Even orcas head south for spring break. L- and K-pod ocras made their way to Cape Disappointment off the Oregon Coast, according to NOAA Fisheries West Coast — Science and Management on its Facebook page.
"The whales typically in the winter will move from the Washington Coast area down into Oregon as well as into central California where they've moved as far south as Monterrey Bay," said Brad Hanson, a wildlife biologist at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle. In recent years, satellite data shows that the killer whales haven't gone past northern California during their journey.
Orca watchers, here's your latest update on tagged orca L84.March 30--The previous update on 24 March found the whales...
The K- and L-pod whales are two of three killer whale families that typically spend their time in the Puget Sound and the Salish Sea. Hanson said NOAA wasn't able to confirm the exact number of whales headed south, but he was fairly certain the baby orca born in February was not with the group.
The group has been hanging around the entrance to the Columbia River, likely to cherry pick the spring Chinook salmon headed for freshwater to breed.
"We've been able to confirm that they're feeding on the fish returning to that river system this time of year," said Hanson.
If you happen to head out to the coast this weekend, Hanson said with a good set of binoculars and a little time, there's a chance you'll catch a glimpse of the group.
Copyright 2020 EarthFix. To see more, visit .
