October 12, 2023: SRKWs and Transients| Edmonds, WA

Date: Thursday, October 12, 2023
Location: Edmonds, Washington
Weather: Sunny with marine haze, 63 degrees Fahrenheit with 4mph winds from WNW
Tide: Low to Flood
Pods: J, K, and L Pods (minus the L12s), T37As, and T99s
Total Whale Count: ∼73
Behaviors: Traveling, hunting, foraging, socializing
Boat Count: Unknown

What a busy day in the inland waters of Puget Sound! In the previous days, there had been multiple groups of transients, also known as Bigg’s killer whales (mammal eaters) keeping a presence in Puget Sound, and reports of Southern Residents in Haro Strait. By the morning of the 12th, an online sighting network received a report from Washington State Ferries of an estimated 6 orcas between the Kingston and Edmonds crossing.

As more reports started coming through on this group of orcas, there was estimated to be at least a total of 15 individuals, making it likely these were Southern Resident killer whales. The group continued steadily south making their way into Seattle around 10am, when a shore-based whale watcher was able to confirm these were SRKWs by an open saddle. The strong marine haze made it difficult for people to confirm the identities of the whales to determine which pod or pods were present. By 10:30am the whales stalled out just north of Elliot Bay making a directional change traveling back north.

We set out for Richmond Saltwater Park in Shoreline Washington, where we were able to spot a large group of whales mid-channel. After getting a couple of glances we quickly changed locations to Kayu Kuay Ac Park. While viewing from the park, it was clear there were more whales present than just a single pod. We speculated that J Pod was present, possibly with K Pod based on the amount of males present. Around 1pm, Brad Hanson, a researcher with NOAA confirmed with the sightings group that J, K, and members of L Pod were present, possibly totaling 45 to 48 whales (L12s were not present, it is unknown of the L54s were present).

We watched all the groups pass from afar, the groups displaying a variety of surface activities such as breaches, spy hops, and tail slaps. After they passed us, we made our way up to Sunset Avenue in Edmonds, WA, where they continued to forage in the area. One group made their way towards mid-channel and were foraging near a bait ball.

With the days getting shorter, we began losing daylight pretty quickly and the whales were drifting northwest towards Admiralty Inlet, and around sunset we decided to pack up and call it a day. As we were taking Kylo the OC Volunteer Dog for a walk down the ave, we noticed a large volume of people gathered and watching the water. Turning to look, there was a surprise group of orcas coming right off the ferry, close to the Edmonds shore. Given that we knew there were over 40 SRKWs present, we had initially assumed these were Southern Residents, but it turned out to be the T37As who had traveled up from the South Sound. After they passed continuing northeast towards Possession Sound, a second group of transients passed close to shore, this group being the T99s.

The two surprise passes by the transients gave us the best looks of the day. As the sun went down and daylight faded, we packed up and called it a day, eager to see where the whales would all be the following day.

Learn more about the transienst on our Meet the Transients Page.

Learn more about J, K, and L Pods on our Meet the Southern Resident Page.