Southern Residents returned to the inland waters for the first time in 62 days

On June 14, Southern Residents returned to the inland waters of the Salish Sea for the first time in 62 days. Amazingly, it was more than 40 whales: J-Pod and the Greater L4 sub-group!

The group did one lap of their old standard summers circuit, heading east in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, up Haro Strait and into the Strait of Georgia, and then coming down Boundary Pass back into Haro the next morning. This used to be an almost daily occurrence from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but in recent years, weeks and even months-long absences have become the new summer normal. It's not at all unexpected for them to take one look around and head right back out in the summer, which with no reports of them on June 16th, it seems likely they may have done.

This isn't necessarily bad news, as we hope it means they've found a more reliable food source out at Swiftsure Bank, where all three pods now spend the bulk of the summer months. One look at the current Chinook test catch numbers from the Albion test fishery on the Fraser River and it's obvious the abundant runs they used to follow through the San Juan Islands are no longer there for them.

Regardless, we will always celebrate their visits, however brief they may be. Just like reconnecting with old friends you haven't seen in too long, you can still pick up with the vibe right where you left it off, and with the SRKW, for me that is almost always one of joie de vivre. This photo was taken off the west side of San Juan Island on 6/15 by OBI Board Member Cindy Hansen. I had to do a double take when I saw it: it's J49 T'ilem I'nges, who at at the age of 13 now appears to be sprouting! The Center for Whale Research was able to get out with the whales on both days of their visit and will have more detailed updates to share soon.