J pod calls were also detected recently on the NEPTUNE Canada hydrophone located on the upper slope of Barkley Canyon (just outside the Strait of Juan de Fuca). You can listen live for them there or play this recording of what they sounded like on 2/6/12 at 00:23 (about 5 hours before the Canadian sonar pings were heard around the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca).

31 Detections

2012-02-17 01:19:04 node=os dB=100 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:20:26 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:20:41 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:20:56 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:21:11 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:21:26 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:21:50 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:22:07 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:23:17 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:23:32 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:24:15 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:25:09 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:28:16 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:29:42 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:30:18 node=os dB=100 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:32:31 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:33:31 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:35:40 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:36:04 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:36:19 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:36:57 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:39:53 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:43:34 node=os dB=100 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:44:52 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:47:15 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:47:30 node=os dB=100 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:48:08 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:48:23 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:49:32 node=os dB=100 trigger=PKT	2012-02-17 01:51:01 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT
2012-02-17 01:54:28 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT

The calls recorded at Orcasound are interesting in part because they are audible over a continuously squeaking ship that has peak power in the frequency range of the calls. The most recognizable call in this set of detections is the S16 call which often indicates the presence of K pod.

The Lime Kiln recordings have much less ship noise. Many S19 calls are audible (indicating L pod may have been present), along with whistles, buzz trains, and some S10 calls. Around 23:11 the signal to noise ration is very good during a series of excited variable and S19 calls that are interspersed with echolocation clicks.

37 Detections

2012-02-06 22:41:58 node=os dB=118 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 22:42:13 node=os dB=113 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 22:46:09 node=os dB=120 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 22:46:24 node=os dB=122 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 22:47:47 node=os dB=128 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:04:02 node=lk dB=102 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:04:12 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:04:42 node=lk dB=101 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:04:52 node=lk dB=101 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:05:02 node=lk dB=98 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:05:12 node=lk dB=100 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:05:29 node=lk dB=104 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:06:21 node=lk dB=102 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:06:36 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:06:46 node=lk dB=98 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:07:59 node=lk dB=105 trigger=PWR
2012-02-06 23:09:08 node=lk dB=101 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:09:23 node=lk dB=100 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:09:33 node=lk dB=96 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:09:43 node=lk dB=100 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:09:53 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:10:32 node=lk dB=104 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:10:42 node=lk dB=97 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:10:52 node=lk dB=98 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:11:02 node=lk dB=98 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:11:13 node=lk dB=99 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:11:23 node=lk dB=99 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:11:38 node=lk dB=108 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:11:48 node=lk dB=106 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:11:58 node=lk dB=114 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:12:26 node=lk dB=105 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:12:36 node=lk dB=111 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:12:47 node=lk dB=121 trigger=PWR	2012-02-06 23:12:57 node=lk dB=121 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:13:22 node=lk dB=106 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 23:13:32 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 23:13:47 node=lk dB=109 trigger=PKT

The frigate HMCS Ottawa (credit: marinetraffic.com)

Mid-frequency active (MFA) sonar pings were detected this morning (Monday, 2/6/12) on the Salish Sea Hydrophone Network by Jeanne Hyde and signal processing computers. Utilizing online ship tracking data from the Automatic Identification System, Jeanne found the Canadian Naval vessel HMCS Ottawa (MMSI 316195000) entering Haro Strait as she continued to hear “pings” from its SQS 510 (V) mid-frequency active sonar on the live hydrophone located at Lime Kiln State Park. Her experience is detailed on her blog, Whale of a Porpoise.

Here’s an example of what she heard: a single ping from the SQS 510 sonar.

Jeanne’s recording (below) begins at 04:49 and ends at 05:39.  82 pings occur in the first 38.25 minutes of the recording, resulting in an average ping rate of 1 ping every 28.35 seconds.  Extrapolating back to the first automated detection of a ping (at Lime Kiln) at 04:42:50, there were likely at least 14 pings emitted before Jeanne started recording.  So, the minimum total number of pings emitted is 96.

41-minute recording of 82 pings (15 Mb mp3 file) by Jeanne Hyde from the Lime Kiln live hydrophone stream

This is the first detection of Canadian MFA sonar on our hydrophone network, and — to our knowledge — the first time Canadian sonar has been used in the U.S. critical habitat of the Southern Resident killer whales, an iconic marine mammal population that is listed as endangered on both sides of the border. While policies guiding Canadian Naval use of mid-frequency sonar in U.S. critical habitat are not clear to us, there is guidance on the web regarding Canadian use of Canadian Low Frequency Active (LFA) Sonar (at least in the Atlantic).

SQS 510 sonar on a Halifax hull (credit: hazegray.org)

As a start to evaluating the potential acoustic impacts of this incident, we report here on the preliminary hydrophone and vessel location data collected by the Network during this incident, including: human detections and recordings; automated detections and recordings; and AIS data logged at the Lime Kiln. We are also aggregating information from regional sighting and listening networks about species that may have been ensonified. As additional data and analyses become available, updates will be posted here. Authors of this analysis are bioacoustians: Jason Wood, Research Associate with The Whale Museum; and Scott Veirs, of Beam Reach Marine Science and Sustainability School.

Below are the compressed (mp3) recordings and coarse spectrograms of the sounds that were auto-detected this morning. They begin with a series of low frequency sounds and echoes that may have been from an impulsive source, like a detonation or explosion. Then the series of high-frequency pings occurs between 4:42:50 and 5:08:17 at three network locations: Lime Kiln (13 pings), Port Townsend (1), and Orcasound (1). While we are not yet sure if pings were detected at Neah Bay or on the NEPTUNE Canada hydrophones located near the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, it appears that the sonar ensonified a good portion of the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca and southern Haro Strait.

First there were 4 detections of explosive sounds (3/12/2012 update: 5 detections)

Note of clarification added on 2/9/12 at 13:30: In the following table of audio recording files and spectrogram images, the “node” or hydrophone location is denoted with “lk” meaning Lime Kiln State Park, “os” meaning Orcasound (5 km north of Lime Kiln), and “pt” meaning Port Townsend Marine Science Center. The “dB” label offers an estimate of the 30-second average (RMS) received sound pressure level at the time the recording was triggered, and therefore should not be taken as an indication of the receive level of any particular sound heard within the recording (i.e. an explosion or sonar ping) The trigger label indicates whether the sound was recorded because it was exceptionally loud (“PWR”) or because it had the changing pitch and duration typical of a killer whale call (“PKT”).

3/12/2012 update — 1 Detection at Orcasound (~5km north of Lime Kiln)

2012-02-06 04:31:05 node=os dB=107 trigger=PWR

3/12/2012 update — The Lime Kiln recordings were made from a single Reson TC4032 (on both channels in the stereo recordings). The single detection at Orcasound does not match the arrival times of auto-detected explosive-sounds at Lime Kiln within the few seconds that would warrant estimation of the bearing to the source (or at least suggest whether the source was north or south of the hydrophones. The only explanation for the distinct arrival times are: (1) the sound source was too faint to be detected at both locations; (2) the computer clocks were not synchronized to NIST (though software was installed to do so at all hydrophone network locations); or (3) (more likely) something caused the longer-term mean receive level to rise at LK or OS to the point that the PWR trigger threshold was exceeded only at the quieter location when a given explosive-like sound arrived.

2012-02-06 04:32:37 node=lk dB=102 trigger=PWR	2012-02-06 04:33:08 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PWR
2012-02-06 04:38:35 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PWR	2012-02-06 04:39:07 node=lk dB=104 trigger=PWR

Then there were 14 detections of sonar pings

Note of clarification added on 2/9/12 at 13:30: In the following table of audio recording files and spectrogram images, the “node” or hydrophone location is denoted with “lk” meaning Lime Kiln State Park, “os” meaning Orcasound (5 km north of Lime Kiln), and “pt” meaning Port Townsend Marine Science Center. The “dB” label offers an estimate of the 30-second average (RMS) received sound pressure level at the time the recording was triggered, and therefore should not be taken as an indication of the receive level of any particular sound heard within the recording (i.e. an explosion or sonar ping) The trigger label indicates whether the sound was recorded because it was exceptionally loud (“PWR”) or because it had the changing pitch and duration typical of a killer whale call (“PKT”).

2012-02-06 04:42:50 node=lk dB=118 trigger=PWR	2012-02-06 04:43:44 node=lk dB=121 trigger=PWR
2012-02-06 04:44:12 node=lk dB=120 trigger=PWR	False positive deleted…
2012-02-06 04:44:41 node=lk dB=118 trigger=PWR	2012-02-06 04:45:35 node=lk dB=121 trigger=PWR
2012-02-06 04:46:32 node=lk dB=120 trigger=PWR	2012-02-06 04:47:00 node=lk dB=121 trigger=PWR
2012-02-06 04:48:01 node=pt dB=91 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 04:48:52 node=lk dB=119 trigger=PWR
2012-02-06 04:49:22 node=lk dB=120 trigger=PWR	2012-02-06 04:57:50 node=os dB=126 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 04:57:55 node=lk dB=106 trigger=PKT	2012-02-06 05:05:56 node=lk dB=114 trigger=PKT
2012-02-06 05:08:17 node=lk dB=115 trigger=PKT

While it is possible that other vessels were involved in the sounds recorded this morning, the location and public description of the Ottawa are consistent with what was heard. We are particularly curious about the source of the explosive sounds heard before the sonar pings.

According to hazegray.org, the Ottawa is a multi-role patrol frigate (FFH [Cardinal Mark N; Eog BEOFOR, "Ocean Beaver"?]) Halifax class vessel, 134 m long and X 16 m wide, displacing 4,470 metric tons, with maximum speed of 29+ knots and a compliment of 225 sailors. It carries two sonar systems: the hull-mounted mid-frequency SQS-510 and the low-frequency SQR-19(V) w/CANTASS towed array.

AIS systems report that it was last in port in San Diego, has been operating in the north Pacific, and was bound for Esquimalt mid-morning today. The “show track” feature of marinetraffic.com revealed mid-day today this track from 21:15 2/5/12 through 08:52 this morning (2/6/12).

Track of the Ottawa into the Salish Sea

Ottawa's track in critical habitat

A rough chronology from combining acoustic detections and AIS data (Google spreadsheet embedded below) suggests the following sequence of events. After steaming through the night through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Ottawa slowed down near Race Rocks and turned into the waters south of Victoria. It then reacted — possibly to detonation-like sounds that were auto-recorded at Lime Kiln — and then changed speed and course, began pinging, crossed into U.S. waters, turned northward at near maximum speed, stopped pinging and slowed down as it crossed over Middle Bank, proceeded further north, and then turned back to return to the Canadian waters south of it’s home port of Esquimalt.

Ottawa's track with estimated sonar start and stop locations.

A 50 millisecond sample of the starting frequencies of an example ping had peak power at 7042 Hz with a secondary peaks at 1523 Hz, 12615 Hz, and 21171 Hz (see figure below from Audacity). The peak power frequency is consistent with the 2-8 kHz frequency range specified for the SQS 510 sonar system, which is manufactured by General Dynamics Canada. Each ping had high intensity receive levels for ~0.5 second duration and pings were separated by about one minute.

Spectrogram of a typical ping.

Further details regarding the expected source and receive levels from the SQS 510 can be derived from its 1997 description in the book “The Naval Institute guide to world naval weapons systems, 1997-1998.” While it is likely that the system has been up-dated since 1997, this general description provides helpful characteristics:

SQS-505/509510/Type 5051

SQS-505 is the standard Canadian surface-ship sonar. Its 36 stave [10 elements/stave] cylindrical transducer (4ft dia x 4 ft) produces 35 10×10-deg beams at 6.4, 7.2, or 8.0 kHz [bandwidth 400 Hz divided into sixteen 25-Hz channels for each beam]. Modes: ODT, triple RDT (TRDT), directional transmission (DT), ASPECT, and swept FM (wide-band mode). Pulse lengths: 2.5, 10, 40, 480 msec. Source level: 126 dB (ODT), 135 dB (TRDT, DT). Signal processing: matched filter with time, function automatic gain control (TFAGC) or incoherent (wide-band) processing. Nominal range is 200-32,000 yd (range scales 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 kyd). Target Doppler can be up to 40 kt. Passive operation: 10 kHz. Track capacity is five targets.
….
The (V)6 version for the “City” class has new transmitter and receiver (source level 133 dB, pulse length 10 or 40 msec). Active frequencies match those of earlier versions, but passive frequency is reduced to 4.5 kHz and there is a steerable passive mode.
….

Our next steps are to estimate calibrated receive levels during the event and to gather more information about animals that may have been exposed to harmful sound levels. We may also attempt to estimate the approximate location of the explosive sounds.

In the interim, please report any observations of injured or stranded marine mammals in U.S. waters to NOAA by calling their hotline: 1-800-853-1964. Report unusual behavior or strandings in Candian waters to DFO by calling their hotline: 1-800-465-4336.

8 Detections

2012-01-05 04:02:14 node=pt dB=109 trigger=PKT	2012-01-05 04:02:24 node=pt dB=106 trigger=PKT
2012-01-05 04:02:53 node=pt dB=105 trigger=PKT	2012-01-05 04:10:47 node=pt dB=101 trigger=PKT
2012-01-05 04:11:26 node=pt dB=103 trigger=PKT	2012-01-05 04:12:03 node=pt dB=105 trigger=PKT
2012-01-05 04:48:47 node=pt dB=106 trigger=PKT	2012-01-05 04:50:22 node=pt dB=102 trigger=PKT

11 Detections

2011-11-07 04:47:49 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT	2011-11-07 04:48:04 node=os dB=100 trigger=PKT
2011-11-07 04:49:42 node=os dB=114 trigger=PKT	2011-11-07 04:50:09 node=os dB=114 trigger=PKT
2011-11-07 04:50:24 node=os dB=98 trigger=PKT	2011-11-07 04:51:22 node=os dB=109 trigger=PKT
2011-11-07 04:54:08 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-11-07 04:54:23 node=os dB=96 trigger=PKT
2011-11-07 04:55:03 node=os dB=98 trigger=PKT	2011-11-07 04:55:18 node=os dB=93 trigger=PKT
2011-11-07 04:55:33 node=os dB=95 trigger=PKT

Jeanne Hyde was awoken by the sounds and recorded most of the event which included some loud (close?) barks and a few lower-frequency sounds — perhaps the barks of a more distant sea lion. Her continuous recording (04:49-04:57 PST) reveals that the sea lion made many calls in bursts of 1-3 (mostly 2) barks, for periods of 15-30 seconds, typically followed by a 5-10 second break that often included a low-frequency sound (like groans). Within each burst barks were separated by 0.4-0.5 seconds, while bursts were separated in a sequence by 0.5-0.7 seconds. After about 4 minutes of this barking pattern, there was a 100 second quiet period, followed by another 2.5 minutes of barking during which the intensity slowly fades.

California sea lion barking in Haro Strait (by Jeanne Hyde)

During the burst sequences the mean calling rate was ~1.2 barks/second — a rate that is midway between the underwater bark rates of a calm (1.0 barks/second) and aggressive (1.4 barks/second) adult male California sea lion (Schusterman, 1977). This suggests the barking sea lion in Haro Strait was in a moderately energetic behavioral state. This barking rate is also the best evidence we have that the barking was happening underwater; Schusterman (1977) noted that the in-air barking rate for a given behavioral state was 2x the underwater rate, and ventured that this — combined with the rarity of bubbles being emitted — suggested the sea lions recycle their air during underwater barking!

The barks have strong harmonic structure with the fundamental ranging from 500-700 Hz. The groans are not harmonic and have most of their power between 300 and 800 Hz. Other recordings of California sea lions randomly found on the web seem to have bark fundamental frequency ranges that are a little lower (200-500 Hz for barks and 200-600 for groan from naturesongs.com). Perhaps this suggest that the sea lion this morning was not an adult, or was a female instead of a male?

There were no transient vocalizations or clicks auto-detected before or after the sea lion sounds, either at Orcasound or Lime Kiln (5 km to the south). It is fascinating to learn from Schusterman et al. (1972) that the audiogram of Zalophus californianus (shown below) is pretty flat and most sensitive from 500 Hz to 30 kHz, but then becomes much less sensitive very quickly near 35 kHz. This extension of their hearing sensitivity way beyond their bark and groan frequencies suggests there is strong natural selection for the ability to hear at the peak power frequencies of killer whale echolocation clicks (20-50 kHz).

California sea lion audiogram (Schusterman et al., 1972)

I didn’t find a lot from a quick web search for underwater sea lion barking, but there is this fun video with audio that sounds similar to our recordings: http://jackiehildering.smugmug.com/Animals/Steller-sea-lions/11380690_d8BPVm#!i=800065493&k=VbmZE Notice how the CA sea lion barks get a bit less intense when the animal in frame turns its head away from the camera. Filmed by Jackie Hildering off of Northern Vancouver Island, these sea lions are highly habituated to humans due to interactions at the local fish processing plant.

Finally, thanks to Jackie for this link to a National Geographic News article about the southern resident killer whale (L98 “Luna”) imitating CA sea lion barks — http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/08/060824-barking-whale.html The underlying study, by Andy Foote was published in 2006 and documented vocal learning in young killer whales.

Calls and more clicks were detected by WhoListener 46 minutes later at Orcasound (641-759). So I infer that the southern residents were traveling slowly north in Haro Strait without being spread out over more than a couple kilometers. (Orcasound is 5km north of Lime Kiln.)

The automated detections are tabulated below as spectrogram clips and short mp3 recordings. Let us know what calls you hear in the comments. My quick sampling suggested there were some variable calls that I don’t hear very often and am unsure about categorizing…

25 Detections

2011-10-11 05:05:04 node=lk dB=95 trigger=PWR	2011-10-11 05:05:43 node=lk dB=94 trigger=PKT
2011-10-11 05:32:43 node=lk dB=95 trigger=PKT	2011-10-11 05:35:12 node=lk dB=98 trigger=PKT
2011-10-11 05:44:00 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-10-11 05:44:17 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PKT
2011-10-11 05:44:39 node=lk dB=104 trigger=PKT	2011-10-11 05:44:49 node=lk dB=101 trigger=PKT
2011-10-11 05:44:59 node=lk dB=97 trigger=PWR	2011-10-11 05:46:31 node=lk dB=108 trigger=PKT
2011-10-11 05:47:09 node=lk dB=102 trigger=PKT	2011-10-11 05:47:19 node=lk dB=101 trigger=PKT
2011-10-11 05:55:41 node=lk dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-10-11 06:41:56 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-10-11 06:44:23 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-10-11 06:52:32 node=os dB=99 trigger=PKT
2011-10-11 06:53:54 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT	2011-10-11 06:54:36 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT
2011-10-11 06:54:51 node=os dB=98 trigger=PKT	2011-10-11 07:00:05 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT
2011-10-11 07:39:33 node=os dB=99 trigger=PKT	2011-10-11 07:45:36 node=os dB=100 trigger=PKT
2011-10-11 07:55:01 node=os dB=100 trigger=PKT	2011-10-11 07:55:56 node=os dB=100 trigger=PKT
2011-10-11 07:59:45 node=os dB=98 trigger=PKT

The Beam Reach students observed the orcas at Turn Point at 12:45 (Latitude: 48.69506 Longitude: -123.23662) during a CTD cast. The whales traveled south and southeast, pretty spread out. Meg McDonald heard them first at Orcasound at 14:34 and Lon Brockelhurst reported calls at Lime Kiln at 15:09, and at both Orcasound and Lime Kiln at 16:10.

A continuous recording of the Orcasound hydrophone stream was made by Scott Veirs. A continuous recording of the Lime Kiln north array (4 channels for localization, including one hydrophone with high-frequency response) was made remotely by Jason Wood.

112 Detections

2011-10-04 14:34:48 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 14:36:09 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 14:36:25 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 14:36:40 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 14:36:55 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 14:37:10 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 14:38:39 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 14:40:20 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 14:40:35 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 14:40:50 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 14:41:05 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 14:41:38 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 14:42:42 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 14:43:00 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 14:43:19 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 14:45:09 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 14:45:33 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 14:48:09 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 14:50:53 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 14:51:44 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 14:51:59 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 14:53:47 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 14:56:16 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 14:59:03 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 14:59:36 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 14:59:53 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:00:08 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:00:26 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:00:41 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:01:05 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:01:20 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:01:35 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:02:58 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:06:25 node=os dB=109 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:08:04 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:08:31 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:08:46 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:09:01 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:09:22 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:09:37 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:09:58 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:10:25 node=os dB=112 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:10:40 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:10:55 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:11:23 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:11:41 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:11:56 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:12:11 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:12:52 node=os dB=109 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:13:07 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:13:22 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:13:37 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:14:09 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:14:37 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:14:56 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:15:11 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:15:26 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:15:41 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:15:56 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:16:11 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:16:26 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:16:41 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:16:56 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:17:11 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:17:32 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:18:59 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:19:20 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:19:35 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:19:50 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:24:43 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:30:26 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:31:48 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:32:03 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:32:18 node=os dB=102 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:33:17 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:36:05 node=lk dB=108 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:36:16 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:36:50 node=lk dB=109 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:37:40 node=lk dB=110 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:37:57 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:38:17 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:39:08 node=lk dB=109 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:39:18 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:39:35 node=lk dB=109 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:39:45 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:39:57 node=lk dB=112 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:42:55 node=lk dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:43:06 node=lk dB=105 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:43:41 node=lk dB=117 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:43:51 node=lk dB=104 trigger=PWR
2011-10-04 15:44:01 node=lk dB=108 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:45:32 node=lk dB=110 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:45:43 node=lk dB=101 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:46:22 node=lk dB=105 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:46:45 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:46:50 node=lk dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:47:06 node=lk dB=109 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:47:22 node=lk dB=105 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:47:32 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:48:03 node=lk dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:48:14 node=lk dB=101 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:48:24 node=lk dB=102 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:48:34 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:51:40 node=lk dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:52:04 node=lk dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 15:56:08 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 15:59:16 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 16:02:36 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 16:08:35 node=os dB=110 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 16:12:58 node=lk dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-10-04 16:20:33 node=lk dB=109 trigger=PKT	2011-10-04 16:33:45 node=lk dB=107 trigger=PKT

Einar and salmon (from the ENBB Classic Facebook page)

Meg McDonald was the first to hear echolocation clicks and calls of southern resident killer whales this morning at 6:37. The automated detectors at Lime Kiln also recorded calls or clicks from 6:38 through 9:23. See below for a catalog of the automated spectrograms and recordings, which include many S2 calls and some S4s suggesting the J and L pods may be present. Faint calls are still being heard on occasion as this post is typed (~9:45).

This evidence of foraging is interesting in part because it suggests the orcas may have been some of the first fishers to catch some Fraser kings in the Einar Nielsen Becky Barr Fishing Classic which began today at dawn and is based out of Roche Harbor on San Juan Island. The Classic is named in part for San Juan Islander Einar who died of a heart attack while hauling in a hawg near Kellett Bluff. Follow what salmon get caught over the weekend at http://www.enbbfishingclassic.com/ and their Facebook page.

If you’re out there fishing in the derby or boating near whales this busy weekend, be sure to read and abide by the new Federal rules governing vessel interactions with the endangered orcas that are icons of the Northwest along with the salmon being hunted today. Further details about the rules and estimated penalties for violating them can be found in the Beam Reach wiki.

33 Detections

2011-09-29 06:38:46 node=lk dB=118 trigger=PWR	2011-09-29 06:40:49 node=lk dB=104 trigger=PKT
2011-09-29 06:41:10 node=lk dB=104 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 06:41:36 node=lk dB=119 trigger=PWR
2011-09-29 06:43:16 node=lk dB=104 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 06:45:46 node=lk dB=105 trigger=PKT
2011-09-29 06:49:53 node=lk dB=110 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 06:50:04 node=lk dB=104 trigger=PKT
2011-09-29 06:52:55 node=lk dB=108 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 06:53:24 node=lk dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-09-29 06:54:32 node=lk dB=110 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 06:55:04 node=lk dB=113 trigger=PKT
2011-09-29 06:55:46 node=lk dB=114 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 06:56:19 node=lk dB=115 trigger=PKT
2011-09-29 07:20:24 node=lk dB=127 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 07:20:34 node=lk dB=123 trigger=PKT
2011-09-29 07:28:40 node=lk dB=120 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 07:32:25 node=lk dB=122 trigger=PKT
2011-09-29 07:32:35 node=lk dB=116 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 07:32:45 node=lk dB=121 trigger=PKT
2011-09-29 07:32:55 node=lk dB=121 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 07:33:06 node=lk dB=114 trigger=PKT
2011-09-29 07:59:44 node=lk dB=113 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 08:23:10 node=lk dB=113 trigger=PWR
2011-09-29 08:25:33 node=lk dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 08:30:06 node=lk dB=103 trigger=PWR
2011-09-29 08:30:32 node=lk dB=105 trigger=PWR	2011-09-29 08:32:05 node=lk dB=104 trigger=PKT
2011-09-29 08:32:15 node=lk dB=105 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 08:40:12 node=lk dB=100 trigger=PKT
2011-09-29 08:53:09 node=lk dB=107 trigger=PKT	2011-09-29 09:04:48 node=lk dB=100 trigger=PKT
2011-09-29 09:23:35 node=lk dB=97 trigger=PKT

5-day weather in Haro Strait (Hein Bank)

Sure enough, when I checked email at 14:30 there were many notifications from Val’s automatic detection software — both at Lime Kiln and then at Orcasound.  The spectrograms and links to the recordings are appended.  Does anyone recognize any of the calls?

The SRKW calls (including S2/3/4/19/42) were auto-detected at Lime Kiln  from 1255-1313 and then at Orcasound (5 km to the north) from 1319-1345.  During that period the tidal currents (predicted at Kellett Bluff, about 2 km north of Orcasound) went from starting to flood to near max flood (peak was at 1430).

Kellett bluff currents (from Jeff Dairiki)

115 Detections

2011-09-26 12:55:13 node=lk dB=108 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 12:57:27 node=lk dB=114 trigger=PWR
2011-09-26 12:59:09 node=lk dB=108 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:00:11 node=lk dB=108 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:01:01 node=lk dB=109 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:01:45 node=lk dB=110 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:01:55 node=lk dB=112 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:02:06 node=lk dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:02:38 node=lk dB=107 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:03:54 node=lk dB=121 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:04:04 node=lk dB=108 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:05:00 node=lk dB=118 trigger=PWR
2011-09-26 13:05:10 node=lk dB=110 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:05:20 node=lk dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:05:30 node=lk dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:05:48 node=lk dB=113 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:06:08 node=lk dB=119 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:06:18 node=lk dB=111 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:07:02 node=lk dB=112 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:07:12 node=lk dB=110 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:07:22 node=lk dB=116 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:07:32 node=lk dB=108 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:09:06 node=lk dB=116 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:09:16 node=lk dB=117 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:09:26 node=lk dB=113 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:09:36 node=lk dB=119 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:09:46 node=lk dB=120 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:09:58 node=lk dB=115 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:10:08 node=lk dB=112 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:10:32 node=lk dB=118 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:10:42 node=lk dB=112 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:10:56 node=lk dB=117 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:11:06 node=lk dB=110 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:11:16 node=lk dB=111 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:11:26 node=lk dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:11:36 node=lk dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:11:47 node=lk dB=111 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:11:59 node=lk dB=109 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:13:56 node=lk dB=112 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:19:50 node=os dB=109 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:21:16 node=os dB=110 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:21:31 node=os dB=111 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:21:46 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:23:10 node=os dB=111 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:23:25 node=os dB=110 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:23:40 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:23:58 node=os dB=113 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:24:13 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:24:28 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:24:43 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:24:58 node=os dB=109 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:25:13 node=os dB=109 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:25:28 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:25:43 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:26:03 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:26:34 node=os dB=113 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:26:49 node=os dB=110 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:27:04 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:27:19 node=os dB=112 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:27:34 node=os dB=114 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:27:49 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:28:04 node=os dB=113 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:28:19 node=os dB=119 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:28:34 node=os dB=112 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:28:49 node=os dB=117 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:29:04 node=os dB=111 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:29:19 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:29:34 node=os dB=109 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:29:49 node=os dB=118 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:30:04 node=os dB=118 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:30:19 node=os dB=113 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:30:34 node=os dB=109 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:30:49 node=os dB=115 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:31:04 node=os dB=113 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:31:19 node=os dB=109 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:31:34 node=os dB=113 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:31:49 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:32:04 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:32:19 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:32:34 node=os dB=109 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:32:49 node=os dB=109 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:33:16 node=os dB=109 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:33:31 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:33:46 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:34:01 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:34:16 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:34:31 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:34:46 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:35:01 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:35:16 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:35:31 node=os dB=109 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:35:46 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:36:01 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:36:16 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:36:31 node=os dB=110 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:36:46 node=os dB=110 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:37:06 node=os dB=112 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:37:22 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:37:37 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:37:52 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:38:07 node=os dB=104 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:38:22 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:38:37 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:38:52 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:39:07 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:40:27 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:40:57 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:41:12 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:41:27 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:41:42 node=os dB=106 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:41:57 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:42:12 node=os dB=105 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:44:10 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT	2011-09-26 13:44:25 node=os dB=107 trigger=PKT
2011-09-26 13:45:26 node=os dB=108 trigger=PKT

	2011-09-21 23:52:18 node=os dB=96 trigger=PKT
2011-09-21 23:52:36 node=os dB=97 trigger=PKT	2011-09-21 23:53:15 node=os dB=98 trigger=PKT
2011-09-22 00:06:18 node=os dB=101 trigger=PKT	2011-09-22 00:06:39 node=os dB=95 trigger=PKT
2011-09-22 00:06:55 node=os dB=96 trigger=PKT	2011-09-22 00:07:10 node=os dB=93 trigger=PKT
2011-09-22 00:07:27 node=os dB=99 trigger=PKT	2011-09-22 00:07:46 node=os dB=103 trigger=PKT
2011-09-22 00:08:01 node=os dB=93 trigger=PKT

Does anyone concur that these are transient calls? Know which calls were made?