Enc Date: 24/09/20

Enc Seq: 1

Enc#: 52

Observ Begin: 05:40 PM

Observ End: 06:46 PM

Vessel: Mike 1

Staff: Mark Malleson

Other Observers: Joe Zelwietro, Bill Moore

Pods: J, K, L

Location Descr: Otter Point

Start Latitude: 48 19.028

Start Longitude: 123 49.621

End Latitude: 48 19.567

End Longitude: 123 56.834

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Enc Summary:

Late in the afternoon, reports from PWWA naturalists suggested that a southern resident killer whale had given birth southwest of Race Rocks.  A Victoria-based whale-watch vessel had happened across the animals at approximately 1520 on their way home from viewing humpback whales in the Strait of Juan de Fuca (Canadian whale-watchers focus their tours on Bigg’s killer whales and humpback whales).  While slowing to identify and then allow the resident killer whales to pass, the crew enlisted Mark’s help over radio to identify J41 as the female with a minutes-old calf.  On the heels of the reports, Mark left Victoria harbour at 1700 in an effort to confirm the new mother/calf pair.

Turning the corner at Race Rocks, the swell was monstrous by Salish Sea standards, reaching 10 or 12 feet in some areas.  The first whales were encountered south of Otter Point at 48° 19.028 N / 123° 49.621 W and southern residents were confirmed as J16 and J26 surfaced in unison.  The whales were quite spread, both to the west and south, and with rain squalls passing through and swell well overhead, conditions were not ideal.  From the J16s, Mike 1 shifted south to where L103 and L123 were foraging, as was a nearby K44 with another young male.  There were several more L pod whales spread within a mile or so of these four, including L90, L91, L55, L83 and L122.  Seeing more animals scattered toward Sheringham Point, they headed northwest to continue the search for J41 and her youngster.  They ran into L105 and L106, along with J44 foraging nearby.  All of the whales soon began pushing hard offshore, pointing toward Clallam Bay, in the direction of the large concentration of L pod whales the crew had just left.

With daylight fading and thunderstorms coming quickly down the coast Mark and the Mike 1 crew had to end search for young J58 and head for home.  The encounter ended at 48° 19.567 N / 123° 56.834 W, south of Sheringham Point.  Pictures later submitted to the Center confirmed a new calf born to J41, so we will hope to see these animals again in the coming days!