March 2021 Whale Sightings

Click here for Map of March 2021 whale sightings.

March 31
UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Mar 31 - Haro Strait - 16:18 - About 4 orcas close to shore in Haro Strait. Headed north. I saw them off Madrona and they were heading north toward Snug Harbor. -April Van Deventer
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~16:00 - Yesterday afternoon my wife and I saw 8 or 9 orcas swimming north on the west side of San Juan Island off of Smugglers Cove. It was around 1600, and there was at least 2 males and a younger whale. They swam around in front of the cove for a couple of minutes and then disappeared. -Jeffrey Stuck
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15:15-15:30 - I thought I saw a fin when I was at the lighthouse at Lime Kiln. By the time I got to a better viewing I didn't see them again. -Jennifer Barber
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GRAY WHALES - Wed, Mar 31 - NW Whidbey Island - Whale spotted at Moran Beach, heading north toward Deception Pass. Unsure whether it's a gray whale or a humpback. -Carrie McBride
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Wed, Mar 31 - Saratoga Passage - 14:49 - Northbound, close to Whidbey side, 2 Grays just south of Onamac. -Marie Heil
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12:46 - [grays] Still watching from Hidden Beach..... They are headed northbound again! -Carrie Hanford Paquette
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12:42 - [grays] They are still here [Hidden Beach]! Were heading southbound, have turned around - heading northbound now mid channel directly across from Hidden Beach. WDF boat in area, plus 5 eagles on shore! -Meliss Haeckel
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16:57 - They are nearing green buoy channel marker which is out from Long Point. Nb still.
16:46 - Went home picked up dogs and headed north. Saw them out from Harrington Lagoon close to Whidbey heading NB.
13:54 - Appear to be moving towards Whidbey from same general area as posted at 13:20.
13:20 - Still trending NB slowly. I'm at Hidden Beach seeing them in line with north of Indian Beach/Camano Island.
12:38 - They are now 12:38 more northeast and in line with Cama Beach State Park cabins. Changed directions north SLOW...midchannel or possibly Cam side of mid.
12:17 - [grays] Watching from Hidden Beach parking lot. out about 400 yds. SB. -Marilyn Armbruster
[left side dorsal of 44 Dubknuck. fluke is 383. 44 and 383 were traveling together yesterday as well. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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12:12 - Meliss and I are at Hidden Beach and we got to see a gray! First time seeing one here. -David Haeckel
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11:53 - What a day, been watching 2 gray whales very active in front of my house for the last hour, they look headed toward Hidden Beach. -Aaron Gill
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11:15 - We have crc53 and crc723 eastbound from Camano Head right now. Watching from MV Saratoga, Puget Sound Express. -Bart Rulon, PSE
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12:00 - They are now headed towards Hidden Beach.
11:02 - My husband & I have been watching two gray whales feeding in front of our house for the last 40 minutes. We are on the Saratoga Passage just north of Greenbank Farm about 3 1/2 miles. These two whales are clearly enjoying the sunshine & shrimp! -Marie Gill
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10:01 - Not sure of species, I am sitting on my stairs to the beach at xxxx SW Camano Drive "Saratoga Pass " looking west at Whidbey Island and can hear them breaching at 10:01 exactly. I heard breathing, it's very calm, quiet, and flat tonight; you could hear a needle drop on Whidbey. I heard a total of two breaths, not sure on amount of whales, and headed south for sure. Hard to believe I haven't ever heard that in 48 years, it did however excite me like a kid at Christmas. I'll be sure and pay more attention and give more time, and also wanted to thank you for your efforts and all that you do. [Thanks, that's very helpful. It sounds like a gray whale on the move. -hg] -Andrew Smith
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08:00 - 2 Gray whales in Saratoga Passage across from Bells Beach very close to Camano Island heading west. -Kristin Carlson
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Wed, Mar 31 - Port Susan - 14:00 - There are at least 4 grays swimming about in smooth seas, warm sun and slight breeze in southern end of Port Susan: The pair had moved southwest to as far Camano side mid channel out from Tyee Beach, flipped and are now more mid channel NE bound traveling close together; 3rd whale has been making their way south, Camano side, well south of Tyee now directionally towards Camano Head (still north of there); 4th whale popped up in between closer to this side out from S McKees Beach heading N. Such a perfect day... From Kayak Point.
13:00 - 2 grays (likely 2259 & 2261) this side mid channel out from S end Kayak Point County Park traveling together southbound super slowly. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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12:15 - MV Saratoga left crc2259 and crc2261 still at the northern part of Port Susan. Just milling. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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11:30 - CRC 2256 and 2261, mid channel, Port Susan, feeding between Kayak and Beach 1. This was my first day seeing 2261 this year! Very exciting to see em back!!!! -Tyson Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching
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10:40 - [grays] 3 whales at Warm Beach! (eastern Port Susan) -Patty Clemans-Lawrence (CWW)

March 30
BIGG'S TRANSIENT ORCAS - Wed, Mar 30 - Strait of Georgia (T18s) - 12:20-19:21 - 2 orcas approaching Harwood Island. Will try to confirm number. It wasn't until quite a while later that I saw another two. There was definitely a considerable distance between the first two orca and the second two that followed behind. I watched them until 3:20. At that point Mark and I decided to go to another vantage point to continue watching. At 4:30 we saw two orca approaching Quadra Island. At that time, it was difficult to determine whether they would travel on the east or west side of Quadra. At 5:25 the four orca were together on the southwest tip of Quadra. At 7:21 we left all four of them going north through the Discovery Passage. -Patti Perepeluk
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, Mar 30 - Discovery Bay/Strait of Juan de Fuca - 16:30-16:45 - Probable gray whale sighted 4:30-4:45 pm, Discovery Bay, heading north from Tukey Point towards Beckett Point, fairly close to east shore. Over the last few days, we have had other reports of a gray whale in Disco Bay, down at Adelma Beach. -André Wilson
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Tue, Mar 30 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 19:10 - Gray whale southbound 800 yards off of Indian Beach, three or four blows between five-minute dives. Seemed to be transiting. In addition to several fluke shows, this beauty gifted us a breathtaking breach. -Jim Sheehan
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1841 - From Windjammer Park: two gray whales feeding near buoys. [map indicates location west of Rocky Point, Camano] -Kyle Todd
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17:45 - [gray] Spotted in Sarasota channel [Saratoga Passage] north heading west toward Oak Harbor NAS. -Lynn Owens
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Today 3 grays were hanging around and eating ghost shrimp at Harrington Lagoon. -Patricia Shanholtzer
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16:02 - [grays] 3-4 passing Race Lagoon heading north right now. -Jan Barnes
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17:15 - In line with green channel buoy but more so on Camano side, NB
17:03 - See at least 2 grays out from Snatelum Point, mid channel. Looks like research boat with them. viewing from Long Point.
~15:45 - [gray] 15:45 or so from Hidden Beach, could see a blow up towards Shangri La. -Marilyn Armbruster
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14:09 - Single Gray is west of Polnell Pt. Heading towards Oak Harbor. 2:09 pm. -Terra Parham
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Tue, Mar 30 - Mid Saratoga Passage - 15:02 - Two gray whales just passed Cama Beach heading north. -Aaron Gill
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13:10 - Jim Lovvern called to report what appears to be 2, maybe 3, gray whales in Saratoga Passage out from Fox Spit traveling slowly northbound on Whidbey side of channel. Not feeding at this time.
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Tue, Mar 30 - Southern Saratoga Passage - 13:11 - [grays] Just giving a heads up that in the center of Saratoga Passage heading toward Fox Spit I am seeing two whales and it looks like a skiff from NOAA is following them. I thought they were grays but when I watched both of them breach, they looked more like the undersides of humpbacks. I am too far away to know for sure even with binoculars but, I'm sure NOAA will be able to report them more accurately. Also, there is a group of Steller sea lions closer to the shore. I'm at Bells Beach, Langley, WA. Wow what an incredible gift to see on such a beautiful calm day...Update: too far away to get pictures and yes, they came almost fully out of the water and it was amazing to see. Glad others are closer and able to confirm they are gray whales. -Kristin Carlson
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11:45 - MV Saratoga is leaving 723 Lucyfer slowly northbound across from Langley. Closer to the Camano side. -Justine Buckmaster
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10:15 - Just saw two gray whales near South Camano in Saratoga Passage, across from Langley. Heading north. -Mark David Jones (PSWS)
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Tue, Mar 30 - Possession Sound - 14:55 - Currently seeing two large whales with blows from Mission Beach, looking south towards Everett. Looks like they're feeding! So cool!! -Hannah McCullough

March 29
BIGG'S TRANSIENT ORCAS - Mon, Mar 29 - Haro Strait (T10s, T63, T65, T36As, T49As minus T49A2 and T49A3, T68B1 and T68B1A, T71s) 14:40 - IDs from PWWA on this group are T63, T65, T71s, T49As, and T36As. [per Barbara Howitt, All Aboard Sailing: I think T10's as well.] -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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14:10 - [orcas] They passed around the Westside of Henry Island about ~ 2:10 pm or so. I got some pics but they were very far out. About a mile off Vancouver Island. -Mae Cannon
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13:29-15:03 - Center for Whale Research Encounter #15: "…T49A1 passed us heading quickly north in the direction the lead group of whales had originally been traveling before they began milling. We had one more quick pass with the T10s, T63, and T65 while they traveled north-northwest near the border before heading off to look for the lead group again. We eventually found them at 1445 off the west end of Spieden Island. This was the T36As and the T49As (minus T49A2 and T49A3 who were not present today) in a tight group. T49A1 had joined them and they had finally slowed down as they traveled past the entrance to Reid Harbor and along the Stuart Island shoreline. We ended the encounter at 1503 about a half mile southeast of Tiptop Hill on Stuart Island. Once we got home and looked at our photos we realized that T68B1 and T68B1A were also mixed in with the T71s. These two brought the total number of whales photographed this day to 21 from the T10, T36A, T49A, T65, T68B1, and T71 groups." [See CWR Encounter #15 https://www.whaleresearch.com/2021-15 for full summary and more photos]
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12:33 - Whale watch boat has visual and reports a large group of Transients/Biggs including T63 Chainsaw!! In Canadian side - northbound. -Barbara Howitt
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12:20 - They are still in the same spot at 12:20 - milling around, straight out from County Park.
12:00 - There are about 4-5 orcas straight out from SJ County Park (at noon) - some adults and smaller ones. They are really a long way out so I couldn't identify them even if I was capable of doing so. (added by Matt: They were kind of milling around, but generally heading north.) -Matt Eccles
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10:14 - Switched back from OS and still hear intermittent faint vocals on Lime Kiln.
10:01 - So far, do sound more like Transients...Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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11:08 - VERY faint call on Lime Kiln.
10:51 - More 'calls' on Lime Kiln.
10:48 - Just heard 'something' on Lime Kiln hydrophones. Faint, high-pitched call.
10:20 - I can still hear super faint calls intermittently on Orcasound...but no better idea of ID.
09:52 - High pitched whistles and a few louder calls.
09:44 - [orcas] Faint calls on Lime Kiln hydrophones. Unsure of ID. -Michelle Savoie
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, Mar 29 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 16:57 - Gray Whale just east of Polnell Point. Right now. -Luke Schwantes
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Mon, Mar 29 - Port Susan - 14:33 - [gray] Whale spout, tail fin. Mid channel. Port Susan. Off Kayak Point heading north. -Barbara Gamrath
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09:12 - Whale alert! Port Susan! Right off Camano Country Club in shallow waters between beach 2 & 3. I'll bet its ghost shrimp time! -Barba Fogle (CWW)
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Mon, Mar 29 - Possession Sound - 12:30 - It also looks like CRC2255 is back too! Just saw him between Hat island and Everett today. Here's a screen shot of one image.
11:25 - Gray whale 2356 is back!! South of Camano Head right now. See computer screen shot for a pic.
----Two more gray whales have come in from the ocean to join our "Sounders". Today our boats from Port Townsend and Edmonds found two returning "newbie" gray whales that might have come in with the rough seas from Sunday's wind storm. CRC 2356 was the first returning newcomer we spotted today, associating with veteran sounder CRC44, Dubknuck. 2356 was first documented in Puget Sound in 2020 and he spent much of the summer feeding at the Snohomish River Delta. Later we spotted another returning newcomer, CRC2255, hanging out with CRC53, Little Patch. CRC2255 was first seen in our area in 2019. This is exciting news that more of our "newbies" from 2019 and 2020 are returning for some springtime feeding in the sound. This should bring our number of gray whales that have shown up this year to about 14 now! -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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11:30 - #44 Dubknuck between Hat and Camano Island, 1130.
10:30 - One gray whale feeding deep into the Snohomish delta 1030 no ID so far. -Tyson Reed, Island Adventures
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10:15 - One, possibly two grays along the west side of Hat Island northbound. -Lori Christopher
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~07:24 - There were 2 grays in the Snohomish Delta about an hour ago [posted at 08:24]. Close to shore just north of Priest Point. -Jaime McBroom
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Mon, Mar 29 - Admiralty Inlet Area - 08:50-09:10 - Possibly Gray Whale Sighted: Saw periodic spouts heading south between Smith Island and Fort Ebey. Viewed from West Beach on 3/29/2021 between 8:50a and 9:10a. -ShiSh S
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Mon, Mar 29 - Discovery Bay - 15:42 - Saw a gray whale heading south off my beach on the east side of Discovery Bay, WA at 3:42 today. [video reviewed confirms gray - alb] -Karen Hackenberg
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, Mar 29 - Saratoga Passage - 19:10 - Gray whale southbound 800 yards off of Indian Beach, three or four blows between five minute dives. Seemed to be transiting. In addition to several fluke shows, this beauty gifted us a breathtaking breach. -Jim Sheehan

March 28
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Sun, Mar 28 - Haro Strait (J pod) - 12:50 - [orcas] Sounds like J pod calls on Haro Strait [Orcasound] hydro at 12:50 p.m. -Stephanie Mclaughlin
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11:17-11:24 - 1/2 mile south of Landbank Westside Preserve, increasing rain arrived with a southbound group of 4-5 (I think 4) including 2 calves and 2-3 females. Tentatively identified as J46 Star, J53 Kiki, J35 Tahlequah and J57 Phoenix, they were moving quickly but then stalled in front of me milling and changing direction. There was a tail wave not a slap, a spy hop and many times I saw faces peering above the surface. J35 and J46 demonstrated strong and flashy porpoising. The group stayed tight, dove deep and I didn't see them again. In my last visual they were trending north approximately 1/2 mile south of Landbank.
11:07-11:11 - 1/2 mile south of Landbank Westside Preserve, moving quickly southbound a large male surfaced once, and then J19 Shachi came past quickly with a single sighting of a third orca. Hard to see because of rain. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
(…Monika [Wieland Shields, OBI], collaborated as "possible" on J35, J46 & J53. Ellie Sawyer confirmed J19.)
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10:56 - [orcas] Westside Preserve now! -Nicole Reiber
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10:47 - [orcas] Off County Park, still heading down island. -April Ryan
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13:05 - Loud echolocation on Orcasound Orcalab (Haro).
11:05 - ~8 moving south, fast, about a quarter-mile off Land Bank.
10:58 - Clicks and calls on Lime Kiln hydrophones.
10:26 - [orcas] Faint calls on Orcasound Orcalab. (sounds like J pod). -Michelle Savoie
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10:22 - Killer Whales viewed initially off of Kellett Bluff in the middle of Haro headed south on Westside SJI toward County Park. At least 6. One male. Moving quickly about 1/2 mile offshore. -Mae Cannon
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Sat, Mar 28 - Northern California
Yesterday, 28 Mar, a pod was seen traveling north about 1-2 mi off the beach, here is the story I've pieced together.
1. HSU Avian Ecologist Frank Fogarty was watching a loon via spotting scope off of Mal'el dunes beach (about latitude 40.867) when an Oo surfaced in the background (yeah, WOW!), around 1230. He saw large rafts of scoters, about 125 loons, 75 common murres and 20 marbled murrelets, about maybe 6 sea lions, frequent harbor porpoise (maybe 10 in the area, milling about), all of them feeding on something past the breakers. The Oo [Orcinus orca] came in fast from the south, slowed and milled, circling in an area "100s of yards across", then they moved offshore, returned and circled again, went offshore again then back further north, circled, then went north about 1.5 mi offshore. He saw one big male and about 5 others. The male tail lobbed 3-4 times (upright, dorsal still visible), heads were lifted out of the water, some splashing, difficult to see from the beach. (I forgot to ask about reactions by the porpoise and birds, which were further inshore, away from the main action - …Frank estimated 6 individuals, including the one tall male.
2. After an hour watching them Frank posted the sighting on our local birders alert network, Gary Friedrichsen called me (as David Orluck and Elias Elias texted), sent me a text with Frank's number, I jumped into truck and headed to Mal'el dunes. I called Frank when I got to the parking lot at 1348 only to learn the whales were north where two other local birders were scanning, so I headed back north.
3. At 1405 Rob Fowler informed me that Greg Gray was seeing them from the vista overlook at the mouth of the Mad River (40.9748 -124.1175). I joined Greg and via his scope saw them 1.5-2 mi out moving slow in a line abreast. The big male was on the left, then a tall female or sprouting male, then 3-4 medium to juve sized dorsals, and a Mc pair on the right end, for a count of low 6 to high 8. The dorsal fins looked more falcate than pointy, too far to make out any open saddles, the big male may have bent left a bit at top. The pod was heading toward Trinidad head, I left to prepare to look from there, by 1445 I was ready, Dave Orluck had replaced Greg at the vista point and was still seeing them heading west offshore. By the time I got back they were too far for me to see with my scope, but Dave was still seeing them, in smaller groups, not all lined up as before. The wind picked up and home we went.
In May I'll retrieve the NOAA buoy mooring with the three autonomous recorders, request that 28 March be analyzed first. The buoy (4 nmi offshore) is 14.5 naut mi south from where Frank saw them, the Oo would have passed by.
K-Pod versus Transients? What SRKW pod fits this configuration? -Jeff Jacobsen
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, Mar 28 - Possession Sound - We found a few whales right off the bat in the Snohomish River delta. It seemed quite fitting that the whale we were able to hang out with today was CRC 723 "Lucifer" as he made his way through the waves toward the shallow waters. -Tyson Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching (Everett)

March 27
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Sat, Mar 27 - San Juan Islands (J pod) - 16:00 - Photo taken off of Reuben Tarte at 4:00pm on 3/27/21 by Snow McCormick of PNW Protectors. ID by Sara Hysong-Shimazu. -Cy Scammell, PNW Protectors photo - Love how tight they are all grouped together. J-35 (front), J-57 (middle), J-47 (closest to camera), J-53 and J-46 furthest from the camera. Photo by Snow McCormick of PNW Protectors at 4pm from land at Reuben Tarte 3/27/21 - ID: Sara.
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15:24 - [orcas] Near O'Neal Island in Rocky Bay. -Daven Hafey
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14:05 - [orcas] I can see animals heading north towards the east side of Yellow [Island] right now. -Annie Dieffenbach Pflueger
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12:36 - Looks like a resident pod 10-12 whales with some small babies. Heading west through Harney Channel (north side of Shaw) right now. -Jerry Johnson
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16:16 - Headed into Spieden Channel now.
15:45 - Off O'Neal headed toward Reuben Tarte.
14:27 - They're in San Juan Channel now off Yellow Island headed north.
12:05 - Report of orcas in Upright Channel. Private vessels on scene.
----I have no idea what J Pod was doing today, other than taking the kids for an island tour. I spent 3 hours waiting at Point Caution in the freezing wind, while they circumnavigated Shaw Island, visited West Sound, and traveled down Wasp Passage, then headed north - in the opposite direction from where I was. Fortunately, I made it to Reuben Tarte in time for a beautiful close pass. -Cindy Hansen, Orca Network
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, Mar 27 - WA/OR Pacific Coast - 15:39 - Reporting: grey whale sighting
What: 1 grey whale
Location: Eastern side of the Astoria, OR bridge
Looked to be going up river [Columbia] traveling at moderate speed. -Kendra Morrison
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Sat, Mar 27 - Southern Strait of Georgia - 15:00 - Observed a grey whale off the west side of Point Roberts traveling west northwest on March 27, 2021. Time was 15:00, and sorry no pics. -Rick Sande
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Sat, Mar 27 - Deception Pass and Rosario Strait - While I was at the [Deception Pass] bridge, I also got a text message from Trevor Derie (who's helping Garry with CPSMMSN) that there was a gray about half a mile off of Green Point at Washington Park, heading toward Burrows. -Amanda Colbert, Orca Network
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16:02-16:19 - I'm standing in the middle of Deception Pass Bridge facing west, and there is one individual gray whale that's been circling roughly 400 yards off the south side of the park, and about 300 yards off the bridge. Long down times 3-6 minutes, no fluking. I have some photos but glare is making it tough. -Amanda Colbert, Orca Network
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15:09 - Gray whale around Deception Island. Long dives, single breath. There was also a gray the same day off Washington Park in Anacortes. -Matt Stolmeier, Outer Island Excursions
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Sat, Mar 27 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 22:15 - I was just taking the old-lady dog out for a late-night potty attempt (very old, sloooooow pug), and was thrilled to hear some very heavy breathing over by the Happy Meal Mudflats!! It was 10:15pm so I couldn't see anything, but I think there may have been two grays based on the quickness of the breaths, and they were close enough that I could hear the inhale very clearly, which is always simply magical. They were slowly moving south, in the direction of Polnell. So nice to hear those familiar greetings in the darkness once again! -Marianne Parry
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Sat, Mar 27 - Mid Saratoga Passage - 17:04 - Feeding at Camp Diana on Camano.
16:08 - [grays] Saw 2 or 3 just south of Camano State Park. Now heading west into the strait towards Whidbey. -Katya Allen
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14:00 - Gray whales seen between East Point and Langley (Whidbey) west of mid-channel, heading south. -Michael Wiegand
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-10:17 - Just spotted a gray whale south of Lowell Point in Saratoga Pass! Whale was heading north. [Lowell Pt. is just north of Camano Island State Park. -alb] Shannon Barios Stander
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Sat, Mar 27 - Possession Sound - 16:10 - Spotted grey from our home in Mukilteo/just east of ferry landing, not far offshore on MUK side... then headed out midchannel and towards Hat or Everett...lost sight. -Mary Ann Macomber
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14:55 - There's a gray mid channel between Whidbey and Mukilteo heading north. Heading to ferry. -Jodi Krause Poissant
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11:30 - Gray whale CRC53 is between Hat Island and Camano Head. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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…We continued on after that and soon found ourselves on scene with the first gray whale of the day. It ended up being CRC 2259 and we got to spend a bit of time with him as he circled the waters on the south end of Hat island. From there we began to head north but changed course to the east when we found a gray whale feeding in the Snohomish river delta. Once on scene we found out that it was actually two gray whales feeding in the delta both of which we have yet to identify. As we followed the whales they lead us to the day marker of the river delta where we found two bald eagles, on mature and one immature. We stuck around for a little while longer with the feeding grays before heading out toward Hat island to find more wildlife. It did not take long before we were on scene with #53 Little Patch. LP gave us some great looks and was very cooperative as he headed toward Hat Island. So it was time to head back in and as we passed the Naval ship yard, we realized that our whales from the delta was now just outside the Navy's fence. -Tyson Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching

March 26
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Fri, Mar 26 - Strait of Georgia (J pod) - 20:00 - As of 8 PM tonight at least some members of J-Pod were southbound in Boundary Pass - could be a good night to keep those hydrophones on! -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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Seen from the shore of Galiano Island, a distant sighting of J pod as they swam south in Georgia Strait in the late afternoon. Very spread out, a few tail slaps and breaches. A distant sighting is better than none! -Karoline Cullen
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BIGG'S TRANSIENT ORCAS - Mon, Mar 26 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (T46Bs) - 11:15-12:00 - I wanted to report a sighting of Bigg's-type killer whales. 3/26 between 11:15 and 12:00, 5 miles ENE of Port Angeles. I saw 5-6 whales predating a sea lion. The pod looked to have incapacitated the prey, which was alive but barely, while a juvenile attacked it and played with it. It was presumably members of T046[B] pod because one of the individuals was a leucistic sub-adult. I didn't have a camera with me for any photo-ID, but I am 100% confident in my report (I have experience in whale fieldwork and as captain of a whale-watching boat). -Andrew Micks
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UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Fri, Mar 26 - Rosario Strait - ~12:00 - These whales were last seen pushing east towards Whidbey around noon.
10:25 - At least 4 orcas in Rosario Strait south of the ferry lanes, first northbound then southbound as of 10:25. Thought to be Ts but after yesterday's report you never know! -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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Fri, Mar 26 - Admiralty Inlet - Dave Anderson just called, and said his neighbor told him this morning he had seen orcas headed north off Bush Pt. He told Dave about it at 10 am but didn't say what time he had seen them.
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, Mar 26 - Rosario Strait - We decided to take a turn to the south in Rosario Strait and were rewarded almost immediately with the tall spout of GRAY WHALE! WHAT?! This was an unusual location for a gray but certainly a pleasant surprise! It became apparent early on in the encounter that this whale was not one of the typical "Sounders" that visits Washington each spring. The markings on his or her tail striking - what a beautiful fluke! At one point the light hit this whale just right creating a beautiful "rainblow". We submitted the photos to Cascadia and they were able to identify the whale as CRC-1364, a whale seen only once before on April 9, 2011 off La Push, WA. -Erin Johns Gless, Island Adventures Whale Watching (Anacortes)
["...matched to CRC1364 previously only seen on 4/9/2011 in NW WA outer coast, close to La Push." -Alie Perez, Cascadia Research Collective]
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Fri, Mar 26 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 08:15 - Gray was feeding a little (i.e., waving) but moving quickly south. It went through the mudflats but didn't appear to feed and kept right on going down toward Polnell. This was very close to the beach this time and I wish I had had time to grab my camera sooner! In the seconds it took to get outside, I missed my chance at pecs/flukes shots.
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Fri, Mar 26 - Mid to Southern Saratoga Passage - Gray whale season - we have at least 10 gray whales in Island County, sometimes hard to find with our gray skies and gray water, but they're here. Here are a few photos taken Friday, March 26th. All pics zoomed and cropped. -Jill Hein
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18:39 - More easterly towards and nearing north side of Elger Bay.
17:50 - Current watching a lone gray 1/4 mid channel from high bank mid Baby Island Heights very slowly SE bound. Amongst a bunch of barking rafting sea doggies(lions) -Marilyn Armbruster
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14:40 - Allyson Koontz, Elger Bay, Camano Island, called to report a gray whale hanging out in the bay. Today the whale has been circling all the way out in the channel then returns, then circles the bay again. They've been seeing grays come and go since Sunday, usually a lone whale most of the times, other days have been up to 3-4.
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Gray feeding in front of our house, probably on way to Mabana. We're about halfway between Pebble Beach and Mabana. -Peg Boley [confident this is 53. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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Fri, Mar 26 - Possession Sound - #383 near Hat Island. -Jill Hein
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11:44 - We were seeing distant blows off of Whale Bell Park looking south toward Sandy Point, as well. A couple came into the Langley Whale Center to tell us to go take a look! -Amanda Marie Colbert, Orca Network
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11:40 - Gray whales CRC383, CRC2259, and CRC21 are eastbound see map. [north of Hat Island, east and a tad north of Sandy Point -gs] -Bart Rulon
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11:37 - Gray out a bit from and south of Sandy Point. Sb. I think there are two. -Marilyn Armbruster
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Fri, Mar 26 - Port Susan - 16:10 - Two grays currently traveling individually north at Kayak. They were mid channel, so I only saw their spouts. -Linda Raines Tyner (PSWS)

March 25
BIGG'S TRANSIENT ORCAS - Thu, Mar 25 - Central Puget Sound (T65As, T77) - At 19:39 John Miller, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: CHETZEMOKA Orca Sighting 3/25, 1928hrs: C/M reports six (6) orca, 3/4 mile NW of the Pt. Defiance terminal pier, moving WB in Dalco Passage.
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~19:30 - [orcas] Passed Dune Peninsula around 730ish. Now near Point Defiance. Look to be heading south towards the Narrows. -Amber Stanfill
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19:27 - They're past Ruston now. Down by the ferry.
19:13 - Straight off Ruston approaching bulk carrier.
19:05 - Last I saw they were heading straight toward Ruston.
18:59 - [orcas] See them from Ruston by the buoy moving toward Vashon. -Sarah Thai
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18:58 - From Port of Tacoma Husky Terminal, I can see them with binoculars. They have passed Browns Point (at least 2) and appear to be trending in the direction of Ruston or Pt. Defiance Ferry Terminal. (1st time seeing orcas from work.. stoked!!) -Melissa Bird
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18:49 - Spread out now appear to be crossing the channel. 18:28 - [orcas] Just off Dash Point Pier, midchannel, in front of container ship (headed south). -Lucy Clack
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17:40 - [orcas] They're currently at the northern tip of Maury Island (saw fins and blows, headed south). I'm viewing from Des Moines. -Bridget Gallagher
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17:43 - Passed Point Robinson now, spread out southbound closer to Vashon side, T65A2 close to shore.
16:41 - Passed Dilworth now, slow steady southbound grouped up, closer to Vashon side. -Marla Smith
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18:28 - Viewing from Browns Point, mid channel, heading south nearing Dash Point.
17:51 - I see them on the northern side of Maury passing the marine sanctuary.
17:18 - Approaching Pt. Robinson, slowly. (Stalled in the bay north of Point Robinson at 17:25)
17:05 - Approaching KVI towers, Vashon side, southbound.
16:18 - Very spread out from Dolphin Point to Dilworth.
16:14 - Closer to Dolphin Point now, big male looks to be milling.
15:58 - [orcas] Viewing from Three Tree Point, mid channel, heading south. Best guess would be between Dolphin Point and Lincoln Park. -Steve Brown
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14:04 - Just saw them out from Discovery [West] Point. I'm viewing them from Sunset Hill. 12:46 - Viewing from Carkeek. From this perspective it looks like they're in front of the Kingston ferry terminal moving southbound. -Matty Leaman
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12:45 - [orcas] Passing Jefferson Head, middle of the Sound, southbound. -Christopher Hanke, Puget Sound Express
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12:14 - [orcas] Seeing blows from Richmond Beach headed south. [Emily's map shows location off of Apple Cove Point. -gs] -Emily Peterson
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12:09 - Laura L. Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: WALLA WALLA spots Orca whales, Log Entry 1209hrs, 3/25: Vessel reports via 800MHz spotting 5-6 Orca whales traveling in a southbound direction. [Edmonds to Kingston run - alb]
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11:15 - MV Saratoga on scene with T65As and T77 heading south just north of Edmonds. photo - "T65A3 "Amira" is sprouting, or in other words, growing his dorsal fin as he goes through his last growth spurt before reaching adulthood!" -Justine Buckmaster, Puget Sound Express
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11:00 - They are heading more south again now, towards Edmonds Kingston, midchannel.
10:50 - Still heading southwest.
10:35 - Heading southwest now towards Kitsap.
10:25 - Long down times now. But last still seeing them heading sb by the green buoy in the wide waters.
10:10 - Heading south past Chennault Beach neighborhood in Mukilteo. Count 5 spread out. Maybe more. Southbound, 1010, at least one male. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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10:41 - They're still in view from Possession Beach Park, likely getting ready to hit Possession Point. Seems like they're in no rush.
10:10 - Hearing and seeing them approach Possession Beach Park, southbound, closer to Whidbey. Also, quite the array of seals and sea lions that swam close to shore before I heard the orcas. -Durand Dace
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09:13 - 4 -6 orcas moving southbound just passed Clinton beach. -Blythe Ferrel
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~09:00 - At 09:10, David Haeckel called to report seeing 3-4 orcas south of the Clinton ferry dock. This group is just milling around. He has seen spouting and few tail slaps about 1 to 1-1/2 mile south of Clinton. One passed in front of ferry at about 09:00 heading southbound.
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08:42 - Kathy Fritz called, she is on ferry from Clinton to Mukilteo and just saw 4 orcas North side of the boat. The pod is heading Northbound towards Saratoga Passage. Did include what looked to be young one fin, she did not see male dorsal in this group.
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08:07 - 3 orcas northbound just passed Clinton terminal towards Langley. Saratoga Passage. The other ferry from Mukilteo just reported a couple more behind them near Mukilteo terminal. Mom and 2 calves trailing behind northbound. Just passed us. So 6 total. Couldnt get a pic....Anthony Adams (PSWS)
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~07:55 - Bill Blair, who lives at Columbia Beach near Clinton, called to report seeing orcas earlier ~07:55. Orcas were about a 1-1/2 off bay near new Mukilteo terminal. He saw at least two orcas breaching, then they took about 5 minutes to line up (sightline) with Everett in middle of Possession Sound.
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GRAY WHALES - Thu, Mar 25 - North Skagit Bay - ~09:30-10:30 - I saw a beautiful California Gray Whale slowly cruising north off of Whidbey Island and between Goat Island. He lingered for a while and swam north toward the buoy, then turned around and swam back south. He did a beautiful dive and I could see his tail completely. He was in my view here in Oak Harbor off of Whidbey Island from around 9:30 till 10:30. I believe this same whale was here around 8:30 am yesterday, 3-24-21 but I forgot to report it as I was very busy during the day. The whale appears to be alone. -Trisha Ferreira/Oak Harbor WA
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Thu, Mar 25 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 10:15 - From my vantage point at Mariners Cove, I'm seeing a gray spouting way out north of Camano, heading toward Camano. Hope it comes a little closer eventually! -Marianne Parry
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Thu, Mar 25 - Possession Sound - 18:00 - [grays] Looks like they've turned nb towards ferries. About mid channel between Glendale and Big Gulch. -Nataliya Lisitsyna
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14:10 - [grays] Spotted them. They're on the mainland side in between Mukilteo & Picnic Point, still heading south. -Sara Montour Lewis
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14:29 - Both are still together, sb, passing Possession Sound Park.
13:55 - [gray] Just saw a blow from Chennault Beach Mukilteo. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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13:35 - Was able to ID 723 and thinkin 383 as two gray whales traveling south by the Clinton ferry landing, will try to confirm tonight with bigger screen. ----… We cruised back into Port Gardner and as we passed the Clinton ferry landing joined up with two gray whales! They were CRC 723 and 383 and they were both hanging out cruising south together. We got some close looks and even a couple of great flukes before these two giants of the deep waved goodbye and continued south along Whidbey Island. …Tyson Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching (Everett)
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13:25 - [grays] Passing Glendale southbound as of 1:25. Marilyn says there's 2 of them. -Durand Dace
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~12:45 - About 1245. Saw one blow just north of Glendale, close to Whidbey shoreline. -Ariel Yseth
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13:47 - Still viewing from Glendale. If I had to guess, they are out from Possession Beach Park 1/4 mid channel. Sb still.
12:30 - Have cleared ferry lanes. Viewing from Clinton terminal and they are heading sb still and a little closer to Whidbey.
12:22 - Both grays now in Clinton/Mukilteo ferry lanes heading south. Mid channel.
11:51 - Now more southbound and Whidbey side of mid.
11:40 - Both grays eastbound now at east/south side of Hat.
11:33 - 2 Grays south of mid Hat Island. -Marilyn Armbruster
photos - 723 "Lucyfer" ID: ALB (with another unID'd gray)
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Thu, Mar 25 - Discovery Bay/E. Strait of Juan de Fuca - We've had a whale hanging around, I just took these. Just off our back yard. -Jeff Taylor
["Jeff lives off is Adelma Beach on the east side of Discovery Bay." -Betsy Carlson, Community Science Coordinator, Port Townsend Marine Science Center]

March 24
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Wed, Mar 24 - Rosario Strait and Strait of Georgia - 17:40 & 18:40 - Some members of J-Pod were seen northbound in Rosario Strait between Blakely and Cypress Islands at 17:40 and at least a few other J-Pod whales were seen southbound in the Strait of Georgia at 18:40. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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BIGG'S TRANSIENT ORCAS - Wed, Mar 24 - South to Central Puget Sound (T65As)
19:08 - Playing around and hunting in the same place.
18:33 - They've turned a little bit into Port Madison. Close to the Jefferson Beach dock on the Indianola side. Lots of eagles and seagulls swarming about.
18:26 - [orcas] The group is still heading north on the Kitsap side...almost to Point Jefferson. -Laurel Rush Owen
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17:58 - [orcas] Looks like they are just off Faye Bainbridge Park. Very close to west side. Heading north. -Torrey Hall Volk
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17:30 - Still northbound. Still viewing from Sunset Hill Park. Pretty far on west side of channel.
16:55 - [orcas] Viewing from Sunset Hill Park as they're passing discovery. 4-5 of them. -Matty Leaman
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16:54 - [orcas] Passing right by Discovery Point. -Ben Pontecorvo
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16:08 - [orcas] They are near Blakely Rock on Bainbridge side. -Kersti Muul
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16:04 - [orcas] Just approached the westbound fast ferry, which slowed, traveling northbound mid channel. -Kristin Hoelscher Lauver
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15:46 - [orcas] Spotted southern tip of Blake Island from Constellation Park, west side of channel. -Sonya Chin
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15:01 - [orcas] Passing just south of Brace Point now, mid channel, a bit closer to West Seattle side of channel. Headed north. -Megan McNally
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13:44 - [orcas] Just cleared Point Robinson, grouped up, stealthy travel mode steady northbound, mid channel but closer to mainland. Very choppy seas, hard to spot! ----Yay for springtime whales! It's been a spell since the T65a's have been here, it was so lovely to finally see them yesterday after seeing only fins in the distance for days. Here's the Point Robinson pass, didn't think they would come all the way in, as they were way over by the Des Moines Marina, disappeared completely for 15 minutes, then T65A2 rose out of nowhere close to the point as a cargo tanker rolled through. Didn't manage to get the others, only Artemis and little Callisto as they swam nearby, but, watching Ooxjaa skulk the shoreline was pretty darn sweet, he was so quiet and methodical. Never fails to be so impressed by them, what a beautiful family! -Marla Smith
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12:50 - Hard to say for sure but believe they are heading up east channel, currently north of the southern channel marker buoy, closer to Maury Island side, passing the 1st group of housing.
12:43 - Some off east tip of Maury Island including adult male, close to that shore. Numbers & direction unknown. REALLY tough spotting with this wind!!!
12:35 - [orcas] From N. Stevens St. .. see at least some have crossed Quartermaster Harbor, still trending east towards Commencement Bay/Browns Point, more on the Vashon/Maury side of mid channel, small boat in pursuit for help locating. -Melissa Bird
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12:34 - [orcas] They are past Vashon now. Heading northeast. -Shelly Wade
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12:31 - [orcas] Just passing the mouth of Quartermaster Harbor, still eastbound. -Karen Widrig Pickett
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~12:30 - Got lucky spotting them on my lunchbreak yesterday [3/24/21], approx., 12:30. Hard to see in the chop. Southern end of Vashon from Dune. -Stacey Crofoot
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12:25 - Brian Owens called to report seeing the orcas out from Point Defiance boat house, but over on Vashon side in front of ferry dock. Pod is heading eastbound towards east passage or Commencement.
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12:11 - They're headed east towards the ferry path right now.
12:09 - [orcas] They're mid channel off the top of Pt. Defiance right now. Not close in. -Jenna Iams
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11:17 - Orcas going north from Narrows Bridge towards Pt. Defiance, mid channel. At least 4, maybe 5. -Anne Lynde
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GRAY WHALES - Wed, Mar 24 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 18:25 - Just had someone drop by with a sighting from yesterday at 6:25 pm. Gray whale went past their home at Harrington Lagoon, surfaced three times, southbound. -Katie Watkins, Langley Whale Center/Orca Network
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17:30 - Onamac Point mid channel. Heading south. -Matt Henning
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~13:15 - CRC-21 Shackleton also spotted. East side of Utsalady Bay, very closed to the shore. -Yifan Ling
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12:26 - Update: Looks like Gray snuck back northward and is between Maple Grove Beach and Utsalady!
12:00 - I just spotted a gray spouting out in the channel pretty far south of Mariners cove. It looks like it might be heading west toward Whidbey, but hard to tell from this distance. -Marianne Parry
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12:57 - Crc#44 and 1 other gray whale feeding in the shallows just off Brown Point, Camano Island, 12:57 3/24/2021. -Tyson Reed
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Wed, Mar 24 - Port Susan - ~13:45 - Two whales about 1:45 next to Kayak Point at McKees Beach. Heading north...Sarah Kortekaas

March 23
BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Tue, Mar 23 - North to Central Puget Sound (T65As, T77, T77B, T77E) - 19:22 - [orcas] Viewing from Three Tree Point. Seem to be milling between the Vashon Island ferry and Dilworth. -Steve Brown
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18:51 - 3 orcas just south of Dolphin Point, slow southbound, Vashon side, view from Emma Schmitz Park in West Seattle.
18:41 - Lots of splashing action just north of Dolphin Point.
18:20 - Milling south of Dolphin Point for at least the last 30 minutes maybe 3 orcas, view from Constellation Park in West Seattle. Closer to Vashon side. -Mary Hartmann
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18:11 - They just left Lincoln Park, south past Fauntleroy. Research vessel still following.
17:56 - [orcas] They are closer to Fauntleroy. Research vessel following. Right in front of Lincoln Park about 6. Milling about. -Kristin Alvarez
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17:58 - At 18:01 John Miller, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: 3/23, 1758hrs: Vessel reports via 800MHz six (6) orca near traveling south, 1/2 mile North of the F>V ferry route crossing. [Fauntleroy to Vashon]
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17:50 - [orcas] Looks like they are all committing down the east side of Vashon. I think there are 6 in a group and 2 single outliers. Looks like there a little one in the group! -Torrey Hall Volk
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17:34 - [orcas] Small group directly in front of the boat dock on Blake Island. One large orca traveling behind the group. Mid channel. -Malloree Benade
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17:28 - [orcas] Mid channel, moving south in the middle of/down past Blake Island! -Dana Reinert
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17:24 - Viewing from South Beach, Bainbridge. Southbound off West Seattle, just north of Blake Island. -Brendan Moore-Penaskovic
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17:05 - [orcas] 17:05. Viewing from 60th and Spokane. More on the west of channel. Just passing Blakely Rock from our perspective south of it. -Douglas B. Greenswag
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17:09 - Just off Restoration Point still southbound
17:04 - [orcas] Just north of Blakely Rock, far west side, south end. -James Tilley
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16:59 - [orcas] Seen from Beach Dr. Still moving SB. West channel. Just passed the Bainbridge ferry. -Malloree Benade
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16:56 - At least 3-4 orcas SB, viewed from Eagle Harbor looking toward Alki. Mid-channel, departing Bainbridge ferry just passed them just to the north. -Jim Reitz
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16:55 - At 17:29 John Miller WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: PUYALLUP Orca Whale Sighting 3/23/2021, 1655hrs: Vessel reports via 800MHz six (6) orca near traveling south, abeam of Blakely Rock. Several juvenile whales are reported in the group.
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16:46 - [orcas] Seeing from Country Club Rd. Looking north, they are just behind the cargo ship. Still traveling SB into [towards] Elliot Bay. -Rachael Blaurock
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15:57 - [orcas] Group spread out mid channel, heading south - off Skiff Point, Bainbridge Island. -Robin Warshaw
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15:40 - [orcas] Seeing them from Golden Gardens. They look to be far west, closer to Kitsap side. -Aaron Berg
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16:55 - Viewing from Magnolia Bluffs, far west channel, past Eagle Harbor, approaching Blakely Rock. Southbound travel.
16:04 - All orcas have passed West Point Lighthouse, west of mid-channel, southbound. Long dives lasting ~5minutes.
15:38 - Viewing from West Point Lighthouse, still slightly north of the lighthouse, appear close to midchannel, southbound travel.
14:50 - [orcas] Viewing from Carkeek, southbound travel, just south of Jefferson Head. West of mid-channel. -Brittany Noelle
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15:24 - I'm just leaving Carkeek because we hadn't seen them in 10-15 minutes. But they were pretty directly straight across the water. Far on the other side and I could only see with binoculars.
14:52 - Just saw my group further south possibly by Port Madison and saw one COMPLETELY jump out of the water and I'm SO EXCITED!!
14:33 - Just seeing them to the south of the single white sailboat out a bit north from Carkeek. South still! Seeing more than 5. -Matty Leaman
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14:08 - [orcas] Milling on a kill out from Richmond Beach Saltwater Park. East of midchannel. -Ariel Yseth
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14:32 - One group Is now traveling a bit further south past Point Jefferson. (2 separate groups)
14:28 - They are still milling around mid-channel off President Point. I am looking at them from the east side.
14:00 - 8-10 orcas hunting mid channel off President Point. -Torrey Hall Volk
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13:53 - [orcas] They are now on the east side of the channel, mile or two north of Golden Gardens. -Larry Witty
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17:05 - Out from N side Restoration Point, steady southbound...
16:55 - Transients are out from Port Blakely heading southbound toward Restoration Point, far west side of channel, loosely spread in two groups. Beautifully illuminated exhalations. From Elliott Bay Marina across the Sound. Commercial Shipping/vessel traffic has been alerted.
14:48 - Group is drifting further southwest from mid-channel out from south end Richmond Beach. Appear to still be eating as they are not in travel mode. Grouped up.
14:38 - They are on a kill off south end Richmond Beach.
14:18 - Definitely stalled and in a hunt drifting a bit north off Richmond Beach where I sit high bluff.
14:10 - Maybe stalled/hunting? They are loosely spread w/some making directional changes.
14:05 - Orcas have moved over in the channel, currently mid channel (or just east of) at out from southern end of Richmond Beach traveling slowly southbound. Still grouped. Seas glassy.
14:34 - They are well south of Presidents Point. The group and sailboat I'm watching are off Richmond Beach…
13:34 - Just caught sight of pod…President Point (S of Kingston dock), still west side channel…southbound, grouped. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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13:35 - They have periods of deeper dive times and maybe appear to have been hunting briefly near a few fishing boats. They appear to be heading south again at a good clip, hugging the west side of the channel now, near President Point at 1335.
1313 - South side of Apple Tree Cove, west side of channel, heading south at a good clip. 3-4, one big male fin easily visible. -Biz Shoe Petersen
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13:22 - On the west side of the shipping lanes so a bit closer to the Kitsap side.
12:55 - South of the ferry lane now. Slow but steady SB with some longer downtimes. -Sara Frey
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Yesterday [3/23/21] we observed them travelling and socializing just north of the Edmonds-Kingston ferry crossing. -Wendi Robinson, Puget Sound Express
photo - T77B ID'd by WR/PSE
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12:30 - Killer whales (T65As & 77s) southbound at Eglon mid channel. [Eglon is between Kingston & Point No Point]. -Christopher Lewman, Puget Sound Express
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, Mar 23 - Possession Sound - The two close to mainland were CRC 531 and 2249.
----We scoured the southern end of Hat island as well as the Snohomish river delta, but it was the north end of Hat Island where we found our first whales of the day. They turned out to be CRC53 and 21, and they were traveling closely together, socializing with each other as they relaxed above a shallow sand bar. After some great views we decided to branch and check out some blows we saw in the distance near the Tulalip waterfront. Soon we were on scene with two new gray whales that gave us some great looks at their tail flukes. These two whales ended up being CRC 2249 and 531 and they were headed for the Snohomish river delta. After 531 gave us a few more tail flukes and she began to move into the shallows of the delta with 2249 we decided to go expand on our wildlife check list. Moving up to Camano Island, we found two adult bald eagles that were in great lighting for some wonderful photos. By now the sun was out, the clouds were disappearing, and so we decided to once again join up with Little Patch and Shackleton. They had made their way to the south end of Hat Island and after settling in on scene we got a nice big spy hop from Little Patch. -Tyson Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching (Everett)
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11:28 - 2 grays eastbound at the northeast side of Hat Island. CRC 21 and CRC 53. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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11:20 - Four grays travelling southbound in two separate pairs between Tulalip Bay and Priest Point. -Lori Christopher
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Tue, Mar 23 - North Puget Sound/Saratoga Passage - 16:26 - Just saw a gray spout and a tail! off Onamac Point on Camano. Appear to be heading south. -Ted Wiederhold
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11:50 - Gray is feeding between Mariners Cove and Polnell Pt. -Terra Parham
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15:30 - Update-I guessing wrong on the direction-the gray is heading south and staying more toward Camano. I just happened to see a puff just in my line of sight between Mariners Cove and the point just south of Maple Grove Beach, not terribly far out from Camano. 3:30pm
15:17 - I just spotted a spout out in the channel between Mariners Cove and Maple Grove Beach, and it appears to be heading southwest, heading possible in the direction of Polnell-ish. Way too far away to get photos unfortunately!
11:48 update - I ran out to see where it was going and its way down/southwest of me now, but I think it might be Patch - appears to be a huge white spot on back half. Maybe Polnell folks will get a better look.
11:38 - I'm watching a gray now (11:38) that just came south from Utsalady mid channel and then headed toward Whidbey and is now grabbing a bite at the south end of the Happy Meal mudflats on the way toward Polnell. -Marianne Parry
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09:45 - We started seeing probably the same gray from our deck, we're up on the hill right next to Greenbank Farm. We hurried down to our community beach and only saw one more spout, very close to shore and deep in the little cove that's formed by our beach on North Bluff Rd. and Dines Point. Lost sight after that. What a treat! -Deja Brandeis
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09:45 - Spotted a gray whale a few hundred feet from our shoreline (in Greenbank, due west of Baby Island), heading north towards the Greenbank Farm area. I rarely spot them so close to this side of the island, very exciting! -Martha Sinclair
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17:31 - Gray spotted 50 meters off Enetai Beach in Bremerton, heading south towards ferry terminal. -Brian Fiesta
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17:31 - Kitsap Orca Watch received a report of a Gray off Bremerton: 5:31pm, Gray Whale spotted 50 meters (close!) off Enetai Beach (Bremerton) heading south. -Susan Marie Andersson
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I live on Bainbridge Island on Rich Passage now. I moved here in January. We had our first whale siting today: a gray whale. Additional info: So this gray passed by at least 3 times today: first headed deeper into the passage toward Bremerton, then back out toward the entrance, then back in toward Bremerton again. Then I had to go to town to run errands... so I don't know if it headed back out again. It was not surfacing in a manner where I could get a good look at the dorsal fin or back, but having seen so many grays over the years in Langley, I was pretty certain that's what it was. The last time I saw it pass by, the ferry came very close to it. The passage really narrows there and I don't think the captain would have seen it since it was barely surfacing.... with what you shared, this makes me concerned about its energy level and whether it is managing to find any food. It is very rocky here!! Ghost shrimp need a sandy bottom, right?? -Anon.
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13:11 - Gray whale going through Rich Passage, research boat or police boat was following. -Phyllis Macy Putnam
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11:26 - Just passed Waterman Pier. Looks like a gray whale! Heading toward Rich Passage. Ferry just passed it off Point White. V-shaped spout, dark gray. Took some pics, hopefully they'll turn out. Barely had time to focus. -Mitch Hall
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09:00 - Sighting 3/23 9AM in Port Washington Narrows, past the Warren Ave. Bridge, possibly a gray whale. Hung around for half an hour or so, then headed back out. -Barret Anspach
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At 07:10 WSF Captain, while docked in Bremerton, reported whales (species uncertain) perhaps 3 or 4, milling about in that area. [likely the gray whale reported in the area before and after this. -gs]
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BIGG'S TRANSIENT ORCAS - Tue, Mar 23 - Central Puget Sound - ~13:00 - We saw orcas, a small pod, going towards Seattle on Tuesday at about 1pm, just between Edmonds and Kingston. They were beautiful!! -Alesha Matz

March 22
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Mon, Mar 22 - Haro Strait (Js) - JPod in the Haro 18:00 March 22nd. photo - J26 ID: -Cy Scammell, PNW Protectors
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~18:50 - Last few feeding off of Kellett Bluff.
18:42 - 4-6 whales spread out seeming to feed off of Kellett Bluff.
18:36 - The last of them are just rounding Kellett Bluff.
18:21 - There are several in front of Sidney Island heading north. Still seeing blows at 18:21. There are two closer to SJI we are following.
18:12 - And now a fourth set much closer to SJI. Blows all across the horizon. From our side to the Canadian side. What a way to end a Monday!!
17:59 - There's a single male and another group of two plus ?? out right now heading North toward Kellett. Not sure who they are! updated: Actually, three or more separate sets. One lead male. Another 2-3 hundred yards or more behind and further out. And a third far off toward Vancouver Island also further behind. -Mae Cannon
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16:07 - Orcas off of Kellet. Heading N. -James Mead Maya
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15:26 - J Pod appears to have turned at Sunset Point and heading south now....John Boyd
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14:39 - [orcas] Some great calls right now! -Lucy Quayle
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Treated to a spy hop in harsh light. Land Bank just after 2 p.m. -Annie Dieffenbach Pflueger
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13:06 - [orcas] Mom and baby sighting at 1:06 pm today, 3/22, from shore at SJI West Side/north of Hannah Heights. -Petra Schindler-Carter
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14:06-14:13 - 2 orcas traveling together moving fast 300' from shore towards Edwards Point. They only surfaced a few times.
13:55-14:10 - 3 orcas approach from the south, northbound towards Edwards Point. J56 Tofino, J31 Tsuchi and a companion moved quickly, Tofino tight against Mom.
12:58-13:25 - One orca spotted southbound just south of Edwards Point/Landbank and then there were two. Milling 1/4 mile south of Edwards Point, they barely surfaced with long dives and came up far from where they began their dive. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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12:24-15:33 - Center for Whale Research Encounter #14: "… Through binocs, and Katie taking dot shots with her longer lense, we could see that it was the J16s (minus J26) and the J19s together on the shoreline-despite a rising wind and a swell rolling out of the southwest. At about 1240, J16 and J42 split from the group and headed west. The others also eventually came offshore and milled a bit before heading back down island. We decided to go around these whales and head down island to try and find some other whales. The water got sloppier the further down island we went but we found J26 by himself heading slowly up island off Edwards Point maybe a few hundred yards off the shoreline. …" [See CWR Encounter #14 https://www.whaleresearch.com/2021-14 for full summary and photos.]
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17:14 - Calls on LK hydrophone.
16:08 - Just heard some EL clicks on the LK hydrophone.
14:48 - Second group spotted on Lime Kiln cam. Just N of lighthouse, 1/3 mile off.
14:29 - CWR is with a group north of LK. Had them on the camera briefly. ("They're abeam of Low Island right now." Monika, OBI)
14:21 - Clicks and faint calls on LK hydrophone.
13:55 - Still hearing EL clicks on Lime Kiln Hydrophone.
13:02 - Unknown number coming back towards LK from up island. Also hearing echolocation clicks on LK hydrophone. (counted at least 4)
12:42 - Orca with the CWR boat north of LK, about 1/4 mile off.
12:28 - Milling at Holiday Pt. Some VERY close in.
12:19 - Mom and babe now milling N of LK.
12:14 - Mom and youngster just off LK, northbound.
11:52 - [orcas] Have them on the LK cam now. -Fred Horn
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15:55 - 2-3 whales are crossing Open Bay, steady northbound toward Kellet Bluff, 1/4-1/2 miles off shore.
15:45 - 4-5 females plus one juvenile ~2miles west of San Juan County Park moving north slowly .(mid Haro)
13:36 - A group of about 7-8 have been shuffling 1/4 mile off Belleview. Pointed north currently. One large male about 1/2 mile off landbank, unknown direction. Observing from Lime Kiln.
11:49 - [orcas] Just seeing some at Belleview Pt. (south of County Park), slowly moving north within 1/4 mile of shore. (Male at Land Bank is J26, slowly trending north. -Cassie Barclay). -Michelle Savoie
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13:20 - Calls are amazing! (on Lime Kiln hps)
12:23 - Was still hearing variety of calls and whistles but now another bulk carrier, Corona Wisdom, heading Southbound at 14.2 knts, is drowning them out.
12:18 - Saw little one forward lung and foraging.
12:14 that's a wee one on the webcam! ...baby inverts and tail lobs!
12:09 - Faint S1 call thru tanker noise. And percussive maybe? On Lime Kiln hps.
12:03 - Couple S4 calls audible, but bit distant. (Bulk Carrier Eleni northbound at 13.2 kn). On Lime Kiln hps.
11:45 and 11:48 - Nice S3 call and echolocation. so sweet. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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11:25 - J pod on Lime Kiln. -Sara Frey
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11:20 - Lovely distant S1 calls and echolocation on LK hydrophone. -Susan Marie Andersson
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14:20 - Still half a dozen slow north off County Park.
13:55 - Some northbound off County Park.
12:01 - Two heading south, two heading north on either side of lighthouse.
11:42 - More approaching.
11:37 - Couple juveniles couple hundred yards off Lime Kiln, northbound.
11:11 - Possible faint vocals on Lime Kiln hydrophone. (Definitely vocals, sounds like Rs)
11:05 - Small group of orcas mid-Haro Strait offshore of Lime Kiln going north quickly.
----J-Pod came back in to Haro Strait from out west this morning and spent most of this afternoon foraging and resting on the west side of San Juan Island. Six-month-old J58 Crescent was a little ball of energy, seen here on one of her only "normal" surfacings off Lime Kiln (as opposed to upside down or sideways, which she did plenty of while she played around at the surface as mom foraged). -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Mon, Mar 22 - Possession Sound - 15:42 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: Master off TOKITAE reports 3 orca whales headed south in Possession Sound close to the Mukilteo dock.
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15:40 - My sons and I saw at least 4 orcas from the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry at 3:40 this afternoon! Fins and blowholes. Sorry we weren't close enough for photos, but it's the first time in 21 year as a Washington State resident I've seen orcas so I wouldn't have been much help identifying them! We were toward the end of the ferry's westbound transit, so it appeared to me they were in the middle of the channel there. -Collett Janning
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Mon, Mar 22 - Hood Canal to Admiralty (T65As, T77, T77B, T77E) - 19:30 - Caught one more glimpse of the male fin; he was a little bit further NW of first sighting, I think likely milling/hunting in the area that is just across from the entrance to Hood Canal, fairly close to the Whidbey side. Getting too dark to see much now.
19:10 - Just returned home and saw one male orca fin ~1 mile south of Bush Pt. at 7:10 pm - looked like it may have been chasing something/moving closer to shore, and unfortunately out of my vision for now; but neighbors saw at least two, so will continue watching! -Susan Berta, Orca Network
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18:45 - Anna SinghDa and Pip Gordon called to report at least 5 orcas, including a bull, south of Bush point, Whidbey heading southbound.
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13:30 - Chilkat Just departed T65As. Still northbound. [NE of Olele Point. -gs] -Christopher Lewman
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13:26 - [orcas] They are heading north, on the west side of Whidbey. Pic isn't great since we were so far away, but still fun to see! Counted 6 orcas. -Joanne Rayl Moneda
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12:27 - [orcas] Northbound near Twin Spits. -BryAnn Bingham
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12:50 - It looks like they decided to go northbound in Admiralty Inlet for now. (The T77s were with the T65As.)
12:45 - Exiting Hood Canal and into Admiralty Inlet now.
12:24 - T65As
12:20 - Current location, northbound. [Map shows location north of Shine Tidelands State Park. -gs] -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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These were the orcas at Hood Canal and came by our house today. They were close to Jefferson County side, finally, for once, but quickly traveled to Kitsap side after passing the bridge, and we followed them down to our boat launch (we live on paradise Bay) and they seemed to stall for a while (must have found some orca sausages for lunch) as they hugged the shoreline for about 1/2 hour before traveling on. -Tammy Shelton
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12:29 - They just passed me off Talah Shores fr. mid canal.
11:39 - They passed north side of bridge ...mid to east canal a few minutes ago. Still heading north. They are grouped closer together now. They were taking longer dives around and north of the bridge.
11:08 - They are just south of bridge now. East side. Still slow travel.
10:10 - [orcas] Spotted 4 just south of Bridgehaven, 1010am, far east side of canal, still heading north. Coming up frequently far above water. Slow pace as they are just riding the tide. -Tisa Annette
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10:07 - [orcas] I think that I just spotted two just north of Lofall. (If what I saw were orcas, it was a good size pod not too far off the east side of the canal heading towards the bridge.) -Alan Robertson
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Email received at 09:56 from Randy Kimball who's just south of King Spit: "Hello, I saw a pod of Orcas heading north in Hood Canal about 30 minutes ago [~09:30 -alb]. They were on front of Bangor Base heading north towards Hood Canal Bridge. I saw two large orcas but there could have been more. I will watch to see if they turn around..."
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08:05 - At least 4 orcas east of entrance to Dabob Bay, in Hood Canal heading northeast close to west shore (Toandos Peninsula). Edit w/additional info: pod was milling while trending north. -Reported by David E. Bonnett (PSWS)
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UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Mon, Mar 22 - San Juan Islands/Rosario Strait - 15:52 - At 15:57 Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: Whales 3/22 1552 - KALEETAN Master reports 3 orca 1/4 mile E. of Lawson Rocks headed westbound.
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, Mar 22 - Port Susan - 13:12 - [gray] Whale sighted offshore of Camano Country Club in Port Susan. -John May
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Mon, Mar 22 - Saratoga Passage - 19:02 - Gray is heading into Oak Harbor, west of Polnell Pt. 7:02pm 3/22. -Terra Parham
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13:58 - I'm staying in a cabin at Cama Beach and just saw a (presumably) grey whale pass by maybe 75ish feet off the beach. Didn't get a picture, but saw the spout 3 times. Heading north. -Matty Leaman

March 21
BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sun, Mar 21 - Possession to Saratoga (T46s) - 18:25 - Dugualla Bay flats still heading south it appears. (near the piling). photo - 7:00 - 5 - at Strawberry Point still southbound. -Deb Barge
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16:00 - West of Strawberry Point around 1600. -Victoria Greene
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15:45 - I just saw 2 orcas diving and coming up for air and a look see… This is again in Skagit Bay behind my house here on Mount Baker Circle in Oak Harbor. The orcas were by Goat Island going north. There may have been more, but I saw two individual orcas. -Trish Ferrarri
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15:16 - Still north bound off Strawberry Pt. on Skagit Bay side of channel. -Matt Stolmeier
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15:00 - Paul Belanger called. He lives near Mariners Beach Cove and is seeing at least 3 orcas (2 males and a female/smaller) near Mariners Beach, heading east towards Strawberry Point.
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14:50 - Appear to be foraging again due north of Maple Grove, far Whidbey side. -Neil Emery
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14:45 - [orcas] A few miles south of Ala Spit, appearing northbound still. -Marilyn Armbruster
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17:30 - They have flipped at Ala Spit and are headed south.
16:30 - Stalled out southern end of Dugualla Bay, guessing for a snack. Appear to now have resumed northbound travel.
15:45 - Steady northbound passing the Borgman Road beach access. Family grouped up with T46D slightly trailing.
14:30-14:40 - Watched them mill likely on a kill east of Polnell Point. One vessel was parked at a distance just observing. Whales appear to be continuing east. Blackfish now on scene following rules. -Rachel Haight
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14:17 - Watching from Mariners Cove Park on Whidbey. Seeing them enter the channel from [in front?] of Maple Grove Beach. -Jayce Lemmer
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15:00 - Passing Mariners Cove on Whidbey now, 3pm - appears to be three orcas. Super fun to see!!
14:40 - The orcas are still there at 2:40pm, and are actually approaching Mariners Cove now (yay!) and getting closer to the Whidbey side.
14:15 - …thought the whales were all staying south of Mariners Cove. However, one lone boat is out mid-channel between Mariners Cove and Maple Grove Beach, and I can see what I'm guessing are three orcas - one big straight fin and two mediums. photo - T46E ID: GS, photo - T46D ID: GS. -Marianne Parry
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13:14 - Whales passing Rockaway Beach, heading north to Madrona - LONG down times. -Jill Hein
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12:45 - At least two in Saratoga Passage heading north. Freeland on Whidbey side. I'm seeing them from Indian Beach, Camano. -Steven Buckley- Nantz
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13:10 - 3 going past Onamac Point heading north.
12:40 - 3 orcas Indian Beach. -Matt Henning
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About halfway down the Camano Island shoreline, north of Cama Beach, we came across the T46 family of Bigg's killer whales! This is a very special family, led by mom T46 Wake, believed to have been born around 1966. Wake and her four kids were spread out, leisurely making their way north. We got some particularly good looks at T46E Thor who was born in 2003. He's huge! T46 has such a special story. In 1976, she was one of 6 whales that were captured in Puget Sound to be transported to aquariums. Due to public outcry, the whales were released, and we are so thankful that they were, because Wake went on to have more than 20 children and grandchildren! We were lucky to have the privilege to spend the afternoon with these orcas before heading home, back through Deception Pass. -Erin Johns Gless, Island Adventures Whale Watching (Anacortes)
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12:27 - Orcas just passed Cama Beach State Park heading north. -Aaron Gill
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13:25 - Very distant fins north of Shangri La.
12:19 - Looks like orca nb on Camano...grays into Holmes. -Bonnie Gretz
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12:08 - T46s northbound, very spread out. See map. [Off of Saratoga Shores, Camano. -gs] -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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12:51 - Spotted again from the bluff trail of Cama Beach, still going north.
12:14 - Still heading north, closer to Whidbey now.
12:01 - [orcas] Just spotted dorsals off of Camano Island State Park!! I think the grays are just north too. Heading north, a bit closer to the Camano side. -Jenny Hughes
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12:11 - Orcas near Baby Island. (Clarify - 2 veered over at the time I posted. Did not see them after that. But watched the group pass Camano State Park and out a bit from Cama Beach.)
11:52 - Orcas between Fox Spit and Camano State Park. Viewing from mid Baby Island Heights. Nb. -Marilyn Armbruster
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11:22 - Passing Mabana Beach.
11:04 - Viewing from Mabana Beach. One large male in lead on the Camano side heading slowly north. -Steve Brown
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From Camano Island State Park. -Serena Tierra
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10:40 - [orcas] Heading NW up Saratoga, favoring Camano side. Spread out long down times. One male looks like T46D. -Rachel Haight
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10:28 - [orcas] From road above Langley Marina, can see dorsal in 15x binocs slow north. -Daniel Laszlo
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10.40 - Leading male heading north in Saratoga Passage on Camano side as, seen from above Sandy Point.
10:25 - Orcas straight out from Sandy Point heading toward mid channel. At least 3.
----It was an early morning dash to Sandy Point, Langley, to catch the T46s entering Saratoga Passage, prior to their crossing closer to Camano Island and continuing north. The orcas were split into two groups with three leaders and a couple of trailers lagging behind, and with the rain impairing visibility, we weren't sure who we were seeing. A closer inspection of images revealed T46D born 2000, confirming that once again we were in the presence of the legendary matriarch T46 (Wake), who survived the last capture in Washington State in 1976, and family (photo Richard Snowberger). -Sandra Pollard
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10:08 - Seeing the males continuing to head towards Camano Head. They are moving out of my view. Good luck everyone.
09:59 - Passing between Whidbey and Hat Island. Closer to Hat Island.
09:37 - I can confirm 3 males. 2 with the group and one trailing. Currently straight out from the Clinton ferry dock heading north west.
09:24 - Just found the rest of the group. About 4-5 heading north to west in the north ferry lane mid channel.
09:20 - [orcas] Just saw one male heading north in the ferry lanes mid channel. -Danielle Pennington
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09:05 - [orcas] Confirmed sighting of small group heading north toward Mukilteo-Clinton ferry. Spread out, mid channel. (09:16: They were halfway from Possession Point. Lost sight of them now. I'm on the bluffs south of Mukilteo ferry.) -Vicki Zellman
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08:35 - 5-7 Orcas in front of Possession Point State Park heading slowly Northbound right now. -Terica Ginther
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Sun, Mar 21 - Hood Canal - Orcas spotted just north of Dewatto Bay, Hood Canal, 3pm, March 21st, 2021. -Charlie Kawasaki
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, Mar 21 - Saratoga Passage - 17:00 - Gray spouting midchannel-ish between Mariners Cove and north end of Utsalady, 5:00pm, 3/21. Appears to be northbound but veeeery slowly. -Marianne Parry
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11:40 - Saratoga has 723, 53 and 383 traveling north by Baby Island. [Confirmed by Bart Rulon] -Alexandra Vanderzee
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11:35 - 3 gray whales Headed NW of Fox Spit, aiming towards Hidden Beach area. -Rachel Haight
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14:38 - Viewing from high bank at Long Point, seeing 2 grays/spouts in line with southside of Polnell Point but most likely west of there. Can't tell direction.
12:10 - At least 2 grays heading towards Holmes Harbor. They are north of Baby Island.
11:36 - At least 2 grays straight out from mid Baby Island Heights Whidbey side of mid channel heading west. -Marilyn Armbruster
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11:08 - Gray passing Lowell Point heading west. -Serena Tierra
photo - 531 ID confirmed by ALB
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11 am - Gray whale northbound up Saratoga Passage between Whidbey and Camano. Off Fox Spit (Eastpoint) and milling around Camano Island State Park. -Shannon Moore Kavanaugh
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10:00 trip - As we neared Elger Bay we got a call from some friends about nearby gray whales. We left the T46's behind us and were soon on scene with gray whales 723, 53, and 383. They showed their flukes many times as they headed towards Holmes Harbor and away from the T46's. -Tyson Reed, Island Adventures (Everett)
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08:35 - Gray whale was feeding in Elger Bay per Brian Goldberg.
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Sun, Mar 21 - Admiralty Inlet Area - 07:30 - Gray whale right off Ebey's Landing heading south. -Hannah Swanson
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALE - Sat, Mar 21 - Admiralty Inlet - 10:30 - Large whale (possibly a grey) Skunk Bay - close to shore, heading northbound, slow travel - towards Foulweather Bluff. Only saw once ......blow and back down. -Catherine Crossett Montalvo
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SPECIES UNIDENTIFIED - Sun, Mar 21 - Sinclair Inlet ~17:15 - I saw a whale, I think, looked small with a small dorsal fin on the back breach twice in the Gorst Inlet around 5:15 today! Definitely a dorsal hook (I looked at your pictures of the humpback vs gray). It didn't look big, maybe a baby? It was all the way down past the PSNS ships in the Gorst inlet. I was driving down the highway along the shoreline and saw it surface right after it sprayed out of its blow hole. Super excited to see it. I actually think I saw another this morning, early, coming down from Sequim while going over the Hood Canal Bridge. I saw that one surface also and saw the same type of dorsal hump but at that time I thought it was a porpoise because it was so quick.... now I think it was the same kind of whale. -Holly Baker

March 20
BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sat, Mar 20 - Hood Canal (T65As, T77, T77E) - 16:08 - Scenic Beach, confirmed T65A2. -Yifan Ling
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16:05 - Still heading SW quickly.
15:27 - Now can see at least 5 separate orcas. One dorsal fin much bigger than the others. (updated: Still viewing from Big Beef Creek. Still trending south/southwest down Hood Canal. NOT headed up Dabob Bay. 5-6 individuals.)
15:20 - Slowly heading south (southwest technically) along the same bit of land. Hard to count, at least 3?
15:01 - Definitely seeing orcas! Watching from Big Beef Creek, very close to land across the way (Coyle?). -Louisa Holmi
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18:00 - I last saw them at 6:00 still SB on the Hamma Hamma side. Viewing from Holly.
14:20 - [orcas] Spotted from Big Beef Creek! Just coming into view mid channel can't tell number or direction. (Seabeck viewing waaay across.) -Stacey Crofoot
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13:35 - Moving south fast.
12:55 - [orcas] Off Vinland now. 6 whales. -Austin Andrew Forbes
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~11:53 - 6 in a pod passing Shine/Bridgehaven in Hood Canal heading south towards Bangor. -Kimberly Funk
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~10:30 - Saw around 7 orca, definitely one male on north side of Hood Canal Bridge, went under bridge heading south around 1030 am this morning. -Dr. Jane Pearson
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Sat, Mar 20 - North/Central Puget Sound (T46s) - 18:47 - Already past Dolphin Point.
18:38 - Just north of Vashon ferry dock west of mid channel, southbound, view from Constellation Park in West Seattle. -Mary Hartmann
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13:32 - Last seen in front of the Southworth ferry.
18:11 - They are in front of the MOL container ship by Manchester. -Paul Steyn Benade
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18:01 - [orcas] From South Alki: two fins spotted 6:01pm between Bainbridge and Blake Islands, closer to Bainbridge. Mid-channel. -Kristen McCormick
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16:55 - [orcas] Viewing from Manitou Beach, whales mid-channel, southbound travel. Visibility is poor. (They were just about even with me.) -Brittany Philbin
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16:30 - 4 orcas seen south of Fay Bainbridge heading south around 4:30 PM. One large male heading the group. Mid channel. -Scott Weaver
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Heading South toward Manitou Beach. 3-5 Orcas. -Scott Corrigan
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15:53 - [orcas] Viewing them from Golden Gardens - far on the Kitsap (Bainbridge Island) side. North of Manitou Park -heading south. -Torrey Hall Volk
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14:18 - John Miller, WSF Marine Ops, emailed report at 14:18 from Kingston/Edmonds run: WALLA WALLA Orca Sighting. C/M reports via 800MHz sighting 2 orca, west of the SB shipping lanes. The animals are moving south.
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13:42 - Just south of Kingston. On the Kingston side. Just one big male. -Ryan Stringfellow
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14:44 - They are well south now. South of Port Madison.
13:47 - Milling just north of the Kingston Ferry Terminal.
13:41 - Rest of the group has reached the ferry terminal. Looks life 5 or 6.
13:35 - [orcas] Viewing from Richmond Beach, heading south, nearing Kingston ferry dock. 1 male. -Steve Brown
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13:28 - [orcas] Visible from the hill above Kingston ferry, also closer to this side directly between here and Edmonds ferry. -Jim Pasola
photo - "From Kingston" [T46D ID: GS]
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13:27 - [orcas] Visible from ferry towards Edmonds right now. Mid channel out of Edmonds headed south. -Joel Enger
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12:45 - Directional changes/milling behavior still out from Rose Point 12:45 pm 3-4 individuals at least including a small one.
12:35 - Eyes on, about even with Rose Pt. Kitsap side sb male viewing from Apple Tree Pt. (consistently saw 4 dorsals - 2 smaller, + male and female from Apple Tree Pt.) -Donna Green VanRenselaar
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11:53 - Saw at least 5 orcas passing Pilot Point heading south. Close to Kitsap side of the water. -Austin Iles
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11:50 - I'm viewing from Scatchet Head, they are tiny specks. Southbound along Kitsap shore, just passed Pilot Point approaching Eglon area. -Rach Haight
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10:57 - South of Useless Bay, see 1 male orca only so far. Heading south. -Katherine Crossett Montalvo
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09:12 - Orca south of Bush Point - group of 6 traveling close, southbound. -Jan Bell
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, Mar 20 - Skagit Bay - We saw two pairs of bald eagles on Hope Island, and another pair on a nearby channel marker. It wasn't long after when we felt Captain Shane slow the boat and announce that he had found A WHALE! This whale was almost immediately recognized as a well-known Sounder, #44 "Dubknuck". He was so relaxed and just cruising the shallows, likely feeding based on the bird activity above. Everyone onboard also learned that YES, you can still get the life-changing experience of smelling stinky whale breath through a mask! It was...enlightening to say the least! We were so lucky to find Dubknuck in the calm lee of Whidbey Island, but we wanted to continue on the search to find more whales and wildlife! -Erin Johns Gless, Island Adventures (Anacortes)
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Sat, Mar 20 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 14:51 - Gray is southeast of Polnell Pt. 2:51pm. -Terra Parham
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12:44 - Pam Stein called to report they are observing at least one gray whale from Strawberry Point, Whidbey. Whale was closer to Whidbey, first heading north but is now heading southbound further out in the channel.
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11:42 - Paul Belanger called to report single gray whale off Utsalady Point, Camano, heading west slowly.
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Sat, Mar 20 - Mid Saratoga Passage - I wanted to capture the activity between the two whales. -Peg Boley
[In this group I can see the fluke of 53 and the pec fin of 531. -Alisa Lemire Brooks]
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17:36 - Whale spouting between Fox Spit and Camano. -Shannon Moore Kavanaugh
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13:11 - Pretty much just milling around mid-channel in same general area northside of Bells Beach.
12:23 - Directional change NB now. Mid Bells Beach.
12:10 - Gray northside of Bells Beach, Whidbey side, mid channel, heading southbound. -Marilyn Armbruster
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Sat, Mar 20 - Possession Sound Area - 17:30 - S/he out mid between Sandy Point/Whidbey and north of Tulalip and about 1/2 mile or so south of Camano Head. It's pretty blustery out. Somewhat milling but had been trending north a tiny bit.
16:24 - [gray] Coming back from Clinton, stopped at Witter Rd, about mile south of Sandy Pt., I see a spout just the north side of Hat Island. -Marilyn Armbruster
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15:38 - CRC#383 and #21 Shackleton between Camano Head and Hat Island.
---- 14:00 trip: We then made our way out to Hat Island where we found gray whale #531 as she was traveling around the shallows off the southern end of the island. After some deep dives and some awesome looks at her flukes, we headed to the north toward Port Susan. Just off the north east side of Hat Island, captain Carl found us two more gray whales. They turned out to be #21 "Shackleton" and #383 as they were socializing and traveling through the deep waters. #383 showed us his flukes a few times and both he and Shackleton gave us some great looks. -Tyson Parker Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching
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I was on a hike at Possession Point State Park last Saturday [3/20/21] and saw a Grey Whale going around the point heading west staying close to the beach… See blog post HERE https://hikingclosetohome.weebly.com/hike-of-the-week/cloudy-with-a-chance-of-whales#/ -Maribeth Crandall
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13:12 - 1 gray whale sighted just south of Possession Point. -Dan White
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Sat, Mar 20 - Port Susan - 10:00 trip - We then pushed out into Port Gardner and headed north toward Port Susan. After passing Tulalip Bay, we came on scene with CRC #531 as she was feeding in the shallow waters just off shore. We got to see a whole lot of great feeding action and hung out with 531 for some time as she headed south. As she was traveling, she even showed her flukes on a few of her deeper dives. After a while we split off to find some more wildlife around Camano Island. -Tyson Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching (Everett)

March 19
BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Fri, Mar 19 - Central Puget Sound (T65As, T77, T77E) - 14:59 - Seen from bluffs by Dupont, single Orca 2:59pm. -Emily Palmer
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~14:44 - Watching from Solo Point, lone orca, heading towards Nisqually Reach. -Sil Pri
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14:07 - Lone orca southbound, south of the ferry dock at the north tip off Ketron [Island], unsure which side it will take. From Anderson Island. -Belen Bilgic Schneider
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14:00 - One lone orca passed Sunnyside Beach and still heading south. Mid to west side. -Tisa Annette
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13:31 - Saw one line orca off the dunes at Chambers Bay. -Annie Hilen
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13:21 - Still one lone orca off (north end) Chambers Bay Golf Course milling about. -Steve Brown
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12:59-13:04 - [orcas] Viewing from high up Point Fosdick and appears to be about here with research boat or other small vessel nearby, 1pm, grouped closely together. (1:04pm - almost directly off of Fox Island Fishing Pier and a close pass!!!! Looked like [moving] towards McNeil from my vantage point.) -Anika Blake
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12:45 - [orcas] From Fox Island Pier, they are mid-channel, still heading south. -Ellie Sawyer
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12:28 - [orcas] Looks like they're milling about now south of the bridge west side of the channel. Not moving so quickly south currently. -Jenna Iams
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12:14 - [orcas] Just passed under the Narrow bridge, southbound, on Tacoma side. -Tiffany Henderson
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12:38 - Moving slow still heading south. Across from Titlow, Gig Harbor side.
12:12 - [orcas] See them from Titlow heading south under Narrows. -Cherie StOurs
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12:10 - [orcas] Under the Narrows Bridge. -Patrick Ofenloch
photo - T65As, T77, T77E per MP
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12:10 - [orcas] I see them under Narrows bridge! I'm just south of the bridge. -Danielle Nicole Wood
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12:05 - [orcas] Under Narrows bridge, down time averaging about two minutes, at least six, heading south slow pace, mid east channel. -Liza Faith Adams
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12:51 - Very close to the Fox Island Pier, southbound.
12:42 - Headed SB towards Fox Island.
12:29 - They are SB along the west side of the channel, very close to the west tower of the bridge.
12:00 - [orcas] They are midchannel still north of the bridge. I'm watching from Day Island and the direction isn't clear from here. Probably closer to the Tacoma side. At noon. -Karen Caldwell
photo - "Taken at about 12:40 from Day Island as they were headed SB along the West side of the channel, south of the bridge, below the airport."
photo - [single orca] "Around 12:45 from Day Island below the Narrows airport, SB"
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11:10 - From Gig Harbor ferry landing; pod is southbound, mid-channel off of Point Evans, heading towards the Narrows.
11:00 - From Gig Harbor ferry landing, pod is stationary between Salmon Beach and Point Defiance, up to six individuals. -Jerry Figuerres
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11:44 - Right in front of the Salmon Beach houses. Headed south towards the Narrows bridge.
10:58 - Viewing from Bridges Viewpoint, the pod is now going much slower still headed south towards Narrows just at the tip of Point Defiance now.
10:45 - Passed Gig Harbor Viewpoint. Headed south towards Narrows. Close to Tacoma side.
10:30 - [orcas] On a kill between Colvos and Vashon Viewpoint 10:30 AM. -Amber Stanfill
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About 10:20 from Salmon Beach heading south on the Gig harbor side. -Terri Fields Mattsen
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10:31-10:37 - They are right off the tip of Pt. Defiance. They are milling around kind of heading East slowly. (Still splashing around the same area 10:37).
10:09 - [orcas] Just saw them with binoculars around Sunrise Beach area, Gig Harbor. -Anna Panasiuk Simmons
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10:31 - Right off tip of Point Defiance.
10:04 - They are hanging out closer to Gig Harbor side. Milling about.
09:47 - [orcas] In front of Anthony's heading west [Dalco Passage]. -Kiana Weinschenk
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09:37 - I think there were about 5 or 6. Dorsal fins all looked female. But one was a bit larger so may have been male. I spotted them from old town, so pretty far away. Was watching their journey through binoculars. Definitely orcas, because I could see the white spots.
09:15 - Orca pod (about 5 or 6) spotted in Commencement Bay, traveling from Port of Tacoma, along Ruston Way, toward Pt. Defiance. At Ruston Way waterfront at 9:15AM, 19 MAR 2021. -Mandy Galuszka
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, Mar 19 - Possession Sound - 16:30 - Hey, staying at an airbnb a quarter of a mile south of the ferry landing in Clinton, my wife and I were walking on the beach about a quarter mile further south and there was a grey whale 25 yards offshore going along the coastline, spotted at 4:30 pm. -Christopher Holub
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Fri, Mar 19 - Saratoga Passage - 11:23 - Gray whales CRC185 and CRC723 are here. 185 is southbound and 723 is aiming west. [map indicates location near Mabana, right off of Camano Island. -gs]----We had a fun day yesterday [3/19/21] in Saratoga Passage watching a total of 4 whales in the same vicinity as they crossed paths with each other. At the end of our visit, two of the whales, CRC383, and CRC723, (Lucyfer), paired up in the deep water and were rolling around with each other. 383, and 723 were first documented in our area in 1999, and 2000 respectively. Those arrivals coincided with an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) that happened during those two years in which there were unusually high numbers of gray whales that died along the west coast looking for food. During these events in the past we have often added more gray whales to our group of regular visitors called the "Sounders" as a result. Researchers aren't exactly sure what causes these UMEs but it might be linked to a lack of food in some of the gray whale's typically feeding areas. Luckily some of these whales find that our area has food and then they come back for more in later years, adding to the numbers we can see here and helping the population as a whole. 383 and 723 are shown in the close-up tail fluke photos, and CRC53 Little Patch has the water spray around his flukes. -Bart Rulon, Photographer/Naturalist, Puget Sound Express
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11:00 - We left a gray whale heading northwest from Eagle Crest in Saratoga Passage. It had been feeding very close to shore for at least 3 hours during high tide between the Eagle Crest tram, the 2 buoys and a little bit north, swimming back and forth many times. Hopefully, I got a few good photos for ID. He was feeding so close to shore on our rocky beach, it was amazing. -Kristina Trowbridge
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Gray whale #531 was feeding just off Mabana Beach and was giving us some great looks and even showed us his tail flukes. Continuing north from there about a half mile we joined CRC #53 "Little Patch" as he was traveling around in the deeper waters of Saratoga. We headed back south after that with blows in the distance from CRC#185 and 723! -Tyson Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching
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~09:30 - 2 grays feeding close to shore south of Mabana and slowly working their way north. The 2 whales were feeding some distance apart. Small flocks of Scoter just beginning to gather. -Barbara Brock
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09:00 - Nicole called to report whales. She is at Bells Beach, Whidbey, looking across Saratoga Passage to Camano shoreline. Two gray whales are feeding directly across from Bells Beach, near what looks to be a moored tug boat. (48' -122' on Camano)
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SPECIES UNIDENTIFIED - Fri, Mar 19 - Saratoga Passage - 11:18 - Seeing whale spouts as it/they passed Rockaway Beach Road. Heading north. I only saw several spouts within 20 minutes or so, no fins, and the wind is picking up, so I didn't even see any backs. -Dale Robinson

March 18
GRAY WHALES - Thu, Mar 18 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 16:50 - Two grays are spouting mid-channel, south of Mariners Cove! It's a little hard to tell where they're heading, but def south, maybe coming across toward Polnell. One has a much bigger puff than the other - volcano vs cotton ball. (Update on our two gray friends: they have split up and one is slowly heading north toward Utsalady. The other one is still parked in front of Maple Grove Beach but appears to be very gradually heading south. They both seem close to Camano from my viewpoint here on Whidbey, but are more likely mid-channel-ish.) Marianne Parry

March 17
BIGGS/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Wed, Mar 17 - Strait of Georgia - 17:24 - At least four orca heading south past Comox. Trying for photos. -Patti Perepeluk
The pod has been ID'd as the T18s by Melisa Pinnow.
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GRAY WHALES - Wed, Mar 17 - Saratoga Passage/Possession Sound - 18:45 - Looking across from Langley at Camano, two greys heading mid channel (heading north). -Jan Barnes
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18:58 - Another gray a bit north of Sandy Point, south Whidbey. It's a whale day over here!
18:21 - Lone gray right at Sandy Point south Whidbey. Roiling near shore. -Luanne Seymour
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18:28 - David Freed called again to report definitely saw at least 2 grays, one passed Langley quite a while ago (~1/2 hour ago), now 2nd whale is moseying along…it is out 150 yards or so. Seems to be taking sweet time, he was walking beach it was just opposite him Last surface whale was right off the seawall in Langley.
17:34 - David Freed called back, to update on the one gray. Is now headed southeast down the channel. Last time saw whale spout 200 yards offshore off Inn at Langley. Others said they saw a couple of others. This is the only whale I've seen moving. Exciting they are back.
17:25 - David Freed called to report seeing his first gray whale in Saratoga Passage up north past Langley about 1/2 mile where 3 houses are. Just saw spout from a distance so don't have sense of direction so far. Whale is on the Langley side of Saratoga. Very exciting. -David Freed
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13:23 - Currently 1 grey? feeding approximately 1 mile WSW of Port of Everett. (long down times). -Kim Peterson
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As we cruised along, we passed a marker buoy full of cormorants and not long after that one of our passengers found our first whale. After we dialed it in, we realized there was actually a second whale in the area as well, feeding on the shallows just on the south end of Hat Island. The first whale we found was CRC#2259 and he gave us some good looks and the second whale we found was unidentifiable for the time being. Both whales seemed to have just finished feeding and had switched to napping mode and so after many great looks we continued on to search for more. Land based reports from Langley's shore line brought us to the north and with a little help from our friends we were able to find the reported animals. It turned out to be four of our Sounders and they were all traveling south, together very quickly. We got some amazing looks at this group as they were traveling and were not hesitating to show off their tail flukes. We were able to figure out that it was #53 Little Patch, #723 Lucy"fer", #21 Shackleton, and #531. It was so amazing to see all four whales traveling and socializing with each other! -Tyson Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching (Everett)
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12:30 - #383 passed the rest of the group and continued north up Saratoga Passage while the other 4 are continuing south at 12:30.
12:17 - MV Saratoga is on scene with 5 gray whales just south of Langley heading south. We have 531, 723, 21, 53, and 383 all socializing together! ----On yesterday's gray whale trip, guests on the Saratoga were treated to encounters with 6 different individual gray whales including newbie CRC2249, as well as returning Sounders CRC383, CRC531, CRC53 "Little Patch", CRC723 "Lucyfer", and perhaps most excitingly CRC21 "Shackleton". This was our first encounter with Shackleton this season and he was in a social group of 4 whales all swimming closely together. It's great to see CRC21 back in Puget Sound and healthy enough to keep up with a rambunctious group, especially given his old tail injury. Shackleton has a telltale scar at the base of his tail flukes that was likely caused by a past entanglement in fishing gear. He was lucky enough to free himself sometime before he was first documented by Cascadia Research Collective in 1990. Likely as a result of this old injury, Shackleton rarely ever lifts his tail flukes out of the water like other gray whales will. His scars may also explain why CRC21 is usually the last of our Sounders to arrive each season, as it may cause him to swim a little slower than the others. -Justine Buckmaster, Puget Sound Express
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19:15 - Closer again and now rounding the point SE and feeding now at point.
19:10 - Out from shore now trending SE bound.
19:00 - Gray on northside Sandy Point.
13:04 - Viewing from high bank southside Sandy Point. The 4 appear to be about mile off shore heading in a somewhat southeasterly direction. Slow moving. About a mile and a half north and a bit west of Hat Island.
12:24 - I see 4 now...heading towards Sandy Point now.
12:13 - Out from north Sandy Point now angling over toward Camano and 1/2 mile from Camano Head. Southbound.
11:49 - Both grays together out from Whale Bell Park/Langley, Whidbey side. Southbound. There may be 3? Now straight out from Pizzeria and whale cam. (11:56)
11:26 - Viewing from north side Sandy Point high bluff, seeing two traveling together mid channel, sb and north of Langley. Too far for ids.
10:38 - I just saw a blow from high bank Fox Spit looking like it's south of Bells Beach and north of Langley mid channel. -Marilyn Armbruster
photos [evening at SP, 531 ID: GS]
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10:27 - Spotted a gray whale still northeast of Baby Island. There is a small boat out in that area that appears to be following the whale. I can't see the whale, but the boat is moving towards the east side of Whidbey in Saratoga Passage, now out of my view.
09:15-09:45 - Appears to be one gray whale northeast of Baby Island, between Baby Island and the navigation buoy. I did not see any signs of where it went after around 9:45. -Martha Sinclair
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08:00 - Spotted two gray whales travelling southbound along Camano Island side of Saratoga Passage. I saw "knuckles" rather than a dorsal fin on some very small images that I captured from Hidden Beach parking lot at about 0800. -Bob VonDrachek

March 16
HUMPBACK WHALES - Tue, Mar 16 - North Puget Sound - 12:50-13:30 - Lone humpback sighted today from 12:50 - 1:30 PM in Useless Bay on south Whidbey Is. Just loitering in the shallows enjoying the weather. -John Rue
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, Mar 16 - Saratoga Passage - 14:48 - Heading SE now. - 14:22 - At least 3 gray whales (1 small one) just off East-point heading NE. -Torrey Hall Volk
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14:15 - Camano Island SP, 2:15pm-ish. Just overlooking on the road outside the campground. Estimating the whales were about 1.5 miles away. -Tamara Kay
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12:48 - Gray is heading from Camano to Whidbey side. Southeast of Polnell Pt. -Terra Parham
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08:48 - Looked out over the calm waters of Saratoga Passage and saw a huge flock of Scoter on the water. Stepped out onto the deck and heard the gray whale "whoossh." Two grays feeding in close just south of Mabana. Looked like larger & smaller traveling close together. By the time they moved out from the bank so that I could see them, they were too far and not good light for ID. Heading north to Mabana. -Barbara Brock
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MINKE WHALE - Tue, Mar 16 - North Puget Sound - 08:50 - Minke whale in Admiralty Inlet, very near Whidbey side, south end of Lagoon Point. High confidence [on species] based on size and dorsal fin shape. No discernable direction of travel. -Margaret Marshall

March 15
BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Mon, Mar 15 - Strait of Juan de Fuca (T86As and T109A2s) - We encountered the T86A's and T109A2's including a brand new baby off Becher Bay today. -Andrew Lees, Five Star Whale Watching
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HUMPBACK WHALE - Mon, Mar 15 - Hood Canal - UPDATE to 09:15 and 10:22 sightings by Cynthia included in last Sighting Report dated 3/18/21:
21:30 - The whale blew about 50-60 feet from the edge of our bank on east side of Wawa Point. Dark out but was able to observe its massive image surface several times.
09:30-11:15 - Spotted whale in middle of Dabob Bay going south. It was breaching completely out of the water. It went as far south as Wawa Point, then turned North along the shore, toward Jackson Cove. It breached the surface along Wawa Point, exposing the tail, but never came out of the water completely in the shallows. Early afternoon saw whale near Pulali Point heading SW toward Wawa Point, blowing and surfacing. Spotted it several more times throughout the day going back and forth through Dabob Bay. -Cynthia Canfield
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, Mar 15 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 08:50 - [gray] Blows seen in Utsalady Bay by Kelly Togesen (CWW).
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Mon, Mar 15 - Southern Saratoga Passage - As we headed out toward Hat island Captain Carl found us our first whale just outside the Snohomish river delta. With shallow surfacing and very light exhalations it was clear that this whale was enjoying the beautiful day and taking a nice little nap, but we were able to identify this whale as #185. Our friends to the north had found another animal in Saratoga pass and we were headed that way when captain Carl found another whale just off of Camano Island. It turned out to be CRC#2259 and he gave us some great looks and even showed off his large white patch which resembles that of gray whale #49. While we hung out with him we began to see blows in the distance, quickly approaching our area. Soon we had two whales around us and we were able to get a solid ID on the second one as #383. After getting some tail shots and close activity from the whales we headed back to the delta to see if our friend from earlier had woken up. Unfortunately, it seemed to have left the area and so we once again joined 2259 and 383! After another great show from the whales, we had to begin making our way back to the dock. Before we got there however, we found two more gray whales feeding in the Snohomish river delta. It was difficult to get an ID shot one these whales as they had quite small surfacings. -Tyson Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching
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12:25 - Just leaving gray whales #383 and #2259 near Camano Head. -Justine Buckmaster, Puget Sound Express
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11:30 - Gray whale CRC53 is currently northbound at Mabana Beach, Camano Island. -Bart Rulon
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09:53 - At Pebble Beach and moving northwest on the Camano side of the Passage.
09:22 - Gray whale heading west in the middle of Saratoga Passage just past Camano Head and Sandy Point. Traveling fairly quickly and not lingering. -Luanne Seymour
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALE - Mon, Mar 15 - Central Puget Sound - 11:45 - Small baleen whale 1/4 mile north of mouth of Gig Harbor, hugging the shoreline, traveling northward into Colvos at 1145am. -Michele Riley Campbell PM

March 14
GRAY WHALES - Sun, Mar 14 - Central Puget Sound - ~10:00 - [gray] Redondo Beach Gray Whale this morning around 10:00. He was heading South towards Dash Point staying close to shore (within 200 yards), kept a pretty steady pace about a foot or 2 per second. -Steve Brown
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10:03 - Gray whale off Redondo Beach heading south. -Nina Brown
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Sun, Mar 14 - Northern Saratoga Passage/Skagit Bay - On our way south along Whidbey island Captain Shane found gray whale #44 Dubknuck traveling near Strawberry Point. Dubknuck was very cooperative and gave us some great looks with some close surface action and even showing his flukes a few times. As Dubknuck continued south we decided to wave goodbye and continue our search for more. -Tyson Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching (Anacortes)
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[gray] Saw one in Utsalady/Skagit Bay this morning at high tide. -Dean Kayler
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Sun, Mar 14 - Mid Saratoga Passage to Possession Sound - 13:10 - [gray] Reports of spouts seen on the west side of Hat Isl. heading south. -Lori Christopher
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~08:30 - A Gray whale was feeding this morning in Elger Bay [Saratoga Passage, just south of Camano State Park] around 08:30. -Dave Davenport
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IE4 were with same whales as PSE near south end of Camano. Little Patch [53], and then 2259 and 383 together looking very chummy!----We had received reports of a gray whale to the north in Saratoga Passage, but lucky for us, as we headed in that direction, Captain Carl spotted not one, not two, but three gray whale spouts even closer to home! We investigated the first spout and found it to be an old friend, #53 Little Patch, near Camano Head. He seemed to recognize us, logging at the surface and then turning our direction for a nice close pass along our starboard side as if to say "hello!". We bid farewell and then headed off toward the other two spouts which were quite intriguing. These two whales were swimming so closely to each other that you could hardly tell where one whale ended and the other began! Some wind and chop made it difficult to identify these whales at first, but thanks to some persistence, we were able to capture some ID shots of veteran Sounder #383 along with a relative newcomer, gray whale #2259 who first appeared last year and lingered in Possession Sound long into the fall. One wonders if #2259 ever left? Hard to say! -Erin Johns Gless, Island Adventures Whale Watching (Everett)
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Here's a pic of CRC2259 that we found today on Saratoga hanging with CRC383 south of Camano Head this morning. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express

March 13
GRAY WHALES - Sat, Mar 13 - North Puget Sound/Possession Sound/S. Saratoga - 15:52 - Gray whale feeding off Mabana Bluffs on Camano side. -Steve Brown
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The afternoon started out just as lovely as the morning with warm sunshine beaming down on us. We got wonderful looks at a sea lion snoozing on a channel marker and then headed south for the afternoon in response to a report we got from a friend of a gray whale coming into Possession Sound. This was an exciting prospect, as a whale coming up from the south might be a new arrival for the season. We were expecting to see some familiar flukes from one of the dozen "Sounders", but much to our surprise and delight, it was a whale not in the catalog! After reaching out to Cascadia Research Collective, this whale was identified as #2249. Funny enough, Island Adventures DID see this whale once in April 2019. Welcome back, 2249! We watched until 2249 headed into waters too shallow for us near the Snohomish River delta and then traveled north in search of more wildlife. -Erin Johns Gless, Island Adventures Whale Watching (Everett)
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14:24 - Grey whale heading north, close in to the Clinton ferry dock. -Danielle Pennington
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We were on PSE and saw a few grays. W of Whidbey. -Tammy Shelton
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~13:25 - Captain Trevor from Puget Sound Express spotted an inbound gray whale near Possession Point around 1:25 pm that appears like a newbie. Here are a couple of photos. Pics have been sent in to Cascadia. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
[New arrival confirmed by CRC: 2019 newbie 2249 is yesterday's mystery whale first found by PSE (then IA later) northbound Possession off Possession Point. -alb]
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Sat, Mar 13 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 15:50 - This is far away, so just a data point for you - there's a gray by Camano coming up to Utsalady from the south. -Marianne Parry
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12:02 - At Maple Grove boat launch and can see a gray off of Polnell Point. -Kevin Doar
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Soon we joined gray whale #56 near Polnell Point and after a little while we were able to really get in sync with his surfacing. He even gave us a great look at his tail flukes on a deep dive. We then headed over to Oak harbor and found Dubknuck #44 doing some feeding before he began to venture out into the deeps. It was a great time with gray whales and soon we decided to head back out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca to search for more wildlife. -Tyson Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching
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11:55 - Gray whale CRC44, Dubknuck is just south of Oak Harbor. (He was just milling out there.) -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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08:53 - A gray came cruising up from the south here at Mariners Cove, appeared to be in a hurry, but then made a sharp u-turn and went right back to the Happy Meal mudflats for a quick bite. It changed direction a few times, which was a little unusual, but then vanished completely, so I'm guessing it was relocating further down the beach toward Polnell. -Marianne Parry
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We had a visitor swim through our neighborhood waters (Polnell Point) this morning! (Unfortunately, I didn't get any decent pics of its body. Using deductive reasoning, it was probably Dubknuck we saw. It was definitely moving along at a fairly rapid clip. It wasn't lingering in one spot very long.) -Greg & Terra Parham, Oak Harbor, WA
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Sat, Mar 13 - Mid Saratoga Passage/Holmes Harbor - 14:15 - Left gray, s/he north of Bells Beach and in line with Mabana Shores, Whidbey side, southbound at the time.
13:00 - Watching gray from mid Baby Island Heights high bank. LOS with Camano State Park. Just this side of mid channel (Whidbey) traveling southbound.----Watched gray whale 3/13/2021, actually saw 2 different blows out from me towards Camano/Elger Bay area. I was able to keep my eye on tho, from around noon until 1:30. It was lowish tide, so she was kind of milling, hanging, moving southbound slowly, sometimes directional changes, she was heading towards Camano at one point, then I see her coming towards me. She did, came and did a close "drive by" and again, there went my heart. -Marilyn Armbruster
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09:15 - Continuing south into mouth of Holmes Harbor.
09:10 - Spotted one gray whale northwest of Baby Island heading south. -Martha Sinclair
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALE - Sat, Mar 13 - Central Puget Sound - 08:55 - A Grey or humpback whale logging all the way down Woodmont Beach to Redondo. -Mitzi Gligorea

March 12
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Fri, Mar 12 - Active Pass (J17s) - The J17s went eastward through Active Pass late yesterday afternoon. Many spyhops and tail slaps. Photos taken from the shore of Galiano Island. -Karoline Cullen
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Fri, Mar 12 - Haro Strait/Discovery Island - 13:25 - The J17s have been spotted south of Turn Point on Stuart Island heading north! Sneaky sneaky! -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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09:38 - Faint J calls (about 4 or 5) on the LK hydro. They definitely sounded like S1 calls. -Ellie Sawyer
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09:08-09:53 - Center for Whale Research Encounter #13: "… As Mike 1 got abeam of them, Mark confirmed that they were the J17's. Fish eaters, as Brian had suspected! The J17's were last seen two days prior westbound in Race Passage but must have decided to turn back rather than connect with the rest of J pod, which had headed west out the Juan de Fuca 24 hours ahead of them. …" [See CWR Encounter #13 https://www.whaleresearch.com/2021-13 for full summary and photos]
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GRAY WHALES - Fri, Mar 12 - Central Puget Sound
15:40 - Gray whale moving a little faster now to the south. Last sighted just a little north of Golden Gardens.
15:21 - Approximately 400 yards from beach.
15:16 - Now in front of Blue Ridge Beach moving south. (Just verified that it's a gray whale with binoculars.)
15:14 - Right now!! Possible gray whale just off Carkeek Park Beach. Been there about 30 minutes. Cannot see enough to verify. No binoculars.
15:03 - Possible gray whale… Watching from Blue Ridge Beach, but whale is up right by Carkeek Park Beach. Been there for at least 20 minutes. The back looks long but that's all we've seen. -Sandy Kraus Labowitz
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Fri, Mar 12 - Northern Saratoga Passage - Three grays in Saratoga Passage near Penn Cove at dusk… -Lilla McClendon
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17:43 - Two gray whales have been feeding off Snakelum Point in Saratoga Passage for over an hour. -Sarah Schidt
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It was such a beautiful day with mirror-like water conditions, made even better by seeing 3 gray whales in Saratoga Passage!!! #53 Little Patch, #531 (no name) and #723 Lucyfer. They were feeding along the Whidbey shoreline, just north of Harrington Lagoon. Both Cascadia Research Collective and SR3 were there collecting data on the health of these whales. All images zoomed and cropped. -Jill Hein
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16:16 - [grays] Watching 3 from Harrington Lagoon... north of fairly far but lovely to see! -Bonnie Gretz
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12:10 - 2-3 grays off Harrington Lagoon, more towards Camano. Slowly traveling north. -Jeanne Hamilton
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11:55 - 3 gray whales. 53, 531, and 723. Northbound. [map indicates location between Rodena Beach on Whidbey and Sunset Beach on Camano. -gs] -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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10:49 - Seeing 2 Grays mid channel heading north just in front of Onamac Point. -Marie Heil
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09:48 - We were just talking about our big gray buddies over coffee, and they must have been listening because suddenly a puff appeared across the channel. Looks like one gray, passing Maple Grove(?) Beach area (south of Utsalady) on Camano, heading down the channel (mid-channel). -Another gorgeous day for our Sounders! Go Grays! Marianne Parry
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DALL'S PORPOISES - Fri, Mar 12 - 13:15 - Lots and lots of Dall's porpoise off Pt. Caution, San Juan Channel - 13:31 - There are multiple groups, darting around, haven't really moved up or down the channel. -Daven Hafey
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UNIDENTIFIED BALEEN WHALE - Fri, Mar 12 - Central Puget Sound - 16:45 - Our sighting at Golden Gardens was on March 12, 4:45pm. Not sure if it was a Gray or a Minke. We first saw it in the middle of the bay and it was hanging around a buoy, above the surface, then a dive or two. It then moved a few thousand feet to another buoy and did the same thing for a minute or so. It then continued to swim, breached, and disappeared. Not sure about which direction it traveled, but it kept on a straight path, starting at the water opposite the farthest out end of the beach and moving toward and past the Shilshole Marina. -Linda Barckert

March 11
GRAY WHALES - Thu, Mar 11 - Admiralty Inlet/North Puget Sound - 16:33 - March 11th 2021, 4:33 pm, 2 gray whales off Lagoon Point headed south 500 yards off east shoreline. -Bill Setter
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16:25 - Kit Turner just called. She saw who she believes to be gray whale in Admiralty Inlet off Lagoon Point heading southbound around 16:20.
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[gray] (Just before Kit arrived) Heading south. We walked back home (south end of Lagoon Point) and saw him/her heading towards Bush Point. -Terry Shaub
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Thu, Mar 11 - Possession Sound - 15:05 - Gray has circled back and appears to be feeding same general area.
14:55 - Seeing blows and back of a gray whale traveling around outer edge of Snohomish Delta just north of green channel marker that is out from south end of Jetty Island. Whale was traveling eastbound. Large number of gulls who had been feeding on what presume was bait ball all scattered as whale approached. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network
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11:45 - Gray Whale CRC531 is currently eastbound where I have marked on the map. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
[mid channel between Hat Island/Camano Head/Tulalip -alb]
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Thu, Mar 11 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 13:42 - 2 grey whales. One went towards Camano Island. The other one stayed in Crescent Harbor. (My phone did not take the greatest images. Sun glare + quite far from shore. He spent probably 2 hours enjoying itself in Crescent harbor (viewed from base). -Anya Sika
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13:30-14:30 - 2-3 grey whales looked to be feeding at N 48*15.59 W122*29.57 around Triangle Camano Cove Island/Utsalady PT. There's a small cove in this area that they worked from 1:30pm till we left at 2:30pm today 3/11/2021. -Stephanie Edwards
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12:19 - Gray is heading west from Polnell Pt. No ID. Enjoy this beautiful day! -Terra Parham
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11:26 - Paul Belanger called to report a gray whale just off Mariner Cove Beach heading westbound toward Polnell Shores. Believes just a solo whale.
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18:10 - A gray is spouting waaay across the channel near the buoy at Utsalady - 6:10pm. It's apparently late for happy hour somewhere because it's in a big hurry.
11:25 - There is at least one gray still at the north end of Camano, but now I'm seeing a huuuge gray southbound in Saratoga much closer to Whidbey and hustling down the channel (11:25am). I got a pretty good look in binocs as it did a deep dive - lots of prominent bumps on the knuckles - prob not unusual though. It is already past Utsalady and def on the move.
10:20 - Quick update on the grays I'm still watching. There are definitely two, maaaayyybe three...naaah, partying over north of Utsalady. One of them has an enormous spout - I'm a couple of miles away and it's a little bit breezy, but with binocs, I can clearly see two massive streams coming out of the one whale. It's like twin volcanos - lol! The other gray spouts the way I normally see - impressive and lovely but not the twin turbos that first has.
09:45 - I'm seeing spouts way out in the channel between Mariners Cove and the northern tip of Camano (9:40-9:55am). I'm pretty sure there are two of them based on binoc viewing. They appear to be heading north, but are in no hurry at the moment. -Marianne Parry
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08:30-09:15 - Gray whale seen at 8:3 am off of Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, close to Goat Island. He was leisurely swimming north towards Deception Pass Bridge direction. He was diving and surveying Skagit Bay. It is 9:15 and I can still see him lingering by one of the buoys! -Trisha Ferreira, Oak Harbor WA
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Thu, Mar 11 - Mid Saratoga Passage & Holmes Harbor - 17:30 - As I was heading home, I stopped north of Bells Beach, and pretty sure it's Little Patch but will let Orca Network do the id'ing. My photo was taken at 6:30 pm, so not real clear. once he passed Fox Spit, he milled back and forth south of Fox like he was just going to hang out for a bit. -Marilyn Armbruster
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17:40 - Blow right in front of Fox Spit, still southbound.
17:25 - Observing blows from 1 gray currently southbound just north of Fox Spit. I'm at Camano State Park, so too far for me. -Krista Paulino
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~15:00 - There has been a feeding gray whale off Beverly Beach since about 3pm. As of now it's resting 300-400 yards off the beach in deeper water. -Gina Michelle Truesdell, Ph. D.
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07:54 - [prob. gray] Looks like a humpback whale in Holmes Harbor heading toward Baby Island. -Lori Christian
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08:21 - Viewed from downtown Langley, one huge grey, continues to mill, mid sound, centered between Langley, south end Camano, Hat, mainland. Spectacular blow spray, and much surfacing. With binos, great viewing. Now I'll ring bell! -Kathleen Cage
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07:58 - They are heading south through the passage.
07:52 - Gray whales, 2 spotted down at Langley Marina feeding. Not traveling yet Just hanging. -Sommer Bowlin

March 10
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Wed, Mar 10 - Haro Strait (J17s and ?) - 12:50 - It sounds like the J17s have been spotted near Victoria, which creates more questions than it answers! Were they the whales on the LK hydrophone? Were they also the group reported as Ts? Where is the rest of J-Pod? -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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12:55 - [orcas] It looked like whichever they were, they started heading offshore past Clover Point in Victoria. -Jackie Cowan
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12:15 - Can't say for sure that these were transients, but I did manage to film a couple of orcas off of Trial Island at 12:15 PM today. [per Monika Wieland Shields, OBI: "I can't say 100% either but the group composition is right for the J17s."]
11:19 - [orcas] Got them off Ten Mile Point. Heading for Baynes Channel. -Gerald Graham
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09:57 - [J pod] Calls on LK hydrophones. -Tami McEathron
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GRAY WHALES - Wed, Mar 10 - Possession Sound - 16:10 - [gray] Something spouting in the Snohomish delta right now. -Jaime McBroom
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Wed, Mar 10 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 13:55 - There is something spouting around Utsalady Bay right now. I can't find my binoculars though to get a closer look!! Been watching it for about 30 minutes. -Whitney Sparling
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08:30 - More grays frolicking in upper Saratoga! I'm watching spouts way across the channel just south of Utsalady, heading south. I'm guessing there are two based in the frequency. It's dead calm so the sound is traveling and the puffs are spectacular! (update: There are definitely two grays, putting on quite a show for the folks at Maple Grove Beach(?). I saw a couple of spouts simultaneously right next to each other - pretty awesome!!)
07:30 - What an exciting morning! While the coffee was brewing on this gorgeous, calm, sunny morning, I heard a faint puff through closed windows(!) and bolted out just in time to spot a big happy Gray, having a leisurely stroll past Mariners Cove en route to a yummy breakfast at the happy meal mudflats! As I was attempting to get some video, I heard a puff further out and saw a big dark back-arch out in the channel to the south, probably out from Polnell or maybe a little further south. I didn't see that one again though. The first lovely gray is the one that is mostly dark gray but looks like it has a bunch of white mini-marshmallows randomly stuck on its back. I know I've seen it before, and I'm sure you'll know who I'm talking about. -Marianne Parry

March 9
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Tue Mar 9 - San Juan Channel (J17s?) - 15:59 - [orcas] Passing Point Caution now, close to Shaw shoreline. -Cindy Hansen - Orca Network
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15:40 - Another small group of orcas in San Juan Channel near Yellow Island heading south, tentatively ID'd as the J17s! -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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Tue, Mar 9 - Haro Strait (J pod) - 15:00 - Arrived at Land Bank, SJI at 1500. Saw one female and a couple flashes of dorsals that were gone as soon as they appeared between 1500-1505, offshore, slightly south of Land Bank, heading south. Very tough viewing with the weather. -Cassie Barclay
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14:55 - 6+ members of J-pod southbound, a mile or more out across from Landbank/Edwards Point. Hard to see in choppy seas, at first 2 males were separate but then joined the group. Diving for long periods, they traveled S/SW away from shore. I saw J27 Blackberry for sure and I'm almost positive J47 Notch was there. Photos heavily cropped and enlarged. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
photos [J58 confirmed by MP]
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15:00 - Really hard to spot! Fairly long dives and all in one group. Maybe a mile offshore in big seas. Well south of Lime Kiln Park now.
14:40 - It's Js!
14:25 - Got a visual from Lime Kiln, just right of Sidney Island when viewing from the lighthouse. (It's a big group.)
----Js made an unexpected appearance in Haro Strait this afternoon, heading south! Even though all the whales present were in one group, they were tough to spot in the big seas while doing long dives. Thankfully J27 Blackberry, pictured here, surfaced high enough to show his distinct saddle patch to confirm the ID in the field. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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13:45 - ORCAS in the Haro Strait. Heading south quickly. Maybe 4-6? At least one male. Maybe an infant. About to cross the middle of the Strait in front of D'Arcy Island. Yay! -Mae Cannon
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GRAY WHALES - Tue, Mar 9 - Mid Saratoga Passage/Holmes Harbor - 17:06 - Just saw a whale (probably a gray whale) near Mukilteo Beach. Mid channel, moving north toward the ferry lanes. -Erin Elrod Birkenkopf
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16:00 - After chowing down at Hidden Beach, he seems to have disappeared into the depths, mid-channel. Haven't seen him for 45 minutes or so. -Sara Montour Lewis
["image of right-side flank is CRC723." -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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14:42 - Just saw a spout off Hidden Beach. -Aaron Gill
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13:38 - Gray whale off Hidden Beach and looks to be feeding in the mud flats. -Trent Schrader
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14:52 - If I had to take a guess Line of Sight would be Baby Island and Cama Beach. She still being closer to but moving away from Baby Island about 1/4 mile. Very loooooong downtimes.
14:36 - She's rounded Baby Island and is now heading south closer to Whidbey side. Viewing from high bank Baby Island Heights.
1
4:20 - she's pretty much has turned north and nearing west side of Baby Island out again from there 200 yds or so.
14:12 - changing directions and kind of hanging out about 200 yds south of Baby Island in Holmes Harbor east side.
13:46 - Now turned into Holmes Harbor in line with Greenbank Farm and just south of Baby Island, east side of Holmes Harbor side of midchannel.
13:38 - Has rounded Baby Island heading into Holmes Harbor. Close to BI.
13:10 - Turned west and is heading for Baby Island. Viewing from mid Baby Island Heights.
12:45 - Last seen heading northwesterly, passing Camano State Park. Still traveling mid channel ish. -Marilyn Armbruster
12:20 - Seeing gray blows Whidbey side of mid channel between southside of Fox Spit and Mabana Shores. Appearing northbound.
[from Marilyn's photos: 531 and 723. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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08:10-08:30 - Spotted one gray whale northwest of Baby Island heading north into Saratoga Passage, then turned and passed close by the west side of Baby Island. 8:30 a.m. still heading south, into the mouth of Holmes Harbor. -Martha Sinclair

March 8
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Mon, Mar 8 - Strait of Georgia (Js) - 15:30 - The J Pod was in the Strait of Georgia off Mayne Island today, heading toward Saturna, quite some distance but travelling in 2 lines with quite some space. A beautiful sight under the blue sky. Photos taken at 330pm from Mayne Island - north side. -Yves Tiberghien
photos [J27 ID: MP]
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UNIDENTIFIED ORCAS - Mon, Mar 8 - Strait of Georgia - 16:57 - Orca (Texada Island). 3 or 4 orca moving fast along Texada (approaching Texada mine area). -Patti and Mark Perepeluk
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, Mar 8 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 15:45 - A gray just passed close by Mariners Cove heading south, with a brief feeding stop at the Happy Meal Mudflats. It appeared to veer out into the channel, but I lost sight of it so I'm not sure. -Marianne Parry
[Based on video footage from Marianne, can see enough to ID 44 Dubnuck. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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14:40 - Gray feeding between Mariners Cove and Polnell Shores, 2:40pm. ----We were walking our beach, Polnell Point in Oak Harbor, and this beauty zig-zagged by us. -Greg & Terra Parham
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Mon, Mar 8 - Mid Saratoga Passage - 17:45 - Gray was heading Northwest. I caught up around 17:45 from Fox Spit. Long downtimes somewhat heading towards or align with Hidden Beach. -Marilyn Armbruster
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13:53 - One gray whale heading south, mid channel. Taking its time just south of Onamac Point. -Marie Heil
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12:06 - CRC53, CRC531, and CRC723 are here.
11:55 - See map for current location of the 3 grays. Milling and long dives so far. [mid channel between Madrona Beach, Camano, and Penn Cove, Whidbey. -gs] ----We had an ideal day whale watching yesterday when we found 3 gray whales at the north end of Saratoga Passage. We watched CRC 53, Little Patch, CRC 723, Lucyfer, and CRC 531 interacting with each other as Mount Baker loomed large and beautiful behind them! The trio of two males and one female raised their tail flukes on many occasions when they took deep dives. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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11:47 - Gray spotted mid channel between Coupeville and Madrona. Whale watching boat on site. -Michele Ashley Sarver
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13:04 - See lone gray southbound. Viewing from bluff above Woodland Beach again.
11:02 - Grays have stalled, saw tail fluke as one dove. They are staying close together. Still appear northbound.
10:50 - 2 grays, mid channel viewed from bluff above Woodland Beach, Camano. Slowly moving northbound. -Krista Paulino
["For sure #723 on the left. And looks like 53 on right, but not 100% due to resolution, could be 531." -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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10:57 - 3 grays surfaced, spouting, northbound, more on Camano side now. May be heading for the Madrona area. Ooops!, they just fluked again at 11am.
10:50 - 2 gray whales just dove, flukes up, mid-channel between Eagle Crest on Camano and Jill Hein on Whidbey, northbound! -Kristina Trowbridge
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09:30 - Heather Anson called to report that she and her husband on North Bluff above Hidden Beach were seeing 3-4 whales in Saratoga Passage, more on the Camano side spouting and submerging. They weren't sure what type. [let her know grays were out there - alb]
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09:23 - Just saw a spout off Cama Beach. (All I can see is spouts from this distance, but I would say there's at least three heading north close to Camano.) -Aaron Gill
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09:32 - Continuing to follow Camano shoreline northbound.
09:15 - Appear to be slow travel northbound, Indian Beach area. Just observed a 13-minute down time.
09:00 - [grays] Definitely 3, across from Hidden Beach on Camano side. -Rachel Haight
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07:30-08:30 - [grays] Spotted 2 or possibly 3 whales working together in Saratoga Passage far off shore from Hidden Beach at 0730 to 0830. The whales were mostly doing deep dives and spy-hopping. -Bob VonDrachek
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08:52 - A third one joined the group.
07:44 - Second one coming up from the south.
07:17 - A grey is having breakfast off of Whidbey Island at Hidden Beach. -Michael Stilwell
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HARBOR PORPOISE - Mon, Mar 8 - Case Inlet - Do you track harbor porpoise activity at all? Unusual numbers of them this morning between Grapeview and the north end of Harstene, circling and feeding, heading slowly south in Pickering Passage...2 groups of 10-15. We usually see only 2 or 3 together. Maybe whales will hear about them and come visiting today. -Cammy Malm LaRiviere

March 7
BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sun, Mar 7 - Baynes Channel/Haro Strait (T124As) - 11:16-12:22 - Center for Whale Research Encounter #11: "… The whales were mid-channel and being pushed north while facing east with the strong current. The crew on Mike 1 counted five animals, but George called again to say there was a straggler around 300 meters from the group. The main group was quickly identified as members of the 124A matriline, including a new calf! The little one was travelling alongside the 11-year-old T124A4, and would be her first offspring! The T124A group is quite prolific, the matriarch having given birth to six of her own offspring, three of them now with calves of their own. The whales were somewhat hard to follow, as they zigged and zagged their way slowly east upon entering Haro Strait, presumably well-fed with long dives. Mark and Joe were able to confirm the entirety of the T124A matriline (less the dispersed T124A2s) including T124A1, who is not always with the group. …" [See CWR Encounter #11 https://www.whaleresearch.com/2021-11 for full summary and photos]
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GRAY WHALES - Sun, Mar 7 - Saratoga Passage - 17:13 - Update on single gray whale. Now off Harrington Lagoon, about a 1/2 mile out. Still headed south.
16:51 - Single gray whale just south of the green buoy off Snatellum Pt. Heading south. -Erik Anderson
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Continuing north along the Camano Island shoreline we found a feeding gray whale at Mabana Beach. After some great feeding action, we moved a little further north and found #723 Lucy who was also feeding like crazy along Camano Island. The whales were definitely getting their fill as they made multiple passes in the shallow waters. -Tyson Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching

March 6
SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCAS - Sat, Mar 6 - Haro Strait (J pod) - 19:08 - [orcas] Can hear blows from county park campground, too dark to see but still awesome! -Rebecca JS
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18:57 - [orcas] Heard several pass Bellevue Pt., heading toward County Park. -Laurie O'Donnell
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18:40 - Trailers (?) passing Land Bank in the dark.
18:25 - J16s passing Land Bank going north. -Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute
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19:00 - Still hearing them on the LK hydrophone.
18:25 - Echolocation clicks on the LK hydrophone underneath the tug and barge noise.
18:20 - Orcas on the Lime Kiln Camera. -Fred Horn
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17:30 - Js on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone 6:30 PM, 03/06/21. I'm listening to the Lime Kiln Hydrophone right now and can hear LOTS of echolocation and have also heard some J calls. I'm not sure if it's only Js, but I've only heard them at this point. -Katie McDermott
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17:22 - [orcas] Now they are all up to False Bay. Heading slowly north. -Chris Wilson
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16:15 - [orcas] A few orcas just north of South Beach, pretty far off shore. -Audrey Holloway
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17:05 - All turned north. Some are approaching False Bay. >16:49 - Eagle Cove. 4:49, now heading north.
16:34 - Milling at EC, Mike? Female, baby, baby spyhops.
16:03 - [orcas] Eagle Cove heading south with 1 juvi. -Karin Roemers-Kleven
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Eagle Point Saturday Afternoon. -Cy Scammell, PNW Protectors
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14:45 - [orcas] I believe that they have all passed Land Bank heading back south now. 1445. (I viewed them at Land Bank. During the northbound pass there was a group extremely close to shore, as well as some spread further offshore. On the southbound pass they were further offshore. It did appear that they went up to Lime Kiln and then turned south, however since I was viewing from Land Bank the distance could have been distorted.) -Cassie Barclay
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14:30 - [orcas] Faint vocals on LK hydro. -Kim Merriman
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14:11-17:27 - Center for Whale Research Encounter #10: "… Northern Haro Strait was lumpy and we bounced our way south until we saw our first whales off Deadman Bay at 1410. Since it looked like they were entering the park we decided to wait for them where we were near Bellevue Point. Except they never showed up. We drifted south a little with the ebbing tide and figured out the lead whales had turned around and were now heading down island. We putted south and found the group again off Land Bank almost a half hour after we had first seen them. They were milling a little and were briefly pointed north again before continuing down island not far off the shoreline. All the J19s plus J35 and J58 were traveling together in a tight group. J57 and J58 were doing a lot of rolling and splashing and there was a half breach from one of the adults. About ten minutes later the group was joined by J47 coming from offshore. We left this group off Hannah Heights and moved down island toward Kanaka Bay and found J37 and J49 laying at the surface together. They had a salmon and were rolling and being tactile with one another while they shared their fish. …" [See CWR Encounter #10 for full summary and photos] https://www.whaleresearch.com/2021-10
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17:50-18:28 - 14+ members of J-pod returning from the south and heading back north again until out of sight, 1/2 mile south of Land Bank. I could positively ID J35 Tahlequah with both J57 Phoenix and J47 Notch (who is really getting big); J19 Shachi, J38 Cookie and J26 Mike. One of the calves, I think J57, executed an impressive leap out of the water.
15:45 - 4-5 members returning from the south milling with no direction, 1/2 mile south of Land Bank. They slowly drift south again.
14:12-14:55 - Changing direction with some milling and fish chasing. They headed south until out of sight, reportedly all the way to Eagle Cove.
13:40-14:00 - 10+ members of J-pod northbound 1/2 mile south of Land Bank Westside Preserve. Small groups spread out, the orcas barely broke the surface and moved ever so slowly and gracefully. One fluke wave and a few easy rolls but mostly they were content to drift. So peaceful to watch. -Michelline Halliday, SJI
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BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Sat, Mar 6 - San Juan Islands (T87 and T124A2s) -
13:36 - Heading up over north shore of Orcas Island now. T87 and T124A2's
10:14 - Looks they are headed north in Rosario now (near south end of Blakely). -Erin Johns Gless, Island Adventures Whale Watching
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09:10 - Report of Ts on a kill near James Island in Rosario Strait - keep your eyes out if you're on a ferry to/from Anacortes! -Orca Behavior Institute
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GRAY WHALES - Sat, Mar 6 - Possession Sound - 13:30 & 16:15 - Gray whale 531 spotted in the area. Spotted in Snohomish delta at 13:30 and again at 16:15 at Camano Head pointed into Saratoga Passage. (This was her first sighting this season just like Dubknuck!). -Tyson Parker Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching
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Sat, Mar 6 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 12:40 - Only photo we got of the gray that was feeding in Mariners Cove. Then he cut across towards Harrington Lagoon/Long Pt. area where we could see a second gray feeding. 3/6 at 12:40 pm. (Photo is the top of its back, heading away from us. It was the best we could do with the conditions.) -Terra and Greg Parham
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16:50 - I'm seeing puffs straight out from Mariners Cove right now (4:50pm) heading north, but fairly far out (i.e., not cruising the beach). I'd love to get you a photo but it's so far out and pops up in random spots so I never know where to zoom.
12:00 - Thanks to some alert neighbors, we're watching a gray that cruised south past Mariners Cove and has been feeding at the happy meal mudflats for the past 20-30 minutes. It is super hard to see with the waves and wind today, but I catch a spout every few minutes. -Marianne Parry
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Sat, Mar 6 - Southern Saratoga Passage - 13:05 - CRC44, Dubknuck is back. We are watching him just north of Camano Head in Saratoga Passage right now. -Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express
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12:40 - Looks like #44 Dubknuck is back! Just spotted off of Camano Head. 3/6/2021 at 12:40. (Upon reaching Camano Head, Captain Carl found us another whale! It turned out to be #44 Dubknuck who was spotted for the first time this season. Dubknuck was unfortunately heading north and so after a brief viewing, we had to say goodbye.) -Tyson Parker Reed
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Sat, Mar 6 - Holmes Harbor
11:49 - …just north of Beverly!
11:36 - IE4 is there. Little Patch [CRC53]. -Erin Johns Gless, Island Adventures Whale Watching
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12:26 - Now on east side of Harbor near and out from Saratoga Beach, not feeding; he's traveling somewhat northish.
12:16 - Heading north.
12:06 - I just see Little Patch [CRC53] right now.. heading towards Dines Point 12:06 still middish channel.
11:58 - Southwest.
11:53 - He's currently headed out to middish channel now out from Beverly Beach. can't quite tell if going north or south.
11:00 - [grays] Viewing from Freeland Park, they appear to be at Beverly Beach. -Marilyn Armbruster
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09:40 - They appear to be heading south into Holmes Harbor.
08:45 - First spotted at 8:45 am - at least two whales. They are moving around in a small area west of Baby Island (between Baby Island and Greenbank, but closer to Baby Island). I assume they are gray whales but I haven't seen any tails, just backs and blows. -Martha Sinclair

March 5
BIGG'S/TRANSIENT ORCAS - Fri, Mar 5 - Saratoga Passage/Possession Sound (T87 and T124A2s)
17:45-18:00 - [orcas] Just passed me in Chennault Beach. Mukilteo. Long down times. 3 orcas, I think. Heading towards Edmonds, SB. -Alice Thuy Talbot
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17:14 - They have passed Glendale. Same pattern of tight group, frequent surfaces and then long dive. Leisurely pace southbound and drifting more towards mid-channel.
17:07 - Approaching Glendale.
16:35 - They cleared the Clinton dock still grouped and southbound at 4:35 PM.
16:25 - [orcas] Have them right off Clinton dock. Tight group including large male. Weather improved just in time to see from home. Southbound leisure travel mode. -Debbie Stewart
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16:24 - Still southbound, approaching Clinton ferry dock. Prolonged dives between a few quick surfaces.
15:35 - [orcas] Witter Beach headed south, fairly close to shore. -Kev Harnax
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14:55 - [orcas] Passing Langley now 2:55. Going south. We think there are 3! -Mary Neifert
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14:34 - [orcas] I live just south of Bells Beach. They just went by my place a few minutes ago. -Susan Matthews
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15:20 - Orcas are passing Sandy Point close to Whidbey, still southbound. Visibility deteriorating due to heavy rain.
12:32 - [orcas] Seeing blows among the whitecaps north of Hidden Beach, Whidbey side.
---- Blink and you might miss them... With a strong wind whipping up the waves in Saratoga Passage, we were fortunate to spot T87 and the T124A2s from Hidden Beach as they bucked the whitecaps on their southbound travels. Although the whales were closer to the Whidbey side the encounter was brief as they disappeared quickly in confused seas. T87 certainly gets around, and keeps us wondering who he'll show up with next (photos Richard Snowberger taken from shore, zoomed and cropped). photo - "The magnificent T87 bucking the wind and waves near Hidden Beach, Whidbey Island." -Sandra Pollard
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12:31 - [orcas] Lost sight of them 15 minutes ago. They were 2 miles north of Hidden Beach heading south, Whidbey side. -Aaron Gill
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11:00 - 3 orcas heading southbound Saratoga Passage between Harrington and Race Lagoon Whidbey side - One BIG fin and 2 chaperones...Sally Cox

March 4
TRANSIENT/BIGG'S ORCAS - Thu, Mar 4 - Central Puget Sound (T87 and T124A2s) They visited us in Possession Sound. -Peter Dervin
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15:40 - [orcas] They are now in front of Howarth Park in Everett headed east. (They were in travel mode.) -Rylee Fee
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Today, Thursday, March 4th, orcas have been sighted near Mukilteo Beach. I have never reported a sighting and don't know why, but was reading in your website to report. -Booseh Jafari
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14:30-15:00 - Grant called at ~16:15 to report he had seen a pod of orcas down off Mukilteo Beach for about 30 minutes earlier.
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~14:30-15:00 - Today, March 4,2021, my granddaughters and I were at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park around 2:30-3pm and watched three orcas for about 30 minutes, very close to shore. -Joyce Johnson
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12:29 - [orcas] Saw a group from the fishing pier in Edmonds. SO AWESOME!! -Nicole Schleich Abbott
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15:05 - Amazingly close in off Mukilteo on a kill. So close! They then headed east; I moved but haven't seen them again so maybe they back-tracked?
14:30 - Right off Mukilteo Lighthouse Beach making directional changes. Possibly hunting. added: Earlier around 14:30, the Ts made it to Mukilteo Lighthouse Beach, stalled and began making directional changes right off the beach south of the boat launch. After a few minutes, it was clear they had prey. They moved closer to shore and continued circling, tail lobbing, etc. At one point, the water was "boiling". The predation went on for many minutes as they drifted slowly north and even closer to shore all the way up to the boat launch. Super cool close in spyhop. T124A2s grouped and turned away from shore; T87 turned right towards shore and us humans, but then he clearly circled under water; he surfaced heading away towards the others. They were, at that point, off the lighthouse still so close to shore headed northeast, went on a dive and have not seen them again. Humans were freaking out and celebrating this encounter in the best way. One of the most excellent encounters of a lifetime. Not sure where those Ts went.
13:20 - They've come out of Browns Bay and continued northbound close to shore, currently just north of Picnic Point Beach. Heading towards Mukilteo.
12:56 - Moving towards shore, same location
12:50 - Pod is off north Edmonds, approximately out from Haines Wharf heading northbound while moving inshore and offshore, but still steady northbound. Looks good for continuing towards Possession Sound but just a bit too soon to say for certain. (Definitely not heading Admiralty) They are still together, but slightly spread.
12:25 - Pod came close in off Edmonds Marina Beach rounded the jetty and moved a bit offshore. Currently north of ferry dock, still this side of channel heading steady northbound, loosely grouped. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network video - https://youtu.be/CYnLde4nJmA
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12:21 - [orcas] Just saw a couple right of Edmonds Ferry terminal! -Stephanie J. Deckard Henry
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12:12 - Here's a picture from Marina Beach Park at 12:12. It's my first time seeing orcas in the wild and had my 2 toddlers with me so I'm happy to get one picture as evidence it was real life. -Stefanie Scott
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12:09 - [orcas] Passing Marina Beach, Edmonds, long down times. -Janine Harles
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12:07 - [orcas] Right in front of me at the dog park headed straight for the ferry line. 5 came through close in to a Edmonds beach. -Melissa Atchison
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10:41 - [orcas] Just saw them off Carkeek. Still northbound. I think they were feeding on something as they kind of circled around for the last 30 minutes. Now have moved further north. I'd say they were east of mid channel. -Matty Leaman
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10:06 - Golden Gardens headed north 10:06. Longish down times I think. -Emily Peterson
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09:37 - Viewing from West Point Lighthouse at Discovery Park. West of mid-channel, northbound. T087 and T124A2s present. -Brittany Philbin
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~08:00 - We just saw killer whales from the West Seattle ferry. they were in Elliot Bay, heading north, around 8:00 this morning, crew saw around seven, very spread out, at least one male. They were pretty spread out but fairly close to downtown. The ferry took a big right turn to avoid them. -Elizabeth Petras
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GRAY WHALES - Thu, Mar 4 - Holmes Harbor - ~13:10 - Today at approximately 1:10p.m., I spotted two blows from a single animal heading south near the Freeland Park. The whale was on the east side of the harbor and surfaced 2-3 while turning to head north. Last sighting at approximately 1:20 pm was of a dive with a nice display of flukes. This occurred right in front of my house located on East Harbor Road, so very close to the park. Could not take pictures. -Catherine Drews
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13:38 - Surfaced in Holmes Harbor again further north, east side of harbor in line with the golf course. Fluke has a white patch on its top right side.
12:59 - Gray whale in Holmes Harbor by Freeland Park. Just saw a fluke near the anchored sailboats. Too quick to get a picture. -Cindy Bowen

March 3
TRANSIENT/BIGG'S ORCAS - Wed, Mar 3 - San Juan Islands - 16:15 - Several orca (including small ones) off Southeast end of Sucia 4:15 pm heading west. (We last saw them as they passed the easternmost tip of Saturna, but yes, they were generally north bound towards Boundary Bay.) -Julie Gralow
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15:40 - 4 orcas heading west. [north side of Orcas Island, off Buckhorn -hg] -Rachelle Youngman
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Wed, Mar 3 - Central Puget Sound (T87 and T124A2s) - 18:05 - [orcas] Due south of Indianola on the west side, gulls swarming around them!!! -Ellen Zocher
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17:23 - They are in the mouth of Port Madison. Just slightly west of Point Jefferson.
17:11 - The group is in Port Madison south of Jefferson Point. Tail slapping and breaching.
16:57 - [orcas] Port Madison on the Indianola side. -Laurel Rush Owen
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Laura L Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 14:55 to report: WALLA WALLA spots 4 orcas. Vessel reports via 800 MHz sighting 4 orca whales, one adult and three juveniles, heading southbound, midway in the KING>EDM crossing.
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14:48- [orcas] Watching from Marina Beach in Edmonds, just passing the Kingston ferry dock heading south, Kitsap side. -Janine Harles
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14:45 - From Apple Tree Point, Kingston, T87 with the top part of his dorsal missing. -Sara Frey
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14:36 - Directional changes- milling/feeding behavior in ferry lanes w/ferry approaching them westbound.
14:15-14:29 - SB steady, close in on Kitsap between Apple Tree and Edmonds, now south of Edmonds ferry approaching Kingston. -Donna Green Van Renselaar
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15:08 - Continuing south towards President Point.
14:41 - Okay, visible from the hill above the Kingston ferry. They're going to pass right in front of that ferry from Kingston to Edmonds.
13:33 - Straight off Eglon moving south, long down times.
13:27 - They've moved offshore from me a good bit, heading southeast.
13:19 - Okay I'm at Eglon. They're still well north of here, look like on a kill, pretty close to this side. No direction of travel yet, but I'm guessing this way south.
12:50 - Appear to be trending South.
12:46 - They just passed Point No Point heading east, moving quickly.
12:35 - After a long down time they are due east [of Point No Point] heading [eastbound] at a good clip, much out of photo range already. I'd say four or five
12:29 - ...Just as I was pulling away what is in front of me close to shore at Point No Point.. looks like T87. -Jim Pasola
[Per Jim's images: T87 present, and per Sara Hysong-Shimazu, "Looks like the T124A2s are back with him (T87)." -alb]
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GRAY WHALES - Wed, Mar 3 - Northern Saratoga Passage - 17:15 - ....saw gray whale spouts in Utsalady Bay, Camano Island. -Shari Duffy
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Wed, Mar 3 - Holmes Harbor/Saratoga Passage - 16:00 - Photos were taken at 16:00 of the gray; it looks like it was heading towards Hidden Beach. This was the last time I had seen him. I watched him or her from 1/2 mile south of Holmes Harbor entrance until it was west of Baby Island. I have totally lost him (It's now 16:30). -Marilyn Armbruster
photo - CRC53 ID: GS
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~12:00 - [gray] He spent a long time in the harbor, came by my house before noon headed south. Just feeding and taking his own sweet time. Fun to watch for sure. -Dan Gulden

March 2
TRANSIENT/BIGG'S ORCAS - Tue, Mar 2 - Saratoga Passage (T46s and T87) - 17:30 - 4-5 orcas heading south in middle of Saratoga Passage nearing Camano head. Lots of activity, splashing, spouting. Heading toward Possession Sound. -Luanne Seymour
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18:10 - [orcas] They rounded Sandy Point slowly headed SE towards Hat Island in the fading light. -Rachel Haight
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16:40 - Orcas opposite Langley Pizzeria, southbound slowly, Camano side.
16:06 - From Langley, orcas are now closer to Camano near Elger Bay.
15:25 - Two more orcas out from Fox Spit trending south toward Bells Beach. Trailers.
----It took a little while to identify who we were looking at in Saratoga Passage today, after briefly seeing an adult male close to shore off Fox Spit then seeing another male (or was it the same one?) soon afterwards with a group of orcas further out. Another tall dorsal fin appearing from the left as the group of four headed south towards Langley, on the Whidbey side, added to the mystery. All was revealed after watching and photographing the whales from Langley, albeit that they had moved closer to the Camano side. The well-known T46s, including the legendary matriarch T46 who was in the last live capture in Budd Inlet and who was released before SeaWorld was thrown out of Washington State, were accompanied by lone male, T87, recently seen traveling with the T124A2s. As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life (photos Richard Snowberger, zoomed and cropped). -Sandra Pollard
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15:08 - Four more spotted from Fox Spit. Whidbey side. Headed towards Langley.
14:59 - Lone orca off of Fox Spit, maybe 50 ft. from shore. Headed south towards Langley. -Catherine Weiner-Marshall
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18:00 - Exited Saratoga Passage, rounded Sandy Point, currently milling back and forth just southside of point. Slowly SB.
17:00 - Straight out and across towards Camano from Pizzeria. Little one just rang the Whale Bell.
16:20 - Between Bells Beach and Langley, sb, viewing from off road 1 mile and a half out of Langley. They are straight out from me, more so over Camano side.
15:28 - At Bells Beach. I want to say around 6 of them. Still sb.
15:08 - Changed directions, southbound, mid channel, heading towards Bells Beach.
14:36 - [orcas] About a mile north of Mabana Shores entering Elger Bay, Camano side of mid channel, NB.
----Was a beautiful afternoon with the Transient Biggs Orcas, T46's with T87 yesterday (3/2) from around 2:30 at Fox Spit until 6:00 pm at Sandy Point. They were leisurely taking their sweet time. -Marilyn Armbruster
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13:37 - Ha! They split up and are on both sides! (I am viewing from water out from Langley. There was one whale in the pod with a large dorsal fin that was very tall and S like -crooked. Looked like it was swimming with a much smaller whale/baby.)
13:32 - Now back on Whidbey side.
13:26 - Just north of Langley on the Camano side.
13:15 - Spotting 6 orcas spread out slowly heading north up Saratoga Passage. -Torrey Hall Volk
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11:28 - [orcas] There are at least 4 just north of Hat Island right now with two small white boats nearby. viewing from Howarth Park w/binoculars. -Katie Schuelke
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11:03 - [orcas] Just spotted approximately 1 mile due west of anchored ship off Everett, slowly foraging southbound towards Mukilteo. -Ryley Fee
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09:49 - Sighted a small group, including at least one male, SE of Hat heading towards Mukilteo.
09:27 - [orcas] Sighted northwest of Hat heading east towards Tulalip. -Lori Christopher
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07:59 - Laura L Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed: SUQUAMISH reports 2 Orca approximately 1 mile north of the transit lane and MUK terminal [Mukilteo], headed in a northbound direction.
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07:15 - I spotted a few orcas around 7:15am this morning off Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo. They were heading north. -Andrea Swisstack

March 1
TRANSIENT/BIGG'S ORCAS - Mon, Mar 1 - Central Puget Sound - 17:48 - 2nd hand report from my friend Laura.. 2 male orcas close to shore 1/4 south of Fay Bainbridge Park moving quickly southbound. -Sue Larkin
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16:33 - Orcas off President Point close in Kitsap side. Heading south. Barking sealions don't seem to notice...14:36 I think they just noticed. Somebody may have just gotten eaten. -Joanne Graves
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GRAY WHALES - Mon, Mar 1 - Possession Sound - 19:29 - I was able to see a few Gray Whale spouts from Grand Park in North Everett, thanks to the clear weather. They were in the shallow waters just off the Jetty in Everett. -Cale Haug
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Mon, Mar 1 - Port Susan - 08:46 - Gray whale in Port Susan off Tillicum Beach heading southbound. [report by Patrick Hayes relayed by Rachel Haight]
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Mon, Mar 1 - Northern Saratoga Passage - ~14:00 - Saw a gray whale about an hour or so ago [posted at 14:59] on north west tip of Camano. Just saw him surface once with a fluke raise. -Anya Vahlolo
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Mon, Mar 1 - Mid Saratoga Passage/Holmes Harbor - 17:30-18:10 - We saw 3 gray whales feeding in very shallow water in Honeymoon Bay off Holmes Harbor. We sighted them from 5:30 to 6:10 PM. They appeared to be feeding in the tidal flat sediments, at times in about 8 feet of water right by the dock in Honeymoon Bay. -Bill & Diana Schafer
[Thanks so much, these are wonderful images of CRC185. He is part of a population known as the Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG). He first joined the North Puget Sound (NPS) grays in 2018 and has returned each year since to feed alongside the others who return annually. -Alisa Lemire Brooks, Orca Network]
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15:21 - He was southeast bound in front of me and after he passed me he turned north to mid channel, and last I saw him at 15:21 he was between me (mid Baby Island Heights) and Elger Bay. Super long downtimes. I don't have eyes on him right now.
15:10 - Has now turned north...towards mid channel.
15:04 - Gray mid Baby Island Heights, close to shore, SE bound. -Marilyn Armbruster
photos - 723 ID: ALB - pic 2: "taken at 3:06 pm, first seeing him 3 minutes earlier off to the left - mid Baby Island Heights, high bank. Baby Island off to left and across to right is Camano Island."
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09:27 - 2 Greys at Hidden Beach this morning. -Nikki Lee
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09:15 - Gray whale in Holmes Harbor off Beverly Beach. -Moe Jerome
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08:48 - Nicole Sullivan called. She is down at Hidden Beach and is watching two gray whales feeding in the Hidden Beach Cove. She can't tell who they are, not good at IDing their markings yet, but wanted to let us know.