
Direction: southeast
Comment: A nice sighting of about 12 Orcas, with 2 large males about a mile south of South Pender Island. Heading from Stuart Island toward Orcas Island. Regards Derek Holzapfel Pender Island
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Tuesday, July 24, 2001 11:00
Reported by: Penny Stone
Location: Lummi Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: south, toward Rosario Strait
Comment: These guys seem to be doing the round-the-islands shuffle lately - we had a big group off west side of Lummi Island today around 11:00 a.m. moving south pretty fast towards Rosario Strait - they were spread far out all across the strait - from in close to Lummi to east side of Orcas - looked like maybe J's and L's (maybe some K's?) - 2 big males and one looked like J1 from a distance. I'll be looking out for them Thursday..... Penny Stone
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Monday, July 23, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: West side of San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comment: Hi Susan A magic morning - had a few Jpod whales in the fog about 6 miles West of Hein Bank at 1144hrs, then K20 and K21 went by and in the next 15mins. the fog rolled away to reveal a superpod - J's K's and most of L's. Great vocals, spyhops and breaching. By the afternoon the fog was gone and the whales were spread from Eagle Pt. almost to Lime Kiln and out into the Strait itself (west side of San Juan Island). Ron Bates MMRG, Victoria
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Monday, July 23, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Penny Stone
Location: Lummi Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comment: We saw J's and L's(and K's?)from Lummi Island, way out west of Hein Bank. Penny
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Sunday, July 22, 2001 17:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Rosario Strait
Species: Orca
Pod: K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: south, past Thatcher Pass.
Comment: Hi Susan Bit behind, J and Kpod in Rosario St. going S. passing Thathcer Pass At 1645hrs. Ron MMRG
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Sunday, July 22, 2001 17:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Sombrio Pt.
Species: Orca
Pod: , unknown
Members:
Direction: east
Comment: Whales inbound (going east) off Sombrio pt. at 1730hrs.
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Sunday, July 22, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Penny Stone
Location: Lummi Island - west side
Species: Orca
Pod: K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comment: We saw J's and K's off west side of Lummi again around noon. Penny
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Saturday, July 21, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Penny Stone
Location: Henry Island
Species: Orca
Pod: J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comment: 7/21 we saw J's off Henry Island heading north. Penny
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Friday, July 20, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Allison Smith
Location:
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod
Members: L-12
Direction:
Comment: Allison Smith, naturalist for San Juan Excursions reports seeing L-12 on either 7/20 or 8/3, and observed an odd-looking white line below the saddle patch; but she reports it wasn't a big cut or gash. Any one else get a good look at L-12 lately?
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Thursday, July 19, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Race Rocks, BC (west of)
Species: Orca
Pod: , unknown
Members:
Direction: west
Comment: Whales West of Race Rocks (12) going W. at 1600hrs. Ron Bates
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Thursday, July 19, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: west side of San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comment: Hi Susan Had J's K's and some L's all day off the West Side of San Juan Island. Ron Bates MMRG
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Thursday, July 19, 2001 11:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Swanson Channel
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: 3 transients
Direction: south
Comment: 3 transients in Swanson Channel going down at 1104hrs. Ron Bates
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Thursday, July 19, 2001 08:00
Reported by: ronRich Osborne, The Whale Museum
Location: Oak Bay, Vancouver Island
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members:
Direction:
Comment: 2 transients in Oak bay at 0830 Ron Bates
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Wednesday, July 18, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Rowann, The Whale Museum
Location: Strait of Georgia, Pt. Whitehorn
Species: Orca
Pod: , unknown
Members:
Direction:
Comment: Hi Susan, We got a call that 18 to 21 orcas were seen off Point Whitehorn at 16:00 today 7/18. No direction given. Rowann, The Whale Museum
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Wednesday, July 18, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: south San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod
Members: L12 & L26 sub-pods
Direction:
Comment: July 18th: Hi Susan L12 subpod and L26 subpod off the Southern half of San Juan Island all day. Ron Bates MMRG, Victoria
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Wednesday, July 18, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Haro Strait
Species: Minke
Pod:
Members: 2 minkes
Direction:
Comment: 2 Minkes in Haro strait Ron Bates
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Wednesday, July 18, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Telegraph Bay, B.C.
Species: Orca
Pod: Transient
Members: T14
Direction:
Comment: T14 (transient) in Telegraph Bay on the 18th, he was last there June 27. Ron Bates
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Tuesday, July 17, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Bob Weimer
Location: Cork, Ireland
Species: Orca
Pod: , "Cork Three" in Ireland
Members:
Direction:
Comment: Hi Susan - Those on your mailing list that are following the news about the "Cork Three" may be interested in the latest correspondence and photo from Tim Murphy of Cork, Ireland. It is a photo and note of the findings regarding the elder female of the trio that died on July 8th. it is posted on OrcaCam (www.orcacam.com) this date. Bob Weimer Orcacam
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Tuesday, July 17, 2001 11:00
Reported by: Tom McMillen, Salish Sea Charters
Location: False Bay, west side of San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: Across Haro Strait from Victoria, to False Bay
Comment: The Orcas came across Haro Stait from the direction of Victoria, B.C. and by 11:15 am all three pods were in False Bay on the west side of San Juan Island. They are very active and appear to be foraging and playing. Captain Tom McMillen Salish Sea charters
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Monday, July 16, 2001 18:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Strait of Juan de Fuca
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod, K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: west
Comment: J & K pods went West, and at 1830hrs turned East off Jordan River when Lpod came from the West. They all turned and went West, last report they were still Westbound. Ron MMRG
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Monday, July 16, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Sooke, BC
Species: Orca
Pod: K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction: west, then east, then west with L pod.
Comment: Hi Susan J and Kpods off the Sooke area (St. of Juan de Fuca) going in and out all day. They went West and at 1830hrs turned East off Jordan River when Lpod came from the West. They all turned and went West, last report they were still Westbound. Ron MMRG
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Sunday, July 15, 2001 16:00
Reported by: Paul Dee
Location: Mizen Head, Ireland
Species: Orca
Pod:
Members:
Direction:
Comment: Hi there, Today at 4.14pm I was standing at the rails at the Mizen Head, the most south westerly point of Ireland and I spotted what I thought were dolphins approaching along the west coast. As they got closer I noticed that their movement was too lazy to be that of a dolphin. as they surfaced I recognized them as killer whales. One came up out of the water enough to let me see the distinctive black and white markings. I counted seven, a group of four and seconds later several hundred yards away a further three. They seemed to hang about near the Headland and I would guess that there were actually a lot more than seven judging by the distance between individual surfacing. I know there were 3 whales in Cork harbour lately and reported sightings several miles out to sea, but I'm wondering if there may be organisations interested in my sighting, or is it of any research value. Regards, Paul Dee.
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Thursday, July 12, 2001 10:00
Reported by: Tom McMillen, Salish Sea Charters
Location: Victoria, B.C, Canada
Species: Orca
Pod: J Pod
Members:
Direction: northeast
Comment: J-Pod has been sighted approximately 3 miles South of Victoria, B.C. heading northeast toward the San Juan Islands. Captain Tom McMillen Salish Sea Charters
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Monday, July 09, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Bob Weimer
Location: Ireland
Species: Orca
Pod: , "Cork Three"
Members: Female of "Cork Three"
Direction:
Comment: I just received the sad news from Tim Murphy that the female Orca of the "Cork 3" of Cork Harbor, Ireland has died. She was taken to Crosshaven for necropsy. Bob Weimer bob@orcacam.com
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Wednesday, July 04, 2001 15:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Stuart & Henry Islands, San Juans
Species: Orca
Pod: J Pod
Members:
Direction: north
Comment: I was with Jpod off Victoria in the morning and between Henry and Stuart Islands in the afternoon, they were going north. Ron Bates
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Wednesday, July 04, 2001 11:00
Reported by:
Location: Rosario Strait
Species: Orca
Pod: K Pod
Members:
Direction: south
Comment: Kpod going south in Rosario at 1100. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Wednesday, July 04, 2001 11:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Sooke, BC
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comment: HI Susan Lpod went west past Sooke (Vancouver Isl.) at 1100hrs. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Wednesday, July 04, 2001 09:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Victoria, B.C, Canada
Species: Orca
Pod:
Members:
Direction: north
Comment: I was with Jpod off Victoria in the morning and between Henry and Stuart Islands in the afternoon, they were going north.
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Tuesday, July 03, 2001 06:00
Reported by: Rowann, The Whale Museum
Location: Strait of Georgia, Pt. Whitehorn
Species: Orca
Pod: , unknown
Members: 11 orcas
Direction: southeast
Comment: Hi Susan, We got a message on our hotline this morning 11 orcas heading SE from Point Whitehorn in the Strait of Georgia at 6:30 am. So they will be here today, if they are not already. Rowann, The Whale Museum
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Monday, July 02, 2001 15:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Sooke, BC
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod
Members:
Direction: east
Comment: Lpod going East Off Sooke at 1500hrs. No Northern residents as yet. The 3 are still in Cork, Ireland. Ron Bates, MMRG
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Monday, July 02, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Boundary Pass
Species: Orca
Pod: J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comment: Jpod in Boundary pass at noon. Ron Bates Monday, July 02, 2001 09:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Swanson Channel
Species: Orca
Pod: K Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comment: Kpod in Swanson Ch. in the am Ron Bates, MMRG
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Sunday, July 01, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Jodi Smith, Orca Conservancy
Location: west side of San Juan Island
Species: Orca
Pod: K Pod, J Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comment: Hi Susan, Busy today with J's and K's and lots of boats!! L's were off Race Rocks this morning, I heard. Jodi Smith
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Sunday, July 01, 2001 12:00
Reported by: Ron Bates, MMRG
Location: Hein Bank
Species: Minke
Pod:
Members: 6+ minkes
Direction:
Comment: Hi Susan Day 5 with no Orcas for me. Minkes on Hein Bank in the morning very little action. The afternoon was wonderful, lunging whales, huge flocks of birds had 4 whales on the surface at one time, there were more than 6 whales. Ron Bates MMRG
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Sunday, July 01, 2001 09:00
Reported by: Jodi Smith, Orca Conservancy
Location: Race Rocks, BC
Species: Orca
Pod: L Pod
Members:
Direction:
Comment: L's were off Race Rocks this morning, I heard. Jodi Smith