Northbound Whales Already Spotted on Oregon Coast as Whale Week Approaches

Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.

03/14/08

Northbound Whales Already Spotted on Oregon Coast as Whale Week Approaches

Whale photo courtesy Whale Watch Center(Depoe Bay, Oregon) – March 22 through 29 brings the big whale watch week for the Oregon coast, as thousands of whales begin making their way north on a massive exodus from the waters off Mexico. Many have given birth down south, so there could be plenty of baby whales to gawk at, conditions willing.

Hosted by Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department, the spring Whale Watch Week coincides with spring break and features volunteers perched at dozens of high spots along the Oregon coast, helping tourists and science buffs spot the gargantuan creatures on their journey northward.

Morris Grover, head of the Whale Watch Center, searches for whales in Newport at the spring 2007 whale watch week

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In Newport, the week will also features some special events at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, as well as a bevy of chances to get up close and personal with them via the wide array of charter boat and whale watch tours available in that town as well as in Depoe Bay.

Trained volunteers at 28 "Whale Watching Spoken Here" sites help visitors spot gray whales. The volunteers are on duty 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to help visitors see the marine animals and offer information about their migration.

The state’s program takes place at the northbound migration of gray whales. Marine mammologists estimate that 18,000 whales pass by between March and June, as they head north to the Arctic and Alaska’s Bering Sea. According to Whale Watch Spoken Here officials, juveniles pass by first, followed by single adults. Last are the mothers and babies. Some of the whales come close to shore to feed on Oregon's great food supply.

Whale watch lookout above ManzanitaThe Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay has reported already seeing a few northbound grays, as of February 26.

Also spotted in the last month were seven Orca whales – which often hit the central Oregon coast in sizable numbers in late May to feed on the newborns of the gray whales.

Volunteers are in places all over the coast, from Brookings up to southern Washington.

On the south central coast you’ll find them at Cape Perpetua Overlook (near Yachats); Cape Perpetua Interpretive Center (near Yachats); Cook's Chasm Turnout (near Yachats); Sea Lion Caves Turnout (north of Florence); large Highway 101 turnout south of tunnel (north of Florence). 541-765-3407. www.whalespoken.org.

One of the turnouts near Florence where volunteers will be situated. Heceta Head Lighthouse is in the backgroundOn the central coast, you’ll find them at the Inn at Spanish Head Lobby on 10th floor (Lincoln City); Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint (just north of Depoe Bay); The Whale Watching Center/Depoe Bay Sea Wall; Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint (between Newport and Depoe Bay); Cape Foulweather (just north of Newport); Devil's Punchbowl State Natural Area (just north of Newport); Yaquina Head Lighthouse (Newport); Don A. Davis City Kiosk (Newport’s Nye Beach); and Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site (Newport).

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In Tillamook County you’ll find them at Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint; Cape Lookout State Park (2.5 mile hike to site at tip of the Cape); Cape Kiwanda (Pacific City).

Orcas have already been seen this year (photo Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium) In the Manzanita area, you’ll find them at Neahkahnie Mountain Historic Marker Turnout on Highway 101.

On the north Oregon coast, you’ll find them at Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Ilwaco, Washington; Ecola State Park (Cannon Beach). 541-765-3407. www.whalespoken.org.

During Whale Watch Week, the Hatfield will feature mammal classes, films, whale tales and various displays. This happens March 22 – 29. Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 Marine Science Dr., Newport, Oregon. 10 a.m.

Admission by suggested donation. 541-867-0100. http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu.

The central Oregon coast town of Newport is the ticket to some of the best seats in the house for that week. Newport has three official whale watching sites, a few others close by, a plethora of whale watch vantage points and cruises, and two aquarium centers with loads of whale information.

Whale Watch Center in Depoe BayVisitors can make Newport their base of operations with ready access to three Whale Watching Spoken Here sites: Don Davis State Park, in the historic Nye Beach neighborhood, Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site and Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. The latter two each have their own lighthouse, while the Yaquina Head area has tide pools and an interpretive center. Four other official sites are a short drive away: the state’s Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay, the Depoe Bay Sea Wall, Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint, Cape Foulweather and the Devil's Punchbowl State Natural Area. All are just a few miles to the north.

Visitors can learn even more with a healthy dose of fun by heading to Newport’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, which offers storytelling, interpretive programs and other events during the Whale Watch Weeks. While they’re there, they can meet the resident giant pacific octopus, Reuben, learn at the touch pool, shop the marine-centric bookstore or take a walk on the estuary trail (hmsc.oregonstate.edu/visitor).

For most people, however, seeing a spout from a distance only whets their appetite for more. Visitors can see a whale up close by simply purchasing a spot on the deck of a charter boat. They come in all shapes and sizes in Newport, which is home to the largest charter and fishing fleet on the Oregon coast. Weather permitting, these seasoned captains can get visitors closer to nature than they’ve ever been before — and nothing compares to the shine on a whale’s fluke, massive and jaw-dropping, 100 feet away.

Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. http://www.atcannonbeach.com/.

The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. http://www.theoceanlodge.com/

Arch Cape Property Services. Dozens of homes in that dreamy, rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the sea.
All homes are immaculate and smoke free; some pet friendly (with a fee). Some with broadband, indoor or outdoor hot tubs, fireplaces, decks, and fire pits or barbecues. Call about tempting winter specials that go until March (not valid holidays, however). http://www.archcaperentals.com/ 866-436-1607.

Lincoln City Vacation Homes Something for everyone: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All are either oceanfront or just a few steps away – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets allowed in some homes – ask first. Each comes with complete kitchens. Most have seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. http://www.getaway2thecoast.com/. 541-994-8778.

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ASTORIA
Where the Columbia meets the Pacific, Land of Lewis & Clark and loads of atmosphere & history

SEASIDE
The Promenade, Tillamook Head, family fun & broad, sandy beaches

CANNON BEACH
A mysterious lighthouse, upscale yet earthy, a huge monolith, fine eateries & an art mecca

NEHALEM BAY
Manzanita's beaches, Nehalem and Wheeler's quirky beauty; laid back Rockaway

TILLAMOOK BAY
Garibaldi, Barview, Bay City, Tillamook & an oceanfront ghost town

THREE CAPES LOOP
The hidden secret of the coast: Cape Meares, a lighthouse, Oceanside, Netarts and Pacific City

DEPOE BAY
A spouting horn downtown, freaky hidden cliffs and whales, whales, whalesNEWPORT
Time-tripping Nye Beach, a bustling bayfront, marine science-central and two lighthouses
YACHATS
Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix of the rugged & upscale
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A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles and miles of fluffy dunes

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Rare Whale and Orcas Make It to Oregon Coast Waters

Rare Whale and Orcas Make It to Oregon Coast Waters

Published 02/07/2011

(Newport, Oregon) – One of the world's top whale researchers is keeping track of a genetically distinct and rare whale that has wandered from the waters of Russia to the Oregon coast recently. Meanwhile, some pods of Killer Whales have been spotted marauding around these waters as well (above: Flex photographed near Russia).

Flex is a 13-year-old, male western Pacific gray whale that was tagged in October by Hatfield Marine Science Center scientist Bruce Mate and his team, and since then he and other researchers have been keeping track of the whale’s movements via satellite.

He is only one of 130 western Pacific gray whales remaining in the world – the second-most threatened species of whales, with North Pacific Right whales being the most threatened.

Moving south from the Bering Sea down to British Columbia, Flex was pinpointed at 450 miles offshore in late January. Then the signal went dead.

“After four days, I thought, well this is it,” Mate said. He began to prepare a summary map of this whale project and was ready to announce to those funding it that the tag had probably fallen off or stopped working – as they do in such harsh weather.

Then a week ago, another message came in from the satellite tag and showed Flex was 25 miles offshore from Washington state.

“A few evenings ago he was about 20 miles north of where I live in Newport, Oregon, at Siletz Bay, and again he was about 20 to 25 kilometers offshore, moving south at an average speed of 6.6 kph,” Mate said.

With weather too chaotic to seek Flex out by boat, they sent a team out onto Highway 101 with a truck and a trailer with a boat on it. The group has been shadowing him along 101 and now into California. Mate said the whale should be in the Arcadia, California area at this time.

“When the weather calms down enough and he’s in proximity, they’ll be heading offshore to relocate him,” Mate said. “The weather’s been really bad with eight to ten-foot swells, wind at 25 knots and lots of white caps. Those are the kind of conditions where we don’t hear from him because the water washes across his back and knocks out the signal from the antenna for the satellite. And the trough between swells acts as a dampener for the signal. So when the weather settles down we ‘re hopeful these guys will be poised. They did go out of Gold Beach yesterday, but after three hours the weather forced them back.”

Researchers want to get to Flex to solve a variety of mysteries:  to see if he’s with any other whales, photograph him and other possible companions, check the condition of the tag, and maybe discern if he came from a certain group of whales.

But it's like looking for a needle in a haystack.

“Even though we get locations, there's the delay in the signal, he’s traveling almost 100 miles a day, and he’s either really real close shore or out 16 kilometers,” Mate said. “Put it all together and we’ve got 1600 square miles to look through.”

Mate said not all marine mammals stay together for an extended time in a kind of social migration. Gray whales and other baleen whales operate independently of each other. It is the right time of year for him to join a migration – and he is heading south, as they do during migrations about now.

Exactly what he’s doing out there is a mystery, but they’re able to rule out a few things.

“When he’s moving 6.6 kph on average he’s not doing anything but being on the move,” Mate said. “If he’s foraging or looking for a mate his average swim speed would drop dramatically.”

Mate said he’s likely out so far from shore because of the foul weather, which usually pushes migrating animals out. Heavy swells bounce off headlands and rocky shorelines, go back out, and then reinforce the incoming waves when meeting those.

“It’s just easier,” Mate said.

Orca near Florence (photo Seaside Aquarium)Flex, however, has not been the only special guest in Oregon coast waters. A pod of Killer Whales from the Puget Sound area – called the J pod – was spotted February 3 by some off the coast.

Mate said these are fish eaters and don’t feed on other whales. There is the J pod, L pod and K pod that sometimes hit these waters – all from the southern Puget Sound area. Last year, all three pods were here for about two weeks.

“Although they’re called residents of the Puget Sound they move more widely than people thought in the past,” Mate said.

Larger numbers of Orcas are seen later in spring as some follow the Gray whales so they can chomp on the newborn baby whales.

Orca near Florence (photo Seaside Aquarium)Mate said no one is sure exactly what is happening with this pod of whales currently in the area as observations are scattered and come from fishermen or members of the public who happen to spot or photograph one. There is no official actually actively observing the Orcas, aside from the Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay, which is always on the lookout for any whale.

Movements of Flex can be tracked here. The site is updated every Monday and is getting about 17,000 hits a week from all over the world.

More on Flex's story:

Oregon Scientists Surprised by Whale Being Tracked Near Russia You too can track the whale via satellite through the Hatfield

Orca photo courtesy Whale Watch Center

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