EncDate:03/11/24 

EncSeq:1

Enc#:113

ObservBegin:10:30 AM

ObservEnd:01:50 PM

Vessel:KCB III

Staff:Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss

Other Observers:Monika Wieland Shields, Jason Shields, Molly Henling

Pods:L

LocationDescr:Penn Cove

Start Latitude:48 15.05

Start Longitude:122 34.94

End Latitude:47 12.62

End Longitude:122 35.22

​

EncSummary:

The morning started with reports of L pod well up Saratoga Passage. The team left Shilshole Marina at 0915 and headed north. As we cruised up Saratoga Passage, we heard that L pod was heading west, east of Poinell Point on Whidbey Island. We finally saw whales well south of Forbes Point, off the mouth of Penn Cove, and the encounter began at 1030. L pod were traveling west-southwest in two large, loose groups. The L4s, L47s, L72s, and L90 were in one group while the L12s, L54s, and L88 were a couple of hundred yards to the northwest of the others. The whales were all heading towards Penn Cove. There were A Lot of spyhops but the whales were pretty quiet on the hydrophones.  

As the whales entered Penn Cove, the two large groups switched position with one-another. When the whales had made more than halfway into Penn Cove, there was some milling before all the whales turned around and began heading back out. The L11s and L54s took the north side of the cove and began to spread out and maybe forage while the rest spread out off the mid and south entrance to the cove. We finally began hearing some calls as all the whales began fanning out and heading south down Saratoga Passage. We ended the encounter at 1350, southeast of Snatelum Point, with L pod spread out in small groups and individuals heading south down Saratoga Passage.

NotesComments: