Observation of the Week
Minke Whales All the Way to Charlevoix!
The gloomy November weather of late hasn’t put a damper on marine mammal activity! A few minke whales were quite…
Dolphins and Humpbacks: November’s Unexpected Visitors
November kicked off with some pleasant surprises in the St. Lawrence. It is said that hundreds of dolphins ventured as…
Nostalgia for Whales
Big blasts off the coast of Franquelin, several large rorquals in Gaspésie and gatherings of belugas in the estuary... it…
The St. Lawrence and the Colours of Fall
In the St. Lawrence, the blazing colours of the coast contrast with the dark backs of humpback whales, the bright…
Blue Whales, Blue Sky and Blue Waters
With four blue whales spotted in the estuary, two near Franquelin and three in Gaspésie, it’s almost as if fall…
Blue Whales in the Estuary: Pleiades and Bird of Prey
Without a doubt, the big stars of the estuary this week are blue whales! These giant visitors have been identified:…
A Second Visit for Phoenix and Éline
The past week was ideal for enjoying the cool weather and those who ventured to the shores of the St.…
Phantom Whales
The mystical appearance of the St. Lawrence was certainly a plus during the week leading up to Halloween! And the…
A seaside reverie
What a joy to see whales and seals slip out of the water for a few seconds before completely vanishing,…
The Thousand and One Wonders of the St. Lawrence
This week was marked by blue whales in the estuary, belugas in Cap-aux-Oies, right whales in the Mingan sector, harbour…
Maelstrom of Marine Mammals
Fair weather, cool autumn breezes... What more could you ask for this September? How about lingering blue whales, a host…
Marine Life in Full Swing
A small adventurous rorqual, identified belugas, the arrival of several large rorquals... What more could you ask for in late…
Whales, Glitter and Local Fare
A bioluminescent night with belugas in Tadoussac, a humpback whale breaching during a meal in Les Escoumins, dozens of right…
White-sided Dolphin and Fin Whale Acrobatics
Whether it’s groups of white-sided dolphins breaking the surface in successive bursts, minke whales showing their bellies, or the humpback…
Cetacean Olympics
Just like the top athletes at the Olympic Games in Paris, cetaceans also hold a number of records! From blue…
Whales in All Their Splendour
Whether it’s a blue whale swimming off the coast of Matane, fin whales in Gaspé Bay, North Atlantic right whales…
Vacations in Whale Country
There is something romantic and relaxing about the seaside, which is perhaps why vacationers make a mad dash to the…
St. Lawrence Rorqual Grand Slam
Imagine having the chance to see all four species of rorquals that frequent the St. Lawrence in the same day!…
Whale Frenzy
From the smallest to the largest, whales of all sorts are currently gathered in the St. Lawrence! Harbour porpoises are…
Return of Siam and a Basking Shark in Gaspésie
Siam, the estuary’s oldest humpback whale, is back! Whales were swimming just about everywhere in the St. Lawrence, including good…
Gaspar, Piton and Blue Whales in the Gulf
It appears that whales have finally made a big return to the estuary and gulf! From one end of the…
A Hybrid Rorqual in the St. Lawrence?
With the heatwave of the last few days, the cool, refreshing winds blowing over the river were certainly more than…
Feet on the Ground, Eyes on the Water
Whether it’s the glistening white backs of belugas in the estuary, abundant minke whales, or the humpback whale Irisept eating…
Eating Their Fill
Whether they consume krill, fish or invertebrates, whales come to feed in the St. Lawrence and the immense smörgåsbord it…
Return of a Legend: Tic Tac Toe is in the Estuary
The humpback whale Tic Tac Toe was observed in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park for the first time this year!…
Five fin whales in the estuary, including Orion and Bp913!
Fin whales are stealing the show this week, in large numbers. Individuals have even been identified, and some regulars are…
Belugas in color and minke whales in action!
This week in the St. Lawrence, beluga vocalizations accompany the northern lights, while minke whales attract attention with their spectacular…
Minke Whales Disguised as Orcas
Between the splashing waves, we spot a couple dark fins moving. We can definitely recognize the signs of a large…
The Excitement of White Whales
Increasing numbers of groups of belugas are being spotted in the estuary, swimming amongst the quietly returning minke whales. Harbour…
Belugas and Migrating Birds
This past week, belugas have been seen from both shores of the estuary. Humpbacks, minke whales and seals were also…
Whales Return to the Estuary
Two fin whales, good numbers of belugas, several minke whales, a humpback… The tally of cetaceans observed in the waters…
Marine Mammals and the Eclipse
On April 8, the banks of the St. Lawrence were basked in sunset-like lighting during the solar eclipse. For those…
April Whales
“Fin whales in Les Escoumins,” remarks one avid yet impressed observer: “Their powerful breaths really hit you in the gut!” “A…
A Week of Large Rorquals
Large rorquals continuing to wow observers, a few belugas, harp seals resting on the ice and harbour seals... What more…
Blue Whales for the Start of Spring
“Seeing them breath when it’s cold is even more impressive! When we talk about 10 metres high, it’s really 10…
Gearing Up For Spring
A spring snow squall, minke whales slowly arriving, humpbacks breaching and river otters peering at the camera... The riverbanks were…
Whales, Belugas and Seals: A Busy Week on the North Shore
There's been plenty of action in the St. Lawrence in these first few days of March! Several belugas were seen…
Harp Seals, on the Ice and in the Water
In terms of marine mammal sightings, the week can be summed up by harp seals at several locations in the…
Blue Whale in Les Escoumins
It seems that the biggest giant of all has paid a little visit to Les Escoumins! In fact, several local…
Large Spouts Offshore and Seals on the Ice
Large rorquals continue to blow off the coasts of Franquelin and Godbout, making for some extraordinary winter observations. Elsewhere in…
When February Feels like July
Once again this week, blue whales have been on the prowl, with one spotted in Franquelin, others in Godbout and…
The Big Blue
Viewed from the window, a powerful blast erupts from the river’s murky waters. From the comfort of their own home,…
Large Rorquals Under the Winter Sun
If it weren’t for the snow-covered shoreline and the sub-zero temperatures, Franquelin residents could almost be forgiven for thinking it’s…
Winter Doldrums
Throughout the St. Lawrence, the snowfall of the past few days has put a damper on opportunities for watching marine…
Fin whales for the New Year
The presence of fin whales in the estuary surprised observers just in time for New Year’s. Harp seals have been…
Sparkling belugas
Across the St. Lawrence, it was the tranquility of sightings that marked the past week. Many observers reported seeing nothing…
Blue Whales and Fin Whales on the Horizon
What could possibly spark the interest of adults and children alike, drawing a crowd on the shores of Franquelin one…
A Late November with Dolphins and Rorquals Aplenty
Dozens of Atlantic white-sided dolphins, a late humpback, a minke whale here, belugas there... There’s so much marine fauna in…
Belugas Under the Snow
As November winds down, the snow gently reminds us that winter temperatures are right around the corner. With most of…
Small or Large, Marine Mammals Are Still Present!
Although sightings are beginning to taper off in the gulf, the estuary is still abuzz with the resonating spouts of…
A Frenzy of Humpback Whales!
Humpback whales were at it again this week, giving us perhaps one last chance to admire their antics in the…
A Beautiful End to the Season!
Notable sightings of the week included reports of little make-believe characters, from Nemo to the Little Mermaid to SpongeBob, parading…
Killer Whales in Basse-Côte-Nord
Rare visitors to the St. Lawrence were observed this past week in Quebec's Basse-Côte-Nord (Lower North Shore) region: killer whales.…
Winding Down the Season
Although the cruise season is drawing to a close, marine mammals don’t seem like they’re quite ready to leave! Almost…
Spouts and Tail Slapping Displays
In the sometimes calm, sometimes choppy waters of the St. Lawrence, cetaceans have made some noteworthy appearances. The clearly visible,…
Autumn in the St. Lawrence
New whales continue to arrive in the St. Lawrence and marine diversity is matched only by the palette of colours…
Dolphins Make Their Return to the Estuary
They swim in groups in successive leaps, a palette of colours radiating above the water surface. We can distinguish white…
Unforgettable Sightings of Feeding Whales
Autumn is right around the corner for our queens of the seas, who are gearing up – quietly but surely!…
Otherworldly Bodies in the River
Despite the excitement caused by the long-awaited arrival of sperm whales in the gulf, a certain calm has now returned…
Rorquals in the Fjord and Sperm Whales
A new species is visiting the Gulf of St. Lawrence for the first time this year: the sperm whale. In…
Whales at the heart of the St. Lawrence River
The magic of moments along the St. Lawrence is in abundance as August comes to a close. It's a graceful…
A blue whale in the Saguenay and Tic Tac Toe in Gaspésie!
What could be more impressive than a blue whale, the largest animal alive? Perhaps to see this immense whale make…
Cetacean Diversity in Full Swing
Blue whales? Up to three individuals have reportedly been observed in the estuary. Humpbacks? Several in Gaspé Bay, including a…
Waters Vibrating with Life
The waters of the St. Lawrence are populated by a multitude of marine mammals: Tic Tac Toe is back for…
Lucky Eight?
Eight humpback whales were identified over the past week in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. At the other end of…
Right Whales in the Gulf
What did the waters off Percé and those near Anticosti Island have in common this past week? Both were visited…
A Blue Horizon
The fog lifts after having shrouded Gaspé Bay for several days, meaning observers can finally admire the colourful panorama... and…
Stars of the St. Lawrence
They exude an aura of magic that animates evening get-togethers along the shores of the St. Lawrence. Every year, visitors…
Gaspar, Guadeloupe and Aramis Put on a Show!
Although the start of the season has been a quiet one, whales seem to have finally arrived in the St.…
Whales Identified in Côte-Nord!
In the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park as well as in the Mingan and Sept-Îles sectors, humpback and fin whale sightings…
Fascinating Stories
The weekly sightings column is not only a bit of a summary of everything that has been seen in the…
Large Rorquals in the Gulf
This week, large rorquals were present all around the gulf. A blue whale made an appearance near Sept-Îles, minke whales…
Humpbacks in the Gaspé and Concerns in the Estuary
After a quiet start to the season, humpback whales are now making a long-awaited return to Gaspésie, with between six…
Spring is for Minke Whales
Even if the week was quiet in terms of observations, the presence of minke whales did add a little action…
Back on the Water
Tuesday, May 23, 2023. For amateur cetologist René Roy, this is his second time on the water this season. During…
Fin Whales Are Back!
This week, marine mammals were not deterred by the snow and wind from parading up and down the St. Lawrence.…
Arrival of Tic Tac Toe
While some communities are eagerly waiting for the ice to break up on the local river or for the tulips…
Whales and Seals, Rain or Shine
The heavy rains and strong winds that pounded “La Belle Province” in recent days have certainly made watching marine mammals…
“The Humpbacks are Here!”
“You’ll see, tomorrow morning there will be humpbacks in Les Bergeronnes,” claims Renaud Pintiaux, a long-time observer forWhales Online. Gut…
Little Porpoises, Large Spouts
Swimming in proximity to both a blue whale and a fin whale, the first harbour porpoises of the season made…
Solo or in groups, the cetaceans are back!
The list of marine species present in the St. Lawrence is getting longer and longer: blue whales and fin whales…
White Whales Mark the Return of Spring
This past week in the St. Lawrence, strong winds, inclement weather and rough seas did not make easy to observe…
Encounters with Giants
The mysterious series of spout sightings that began last week continues, only this time we might actually be able to…
Mystery Whales
This week, eyes are shifting to the Gaspé in the hope of solving a very particular enigma… Large rorquals have…
Blue Whale Spout on the Horizon
Off the coast of Sept-Îles, a huge blast rises into the air, then another. Clearly visible from shore, these blows…
Between Doldrums and Delirium
Last week’s sightings article may have inspired some of you... One marine mammal enthusiast wrote to us that she even…
In Search of Wonder
Over the past week, harp seals, harbour seals and belugas have been sighted along the north shore of the St.…
From Swimming Giants to Flying Gulls
Sunny days, seabirds flying gracefully over the river as they forage for food, reflections in the crystal clear water and…
Mirages and Blue Whale
A blue whale venturing near the coast, seals resting on blocks of ice, a solitary beluga that shows its tail…
Surviving Winter: A Whole Science!
Despite the arctic temperatures of the past week, the marine animals of the St. Lawrence do not seem to have…
Calm Before the Big Cold Front
On the horizon, on the ice and in the waves, every week is different than the one before. Few marine…
Winter Rorquals
It’s a white January morning and the wintry wind is blowing across the river when a local resident sitting cosily…
Goodbye whales, hello seals!
After causing a sensation two weeks ago with a remarkable presence in Percé and a few appearances in the Côte-Nord…
Ice and Surprises
During the end-of year holiday season, the waters of the St. Lawrence quietly became cloaked in a sheet of ice…
Will we have a blue Christmas?
A pleasant visit to the St. Lawrence this week makes one want to hum the tune “Blue Christmas.” Not for…
Wintertime Seals, Whales and Belugas
This week, winter lovers were able to take advantage of the short, sunny days to admire seals, belugas, minke whales…
Big gulps in the bay
The day is calm with a quiet whisper of a wind, while out in the bay, a few dark spots…
Not one… not two… but six humpbacks!
This week, a few humpback whales were still present in the St. Lawrence and residents were even treated to an…
White as Snow… Or a Beluga!
As fluffy snowflakes invaded eastern Quebec and a white blanket quietly covered the ground, marine mammals continued on with their…
Humpback Whale Season Winding Down
As winter approaches, migratory whale species are slowly beginning to leave. Although humpback whales are becoming more scarce, the waters…
Between Mountains and the Sea: The Sounds of Cetaceans
Whether on a boat, at the docks or on shore, the echos of blowing whales can be heard. From humpback…
Action on the Horizon
Whether watching through their binoculars, through the lens of their camera or with their own two eyes while squinting from…
Winds and Whales
One might think that the roller coaster temperatures of autumn are hardly conducive to marine mammal sightings. However, this is…
Cetaceans by the Dozen
A dozen or so humpback whales have been observed in Gaspé Bay over the past week. A few individuals approach…
Colourful Silhouettes
Whether it’s pods of white-sided dolphins repeatedly leaping out of the water, breaching minke whales or a blue whale blowing…
Autumn Winds
Mariners are well aware that in fall, storms often produce strong winds from the east or northeast. While some enthusiasts…
Humpbacks, seals and belugas
This week, all up and down the St. Lawrence, humpback whales are topping the lists of observations, along with other…
Fog-shrouded Waters
This past week was marked by the presence of fog almost all across the St. Lawrence. Mingan Islands, La Malbaie,…
White beaks, speckled grey backs and golden spouts
Out on the water, the mild conditions over the last few days have allowed for the observation of a number…
Dolphin, harbour porpoise or…fish ?
It is a beautiful evening of observation, a magnificent sunset, a refreshing breeze, a most grandiose panorama. The eyes turned…
Colourful St. Lawrence
This week in the St. Lawrence, giants of all colours amazed young and old observers alike. From grey seals to…
Big Return of a Small Cetacean
This week, there was action in the St. Lawrence! In addition to the usual species that seem to be just…
Exceptional Tours in the Estuary
Everyone was surprised this week when not one, but two endangered species ventured into the St. Lawrence Estuary: one North…
A Drive Down the “Whale Trail”
Between Tadoussac and Kegaska, Route 138 hugs the coast of Quebec’s Côte-Nord region for over 850 kilometres. Dotted with magnificent…
Swimming against the current
After the pioneering belugas that ventured into Baie des Ha! Ha! last week, this week it is the humpbacks’ turn to…
Exploratory Belugas
Belugas made headlines this week when a group of a dozen or so individuals was observed in Baie des Ha! Ha!…
Memorable Observations
When it comes to marine mammals, sometimes no two days are alike. For several weeks, a resident of Tadoussac had been…
Living According to the Rhythm of the Whales
There are enormous benefits to working and living in whale country. Now my home base, Tadoussac is a tourist destination for…
“Now the season can start!”
A certain enchantment can sometimes develop between whales and the naturalists who observe them. For naturalist and wildlife photographer Renaud…
A Funny Coincidence
Belugas took full advantage of their first day of calm in the Saguenay Fjord. Many light-coloured backs were present in…
Action Near the Coast
From the small harbour porpoise to the titanic blue whale: the wide range of sightings offered by the St. Lawrence…
Humpbacks Stealing the Show!
Exuberant, splashy, and ubiquitous, humpback whales sometimes tend to turn our attention away from other cetaceans. And not only when…
A spout to kick off the day
Sometimes you have to get up at the crack of dawn if you want to be rewarded with exciting observations.…
Encounter with Pilot Whales
Do pilot whales impatiently look forward to spring just to cross paths with amateur cetologist René Roy? One thing is…
White Tails and Brown Calves
Small white backs speckled the St. Lawrence with their presence this week. Thursday, May 12, at the ferry terminal in…
Minke Whales Up and Down the St. Lawrence!
From Montréal to Sept-Îles and Gaspésie, there’s been a lot of talk about minke whales this week. While these small…
Like a polar bear in Gaspésie…
This week, the most amazing marine mammal sighting is undoubtedly the presence of a polar bear in the Gaspé Peninsula.…
Return of the Minke Whales
They may be the smallest representatives of the rorqual family, but minke whales have been getting a lot of attention…
Pascolio and Easter Weekend
On Saturday, while scanning the Estuary through her binoculars, one local resident saw a funny-looking white spot from the rental…
First Humpback in the Estuary
Armed with his camera, wildlife photographer Renaud Pintiaux sets up on the shore of Cap de Bon-Désir this past Monday.…
“Thar she blows!”
The excitement is palpable this week on the shores of the St. Lawrence! For the past few days, the same…
Return of the Gannets
There’s been a lot of action in the Gaspé this week! In addition to spotting harbour seals every day in…
Vacation Memories… Humpback Style!
We know where H858, also known as Queen, and H879 spent their holidays! No, these two humpbacks did not send…
Signs of Spring
After a long winter, residents are beginning to see patches of open water in the St. Lawrence’s coat of ice…
Ice Dwellers
Monday evening, from the window of her home in Sept-Îles, a local resident peers outside to admire the blazing sky…
Crystal Clear Waters
Cetaceans in sight for the first time weeks! On February 25, it was from the docks in Les Escoumins that…
Skies and Oceans
Between two snowstorms, all eyes turn to the waters of the St. Lawrence, scanning the horizon for marine mammals. It…
A little head poking above the water
When the north winds quiet down, the surface of the St. Lawrence ends up looking like a mirror, frozen solid…
A Quick Glance at the World of Whales
So many pinnipeds in this chilly week of February! That’s what several observers from the Côte-Nord region have been telling…
Winter Doldrums
No backs, no spouts, not even the shadow of a tail. Zero, zip, zilch. “No whales this week,” a number…
Braving the Cold
Do you see what I see? Between the frigid winds, snow squalls and ice floes forming on the St. Lawrence,…
Giants Under the Ice
On the St. Lawrence, it’s ice and more ice as far as the eye can see! In the Gaspé, where…
On the Ice Floes
A polar cold snap swept across Quebec this week, bringing with it blustery winds, thick fog and fresh snow, adding…
Lament of the seals
“Cré-moé, cré-moé pas, quelque part en Alaska, y a un phoque qui s'ennuie en maudit” (Believe it or not, somewhere…
Lingering Humpbacks and More in Frigid St. Lawrence
As the year draws to a close, fireplaces are crackling, winds are whipping and Quebec’s landscapes are gradually being covered…
Blows after the storm?
Between a winter storm, pounding winds and turbulent waters, this week’s weather conditions made it difficult to observe marine mammals.…
Geyser-like Spouts at the Water Surface
Clearly, Saturday was an eventful day in Gaspé Bay. On Saturday morning, two humpback whales were breaching repeatedly off the…
Colorful Bubbling at Sea
Friday morning, from the top of the dunes in Tadoussac, an avid birder spots some splashing in the middle of…
Singing seals
“It’s been a quiet week for whales,” admits a resident of Percé, “but grey seals have been abundant. From our…
Porpoises Galore!
In summer, harbour porpoises are often seen moving in large groups of up to several dozen individuals. This time of…
Calm Waters
As the mercury drops, the weather grows harsher and boats are being docked for the winter, whales are setting out…
Whales on the Move!
After being present in large numbers in the Estuary this summer, the whales now seem to be heading east and…
Stealthy sperm whale?
Through his spotting scope, a birder posted at the Tadoussac dunes suspects he saw an unusual visitor on Sunday. The…
Chorus of Seals on the Rocks
On this Thanksgiving Monday afternoon, a group of kayakers is quietly paddling toward the dock at L'Anse-de-Roche when they hear…
The Aquatic Ballet of Dolphins
Thousands of successive leaps over the surface of a sparkling sea. White-sided dolphins were present by the hundreds off Port-Cartier…
Will whales be packing their bags soon?
In this final week of September, marine mammal sightings are slowly petering out with the end of the tourist season.…
Magical Moments
This week has been tinged with a majestic full moon and temperatures reminiscent of balmy summer evenings. With the onset…
Winds of Change Sweeping Across the St. Lawrence
Across Quebec, colder weather is gradually setting in. Northerly winds are beginning to blow, announcing the arrival of fall and…
Sperm Whales!
On September 5, 2021, i.e. the Sunday before Labour Day, the excitement was palpable in Tadoussac. With over 500 visitors…
A Question of Identity
A narwhal that thinks it’s a beluga, unidentifiable humpbacks and minke whales in search of recognition. This week, the whales…
Life in Blue!
This week, we were able to admire the milky blue of a mist-laden sky, the dark bluish-black waters of the…
Siam, Tic Tac Toe, Cédille and co.
This week in the St. Lawrence was rich in sightings both magical and emotional: the return of Siam to the…
Whales Aplenty!
“It’s awesome out there! There are humpbacks, fins, minkes... It’s non-stop!” exclaims photographer Renaud Pintiaux. At high tide in the…
The Magic of Dawn and Dusk
It was a bountiful week on the St. Lawrence this week, with spectacular marine mammal viewing to locals and visitors…
Here one day, gone the next!
Season after season, tide after tide, the St. Lawrence River is like a beating heart. Marine currents, prey availability, and…
Keeping one’s distance to keep them safe
Whether you’re on the shores of the St. Lawrence or sailing in its waters, there’s always a chance for a…
Ode to the next generation, the deformed and seafaring nomads
The sun is setting over the beach in Les Bergeronnes and the sky is a palette of pinkish hues. With…
“It’s Alive Out There!”
Porpoises, seals, sharks, small fish and seabirds... even when big blasts are conspicuous by their absence, the St. Lawrence remains…
Frozen Moments in the Mist
“It’s tough to find a good weather window this week!” rants René Roy, collaborator for the Mingan Island Cetacean Study…
Creatures of Habit
Wednesday morning, just as the team from the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM) begins its workday, time stands still for…
Familiar Markings and Tail Slaps in the Water
As I’m driving down Highway 132, my eye is suddenly drawn out to sea. From the dark, rolling water spews…
Dinner is served!
“The capelin are rolling like crazy here in the Gaspé,” says one observer. “At least ten humpbacks have been tallied…
On the lookout for big blasts
Friday, May 28: It’s barely the crack of dawn on the dunes of Tadoussac when Laetitia from the Tadoussac Bird…
Baby Seals and Solitary Belugas
While some observers, with their eyes glued to the water, are thrilled to see the white backs of belugas and…
Minke whales putting on a show!
While large whales are still mostly absent in the St. Lawrence, minke whales are taking the opportunity to steel the…
Amazing Pilot Whales
It is perhaps the least known marine mammal species in the St. Lawrence. And for good reason: sightings are occasional…
Minke Whale Calf
Side by side, two minke whales swim off Pointe Noire near the town of Baie-Sainte-Catherine. One of them is clearly…
Porpoises, Already!
Porpoises are usually expected in these parts beginning in late June. But this year, at least two harbour porpoises have…
Under the Bellies of Cetaceans, Under the Fur of Seals
On April 15, a seasonal resident of Pointe-des-Monts takes advantage of the mild weather in April to open his chalet…
Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Humpbacks… All at Once!
The island of Newfoundland forms an obstacle between the Atlantic and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. If you’re a whale…
First Minke Whale in the St. Lawrence and Le Souffleur in the Caribbean
Every spring in late March or early April, the smallest of the rorquals is usually the first of the seasonal…
What is it that I see?
One of the challenges of whale watching is how long it takes for but a fraction of a body to…
Humpbacks and Belugas in the Gaspé
On the other end of the line, his voice cracks with excitement. Jean Roy is the owner of Gaspé-based cruise…
The Thrill of the Season’s First Spouts
In eastern Quebec, the weather is getting milder, migrating birds are beginning to arrive, and icebreakers are freeing the waters…
Seals Delighted by Late Pack Ice
After a fairly mild winter, the St. Lawrence, parts of which have been ice-covered only for a few weeks even…
Belugas Weathering the Storm
Off Les Bergeronnes, a herd of forty to fifty belugas frolic. GREMM Scientific Director and beluga expert Robert Michaud interrupts…
Global Round-up of Whale News
Whale and seal sightings are scarce these days. Over the course of the past week, we’ve received reports of a…
A Humpback and a Blue Whale on the North Shore
Two large rorquals sparked a good deal of excitement this week: a humpback whale in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park…
Belug-ice
Between the snow squalls, a small group of belugas weaves its way through the ice floes off Les Bergeronnes on…
Harp Seal Season
“I’ve never seen so many seals on this side of the peninsula,” exclaims one observer posted in the Gaspé town…
Aramis the Humpback in the Dominican Republic!
In winter, the majority of humpback whales that frequent the St. Lawrence are believed to be hundreds of kilometres away,…
Where’s the ice?
As one might expect during the winter, whale sightings are becoming increasingly scarce. A few belugas and scattered large spouts…
Cetaceans: Champion Divers
One of the challenges of observing whales is the long dives that the animals take. The lives of whales take…
Patience Pays Off
The 2019-2020 holiday season had been particularly busy with sightings, to the point that we published a map of the…
Why go to the Caribbean when you have the St. Lawrence?
Observers are simply astonished to report the continued presence of minke whales, humpbacks and fin whales once again this week.…
Bearded Seal and Large Spouts
Its bushy whiskers glisten in the afternoon sunlight. Its little head approaches a rock. For a minute or so, the…
More Action in the Gaspé
For residents of the Gaspé, whales are still entertaining observers, while elsewhere sightings are becoming increasingly rare. On November 28…
Foraging Minke Whales
When passing close to shore, minke whales can swim lazily or slice through the water like rockets. These days, observers…
Feasting and Breaching!
Minke and humpback whales are soaring in the air these days, while other members of their species bustle about at…
Whale concert in Gaspé Bay
Late in the day on November 9, a symphony of spouts resonates off the coast of Cap-aux-Os in the Gaspé…
White Spouts in the Chilly Air
If you are a seasoned observer (read: hundreds of hours of observation at a minimum) and weather conditions allow, certain…
Holding on to Beauty
A white beluga swims with a darker-skinned beluga at its side. Most likely a mother and her calf. The two…
To go, or not to go?
From Cap de Bon-Désir in Les Bergeronnes, Renaud Pintiaux counts two humpbacks and eight fin whales through his binoculars on…
Cruises Finished… Sightings Continue!
In the past few days, the whale-watching cruise season has ended, both on the North Shore and in the Gaspé Peninsula.…
They’re still here!
As Quebec slowly gets deeper into autumn, foliage reaches its peak and the wind gusts and rain grow more intense,…
Black: Colour of Hope
This past week in the St. Lawrence Estuary, it was a funny-looking rounded black back with a V-shaped breath that…
“The Best Season”
Early fall is the best time of year for whales!” says Renaud Pintiaux, who has been watching cetaceans nearly every…
Fall Dolphins
“What? Dolphins? Here?” wonders one reader. For many people, when the talk turns to dolphins, the first thing that comes…
Herds of Whales
One after the other, cavernous blows burst into the air, leaving six white, cylindrical columns that slowly fade into oblivion.…
Globetrotters and Giant Sleepers
In summertime, are you the type of person who returns year after year to the same campsite or same chalet,…
Right Whales, Ocean Sunfish and Beluwaves
Raging winds over the St. Lawrence have been stirring up waves there since August 25. Landbound observers scan the sea,…
Breaching Fin Whale and Moments of Grace
There are pictures you only take once in your life. This one comes to us from off the coasts of…
The Fragile Immensity of the Blue Whale
The largest animal on Earth – even bigger than the largest dinosaur – the blue whale impresses with its sheer…
Narwhal Still Present in the St. Lawrence
On August 4, a speckled back contrasts with the white backs of belugas swimming below the Pointe-Noire land observation platform…
Action in the Gaspé and the Estuary
Atlantic white-sided dolphins by the hundreds, fin whales by the dozens, acrobatic humpbacks: observers in the Gaspé have had plenty…
Let’s get loud
Have you ever heard a minke whale feeding at the surface? What a ruckus! An explosive spout is heard and,…
When they move, they move!
July 9: Off the coast of Matane, a humpback whale takes a dive. All eyes focus on its black-and-white tail;…
Some Days You Get Lucky, Some Days You Don’t
The number of observers on the water and on shore is on the upswing. However, some days, despite all their…
Belugas in Baie Sainte-Marguerite Bay and return of the dolphins
July 1, Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park. In the dusty light at the end of the day, light breaths appear for a…
Belugas and minke whales take centre stage
After a week brimming with observations, local residents have noted a slow-down in whale activity in recent days. Is the…
Whales and Calves
Witnessing a whale accompanied by a baby – also known as a calf – brings observers great joy. But when…
A Little Stroll Out to Sea
With the return of warmer weather, kayakers and boaters are setting out to go fishing, enjoy the saline air or…
Breaching Near the Docks, Feeding Near the Beach
It’s not just the humpback whale in Montréal that’s making waves! On June 1, an observer takes advantage of a…
Things are picking up again!
Five greyish-blue backs contrast with the still snow-capped Chic-Chocs in the Gaspé. A black back near the bridges of Québec…
New Record Season in Sight for Humpbacks?
The jagged black-and-white tails of humpback whales are prompting shouts of joy from observers in Les Bergeronnes, Franquelin and Port-Cartier’s Rivière-Pentecôte sector this…
A Cumulus in the Water and a Whale in the Sky
Observers occasionally send us some of their whale photos. Depending on the species, GREMM’s team examines these photos in the…
Six Species of Whales Reported
During the summer months, thirteen species of whales feed in the rich waters of the St. Lawrence. Some species are…
You want whales?, here you go!
For cetacean enthusiasts, April is synonymous with the return of these great migrants. Increasing numbers of them are coming to…
White Backs, Black Backs, Grey Backs and a Hunchback!
From Haute-Côte-Nord to Charlevoix, belugas continue to delight observers. On April 24, a herd of about seven was spotted swimming…
An Extra Boost from the Tide
April 15: “I’m watching a herd of belugas entering the Saguenay right now,” remarks Renaud Pintiaux on the other end…
One, two, seven… twelve belugas!
In the course of our round of calls, most of our observers say they are delighted to be seeing migrating…
Large Rorquals in Cap-des-Rosiers
"Finally, our first observation of 2020!” writes in an observer residing in Cap-des-Rosiers in the Gaspé Peninsula. On March 29, a…
First Report of a Minke Whale in 2020
We received the first report for 2020 of a minke whale in the St. Lawrence! It was an individual out…
Spring of the Seals
“72!” That’s how many seals our collaborator Laeticia Desbordes is lucky enough to observe and carefully tally early this week…
Two Blue Whales Amidst the Ice Floes
The engines of the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker CCGS Amundsen vibrate beneath the feet of researchers hailing from a dozen…
Belugas: Whales Suited for Winter
When you’re passionate about whales, you really are. For the past fifteen years, Renaud Pintiaux has been a volunteer, employee,…
Two Humpbacks off Pointe-des-Monts
Pointe-des-Monts, February 8: You don’t need a thermometer to know the air is frigid: sea smoke hangs over the St.…
Born in Warm Waters
Before heading south to more temperate climates, let’s take a brief look at sightings here in the St. Lawrence. Posted…
Born on the Ice
Humpback whales travel to warm Caribbean waters to give birth, while North Atlantic right whales calve in the waters of…
Ice: Marine Mammals’ Friend… and Foe
"The ice is starting to form": this observation is being made almost everywhere along the St. Lawrence of late. Its…
Surprising Numbers of Whales as 2020 Kicks Off
Blues, fins, humpbacks. Minke whales. Belugas. Even harbour porpoises! Not to mention thousands of harp seals and harbour seals. The…
A Few Seals and Minke Whales
With the onset of winter, observations are becoming fewer and farther between. Most cetaceans have migrated to the Caribbean or…
In Search of the Sperm Whale
November 27: In GREMM’s (Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals) offices in Tadoussac, staff members are busy working…
Dozens of Humpbacks and Thousands Of Seals Linger On
With the short days of November and the appearance of the first ice, observers on the water are growing more…
Observer Portraits: Christian Ramp
This article is part of a series of portraits of people involved in some way with whales on the North…
Observer Portraits: Paulette Landry
This article is part of a series of portraits of people involved in some way with whales on the North…
Leaving the Estuary
November 20, Cap de Bon-Désir in Les Bergeronnes: our collaborator Renaud Pintiaux settles down to take a few pictures of…
Observer Portraits: Jane-Anne Cormier
This article is part of a series of portraits of people involved in some way with whales on the North…
Observer Portraits: Guy Côté
This article is part of a series of portraits of people involved in some way with whales on the North…
Multiple Species in a Single Glance
For his last outing of the season, a recreational fisherman sets out in La Tabatière, in Quebec’s Basse-Côte-Nord region. While his…
Observer Portraits: Jacques Gélineau
This article is part of a series of portraits of people involved in some way with whales on the North…
Observer Portraits: Jean-Louis Frenette
This article is part of a series of portraits of people involved in some way with whales on the North…
Observer Portrait: Sylvie Savard
This article is part of a series of portraits of people involved in some way with whales on the North…
Observer Portraits: Marie Karine Maltais
This article is part of a series of portraits of people involved in some way with whales on the North…
Observer Portraits: Huguette Thibeault
This article is part of a series of portraits of people involved in some way with whales on the North…
Observer Portrait: Laurence Pagé
This article is part of a series of portraits of people involved in some way with whales on the North…
En Route to Winter Quarters
As the number of eyes scanning the water decreases, the number of sightings reported is also on the decline. Are…
Pilot Whales?
Two observers, one in Les Escoumins (north shore), the other in Baie-des-Sables (south shore), asked the following question this week:…
Autumn is for Humpbacks
Seven black-and-white tails rise into the air one after the other before disappearing into the dark river. “It’s a ballet…
Minke Whales and Their Flair
Perhaps because they prefer coastal habitats, minke whales are one of the most frequently observed cetacean species in the St.…
Rumba!
A three-way ballet… a race in which body touches body. All around the massive but elegant blue whales, water splashes,…
Whales in the Storm
The sighting map appears a little sparse this week. Have all the whales left? Not necessarily. Weather conditions prevented many…
Humpbacks Aplenty and Blue Whale Tails!
A long-time observer and former resident of Tadoussac sets out on a whale-watching cruise on September 1. The skyscape reflects…
Summer not quite over for the whales
August 28: A bright-eyed naturalist returns to the wharf in Percé. No sooner does the boat leave the docks when…
Thirteen Humpback Whales and Their Little Ones
We often talk about endangered species, but we rarely emphasize how well other species are doing. And humpback whale populations…
Out of the Ordinary
August 7: At the lookout in Baie Sainte-Marguerite in the Saguenay Fjord National Park, a naturalist scans the bay for…
Cetacean Acrobats
The pointed head and long, slender body rise to the sky like a rocket before the animal lands heavily on…
Tiny Calf Will Become Giant
Calves spend their time learning to swim, hunt and move with agility by imitating their mother and other adults. Within…
Noteworthy Fish and Whales Galore
Last week, it was white-sided dolphins in Gaspé Bay. This week, killer whales, the largest species in the dolphin family,…
First Dolphins of the Year and a Great-Grandmother
Measuring 2 to 2.7 metres long, their toned bodies are black, white, grey and yellowish-beige. Atlantic white-sided dolphins! Fifteen or…
Fins on the Horizon!
Although whales were scarce in the Bonaventure Island sector last July, this year they have been plentiful. “We're spoiled,” says…
Large Rorquals from the North Shore to the Gaspé Peninsula
In calm weather, the spouts of large rorquals can be heard hundreds of metres away, but above all, they can…
Tic Tac Toe, Snowball et Leprechaun
Le 16 juin en après-midi, la mer est lisse et silencieuse devant les Grandes-Bergeronnes. Soudain, deux larges dos noirs apparaissent.…
Tiny Fish Fall Prey to Teeth and Baleen
Nearshore reports of “large whales” picked up in intensity this week. In Godbout, in Quebec’s Côte-Nord region, humpback whales venture…
Return of a Star?
The hastily composed email betrays the excitement of its sender. The observer just photographed a fin whale with a particularly…
Minke Whales Everywhere
From the Gaspé to the Côte-Nord, minke whales have been appearing in the waves in recent days. In the St.…
New Species for the Season
In Sept-Îles, in Quebec’s Côte-Nord region, a long-time observer sets sails on a friend's boat for the first time this season.…
Grab your binoculars and let’s go!
Tuque, mittens, binoculars, one field guide for birds and another for whales: a couple is gearing up for a road…
Return of the Belugas
March 24: “They’re back!” says our collaborator Renaud Pintiaux. From a coastal road in Port-au-Saumon, not far from Saint-Siméon, he…
“First of the Year”
“My first whale for 2019!” exclaims a whale-watching outfitter in the Gaspé Peninsula. His first observation was made through his…
Space to breath
On March 6, while walking on the beach near the Cap-des-Rosiers lighthouse, an observer noted the presence of harbour seals…
More Blue Whales!
The mild weather in the early part of the week offered comfortable conditions for venturing outside and contemplating the river.…
Marine mammals on the ice and humpbacks in the Caribbean
Off the Gaspé Peninsula town of Newport, 50 or so seals bask on the ice. To observe them, it’s best to…
Godbout is where the action is!
A tiny village of just over 300 inhabitants, Godbout is located in the Côte-Nord (North Shore) region between Baie-Comeau and…
February Blues
It was a perfect day for whale-watching. Light winds, calm sea, light conditions that were neither blinding nor too dim.…
Pinnipeds Galore!
A herd of harp seals is enjoying a break in the ice cover off the docks in Les Escoumins. The…
Like a tornado of snow
The list of observations this week reads more like a weather report: sea smoke, ice floes, gusts, snow squalls, howling…
A Rare Blue Whale
January 12: After weeks of seeing nothing but drifting ice and seals on the move, a large spout draws the…
A New Year of Observations Begins
As 2018 was winding down, one observer in Bonaventure in the Gaspé Peninsula observes three tall puffs, all appearing at…
A Few Final Breaths to Say Goodbye
Cap-d’Espoir, December 15. The black backs of two humpback whales emerge from the dark water. Their rounded spouts and the…
Balloon-shaped spouts
December 8: Gaspé Bay is glowing in the sun. A balloon-shaped spout erupts from the water surface, followed by a…
Whales and Seals Amid the Ice Floes
"They're breaching!" exclaims an innkeeper from Forillon, in the Gaspé Peninsula. It's December 3 and the week is off to…
When The Waves Calm Down
The extreme weather of the past few days has not been very conducive to marine observations. In addition to repeated…
Three Big Blues
“Three big blues!” exclaims an observer. He observes the three majestic animals Sunday morning 3 or 4 nautical miles south…
A Sperm Whale, Again!
We all have our favourite species, including our favourite whales. For our collaborator Renaud Pintiaux, “The sperm whale is a…
Fewer Eyes on the Water, but Whales Remain
“Can killer whales be seen in Gaspé Bay?” asks a kayaker out at sea with a group near Grande-Grave, off…
Beluga Bonanza
Yesterday a visitor at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM) saw several belugas across the Saguenay Fjord through light flurries.…
Red Foliage and Colourful Backs
The cruise ship Narval III of the whale-watching company Croisières Baie de Gaspé docked for the last time on October 11, and…
Chills and Thrills : Autumn Sightings
On the wharf used by the Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) in Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, a thin coat of frost glistens. “Time to migrate south!”…
A Forest of Spouts
On September 23, no sooner does the cruise begin when the captain yells out “Breach!” Off Les Bergeronnes, the 15-metre long…
Full breach!
Thirty-three! Thirty-three times, a minke whales breached before a dumbstruck observer standing on the pink granite of Pointe Rouge overlooking Tadoussac…
Whale- “Listening”
With a hesitation in her step, she walks down the ramp to the boat launch in the Tadoussac marina, where a Zodiac…
September Blues
Just before students head back to school and knitting season returns, the long Labour Day weekend has allowed thousands of…
Gannets Galore!
With her tuque snug over her ears, one observer marvels at three gannets as they dive in unison off the…
Sperm Whale in Sight!
"It's been a dream season," says a captain/naturalist as he shares a video of a sperm whale he shot off…
Great Week for Observations
“In 51 years of watching whales, I’ve never seen that!” At the end of the line, the voice of our…
A head, a Tail, a Body Out of the Water!
July 31: A pointed snout pierces the surface and rises like a skyscraper out of the waters off Les Bergeronnes.…
Little Bundles of Life
They're about one-third the size of an adult and still stick close to their mothers' sides. Calves of several species…
Navigating through the Fog
Our observer from Franquelin notes the presence of four minke whales and four porpoises on July 21. A little farther…
Identifying Humpbacks X and Zip
July 7: Having made the trek from Newcastle, England to watch whales, an observer sets up post on the rocks…
Where There Is Prey, There Are Whales!
"Unbelievable! It's hot even out on the water," exclaims a GREMM volunteer research assistant participating in the photo-ID program for…
We Wouldn’t Want to Be a Capelin…
Does this photo show five whales or six? Their gaping mouths are about to clamp down on masses of quivering…
Gaspésie Invaded by “Jubartes” or “Megaptera”
No doubt about it, everyone who has been plying the offshore waters of the Gaspé region lately has one word…
Blue Whale Newcomers and Familiar Humpbacks
The Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) team, based in Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, is geared up for its 40th season on the water!…
Irisept, a White Tail and Other Humpback Whale Stories
"For a number of people, the weather these past few days has been the motivating factor to get out and…
Silvery Capelin Sought by Hungry Giants
Prével (Gaspésie), Sept-Îles, Portneuf-sur-Mer (Côte-Nord): "Waves of silver" say some local residents when talking about a particular time of the…
“Suspect” Identified
Is it possible to identify an all-white beluga? Certainly, especially when it shows a major spinal deformity like Pascolio! This…
Recognizing Whales by their Backs
May 6: no sooner had the sun risen when one observer spotted two belugas in the morning light off La…
A New Season Begins
"Spring's arrived!" writes in our collaborator from the town of Franquelin, who has finally seen whales in front of her…
White Dots at Sea and Exquisite Darts in the Skies
From the distant white dots identified every morning at the mouth of the Saguenay to the close-up views of animals…
Seals by the hundreds, seabird numbers on the rise and belugas between island and mountains
Our collaborator from Pointe-des-Monts confirms: "no whales in sight, but there were "sea wolves" by the ton!" speaking of his…
Silhouettes of All Colours
April 11: Young grays and white adults are scattered around the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord. "At last," sighs one…
It’s snowing on the whales!
The most recent snowfalls this past week give the impression that winter will never end and that spring is reluctant…
First Spring Visitors
Sunny skies and rising temperatures are bringing joy and marking the return of the whales! On March 23, in the…
A New Fur Coat Every Year
This week's observations revolve around seals! In Franquelin and Tadoussac, just one harp seal and one gray seal are seen,…
Are seals “chatterboxes”?
Before tackling this question, here are a few tidbits regarding our St. Lawrence whales. Between 30 and 50 belugas were…
Amphibious Mammals along the North Shore
The lives of seals are split between the sea and the land. Excellent swimmers, they hunt their prey under water…
White Spouts in a White Landscape
On the afternoon of January 8, an observer is driving down the "Whale Route" toward Sept-Îles. Upon her arrival at…
Noteworthy Stories Awaiting Next Year’s Narratives
The year 2017 is winding down. What were the major headlines from this year's News from Afield? [caption id="attachment_30002" align="alignright"…
Rediscover a summer holiday spot in a frozen but still inhabited setting
After long hours spent this past summer scanning the open sea for whales and pointing them out to visitors, an…
Tips and Tricks for Recognizing Species
"On December 3, I spotted two whales off Sainte-Thérèse-de-Gaspé," writes in one observer, delighted to be seeing whales in December.…
Patience, they’re still around
The week goes by and with each passing day we receive more sightings from our network of collaborators throughout Quebec.…
Were whales affected by those squalls that pummelled the North Shore?
On November 17, gusts of up to 90 km/h whipped across the shores of the Côte-Nord region. The raging, whitecap-speckled St.…
Migrants Prolonging their Season
At first glance, the St. Lawrence in November appears to be devoid of life. Apart from merchant ships and ferries,…
When Birds Take Advantage of Whales to Feed
An impressive scar forms zebra-like stripes on the right flank of one of the three fin whales seen off Tadoussac…
Minke Whales, from the Arctic to the St. Lawrence to the Tropic of Cancer
This past week, it has been mostly minke whales that have been observed. About fifteen of them have been at…
Little Hitchhikers on Big Travellers and a Horde of Dolphins
Large golden-brown spots can be seen when a fin whale appears – for example, one of the eight individuals observed…
The Porpoise that Thought It Was a Beluga
On October 13, in the heart of the Marine Park, a harbour porpoise surprises observers with its whitish colour recalling…
Whale Season Draws to a Close
Parks Canada's land-based observation sites adjacent to the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park are closing down for the season; meanwhile, the…
Etched in Our Memories
"Extraordinary," exclaims a Franquelin-based collaborator while watching in awe as a minke whale leaps into the air. It repeats the…
Big Loafers and Sea Torpedoes
Almost nonchalantly, a basking shark glides by the boat of a resident of Sainte-Thérèse-de-Gaspé. Its high dorsal fin betrays the…
Up Close or From Afar
Early in the morning of September 17, under an overcast sky and in glassy seas, two observers from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts are…
Movement of Prey Conditions that of Whales
By Sonia Villalon A text from Sonia Villalon Every species has its preferences in terms of prey and this week's…
Movement in the St. Lawrence
This seems to be the best way to describe the whale season to date. [caption id="attachment_27257" align="alignright" width="250"] Tingley and…
In Groups or Alone?
"Harbour porpoises are everywhere, every day," reports a collaborator from Franquelin. These cetaceans, which measure 1 to 2 m long, are…
Observing a Heavyweight Breastfeeding and Other Surprises
A whale-watching boat in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park encounters the fin whale Caïman and her young on August 16.…
Narwhal Still Amongst St. Lawrence Belugas
At a time when identity and immigration issues are tormenting Quebec and the rest of the planet, a fresh wind…
Detective for a day
Whales reveal just a tiny fraction of their bodies before quickly disappearing again, leaving observers puzzled as to who they…
A Week of Questions and Surprises!
On August 9, the Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) team sets out on the water, taking advantage of a lull.…
Familiar Whales, Satisfied Observers
"This summer has been a busy one in Sept-Îles!" exclaims a resident observer from Gallix, near Sept-Îles. Since 1989, he…
Intriguing Observations
"Is it possible to see a killer whale in Saint-Siméon in the Charlevoix region?", asks a camper who notices a…
Searching for Whales to Research
Photo-identifying the minke whales of the Estuary is one of the objectives of the team at Mériscope, which is based…
Diversity of Species and Behaviours to Discover
"They come here to eat."... a phrase often repeated by captains and naturalists from the get-go when speaking to the…
A Breath of Fresh Air in Gaspésie
Good news: five newborn humpback whales have been sighted so far off the Gaspé Peninsula: "a figure that is already…
Summer Frenzy in the Gulf
From a vantage point on Bonaventure Island off the Gaspé Peninsula, a park warden spots two humpback whales on June…
Minke Whales and Winter Seals in the Middle of Summer… followed by News from Afield Map!
"Good thing we at least have them!" joke several captains and naturalists from the Tadoussac – Les Escoumins region, referring…
Individual Identification Possible, but Far from Easy
At the foot of the mountains rising above the Fjord, small groups of harbour seals lie on the rocks. They…
The Capelin are Rolling!
They're back! Whether it's in Baie-Comeau on the North Shore, or in Chandler in the Gaspé Peninsula, the capelin are…
Spouts, prey and migrations: a few stories
Off L'Anse-Saint-Georges in the Gaspé, a tour operator observes two spouts on May 24. The mushroom shape leads him to…
Strange-looking Dolphins
Dark skin, long pectoral fins, a round head resembling that of a beluga, and a short beak: the pilot whale…
Large Rorquals and Ducks by the Thousands
Thousands of long-tailed ducks line the waters of the Estuary. Skilled divers, they plunge to depths of up to sixty…
Tadoussac: The Whales are Back!
For a number of whale cruise operators in the Tadoussac region, the offshore season debuted the last weekend of April.…
Belugas and Gannets Downriver
A herd of belugas are swimming in tight formation off Pointe-aux-Outardes; they number about 40. Behind them, flocks of birds…
White, Black, Blue, Gray Animals…
Belugas, blue whales, humpbacks, minke whales, three species of seals ... the variety of marine mammals seen in the past…
“My first whales of the season!”
These same words were on the lips of a number of observers! Here they are, back in the St. Lawrence…
Three Baritone Rorquals
One, two… three spouts appear and remain suspended on the horizon for a few seconds. They're about four kilometres offshore.…
Fresh crab at the counters: a telltale sign
The snow crab season is underway, which is synonymous with the start of the "crab dinner" season. For some, this is…
A Breath of Spring
March 20 marked the spring equinox, when day and night are of equal duration, and will end with the summer…
Observation Round-up, from the Estuary to the Gulf
Winter is a relatively calm period for marine mammal enthusiasts. Nevertheless, many observers stare out to sea, constantly on the…
Whitecaps and Blue Mountain at the Water Surface
February 28: from his "lookout" – i.e. the porch of his house – a member of the Marine Mammal Interpretation…
Visiting Blue Whale in Godbout
On February 23, off the village of Godbout, a large rorqual approaches the coast. Its long back glides across the…
Copious Meal for Two Blue Whales
Their gaping mouth expands like an accordion thanks to the skin folds of the throat and belly, while their baleen…
A Mysterious Tail
On February 4, a resident in the Godbout region on the North Shore captures on film the tail of a…
“Surfing” amidst the Pack Ice
Surprisingly, there are a handful of enthusiasts who continue to practise this sport even in the middle of winter in…
Driving over 500 km to See Belugas
"Beluga-watching in winter!" exclaims a Whales Online subscriber after reading the Field Notes Still Plenty of Belugas on the Upper…
Return of Whales to Côte-Nord
Measuring 15 to 20 metres long and weighing in at 35 to 100 tonnes, large rorquals swim beneath the water…
Tips for Surviving the Cold in Quebec
January 18: hundreds of Barrow's goldeneye take wing amidst the ice floes off Cap de Bon-Desir. They're not alone. The…
Four-legged Underwater Hunters
Harp seals by the hundreds on the ice at Sainte-Flavie and Pointe-au-Père, groups of harp seals off Les Escoumins, gray…
Black Bubbling at the Water Surface
Actually, it's harp seals moving around energetically in the water. Solo, in pairs, by the handful or by the dozen,…
Observations at Sea and on Land, during the Day and at Night
It is always surprising to encounter whales that are believed to have left for the Atlantic as soon as autumn…
Marine Mammal Diversity at the Dawn of Winter
As the first snow falls on the St. Lawrence, some whales continue to behave as if summer has never ended.…
Whales Slow to Migrate
"The whales are on a reproduction strike", jokes a News from Afield collaborator following her observation of two humpback whales…
Autumn Abundance
The fall harvest has been bountiful" writes in a St. Lawrence regular, visibly excited following all the large rorquals he…
Small Whales in Big Numbers!
By Olivia Capeillere Since the beginning of fall, large rorquals have been everywhere along the St. Lawrence Estuary, but this…
Ending the Season with a Bang
It's getting colder offshore; the season is drawing to a close. Nevertheless, Thanksgiving weekend was wonderful, with regard to both…
Birds and humpbacks galore!
By Olivia Capeillere As we enter into early fall, observers everywhere along the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf have been…
Pleasant Surprises at Season’s End
By Olivia Capeillere Autumn has truly arrived. Offshore, chilly temps are on the menu and so are the whales! Blue…
Fish, Seals, Birds, Whales and Company!
What diversity in the St. Lawrence! Observers have an extremely diverse list of species to report these past few days,…
Return of the Big Blue
It is said that the St. Lawrence is one of the best places in the world to observe blue whales,…
“Unprecedented!”
It seems that late August is bringing its fair share of unique moments to observers on the St. Lawrence. In…
Fins to the Sky
When whales surface, they show only one twentieth of their body. One should therefore expect to see just their back…
Diversity and Amazement in the St. Lawrence
The past few days have been emotionally rich for observers along the St. Lawrence. First, the presence of a narwhal…
Narwhal on the Run – Updated August 10, 2016
On July 29, the GREMM team observed a narwhal in a group of belugas off the coast of Trois-Pistoles. A…
Surprising Observations
The stories coming in this week from our News from Afield observers are exciting; not only is the diversity impressive,…
It’s All a Matter of Food!
It's a well known fact: the St. Lawrence is a vast, open-air buffet for cetaceans. The abundance of prey is…
Right Whales in the Waters of the Gulf
Week after week, the same pattern has been emerging throughout the St. Lawrence. Rorquals are very much present, sometimes observed…
Humpbacks in the Spotlight
In recent days the waters of the St. Lawrence have been host to a variety of marine mammals, but humpback…
Observations by the Ton
Observers at sea and on land are excited, and for good reason! The St. Lawrence River is teeming with life,…
The St. Lawrence as a Performance Stage
Minke whales are now a rather common sight in the St. Lawrence, sometimes alone, sometimes a half dozen or more…
Greyhounds of the Sea Making a Splash
The weather this week has not been conducive to observations in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. The weather…
Whales are Back
Emotions are running high as a new season gets under way. Cruises in the Gaspé Bay region began operating on…
A Week Full of Emotions!
Pairs of harbour porpoises in Franquelin, four fin whales off of Tadoussac, a large rorqual in Baie-des-Sables in the Gaspé…
Signs of Life, from Charlevoix to the Gaspé
Great news for those eagerly awaiting the return of whales in the St. Lawrence: cruise operators, land-based observers and researchers…
Between Sky and Sea
In recent days, observers have been as captivated by life at sea as in the air! Great whales do not…
When “family friends” come to see us
As migratory species, whales take advantage of the rich St. Lawrence waters in the summer to feed. Every summer, they enter…
Large Rorquals Here and There
After an abundance of reportings last week, observers have become quieter of late! Exceptions include a cruise in the Gaspé…
Influx of Good News
For the first time in several months, a considerable number of News from Afield observers have observations to report. First,…
Concert of Sea Canaries
Observations of small groups of belugas have been reported here and there since the beginning of March, but this week,…
“Here We Go Again!”
We had been waiting for this announcement for some time, namely the first irrefutable signs of spring. On the morning…
“Hunting and Fishing” Season
"The view is endless!" reports one observer in the Gaspé region, already getting the whale-watching boats ready for the upcoming…
First Whales Observed in the Estuary
It was with contagious enthusiasm that a boat captain from Les Escoumins phoned the Whales Online team: "I could have…
Relentless Passion… Even in Winter!
Though ice is increasingly present in the St. Lawrence and Gaspé Bay is partially frozen, other sectors remain ice-free, making…
Observations Reduced to a Trickle
Don't be surprised: February is a quiet period in terms of the presence of whales in the St. Lawrence. Nevertheless,…
Noisy Seals and Low-Profile Whales
"We could hear their bellowing from our porch," says a Franquelin-based collaborator of News from Afield, referring to the cries…
Harp Seals Attracting Attention
They appear in the form of black bubbles at the water surface. Adult harp seals give the impression of wearing…
A Little Spy to Track a Large Cetacean
Update – January 20, 2016: Return to Northern Waters and Media Coverage of the Project! According to the most recent…
Braving the Cold
L'Anse-Saint-Jean, Saguenay Fjord, with the wind chill it feels like -28°C… This temperature won't prevent ice fishing enthusiasts from kicking…
Flashback…
..to late November. Our collaborator in Franquelin sees her first harp seal of the winter. In the following weeks, she…
A Rewarding Stroll
On the afternoon of November 18, a News from Afield collaborator and Gaspé Bay whale-watching employee in summers ends his…
Building Energy Reserves
Fin whales in the Gaspé and Côte-Nord regions, minke whales and harbour porpoises off Charlevoix and the Côte-Nord, belugas at…
Fin Whales in Sight
One might think that at the end of October, the St. Lawrence Estuary is deserted... well think again! Autumn sea…
Ending the Season with a Bang
These are the last trips out to sea for tour operators of Gaspé Bay, and the whales are plentiful! On…
A Puff of Air that Betrays its Presence, but not its Species
A large column rises high into the air. "Fin whale or blue whale?" asks our Franquelin-based collaborator on the morning…
Observation Season Still Going Strong in the Gaspé…
One would think it's still summer with all the sightings reported from our collaborators in the Gaspé. Between the villages…
“More whales than visitors”…
...emphasizes a Percé-based captain, referring to this recent week of observations. Île Bonaventure is surrounded by numerous marine mammals: hundreds…
No Two Weeks or Observations are Alike…
A dynamic environment It is a well known fact that whales come to the St. Lawrence to feed. Forget the…
Focus on the Gulf
Starting with the Cloridorme region in the Gaspé where "almost 40 blue whales are present," according to Richard Sears, director…
Who are these gannets that are hunting among the whales?
These large seabirds, the largest in the North Atlantic with wingspans of up to two metres, owe their scientific name…
Observers Delighted…
To observe almost a hundred belugas in Les Escoumins; nearly a dozen blue whales in the Gaspé, including B105, which…
“Sea Wolves” of the St. Lawrence
In French, seals are sometimes referred to by the old term "loups marins", or sea wolves, which in some regions…
Pair of Blue Giants
Researcher Anik Boileau, director of the Centre d’Éducation et de Recherche de Sept-îles (CERSI), based in Sept-Îles, observed a pair…
Right Whales Seen from the Sky
During an aerial survey on August 7, a team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) spots over twenty…
Looking for whales with our ears
At Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, some thirty fin whales are present, both "known" faces and newcomers. Are they easy to spot? More or…
Large Gatherings
Large herds of gray seals off Tadoussac are attracting increasing attention. Even if only their heads stick out above the…
A Whiskery Creature in La Baie
July 20, 2015: Long whiskers appear on the water surface; a bearded seal startles a photographer at the marina in…
Renewed Activity
"Might things be picking up in the region?" enquires one of the Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) team members after…
North Atlantic Right Whale Observed near Île Rouge
On the afternoon of Friday, July 10, the GREMM team aboard the Bleuvet, while tracking belugas offshore, had a surprising…
Four Killer Whales in the Lower North Shore, One Possibly Identified
Photos taken between La Tabatière and Gros-Mécatina in the Basse-Côte-Nord region (in the Gulf of St. Lawrence near Newfoundland) confirm…
Familiar Faces in Gaspésie
A black "iris" shape on the right lobe and a white "seven" in the centre of the tail; cat eyes…
Survivor of the Estuary
The last time "Le Survivant" was seen was on November 23, 2014, off the coast of Cap de Bon-Désir in…
Of Whales, the Moon and Men
The "fishermen" positioned nearly 3500 saplings in four days, though they purposely neglected to "set the trap" by making sure…
Belugas Return to the Estuary
"Almost in real time", emphasizes Robert Michaud as he calls the Whales On Line team on April 8. Indeed, barely…