In the early morning hours of August 1st, our remote Cracroft hydrophone picked up faint but distinct echolocation clicks and some very distant whistles from orcas at 3:41am. The orcas were approaching the entrance to Blackney Pass. About half an hour later, the sharp percussive sound of orca blows filled the air over Blackney Pass as the whales moved northward. Although the whales remained almost completely silent on our hydrophones, the sound of splashing water and movement within the group was observed from the deck. The number of blows led us to believe that the A54s and the A23s were traveling together. This assumption was confirmed when we began hearing A5 calls in Blackfish Sound shortly afterward. We were able to listen to the whales until about 5:30am, when they once again went quiet or moved out of hydrophone range. Exactly two hours later, faint vocalizations and echolocation clicks were detected again in the same area, persisting for approximately 1.5 hours.
At 10:06am, the Lab received a report from Alexander Morten seeing a female and a juvenile travelling eastbound at Crease Island, just to the north of Hanson Island. These whales were later identified by Scotty as the T69As. Additionally, the A23s and A54s not far behind were reported near Lizard Point off Malcolm Island, also traveling eastbound. By 11:45am, according to subsequent reports, the groups had reached the western extent of Blackfish Sound. But no real movement was forthcoming.
Further information was not received until 7:50pm. At that time, A5 vocalizations and echolocation clicks were detected inBlackfish Sound. Alex saw the A23s almost up to Flower Island. Shortly thereafter, the A23s were observed passing through the far side of the channel, widely dispersed and – true to their typical behavior of the last days – moving silently. We had time to enjoy seeing a lone sea otter floating along on the flood in front of the Lab. For the remainder of the day, A23 calls were heard in Johnstone Strait, as the group continued their eastbound travel.
In addition, we welcomed new visitors to the island: a film crew from New York arrived and will be staying with us for the next few weeks. Seems like we are having a busy August ahead of us!
Words by Freddy
