The Minke Whale Citizen Science Project
We are not always able to get out on the water and when we do were are restricted to a 6 week period in the summer. But every year our friends and colleagues who are out on the water around the Salish Sea send us minke reports (this is how we discovered that Jonny Rotten was a female.... and had to implement the name change protocol -Jonny became Crhissie, Chrissie Hynde (bank)). In 2013 these reports were getting more and more incredible and inspired our Citizen Science Project. This project is now entering it`s third year and we look forward to hearing about more of your minke whale encounters in 2015.
This page is for you! We want you to get involved and contribute to the minke whale project. This page will also serve as a place to check which minke whales you might have encountered during a season, and hopefully even over seasons!
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How can you contribute?
Yes it is this simple. Oh... and don't forget to report your sightings! |
July 12
1 minke whale sighted off west side of San Juan Island at Land Bank. The whale was traveling back and forth in the area until ~ 20 killer whales came porpoising past from the north. Few if any seabirds were noted to be the area at the time.
Photographer: Jill Berger
1 minke whale sighted off west side of San Juan Island at Land Bank. The whale was traveling back and forth in the area until ~ 20 killer whales came porpoising past from the north. Few if any seabirds were noted to be the area at the time.
Photographer: Jill Berger
July 2
2 minke whales encountered just west of Salmon Bank. Lots of auklets with fish were seen in the vicinity of the whales.
Photographer: Monika Wieland
2 minke whales encountered just west of Salmon Bank. Lots of auklets with fish were seen in the vicinity of the whales.
Photographer: Monika Wieland
June 25
A minke whale was encountered near Cattle Pass, near the south end of San Juan Island and Lopez Island.
Photographer: Janie Harles
A minke whale was encountered near Cattle Pass, near the south end of San Juan Island and Lopez Island.
Photographer: Janie Harles
June 7
Two minke whales encountered. The first was sighted in Admiralty Inlet on the Whidbey Island side (probably 1/2 mile to 3/4 of a mile south of the ferry dock), while the second whale was encountered on the east side of Smith Island (and Minor Island). Bait balls were observed in the vicinity of each whale.
Photographer: Shari Tarantino
Two minke whales encountered. The first was sighted in Admiralty Inlet on the Whidbey Island side (probably 1/2 mile to 3/4 of a mile south of the ferry dock), while the second whale was encountered on the east side of Smith Island (and Minor Island). Bait balls were observed in the vicinity of each whale.
Photographer: Shari Tarantino
May 9
Nick Jagger was encountered in deep water between Lopez Island and Eastern Bank. The whale appeared to be feeding with long dives and frequent reverses in direction. Later in the day Nick Jagger was encountered at Hein Bank.
Photographer: Jim Gresham
Nick Jagger was encountered in deep water between Lopez Island and Eastern Bank. The whale appeared to be feeding with long dives and frequent reverses in direction. Later in the day Nick Jagger was encountered at Hein Bank.
Photographer: Jim Gresham
