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Archives – The whale news network 2000The whale news network: a weekly compilation of the "whale-watching" experience in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf. Thanks to all the network collaborators! Here are all the weekly bulletins of 2000. You may obtain information on specific topics by using the "find" function in the "edit" menu of your browser ( Example : search for the word "dolphin" to discover where and when dolphins were spotted by the whale news network). You can consult the Whale news network archives of
other years.
January 6 2000, vol. 4 no 1 Winter giants The St. Lawrence has taken on a definite winter air. Enormous blocks of ice pile up on the beaches only to change shape under the influence of storms or tides. As the thermometer dips, gigantic columns of vapour move in procession across the surface of the water. Given these extreme conditions one would imagine the whales long gone. However, as happens every year, sightings of large whales continue throughout the cold season. Around New Year’s, for example, several large whales including at least one blue whale and between six and seven fin whales were sighted off Sept-Îles. There were several fin whales in Gaspé Bay over the holidays, five of which were still present on January 6. Also in the Gaspésie area last week, seven fin whales, three blue whales and one humpback whale were spotted off Percé. Scientists do not know where the majority of the whales that we see in the summer migrate to, nor why certain individuals winter over on the summer feeding grounds. 13 January 2000, vol. 4 no 2 More whales in Gaspésie Three humpback whales, one blue whale and two fin whales were observed this week in Gaspé Bay. Winter sightings of fin whales and blue whales are not too surprising, normally their fellows spend this time of year somewhere in the Atlantic where it is perhaps just as cold as in Gaspésie. As for the humpback whales, well, judge for yourself: the majority of the Northwest Atlantic population gathers in the Caribbean Sea in winter for the mating and calving season. So, why do some animals avoid this trip south? Although there is little scientific data on the subject, it could be that these animals are simply not "available" for reproduction for various reasons. They could be juveniles or animals that are no longer fertile. It is important to note that this long migration is very demanding. A return trip of several thousand kilometres to spend a few months in the South may not be not such a bad idea. However, the destination has little to offer in the way of sustenance. Add to that the fact that environmental conditions below the surface of the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence vary little from summer to winter, and that humpback whales are well equipped for these conditions, and it is easy to understand why they may choose to avoid an unnecessary trip. Now you will not be surprised when you hear that some observers saw whales as they were travelling along the cliffs of Forillon National Park in dogsleds! 20 January 2000, vol. 4 no 3 Spectacular gathering After a month of rough seas, seal hunters from the Escoumins region on the North Shore were finally able to board their boats and head out to try their luck with the harp seals. The surface was covered with a thin film of ice, just what was needed in order to better predict the movements of the seals that come up to breathe through natural holes. Before deciding to head out to sea, hunters take into account the tide, ice cover and the direction and force of the wind. Once on the water, they will seek out individual animals or hunt on the edges of groups. The hunter’s experience determines his level of success, for the seals are on their guard and will dive out of reach at the slightest hint of danger. Products of the hunt are prepared by a local co-operative and sold locally or exported. This hunt is a traditional activity and represents an important secondary income, which is why the hunters were relieved to finally get out on the water. A large gathering occurred this week: nearly a thousand harp seals showed up! An observer also reports having seen three large whales off Les Escoumins on January 14. They were more than likely blue whales. 27 January 2000, vol. 4 no 4 Ice fishing With the exception of the mouth, where the current is very strong, and a narrow channel that winds up the centre over approximately 70 km, maintained by the Canadian Coast Guard for the passage of merchant vessels destined for Port-Alfred, the Saguenay fjord is now covered in ice. It is on this ice that a curious type of ice fishing is undertaken. Starting several dozen kilometres upstream, the ice rises and falls with the tide, lifting the little "villages" of fishing cabins with it. Several saltwater species of fish are caught, including redfish and cod. Fishermen also bring home tomcod, a relatively small fish that, in the Saguenay, can attain 50 cm in length. It is even possible to catch sharks! The Greenland shark lives in the cold waters of the fjord and is occasionally caught by ice fishermen. Specimens 3 to 4 metres long have been pulled through the ice. As of yet, no Greenland sharks have been caught this winter, but the season is far from over. It will be prolonged until the ice cover is eventually systematically broken up by an ice-breaker, near the middle of March, in order to facilitate navigation ... and hasten the return of summer! 3 February 2000, vol. 4 no 5 The winter has wings There were no whales reported by our collaborators this week. However, they regularly observe large groups of birds in protected bays and on the tidal flats of the Estuary and the Gulf. Black ducks, goldeneyes and oldsquaws often get together by the hundreds, swimming quietly at the surface with their beaks either tucked into their feathers to keep warm or in the water searching for food. It’s the food that attracts them to open water. Since it is not the mating season, they tend to be quite tolerant of the communal nature of these gatherings. Small groups of mergansers, solitary guillemots in winter plumage and the graceful flight of the Iceland gull also make up the winter scenery of the St. Lawrence. Once again this year a bald eagle was spotted at the mouth of the Saguenay, and over a hundred great cormorants were seen at Forillon. How do these birds support the glacial temperatures of winter as they spend hours with their feet submersed in water so cold it is covered with frazil? Well, they eat a lot, their feathers trap air that serves as an insulator, and they are equipped with a system of veins and arteries that minimises heat loss through the feet. The cold blood of the veins leaving the feet to return to the body is heated by the warm blood of the arteries leaving the body to return to the feet. A similar system exists in the pectoral fins and the flukes of cetaceans. Humans, on the other hand, must wear parkas in winter... 10 February 2000, vol. 4 no 6 Below the surface None of our collaborators spotted whales from the shore this week. The St. Lawrence appears fixed, immobile, frozen. Yet, below the surface, reality defies appearance. The water is just slightly colder than in summer, maybe fifteen degrees colder in the areas where the difference is greatest. This is nothing when compared to the differences in temperature on land! Certain species of fish, like the Atlantic tomcod, sand lance and halibut, are right in the middle of their mating season. It is a noisy environment with ice floes colliding, grinding and whistling and the occasional winter snow storms that make an impressive racket...at least to the ears of marine mammals. Imagine: each snowflake, on encountering the surface, liberates tiny air bubbles that produce high pitched sounds as they pop. No, winter below the surface of the St. Lawrence is not a quiet, muffled season. 17 February 2000, vol. 4 no 7 Blizzard on the St. Lawrence Not a blow in sight according to our network collaborators. However, on Monday, the day of the storm, it was the wind that was blowing, at close to 45 knots! Even so, the waves never exceeded three metres in height. The presence of ice limited the ñfetchî, or the distance over which the wind is in contact with the water. Boat pilots just had it a little rougher than usual on their short trip between Les Escoumins and the merchant vessels waiting for them offshore on their way to Quebec City or Montreal. These conditions were nothing compared to what took place on December 25, 1966. There was a storm on this particular Christmas night that has since become part of navigation lore in Quebec. Winds of between 60 and 80 knots whipped the St. Lawrence into a frenzy for 36 hours, creating waves as high as 13 metres off Tadoussac. The three lighthouse keepers working on the Prince Shoal lighthouse feared for their lives as the wind and waves ravaged the interior of the structure and weather forestalled any possibility of a rescue. Waves have never topped five metres in this area since then. The lighthouse is now automated. 24 February 2000, vol. 4 no 8 Spring flirts with the St. Lawrence After the extreme cold and storms of last week, spring appears to be just around the corner. Knowing full well that winter will not be pushed aside so easily, it is important to seize the day! Network collaborators are unanimous, it's time to get out for a stroll on the beach! Kept away by the wind and the cold, they could but admire the St. Lawrence from a distance. What a feeling to finally be able to smell the odour of the sea, hear the sound of the waves and the gossip of the birds, to climb over the blocks of ice rapidly melting in the sun and to tread upon the sand left uncovered by the tide. With eyes closed, one would almost have the impression of being on a beach somewhere in the Southƒ or at least a few months in the future! However, one thing was missing for it to be a true springtime stroll along the beachƒ there were no whales on the horizon. The last cetacean sighted by our observers in Gaspésie and Sept-Îles already dates back to a month and a half ago. Keep an eye out this week: it is often possible to spot blue whales in the Gulf and Estuary during the month of March. 2 March 2000, vol. 4 no 9 Belugas! What better way to start the day than by contemplating the first rays of sunlight on the St. Lawrence. Of course, it's easier to take advantage of this little pleasure in winter than in summer. Many riverside residents can even enjoy the sunrise while sitting down to breakfast before going to work. One particular morning, about three weeks ago, the water dead calm with no ice in Tadoussac Bay, an observer spottedƒ a small group of belugas heading towards the Saguenay! A dubious observation, you say? It is true that whenever waves or blocks of ice are present at the surface they can be easily mistaken for belugas. However, although these white whales tend to head towards the Gulf for the winter, every year our collaborators observe a few of them between Les Escoumins and Tadoussac, well before spring has sprung. What news from the St. Lawrence this week? Apart from the mild weather, the winter birds and the seals, there was nothing special to report this week. 9 March 2000, vol. 4 no 10 A carcass on the beach An observer discovered the carcass of a marine mammal, half buried in the ice and snow, beached above the high tide line, while snow-shoeing along the shoreline just north of Les Escoumins. The GREMM dispatched two research assistants to the site upon receiving her call. On arriving, they confirmed the carcass to be that of a beluga whale, probably a juvenile, measuring a little over 3 m in length. They extracted skin and tooth samples which will be sent to the Maurice-Lamontagne Institute in Mont-Joli. The skin, which contains precious genetic information, as well as details of feeding habits and contamination levels, will be conserved for later study. The teeth will be used to estimate age. Marine mammal carcasses are frequently discovered in the spring. Animals that die in the fall are not found during winter. They float, get stuck in the ice and are deposited on beaches during the spring tides. Eventually, the warm springtime sun ends up exposing them to hikers. Carcasses found in the summer are often in better condition and contain more information concerning diseases and parasites, among other things. Very fresh carcasses are often sent by truck to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Montreal in Saint-Hyacinthe for a detailed necropsy. If you happen to discover a marine mammal carcass, contact the Maurice- Lamontagne Institute by telephone at the following number: (418) 775-0500. Each year the carcass recovery network, under the direction of Dr. Lena Measures, gathers valuable information on the marine mammals of the St. Lawrence. 16 March 2000, vol. 4 no 11 Spring is blue At least one blue whale has been traipsing between Les Escoumins and Bergeronnes since March 9. The last time one of these giants was seen in the Estuary dates back to December 14, 1999. In the Gulf, observers in Percé, Gaspé and Sept-Îles spotted whales around the new year. One sighting this week enabled GREMM researchers to identify the blue whale in question. It turned out to be Flat Liner, a regular visitor to the St. Lawrence. Blue whales live dangerously . By being the last to leave and the first to return to the Estuary they run the risk of getting trapped in the ice. Their hasty return may be related to the precarious state of ice floes in the Gulf which broke up early this year. With the knowledge that by keeping an eye on the water there is a good chance of seeing a whale comes the impression that spring has sprung. But if swallows aren't the harbingers of this long awaited season, can blue whales be counted on to ring in spring? 23 March 2000, vol. 4 no 12 Spring Cleaning A Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker has been busy ñde-icingî the Saguenay over the last week and a half. Thanks to a channel maintained all winter as far upstream as Ha! Ha! Bay, the Fjord is navigable year-round. However, spring is the time for a major clean up. The ice cover is systematically broken up and the Saguenay sloughs off its winter skin. The operation was held up this week due to easterly winds which retained the ice upstream. The wind changed direction today and the icebreaker resumed its efforts. Over the course of the next few days we should therefore see large blocks of ice descending the Saguenay. These flat, miniature icebergs will now travel down the St. Lawrence, some running aground on beaches, others continuing on into the Gulf. Who knows? They may even float past whales which should slowly but surely be making their way back into our waters. 30 March 2000, vol. 4 no 13 The return of the beluga Beluga whales are slowly returning to their summer distribution area, which includes the St. Lawrence Estuary between Les Escoumins and l'île aux Coudres as well as the Saguenay Fjord. On March 24 and 25, network collaborators from Saint-Siméon spotted a young and an adult beluga, their first sighting of the year. On March 29, several groups of belugas were seen at the mouth of the Saguenay from the Baie-Sainte-Catherine-Tadoussac ferry. Eiders and brants are also back from their wintering grounds. Our collaborators from Gaspésie did not see any whales this week. Off Sept-Îles, three "large, unidentified whales" (fin whales? blue whales?) were seen on March 24. A flock of seagulls hovering excitedly over them was trying to join in their feast. Early signs of summer? 7 April 2000, vol. 4 no 14 Fresh Crab! For a few weeks now we can sense the imminent arrival of the summertime. Marine mammal observations are increasingly frequent and certain species of bird have undertaken their seasonal migration or have returned to our area. The shores are alive with the cries of the Great Black-backed Gull and the Herring Gull. As the days pass the St. Lawrence becomes more and more teeming with life. There is one important event in the St. Lawrence estuary and gulf that officially heralds the arrival of the springtime, whilst delighting all gourmets at the same time! That is the opening of the Snow Crab fishing season. On April 1st the fishermen in zone 17 were the first to set their traps. This indicates that they strategically placed hundreds of crab pots throughout the fishing zone. This year the 22 permit holders will be able to share 2130 tons of this sought after resource. Although during the winter period the majority of marine mammal observations are made from the shore with the return of the milder days and the increased human activity on the waters we will surely have a larger porthole on whale activity. Again this week atleast one blue whale was sauntering around the area of Les Escoumins. Could it be the same individual that was spotted in the area in March or is it a new visitor? Also, beluga whales were seen larking about, blowing bubbles and generally scoffing at researchers in front of the GREMM's offices. Observers have informed us of their presence around Ile Rouge and Ile aux Coudres. Soon researchers from the GREMM onboard their research vessel le Bleuvet will go to join them and begin the season in their company. 13 April 2000, vol. 4 no 15 Bad weather won't divert the whales This week we've all felt the rude return of winter 's clutches. But this unpleasant reminder has not prevented our collaborators from making some fine observations. Beginning in the region of la Haute Côte-Nord, one of our most faithful correspondants had the luck to observe six blue whales between les Cailles à Brisson and les Ilets Boisés and two more from the south shore of the St. Lawrence near les îles du Bic. Had these two left the group of six to make their own gang or were they two different individuals? Staying in la Haute Côte-Nord, as this bulletin was being written a lady from Les Escoumins phoned me to excitedly tell me that, whilst sipping her coffee at home which overlooks la Baie des Pilotes, she was observing a blue whale fluking! Now from the region of Gaspésie, the area of l'Anse-Blanchette to l'Anse-aux-Sauvages was the setting for some far from humdrum observations as three finback whales, one minke, and atleast two blues were sauntering round the area. Thanks to their telescope our observers were able to spot some scars and a specific colouring on the two blue whales.These clues could help us to eventually identify these individuals. 20 April 2000, vol. 4 no 16 Minkes are back ! This week a minke whale was spotted in the mouth of the Saguenay and another off Les Escoumins. As May approaches they will be more and more numerous as this migratory species is one of the first to return to the St. Lawrence's rich waters. Minkes are a particular delight for shore bound observers because we find them close to the coast, especially in the spring during the capelan spawn. Where are the blue whales this week ? There were at least two off Franquelin on la Côte-nord. From network collaborators' reports it seems that lately the blues are particularly fond of the estuary. It is interesting to mention that out of the 350 blue whales in the St. Lawrence catalogue, 200 have been photographed in the estuary along la Côte-nord. For those whose whale observations are few and far between at present, there are birds to observe to your heart's content. The St. Lawrence is fluttering with hundreds of Scoters, Oldsquaws, Brants, Common Eiders, and many other species. We can still catch sight of Common Eiders in couples, these ducks being in the middle of their reproductive period. Soon the iridescent males will return to the open water and leave the females to take care of the brood. These signs of life that we perceive at the surface reflect only a tiny proportion of the complex natural phenomena that explode beneath the surface during this season we call springtime. 27 April 2000, vol. 4 no 17 Thar' she blows ! Wednesday, April 26, 18.00 hours. At about 500 metres from the shore a dark mass breaks the surface of the water. From the radar station at Les Escoumins an observer notices the distinct outline of a whale at the surface. This whale does not have the characteristic silhouette of the rorquals, it then blows obliquely taking a long series of respirations before diving with it's tail upright out of the water ! Here is the first observation of a sperm whale for the season 2000. Since 1991 sperm whale observations in the estuary have occurred occasionally. The sperm whale usually prefers very deep waters and can often dive for more than 30 minutes at a time. Perfect for honing the patience and watchfulness of those trying to observe them! Since the very first observation in 1991 researchers have been able to identify 13 individuals in the estuary by photographing the ventral surface of the tail. Was the sperm whale spotted on Wednesday all alone? Was it an identified animal ? Keep your eyes scanning the horizon. 4 May 2000, vol. 4 no 18 Gannets, gannets everywhere! Over the past three weeks, gannets have begun returning to their colonies on Bonaventure Island, Birds Rock, and Anticosti Island. Mating pairs are getting back together after a winter long separation, ever faithful to territories they occupied last year. However impressive the spectacle may be on land (there are more than 37 000 pairs on Bonaventure Island!) it is not less so at sea. Gannets are masters of aerial acrobatics when fishing. In Gaspésie and Sept-Îles our observers are constantly blown away by the sight of these massive birds transforming themselves into formidable projectiles dropping out of the blue onto unsuspecting fish. This week observers from Gaspé Bay saw five fin whales and three humpback whales stuffing themselves with krill and fish in the company of black legged kittiwakes and… gannets. So much life! Should we even be surprised at the news that these birds were seen as far upstream as the Charlevoix region, several hundred kilometres from their colonies? The individuals in question were more than likely immature birds that will not mate this year. Consequently, they are likely taking advantage of their freedom to explore alternative fishing grounds far from the hustle and bustle of the colonies. On the other hand, adults appear to be taking advantage of the start of the season to explore the St. Lawrence Estuary before settling down to the chores of nest building and raising young. In April, hundreds of them were following fishing boats off the Bic islands near Rimouski. 11 May 2000, vol. 4 no 19 Splashed by a whale! To observe a whale from the shore is always a great privilege. Imagine what it’s like to witness a sight you thought reserved only for sailors, without ever having set foot on a boat. After such an experience it would be impossible not to sense the connection between our life on land and the lives of the whales at sea. Several lucky observers spotted either a minke whale, a beluga whale or even the blows of large whales in the Charlevoix region, along the North Shore and in Gaspésie. However, the most spectacular observation of the week is from Gaspé Bay. Near the end of the day of May 5, at Grande-Grave, a humpback whale was feeding near the surface just 10 metres from the dock. Each time it breached the surface in pursuit of its prey, it splashed astounded onlookers! The future of the blue whale At the end of April a blue whale and its calf were reported in Gaspé Bay; a rare and important observation. Although several dozen blue whales are sighted in the St. Lawrence every year, this is only the tenth cow-calf pair sighting since the end of the 1970s. This data comes from Richard Sears, the founder of the Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS). Other, solitary blue whales, were also spotted in Gaspé Bay this week. Suppertime! The minke whale, which is considered to be a rather discrete and hard to observe species, is exceptionally exuberant in the St. Lawrence. "Our" minke whales are often seen feeding at the surface, and are anything but discrete. They leap out of the water, mouth wide open, or throat bulging with water and food, only to fall back to the surface on their side, belly or back, water streaming from either side of the mouth as they catch their breath through the blowholes on top of their heads. Observers were treated to this very display as they ventured a little way upstream from the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord this week. 18 May 2000, vol. 4 no 20 Feeding frenzy On the afternoon of May 18, a little way downstream from Tadoussac, approximately two nautical miles offshore, tourists were treated to a an impressive sight. It all started with strange pink eddies at the surface of the water: the krill were milling. Soon after, eight minke whales showed up and the feast began! Somersaults, gaping mouths, pink distended throats, jaws snapping shut, splashing; minke whale hunting strategies are spectacular. Twice, in the middle of all of this frenetic activity, some tourists managed to spot a minke whale accompanied by a calf. This is quite a rare observation. Atlantic minke whales calve over winter and nursing generally lasts but four to five months. This means that, as a rule, young minkes are weaned and independent by the time they arrive on the feeding grounds. Broken Fin is back This minke whale is easy to recognise by its dorsal fin, which is bent over to the right. The ORES Coastal Studies Centre team from Bergeronnes, which photographs and identifies minke whales in the Estuary, first sighted Broken Fin in 1995. This female whale returns every spring to the Tadoussac area. How do we know Broken Fin is a female? The aerial acrobatics, typical of the feeding behaviour of minke whales in the Estuary, allowed researchers to document the position of the genital slit and the presence of mammary slits on Broken Fin’s belly. Keep an eye out: minke whales are present throughout the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence and can often be sighted from the shore. Impressive sightings have been reported from the St. Siméon dock (Charlevoix), from pointe de l’Islet (Tadoussac) and from Gallix (near Sept-Îles). Where are the beluga whales? Several weeks ago, beluga whales returned to their summer distribution area, which stretches from Rimouski to île aux Coudres. There have also been sightings reported from the Forestville-Rimouski ferry, just off the Escoumins radar station and around île aux Lièvres. However, it’s at the mouth of the Saguenay that the comings and goings of white backs at the surface are most impressive these days. If you happen to take the ferry across the Saguenay between Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac, break out your binoculars! Rest stop You are on a boat in the middle of the St. Lawrence waiting for a whale that dove a few minutes ago to resurface. You scan the surface, picking out eider ducks, scoters and even a few noisy Bonaparte’s gulls. All of a sudden a tiny feathered creature flies over the boat before perching on a railing. A yellow-rumped warbler? A white-throated sparrow? What is a woodland bird doing over the St. Lawrence? Many passerines cross from shore to shore at this time of year. The wide body of water is an important and decisive stage in their migration. Many won’t have enough energy to complete the crossing without stopping over somewhere. Consequently they will perish before reaching the other side… unless they find a place to rest and catch their breath…say, a boat that just happens to be in the right place at the right time? 25 May 2000, vol. 4 no 21 It's capelin time! Every spring capelin "rolls" on the beaches of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. It's quite a sight! Male and female capelin form two distinct groups near a beach with the males closer to shore than the females. When the females are ready to spawn, they join the males to mate in the pounding of the surf. Especially at night, entire schools of capelin can be seen thrown back onto the beach with each new wave. These fish then become easy pickings for birds, cod fish and whales. Even humans jump into the fray to harvest extraordinary numbers of fish. The spawning starts upstream in the Charlevoix region and moves progressively downstream to the Estuary and Gulf. Capelin was seen "rolling" at Sept-îles and there are even early signs of it catching on in Gaspé Bay. Harbour porpoises already! Whale watchers were lucky enough to encounter a pair of harbour porpoises two nautical miles off Bergeronnes last May 24. This species is generally rare in this area in the spring, although it becomes quite abundant over the course of the summer. However, even when there are many of them around, harbour porpoises are hard to spot due to their diminutive size and furtive nature. Keep an eye out for them: during summer they are abundant throughout the lower St. Lawrence. Three rare birds Large gatherings of eider ducks were reported all along the shores of the Estuary and Gulf over the past few weeks. The males of the species are still present but will soon be flocking together to moult far from the nesting grounds. On île aux Lièvres, in the Charlevoix region, these gatherings concealed a surprise: three king eiders (Somateria spectabilis) were spotted. This remarkable bird is usually found in the Arctic, yet every year a few of them are seen on the St. Lawrence. Beluga carcasses An adult, female beluga whale was found dead on île Verte last May 19, and a young male, at Sainte-Flavie, on May 26. A necropsy was not possible due to the advanced state of decomposition of the carcasses. Four beluga carcasses have been reported since the beginning of the year. Each year, approximately twenty beluga carcasses are reported along the shores of the St. Lawrence. (Source: Maurice Lamontagne Institute ) 1 June 2000, vol. 4 no 22 The wind blows, the whales breach! This week, the minke whales between Bergeronnes and Tadoussac performed several series of breaches. A breach is defined as a behaviour whereby a whale hurls itself into the air. It will pick up speed before breaching the surface, sometimes exposing its whole body before falling back either on its side, belly or back. The breaches observed this past week allowed whale watchers to truly appreciate the size and strength of minke whales. Minkes are between 6 and 9 metres long and weigh on average 6 to 8 tonnes. At one point, observers saw as many as five minkes breaching simultaneously! There was even a young minke whale awkwardly attempting to imitate the graceful gymnastics of its elders. They displayed skin tinted red by dilated blood vessels, a good indication of the amount of effort they were putting out. What does this behaviour mean? Explanations vary according to species and context. Scientists believe that breaching could play a role in communication, feeding, breathing in rough seas or even in helping whales rid themselves of external parasites. It is also possibly a game, especially for younger animals. Certain studies have demonstrated a link between wind speed and the tendency of whales to breach. As it turns out, the wind was blowing hard this week in the Lower Estuary. Although we will never know for sure if it was the wind that was making the minkes breach, it certainly made the boats dance! The table is set It is impossible to obtain details concerning the menu of the whale buffet that was served up on the morning of May 31, just off Grande Grave, but it sure must have been enticing. Four humpback whales, a minke whale and four fin whales, accompanied by hundreds of black-legged kittiwakes, were seen literally stuffing themselves. A spectacle to behold! The times are changing for the harp seal Harp seals are considered a winter visitor to the St. Lawrence, yet they are observed more and more frequently in summer. They tend to form large, ebullient gatherings that, by their activity, literally make the surface boil. Off Tadoussac this week, our observers spotted a group of approximately fifty animals. The St. Lawrence population numbers in the millions and is the object of a commercial hunt that targets only adult animals. The upstream belugas Sightings of belugas between Rivière-du-Loup and Saint-Siméon are on the rise. A group of twenty odd animals were spotted off Port-au-Persil, and they are often seen near the dock at Rivière-du-Loup. This upstream portion of the belugas’ summer distribution area is generally used by adults, likely females, and young whales. It is believed that these waters, which are more protected than those of the Lower Estuary, are better suited to this portion of the population. 8 June 2000, vol. 4 no 23 Fin whales have arrived in the Estuary Voila! It's officially summer! The fin whales have arrived in the Estuary. Observers have reported sightings for the past two weeks between Forestville and Rimouski. Up to four were spotted in the Tadoussac-Les Escoumins area this week. These St. Lawrence leviathans tend to be scarce between the months of December and April, and God only knows for certain where they spend their winters. They more than likely winter somewhere in the North Atlantic far offshore, mating, calving and nursing. Their return to traditional feeding grounds is progressive. GREMM researchers started their photo-identification field season this week and we should soon be able to confirm the identity of several regulars. Fin whales have been spotted in the Gulf since April, along with blue whales, humpback whales and minke whales. What a fluke! Fin whales, which are long, supple animals, rarely bring their tails above the surface as they dive. They have only to arch their backs to go into a nose-dive. Nonetheless, it's the exception which proves the rule. This week in Gaspé Bay a fin whale fluked up as it dived. As for the other species of whales, the minke whale does not show its tail, while 15 to 18% of blue whales do. The humpback generally flukes up as it dives, as does the sperm whale, which is relatively rare in the St. Lawrence. Minke whale acrobatics Minke whales continue to surprise observers in the Tadoussac-Les Escoumins area. One minke performed at least 28 breaches. Another was seen "porpoising" near Baie-Sainte-Catherine. Porpoising is defined as swimming fast near the surface while making occasional horizontal leaps out of the water. Once again this week, several animals exhibited rather impressive hunting strategies by lunging above the surface, making bubbles or rolling on their sides. One curious minke whale made a close inspection of a boat, swimming several times around it. What a fascinating species! Don't touch the seals! During the harbour seal's pupping season, between May and July, beachcombers often discover solitary pups. The best thing to do is to leave them alone, avoid scaring them and prevent domestic animals from bothering them. In this way the risk of harm is reduced and the mother has a clear field to find her way back to her pup. The harbour seal is the smallest seal in the St. Lawrence and the only permanent resident. Its status is precarious, mostly due to contamination and disturbance due to human activity. Minke whale stranding in Gaspésie The carcass of a minke whale in an advanced state of decomposition came to shore on a beach near Tourelle on June 1. The carcass, nearly 8 metres in length, was too decayed for researchers from the Maurice-Lamontagne Institute (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) to examine it. The remains are to be disposed of in the regional landfill. 15 June 2000, vol. 4 no 24 Old acquaintances GREMM, SLNIE and ORES research groups have resumed their photo-identification fieldwork in the Tadoussac-Les Escoumins area. Photo-identification is a technique whereby natural markings, scars or dorsal fins are photographed in order to identify individual whales. In this way scientists are able to study their routines, their migrations and even estimate the size of certain populations. Already some old acquaintances have been spotted. Among the numerous minke whales present in the area, the ORES team has photographed Broken Fin (first reported several weeks ago), Crabclaw, La Mouette, Witches Hat, Honeycomb, Phoque Éléphant, Double Scoop and Divot. As for the fin whales, the GREMM team has photographed Captain Hook, a regular visitor to the area since 1994. For their part, the SLNIE team reports seeing Celine, Yogi, Slash and Elizabeth among other belugas. Over the next week the MICS team, based in the Mingan Islands, will also be resuming its photo-identification fieldwork. Stay tuned for further details. A pair of minke whales Minke whales tend to be solitary animals, contrary to fin whales and belugas, which are often seen in groups. Nevertheless, Honeycomb and Phoque Éléphant were seen swimming side by side at the mouth of the Saguenay. Moreover Phoque Éléphant has often been seen in the company of another minke whale, and not always the same one. This behaviour is suggestive of a male seeking a female... but nothing is less certain! For now, we are not even sure of Phoque Éléphant’s gender, seeing as how the ORES group has not yet had the opportunity to photograph its underside. To top it off, very little is known about minke whale reproductive strategies. All that is known is that, in the North Atlantic, the mating season extends from January to May. A young fin whale As with the minke whale, not much is known concerning the details of North Atlantic fin whale reproduction. Calving occurs between November and January, and nursing lasts for six or seven months. This means that calves are often weaned and left to fend for themselves by the time they arrive on the feeding grounds. Even so, almost every year at least one young fin whale is seen in the Tadoussac-Les Escoumins area. This year, once again, a very small fin whale has been sighted. It was most often seen accompanied by two adults. The capelin is rolling in Gaspésie The capelin of the Gaspé Peninsula were spawning or "rolling" on the beaches. This behaviour makes for large concentrations of capelin, which in turn attract predators, namely: whales. Blue whales, fin whales, humpback whales and minke whales were all feasting in Gaspé Bay this week! A change of seasons Birds are the barometers of the seasons. Two significant signs indicate that spring is over and that summer is beginning. After having spent the whole winter and spring in our waters, oldsquaw have deserted the Estuary to nest in the Arctic. As well, we are starting to see large groups of female eider ducks accompanied by dozens of newly hatched ducklings. 22 June 2000, vol. 4 no 25 News from the shore Be it from the Tadoussac–Les Escoumins area, near Mingan, or in Gaspésie, many observers had the chance to see whales up close without having to venture out to sea. There were numerous sightings of minke whales and, at Percé, there were even blue whales, fin whales and humpback whales near the shore. At times the whales appeared so close to shore that some whale watchers were worried they would become stranded! But the cetaceans in question, obsessed as they were by the schools of fish spawning along the coast, do not take chances and can easily manoeuvre in just a few metres of water. In other parts of the world, certain species of coastal dolphins go so far as to chase their prey right up onto the beaches. With a fair amount of wriggling, they manage to find their way back to the water safe and sound… and sated! The Gulf blues Several blue whales have been spotted at Sept-Îles, in Gaspé Bay and at Percé over the past few weeks. How does one recognise a blue whale? This giant has a light grey or blue spotted back. Its dorsal fin, which appears relatively tiny on such an enormous back, is positioned near the tail. However, long before you see the animal, you will likely be able to identify it by the power of its blow. The nearly 2500 litres of air expulsed from its lungs in the span of two seconds, each time it breathes, is reminiscent of an explosion. As for the fin whales… Fin whales are still present in the Estuary in small numbers. An adult accompanied by a young whale have been seen in the Tadoussac–Les Escoumins area, among others. They were photographed by a GREMM research assistant, and are now on file. This will allow researchers to determine if the adult had already been photographed in the St. Lawrence. We may soon know more about this individual. To be continued… Another fin whale was sighted upstream from Tadoussac, near Baie-des-Rochers. In the Gulf, MICS researchers have started their photo-identification work and have managed to count 17 separate fin whales. They believe they have sighted Zipper, a fin whale with an impressive scar on its left flank. This individual has already been photographed in the Gulf and in the Estuary on several occasions since 1994. Horsehead Grey seals have been reported in the Lower Estuary. This species of seal, with the profile of a horse, is the largest in the Estuary, easily attaining two metres in length. Now that the moulting season is drawing to a close, grey seals are searching for abundant food sources. This is why they can often be seen in the same areas as the whales which are also searching for large concentrations of fish. 29 June 2000, vol. 4 no 26 Uncommon observation at Pointe-des-Monts Two humpback whales spent last weekend dallying about near Pointe-des-Monts. This species is rarely seen in this area, and observers were particularly fortunate. The two whales were seen within metres of the shore jumping, rolling about and slapping the surface with their large pectoral fins. Two fin whales, numerous minke whales and a few grey seals were also in the neighbourhood. Apparently capelin was still rolling on beaches of the area in recent days. Capelin was also rolling between Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan and Mingan, as well as on the north shore of Anticosti Island. Baby porpoises The harbour porpoise is a very small cetacean measuring approximately a metre and a half long. Only a small portion of its back is visible at the surface when it comes up to breathe. With this in mind, imagine what it’s like to try to spot a baby harbour porpoise: one almost needs a magnifying glass! Observers report the presence of harbour porpoises in both the Gulf and the Lower Estuary. Baby porpoises were sighted near Forestville. It is a good time to observe these young animals, as the females of this species give birth to one baby a year, in the spring. They mate in the summer and continue nursing for the better part of the duration of their gestation. Quite a feat when you think about the energy required! The male harbour porpoise is the marine mammal with the largest testicles in proportion to its weight. During the rut, its testicles attain the size of those of a fin whale, an animal weighing 50 tonnes! These allow it to produce large quantities of sperm to compete with other males. A blue whale in the Estuary Blue whales have been present in Gaspé Bay all spring. A few individuals have also been reported in the area around Sept-Îles. This week, a blue whale was seen in the Estuary near Forestville. Blue whales are nomadic and their presence in the St. Lawrence varies greatly from one year to the next. Field work has allowed researchers from MICS and GREMM to identify as many as several dozen individuals over the course of just one summer in the area between Les Escoumins and Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf. However, other field seasons have revealed barely a dozen different individuals. These variations appear to be closely related to the abundance and distribution of krill, a small planktonic crustacean that blue whales are partial to. Will the summer of 2000 be a "blue" one? To be continued… 6 July 2000, vol. 4 no 27 The dolphins have arrived! Small groups of Atlantic white-sided dolphins were observed in the Gulf this week off Sept-Îles and in Gaspé Bay. These are the first sightings of dolphins this season! Over the summer, hundreds of dolphins criss-cross the Gulf. White-sided dolphins are most common in the southern part, while white-beaked dolphins are more often sighted in the northern part. A few white-sided dolphins occasionally make their way upstream as far as the Estuary. Exceptionally, large groups of as many as two or three hundred dolphins venture right up to the head of the Laurentian Channel near Tadoussac. Keep an eye out as these dolphins are very rapid and agile, often leaping out of the water and revealing their contrasting markings which are underscored by a corn yellow band of colour near the back of the body. Photographic tracking The fin whales of the Tadoussac-Les Escoumins region have temporarily abandoned the channel head this week. However, further downstream, between Cap de Bon-Désir and Petits-Escoumins, GREMM researchers encountered eight individuals. Among them were four well known animals: Grand Galop, Zipper and Perroquet are back and Capitaine Crochet is still in the area. Grand Galop, photographed since 1984, is something of a star in the St. Lawrence Estuary. Those who spotted him last summer may recall that he was sporting a long white mark on his tail stock. This wound has since faded to a barely visible scar. Of the other photo-identification projects in the St. Lawrence, the ORES research group have re-sighted numerous minke whales between Tadoussac and Les Escoumins, among them Owl Eyes, an animal that has been photographed since 1994. For their part, the MICS research team has photographed 15 fin whales near Mingan as well as 9 blue whales off the Gaspé Peninsula. All of this "photographic tracking" has allowed researchers to acquire precious information concerning the whales of the St. Lawrence, thus adding a few more pieces to a very large puzzle. The art and the science Minke whales between Tadoussac and Les Escoumins continue to impress whale watchers with their surface feeding strategies. Even seasoned researchers of the ORES group were impressed by an animal that, for more than an hour, displayed every type of lunge manoeuvre imaginable: vertical, ventral, lateral, and oblique, as well as lateral and ventral arcs, and plunges. As a rule, each minke whale will execute no more than one or two types of manoeuvres which it has perfected. There are even certain animals that are specialized in only one. This was therefore quite demonstration of minke whale know-how! Two less belugas... The swollen carcass of a beluga whale was found drifting near the Bic provincial park on June 27. The swelling was caused by more than decomposition; this female was carrying a nearly full term foetus 158 cm long, weighing 51 kg. The young adult, approximately 15 years old, was recovered by Mr. Richard Plante in collaboration with the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (MLI). The purpose of the recovery was to extract samples for various research projects dealing with contamination and the general health of the St. Lawrence belugas. These studies are under the direction of researchers from MLI, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Université de Montréal and the St. Lawrence National Institute of Ecotoxicology. This was the fifth beluga carcass recovered this year. Last minute news: More cetacean carcasses have been found along the banks of the St. Lawrence: a beluga on Anticosti Island on July 3, a young fin whale at Pabos in Gaspésie on July 6, and a new-born harbour porpoise at Sainte-Félicité in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, also on July 6. 13 July 2000, vol. 4 no 28 The dolphins have arrived! Small groups of Atlantic white-sided dolphins were observed in the Gulf this week off Sept-Îles and in Gaspé Bay. These are the first sightings of dolphins this season! Over the summer, hundreds of dolphins criss-cross the Gulf. White-sided dolphins are most common in the southern part, while white-beaked dolphins are more often sighted in the northern part. A few white-sided dolphins occasionally make their way upstream as far as the Estuary. Exceptionally, large groups of as many as two or three hundred dolphins venture right up to the head of the Laurentian Channel near Tadoussac. Keep an eye out as these dolphins are very rapid and agile, often leaping out of the water and revealing their contrasting markings which are underscored by a corn yellow band of colour near the back of the body. Photographic tracking The fin whales of the Tadoussac-Les Escoumins region have temporarily abandoned the channel head this week. However, further downstream, between Cap de Bon-Désir and Petits-Escoumins, GREMM researchers encountered eight individuals. Among them were four well known animals: Grand Galop, Zipper and Perroquet are back and Capitaine Crochet is still in the area. Grand Galop, photographed since 1984, is something of a star in the St. Lawrence Estuary. Those who spotted him last summer may recall that he was sporting a long white mark on his tail stock. This wound has since faded to a barely visible scar. Of the other photo-identification projects in the St. Lawrence, the ORES research group have re-sighted numerous minke whales between Tadoussac and Les Escoumins, among them Owl Eyes, an animal that has been photographed since 1994. For their part, the MICS research team has photographed 15 fin whales near Mingan as well as 9 blue whales off the Gaspé Peninsula. All of this "photographic tracking" has allowed researchers to acquire precious information concerning the whales of the St. Lawrence, thus adding a few more pieces to a very large puzzle. The art and the science Minke whales between Tadoussac and Les Escoumins continue to impress whale watchers with their surface feeding strategies. Even seasoned researchers of the ORES group were impressed by an animal that, for more than an hour, displayed every type of lunge manoeuvre imaginable: vertical, ventral, lateral, and oblique, as well as lateral and ventral arcs, and plunges. As a rule, each minke whale will execute no more than one or two types of manoeuvres which it has perfected. There are even certain animals that are specialized in only one. This was therefore quite demonstration of minke whale know-how! Two less belugas... The swollen carcass of a beluga whale was found drifting near the Bic provincial park on June 27. The swelling was caused by more than decomposition; this female was carrying a nearly full term foetus 158 cm long, weighing 51 kg. The young adult, approximately 15 years old, was recovered by Mr. Richard Plante in collaboration with the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (MLI). The purpose of the recovery was to extract samples for various research projects dealing with contamination and the general health of the St. Lawrence belugas. These studies are under the direction of researchers from MLI, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Université de Montréal and the St. Lawrence National Institute of Ecotoxicology. This was the fifth beluga carcass recovered this year. Last minute news: More cetacean carcasses have been found along the banks of the St. Lawrence: a beluga on Anticosti Island on July 3, a young fin whale at Pabos in Gaspésie on July 6, and a new-born harbour porpoise at Sainte-Félicité in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, also on July 6. 20 July 2000, vol. 4 no 29 Visiting sperm whales! Two sperm whales were sighted off Les Bergeronnes on Friday, July 14 (in honour of France's national holiday?). Last Monday evening, a good dozen of them were spotted between Les Bergeronnes and Les Escoumins. The largest representatives of the sub-order of the toothed whales, sperm whales have a distinctive left leaning blow and they also bring their tail flukes high out of the water as they dive. However, though they are seen each year in the area, they somehow pass incognito between the Atlantic Ocean and their preferred St. Lawrence destination off Les Bergeronnes. Unless they have a secret passage somewhere, this seems to indicate that these animals are probably just in "rapid transit" through the Gulf and the rest of the Estuary. Seeing as how sperm whales can dive for nearly an hour without any problem, and that in this time they can cover great distances beneath the waves, it is understandable that whale watchers have a hard time observing them. Humpback whale on file Notice to all boat captains in the Tadoussac-Les Escoumins area: break out your identification guides! The humpback whale that has been swimming around in your area since July 10 is a regular visitor. As a matter of fact this whale, identified by GREMM researchers as Mn 1, already visited the area in 1997 and 1999. On each occasion it stayed on for several weeks. It may be with us for a while yet. Ocean blue Blue whales were scattered throughout the Gulf and the Estuary this week. They were reported in Gaspésie, as they have been every week since the beginning of spring, the MICS team photographed its first blue whale of the season near Mingan, and two or three individuals were spotted in the Estuary between Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf and Les Escoumins. A white porpoise A similar headline appeared in the Whale News Network bulletin about the same time last year. Once again this year, the MICS team from Mingan encountered an all white harbour porpoise, probably an albino. Could it be the same one? The giants are gathering When fin whales form groups and swim like one gigantic animal, whale watchers can not help but be impressed by their grace and power. Groups numbering from seven to twelve individuals were seen near Tadoussac and not far from Sept-Îles, five nautical miles from Corossol Island. A sea monster cast from the sea On July 17 at Newport, in the baie des Chaleurs, a strange animal stranded on the beach. It wasn't a whale, but a basking shark eight metres long! This enormous fish feeds on copepods, which are small crustaceans about the size of a grain of rice, by filtering water through its gills, a bit like what right whales do with their baleen plates. Our observers sometimes see them near the surface, seemingly basking in the sun in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. These harmless fish can be recognised by their enormous size and large triangular dorsal fin. Magical encounters All it takes is a fog bank to transform an already spectacular show into an extravaganza. Dozens of gannets were seen splitting the fog with their incredible dives off Mingan at the beginning of the week. Near Anticosti, it was the capelinArchRESU ð ð 8 y |