EncDate:13/07/24 

EncSeq:1

Enc#:71

ObservBegin:07:51 AM

ObservEnd:08:35 AM

Vessel:Mike 1

Staff:Mark Malleson

Pods:Bigg's killer whales

LocationDescr:Zero Rock

Start Latitude:48 29.73

Start Longitude:123 17.94

End Latitude:48 31.83

End Longitude:123 17.44

 

EncSummary:

With over 40 Bigg's killer whales spotted in the area the day before and ideal weather conditions, Mark decided to get up at sunrise to mobilize Mike 1 for a survey in the Juan de Fuca Strait. As he was about to load his boat bag and Fin into the truck, he heard several blows outside his condo. Looking up, he saw a small group of killer whales about half a mile offshore, heading in a line towards the Chain Islands. They were prowling through the kelp bed at Lee Rock, heading north towards Baynes Channel. He figured it was likely the T109A2s returning from the Bigg's Bash the day before, as they were identified in the group of about 40 individuals west of Race Rocks. T109A2 and her four offspring have been seen in the area over the last few weeks and seem to have claimed the shoreline between Victoria and Sidney as their territory.

Mark headed downtown and left the dock at Victoria Harbour around 0715, deciding to start with the Oak Bay group. At 0751, he spotted the whales through his Swarovski binoculars while sitting off Gordon Head, scanning the water and listening for their blows. Although too distant to hear them, he could see the whales clearly to the north, their exhalations illuminated by the early morning sunlight on the flat, calm water.

Upon arrival, he confirmed it was indeed the T109A2s. They were moving in a tight group at 5 knots, heading purposefully towards Zero Rock. Mark watched them circle the rock for several minutes, noting the concerned seals hauled out at the edge. Surprisingly, the whales continued north without any obvious hunting success after two or three laps around the reef. Mark decided to end the encounter as the whales headed northeast towards Darcy Island. He hoped to find another group, perhaps to the south.

NotesComments: