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It's a girl! T36B1A reveals her belly as she passes under the Fox Island Bridge alongside her family member T36B2 Greenfelder.
photo by Hongming Zheng, March 14, 2025
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T36B4, T36B2 Greenfelder, & T36B1A pass under the Fox Island Bridge.
photo by Mike Maddox, March 14, 2025
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CRC531 Gretchen, CRC22 Earhart, & CRC383 Cascade feeding in the cove near Hidden Beach.
photo & IDs by Rachel Haight, March 18, 2025
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ORCA NETWORK
WHALE SIGHTING REPORT
We are watching and visiting the whales in their home.
Please observe, love, and respect them from a distance.
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SUMMARY
Sightings through March 19 include:
Southern Residents - On March 12, J Pod was in Rosario Strait.
On March 13, J Pod made their way north in Haro Strait.
On March 17, J Pod went south in the Strait of Georgia.
Bigg's Killer Whales - On March 11, Bigg's orcas were deep in Bellingham Bay. T46s were in Saratoga Passage.
On March 12, T46s were in Saratoga Passage. T36/T36Bs & T49C went south in Admiralty Inlet. T41s were in Haro Strait.
On March 13, T46s were in Holmes Harbor. T36/T36Bs were in Port Susan.
On March 14, T36/T36Bs made their way into South Puget Sound - T36B1A found to be a girl! T46s went north in Colvos Passage. T30A & T30C were in the San Juans. Probable T65As were in the Hood Canal.
On March 15, T46s were in Saratoga Passage. Probable T65As were in Hood Canal.
On March 16, T99s minus T99B were spotted in Saratoga Passage. T46s were in Saratoga Passage. T65As were in Hood Canal. T36A1, T36A1A, & T99B and were later joined by T30A & T30C were in the San Juans. T49C was in the San Juans. T19s, T49As, T124As, & T124A4s were in the San Juans as well.
On March 17, T46s were in Admiralty Inlet. T124As & T124A4s made their way south along west Whidbey. T99s minus T99Bs were in Possession Sound. T65As exited Hood Canal. T36A1, T36A1A & T99B were in the San Juans. T49As were in the San Juans.
On March 18, T46s were in Port Susan.
On March 19, T99s minus T99B were in Possession Sound before aiming towards Admiralty Inlet. T46s were also in Possession Sound then appeared to head towards Admiralty Inlet. Possible T124As were in Sinclair Inlet.
Humpbacks - Two reports in the SJIs.
Gray Whales - CRC383 Cascade was spotted in Penn Cove on March 14! CRC356 Carson was spotted in Possession Sound on March 18! Eleven Sounders confirmed in inland Puget Sound: CRC22 Earhart, CRC53 Little Patch, CRC56 Stardust, CRC356 Carson, CRC383 Cascade, CRC531 Gretchen, CRC2246 Azulão, CRC2249 Hattie, CRC2356 Stalwart, CRC2362 Thidwick, CRC2557.
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Have you heard about our very special Sounders Gray Whales?!
This month of our youth event, we are diving into the world of our neighborhood gray whales. From their migration patterns to their favorite food in the Puget Sound, we will learn all about these friendly giants!
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Time: 4 PM - 5 PM
Location: Virtual (link provided upon registration)
How to Join: Registration is free but required! Click the link here to sign up and get the Zoom link sent to your inbox.
| Contact cheryl@orcanetwork.org to request more info. | | |
Webshop item: Whale Sighting Alerts Subscription
Orca Network's Whale Sighting Network and Education Project is now offering our whale sightings phone/text alerts by annual subscription.
Cost is $25.00 every 12 months. If finances is a hardship please email serena@orcanetwork.org.
Real-time, or near real-time, call/text alerts create opportunities for people to connect with and observe the whales in their natural habitat from shorelines and other platforms around the Salish Sea. And for those who wish to contribute to Community Science you can report your sightings to our Whale Sighting Network team who vets, records, and disperses collected data to researchers, scientists, agencies, educators, public, etc.
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Your support enables Orca Network to continue our work to connect people & whales, educate & inspire people to take action, and collect & disseminate data for research & education.
With Gratitude!
Orca Network
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FOR REAL-TIME WHALE SIGHTINGS FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE ~
| | SOUTHERN RESIDENTS (fish-eating ecotype) | | |
Mon, Mar 17 - Strait of Georgia (J Pod)
Jpod spread across the Strait of Georgia today. Link to Youtube video.
Salish Sea Orca Squad
Thu, Mar 13 - Haro Strait (J Pod)
05:52 - Calls on Raincoast hydro/Pender Island. They were confirmed heading up Trincomali Channel this morning then presumably through Porlier and then Strait of Georgia.
Rachelle Hayden [WSSJI]
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03:21 - SRKW calls on Orcasound Haro hydrophone.
02:10 - Scrolling back, heard on Lime Kiln hydrophone at 02:10.
Fred Horn [WSSJI]
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05:40 - Confirming Orcasound listener heard S01 calls at this time when apparently others were hearing SRKW calls on Pender hydrophone. So either they were really spread out in Haro Strait -- or maybe another pod is in the neighborhood? Link to clip.
Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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04:31 - Still hearing calls on Orcasound.
Amanda Austin [WSSJI]
Wed, Mar 12 - Rosario Strait (J Pod)
18:50 - Saw them from Green Point in Anacortes, could catch 1 or 2 with binoculars but they were so far away. Close to Lopez, still headed south.
Caitlyn Blair
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18:15 - Marie Waterman, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: The MV KALEETAN Captain reports, via 800MHz broadcast, they have come to a stop at Thatcher Pass for a pod of 10-15 orca SB just north of James Island.
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J38 Cookie
18:00 - Southbound at 18:00. Seen from ferry.
back of camera photo & ID by Michelline Halliday, March 12, 2025
| | BIGG'S KILLER WHALES (mammal-eating ecotype) | | |
Wed, Mar 19 - Admiralty Inlet (unsure which group of Bigg’s)
17:07 - Orcas off Bush Point headed towards Lagoon Point. Long way from shore, but easy to see! There were actually 4, 3 grouped and one trailing. They moved northbound at a quick pace. We saw them for maybe 10 minutes.
Eric Carlson [WIWS]
Wed, Mar 19 - Possession Sound (T46s)
14:20 - Redhead left the 46s heading north northwest towards Admiralty, just east of the northbound lane.
Christopher Lewman, PSE
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14:00 - The second group that came out of Possession was the 46s. They are currently westbound in the middle of the Possession triangle.
Brian McGinn, PSE
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13:16 - Spotted 3 more. All heading south just passing Chennault Beach neighborhood. Closer to mainland side.
13:13 - I only see one large male passing Chennault Beach. Mukilteo.
Alice Thuy Talbot
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12:47 - They have passed Possession Point and are heading south as viewed from south end of Lighthouse Park.
Joe Dreimiller
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12:31 - These two just rounded Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo heading south.
Margaret Ostervold
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Monica Tyler
Date of Sighting: March 19, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: From Harborview Park Everett
Direction of travel : 2 moving very slowly from port area to west. Out of sight now from park
Behaviors observed: traveling
If orcas, any males?: 1 large male, then a smaller whale. Didn’t see any others.
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
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10:15 - Traveling fairly quickly between Hat and Whidbey. I had thought I had seen 2 groups but didn't know for sure at the time, one being further over towards Tulalip and the other more mid channel out from Sandy Point and northwest Hat.
Marilyn Armbruster
Wed, Mar 19 - Possession Sound (T99s minus T99B)
13:45 - These whales are now trending towards Point No Point northwestbound.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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12:52 - They haven’t moved much in the last 10 minutes. Milling around in the middle of Possession triangle.
Alice Thuy Talbot
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Marty Songstad
Date of Sighting: March 19, 2025
Time: 12:21 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Southend of Whidbey Island near east channel marker.
Direction of travel : SW
Behaviors observed: Traveled along east side of Whidbey from the north
If orcas, any males?: 1 adult
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?:
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12:10 - Grouped up at Possession Point southbound. These are the 99s.
Brian McGinn, PSE
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12:10 - Passing Possession Waterfront southbound, looks like maybe the T99s [video in FB comments]?
Lewann Babler
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10:15 - Traveling fairly quickly between Hat and Whidbey. I had thought I had seen 2 groups but didn't know for sure at the time, one being further over towards Tulalip and the other more mid channel out from Sandy Point and northwest Hat.
Marilyn Armbruster
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Nate Bree
Date of Sighting: March 19, 2025
Time: 10:55 AM [probable 09:55]
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: (48.0475586, -122.3603019)
Direction of travel : SE
Behaviors observed: Travelling
If orcas, any males?: 1 male
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
Wed, Mar 19 - Sinclair Inlet/Rich Passage
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The orcas as they were coming out of Sinclair Inlet and passed Bremerton Marina.
photo by Marsha L Pyles, March 19, 2025
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18:30 - Still watching from Fay as they have made a left and are heading west towards Port Madison.
Kimberly Sylvester
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18:15 - Passing Point Monroe, northbound, west side, viewed from Sunset.
Deb Cronheim
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17:55 - Orca are currently south of Fay Bainbridge, headed north, Kitsap side.
Kimberly Sylvester
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17:17 - Passing me northbound at Manitou Beach. Long down times.
Vanessa Franz
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16:41 - Approx. locations northbound [47.611254, -122.480135].
Alexander Simenstad
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15:42 - They are southbound between 2 buoys directly out from Manchester.
15:26 - Visible from Manchester, passing on other side of channel, just past the ferry line.
15:04 - Almost completely across Port Orchard Passage still heading east towards Rich Passage.
15:01 - A few surfaces directly out from Waterman, haven't seen another surfaces in a minute so not sure where they are committed to yet.
14:47 - Closer to Bachman Park heading east.
Jolena Tagg
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14:46 - Beautiful pass at Bachmann Park. Spilt into two groups on group close to Bremerton side and they other a but more midchannel but closer to Bremerton side of mid. Headed northeast.
Jami Cantrell
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14:31 - Heading toward the Bremerton marina near the shipyard.
Gina Glowen
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14:25 - Passing behind Bremerton/Port Orchard ferry heading east.
Robby Johnston
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14:25 - Passing Bremerton ferry dock now northbound.
Noelle Morris
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14:17 - They flipped back headed northeast passing shipyard.
Jami Cantrell
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14:07 - Look like moving little east from Gorst.
Paula Delgado
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13:53 - Out by the sailboat and tan house. Still headed towards Gorst.
13:43 - Out in the middle straight out from the green crane.
Chanda Axton Powell
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13:46 - They've been milling close to Port Orchard for a while, near Annapolis.
Catherine Alvarado Soto
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13:44 - A friend has them approaching the Bremerton ferry terminal by the Ford dealer headed towards Gorst.
Jami Cantrell
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13:42 - They are on the side of Port Orchard.
Suki V Ramirez
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13:37 - 4 orcas frolicking just west of Rich Passage as the ferry was approaching the Bremerton’s ferry dock. No direction, lots of tail flopping and no large males that we could see.
Diane Dee Iverson
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13:22 - Orcas in front of Bremerton ferry Sinclair.
PiperBerry Mojita
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13:23 - Headed towards the Manette Bridge Bremerton side.
Patricia Jones
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12:41 - 4 orcas spotted: 2 adult, 2 juvenile. Sinclair Inlet headed to Bremerton marina. Headed south in ferry channel.
Katherine Riggs
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12:30 - 4 orcas heading towards Sinclair Inlet/Gorst.
Peter Cheney [PSWS]
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12:16 - 4 orca in Sinclar Inlet heading towards Port Orchard.
Jonathan Quello
Tue, Mar 18 - Admiralty Inlet
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16:30 - I briefly had eyes on one male - mid channel, viewing from Point Wilson adjacent to the red channel marker - he seemed to be traveling northwest.
photo by Jennifer Taylor, March 18, 2025
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15:35 - Rose called to report two orcas northwest of Point Wilson, appeared to be westbound, at least one male.
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15:32 - Orca still off of Admiralty and [at] Point Wilson.
Rose
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14:17 - Laurie Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 14:22 to report: 1417hrs: KENNEWICK Vessel reports via 800MHz they've spotted a single orca heading northbound, located west of the traffic lanes, near Pt. Wilson.
Tue, Mar 18 - Possession Sound
17:21 - Orcas currently in front of Harbor View Park headed towards Everett. Link to FB video.
Kara Kumelos Langus
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17:00 - Saw 2 or 3 orcas pass by Mukilteo heading to Possession Bay.
Blue-Team Jewels
Tue, Mar 18 - Possession Sound/Port Susan (T46s)
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18:22 - Maybe more mid channel now that they are heading farther south. Still north of Hat.
18:15 - Viewing from Sandy Point, at least two orcas heading south, Tulalip side. Don’t think they’re the 2 males, they’ve been down for a bit but were continuing south.
Bailey Todd
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17:00 - The orca past Tillicum heading south. We got a spy hop during their visit today.
photo by Susan John, March 18, 2025
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17:00 - Port Susan at Tillicum [video in FB comments].
Thomas McKane
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15:33 - Viewing from Country Club Beach 2 on Camano - orcas are mid channel straight across from us with lots of splashing.
14:34 - Orcas passing Tillicum Beach northbound.
Linda Aitkins
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13:46 - Strider is at Camano Head entering Port Susan with rest of family.
13:31 - T46's (have not seen Strider as of yet) northbound into Port Susan, spread from shore just north of Tulalip, long downtimes.
Grayden Kelbert, PSE
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12:41 - [Off north end of Hat Island], by Tulalip now.
12:37 - Approaching Tulalip.
12:34 - Just saw a large male [orca] leading a few others east of Hat Island, heading west.
Andrea Michelle Young
Mon, Mar 17 - Finlayson Arm, BC
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Maleea Acker
Date of Sighting: March 17, 2025
Time: 1:15 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Finlayson Arm by McKenzie Bight
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: Hunting
If orcas, any males?: At least one
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Hugging McKenzie Bight edge heading south, then turned at the point and hunted along the west shoreline, heading north.
Photos available?:
Mon, Mar 17 - Haro Strait (T49As)
18:45 - Thanks to Michelline Halliday for catching the orcas passing the Lime Kiln camera today! There are even some Bigg's calls on the hydrophone in this clip!
Fred Horn [WSSJI]
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16:00 - Looks like the 49A's. They were cruising along South Beach.
Alison Engle [WSSJI]
Mon, Mar 17 - San Juans (T36A1, T36A1A, T99B)
16:30 - The Tillikum ferry got surprised around the corner from the Lopez ferry dock and stopped right in some Biggs predation. I thought there were at least 6 orcas but not sure. It looked like they were going after seals and/or porpoises (both were seen at the point just before this) Link to FB video.
Nate Rooks
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18:22 - They’re heading deeper into Massacre Bay.
18:10 - Mid Westsound heading north, deeper into the sound. Eight minutes dives followed lots of just logging at the surface.
17:44 - Westbound, passing the Orcas ferry dock.
17:16 - T36A1s and T99B entering Cayou Channel westbound.
Bethany [SSCH]
Mon, Mar 17 - Rosario Strait/Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (T124As & T124A4s)
14:40 - Southbound past Hastie Lake County Park.
WA app
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14:10 - Southbound near Swan Lake turnout. I suspected T124As & Sarah Geist photo confirms T124As present likely traveling with the T124A4s as well.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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14:00 - Past Rocky Point (military). Southbound fast. Close to Whidbey.
Sarah Geist
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13:54 - Southbound near Joseph Whidbey Park viewing from parking lot below. Quarter mile off shore. Lots of whale watch fleet with them.
Kevin Phillips
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13:10 - Orcas off West Beach Deception Pass.
Steve Perea
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12:58 - At least 3 active off west side of Deception Island.
12:43 - Still off from Rosario Head southbound, did see 2 individuals, maybe more.
12:25 - A ways out from Rosario Head, southbound. Brief sighting, only 1 individual seen once so far.
Betsy Davidson
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11:20 - There were orcas reported in Guemes Channel that I just missed at Washington Park. They are south of Green Point near the tip of Burrows Island, seemingly southbound. From the brief looks I saw was 2 groups of 3-4, females & calves.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
Mon, Mar 17 - Admiralty Inlet (T46s)
16:58 - It appears they are headed for more whales. Not sure exactly who is on front of them on the south side of Useless Bay but there are more whales ahead of them. Not sure how many yet but appears it's possible the 65As or 99s are in the area as well.
16:52 -They are hauling tails! Already made it to Useless Bay still southbound.
16:43 - From Hansville we can see the 46s grouped up west of mid channel approaching Double Bluff from my line of sight.
April Janice Basham
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16:06 - These whales have passed Bush Point. They have pushed out. Maybe west of mid now still southbound.
15:37 - Viewing them from Lagoon Point southbound Whidbey side of midchannel.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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15:53 - Southbound past or near Bush Point viewing from. Lagoon Point south.
Kevin Phillips
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14:56 - Redhead picked up the 46s off Marrowstone Point going south towards Bush Point.
Christopher Lewman, PSE
Mon, Mar 17 - Hood Canal/Admiralty Inlet (T65As)
14:32 - From Hansville we can see these guys mid channel still southbound with a nasty squall line about to hit.
April Janice Basham
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13:15 - Past Salsbury Point northbound.
12:42 - T65As are now north of the Hood Canal Bridge. Still northbound. Mid channel. Slightly grouped up.
Candace Gavin
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12:30 - Orcas off Bridgehaven swimming north towards the Hood Canal bridge. Two to five?
Janet Mason
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10:37 - Just watched the Hood Canal orca group pass Bangor heading north!
Ali Carson
Mon, Mar 17 - Port Susan/Possession Sound (T99s minus T99B)
14:52 - Left them heading for Admiralty Inlet.
Trevor Tillman, PSE
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14:46 - T99 pod (minus 99B) westbound at my map spot [approx. 47.870635, -122.424598].
14:29 - Spotted them southbound at my map spot as we are coming in from our gray whale watching trip [approx. 47.842217, -122.388136]
Bart Rulon Wildlife
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14:18 - Viewing from Stamm, middle channel. Slow southbound.
Natalie Joyner
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12:41 - Currently at Mukilteo heading toward Possession, looked like transients. Link to FB video.
photo by Emily Cluett, March 17, 2025
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Sun, Mar 16 - San Juans (T19s, T49As, T124As, T124A4s)
18:54 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: Tillikum Master reports 3 orca in San Juan Channel no direction.
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Amy Ferron
Date of Sighting: March 16, 2025
Time: 5:10 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 5
Where seen: San Juan Channel off Otis Perkins Park
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: 1
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
Sun, Mar 16 - San Juans (T36A1, T36A1A, T99B, later joined by T30A & T30C)
| | T30C Salix & T30A Sequoia | | |
T36A1A
Lopez Island near Davis Point. Link to more photos.
photos by Hongming Zheng, March 16, 2025
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16:16 - Orcas off Cattle Point lighthouse, San Juan Island.
Gregory Byron
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Sun, Mar 16 - Cayou Channel (T49C)
11:27 - Donna McCrea, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 11:29 to report: [ISSAQUAH] Captain reports one orca in Cayou Channel heading westbound.
Sun, Mar 16 - Hood Canal (T65As)
19:05 - Off Hoodsport public dock about half mile out, then south probably a few hundred yards off the beach at Potlatch State Park.
Adam Stox
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16:42 - Orca Network received a call that at least two orcas are southbound in Hood Canal passing Holly.
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16:30 - They [T65As] went past Holly [in Hood Canal]. Mid channel, heading south.
Danelle Slater
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15:00 - Per Brinnon group they were off Black Point, which is generally across SW of Seabeck around 15:00. Not sure direction. Edit: they were southbound.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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14:36 - Just heard someone say they were watching whales from the boat launch near Scenic Beach. Heading that way now.
Megan Grahl
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T65A Artemis & T65A6 Callisto
10:08 - Alisa Lemire Brooks relayed video report by David Speer of T65As hunting close to shore at Point Whitney, Hood Canal. Link to FB video by David Speer.
screen grabs shared by Alisa Lemire Brooks from video by David Speer, March 16, 2025
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Sun, Mar 16 - Saratoga Passage (T99s minus T99B)
18:02 - At least 3 orcas seen from Camano Island State Park going northbound. Might be a different group than the ones coming from the north.
Linda Aitkins
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18:12 - At Breezy Point northbound.
18:01 - At least 3 northbound at Camano State Park launch.
Logan Baker
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13:08 - Can confirm when we were on scene that there were at least 2 other orca further north closer to Camano that were not the 46s as well. Never got more than a glimpse or two at a far distance.
Alli Montgomery
Sun, Mar 16 - Saratoga Passage (T46s)
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T46E Thor passes by Sandy Point. Link to more photos.
photos by Cindi Crowder Rausch, March 16, 2025
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T46D Strider
photos by Michele Tosh Brodsky, March 16, 2025
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19:00 - Seeing at least from the southbound group between Fox Spit and East Point. Whidbey side.
Linda Aitkins
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18:05 - Mid channel heading south 1.5 miles north of Hidden Beach.
Aaron Gill
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16:28 - The 46s made it just north of the tip of Camano then flipped back south. They are mid channel headed down Saratoga Passage.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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14:45 - Just seen this group from Cama Beach heading northbound on the west side of the channel.
Flo Hardy
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T46D Strider
14:25 - Eyes on from Camano Island State Park. Just seeing one dorsal fin so far. Long down time. Closer to Camano side. Northbound.
photo by Dave Durkee, March 16, 2025
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14:11 - Orca have moved north of East Point traveling closer to Camano.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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14:08 - Seeing them from Camano Island State Park, mid channel, northbound. Just passing Fox Spit.
Charvet Drucker
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13:46 - Just had eyes on from Mabana, but on the Whidbey side of the water.
Dave Durkee
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13:35 - Viewing from Mabana - can see several orcas passing Bells Beach.
Linda Aitkins
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12:58 - T46E and T122 are northbound at my map spot [approx. 48.048232, -122.409127].
Bart Rulon Wildlife
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12:56 - SJC leaving the T46s heading northwest off Langley. Strider is trailing further behind the first 3.
Alli Montgomery
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12:55 - Second male passing Langley marina.
12:53 - Male passing Langley waterfront.
Susan John
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12:54 - 46s are passing Whale Bell Park, Langley. Still Whidbey side. Northbound.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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12:42 - This group is still headed north at the moment. Clipper in view of 4 we've got 4 over here. 3 traveling further north and 1 trailing... Thor, Stryder identified.
Melisa Ausherman
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12:39 - Orca are north of Sandy Point, northbound on Whidbey side.
Susan John
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12:38 - Orcas north of Sandy Point Whidbey side northbound.
Marilyn Armbruster
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12:30 - Orcas and the SJ Clipper just rounded Sandy Point heading slowly west.
Luanne Seymour
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12:30 - Orcas both sides of Sandy Point.
Heather Hardin
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12:28 - Hat is blocking my view from above Port of Everett but looks like San Juan Clipper has slowed to 6 kts and is with orcas. Swiftsure slowed to 2 kts is with gray(s) based on blows I can see [approx. 48.032404, -122.368420].
Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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12:20 - Just saw spouts with my binocs from Mukilteo in front of Swiftsure closer to Camano between Langley and south end of Camano.
Doug Mohr
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12:08 - At least one male mid to Whidbey north end of Hat. Headed north.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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11:58 - The 3 or 4 that I just saw from the Clinton ferry dock were northbound.
11:48 - They just rounded the point by the Clinton ferry… leisurely heading north toward Langley. At least four. Three mid channel, one close to Whidbey shoreline.
Mark McGough
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Renee Gastineau
Date of Sighting: March 16, 2025
Time: 11:48 AM
Species seen: Killer whales
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Near Clinton ferry dock and hat island
Direction of travel : NW
Behaviors observed: Milling
If orcas, any males?: Yes, likely
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Seen from the Tokitae ferry, too far away to identify
Photos available?: No
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11:23 - Report near same area of Mukilteo Lighthouse Park of 10 orcas headed south.
WA app
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11:20 - 3 orca reported near Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, direction unknown.
WA App
Sat, Mar 15 - Hood Canal (Probable T65As)
14:30 - [in Hood Canal] I saw two [orcas] from Seabeck one male and another. conditions were terrible, they were far over on the other side probably near Brinnon southbound. Been a big rain squall came in and blew everything up and I left. Adult male that's the best I can do too far for any further ID.
Jim Pasola
Sat, Mar 15 - Admiralty Inlet
18:50 - 4-5 orca just came by Lagoon Point [Whidbey]. Saw them from land. Heading north.
Marilyn Polis
Sat, Mar 15 - Saratoga Passage (T46s)
17:45 - Southbound now east of Sandy Point.
Trevor Tillman, PSE
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16:45 - 3 orcas just passed through Langley in Saratoga Passage, heading towards Everett!
Kathleen Susanne
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16:25 - T46 pod southbound at my map spot as we depart. T122 and T46E are closer to Whidbey (my map spot), T46F is mid channel, and T46D is mid channel closer to the Camano side. Very spread out.
16:15 - T46E southbound at my map spot. T46F and T46D are further to the east towards Camano Island.
Bart Rulon Wildlife
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T46E Thor
16:00 - T46’s spotted in the Saratoga Passage next to Whidbey Island.
photos by Alex Dwight, March 15, 2025
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15:13 - 46s are mid to Camano, passing Hidden Beach now. Southbound.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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15:06 - Not giving me much to look at long downtime, still moving south.
14:59 - Saw another pop-up mid channel 1.5 miles north of Hidden Beach heading south.
14:53 - Orca heading south long downtime just a quick glimpse 1.5 miles north of Hidden Beach.
photo by Aaron Gill, March 15, 2025
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14:20 - They've flipped and are now southbound, still mid channel, south of Onomac - 2 whale watch boats with them.
13:55 - Still northbound, east of whale watch boat 'Saratoga' - my line of sight (from Whidbey) seeing them near Onomac, mid-channel Saratoga Passage.
Jill Hein
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14:05 - Viewing north of Race Lagoon, orca are south and milling after a snack.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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13:25 - They are northbound nearing Race Lagoon. These are the 46s.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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1250 - Orcas Saratoga Passage. North of Hidden Beach. SJC is with them. Northbound.
Kevin Phillips
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09:50 - [video Kylie Martinez].
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09:33 - They’ve moved out of sight - they were cruising pretty good but fairly close to shore - we could see them without binos. One was a very obvious male but otherwise didn’t get any ID specifics.
09:25 - 4-5 orcas traveling southwest bound heading towards Mukilteo Ferry, viewing from Boulevard Bluffs.
Elissa Martin Story
Fri, Mar 14 - San Juans (T30A & T30C)
15:53 - Yakima Master report two orca by Upright Head mother and juvenile.
15:28 - TILLIKUM Master reports same and is slowing.
WSF
Fri, Mar 14 - Colvos Passage/Central Puget Sound (T46s)
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Thor under Tahoma.
photo by Ryan Dicks, March 14, 2025
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T46E Thor
T46s Northbound in Colvos Passage. Link to more photos.
photos by April Janice Basham, March 14, 2025
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19:36 - At Kayu Kayu spotted both headed north.
Lori Ormerod
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18:45 - Who think probably must be Strider passed close in on the outside of the green buoy off Meadow Point (maybe 100-200 yards and was angling NE as he continued. Never saw the others again who were a little bit further offshore of where he passed in my last update.)
18:35 - T46s off Meadow Point, Golden Gardens, solo male trailing by 1/4 + mile out from Shilshole. East side of channel slow, steady northbound travel. Long dives.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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18:31 - As the T46s were northbound off Meadow Point in Ballard/Seattle at 18:31? Also, I think a good challenge in 2025 for land-based observers is to use your stop watch to measure respiratory intervals for focal animals (like this male that is relatively easy distinct within a matriline or clearly separated from other group members). In this case the intervals between breaths were about 17 and 13 seconds, so an average of about 15 seconds. This sort of simple measurement has been proposed by Williams+2024 as a way to determine if a whale's health status is of concern or not. Healthy wild whales swim faster and take fewer breaths for a given activity state than sick ones. Link to FB video.
Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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18:35 - Second male directly out from Sunset Hill looking at Fay Bainbridge.
18:26 - Viewing one male and one female from Sunset Hill looking northwest. East side of mod slowly moving north.
Kas Alexis
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18:19 - Seeing one fin approaching south end of Golden Garden parking lot northbound… East of midchannel.
Sue Surowiec Larkin
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18:13, 18:31 - A couple of locations from Rays wharf using compass bearings and guesstimated ranges.
Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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17:52 - From Shilshole saw at least one fin surface a couple of times just south of West Point heading northbound east of mid. Big cargo ship came through same area so will be interesting to see where they pop up.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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17:49 - Tall fin approaching West Point, northbound, viewing from Sunset Hill. Guessing east side.
Deb Cronheim
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16:57 - One orca. South of Bainbridge headed north. Not sure if passing on the west or east side.
Patti Waterfall
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16:39 - Long down times, very spread out from Manchester to Tilikum Village.
16:23 - From Emma Schmitz, whales are northbound along eastern Blake shore, Kitsap fast ferry just stopped for them.
Stephanie Raymond, Orca Network
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16:06 - Moving northeast towards the south tip Blake. Slightly grouped up.
16:01 - Update pod continues to move northbound now between Southworth and Vashon terminals.
15:53 - T46s are just south of the Southworth ferry dock. Still northbound at this time. Really long down times.
14:45 - Confirm split. The T46s are northbound past Olalla Bay Market. Strider bringing up the rear all by himself.
Candace Gavin
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14:34 - Olalla Bay market! Incredible view with no binoculars! They’re huge!
Tucker O'Brien
photo by Michiko Obrien, March 14, 2025
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We were at the Olalla Bay market when the whales came by!
Diane Kelly-Riley
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14:45 - Olalla, Wa. Single orca. Huge fin. Edit ot add: He is heading north toward Southworth.
photo by Claudia Olsen, March 14, 2025
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13:35 - Second group seems to be heading north again. Midchannel possibly going up Colvos. It's been a few minutes since I've seen them. Update: south of where we last saw them seems to be milling. Seems close to big side. Viewing from the tip of Point Defiance.
David Bennett
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13:35 - From ferry landing in Gig Harbor heading northwards up Colvos. Approx. four with naked eye.
Margi Moore
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sharon Allsup
Date of Sighting: March 14, 2025
Time: 1:28 PM
Species seen: orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Dalco Passage Gig Harbor side
Direction of travel : N
Behaviors observed: traveling
If orcas, any males?: 1
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Delayed report because I was trying to re-sight the southern orca but failed: 1 adult male + 2 others slowly heading north off Harborview Drive in Gig Harbor, they appear to be in line for Colvos and well west of ferry lines. In the minutes before this suddenly appearing hundreds of yards to the north, they had been moving west. Fourth was merely a brief view of a submerging dorsal sufficient to confirm not a bird-on-log, but going under so unable to determine if female or male, was well south of there almost in line with Pt Defiance as seen from N of Dash Point. This one was heading west-ish into the channel.
Photos available?: No
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13:08 - Group just passed right in front of Tahlequah ferry mid channel from Vashon to Tacoma!
Tejal Mankad
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13:06 - All of the T46s have passed the ferry lanes now headed for the Narrows. T46D was by himself behind on the Vashon shore.
13:02 - The T46s minus T46D (I haven't seen him yet) approaching the Tahlequah ferry lanes.
April Janice Basham
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13:04 - Got eyes on 2 dorsals in front of the ferry lane. They're crossing going eastbound. They've passed the ferry lane.
David Bennett
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sharon Allsup
Date of Sighting: March 14, 2025
Time: 1:03 PM
Species seen: orca
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: N of Pt Defiance
Direction of travel :
Behaviors observed: milling
If orcas, any males?: 1
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: 1 male milling just west of ferry lane, female/non-sprouter a ferry-length+ to the north moving north. Any others were underwater or blocked by ferry at the time I was viewing. SB Ferry just passed them, passengers had a great view. Transect line from N of Dash Point SP to stairway off end of Craig Lane (south of entrance to Gig Harbor)
Photos available?: No
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sharon Allsup
Date of Sighting: March 14, 2025
Time: 12:50 PM
Species seen: orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: N of Pt Defiance
Direction of travel :
Behaviors observed: milling?
If orcas, any males?: 2
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Different group from the earlier trio: this one has definite adult male dorsals and the 3rd dorsal looks like female/non-sprouter. Possible 2nd or 3rd - they are milling or diving-to-feed on a line a bit north of the tip of Pt Defiance. Seen from N of Dash Point SP at far range of scope so perspective could be way off
Photos available?: No
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12:30 - First group is at the west side of Quartermaster Harbor moving west towards Tahlequah ferry lanes. In no hurry! Second group coming into view still north of the parked container ship southbound. Looks like T46E in that group.
Candace Gavin
Fri, Mar 14 - South Puget Sound (T36/T36Bs)
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T36 Flapjack, T36B4, T36B Tattertip
Friday evening in Purdy with T36 & T36Bs. Link to more photos.
photos by Jason Cook, March 14, 2025
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T36B1 Bhotia & T36B1A
T36Bs as they passed under the Fox Island bridge today. Link to more photos.
photo by Mike Maddox, March 14, 2025
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19:36 - They have been in the general area as April's post above. Making multiple direction changes in the fading light. No confirmation on any direction as we lost light. It will be interesting to see where they will be in the morning.
Candace Gavin
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19:16 - From Horsehead Bay they have moved over farther to the Key Peninsula side and are southbound Carr Inlet approaching Minter.
April Janice Basham
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17:20 - T36/T36Bs did come up towards Purdy but are now southbound back towards Raft Island. They did not come too far up.
Candace Gavin
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17:16 - From the Purdy Spit, not great but still so much fun to see them!
Jackie Keleher
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16:40 - Past Allen Point which is my flag that they are likely visible on the far horizon from Purdy.
16:35 - Approaching Allen Point and on the move north. Henderson Bay.
Randy Witter
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15:57 - They are moving with purpose today - still mid-channel but drifting toward Key Peninsula side, still northbound. One boat trailing at respectful distance.
15:52 - Thanks, Jennifer Swenson! Passing Forest Beach now, still northbound. The baby is so cute!
Deanna Foster Goldberg
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15:41 - Just turned corner of Horsehead Bay, Horsehead Bay side heading northbound.
Jennifer Swenson
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15:29 - They departed Fox Island Sandspit heading west. Looks like the baby is a girl.
Hongming Zheng
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15:21 - Headed towards this point [approx. 47.279873, -122.698144].
15:13 - Still milling around in this area [approx. 47.273724, -122.678383].
Alison Kelly
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15:11 - Hunting off Bella Bella.
Kirsten Vacura
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14:44 - Orcas are passing our house [probable T36/36Bs].
David Omdal
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14:56 - Milling around [approx. 47.273724, -122.678383].
14:49 - Went under about 3 minutes ago. Still headed to Carr Inlet.
14:43 - At the Fox Island spit! Now. Heading in to Carr Inlet.
photo by Alison Kelly, March 14, 2025
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14:45 - Beautiful pass under the Fox Island Bridge.
photo by Kirsten Vacura, March 14, 2025
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14:45 - They just passed Bella not sure yet which direction they’ll go - sorry, editing: toward the shore of Bella off to the far left beach still - seem to be hunting.
14:30 - They’re approaching Fox Island bridge west in Hale Passage.
Andrea Facer
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14:34 - Orcas going under Fox Island Bridge heading northbound towards Bella Bella. Link to FB video.
Jennifer Swenson
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14:29 - The group past the Narrows is northbound in Hales, approaching Fox Island bridge.
Kirsten Vacura
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13:50 - They passed Titlow and appeared to be trending south past Day Island.
Carrie Gelegonya
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13:37 - South of Narrows bridge, still southbound passing Narrows Park mid channel.
13:30 - First group approaching Narrows, Gig Harbor side of channel.
Kirsten Vacura
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13:36 - We just saw several in Point Defiance while fishing... heading under bridge.
Melisa Ausherman
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13:31 - They’ve rounded the point toward Narrows.
Nancy KF
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13:26 - South [Puget]. 1 family of 3, 1 solo adult and 2 others... By the [Narrows] bridge? But it was 3 orcas then 1 bigger on the other side and 2 far off ... We just went over the bridge it's Tacomas.
Melisa Ausherman
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12:54 - The 36 and 36Bs have officially made it out of my sight in the Narrows viewing from Dunes.
12:44 - The first group has booked across Dalco and headed for the Narrows currently.
April Janice Basham
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12:30 - First group is at the west side of Quartermaster Harbor moving west towards Tahlequah ferry lanes. In no hurry! Second group coming into view still north of the parked container ship southbound. Looks like T46E in that group.
12:11 - Can see leaders to the north of the parked container ship. Still southbound. Can see blows further off in the distance. Mid channel to Maury side. Have not reached the southern tip of Maury yet. Viewing from Dune Peninsula.
Candace Gavin
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sharon Allsup
Date of Sighting: March 14, 2025
Time: 11:52 AM
Species seen: orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: East Passage near S tip of Maury
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: traveling
If orcas, any males?: no
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: 2 females (or 1 female + 1 non-sprouter) + 1 calf so young it's still orange. The boat that had been following them left, and they don't have an adult male dorsal with them so it's really hard to find them given they are not being surface active, no calf zoomies-playing. I have scanned several surfacings closely and not been able to confirm a 2nd calf, unless female #1 in the lead is running screen (the visible calf is on the east /south side of its mom). They are just about to pass Piner Point, still heading towards Tallequah/Dalco/Pt D etc
Photos available?:
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sharon Allsup
Date of Sighting: March 14, 2025
Time: 11:38 AM
Species seen: orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: East Passage S end of Gold Beach
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: traveling
If orcas, any males?: N
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: two females/non-sprouters, 1 still-orange calf. Possible 2nd calf tucked in there but I didn't get a clear enough look. Still in the southbound shipping lane, a lot further out from Maury Island than typical for southbound orca
Photos available?:
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Sharon Allsup
Date of Sighting: March 14, 2025
Time: 11:32 AM
Species seen: orca
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: East Passage just N of Gold Beach
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: traveling?
If orcas, any males?: n
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Brief sighting of one not-adult-male dorsal mid-channel to the east of a white boat that had been showing orca-following behavior. Just north of Gold Beach, further out in the shipping channel than typical. Still looking for more.
Photos available?: No
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11:09 - They're southbound midchannel moving fast. I'm facing south towards Brown's Point. The last blow I have was at 11:09. Long down times. 2 boats are on them, but keeping their distance.
David Bennett
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T36B1A
11:05 - Marla Smith, Orca Network called to report T36/36Bs surfaced right off Point Robinson southbound very long down times and are now well south of the point. Possibly others to north but unconfirmed.
photos & IDs by Marla Smith, March 14, 2025
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08:58 - Bigg's orcas reported hunting but southbound near north end Vashon ferry lanes.
Sound Action
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08:40 - Donna McCrea, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 08:44 to report: CATHLAMET Captain reports 4 Orcas SB near FAU dock.
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07:22 - Donna McCrea, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 07:23 to report: CHIMACUM C/M reports one solo Orca 1mile from Alki heading SB.
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I got video footage from my commuter middle schooler this morning!
Erin Enns Hauk
Fri, Mar 14 - Hood Canal (Probable T65As)
12:00 - We were out at Big Beef Harbor today and saw a whole lot of porpoise, seals, and a pod of orcas that appeared to be hunting in the area circled. We saw a few breaches which confirmed that we were seeing orcas. I was wondering if anyone else saw this pod today and could help identify them.
Megan Grahl
Thu, Mar 13 - Port Angeles Harbor
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Lily Bunis-Haines
Date of Sighting: March 13, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: (48.1287145, -123.4199659)
Direction of travel : W
Behaviors observed: Traveling or hunting fish
If orcas, any males?: 0
Any unusual markings?: 0
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Appeared to be one big fin and two small ones
Photos available?: No
Thu, Mar 13 - Saratoga Passage (T36/T36Bs)
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T36B1 Bhotia & T36B2 Greenfelder
18:50 - Close pass by Cama.
photos by Susan John, March 13, 2025
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18:20 - Just spotted the blows way distant from Hidden Beach, looking like south of Camano Island State Park, more Camano side for now.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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18:14 - They have begun to move north again. They have a cloud of birds following them.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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17:51 - Thanks to Natalie - orcas are East Point - they were hunting and are now milling.
Linda Aitkins
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17:12 - They are approaching Elger Bay spread back to Mabana. Slow moving, mid to Camano.
16:09 - Viewing from Sandy Point they are committed to Saratoga. LONG downs. They have been sticking to the Camano side.
15:59 - Viewing from Sandy Point, group is Camano side and looks to be going north into Saratoga Passage.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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14:18 - SJC has noted T36s southbound off Kayak Point Port Susan. Steady travel!
Alli Montgomery
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12:09 - UW researchers near Hat Island report seeing 4-5 KW [killer whales] heading north in Port Susan.
Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Hannah Miller
Date of Sighting: March 13, 2025
Time: 10:15 AM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 6
Where seen: Just south of Hat Island, approx 47.99887° N, 122.31557° W
Direction of travel : S,SW, slow pace
Behaviors observed: Hunting
If orcas, any males?: Maybe 1
Any unusual markings?: Not that we could see
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: There was at least one baby if not two
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org
Thu, Mar 13 - Holmes Harbor (T46s)
18:00 - At least T46E northbound out from Honeymoon Bay.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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17:30 - Two maybe 3 orcas milling around just south of the entrance to Honeymoon Bay.
Cindi Bowen
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Harold Drews
Date of Sighting: March 13, 2025
Time: 2:05 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: Holmes Harbor south of Honeymoon Bay
Direction of travel : moving slowly , milling
Behaviors observed:
If orcas, any males?: at least 1 male
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org
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T46E Thor
photo by Harold Drews, March 13, 2025
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Wed, Mar 12 - Haro Strait (T41s)
T041 pass up Haro Strait - link to FB videos.
Jenna Darcie
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17:37 - Orca T041’s trending east towards San Juan from Victoria.
Nicky Smiley
Wed, Mar 12 - Possession Sound (T46s)
I was swimming when they went by Edgewater! I saw 2, but people who had been up on the ferry terminal said there were 3.
Susan Story
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16:45 - In Mukilteo/Clinton ferry lane: Seeing 1 orca traveling west. We are viewing from our home. There may be more, just only seeing the one surfacing and traveling at good speed. If you are near LIghthouse Park - heading your way!
Mary Ann Macomber
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15:51 - Orca halfway between Everett & Hat Island.
Greg Bonn [HIWS]
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14:00 - They have gone south past Sandy Point now, slow steady southbound travel Also they are not close together, pretty spaced. Whidbey side of midchannel.
Donna George
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13:35 - Looking from my house in Mukilteo I can see Swiftsure tracking 5 knots heading southeast mid channel between Langley and the south end of Camano.
Doug Mohr
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13:06 - After milling for 20 minutes, the orca have moved south, Camano side of mid, past Mabana.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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12:23 - Appear to be moving south now.
12:17 - At least 2 orcas, including a male, milling south of East Point, Whidbey. Not surfacing much out of the water. Whidbey side of midchannel.
E. W.
Wed, Mar 12 - Admiralty Inlet (T36/T36Bs & T49C)
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T36B Tattertip & T36B2 Greenfelder
I finally caught up to the orcas later, as they went down on the west side of Whidbey. Link to more photos.
photos by Sarah Geist, March 12, 2025
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T36B1 and T36B1A from Bush Point earlier today.
photo by Cindi Crowder Rausch, March 12, 2025
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Three generations - T36 Flapjack, T36B Tattertip, T36B4
Beautiful looks at T36/T36Bs & T49C as they made their way south along West Whidbey. Link to more photos.
photos by Rachel Haight, March 12, 2025
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T36B Tattertip & T36B2 Greenfelder
Oh happy day, finally a nice close look from Lagoon Point and Bush Point.
photos by Bonnie Gretz, March 12, 2025
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Sweet pass from Bush Point earlier today - love those littles! [Video in FB comments].
Lewann Babler
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16:00 - From Bush Point. Link to FB video.
Emily Wandres
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16:06 - Close pass by Bush Point though they then went underwater instead of giving us another close look! But lovely!!
Bonnie Gretz
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16:30 - T49C now back near T36Bs southbound north end of Mutiny Bay.
16:05 - T36Bs southbound past Bush Point close to shore, T49C further ahead more midchannel.
15:57 - T49C more midchannel southbound nearing Bush Point. The rest following Whidbey shore still north of Bush Point boat launch.
15:38 - Cruised past us at Lagoon Point south Beach underwater. Close to Whidbey moving steady southbound. Next public viewing at Bush Point boat launch may have good views before too long!
Rachel Haight, Orca Network.
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15:30 - Whales were out from Lagoon Point. Whidbey side, but not close. Southbound.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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15:28 - Southbound passing North Lagoon Point Beach Whidbey side.
15:15 - T49C has bypassed the others and now in the lead nearing north Lagoon Point southbound. Others still slowly making their way south still north of here.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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14:45 - Finally reacquired, southbound past Ledgewood, Whidbey side of mid. These appear to be 36Bs.
Orca Network
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14:04 - Passing Fort Casey now southbound.
Patrick Sylvester [WIWS]
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13:50 - A pod of about 5-6 orcas (including one baby) heading south past Fort Casey.
Martha Poppy Sinclair
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13:12 - T49C raced to catch up, all fast south bound 200 yards off Whidbey shore now south of Fort Ebey State Park.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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13:01 - Redhead also acquired T49C, Janet 1 mile north of main group headed south.
12:50 - Redhead just picked up transient killer whales south of Swantown heading towards Partridge Point. T36As and T99B.
Christopher Lewman, PSE
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Riley Logan
Date of Sighting: March 12, 2025
Time: 11:15 AM
Species seen: Orca (Transient)
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: (48.3463248, -122.6866242)
Direction of travel : SW
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Unk
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: I was gone from work, but I am reporting based on what my two coworkers that saw them are saying. They said there were 3 or 4, they weren’t sure because their dorsal fins were popping up at different times. They were traveling along the coast pretty slowly.
Photos available?: No
Tue, Mar 11 - Bellingham Bay
16:30 - We had some orcas near the Port of Bellingham’s cleanup sites which is really quite exciting for us. Outside 12 Bellwether Way, Bellingham.
Adrienne Douglass-Scott, MSc.
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17:00 - Saw a small pod of orca. Come into Bellingham Bay. About a half hour ago. Following a larger catamaran right up to the marina. And then gone.
Larry Emley
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Brendan Meade
Date of Sighting: March 11, 2025
Time: 4:45 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: Bellingham Bay
Direction of travel : South
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?: Not sure
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: video here, looks like 2 adults and one baby
Photos available?:
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16:37 - Orcas in Bellingham Bay [follow up information: From the inlet by the Bellweather out to the center of the bay. About 5 with a baby]
Alexi Guddal
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16:30 - Orca Network received a report that indicates these orcas were deep in Bellingham! Reported southbound from pin. [48.753911, -122.494801].
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Nate Wallace
Date of Sighting: March 11, 2025
Time: 4:30 PM
Species seen: Orca
Number of animals seen: 4
Where seen: 20 Bellwether Way Bellingham WA 98225
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: Swimming
If orcas, any males?: Unknown
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org
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10:05 - Laurie Baker, WSF Marine Ops, emailed at 11:00 to report: 1005hrs: [ISSAQUAH] Vessel reports they've spotted 5 orcas milling about between the Anacortes ferry terminal and Guemes Island.
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09:37 - Unknown number of orcas in Guemes Channel headed west.
Cynthia Marvin
Tue, Mar 11 - Saratoga Passage (T46s)
17:48 - Just saw one from Langley on Camano side southbound.
Wendy Secrist
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17:24 - Orcas are passing Fox Spit south bound.
16:36 - Viewing from Camano Island State Park - Orcas are north of Hidden Beach; Whidbey side going south bound.
Linda Aitkins
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15:50 - Orcas flipped and are headed back south.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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15:00 - Cindi & Sarah report T46s northbound Whidbey side near Race Lagoon.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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14:20 - Saw two pass Hidden Beach northbound, Whidbey side of mid.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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13:35 - Northbound. Whidbey side into the Camano Island State Park, Baby island area. Edit to add: 2 Whidbey side of mid. 2 on Camano side.
Sarah Geist
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13:13 - Swiftsure departing, T46's , Strider closer to Whidbey, the others spread midchannel a mile or so ahead of him just passing Bells Beach slowly northbound.
Grayden Kelbert, PSE
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12:54 - Viewing from Langley. Northbound slowly mid channel. Puget Sound Express boat is with them.
Emma Vasilj
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12:18 - 46s have passed Sandy Point. T122, 46F and 46E are Camano side, and 46D is mid to Whidbey. Slowly northbound. Going up Saratoga.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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11:58 - Viewing from Sandy Point. Male northbound near top of Hat, closer to Hat side.
Michele Tosh Brodsky
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11:37 - I’ve see T46D and T46E between Hat and Whidbey. They are northbound very slowly. Just found T122 and 46F. They are closer to Hat.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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11:15 - Towards Whidbey closer to Whidbey but heading in between Hat and Whidbey northbound. looks like Thor and company.
11:04 - I’m on ferry. Clinton ferry hasn’t left yet but I see orcas across across nearing Mukilteo ferry terminal northbound. Midchannel.
Marilyn Armbruster
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10:57 - From Mukilteo Beach. Link to FB reel.
Diana Gonzalez
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10:55 - Just spotted from the train: mid channel just south of Mukilteo heading north.
Chris Clemence
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| | |
T46E Thor
09:00 - Seen from Hat Island ferry on route to Everett, one other female present. Looks like Thor?
photo by Lori Christopher, March 11, 2025
| | UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES | | |
Wed, Mar 19 - Bellingham Bay
14:15 - Thought I just saw two [orca] in Bellingham Bay. Maybe a different pair? Headed north, didn't see tails - just fins!
Sunny LaFleur
| | |
Mon, Mar 17 - San Juans
We’d passed a humpback at the entrance to Upright Channel!
Nate Rooks
Thu, Mar 13 - Haro Strait
17:23 - Saw a couple of blows and a tail on the Lime Kiln Webcam.
Sarah Ehle [WSSJI]
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15:50 - Humpback northbound in Haro strait 1/4 mile south of Henry Island. 1-4 m offshore.
Peter Van Deventer [WSSJI]
| | |
Wed, Mar 19 - Upper Saratoga Passage (CRC22 Earhart & CRC56 Stardust)
14:30 - Another gray (assuming Earhart) milling/feeding off the Navy Bluff where location marker is [approx. 48.265040, -122.633691]. Blows haven’t moved for nearly an hour.
14:30 - Stalwart [corrected 56] is doing 10-15 minutes single breath dives in the white circle [approx. 48.253080, -122.628791]. Blows haven’t moved for nearly an hour. Final report: the whale I was assuming was Stalwart hanging out by the green buoy off of Long Point has been photo confirmed instead as #56 Stardust. A photo I had gotten was misleading.
14:00 - Stalwart [corrected 56] off Long Point pointed at Penn Cove Bluffs.
13:40 - Stalwart [corrected 56] appears to be heading straight at Long Point. Definitely a lot closer than 20 minutes ago.
13:30 - Stalwart [corrected 56] still off green buoy off of Long Point. Another gray (I’m assuming Earhart) at the mouth of Windjammer. A third blow waayyyyyy out in Crescent Bay. Nothing else to report for now.
11:50 - Gotta gray whale at Long Point. Appears to be feeding. It’s Earhart!
Sam Wallace
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15:01 - [56] Seeing blows in this general area [approx. 48.254168, -122.630016]. We have been here for hours and they don’t seem to be going anywhere, really.
12:57 - CRC2356 [corrected 56] visible at Long Point. Might be resting as he hasn’t moved far from the buoy’s spot in over 20 minutes.
Kat Martin
Wed, Mar 19 - Penn Cove (CRC2356 Stalwart)
08:44 - [2356] Directed at Long Point. Could just be going to the edge of the sand bar to feed below Penn Cove Park and a bit further east. Not hanging out with him today, just a few minutes.
Kevin Phillips
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07:50 - [2356] Now trending back east. Guessing he's going to feed in this area. Approx. [48.239256, -122.671299] I'm moving on to look for others, he's not surfacing too much.
07:46 - CRC2356 Stalwart is now trending slowly west towards Monroe Landing.
07:39 - At least one gray whale is east of Monroe Landing.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
Wed, Mar 19 - Saratoga Passage (CRC531 Gretchen)
| | |
CRC531 Gretchen. Link to more photos.
photos by Kat Martin, March 19, 2025
| |
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11:16 - Hidden Beach, Gretchen has moved southeasterly into Saratoga Passage. Seemingly towards Camano Island State Park. That was a great two hours spent with her.
10:46 - Gretchen has moved back south in the cove approx. 200 feet out.
10:27 - Gretchen is still feeding in the cove more north again.
09:54 - Fifty feet out so amazing right by the south end of cove.
09:38 - Hidden Beach. Gretchen is currently feeding in the northern part of the cove just north of Hidden Beach parking lot.
Kevin Phillips
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09:03 - Right at the Hidden Beach cove. Feeding.
Kat Martin
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08:55 - Feeding back and forth in cove.
08:45 - On the south side of cove now (Hidden Beach).
08:20 - Grey feeding at Hidden Beach deep into the cove.
Marilyn Armbruster
Tue, Mar 18 - Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Jaidan Suber
Date of Sighting: March 18, 2025
Time: 6:33 PM
Species seen: Gray
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: West Beach Deception Pass
Direction of travel : N & slowly headed toward deception island
Behaviors observed: milling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?: No
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15:28 - There is a smallish looking grey off Joseph Whidbey, close to the property line of the base. Long down times, seems to be staying more or less same spot. Edit, as soon as I posted,seems like it's heading south.
Bethani White
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11:30 - Kevin Chambers called to report a gray whale off NAS Whidbey southbound.
Tue, Mar 18 - Upper Saratoga Passage/Skagit Bay
10:15 - Gray whale feeding at Polnell Shores.
Terra Parham
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09:50 - North Saratoga Passage/Mariner’s Cove. Gray whale 100 yards off shore northwest bound. In front of Mariner’s Cove parking lot. Has continued west towards Polnell.
Kevin Phillips
Tue, Mar 18 - Saratoga Passage (CRC22 Earhart, CRC383 Cascade, CRC531 Gretchen, CRC2356 Stalwart, CRC56 Stardust joined near Penn Cove)
| | CRC531 Gretchen & CRC22 Earhart in the background | | |
CRC383 Cascade
photos & IDs by Jill Hein, March 18, 2025
| | |
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Gray whales pass by Long Point. Link to FB video.
April Janice Basham
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18:50 - Steady southbound close to shore 1.5 miles south of Race Lagoon.
18:20 - They continue to hug Whidbey shoreline southbound now south of Harrington Lagoon.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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18:30 - Passed Harrington Lagoon southbound.
Marilyn Armbruster
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17:05 - Utter pure magic just happened off Long Point - at least 4 eastbound right offshore. Correction, five! CRC22 Earhart, CRC383 Cascade, CRC56 Stardust, CRC2356 & CRC531 Gretchen.
16:54 - Long Point now.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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16:28 - Make that 3 greys in Penn Cove, currently on south side heading into town.
16:10 - 2 greys just east of Monroe’s Landing, mid cove, heading west.
Janet Chaykin
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16:04 - They are currently west bound in Penn Cove. Viewing from Penn Cove Park east of Monroe Landing.
Kevin Phillips
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14:08 - The group got to the mouth of Penn Cove and then turned back the other way to start heading east. I can’t tell if they’re going north east or south east.
13:50 - Beautiful double fluking. Look to be headed into Penn Cove now.
13:12 - Just went down off the green buoy at Long Point. I’m seeing about 2-4 here.
Kat Martin
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12:36 - Viewing from Long Point. Currently watching 3-4 gray whales north west bound towards Long Point from the Snakelum Point area. Probably more north of Harrington.
Kevin Phillips
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10:13 - So 2356 & 531 were together, 22 & 383 off. 531 joined 22 & 383. 2356 went north. 22 & 383 then deep dove & now seem to be northbound in 2356s trail. 531 remains feeding in cove at Hidden Beach.
09:49 - Grouped near shore. I think other is 383. So the same trio hanging out yesterday, 22 Earhart, 383 Cascade, & 2356 Stalwart joined 531 Gretchen.
09:43 - Feeding together in cove north of Hidden Beach parking lot. I think one is 2356 Stalwart.
09:28 - All 4 lined up pecs up, too dang amazing for words.
09:35 - At least 2 joined Gretchen, 100% Earhart one.
09:28 - 531 Gretchen in cove feeding. Other 3 hit south end of parking lot now northbound maybe back towards cove? I think one of those was 22 Earhart
09:16 - 4 grays feeding right off Hidden Beach parking lot!
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
Tue, Mar 18 - Saratoga Passage
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Jim Fischer
Date of Sighting: March 17, 2025
Time: 11:48 AM
Species seen: Gray
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: (48.1091532, -122.4921891)
Direction of travel : NW
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Beautiful!
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org
Tue, Mar 18 - Saratoga Passage (CRC356 Carson)
| | |
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14:09 - One gray whale just south of Camano Head.
Grayden Kelbert, PSE
Tue, Mar 18 - Port Susan
08:22 - Gray at CC3 this morning [videos in FB comments].
Thomas McKane
Mon, Mar 17 - Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (CRC2362 Thidwick)
12:58 - Orca Network received a call reporting a gray whale milling out from Libbey Beach, Whidbey.
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Photo by Sarah Geist show this whale to be CRC2362 Thidwick!
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
Mon, Mar 17 - Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca
09:49 - Gray whale off West Beach just north of Powell Road parking area. Has been just milling around in front of our cabin - at Moran’s Beach County Park.
Michelle Jaeger
Mon, Mar 17 - Skagit Bay/Upper Saratoga Passage
13:35 - Mariner's Cove, gray whale still holding it's presence mid channel. Between Utsalady Bay and Mariner's Cove.
Kevin Phillips
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13:00 - 2 grays milling, possibly trending west offshore east-end of Mariner’s Cove.
Paul E. Belanger
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11:33 - Viewing from Mariner's Cove mid to Whidbey, eastbound leisurely. No big rush.
11:16 - Mariner's Cove. Above mentioned gray is now directly in front of Mariner's Cove, Whidbey side of channel. Eastbound.
11:08 - Mariner's Cove. Gray whale, viewing from Mariner's Cove. Eastbound just to the west between Maple Grove and Polnell Shores.
Kevin Phillips
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09:00 - Gray whale at English Boom [Camano] this morning. Headed west with the outgoing tide, traveling fast.
Dean Kayler [CWW]
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08:00 - Grey whale just south of Strawberry Point. Heading towards Oak Harbor.
Ryan Walton
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08:00 - Looks like I'm not the only one celebrating this morning! Spotted this magnificent gray whale cruising by Strawberry Point, putting on quite the show. Link to FB videos.
Katie Boczek
Mon, Mar 17 - Saratoga Passage (CRC22 Earhart, CRC383 Cascade, CRC2356 Stalwart)
13:19 - 3 gray whales milling at my navy blue map spot. Crc22, 383, and 2356 [approx. 48.227795, -122.625930].
Bart Rulon Wildlife
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10:19 - 2 grays at green channel marker out from Long Point. OK. Definitely 3. And actually maybe 4.
Sarah Geist
Mon, Mar 17 - Saratoga Passage
14:20 - Gray whale heading north 1.5 miles north of Hidden Beach right off Whidbey.
Aaron Gill
Sun, Mar 16 - Upper Saratoga Passage.
14:39 - Mariner’s Cove whale has continued west with a purpose. Covering a greaaat deal of distance fast.
14:31 - Mariner's Cove/Utsalady Bay mid channel west bound gray whale could be one of the few I've seen that were off Strawberry Point a bit ago.
13:54 - Northeast Saratoga Passage/ Skagit Bay - At least one gray between Strawberry Point and mainland. Viewing from Mariner's Cove - westerly mode of travel.
Kevin Phillips
Sun, Mar 16 - Penn Cove
19:10 - Grays are back in Penn Cove - under Penn Cove Park. Just east of Monroe Landing - reported by Robert Kiesser at WIWS.
10:05 - From Team member Bob Magner of WIWS. 2 gray whales, off Scenic Heights at entry to Oak Harbor heading northeast latest I looked.
09:44 - Per Robert: 2 gray whales trending east from Penn Cove Park.
08:00 - WIWS Team member Robert Kiesser called to report gray whales at least back in Penn Cove off their beach area east of Monroe Landing. Currently drifting east with the out going tide.
Kevin Phillips
Sun, Mar 16 - Elger Bay
09:28 - From high bluff Whidbey I am seeing a gray feeding in Elger Bay [48.129332, -122.469734].
Alisa Lemire Brooks [CWW]
Sun, Mar 16 - Saratoga Passage (CRC22 Earhart & other)
| | |
CRC22 Earhart
Saratoga Passage. Link to more photos.
photos by Cindi Crowder Rausch, March 16, 2025
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| | |
CRC-22 Earhart as seen from Hidden Beach. Link to more photos.
photos by Isaac Gibson, March 16, 2025
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19:01 - Marilyn Armbruster and I are leaving. Earhart is not. She is still feeding in front of the first houses south of Hidden Beach parking lot. Circles out and comes back in. She’s so lovely to watch, especially so close in. Rain squalls made for interesting viewing.
18:07 - She is Earhart, now in front of the first homes next to parking lot at Hidden. Feeding vigorously. She is beautiful
17:57 - Gray whale right in front of Hidden Beach parking lot. Non directional. Blowing bubbles.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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17:20 - Grey feeding just north of Hidden Beach southbound.
Deb Cronheim
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13:35 - Off East Point [CRC22 & other].
Cindi Crowder Rausch
Sun, Mar 16 - Lower Saratoga Passage (CRC531 Gretchen)
13:38 - SJC leaving CRC531 Gretchen zigzagging south of Camano Head.
Alli Montgomery, SJC
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12:52 - Continuing to see blows, likely from a single gray, close in to Camano Head moving slowly eastward.
12:25 - Blows but no dorsals observed via binoculars from above Port of Everett Swiftsure slowed to 2 knots is likely with gray(s) based on blows I can see [approx. 48.052394, -122.380312].
Scott Veirs, Orcasound
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12:30 - Grey southbound from Pebble Beach.
Marilyn Armbruster
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12:19 - Grey just north of Sandy Point. Camano side, southbound.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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11:35 - Gray passed Mabana southbound, moving quickly.
Terese DeBoer Drummond
Sun, Mar 16 - Port Susan
09:46 - It was headed north slowly and should be at Tillicum soon.
08:46 - At CC2 [video in FB comments].
Thomas McKane
Sat, Mar 15 - Upper Saratoga Passage (CRC53 Little Patch)
17:33 - From Long Point I’ve been watching for the past 15 minutes the exhalations of who would presumably be Little Patch (based on Bart Rulon Wildlife’s report) Surface sequence of 4-5 exhalations then down several minutes. He is on same northbound course.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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17:15 - Gray whale CRC 53 is northbound at my map spot [approx. 48.255416, -122.564881].
Bart Rulon Wildlife
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09:45 - Spotted a [gray - possibly 53?] whale heading into Penn Cove. Not sure if it’s one of the previously three.
Terra Parham
Sat, Mar 15 - Penn Cove/Saratoga Passage (CRC56 Stardust & CRC2356 Stalwart)
11:40 - Eastbound towards Crescent Harbor.
11:13 - East bound by green buoy Saratoga Passage just south of Maylor Point.
Kevin Phillips
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10:00 - I am looking through a telescope on Camano Island and I see them west of the buoy.
Amy Marie Mabe
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10:25 - Last update, these two seemingly continued southeastbound slowly due east of just south of Long Point maybe 1/4 mile out now. Maybe they'll return on a higher tide this afternoon, best of luck!
10:15 - Close pass at Long Point eastbound. Still slow eastbound, trend south. First CRC2356 Stalwart surfaces, then CRC56 Stardust. So pretty.
10:04 - Had been milling, now headed straight to the point, Long Point. Maybe 150 yards north/northwest.
09:55 - I came to Long Point & they're headed right this way, so southeast bound. They're just a bit northwest of me but should be to the point within 10 minutes I’d guess.
09:34 - Still continuing south, I'm moving to new location so I may lose them, good luck everyone! Approx location [48.235701, -122.669041].
09:29 - I've only seen these two i believe, but entirely possible a 3rd is further east around the corner. These two have now turned offshore, currently moving very slow south.
09:24 - Nearly in front of me now here [approx. 48.239375, -122.671222].
09:20 - One is CRC56 Stardust. Same area, still verrrrry slow trend west, somewhat "stealthy", not showing a lot of body while feeding/traveling.
09:15 - Can see at least two near Penn Cove Park, slow trend west. Feeding. One is Stalwart.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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09:05 - Teamember Robert Kiesser from WIWS, reports to us this morning. The three gray whales from yesterday are back/still hanging out right below his house east of Monroe Landing this morning.
Kevin Phillips
Sat, Mar 15 - Saratoga Passage (CRC22 Earhart & CRC531 Gretchen)
19:20 - One gray whale a few hundred feet off our shoreline in Greenbank (about one mile south of Greenbank Beach). Heading north towards Greenbank Beach.
16:35 - Two gray whales less than 100 feet off our shoreline in Greenbank (about one mile south of Greenbank Beach). Heading south into Holmes Harbor.
Martha Poppy Sinclair
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15:20 - These two (Earhart and I was thinking Gretchen as well Serena), were out from the northern most houses at Hidden milling then shortly after disappeared from view so think they angled around the houses directionally toward Holmes Harbor.
14:41 - It’s two and they have moved back off shoreline and moving south off southern end cove north Hidden Beach.
14:38 - This one has moved inshore and is exhibiting feeding behavior.
14:30 - Single gray whale north end of cove north side Hidden Beach. Looks to be trending south.
Alisa Lemire Brooks
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14:12 - Two heading south right after the shore Whidbey side 1.5 miles north of Hidden Beach.
13:15 - Two making their way north third heading south, but could just be feeding about 2 miles north of Hidden Beach.
12:55 - Three gray whales 1.5 miles north of Hidden Beach Whidbey side.
11:55 - 2 whales! Actually three whales moving north all Whidbey side, too close to shore when closer to mid.
11:43 - Gray whale headed north 1.5 miles north of Hidden Beach Whidbey side.
Aaron Gill
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Laura Nudelman
Date of Sighting: March 15, 2025
Time: 7:15 AM
Species seen: Gray
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Hidden Beach in Greenbank, WA
Direction of travel : S
Behaviors observed: Foraging
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: They stayed for 1.5 hours
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org
Fri, Mar 14 - Admiralty Inlet
| | |
14:05 - One gray whale heading north past Perego's Lagoon, Ebey's Landing.
photo by George Sinclair, March 14, 2025
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13:35 - CORRECTION: Gray whale northbound close to Ebey's Landing. Link to FB video.
Michele Tosh Brodsky
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Michele Brodsky
Date of Sighting: March 14, 2025
Time: 1:35 PM
Species seen: Baleen
Number of animals seen: 1
Where seen: Close to shore off of Ebey's
Direction of travel : Northbound
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:
Photos available?:
Fri, Mar 14 - Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca
Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Kaleena Devine
Date of Sighting: March 14, 2025
Time: 5:07 PM
Species seen: Gray
Number of animals seen: 3
Where seen: 48.2670890, -122.7494797
Direction of travel : North
Behaviors observed: Traveling
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Just posted sighting and accidentally wrote humpback, but I actually think they were grays
Photos available?:
Fri, Mar 14 - Port Susan
11:47 - Southbound in Port Susan. South of Tyee, across from McKees. Long down times.
10:53 - Just surfaced between Kayak Point and Port Susan Terrace. Slowly southbound.
10:34 - Single gray in Port Susan. Southbound mid channel between Kayak Point and Country Club 3. Had been logging, two blows in succession.
Linda Raines Tyner
Fri, Mar 14 - Upper Saratoga Passage (CRC22 Earhart & other)
08:25 - On this Friday morning two gray whales in our tiny harbor located on the east side of Polnell Point. 100’ off shore.
Steve Roethbeck
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| | |
CRC22 Earhart
07:51 - Gray whale is feeding in Polnell Shores [private community].
photos by Terra Parham, March 14, 2025
| | Fri, Mar 14 - Penn Cove (CRC383 Cascade & CRC2356 Stalwart) | | The pec of CRC383 Cascade next to the fluke of CRC2356 Stalwart | | |
CRC2356 Stalwart
So fun that so many people were able to get out and spend time watching the grays in Penn Cove - what a treat! Link to more photos.
photos & IDs by Rachel Haight, March 14, 2025
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CRC383 Cascade in the foreground, CRC2356 Stalwart in the background
CRC2356 "Stalwart" and CRC383 "Cascade" at Monroe's Landing, Penn Cove. Link to more photos & videos.
photos by Sarah Geist, March 14, 2025
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16:42 - Gray whale north side of Penn Cove, just west of Blowers Bluff.
Janet Chaykin
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17:15 - The one off Monroe went eastbound and joined the other off Penn Cove Park, feeding.
17:01 - One still off Penn Cove Park, friend reports one that appeared near Monroe Landing.
16:10 - Pair split. Who I think is CRC2356 Stalwart has continued west along north shore deeper into cove. The other has pushed out and east from Monroe Landing.
15:50 - Gorgeous looks at the pair here Monroe Landing very close.
15:40 - Feeding Monroe Landing! The grays in Penn Cove earlier were CRC2356 Stalwart & what would be new arrival CRC383 Cascade!
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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16:01 - Whale pod just off Penn Cove Road - north side of Whidbey now. Might be gray whales.
Scott Strickland
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15:18 - Seems the two that were off Maylor are now in Penn Cove - just east of Monroe Landing. Reported to WIWS by team member Robert Kiesser.
Kevin Phillips
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13:28 - Seeing quite a lot of breaching activity pretty far out from Windjammer Park. Anyone else?
Diana Bedford
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13:14 - These two are just south of Maylor Point next to red channel marker per Ben Beach.
12:54 - From Ben Beach at WIWS 2 grays southeast bound slowly off Maylor Point out into Crescent Harbor/Northern Saratoga Passage.
Kevin Phillips
Fri, Mar 14 - Saratoga Passage (CRC22 Earhart & CRC531 Gretchen)
| | |
CRC531 Gretchen in the background & CRC22 Earhart
Grays from Hidden Beach. Link to more photos.
photos by Kim Parry, March 14, 2025
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Sent via form submission from Orca Network
Name: Gail Petteruti
Date of Sighting: March 14, 2025
Time: 5:37 PM
Species seen: Gray
Number of animals seen: 2
Where seen: Hidden Beach/Saratoga Passage
Direction of travel : North
Behaviors observed: Mating, shrimping
If orcas, any males?:
Any unusual markings?:
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Under 50 feet from the shore
Photos available?: Yes, I will email the photos to sightings@orcanetwork.org
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CRC22 Earhart
15:40 - Still see the other one at Hidden Beach so this would be a second one.
15:35 - Gray heading south 1 mile north of hidden Beach Whidbey side one mile north.
photos by Aaron Gill, March 14, 2025
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CRC531 Gretchen
13:48 - Grey off Hidden Beach. Feeding, milling headed slowly northwest.
photos by Bill Setter, March 14, 2025
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13:50 - Single gray at Hidden Beach north bound . Thought there were 2 but it’s just 1.
13:43 - One or 2 gray whales directly off Hidden Beach, feeding.
Elevate Outdoors
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12:50 - CRC531 just turned to northbound at my map spot [approx. 48.118440, -122.556968].
Bart Rulon Wildlife
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12:34 - Gray Whale heading slowly south. Marked spot on map [approx. 48.122636, -122.556698].
Torry Chamberlayne
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12:34 - Hidden Beach grey has moved south of the parking lot. Just slowly traveling at the moment. About 150 yards off shore.
Cindi Crowder Rausch
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11:25 - Blows off Hidden Beach.
Aaron Gill
Thu, Mar 13 - Upper Saratoga Passage
14:07 - Still in same area. Just going in circles.
13:40 - Gray whale here-ish [approx. 48.260991, -122.619297]. Can see blows naked eye. Can see back with binos. Can’t tell direction (either towards or away from me at Long Point).
Sarah Geist
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10:40 - I'm at Mariner's Cove I saw at least 1, it headed northwest to the shoreline from my viewpoint behind the rock jetty.
Kevin Phillips
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09:55 - Spouts near Whidbey between Polnell Point and Mariner's Cove looks to be headed east.
Pat Sebelsky
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09:00 - One gray whale spout spotted on this Thursday morning. 1/2 mile southeast of Polnell Point [Whidbey] Unsure of direction.
Steve Rothboeck
Thu, Mar 13 - Saratoga Passage (CRC531 Gretchen)
Assuming this is Gretchen, at Hidden Beach [video in FB comments].
Kim Parry
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| | |
CRC531 Gretchen
18:04 - Grey whale at Hidden Beach in cove right now.
photos by Mel Nasby, March 13, 2025
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18:04 - My husband called to report a gray whale feeding in the cove north of Hidden Beach parking lot.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
Thu, Mar 13 - Saratoga Passage (CRC22 Earhart)
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Came to Mabana for a report of killer whales and had a surprise visit from CRC22 Earhart instead! Link to more photos.
photos by Kat Martin, March 13, 2025
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17:30 - She had been feeding in the same area since my last update, now starting to move south.
16:36 - Gray CRC22 feeding at the north end of Mabana.
Serena Tierra, Orca Network
Wed, Mar 12 - Upper Saratoga Passage
15:25 - There are 2 possible 3 greys in Utsalady Bay closer to Whidbey currently. Watching from my house.
Amy Norris Spencer
Wed, Mar 12 - Port Susan/Saratoga Passage (CRC2356 Stalwart)
13:45 - #2356 [Stalwart] at Pebble Beach [Camano] traveling NW [northwest].
Tony Tilt, PSE
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10:30 - 12:00 - Port Susan Whale Watchers reported Stalwart was dining on ghost shrimp at Tillicum Beach Camano Island on Port Susan. Since Shackleton disappeared this area has been very sparsely visited by grays and today's was a long visit in not so high tides which saw Stalwart laying sideways in the sand when wave troughs passed him. Last report had him heading south along Camano Island at noon.
John C Storbeck
Tue, Mar 11 - Upper Saratoga Passage
12:57 - Whale is now off Strawberry Point near red channel marker right at Skagit Bay.
12:41 - Possible different gray whale. 30 yards off shore Mariner's Cove. East bound... traveling very fast paced. Was gone before I could get my camera up.
11:34 - With further scanning this whale mentioned is west bound leisurely.
11:26 - Mariner's Cove/ north Saratoga Passage. Mid channel between Utsalady Bay and Mariner's Cove. At least 1 animal. Unsure of direction thus far.
Kevin Phillips
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08:50 - On this Tuesday morning one gray whale is in the cove on the east side of Polnell Point and the second gray whale is located about 1/2 mile east of Polnell Point. Directions unclear.
Steve Rothbeck
Tue, Mar 11 - Saratoga Passage (CRC531 Gretchen)
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17:30 - Hidden Beach still here feeding. Pretty amazing. Even watched two sea lions get spooked by her.
Kevin Phillips
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17:24 - Two sea lions showed up to check out Gretchen and bark at her, still feeding same spot.
17:18 - Still here. Moves north, then goes south, then back north, in about a 200 yard area north of Hidden Beach parking lot.
16:38 - Beautiful CRC531 Gretchen continues to feed just north of Hidden Beach parking lot close to shore.
Rachel Haight, Orca Network
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15:20 - At least one gray feeding off of Hidden Beach… very close to Whidbey shore - milling about.
Janet Moody
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15:00 - Viewing Camano looking for orcas and a friend spotted a gray whale near Hidden Beach.
Linda Aitkins
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Mon, Mar 17 - Hood Canal
11:53 - The minke whale spotted in Dabob Bay close to Wawa Point about 20 minutes ago. Appeared to be heading south.
Cynthia Canfield [BCP]
| | ABOUT ORCA NETWORK/QUICK LINKS | |
Orca Network is a 501 c3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to raising awareness about the whales of the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats.
Orca Network's Whale Sighting Network involves citizens in helping researchers track the movement of whales, and encourages people to observe whales from their homes, businesses, ferries, and shorelines.
Whale reports are sent in to our Sighting Network and emailed out to researchers, agencies, and citizens on our network, and posted on our website (MAP of sightings also on website) and social media pages. Whale reports and observations are sent in by a variety of sources, and while we do our best to obtain accurate species and individual IDs, Orca Network does not guarantee the accuracy of any report or whale identification.
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Report Sightings to Orca Network:
- Call 1-866-ORCANET (1-866-672-2639) & choose sightings option
- Email sightings@orcanetwork.org
- Facebook: DM or post on our page
- Website form: https://www.orcanetwork.org/report-sightings
- Please include: Date/Time - Species (describe if unknown) - # of Animals - Location of Cetacean(s) - Direction of Travel & Behaviors
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Visit Orca Network's Langley Whale Center - Whidbey Island:
- Location: 105 Anthes Ave, Langley, WA 98260
- Telephone: 1-360-221-7505
- Hours: Generally open 11am-4pm, Thurs-Mon, but please call for current schedule.
- Museum: Exhibits - Specimens - Educational Materials - Lending Library - Movies to view
- Gift Shop: Books - DVDs & CDs - Field Guides - Clothing - Jewelry & more
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Be Whale Wise:
All marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Killer whales have special protection in Canadian and U.S. waters. Be sure to educate yourself about current protections, including regulations with specific distances and recommendations for viewing killer whales. The rules apply to all types of watercraft, including motor boats, sail boats, kayaks, and paddle boards in Washington State.
Report Harassment of Whales:
- In WA/US waters call NOAA Enforcement: 1-800-853-1964
- In CANADIAN waters call DFO Violations Hotline: 1-800-465-4336
(Include watercraft name, registration #, description, and photos/video when possible)
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