J Pod returned to Haro Strait for the first confirmed Southern Resident sighting since late February, while Bigg's orcas ran a full lap of Puget Sound in a single day.
J Pod
J Pod spent Sunday in Haro Strait, passing Lime Kiln and entering Baynes Channel with clear hydrophone detections throughout the morning. This is the first confirmed Southern Resident sighting since late February. J Pod appearing in early March is consistent with historical patterns, though March SR presence varies considerably year to year.
Calls were also heard on North San Juan Channel hydrophones Wednesday but without visual confirmation.
T36s, T36Bs, T99s, T124As, T100E, T41s
The T36/T36B and T99 families dominated the week with a Saturday appearance in Rosario Strait followed by an all-day Sunday journey from Kingston through central Puget Sound to Tacoma and back north via Colvos Passage. On Friday, the T124A family and T100E made a foggy pass through East Passage into downtown Tacoma.
The T41 family spent over an hour hunting a sea lion near shore at Clallam Bay on Sunday. March is historically a strong month for Bigg’s activity, and this week lived up to that trend.
Both Southern Residents and Bigg’s orcas are active in the region. Keep checking hydrophones and watching the water for continued sightings.