Orcas in the Channel Again

The orcas are in the harbor area again this morning! There have been multiple reports of the orcas moving in the channel and near the green buoy at the entrance to the harbor. Good viewing points in the past have been the harbor spit or from the boat trailer parking lot on Near Island. City Dock/Fisherman's Terminal (Pier 2) has also been a good view point as they move back out to sea.

A Busy Morning in the Kodiak Harbor Area

Three of the "Kodiak Killers" were in the channel and harbor area for several hours Sunday morning apparently hunting and feeding. They put on a great show, spy-hopping and tail-slapping a few times.

In other news, several spouts were seen off of Narrow Cape from the cliffs above Fossil Beach on March 22nd. Happy whale-watching!

Orcas reported in the channel March 27th

Grab your cup of coffee and head downtown. Three to four orcas, including the big male with the bent dorsal fin have been sighted in the channel. More from the waterfront a little later.

Gray Whales off of Long Island

Saturday afternoon three gray whales were seen off the north end of Long Island. Migration season is upon us!

St. Paddy's Day Parade of Orcas

Three of the transient orcas known as the "Kodiak Killers" made a St. Paddy's day appearance along Kodiak's waterfront this evening. They spent some time traveling through the channel to Pier 2, then turned around and headed back to the front of cannery row. Among the three was the big male known locally as Bentley. His dorsal fin has toppled over and drags alongside him in the water.

Don't forget to call KMXT with your sightings at 486-3181. Ask for Pam.

Orcas Sighted in the Kodiak channel on Tuesday, March 8th

It's official - the 2011 whale sighting season has begun!  Several orcas spent time in the Kodiak channel and harbor area on Tuesday - entertaining residents and making sea lions nervous.  Keep your eyes open - these guys often hang around the area for a few days, periodically cruising the channel.

KMXT is the official whale alert number this year, so give us a call at 486-3181 and ask for Pam.  If I'm not around, leave a message.

Photo by Dake Schmidt

Whew! Last week was a busy one...

Sorry for the delay in posting these sightings, but the whales were keeping me hoppin' last week.
First of all, most of you probably caught wind that the Kodiak Killers made quite a few appearances last week. I received several reports throughout the week and saw them myself on Thursday. The group consisted of only three animals; the large bent male fin, the three year old calf and their mom. The second female and her calf were no where to be seen.








Also on Thursday, Kate and I flew an aerial survey of the north half of the island. We counted 71 gray whales. Some of these whales were clearly feeding as we saw big mud plumes from the air, but some were definitely cruising by on their way further north.
I have not received any reports of gray whales out in Chiniak or Marmot Bays, but maybe the king fishing has been too hot to pay attention!