Job Opportunity for 2011

Brier Island Whale and Seabird Cruises has positions available for whale watch guides for the 2011 season. Applicant must hold a Marine Emergency Duty A2 certificate as well as valid First Aid and CPR certificates. For more information or to apply send email with resume and references to whales@brierislandwhalewatch.com

An Orca in the Bay of Fundy!

What an awesome day! On September 14th, 2010 our Zodiac spotted a lone male Orca in the Bay of Fundy, a species that is extrememly rare to these waters! Usually orcas are found farther north in the Atlantic. When we saw this whale, it was chasing a group of dolphins who were obviously in distress. At one point the orca rolled and tail lobbed several times, and then the chase was on again. All of our passngers and crew were thrilled with the sighting, realizing what a priviledge to witness nature at its finest!

The whales are still here!

Hurricane Earl had little effect on the whales of the Bay of Fundy, with sightings of humpbacks close by the island. On a recent cruise, we watched a group of 4 who were identified as Peajack,Froth, Tether and Cowlick. Peajack was her usual self, rolling and flipper slapping next to the boat. Her companions were not so active, just lazily swimming close by. We also watched Tigris and Foggy and her calf.

Bird sightings have been good as well as we are seeing lots of puffins in the area, as well as Greater Shearwaters, Northern Gannets, Red and Red Necked Phalaropes with a few sightings of Northern Fulmars. We have also noticed some laughing gulls in the area after the hurricane.

Sperm Whales in the Bay of Fundy!

What next will we see? We were very surprised on August 28th to see a single Sperm whale on our morning cruise. Sperm whales are the largest toothed whale in the world that are usually only found in deep water such as in the mid Atlantic.

Being a toothed whale, they usually travel in groups but aging males will leave the bachelor groups and go off on their own. There have been other reports of this species in the Bay for the last two weeks. We also sighted a small group of Pilot whales a few days ago. What a priviledge to see these whales!

Up Close and Personal!

We are enjoying some great weather and great whale watches in the Bay of Fundy with some close approaches by Knuckles and her calf, Sockeye, Peajack, Pierce, and Picses! These close encounters are not common but when they do happen, it is almost Spiritual. What a priviledge to be observed by the whales!

Our 13th Mother and calf pair!

Hello Everyone!

Whale watching continues to be excellent on the Bay of Fundy at Brier Island Whale and Seabird Cruises! We are fortunate to be able to observe these whales in their own habitat and see for ourselves the arrival of each new calf as it arrives to learn to feed on the herring and krill that is abundant here. These feeding areas are passed on from generation to generation. The latest calf to arrive was with its mother Knuckles. It seemed that yesterday was a nursery school day as we watched 5 mother and calf pairs, one of which was Flash and her calf, who is very active as the photographs show. can't wait to see who will arrive next!

More New Calves!

Humpback whales continue to arrive in the Bay of Fundy! We have three new mother and calf pairs in the last week and our total is 11 new calves that we have sighted in the Bay of Fundy! The latest to arrive are Lace, Vector and Foggy! We were very excited to see Foggy and her 4th calf as we have followed the entire life of Foggy since she was brought here as a calf by her mother Bermuda in 1987!

Flash's calf breaching next to our boat!

Some other new whales that we have recorded are Badge, Cacophony, Pylon and many more! The total number of individual humpback whales is now at 108! What a great season it has been!