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Archives – The whale news network 2005The 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 for 2005. Consulting them will give you an idea as to what observations are possible in the St. Lawrence depending on the seasons and the years. You may also 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 also read the bulletins of the
1999,
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and 2004 Whale news network.
or consult the map archives
13 January 2005, vol. 9 no 1 A White Christmas Dreams of a white Christmas came true for several observers as small groups of beluga whales were sighted at the mouth of the Saguenay and in Tadoussac Bay on December 27 and January 3 respectively. Once again, on January 12, approximately ten beluga whales were swimming near Alouettes Reef at the mouth of the Saguenay. Several small groups of beluga whales were also noted off Les Escoumins. Occasional pieces of drifting ice in theses areas do not appear to have been sufficient to deter the white whales, which are adapted to living in Arctic conditions. As winter progresses it is likely that these stragglers will move further downstream to join the rest of the St. Lawrence population. The big ones There were several sightings of larger cetaceans reported over the Holidays in regions of the St. Lawrence. A sealer from Les Escoumins noted three blue whales off the Pilots Wharf on December 24. This report was corroborated by a visitor from Sept-Îles who spotted two blue whales in the same area on the afternoon of the same day; one of the whales was a "fluker", as whale biologists say, that is it brought its tail flukes out of the water as it dove. Our observer from Percé noted approximately ten great-whale blows on December 28 and 29 near Bonaventure Island. Although the whales were too far away for positive species identification, she believes they were either blue whales or fin whales. Two blue whales were also seen swimming quite rapidly between Rocher Percé and Bonaventure Island. Unfortunately, ice has since moved into the area making inshore sightings unlikely for the remainder of the winter season. 20 January 2005, vol. 9 no 2 Looking for signs of life What is most striking while gazing seaward at this time of year is the cruel harshness of climatic conditions. The cold wind blows dense plumes of "sea smoke" (a type of fog that rises from the surface of open water when temperatures drop below -20° C) across whitecaps interspersed with miniature icebergs. Living creatures are rare or just hard to discover in this beautifully stark environment. While crossing the St. Lawrence from Matane to Godbout and back again, the ferryboat Camille Marcoux had a bit of a rough time of it last week. At one point during the week high winds led to the decision to cancel the crossing for the day. The captain reports having seen nothing moving on the water but ice. …and finding them A single beluga whale was noted swimming upstream by a ferry passenger as she was crossing the Saguenay River last Saturday, January 15. Last Friday, Saturday and Sunday a sealer from Les Escoumins watched as large groups of 3000 to 4000 harp seals made the water boil within one kilometre of the shore. Unfortunately, the cold weather and high wind conditions have made sightings difficult in recent days. Like water on a duck’s back After scanning the horizon in vain for signs of life at the mouth of the Saguenay on January 18, an observer noted four black ducks bobbing on the waves within a few metres of the rocky shore. The birds were seeking shelter from the howling wind in the lee of a craggy outcrop, alternately hiding their beaks in their wing feathers and dipping them into the water in search of food. Ice had formed on their backs. Brrr. 27 January 2004, vol. 9 no 3 Cold is a relative term A Tadoussac resident walking along the beach at low tide noted several small creatures frozen into the thin layer of ice covering the sand. Closer inspection confirmed the small shrimp-like creatures to be specimens of Themisto libellula, an Arctic crustacean that has invaded the St. Lawrence in growing numbers in recent years. Also stuck in the ice further along the beach, a reddish-brown bump the size of a small plate turned out to be a frozen lion’s mane jellyfish. Later, at very low tide, another observer spotted several sea urchins frozen in the sand. Water temperature in this part of the Estuary averages 4°C year round. For summer tourists dipping their toes this is cold, for sea creatures, in winter, the relative warmth of this water is the difference between life and death. Seal tales Last week a sealer reported seeing thousands of harp seals off Les Escoumins. Unfortunately for sealers, wind and cold have severely limited sealing efforts; despite high numbers, only 15 harp seals have been taken so far. Sealing activities on the Upper North Shore are carried out on a small scale and much of the meat is consumed locally, while pelts are sent to a tannery. Several sealers headed back out to sea in large motor boats on the morning of Wednesday, January 26, braving temperatures of minus 25°C and hoping for calm seas. Yet, even without the wind they did not spend more than a few hours offshore due to the extreme cold. This is definitely neither a job for the faint of heart or the cold of feet! 3 February 2005, vol. 9 no 4 The dead of winter On the afternoon of January 30, a resident of Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer (east of Rimouski) informed the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN, 1-877-722-5346) of the presence of a large, dark, round mass with lines in its side stuck in pack ice approximately 1.5 km from shore. Seagulls could be seen flying above it. The description corresponded with that of the bloated carcass of a rorqual type whale, species undetermined. In the days that followed, a team from the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (MLI-DFO) tracked the progress of the carcass as it drifted along with the tide and currents. By Wednesday, February 2, the floating mass was situated tantalisingly close, directly in front of MLI offices in Mont-Joli. The team called on their colleagues from the Canadian Coast Guard who dispatched a patrol helicopter to fly over the carcass. Digital photos confirmed that it was indeed the carcass of a blue whale. Three blue whales were seen last Christmas Eve near Les Escoumins on the North Shore. Blue whales have also been regularly spotted feeding near the edge of pack ice in the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary in winters past. This is risky business; blue whales occasionally perish caught in the ice. Is this what happened to the giant whale observed this week? Although a possibility, it is unlikely that we will ever be able to determine the true cause of death. The carcass is continuing its voyage towards the Gulf and we will probably never see it again. 10 February 2005, vol. 9 no 5 An Arctic visitor When the Class-1200 Canadian Coast Guard Ship Sir John Franklin was refitted, it was christened CCGS Amundsen Research Icebreaker, after the great Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen, on September 13, 2003. The refit was extensive and impressive; the Amundsen now functions both as an icebreaker and a state-of-the-art research vessel with 46 science berths, various specialized laboratories and a wide range of scientific equipment. During its first year of service, the Amundsen was involved in the Canadian Arctic Shelf Exchange Study (CASES), a major international study of climate change in the Arctic. It is in the St. Lawrence for the winter, once again working as an icebreaker, facilitating navigation and ensuring maritime security. This week, it was clearing a path up the Saguenay River for cargo vessels. Next week it will head to the Baie-Comeau—Matane area to relay her sister ship, the CCGS Des Groseilliers. A second whale carcass? A resident of Sept-Îles contacted the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network late last week upon viewing a news report concerning the blue whale carcass initially observed near the South Shore city of Rimouski on January 30. He realized that he had spotted something similar approximately 4 nautical miles off shore east of Sept-Îles on January 29. Experts in oceanography from the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) have confirmed that currents and wind conditions were such that both masses could not be the same animal; a floating object could not have travelled so far in such a short period of time. Coast Guard and Fisheries agents have been alerted to keep a look out for this unidentified mass, which has likely since moved farther downstream along the North Shore. Meanwhile, the carcass that was initially reported near Rimouski was later observed off Matane, on the South Shore, on February 4 and then off Baie-Comeau, on the North Shore, on the morning of February 6. Although two carcasses discovered at the same time may simply be a coincidence, observers are asked to be vigilant and to promptly report sightings of carcasses or whales in distress (1-877-722-5346). 17 February 2005, vol. 9 no 6 Speaking of ice… Recent Whale-News-Network bulletins have systematically mentioned an inescapable aspect of our offshore environment in winter: ice. While certain seal species depend on a substantial ice pack to bear their offspring and to mate, whales have to contend with the movement and accumulation of frozen water that can threaten their very survival (see last week’s WWN bulletin). However, they are not the only ones who have to deal with ice. Ship captains and pilots confront changing ice conditions on a daily basis as they navigate through cold northern waters. Fortunately for those travelling the St. Lawrence, the Canadian Ice Service posts daily ice bulletins and detailed ice charts based on data gathered through aerial ice reconnaissance surveys, boat surveys and even satellite pictures. As with any science, specific terms are used. What follows are a few of the terms that appeared in the most recent ice bulletin—the various types of ice you are presently most likely to encounter in the St. Lawrence. New ice is a general term for recently formed ice composed of weakly frozen ice crystals. Frazil ice is a type of new ice made up of fine spicules or plates of ice suspended in water. Nilas is a thin, elastic crust of ice, up to 10 cm thick, that bends easily on waves and swell. Grey ice, less elastic than nilas, is between 10 cm and 15 cm thick and breaks on a swell. Grey-white ice is between 15cm and 30 cm thick and is likely to form a ridge under pressure. First-year ice is sea ice of not more than one winter’s growth 30 cm thick or greater. Brash ice is a floating accumulation of other ice forms broken into pieces less than 2 m across. Fast ice is ice that forms and remains fast, stuck to the shore along the coast. The next time you look to the sea or walk along the shore, spend some time studying the ice that is either floating on the water’s surface or caught fast along the shoreline. Its presence tells a story of wind, current, tides, salinity and temperature. Then try to imagine what it would be like to have to deal with moving through or around it, either as a marine mammal or as the captain of a ship. Winter is wrought with challenges. 24 February 2005, vol. 9 no 7 Ice pilots Once again this week, all appears quiet on the water apart from the occasional seal and the ever-present ice. Therefore, this week we continue our report on ice conditions and how those travelling the St. Lawrence deal with this obstacle on a daily basis. As you know if you live anywhere in northern North America, road conditions can be extremely hazardous in winter. Most of us tend to consult a weather or road condition report before driving any appreciable distance. Ice and wind conditions can also make for rough going out on the water and—like a car stuck in a snow bank—a ship can become icebound. Imagine what it must be like to navigate the St. Lawrence at this time of the year: ICE BULLETIN FOR THE ST LAWRENCE RIVER AND THE GULF FROM LES ESCOUMINS TO CABOT STRAIT ISSUED BY QUEBEC ICE CENTRE OF THE CANADIAN COAST GUARD. GENERAL ICE CONDITIONS THERE ARE THIN FIRST YEAR ICE, GREY WHITE ICE, GREY ICE AND NILAS FROM LES ESCOUMINS TO 6100W, THEN MAINLY OPEN WATER TO CABOT STRAIT. MARINERS ARE ADVISED TO NAVIGATE WITH EXTREME CAUTION IN THE VICINITY OF AND IN ICE INFESTED WATERS AS ICE CONDITIONS MAY BE MORE EXTENSIVE AND/OR SEVERE THAN REPORTED.VESSELS TRANSITING IN THE ESTUARY AND IN THE GULF OF ST LAWRENCE, BETWEEN LES ESCOUMINS AND CABOT STRAIT, ARE REQUESTED TO REPORT THEIR POSITION, COURSE AND SPEED ALONG WITH PREVAILING ICE CONDITIONS, FREEZING SPRAY, WIND DIRECTION AND SPEED THREE TIMES DAILY Winter ship traffic in the St. Lawrence consists mainly of ocean-going or intra-St. Lawrence merchant cargo vessels. While all ships travelling upstream of Les Escoumins are required to have a pilot on board year round, there is an increasingly popular, non-obligatory service consisting of “ice pilots” or advisors for ships travelling between Les Escoumins and the Gulf in winter. Ice pilots are experienced in navigating in ice conditions. Their job is to advise the captain on how best to navigate through the ice and, essentially follow the ice route updated on a daily basis by the Canadian Ice Service. This takes a lot of stress off the shoulders of ship captains not accustomed to navigating ice-infested waters. It’s kind of like taking the bus instead of your car if you’re not comfortable behind the wheel in winter; when in doubt, let the professionals do the driving. 3 March 2005, vol. 9 no 8 Avian surveyors Four well-dressed observers set out early last Saturday morning to spend the day counting birds near Tadoussac, Les Bergeronnes and Les Escoumins. Often pointing their binoculars seaward, they did not observe anything resembling a whale blow. Yet, their timing was perfect for bird watching. A strong northwesterly wind, which cleared out some of the coastal ice, forced many birds that usually remain far from the coast to take refuge near the North Shore. Furthermore, the end of February is a gathering time for many of the migratory marine bird species that visit the Estuary, greatly facilitating the task of our intrepid bird watchers. Most impressively, our observers spotted an estimated 6 400 gulls off the three municipalities they visited, half of which were Iceland gulls with the remainder divided between greater black-backed gulls, herring gulls and glaucous gulls. Although there are possibly in excess of 10 000 oldsquaw ducks in the Estuary—one of the largest gathering of this species in North America—they remained offshore. Of the seven species of ducks observed, black ducks topped the list at over 1 000 sighted. There were a few greater scaups, mallards and common eiders in the area as well. Approximately 100 red-breasted mergansers were spotted, essentially near Tadoussac. A little over 600 common goldeneyes and some 500 Barrow’s goldeneyes were also observed, again, mostly in the Tadoussac area. A possible early sign of spring: some of the goldeneyes were engaged in nuptial displays! A gyrfalcon, a relatively large Arctic predator, was spotted near Les Escoumins. One of our observers has noted that when the gyrfalcon is in the area, black ducks, which are dabbling ducks, scatter immediately while goldeneyes, which are diving ducks able to escape below the surface, often hesitate before fleeing. Needless to say, it is worth taking a pair of binoculars with you on your next stroll along the coast. A warm oasis Signs of life in an otherwise deserted seascape are like the tip of an iceberg: they signal a greater mass of organisms hidden beneath the waves. With the arrival of the ice pack in winter, the link between life above and below the surface is frequently interrupted; whales and seals seek out ice-free areas to breathe, birds seek out the same areas in order to gain access to their food. The presence of so much waterfowl in the Estuary is a sure sign of an abundance of easily available food. The area surveyed last weekend covers part of the head of the Laurentian Channel where an interesting phenomenon allows the birds free access to food. The Laurentian Channel comes to a relatively abrupt end just off Tadoussac. This underwater cliff causes an upwelling of deep water that is warmer than most surface water. This phenomenon, known as a polynya, impedes the formation of ice. Large polynyas in the Arctic are known to be very productive as they give rise to the proliferation of microscopic algae, which is at the base of the food chain. Although scientists do not know if this sub-Arctic polynya is productive in winter, it does represent a warm oasis in an otherwise frozen desert; water temperatures at the head of the Laurentian Channel can be as high as four or even six degrees Celsius! Positively balmy… for a duck. 10 March 2005, vol. 9 no 9 Beluga whales are back! An observer working for the Les Escoumins Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) reported two beluga whale sightings this past week. The first sighting was made by one of the officers on duty on March 4. He spotted a group of approximately 6 beluga whales swimming upstream between one and two kilometres from shore near the Les Escoumins MCTS station. Crew aboard a passing cargo vessel also noticed a group of approximately 10 beluga whales off Pointe-au-Boisvert on Sunday, March 6. The last beluga whales sighting before these dates back to January 15th. But did they really leave in the first place? While most whale species leave the St. Lawrence with the onset of winter, the beluga whale is considered to be a permanent resident. Its summer range, centred around the mouth of the Saguenay River, has been well studied since 1973 through a series of regular aerial surveys. However, due to difficult field conditions during the cold season, much less is known about this species' winter range. Only occasional reports and limited aerial surveys carried out in 1989 and 1990 give us some clues. During winter, some of these whales are known to head downstream as far as Sept-Îles, while sightings of small groups have also been made in the Estuary as far upstream as Rivière-du-Loup. Annual variations in ice conditions likely affect their distribution. Interestingly enough, St. Lawrence beluga whales appear to prefer loose ice with covers of between 70 and 90 percent. In early spring, belugas can be found off the coast of the Gaspé Peninsula upstream to the Loups-Marins tidal flats. Their spring movement appears to follow herring and capelin migrations. Yet, if beluga whales were in the Estuary this winter, why didn't we see them more often? The low number of sightings may be attributable to several factors, such as their white coloration—beluga whales can be easily mistaken for pieces of floating ice—, their relative small size and the fact that there are understandably fewer observers on the water during the cold, windy Quebec winter months. So, the next time you see a piece of ice bobbing along at the surface, take a closer look, it may just turn out to be a beluga whale! 17 March 2005, vol. 9 no10 Signs of spring Longer days and warmer weather are upon us and animals sense the end of the cold, dark winter. For some of them it is a sign to head north. Humans along the St. Lawrence—also sensitive to these changes—wait impatiently for migratory animals to show up as a confirmation that spring has truly arrived. Well… the wait is over! A sealer from Les Escoumins spotted several small groups of four to five beluga whales. He also reports that the seal hunt is going well and that seal stomachs contain plenty of capelin. As the beluga whales were spotted in the same general area as the seals, there is a good chance that they were also feeding on capelin. Meanwhile, our observer from Gallix spotted a very high blow some five nautical miles south south west of Brochu River on Thursday, March 10. By the size of the blow he strongly suspects that it was a blue whale. In coming weeks, more and more ships will be navigating the St. Lawrence as crab fishermen, sealers and others take advantage of milder weather to head out to sea. This means that attentive eyes and ears will be increasingly present offshore, augmenting chances of sightings. We will keep you posted. Spring break (-up) The Canadian Coast Guard began icebreaking operations on the Saguenay River at 8:00 am on Sunday, March 13. The CCG Icebreaker Pierre Radisson will be working hard in coming days to dislodge ice on the Saguenay in order to prevent ice jams and flooding and facilitate navigation. For obvious reasons, the Coast Guard recommends that pedestrians, fishermen and snowmobilers leave the ice when they see the icebreaker in the immediate vicinity. 24 March 2005, vol. 9 no11 A rare St. Lawrence marine mammal Last week, a rarely observed marine mammal showed up near the Lower North Shore village of Blanc Sablon: a young, male polar bear was seen along the shore of the Gulf. Fearing for the safety of Blanc Sablon residents, Sûreté du Québec officers killed the bear within 600 m of the town on Sunday, March 20, soon after it showed up. According to Patricia Nash, of the Quebec-Labrador Foundation, the bear was approximately 3 to 4 years of age and had a healthy layer of fat, likely the result of a seal-rich diet. The bear may have drifted on sea ice until it hit the coast of Labrador or the northern peninsula of Newfoundland. A polar bear was sighted recently on this peninsula. The bear may have swum across the Strait of Belle Isle. Often thought of as a land mammal, the polar bear, which is an excellent swimmer and spends a great deal of its time on the pack ice or in the water, is actually classified as a marine species. Although this sighting represents the approximate southern limit of its range, seven polar bears have been spotted in this area over the last 20 years. Of fins, belugas and seals One of our regular observers spotted what he believes were two fin whales swimming together off Franquelin on Saturday, March 19. The two were approximately 1.5 km from shore and the cone shape of the blows he witnessed through his binoculars is more typical of fin whales than it is of blue whales, which have more column-shaped blows. Groups of beluga whales were also spotted this week near Les Escoumins. One group of between four and five of these whales was seen quite close to the Pilot's wharf. Also, as many of 1000 harp seals have been seen in the same area, along with the odd harbour seal and grey seal. 31 March 2005, vol. 9 no12 Early spring whales While large pieces of ice continue to flow downstream, several species of marine mammals appear to be moving in the opposite direction. Be it the arrival of spring—with more observers along the shore and on the water—or the arrival of whales, the number of sightings has increased dramatically. Late last week the crew of the ferry Camille-Marcoux spotted three blows in the eastern Estuary while crossing the St. Lawrence between Matane and Godbout. On the afternoon of Saturday, March 26 observers noticed the blow of another large whale off Pointe-au-Boisvert, west of Forestville. Although the whale was too far away for positive species identification, observers are sure of one thing: it was swimming upstream. They also saw a beluga whale in the same general area. Then, while crossing the Saguenay River on Easter Sunday afternoon, another observer was pleasantly surprised by a lone beluga whale that was swimming within 300 metres of the ferry on the Baie-Sainte-Catherine side of the River. The whale was apparently quite active and brought its tail out of the water with each dive. The following morning another, or possibly the same, lone adult beluga whale was seen off Pointe-Noire turning in circles and alternately bringing its head and its tail out of the water. Later in the afternoon a Tadoussac resident noted two minke whales—the first of the season—swimming in the entry channel at the mouth of the Saguenay. Finally, an observer from Les Escoumins watched as a solitary blue whale swam within 200 metres of shore near Cave Cove on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 29. Spring is definitely in the air … or rather in the water! 7 April 2005, vol. 9 no13 Blows : a sign that the whales are back Last week's sightings are a good sign: the great whales seem to be definitely in the St. Lawrence Estuary. This week, several observers reported to have seen large blows in the area of Les Escoumins. The whales were too far away at times to identify the species, and at other times, were rather close to the shore. At least eight blue whales were spotted in the area, including two regularly showing its tail, along with two fin whales. First newborn of the year: a blue whale! Among the eight blue whales, a shorter blow was seen beside an adult-sized individual: a newborn! This is the first sighting of a newborn whale this year. This is a remarkable event since less than 20 blue whales calves have been sighted in the St. Lawrence in the last 25 years! On Wednesday morning, the pair were seen close to the shore; members of the GREMM team headed to the area to try and document this rare sighting. Unfortunately, the animals were too far from the shore to take any photographs. These sightings are very special to researchers. Birds: a sign of spring In addition to a large blow observed from the top of the Tadoussac sand dunes, an observer counted over 200 barnacle geese close to the falls at the foot of dunes. Like the Canada geese and snow geese present in the area, they are only passing through and will continue their journey north to get to their nesting grounds in the Arctic Tundra. 14 April 2005, vol. 9 no14 Solitary beluga: even further away! The residents of Trenton, New Jersey, were extremely surprised to see a 2 to 3 metre beluga whale in the Delaware River! A beluga nearly 200 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean! And imagine the surprise of the GREMM biologists when the animal turned out to be a beluga from the St. Lawrence, who has also been known since 1986! Using photos from different sources, GREMM researchers were able to identify this exceptional visitor: Dl 018, or Hélis, a beluga from the St. Lawrence. In the Let's Adopt a Beluga campaign launched by the St. Lawrence National Institute of Ecotoxicology (SLNIE), Dl 018 was adopted in 1989 by biology students and staff at the Université du Québec in Chicoutimi, who named him Hélis. Among the wayward belugas sighted since the late 1970s, it seems that this is the furthest away a beluga has been from the St. Lawrence and the Arctic, the beluga's normal range. This exceptional event is drawing hundreds of curious onlookers who are crowding along the banks. The beluga has also attracted many boaters who got close; state troopers were dispatched onto the river to keep them away, since harassment by boats and interacting with him could prevent the beluga from going back down the river to the Atlantic. U.S. authorities, in consultation with experts, are currently assessing the situation. This event brings to mind the tragic story of Poco, the solitary beluga who travelled the waters between Boston and the coast of Maine last summer and who was found dead in November. Let's hope that Hélis' story has a happier ending! Press release Hélis : A Wayward St. Lawrence Beluga in the Delaware River, Near Philadelphia! (PDF-April 14 2005) Spring fin whales in the Gaspé Observers in the Gaspé enthusiastically informed us of the presence of the first whales of spring in the Gaspé Bay, on which the ice is gradually disappearing. On Sunday, there was confirmation of what an observer thought he had seen on Saturday: two fin whales slowly moving up the bay. Along the North Shore, several large whales are still hanging around as they have for the last few weeks. On April 13, an observer counted eight of them off the Pilots Wharf at Les Escoumins, including at least four blue whales and one fin whale. Belugas have also been seen here and there; a few groups were observed along the shore of Les Escoumins and Les Bergeronnes, and a few solitary individuals were spotted in the area of Tadoussac. We are still waiting for the first sighting of a minke whale! Keep your eyes peeled! 21 April 2005, vol. 9 no15 The long-awaited minke whales Almost as if they had heard the call of last week's Whale News Network bulletin, minke whales have been sighted all along the North Shore from Tadoussac to Les Escoumins to Franquelin since last Friday. Tadoussac residents greeted the return of this species on Sunday with obvious pleasure. The whales delighted land-based observers with their energetic surface-feeding manoeuvres. According to a member of the Les Bergeronnes-based ORES research team, at least two distinct whales have shown up to stuff themselves in Tadoussac Bay in recent days. The distinctive traits and feeding behaviour of one of the animals are very reminiscent of a known female minke whale named Artiste. Curiously enough, this same animal was the last minke whale observed and identified in the Tadoussac area in the fall of 2004. Where did Artiste and the other minke whales spend the winter? As with blue whales and fin whales, researchers still know very little concerning the seasonal movements of minke whales. Hélis' odyssey: heading seaward The St. Lawrence beluga whale known as Hélis that has been seen swimming the waters of the Delaware River in New Jersey appears to have headed out to sea. After having spent four days near the city of Trenton—200 km from the ocean—Hélis has slowly swum back downstream. He was spotted for the last time on Monday less than 40 km from Delaware Bay, progressively moving towards the ocean. On Tuesday, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter flew over the area in an unsuccessful attempt to spot the beluga whale. Assuming that Hélis will eventually return to sea, authorities are now counting on coastal residents and pleasure-boaters to track the beluga whale's movements. GREMM researchers are closely monitoring this whale's odyssey. Press release Hélis : A Wayward St. Lawrence Beluga in the Delaware River, Near Philadelphia! (PDF-April 14 2005) A fortuitous encounter An observer from Franquelin reported how an ornithological outing took a rather unexpected turn. While she and her companions were photographing ducks, the powerful blow of a blue whale suddenly distracted them. The massive animal with metallic blue skin paraded by under their amazed regard only to conclude its procession by lifting its tail above the surface as it dove. The same group of observers returned to the site later in the day hoping to spot another giant. On this occasion, the animal that caught their eye appeared to be a young blue whale swimming quite near the shore. Could this be the same blue whale calf reported in the Les Escoumins area in early April? Further sightings or photos could allow us to positively confirm the presence of a blue whale calf in this area. So, haul out your binoculars and your cameras and head down to the water's edge! 28 April 2005, vol. 9 no16 Wind, waves and high tides These past few days have been characterised by very strong, and relatively rare, northeast winds. When the wind blows out of this direction, it travels unencumbered up the Gulf and into the Estuary pushing waves, which attain imposing dimensions. Combine this with a low-pressure system and high tidal amplitude and it makes for water in places that are usually above the high-tide line. An observer from Portneuf-sur-Mer mentioned that the impressive sandbank that lies just offshore from this coastal village was sectioned by repetitive high waves, while pieces of shore turf were also carried away. Sightings in Percé were limited to avian fauna that included gulls, gannets, geese and plenty of ducks. Five northern gannets were spotted near Tadoussac. Although this is typical at this time of the year, the fact that they were very near the shore could be due to the difficult offshore conditions. On the up side: these extreme conditions had the effect of clearing up residual ice, which was floated out to sea from beaches all along the St. Lawrence. Beluga whales in the Estuary Several beluga whale sightings have been reported over the past few days near the mouth of the Saguenay River. One of them was spotted off Pointe-Rouge near Tadoussac Bay on the evening of April 26. Each time the animal dove, it flipped its tail skyward. A beluga whale, also in the habit of fluking up its tail, was heading up the Saguenay River on the morning of April 27. This one was accompanied by a small grey calf that would surface just as the adult disappeared. On Thursday, April 21, an observer from Saint-Irénée-les-Bains in the Charlevoix region spent the early afternoon watching a group of at least nine young beluga whales accompanied by several adults that appeared to be feeding. The large whales The only sightings of large whales reported this week are from Franquelin, a village situated halfway between Baie-Comeau and Pointe-des-Monts on the North Shore. Our local observer spotted two fin whales on the morning of April 27 within 300 metres of the shore. Last Saturday, April 24, she also spotted a solitary blue whale in pretty much the same area. Hélis´ odyssey: u-turn towards Philadelphia Nine days after heading seaward, Hélis made a u-turn. On Wednesday afternoon he was spotted in the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia. As of the most recent sighting Hélis was seen swimming upstream. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration continues to monitor the situation and health of this beluga whale. Press release Hélis : A Wayward St. Lawrence Beluga in the Delaware River, Near Philadelphia! (PDF-April 14 2005) 5 May 2005, vol. 9 no17 An overview of sightings from land… The St. Lawrence is becoming progressively busier. Sighting reports came in from far and wide this past week. What follows is an east to west overview of Whale News Network observations. The blow of a large whale was sighted some three nautical miles from shore off Cape Espoir in Percé on the evening of Saturday, April 30. A little to the north, two minke whales and a grey seal were spotted in Sauvage Cove, near Gaspé over the weekend. Across the St. Lawrence, on the North Shore, a minke whale and a fin whale were spotted within 150 m of the village of Franquelin on Saturday. Slightly west of there, an observer spotted four minke whales swimming together—rare behaviour for this solitary species—near the Baie-Comeau wharf over the weekend. She also noted the blows of two large whales in the distance on the morning of Thursday, May 5. Continuing westward, three or four large whales were seen in the middle of a snowstorm off Pointe-au-Boisvert on afternoon of Friday, April 29. Conditions were such that species identification was not possible. Finally, several groups of beluga whales have been spotted in the distance over the past few days off Les Escoumins along with two minke whales very near the shore and the blow of a large whale offshore on Tuesday afternoon. …and sea With the undeniable arrival of spring comes the predictable increase in ships navigating the ice-free waters of the St. Lawrence. This past week saw several seasonal regulars back on the water, plying the waves from above while cetaceans did the same from below. The captain of the Rimouski-Forestville ferry, which began its season last weekend, reported two blue whales near Forestville swimming at a distance of one and a half nautical miles from each other. He also spotted what he believes was a humpback whale in the middle of the Estuary on Saturday, Sunday and again on Tuesday. However, the animal in question did not fluke up and large waves made the sighting difficult. Approaching Rimouski, he spotted what at first appeared to be frazil ice along the shore. When he got closer the “ice” rose up as some 200 snow geese lifted into the sky. Several whale-watching boats also began operating from Tadoussac and Baie-Sainte-Catherine this past week. Their crews report frequent sightings of groups of beluga whales—as many as 15 at a time—in the area around the Prince Shoal lighthouse, along with a few scattered grey seals. They also spotted the pink bellies of five minke whales feeding along the shore near Granite Cape and at the mouth of the Petites Bergeronnes River on Tuesday, May 3. The whale season has definitely begun! A Chance encounter and another wayward beluga whale The Whale Stewardship Project has been tracking a lone beluga whale since February 25 of this year. The whale, which was nicknamed “Chance” after having visited a cove of the same name in Newfoundland, has also paid a visit to the wharves of at least two other harbours in this province. It even investigated divers. The fact that this whale began to interact with the divers early on could indicate that it had been previously exposed to humans. It is possible that this is the same whale sighted by fishermen in Trinity Bay in the summer of 2004. Another wayward beluga whale has been spotted near Harrington Harbour on the Lower North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The whale, which has been attempting to interact with humans, was spotted on April 19 and 20. GREMM researchers are waiting for visual documentation to attempt to identify this animal. Could it be the same beluga whale that was seen in this area in the summer and fall of 2004? To be continued… 12 May 2005, vol. 9 no18 Ferry-boat whale watching Crossing the St. Lawrence and the Saguenay rivers aboard a ferry is the perfect way to take a break from driving and to breathe in the fresh, salty, maritime Quebec air. Why not also take the time to scan the horizon in search of whale blows? Ferry crossings can in fact turn into whale-watching cruises. The crew of the N.M. Camille-Marcoux—the ferry that links the town of Matane to Godbout to Baie-Comeau—reported more whale sightings this past week. There were beluga whales swimming near the South Shore, however they will soon be returning to their summer range further upstream in the Estuary. The crew also noted a blue whale near the South Shore. Other large blows appeared here and there during the crossing and the crew estimated that there were four or five fin whales in the area. Finally, several minke whales crossed the ferry's route, often quite actively feeding near the surface; more than enough to liven up a trip across the St. Lawrence! Minke whales, fin whales and blue whales are also in the log of the ferry linking Rimouski to Forestville, along with beluga whales and harbour porpoises near Rimouski. Further upstream, both the Rivière-du-Loup—Saint-Siméon and the Tadoussac—Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferries frequently come across minke whales, beluga whales and seals in the summer as they navigate back and forth from shore to shore. Myriads of birds are also often to be seen on or above the surface of the St. Lawrence. Break out your binoculars! Imminent births Although, to his great despair, one of our collaborators from Percé still had no whale sightings to report, full-bellied female harbour seals have recently attracted his attention. As happens every spring, gestating female harbour seals haul out onto the rocky shore to give birth. The newborn pups rapidly take on weight by nursing on their mothers' rich milk for a month. Contrary to several other species of seals, young harbour seal pups are able to swim almost immediately after birth. The mother often encourages her offspring to follow her on excursions out to sea. However, the young seal sometimes remains on shore waiting for its mother to return. It is very important to give a seal pup a wide berth. One should not approach a solitary seal pup and especially not touch it as this may alter the pup's body scent, which allows the mother to recognize it as her own. From capelin to minke whales Minke whales are attracting attention throughout the St. Lawrence with their often-spectacular surface feeding manoeuvres. They have been the centre of attention of the first whale watchers in the Tadoussac area during the past week. Mouth wide open, U-turns just below the surface, bodies half out of the water, pectoral fins and tails above the surface, minke whales are stealing the show! These whales are essentially filling their bellies on small fish, such as capelin. As a matter of fact, this fish species is moving progressively up the St. Lawrence at this time of year and will soon begin rolling on various beaches as they spawn. In order to track the capelin spawn and learn more about the biology of this species, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, ZIP committees and coastal committees have established a network of observers. Don't hesitate to inform them of your capelin sightings by dialling, toll free, 1-877-277-6853. 19 May 2005, vol. 9 no19 Early humpback whale in the Estuary Whale-watchers in the Tadoussac area had the distinct pleasure of encountering their first humpback whale of the season. This is the earliest mention of this species for the region. While humpback whales have been regularly visiting the Estuary in recent years, they do not generally show up until later in the spring or early summer. Observers on the water did not notice the coloration pattern on the underside of the whale's tail, which may have led to the identification of the individual animal. They did however mention that the whale appeared to be quite small for a humpback. Could this be a young animal? At one point it jumped completely out of the water, behaviour commonly referred to as a breach; humpback whales are well known for this type of exuberant behaviour. At the time of the breach the whale was so close to shore that observers were concerned that it might come down on the rocks! Another first this week: a member of the Rimouski-Forestville ferry came across two harbour porpoises. These small cetaceans will eventually become quite numerous in the Estuary over the course of the summer. Fin whale calf? Whale watchers from the Tadoussac area also spotted three or four fin whales, including one small individual that was swimming alongside another, adult-sized animal. The pair were seen to surface and dive in a synchronized manner. Everything points to the likelihood that a fin whale cow-calf pair is in the Estuary. Photos could allow researchers to determine if the adult whale is already on file as a known individual. This being the case, pictures of it with a calf could help researchers evaluate its reproductive success. GREMM researchers have managed to identify the following fin whale mothers over the years since 1986: Perroquet (three calves), Triangle (three calves), James Bond (one calf), Caïman (two calves) and Capitaine Crochet (one calf). On the other hand, several other well-known females that have been re-identified many times over the years, such as Vergetures, have never been seen with a calf. Does this mean that these whales have never been mothers? Not necessarily, they may have simply weaned their calves before arriving in the St. Lawrence. A blue day at Pointe-des-Monts Our collaborator from Pointe-des-Monts has reported, with obvious pleasure, the presence of approximately four blue whales—including one calf—since May 1. This sighting is very rare in the St. Lawrence where less than 20 blue whale calves have been recorded over the past 25 years. Two similar sightings were reported off Les Escoumins and Franquelin in April. Although these sightings are likely all of the same pair, confirmation is not possible as no photos have been taken of these animals. 26 May 2005, vol. 9 no20 The Adalbert survey All along the North Shore this Saturday, May 28, birders will be hard at work counting every bird they see for the Adalbert survey. The survey was named in memory of well-known Quebec ornithologist Adalbert Bouchard. An annual event that held on the last Saturday of the month of May, the 24-hour survey provides ornithologists with an opportunity to monitor the state of various avian populations and their habitats. The timing of the survey is set to coincide with the habitual arrival of most migratory bird species. This year, however, ornithologists monitoring bird migrations predict an unusual situation, as certain species, including several species of warblers, have not yet arrived. Of the marine species present, thousands of oldsquaw ducks—a magnificent marine duck, with a white belly and dark wings—that resides in the Estuary during the winter, will be leaving the area in a few weeks. Generally more common offshore, these ducks have moved shoreward in response to recent high winds, making for some great sightings. Surf scoters and black scoters, along with a few Arctic terns, are also present in groups scattered here and there throughout the Estuary. These last three species are only passing through en route to their nesting sites situated further north. Double-crested cormorants are all set up on their nesting sites, such as the Lark Reef tidal flats near Tadoussac, where hundreds of them gather in the spring. Common eiders are also very numerous in the Estuary. Certain individuals have begun nesting while others are still in transit and will nest further north. Soon, only the males of this species will be visible as the females will be busy on nests with their numerous ducklings. They will reappear several weeks later with their offspring tagging along behind. These last two species are common in the St. Lawrence and can be observed into autumn. A few northern gannets have also made their way to the Estuary. Adults of this species have already begun nesting by the thousands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, most of them on Bonaventure Island off Percé. The gannets seen in the Estuary are immature adventurers. Hundreds and thousands of waves, or beluga whales? The strong winds prevalent in the St. Lawrence in recent days have made offshore conditions rather difficult. Many a whale watcher had nothing more to report than whitecaps. Faced with such turbulent waters, it is easy to visualize the crashing waves created by the howling winds as hundreds of beluga whales! Several large blows were nonetheless noted between Tadoussac and Forestville. More often than not, species identification was impossible. Blue whales surfaced this past week in a few different areas, some of them off Godbout, one near Forestville and another one near Percé. The whale sighted at Percé was in the habit of bringing its tail out of the water for each long dive, a magnificent spectacle! Whale watchers at the land-based Cap-de-Bon-Désir site reported harbour porpoises. This is the first sighting of this species so far upstream this season. Beluga whales have swum up the Saguenay as far as Sainte-Marguerite Bay. Finally, whale watchers from the Tadoussac area lived a memorable moment when a minke whale in the Saguenay River swam around their boat for a good fifteen minutes. The whale rubbed its belly along the boat's hull, giving passengers a full appreciation of its size and showing off parts of its body that are very rarely seen. 2 June 2005, vol. 9 no21 Season premiere The first sperm whale of the season in the St. Lawrence appeared in Anglais Bay, near Baie-Comeau on Monday, May 30. The sperm whale's blow, which is typically tilted at a 45º angle, was perfectly visible from shore. It blew fifteen times in a row before raising its triangular tail flukes, perched atop its tree-trunk shaped tail stock, high into the air. Sperm whales occasionally visit the St. Lawrence. Last year, a sperm whale was spotted in this same area near the end of June while several squid were found washed up on the shore. Squid is a preferred prey of the sperm whale. Could this be the same whale? Could it be back looking for more squid? Photos of its tail would have allowed researchers to determine if it was one of the 24 different sperm whales that have been photographed in the Estuary since 1991. Big, bigger and biggest Nearly all Whale News Network observers reported at least one minke whale in their respective areas this past week. This coastal species is the smallest of the rorqual type whales. However, small is a relative term in a classification that includes the largest animals the planet has ever produced. Many of the minke whales spotted this past week were actively feeding near the surface. This makes for some great whale watching as the animals break the water's surface in an explosion of power and speed. Sometimes appearing belly up, at other times on their sides, minke whales can be incredibly fleet hunters. This could have something to do with the fact that they often feed on small schooling fish that are (nearly) as fast as they are. Two solitary fin whales—second largest of the rorqual type whales—were also sighted: one near Grande-Grave, on the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, and the other surface feeding near the Petites Bergeronnes River. And last, but far from least, two blue whales—largest rorqual and largest animal in the world—were seen side-feeding near Portneuf-sur-Mer on May 25, pectoral fins pointing out the blue of the sky. Decidedly, the St. Lawrence is living up to its reputation as an open-air whale buffet! 9 June 2005, vol. 9 no22 The whale-watching season is underway Most Whale News Network collaborators are now back at work—or play—on or along the St. Lawrence. From Port-au-Persil, in the Charlevoix region, to Mingan on the North Shore, Anticosti Island and the Gaspé Peninsula, observers in all areas have reported whale, seal and bird sightings in their respective areas. A quick look at the Weekly Sigthings map shows on average at least two of these five species present in any given area: blue whale, fin whale, minke whale, beluga whale and harbour porpoise. All the more reason to keep an eye on the water, the whale-watching season is definitely off to a good start. A time for babies What appears to be a young fin whale has been sighted on several occasions, notably near shore in the Cap-de-Bon-Désir area on the morning of Sunday, June 5. The small fin whale was seen swimming alternately very close to an adult of the same species and on its own. This behaviour is typical of young rorqual whales at this time of the year. Calving for all three species of rorqual whales currently in the St. Lawrence (blue, fin and minke) takes place during the winter months. Nursing lasts from four to seven months, depending on the species, which means that the fin whale calf in question is likely in the process of being weaned. Calving and nursing of toothed whales is quite different. Beluga whales, for example, nurse their calves anywhere from 20 to 30 months! The grey-coloured beluga whale calves spotted now and then at their mother's sides in the Estuary are not likely newborns, as beluga whales give birth from June through September. One species worth watching at this time of year is the harbour porpoise. Female porpoises calf in the spring and early summer, although most of them give birth in June. So if you see a very small version of this the smallest cetacean in the St. Lawrence, it likely hasn't been around for very long. It is always encouraging to go baby-whale watching! 16 June 2005, vol. 9 no23 More babies Decidedly, spring is a time of renewal. Last week we reported a young fin whale near Cap-de-Bon-Désir. This week, an observer from Port-au-Persil reported how a minke whale with a calf surfaced just offshore from her front deck. The small minke whale appeared alternately simultaneously with the adult and on its own. Of course marine mammals are not the only ones rearing the next generation. Observers from Forestville and from Pointe-des-Monts spotted their first groups of eider ducklings swimming near shore with several females encircling them, for security reasons. …and still more babies From now until the end of July there is a distinct possibility that, if you find yourself anywhere along the shores of the maritime portion of the St. Lawrence, you may come across a young harbour seal on a beach. Be aware that, in most cases, the animal will be in good health and that this is normal behaviour for the young of this species at this time of the year. It is very important not to approach the baby seal—although it may be crying out as if in distress—, keep domestic animals on a leash at a good distance and above all avoid handling the little animal. The fact is that the mother may have simply headed out to sea to feed or may have left the baby permanently after having weaned it. Young harbour seals often rest on the shore in order to conserve their energy for growing. If you are concerned about the situation, contact the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network at 1-877-722-5346. The feeding frenzy continues It's no mystery why certain species of whales bring their young into the St. Lawrence to wean them off maternal milk. Other forms of nutrition such as fish and krill abound. Again, this week, reports of minke whales feeding near the water's surface were the norm. Two minke whales came up within metres of the wharf at Grande-Grave near Gaspé, feeding on what appeared to be sand lance. Surface feeding minke whales were also observed off Percé, near Baie-Comeau and at the mouth of the Saguenay River. Some of these excitable whales went so far as to leap completely clear of the water, performing impressive breaches. Although the reasons for this behaviour remain somewhat obscure, minke whales appear to breach far more frequently than most other cetacean species in the St. Lawrence. Could they be simply burning off excess energy? Minke whales were not the only ones stuffing themselves. Several times over the past week, four blue whales have been seen surface feeding off Pointe-au-Boisvert, near Forestville. Two of these animals appeared to be quite skinny, which is not uncommon in the spring. If all goes well, they will be able to fatten themselves up before fall. 23 June 2005, vol. 9 no24 From land When it comes to whale watching, a myth persists concerning whales and the shore. Many believe that whales can only be seen from a boat. This is not true. The minke whale, for example, tends to be more coastal than pelagic. This past week observers from Pointe-des-Monts, Godbout, Pointe-Carleton on Anticosti Island, the wharf in Percé and Islet Point in Tadoussac, to name but a few, were treated to some great minke whales sightings from shore. The whales had likely come in to feed on fish, such as the capelin that has been seen on the shore in Percé. The gradient of the shoreline—from steep drop-off to gradual sloping beach—also has an effect on whether or not whales approach the coast. Several areas along the St. Lawrence drop off quickly. An observer got quite an eyeful on Sunday, June19 at Cap-de-Bon-Désir, where the water depth exceeds 200 metres very near the Cape. Between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. that morning he spotted a total of four harbour porpoises, four minke whales, two fin whales and two blue whales! A host of beluga whales were the point of attraction for observers at Pointe Noire from morning to night on June 21 and 22. Most of them were milling about, pursuing prey, while two yearling calves played together, chasing and rolling over each other. It is sometimes difficult to determine what it is that attracts whales near the shore. A group of approximately 100 beluga whales were swimming in less than 20 metres of water off Pointe-au-Boisvert on Friday, June 17, a site they rarely visit. The sperm whale that has been for the past three weeks in Anglais Bay, near Baie-Comeau, was still present on June 19. Sperm whales tend to favour deep, offshore waters, yet this animal has been sighted within 100 metres of shore in Anglais Bay on several occasions. On the morning of June 22, a sperm whale was spotted from the Marine Environment Discovery Centre near Les Escoumins. ORES researchers took pictures of the animal and GREMM has confirmed that it is Tryphon, the most loyal of the 24 sperm whales in their St. Lawrence Sperm Whale Catalogue. So, who was the sperm whale in Anglais Bay? Was it Tryphon or could it have been another individual? To be continued… Large rorqual whales Researchers from the MICS research centre in Mingan reported as many as 15 fin whales dispersed along the shore of Anticosti Island. One of these animals has been identified as Baby Fin Nelson, a fin whale that has been on file since 1986. Approximately five fin whales and two blue whales have been swimming in the Tadoussac-Les Escoumins area over the past week; two of the fin whales were surface feeding at the mouth of the Saguenay under a white halo of seabirds. One blue whale—believed to be a new individual in the area—was seen off Portneuf-sur-Mer. Two fin whales and one humpback whale were spotted near Percé, while one fin whale and one blue whale were noted off Cape Gaspé. The captain of the Forestville—Rimouski ferry also logged one to two blue whales on several crossings this past week. The graceful giants of the St. Lawrence are back in force! 30 June 2005, vol. 9 no25 And the answer is… The identity of a certain sperm whale has been a point of uncertainty since it first appeared in Anglais Bay on May 30. The only way to truly confirm the identity of a whale is through the careful analysis of good quality photographs. Fortunately, an observer in the area managed to film the whale's tail as it was diving. The quality of the digital pictures extracted from his video footage were sufficient to confirm the animal's identity by matching it with sperm whale pictures that have been taken in the St. Lawrence over the past 14 years. And yes, it was … Tryphon, the same sperm whale that was sighted last week up until Friday in the Les Bergeronnes area. Not only is this information interesting in its own right, it is also precious data for researchers as they attempt to keep track of the comings and goings of the various whales in order to understand how they make use of this habitat every summer. Lagenorhynchus albirostris Sure, but how do you pronounce that? Lagenorhynchus albirostris is the scientific name for a cetacean species that was seen swimming in a group of approximately 10 individuals off the northern tip of Anticosti Island last Sunday. The group was moving quite rapidly. While this North Atlantic species is not particularly uncommon in the waters of the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, it is almost never observed in the Estuary. Even though they were on their own at the time of this most recent sighting, these cetaceans frequently associate with feeding fin whales and humpback whales. The white coloration present on their backs, between the dorsal fin and the tail flukes, along with the absence of yellow on their flanks, are what distinguish these cetaceans from Atlantic white-sided dolphins, which are common in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The species name is derived from albi for “white” and rostris for “snout”: the white-beaked dolphin. Lots of action off the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula Spawning capelin has been rolling on the beaches of Gaspé and Percé in recent days and residents were not the only ones scooping it up. As many as 10 minke whales were feeding—and breaching—in the waters between the village of Percé and Bonaventure Island. Also swimming the rich waters near the Island were a blue whale, two humpback whales, four fin whales and around 30 harbour porpoises. A little further north, as many as five humpback whales, including one calf, could be seen from the cliffs of Forillon National Park. One of them performed about 20 breaches, sometimes leaping completely clear of the surface, while at other times only coming half out of the water to fall back on its side. Minke whales were of course also in on the feast near Gaspé, along with five blue whales and several harbour porpoises. Tour boat operators in the area report massive swarms of what they believe to be krill on their sonar. Kind of makes you hungry just thinking about it. 7 July 2005, vol. 9 no26 Surprising whales Though minke whales may be omnipresent throughout the maritime portion of the St. Lawrence, still they do not cease to amaze and surprise novice—as well as seasoned—whale watchers. On June 27, near Corps-Mort islet in the Magdalen Islands, a minke interrupted its feast to give a boat a thorough going over for a full twenty minutes. On July 4, in Tadoussac, another minke whale displayed this same type of curiosity as it swam back and forth under an inflatable boat. When the boat slowly began leaving the area, the whale commenced a similar diversion under a second inflatable. In the same general area a minke whale leapt completely clear of the water…eight times in a row before approaching a large whale-watching boat in order to surf in its wake. Even when they are not so flamboyant, minke whales solicit enthusiastic appreciation. On the morning of July 6, campers at Pointe-des-Monts were standing on picnic tables and applauding every breath of the three minke whales that were swimming near the rocks. The nonchalant whales remained indifferent to the exclamations of their admirers. The engulfers The diverse species of cetaceans can be divided into two categories: toothed cetaceans and baleen cetaceans. St. Lawrence rorqual whales are baleen cetaceans. They engulf enormous volumes of water and food—sometimes as much as one third of their body weight with each mouthful—, filter the water through the baleen plates that border their upper jaws like brooms and swallow prey that remains captive in their mouths. In order for each mouthful to be worth the effort, the prey must be numerous and close together. Whales deploy a wide range manoeuvres and strategies to ensure well-filled mouths; behaviour that delights whale watchers when prey happens to be near the surface. This week, two minke whales were seen surface feeding near Franquelin and another minke whale was seen doing the same near Grosse île au Marteau in the Mingan Archipelago. These animals essentially hunt and capture small fish—agile and rapid prey. Their spectacular manoeuvres are fast and energetic as they lunge out of the water, roll and splash. Fin whales and blue whales can move slower as they hunt krill, which are small and less mobile crustaceans. When this happens we may be fortunate enough to witness scenes such as those reported by observers from Gaspé and Portneuf-sur-Mer: giant whales rolling over on their sides, their immense gaping mouths gulping up seawater, pectoral fins pointing to the sky. 14 July 2005, vol. 9 no27 Sept-Îles sperm whale A sperm whale was spotted in Sept-Îles Bay on July 12 and 13. No photos were available to confirm the individual's identity. Last week, a sperm whale was also spotted near the town of Godbout, further to the west. These sightings suggest that Tryphon—the most well-known of all St. Lawrence sperm whales—is heading downstream. This whale was photographed earlier in the season at Baie-Comeau and near Les Bergeronnes. Could Tryphon be heading back out to sea after an annual visit to the Estuary? Of whales and calves Several whales have been sighted with their yearling calves at their sides this past week. Young whale calves are generally easy to identify as such—no matter what the species—by their diminutive size and dependent behaviour. When researchers from the Mingan Islands spotted three humpback whales, they managed to identify the two adults in the group as Hunter and Tracks. Tracks was accompanied by a calf. A tour operator from Portneuf-sur-Mer noted a number of harbour porpoises, several of them with small, young calves swimming at their sides. Another tour operator, this one from the Gaspé area, has noted the presence of three humpback whales, including a calf, for several weeks already. This week both mother and calf were surprisingly active; for 45 minutes, while the mother was floating on her back and slapping her long pectoral fins against the surface, the calf breached repeatedly. And, finally, off St. Siméon in the Charlevoix region, a tour operator spotted a minke whale with a calf. The young whale in this case would remain near shore while an adult, presumably its mother, was feeding further offshore. The adult eventually returned to swim alongside the calf. The weaning process lasts anywhere from 4 to 12 months for the species mentioned above. By the end of summer young rorqual whales will have become independent, while the young porpoises will spend next winter at their mothers' sides. Where the whales are “Where are the whales this week?” For years now, the Whale News Network has been asking this question of observers positioned all along the St. Lawrence in order to get a general overview. The answer is never a simple one. Whales can cover a fair distance over the course of a week and patterns are hard to define. However, what whale watchers, researchers and boat captains would all like to know in advance is where the whales will turn up and it often seems like everyone has their own explanation for the movements of these graceful giants of the St. Lawrence. Some chalk up their presence—or absence—to phases of the moon or the tide, wind direction, the presence of other whale species or prey. The reality is that their movements are likely linked to several of these factors in ways we do not yet fully comprehend, and no one is able to predict with definite precision their comings and goings. It is said that to understand someone, you must walk a mile in his shoes. In the case of a whale, you would have to swim a mile in his flippers! Where would you go this week if you were a whale? This would likely depend on your species, when you had last eaten and how much, where you can find sufficient prey and where other whales of your species are hanging out, a lot of information that we, as humans, are lacking. However, if you would like to know where whales were this past week, consult our Map of weekly sightings. 21 July 2005, vol. 9 no28 Ode to the harbour porpoise This past week harbour porpoises, smallest of the St. Lawrence cetaceans, were reported throughout the St. Lawrence from Gaspé to Anticosti to the mouth of the Saguenay River in numbers ranging from 3 to 100. Due to their diminutive size—approximately 1.5 m in length—they are not as easy to spot as larger cetaceans; usually the water must be relatively calm for good sightings. Their small size also makes them difficult to study. Worldwide, harbour porpoises are currently listed as either threatened or vulnerable in many parts of their range. The main threat appears to be incidental catches in fishing gear. In the St. Lawrence there is also some concern about toxic chemical contamination. The mystery surrounding this species makes it all the more interesting. The next time you are on or near the water, take the time to look for and appreciate the small groups of harbour porpoises that may be swimming in the area. Who knows what you may discover through the careful observation of these little—and little-understood—cetaceans. Large rorquals in the Estuary In contrast to harbour porpoises, humpback whales are pretty much on the other end of the scale both in size and what is know about them; this species is possibly the most studied cetacean in the world. While humpback whales have been reported near Mingan and off the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula for several weeks now, two representatives of this species recently made their way upstream into the Estuary—between Tadoussac and Les Escoumins—on Monday, July 18. This is the first mention of humpback whales so far upstream since mid-May. Several fin whales and blue whales also in the area to the delight of local whale watchers. These two other large rorqual species have also been relatively scarce in the upstream portion of the Estuary in recent weeks. As is often the case, krill could be seen at the surface in the same general area as these giants, several of which were feeding near the surface. Fin whale flukes Whale watchers in the Sept-Îles area were treated to a rare sight indeed. Contrary to what may be surmised by the common sight of whale flukes in film documentaries or post cards, few cetacean species actually bring their tails out of the water as they dive and fin whales are not among them. Probably due to their long, thin, flexible bodies, fin whales generally keep their tails below the surface as they arch their backs to dive deep. Yet one of the three fin whales spotted off Sept-Îles this week systematically brought its tail out of the water as it dove. The fact that part of the whale's tail was missing could explain the odd behaviour. A group of friends As they were returning to Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, researchers from the Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) encountered a group of five sperm whales within two nautical miles of the village of Rivière-au-Tonnerre on the North Shore. This is an extremely rare event, as the number of sperm whale sightings in the Gulf could be counted on the fingers of one hand. The MICS managed to photograph the whales and, hopefully, will be able to identify them to determine if these are known individuals. Who knows, maybe Tryphon—the lone sperm whale that has been sighted up and down the North Shore of the Estuary in recent weeks—has returned… with some friends! 28 July 2005, vol. 9 no29 1-877-7baleine special The Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network was created in 2004. It includes governmental institutions as well as private sector groups in Quebec that work with marine mammals. Its mandate is to organize, co-ordinate and put in place measures aimed at reducing the accidental death of marine mammals, rescuing marine mammals in trouble and favouring the acquisition of data concerning dead, beached or drifting whales in St. Lawrence waters that border the province of Quebec. Here are a few cases that were reported to the Network this past week. A rare and endangered species off Percé Less than 325 North Atlantic right whales are left in the world. Two of them were spotted near Percé on Monday, July 25 at mid-day. They turned out to be a cow and its calf. Since 1995, 30 right whales—10 percent of the entire population—have been photographed in the St. Lawrence. Five of these were cows with their calves. What attracts these whales to the St. Lawrence? Is this an important habitat for this species? Every encounter with a right whale in our waters helps researchers answer these questions. Furthermore, there is concern for the safety of this fragile species. Four of the right whales spotted in the St. Lawrence in recent years were caught in fishing gear; two of them died. Half of all right-whale deaths recorded each year are attributable to ship strikes. For all of these reasons, GREMM—with the support of the Network—has put together a vigilance programme for right whales in the St. Lawrence. If you encounter one of these whales, use caution, remain at a distance of at least 400 m, if possible take pictures of the whale's head and rapidly get in touch with the Network by dialling 1-877-722-5346. Thank you in advance! A whale rescue in Minganie On July 21, MICS researchers and wardens from the Mingan Island National Park Reserve proceeded with a delicate operation: the rescuing of a young humpback whale caught in fishing gear. The whale was reported by kayakers that had thought it to be dead. This type of incident can lead to serious injuries and even the death of the animal. The rapid intervention and the competence of the rescue team are key to the success of a disentanglement operation. These cases are of the highest priority for the Network. Minke whale stranded on Orleans Island This minke whale made the headlines in recent days. The carcass was first reported drifting near the Québec City Port on Tuesday afternoon before finally coming ashore at the western tip of Orleans Island on Wednesday. On Thursday the ministère du développement durable, de l'environnement et des parcs du Québec proceeded with the removal of the carcass in order to avoid it becoming a public nuisance. At the same time, biologists removed samples for scientific and educational purposes. The whale is an adult male minke whale, seven metres in length. It is possible that it arrived alive in the Québec City area, only to die later due to natural or accidental causes. It is also possible that it had been struck by a boat further downstream and was thus transported a great distance. The examination of the carcass may reveal more information. 4 August 2005, vol. 9 no30 What was that? Most whale observations reported in this weekly bulletin come from seasoned observers who, for one reason or another, keep an eye out on the water for signs of whales. Occasionally, whale sightings come from less “reliable” sources like visitors who were simply fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. Positive whale species identification requires a minimum background; to easily recognize whales one must have already seen various species in order to compare and deduce. The visual clues that distinguish one species from another can be either as subtle as the difference between the blow of a fin whale and a blue whale or as obvious as the distinction between the white back of a beluga whale and the dark back of a minke whale. Yet, a belly-up minke whale can be mistaken for a beluga whale due to the fact that its belly is white! The tail of a side-feeding minke whale is often mistaken for the dorsal of a killer whale. Also, factors such as distance, light conditions and weather can render positive species identification difficult even for a veteran whale watcher. And then there are those rare whale species that show up now and then and manage to stump even experienced observers. It is not always easy to decipher images of strange animals, behaving strangely for the few seconds that they surface to breathe. A right whale? This past weekend several observers from various parts of the Estuary—some of them regular whale watchers and others novices—spotted an odd animal in the distance. Each independent description of this mystery creature appears to point to the presence of at least one highly endangered, North Atlantic right whale swimming the waters of the Estuary. Essentially, a right whale is a large, wide-bodied animal that is black in colour, has no dorsal fin and blows a V-shaped spout. If you spot a right whale in the St. Lawrence, remain at a distance of 400 m and reduce your speed. Please report your sighting by immediately dialling 1-877-722-5346. Every sighting of one of these whales adds to a better understanding of this species in our waters. This information is precious for conservation efforts. The song of the sea canary A regular observer in the Saguenay Fjord reports as many as 20 beluga whales, a minke whale and 3 harbour seals in Sainte-Marguerite Bay over the past week. While observing the beluga whales from land through a telescope she noted that several individuals had marks and scars on their bodies. These individuals are likely on file in the GREMM/SLNIE beluga whale catalogue. Although this species is known for its wide variety of underwater vocalizations, these sounds are rarely heard above the surface. Yet, on Monday, August 1, she heard several of these whales making rather loud sounds at the surface. This behaviour appears to be less unusual in Sainte-Marguerite Bay. So far there is no clear scientific explanation for this. 11 August 2005, vol. 9 no31 Downstream beluga whales While beluga whales are the only cetaceans to reside in the St. Lawrence year round, their summer range is essentially centred around the mouth of the Saguenay. Large groups of these small, white whales are regularly spotted upstream off Rivière-du-Loup, in Sainte-Marguerite Bay in the Saguenay Fjord, off Tadoussac, Les Escoumins and even offshore between Forestville and Rimouski. This past week, however, there were several sightings of beluga whales further downstream. An observer working aboard the Camille-Marcoux—the ferry that crosses from Matane to Godbout—spotted five beluga whales swimming near Matane on the South Shore. Meanwhile, another observer noted four beluga whales off Pointe-aux-Outardes on the North Shore last Friday. Which simply goes to show that there are always a few adventurous souls in any given population. Long-finned pilot whales While navigating approximately one nautical mile offshore north of Cap-aux-Meules on the afternoon of July 29, an observer from the Magdalen Islands noticed what he originally thought to be a group of around 25 dolphins. On closer inspection he realized that the cetaceans he was observing were much larger than dolphins. Their dark coloration, large dorsal fins and very long pectoral fins (he spotted one of them swimming on its back) were sufficient to convince him that he was in the presence of a group of long-finned pilot whales! Concerned for their safety so close to shore—he had heard of this species' propensity for mass stranding—he remained with them for several hours. During this time the whales were quite active, bringing tails, pectoral fins and heads above the surface. One of the whales even breached. Our observer also noticed plenty of sand lance and mackerel in the area; there is a good chance that the pod was feeding. Eventually the whales swam away. Later that evening and the following day he spotted one lone pilot whale. Pilot whales are regular visitors to the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, yet they are rarely sighted, possibly due to their rather pelagic habits. Keeping tabs In all, 13 species of cetaceans are said to visit the Gulf and Estuary of the St. Lawrence. Each week we report sightings of the seven most common species sighted in the waters of the St. Lawrence within the province of Quebec : beluga whales, harbour porpoises, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, minke whales, humpback whales, fin whales and blue whales. So far this season there have also been a few sightings of sperm whales, white-beaked dolphins and very rare North Atlantic right whales. The pilot whales spotted last week bring the total to 11 of 13! Who knows when—or if—we may receive a visit from the two remaining species: northern bottlenose whales and killer whales. 18 August 2005, vol. 9 no32 Marauding sperm whales This past week was, without a doubt, sperm whale week in the St. Lawrence. On Friday, August 12, two representatives of this species were spotted off Forestville. The following day, tour operators encountered no less than 11 of them off Les Bergeronnes. These sperm whales were moving in groups of six, three and two and fluked up their tails before each deep dive. Tour operators immediately telephoned GREMM, which dispatched a research team in the hopes of photographing the whales. The research team found nine sperm whales that had swum towards the South Shore. They were moving slowly downstream and undertook only short, ten-minute dives. Seeing as how the animals did not bring their tails above the surface before diving, researchers had to content themselves with pictures of their flanks, not nearly as useful as tail shots for identification purposes. Notice to whom it may concern: In exchange for photographs of the tails of these whales—including the date, time and sighting position—GREMM offers the history of the giants photographed! The following Monday, it was the turn of observers from Pointe-des-Monts to observe a sperm whale from their house! That same day, the MICS research team spent the day with six sperm whales north of Anticosti Island. This time researchers managed to photograph tails and flanks. A sperm whale moves at an average speed of two to three knots (nautical miles per hour)—equivalent to four to six km/h—and can attain speeds of 12 knots when pursued. For this reason, it is highly unlikely that these are the same animals as those observed in the Estuary over the weekend. In order to cover the distance between Les Bergeronnes and Anticosti Island in such a short period of time, these mythical whales would have had to swim at a constant speed of 10 knots—approximately 18 km/h—for thirty hours! Aquatic shooting stars Several large rorqual whales were spotted this past week in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf. On Saturday, a blue whale was seen off Les Bergeronnes. On Monday, five blue whales and as many fin whales were spotted near the Boisés Islets, just downstream from Les Escoumins. One of the fin whales—likely a female—was accompanied by a calf. The rorqual whales were feeding on krill near the surface. Bioluminescence was so intense that it lit up the water starting at dusk. On the South Shore, between Sainte-Félicité-de-Matane and Les Méchins, observers counted at least six fin whales, one blue whale—feeding—and two humpback whales. In the Gulf, the MICS team encountered seven humpback whales north-west of Anticosti Island and 25 fin whales at Rivière-aux-Tonnerre. Several fin whales and blue whales, along with one humpback whale, were navigating the waters off Gaspé and Percé. Minke whales and harbour porpoises were present in nearly all areas from Port-au-Persil to Gaspé-Percé. Several minke whales swam up the Saguenay as far as Sainte-Marguerite Bay and a beluga whale made it as far as Éternité Bay approximately 60 km upstream from Tadoussac. Hundreds of dolphins Last Sunday the Forestville-Rimouski ferry came across a white-sided dolphin. But were all passengers quick enough to spot it? That same day approximately 500 white-sided dolphins were seen off Gaspé. Quick or not, it's a good bet that most whale watchers on the water had time to spot at least some of them. 25 August 2005, vol. 9 no33 Fog or mist? When humidity saturates the scenery, ears become more useful than eyes for discovering the natural world. This week turned out to be a great opportunity for “auditory observations” in several areas of the St. Lawrence enshrouded in rain and fog. Or was it mist? According to the Meteorological Service of Canada, fog is a collection of minuscule water droplets or ice crystals that reduce ground level visibility. Its composition is identical to that of a cloud that touches the ground. This phenomenon is referred to as fog when it reduces horizontal visibility to less than a kilometre. When visibility is greater than a kilometre, it is referred to as mist. Fog takes on several names depending on its characteristics and on how it was formed. These names include radiation fog, advection fog, upslope fog, snowy surface fog, ice fog, evaporation fog, steam fog or arctic sea smoke and so forth. No matter what type of fog you run into, take the time to try to identify the various sounds that permeate it. A wide variety of sounds can be heard such as ship fog horns, the piercing cry of seabirds, the loud breathing of seals, the light blow of harbour porpoises, the louder blows of beluga whales and minke whales or the explosive blows of the large rorqual whales. Also keep an eye out for the luminous signals of the various navigational lights. Every lighthouse emits its own particular signal to help mariners position themselves in this sea of cloud. A little bit of everything Several blue whales and fin whales were noted off Carriole Point, near Tadoussac, and in Mille-Vaches Bay, between Les Escoumins and Portneuf-sur-Mer, this past week. On Monday, a GREMM research team managed to photograph King Fisher; a female blue whale that the MICS research station has had on file since 1990. This blue whale was sighted in the Estuary with a calf in 2003. This week, King Fisher was swimming near a fin whale, known simply as F613, off the Boisés Islets. F613 has been known to the GREMM team since 1997 and was photographed a month ago near Les Bergeronnes. Fin whales, humpback whales and minke whales were quite numerous between Mingan and Anticosti Island. Observers from the Magdalen Islands noted from 15 to 60 harbour seals and grey seals on a daily basis. Activity was intense off the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula where white-sided dolphins could still be counted in the hundreds. A basking shark—an eight to ten-metre-long fish that feeds only on plankton—was spotted near the Rosiers Cape lighthouse on Monday. Remarkable beluga whales Some fifty beluga whales—adults and young—adventured into Tadoussac Bay early last Saturday afternoon. The whales swam towards the wharf and then along a whale-watching boat that was preparing to head out to sea, pleasantly surprising passengers and passers-by walking on the wharf at the time. Earlier this week, whale watchers entering the Saguenay encountered beluga whales that were on their way out of the Fjord. One adolescent beluga whale—recognizable by its grey coloration—charmed whale watchers by coming out of the water as far as its belly button. The whale was quite remarkable with its head and belly to the wind. Teenagers…they're all the same! Cold soup The Godbout wharf was teeming with life Monday evening. It eventually turned into a veritable observation platform for the 50-odd people that happened to be present at the time. Approximately ten minke whales were seen feeding in a bouillon of sand lance near the wharf. The fish were swimming near the surface and the minke whales were feasting on the marine soup. They could be seen turning on their sides and exhibiting their pink and distended ventral grooves. This species of whale is particularly fond of schooling fish such as sand lance, herring, smelt and capelin. Two or three minke whales even swam to within three metres of the wharf! 1 September 2005, vol. 9 no34 A white cove While last week a relatively large group of beluga whales was sighted in Tadoussac Bay, this week—more specifically on the morning of August 26—an observer working for the Marine Communication Traffic Service (MCTS) based in Les Escoumins witnessed what he described as a beluga whale conference in Basques Cove, known locally as Pilot's Bay. No less than 50 beluga whales came together off the MCTS station and swam into the Cove either in small groups of four to six individuals or on their own. Perched on a hillside, our observer was well placed to calmly observe the whales for the 20 minutes they spent in the Cove. The entire group would often form a circle. Those working at the station say that this is the first time in at least the last 20 years that so many beluga whales have been seen there. Earlier that morning, GREMM researchers had placed a radio transmitter on a beluga whales three miles off Les Bergeronnes. The tagged whale was not one of those who entered the Cove. Yet, according to the researchers, the 50 beluga whales that entered the Cove were part of a larger group of approximately 100 animals—including the tagged w hale—that were travelling downstream. Were they simply investigating the coastline? Were they searching for food? There is no way to say for sure. The researchers tracked the tagged beluga whale throughout the day to Sault-aux-Moutons where the suction cup tag finally fell off, as planned, and was recovered. A blue estuary Whale watchers and whale researchers have reported several gatherings of blue whales in the downstream portion of the St. Lawrence Estuary over the past week, including one spectacular sighting of six blue whales at once. There are many reports of the animals feeding near the surface, which is quite a sight to behold. When these giants open their garage-door-sized mouths, witnesses easily grasp the reality that blue whales may consume several tonnes of krill in a single day! MICS researcher Richard Sears, who has recently been working at photo-identifying blue whales in the Estuary, estimates a total of 12 individual blue whales between Les Escoumins and Forestville over the past week. Dolphins, dolphins everywhere! Very large numbers of Atlantic white-sided dolphins have once again been spotted in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. From 200 to 400 of these small cetaceans could be seen off Gaspé and Percé. They give themselves away more easily on calm days as they leap and splash at the surface creating white water where all should be serene. The record number of dolphins observed last week occurred far offshore from the village of Sheldrake on the North Shore in an area known as Parent Bank, where MICS researchers noted an estimated 1000 of them along with 20 humpback whales, 200 harbour porpoises, 11 fin whales and 45 minke whales. A very impressive collection of cetaceans indeed! Two stray white-sided dolphins rode the bow waves of two tour boats for a long portion of its voyage between Les Bergeronnes and Les Escoumins in the St. Lawrence Estuary. And finally, an observer from as far away as Nova Scotia sent pictures of a group of Atlantic white-sided dolphins that she photographed swimming west of Cape Breton Island. 8 September 2005, vol. 9 no35 Whales out of bounds This week there were three sightings of whales at the limit of or beyond their habitual summer ranges. A tourist staying at a B & B along the shore near Cap-à-l'Aigle in the Charlevoix region described a fin whale swimming just offshore. Fin whales tend to limit their westward summer migration to the head of the Laurentian Channel, off Tadoussac, although in recent years several representatives of this species have been sighted upstream. Then, along with her other, more regular sightings of this past week—two blue whales, four minke whales and several harbour porpoises—our observer from Pointe-des-Monts at the western limit of the Gulf also noted a solitary beluga whale. The small white whale brought its tail out of the water with each dive. This sighting is beyond the downstream limit of the St. Lawrence beluga whale's summer range; this population moves into the lower Estuary and Gulf during the cold months of the year. Finally, observers from Sainte-Thérèse-de-Gaspé photographed no less than three right whales 12 nautical miles off Espoir Cape, southwest of Percé on August 25 and 26. Since 1995, this area has been a “hot spot” for this species otherwise rare in the St. Lawrence. Right whales tend to congregate in the Bay of Fundy during the summer. Each and every mention of a right whale in our waters is precious to scientists trying to understand the importance of the St. Lawrence for this endangered species. There are likely as many explanations for these out of bound whales as there are sightings, the most common hypothesis being adventurous souls in search of food. As with most animal populations, there are often exceptions to the rules, just ask any birdwatcher about special sightings of bird species beyond their habitual ranges. Seal watching made easy Grey seals have recently been reported at the mouth of the Portneuf River. Although this is not the first time they have been noted in the general area—in past years they could be often be seen on the nearby sand bar—the seals were seen even further upstream than usual, near the Portneuf Marina. Food appears to be the main attraction, as a great number of seagulls and double-crested cormorants could also be seen feeding on sand lance and other small fish in vicinity. On the same note, but on a larger scale, somewhere between 200 and 300 grey seals have been seen daily on or near Corps Mort Island, in the Magdalen Islands. According to a local observer, this represents two to three times as many as have been seen regularly in recent years. Beached humpback whale in Blanc Sablon The carcass of a humpback whale came ashore on the municipal beach at Blanc Sablon on the Lower North Shore on September 4. MICS researchers have identified the animal as Lobo, a female that they have had on file since 1989 when she was a relatively small, and therefore young, animal. For now, the cause of death of this very large female is not known. 15 September 2005, vol. 9 no36 The downstream giants As many as 12 blue whales and 7 fin whales have been reported in the downstream portion of the Estuary between Les Escoumins and Forestville. Some of these blue whales were paired up into what are likely couples of female and male adults. This type of behaviour is typical of late summer and early fall and may be a form of courtship. An observer from Portneuf-sur-Mer also noticed large swarms of what he suspects to be krill on his sonar at depths of between 6 and 12 metres near Milles Vaches Bay. These swarms are likely what has attracted large rorquals to the area; although the whales haven't been observed feeding at the surface, their breathing patterns suggested that they were not diving very deep. They were probably eating the shallow krill. There are a limited number of areas where the two largest animal species of the planet are able to find sufficient food to satisfy their appetites; blue whales and fin whales can consume over one tonne of prey per day…per animal! Other St. Lawrence rorqual whale hotspots include the Mingan area, where MICS researchers counted some 50 humpback whales and 15 fin whales this week. The tip of the Gaspé Peninsula was also very busy with 15 blue whales—including a cow-calf pair—and 8 fin whales noted by tour operators working off Gaspé and Percé. A group of adventurous beluga whales An observer near St. Fulgence—some 100 km upstream from the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord—was delighted when, as he was driving along the northwest shore, he noticed at least 15 beluga whales swimming the waters near the opposite shore. Although beluga whales are very frequently observed in the Saguenay, they are more often seen in the downstream portion of the Fjord. Our observer says that, although he often looks out onto the Fjord, this is his first sighting of beluga whales in his area in the three years! Life is full of surprises, if we take the time to look. Where are the Estuary's minke whales? The minke whale is the smallest and the most coastal of the great rorqual whales. This species, known for its spectacular surface feeding behaviour, is generally omnipresent along the North Shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary from April through October. This week, an individual known by ORES researchers as Artiste was loyal to Islet Point in Tadoussac where it could be seen actively feeding, turning on its side and back as it captured what were likely small schooling fish such as capelin or sand lance. A few scattered individuals have also been seen along the shore. Yet, minke whale sightings in the Estuary over the past few weeks have been definitely less frequent than in the past. Where have they gone? It is hard to say. Minke whales are difficult to spot when they are not feeding; they breathe only a few times at the surface between dives and are very quick. Also, due to their smaller size—6-8 metres in length—their blow is rarely visible. In the Gulf, on the contrary, minke whales are still abundant: several dozen have been reported near Rivière-au-Tonnerre, on the North Shore, and off Percé, at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. 22 September 2005, vol. 9 no37 Whale calves In early June, fin whale, beluga whale, harbour porpoise and minke whale calves were relatively prevalent in various portions of the St. Lawrence. Many of these young'uns were not yet weaned and were seen swimming near their mothers. This week, months later and with much water under the bridge, calves are still seen in several sectors of the St. Lawrence. An observer from Portneuf-sur-Mer reports a very, very small minke whale that was seen swimming near an adult fin whale (!). He also noted quite a few harbour porpoises, several of them obviously calves due to their marked diminutive size when seen alongside adults. Another observer who was kayaking near Kamouraska, on the South Shore, observed a great number of adult beluga whales accompanied by many grey-coloured animals; beluga whales are dark skinned at birth and grow progressively pale until they reach adulthood, when they become completely white. Finally, the Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) roving research team spotted a young fin whale along the Gaspé Coast. While every species has its own distinct reproductive season, it is not improbable to observe so many offspring at this time of the year. Unlike seabirds that nest for brief periods at very specific times of the year, cetacean reproductive seasons can stretch out over several months. Add to this a wide range of nursing periods, and it is easy to understand why whale calves can be observed throughout the summer months. These sightings are nevertheless encouraging, particularly for species at risk such as the beluga whale, the harbour porpoise and the fin whale. Their colour gave them away A seasoned observer working aboard the N.M. Camille-Marcoux that links the North Shore cities of Baie-Comeau and Godbout with Matane on the South Shore spotted a group of 12 Atlantic white-sided dolphins approximately four nautical miles off Matane on Monday, September 19. Quite accustomed to seeing harbour porpoises—he estimates that there are approximately 50 of them swimming along the North Shore near where the ferry docks—he is positive that the dolphins were indeed dolphins. Unable to disguise themselves, the white bands along their flanks gave them away. While white-sided dolphins have been numerous in the northern Gulf and of the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula this season, sightings in the Estuary have been typically sporadic. Gaspé blues Blue whales tend to enter the St. Lawrence in the spring through the southern portion of the Gulf before eventually crossing northward to Pointe-des-Monts. In the past they would then follow the North Shore downstream to the Mingan sector. However, over the last decade, MICS researchers have found more blue whales further upstream in the Estuary than in the Northern Gulf, as was the case this season. During a very worthwhile research expedition along the northern coast of the Gaspé Peninsula, MICS researchers estimate that they cruised past as many as 35 blue whales between Cloridorme and Cap Gaspé this week. The challenges of whale research are many and sometimes finding even the largest animal in the world can be like the proverbial needle in a huge haystack. 29 September 2005, vol. 9 no38 Slippery prey Beluga whales are known to eat everything from crustaceans to worms to various species of fish; they are opportunistic feeders. Thus, any fish migrating through their territory becomes fair game. While photographing a group of beluga whales near Boule Cove in the Saguenay Fjord on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 27, the crew aboard GREMM's research boat, the Bleuvet, witnessed several of the white whales pursuing long, slippery prey near the surface. They first identified the prey when one of the eels attempted to escape its giant white aggressor by leaping out of the water. The Bleuvet's crew witnessed six separate attacks over the course of the next two hours. Mature eels are on a mission in the fall as they migrate from fresh water to the Sargasso Sea in the southwestern North Atlantic to mate. They are therefore a rare treat to belugas, as they only move through the Estuary. Unfortunately, those eels that live most of their lives in lake Ontario are heavily contaminated with PCBs and Mirex. A study has shown that predation on eels, during the short time frame that they are available, could explain a good part of the heavy concentrations of some of the contaminants found in belugas. Marine mammals eat eels at their own risk… Not just “minkeying” around Belugas were not the only whales feeding near the surface. This week as many as ten minke whales could be seen actively involved in surface feeding manoeuvres between the Prince Shoal lighthouse and Red Island at the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord and off Carriole Pointe a few km downstream from Tadoussac. Much to the delight of whale watchers, distended pink bellies, pointy snouts, pectoral fins and caudal fins broke the surface as these agile animals twisted and turned to capture their prey. Predictably, the whales were often seen feeding in or along the rips created by the falling tide. Spectacular as this behaviour may be for whale watchers, for the whales, chasing small, rapid prey is serious work; a minke whale will consume about 90 kg of prey per day. Variety, the spice of whale watching Whale watchers in the Gaspé area were treated to quite a range of cetaceans, both in size and shape. First, but not least, an estimated 400 harbour porpoises were swimming off the Gaspé Peninsula this week. The other species, from smallest to largest, included five minke whales, three humpback whales, six fin whales and eight blue whales. While all of these cetaceans migrate into the St. Lawrence to feed, the degree of competition between different whales for a given resource is not known. Harbour porpoises in the St. Lawrence feed mostly on capelin, while blue whales eat mainly small planktonic crutaceans called krill. The diets of minke, fin and humpback whales include many species of schooling fish, such as herring, sand lance and capelin, as well as krill. There is something for everyone in the St. Lawrence! 6 October 2005, vol. 9 no39 Whale tails One of the first images to come to mind when we think of whales is that of enormous tail flukes rising above the surface, dripping water as the whale heads for the deep. Yet, not all whales fluke up as they dive. More often than not, when we spot a whale, we first see its blow, followed by its back and, finally, its dorsal fin. While only the humpback whale, the right whale and the sperm whale are considered to be regular “flukers” in the St. Lawrence, an estimated one in five blue whales also lifts its tail above the surface as it arcs its back to dive. Yet, of the seven blue whales swimming the waters off Portneuf-sur-Mer this week—three pairs and a solitary animal—, five were flukers. Oddly enough, the pair of blue whales swimming between Percé and Gaspé were also both flukers. Curious, impressive and unexplained behaviour… The warm glow of autumn Blue is not the only colour attracting attention at this time of year. Large, ocean-going cruise ships are making their annual migration to the Estuary to marvel at the yellow, orange and red scenery. Many of the temporary citizens of these floating cities come from more southern latitudes where this annual display does not happen. At the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord the scenery becomes a backdrop to harbour porpoises, feeding minke whales, beluga whales, occasional grey seals and hundreds of gulls. The fleeting fall display—autumn winds will soon whisk away the colourful leaves—is downright breathtaking in the Fjord where the patchwork forest that clings to the steep cliffs includes both evergreen and deciduous trees such as birch, poplar, mountain ash and maple. The crisp, cool air and the low angle of the sun influence the light, causing the shore to positively glow. Winding down in Gaspé This was the final week for tour boat operators working in the Gaspé-Percé area, but not for lack of whales! As many as three humpback whales and eight fin whales were seen off Cape Gaspé during the final whale-watching cruise that left from Grande-Grave. However, whales can often still be seen from the shore off Cape Gaspé and Cap-aux-Os; a great place for a hike along the Capes! Tour boats leaving from Percé, in their final week of operation, witnessed a pair of blue whales, some 200 harbour porpoises and nearly a dozen minke whales. As if in a farewell salute, one minke whale performed several breaches between the Percé wharf and Bonaventure Island. 13 October 2005, vol. 9 no40 Into the Fjord The mouth of the Saguenay Fjord is a crossroads of sorts where the dynamic outflows of two major rivers meet under the influence of the ebb and flow of the tide. The forces at work here are immeasurable. The sight of several beluga whales swimming up and down the Saguenay bear witness to the fact that this area is central to their lives. Yet, where they are going and why remain a mystery. The presence of six minke whales and a solitary fin whale near the mouth of the Fjord, on the other hand, is not so mysterious; they have come here to feast. Several minke whales were also perceived not far from where the ferries cross the Fjord. One in particular was very actively feeding near the surface on the afternoon of October 12. It was easy to keep track of this whale; four or five gulls were flying above it like so many signal flags and, when the whale was not visible at the surface, the powerful ripples caused by its sub-surface activities gave it away. Often when it exhaled its blow would blossom overhead, a small explosion of steam rising several metres into the air, flashing above the glinting diamonds of the waves in the low, oblique angle of the autumn sun's rays. Land mammals – marine mammals Despite the fact that strong winds grounded several outings in Portneuf-sur-Mer this past weekend, whale watchers were finally able to head offshore early in the week to encounter a total of eight blue whales, three fin whales and one harbour porpoise. The same wind uprooted trees in Pointe-des-Monts where shore-bound observers noted at least three minke whales swimming just offshore. High winds churn up the surface making excursions difficult, if not impossible, for us land mammals, yet the high waves do not appear to seriously affect whales. Of course they have long since adapted to life in the aquatic environment and no longer have the option of coming ashore when seas get rough; they must deal with the turbulence. Whales probably have a clear enough understanding of how waves “behave” to grasp their rhythms and calculate the best moment to breathe to avoid inhaling seawater. Fin whales, for example, have been observed blowing and inhaling in the troughs of large waves and swimming in a dynamic manner, bringing their heads a little higher than normal out of the water. Whales are also very efficient breathers; it often takes them a second, at most, to fill their lungs with air. 20 October 2005, vol. 9 no41 Researchers successfully tag a beluga whale GREMM researchers managed to successfully track their twelfth beluga whale of the season on 12 October 2005. Using a crossbow, the crew attached a suction-cup tag to the animal at 11:51 a.m. in the Saguenay River. The subject was accompanied by a young, grey beluga whale. Unfortunately the tag was positioned low on the whale's caudal peduncle, diminishing the range of the VHF radio signal. Rough seas and the tag's position rendered tracking difficult and the team was able to follow it for only approximately 90 minutes before losing the signal. The tag, which fell off around 10:20 p.m., was recovered the following morning near Basque Island, approximately 4 nautical miles from the south shore of the St. Lawrence. Photos were used to identify the beluga whale as Dl 293; a beluga whale that has been on file in the GREMM/SLNIE catalogue for over ten years. Dive information collected by the tag for over ten hours will be included in the data bank and will be very useful in gaining a better understanding of the behavioural ecology of this threatened species. An entangled leatherback turtle freed by fishermen Fishermen discovered a leatherback turtle entangled near Corps Mort Island in the Magdalen Islands on 28 September 2005. It took the captain and crew of the fishing vessel approximately 30 minutes to free the turtle, whose pectoral fin had become entwined in a sea-whelk trap connecting line. The leatherback turtle is the largest turtle in the world with an average length of one and one half metres. It can be easily identified by five to seven dorsal ridges on its leathery carapace and very long pectoral fins. The leatherback turtle is an endangered species and sightings are relatively rare. If you spot one of these turtles, do not hesitate to contact the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (1-877-722-5346). Sighting information will be transferred to specialists who study this species. 27 October 2005, vol. 9 no42 The calm before the storm Situated as they are in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Magdalen Islands are very often windblown. On any given day waves are a metre high. Taking advantage of calm seas a few residents decided to go for a boat ride on Friday, October 14. In the morning, while navigating between Brion Island and Grosse Island, they came across six fin whales swimming peacefully. In the afternoon they managed to snap some very clear pictures of minke whales, with hundreds of grey seals swimming in the background. The whales would surface for long periods, sometimes surprising the whale watchers by coming within metres of their boat. In the wake of hurricane Wilma the wind has picked up speed and 20-foot waves have been reported in recent days. Needless to say, our resident whale watchers did not leave the dock this week. Big whales keep on feeding… rollin' on the River During one of his final excursions of the season, a tour operator from Portneuf-sur-Mer came across as many as seven blue-whale pairs and one pair of fin whales, along with three solitary blue whales, one solitary fin whale and several harbour porpoises. Not surprisingly, he had also noted an abundance of krill in the same general area. This week, two minke whales and a fin whale along with a dozen grey seals were visible from shore off Cap-aux-Os, on the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, where tour operators have already dry-docked their boats for the season. End of season Halloween eve marks the end of the whale-watching season in Tadoussac, after which the various tour boats will be hauled out onto dry land to patiently await the spring. Minke whales remain relatively abundant; approximately ten of them are regularly seen surface feeding at the mouth of the Saguenay. One final extraordinary sighting to finish up the offshore whale-watching season; recently a naturalist noticed a group of eight adult and two light-grey juvenile beluga whales near the K56 buoy at the mouth of the Saguenay. The whales were particularly active and two of them rose vertically out of the water, beyond their pectoral fins. They remained this way for several seconds before rejoining their fellows rolling over and rubbing up against each other. At one point a long pink protuberance, the penis of one of the animals, was visible above the surface. While the whales may not have been mating—the beluga whale mating season takes place from April to June—they were possibly engaged in some kind of sexual play. Same-sex sexual games are used in young male chimpanzees and dolphins for bond formation. Later in life, males of these species form stable relationships such as those recently discovered among male beluga whales. The scene captured by the lucky naturalist at the mouth of the Saguenay may not be interpreted with certainty, but it is a clear reminder that these creatures have a rich and complex social life. 3 November 2005, vol. 9 no43 Two dolphin strandings in the St. Lawrence The Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network Call Centre was kept busy over the Halloween weekend with two cases of dolphin strandings in the St. Lawrence. Frequently tide and currents push cetacean carcasses or weakened live animals onto beaches where they expire. Cause of death may be naturally due to old age, disease or be associated to an accident. Atlantic white-sided dolphin on the beach On October 30 a resident of Sept-Îles phoned in to report a dolphin stranded on a beach in her municipality. A representative of the MDDEP (Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs) identified the specimen on site as an Atlantic white-sided dolphin. This species is commonly observed in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the summer in groups occasionally numbering in the hundreds. The carcass appeared to be relatively fresh—no unpleasant odour—with no apparent injuries. Due to the fact that it came ashore in a residential area, the municipality acted quickly and transported the carcass to the local landfill site for burial. A long and complicated final voyage The second dolphin stranding was reported to the Canadian Coast Guard on the morning of November 1 at Pointe-à-la-Garde near the western extremity of Chaleurs Bay. Early in the morning a local resident spotted the dolphin stranded far down the beach at low tide. She reports that, at that time, the dolphin appeared to be still alive. Later in the day when the tide was in, the carcass of the recently deceased animal was towed ashore and pictures were forwarded to the Network Call Centre where it was confirmed to be a short-beaked common dolphin. While this species is not listed among the 13 cetaceans that frequent the St. Lawrence, its presence has been noted off Newfoundland and near the Magdalen Islands. Tens of thousands of short-beaked common dolphins inhabit the waters off eastern North America. With the collaboration of various partners, the carcass was transported from Pointe-à-la-Garde to Rivière-du-Loup where it boarded a ferry and crossed the Estuary to Saint-Siméon. It was then driven to Baie-Sainte-Catherine where, aboard another ferry, it crossed the Saguenay River to Tadoussac. Tissue samples will be taken for research purposes, the dolphin carcass eventually dissected and the skeleton cleaned and mounted. In due course it will be included in GREMM's cetacean skeleton collection on display at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre in Tadoussac where it will live a second life, so to speak, as an educational exhibit. If you notice a dead, wounded or entangled marine mammal, please contact the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network at the following toll-free number: 1-877-722-5346. The Network Call Centre will ensure that those best equipped to deal with each individual situation are contacted promptly. 10 November 2005, vol. 9 no44 Shore-bound observers With the end of the whale-watching season, offshore excursions are rare. This week several observers noticed whales while partaking in activities not directly associated with whale watching. If you happen to find yourself near the water, take time to scan the horizon; the St. Lawrence is full of surprises! Of whales and birds As they have been doing for over a decade, ornithologists from the Observatoire d'oiseaux deTadoussac (OOT) are in the field—perched atop the marine terraces east of the village of Tadoussac—scanning sky and horizon for signs of life, counting birds of prey that migrate along the North Shore. While looking through field glasses early in the afternoon on November 8, one ornithologist spotted signs of life both above and on the water. Scanning downstream, he saw several rorqual whales feeding off the village of Les Bergeronnes. He counted at least three minke whales, one fin whale and two other large whales that were also likely fin whales. All of the marine mammals were actively feeding in a tide rip, along with some 5000 gulls. That same day, OOT ornithologists also noted 32 bald eagles and four golden eagles overhead that were likely being carried along by a strong northwest wind. While scanning sky and water at the mouth of the Saguenay, another birdwatcher noticed some 30 beluga whales, both young and adult animals, along with a solitary harbour seal. Arctic and glaucous gulls have begun showing up; they will likely spend the winter. Finally, he also noted two magnificent purple sandpipers, also winter visitors, at Islet Point. While hiking along the shore While hiking along the shore in Forillon National Park on the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula on October 29, an observer documented an impressive variety of cetaceans: two blue whales, three fin whales, two minke whales, one humpback whale and two harbour porpoises. As a bonus he also counted five grey seals. There were numerous blows in the distance, but he was unable to positively identify these whales. Fewer beluga whales A regular Whale News Network observer from Saint-Irénée in the Charlevoix region who had observed an average of ten beluga whales on a daily basis all summer has noted a marked drop in their numbers in recent weeks. His beluga whale sightings have become quite sporadic, and the number of belugas observed has dropped to just a few whales at a time. It is possible that with the change of season beluga whales are changing their habits and preparing to leave their summer range—centred around the mouth of the Saguenay—for their winter range situated further downstream. 17 November 2005, vol. 9 no45 Blue or fin? On November 11, an observer spotted one fin whale near Cap Gaspé and several large, unidentified blows off in the distance. The numerous blows detected approximately six km from the coast of the North Shore town of Portneuf-sur-Mer last weekend were too far away for positive species identification. Yet, a dark and solitary fin whale left no doubt as it swam within 30 m of the strand near Sainte-Anne-des-Monts on the South Shore on November 13. Blue whales and fin whales are the most commonly observed large whales at this time of year, yet it is not always easy to distinguish one species from the other. When they are within range, it is possible to tell them apart by their coloration (fin whales are nearly black, while blue whales are a mottled light blue-grey), their size (fin whales average 18 m while blue whales average 23 m) and the position of their dorsal fins; a blue whale dorsal fin is positioned further back on its back than the dorsal fin of fin whale. Also, fin whale dorsal fins tend to be much larger than those of blue whales. Autumn blues The identification process was taken one step further when whales were reported in the Les Bergeronnes-Les Escoumins area over the weekend. On Friday, November 11 an observer noted a relatively small blue whale swimming on its own a mere 100 m from shore, just be |