Cottage At The Cove

Orca

Four populations of orca are found in the waters of the North-eastern pacific, the Northern Residents, the Southern Residents, Offshore and West Coast Transient orcas making up for a total of some 750 animals.  All four populations travel through the Blackfish Archipelago, but it’s the Northern Resident Orca (fish eaters) that are often sighted in the waters of Johnstone Strait.  Transients (marine mammal eaters) too are often present but are far less predictable.

Pacific white-sided dolphins  

Pacific white-sided dolphins come into the area unpredictably year round, but are seen in spectacular numbers in the spring and fall.  These are highly acrobatic and vocal animals and are often seen interacting with other marine mammals.

Dall’s porpoise

The speedy Dall’s porpoise are abundant in the Johnstone Strait area.  They are encountered most often and are believed to be present year round with the sheltered inland waters being their preference for mating and calving.  Dall’s are the only porpoise species known to ride the bow waves of boats and this behaviour offers ideal opportunities for observation.

Humpback whales

Minke whales

The Minke whales of the area are extremely intriguing.  They are frequently sighted but often move in unpredictable patterns, unless feeding.  Their speed and longer dives make study more challenging but the behaviours observed have been fascinating.

Steller sea lions

While the global population of Steller sea lions has dropped by two-thirds, thankfully the population in British Columbia is stable.  It is the male Steller sea lions that most often grace our local waters.

Harbour seals

Pacific harbour seals are the most commonly encountered marine mammal.   Peak pupping is mid-July.  They are territorial and therefore predicable behaviour has led to harbour seals making up 50% of the transient orca diet.

Harbour porpoise

Harbour porpoise are also abundant, but far ‘shyer’ than Dall’s porpoise.  They are often seen in the inland channels and when feeding allow for good observation.