Magazine
A Breath of Spring: Humpbacks are Back
Humpback whales are making their return to the estuary this week, much to the delight of the locals. Additionally, the…
Beluga Mortality Report : Few Carcasses Found in 2024
Only six beluga carcasses were found in 2024, the lowest figure in several years. By comparison, there were 17 carcasses…
Seals in the Spotlight
After numerous recent sightings of large rorquals, the time has come to turn the spotlight onto the seals! Harbour seals…
In the Wake of Fin Whales, Belugas, and Seals
Fin whales were well represented this week, as were belugas and seals. When they surface, some of these individuals have…
First Hybrid Rorqual in the St. Lawrence
After arousing curiosity last summer in the estuary, a deceptively similar fin whale has once again been turning heads. By…
Whale Towns
“Lately I’ve been seeing spouts all the time! When I’m out for a walk, on my way to the grocery…
Whales or April Fools’ Hoaxes?
While April Fools’ gags were running rampant on social media, reporting all sorts of far-fetched species in the St. Lawrence…
This Week’s Stars: Bearded seal, Minke Whales, and Blue Whales
The return of the minke whales in all their glory, the splendour of six blue whales and two fin whales…
Seals, Rorquals and More!
It’s starting to feel like spring on the banks of the St. Lawrence: The Saguenay is flushing out its ice,…
Highlights of the Week: Minke Whales and Fin Whales
Ah, springtime! Newly budding trees, outings along the shore without being so bundled up you can’t even see, poutine trucks,…
“Blue Whale Ballet”
Gallix, Godbout, Franquelin, Tadoussac: Blue whale sightings are on the rise in Côte-Nord. In the gulf region, the presence of…
Côte-Nord With a Tinge of Blue
In Quebec’s Côte-Nord region, gigantic spouts have been spewing into the air. Clearly visible from shore, these blows belong to…
Blue Whales Abound between Sept-Îles and Les Bergeronnes!
“I saw blue whales,” begins a North Shore resident as he shares his observations. “It was crazy. It’s hard to…
Whales for World Whale Day!
After back-to-back snowstorms and long hours of shovelling, those who took advantage of a well-deserved break with walks to the…
Offshore Mirages
As Quebec gets battered by a winter storm, there’s been little action to report from shore. Other than a few…
Blue Whales Between Franquelin and Sept-Îles
Large spouts belonging to blue whales were spotted off the coasts of Franquelin and Sept-Îles. These giants of the seas…
Cetaceans in an Icy Landscape
While the St. Lawrence continues to be covered in a blanket of beautiful sea smoke, cetaceans and pinnipeds seem to…
Belugas, Seals and Large Rorquals in the Estuary
This week, a humpback whale and a fin whale have been moving through the estuary while the white backs of…
Blue Whales in Mid-November
How about a lunch break to go watch a blue whale? When you live in Les Escoumins, why not! After…
Sea Smoke on the St. Lawrence and Blowing Whales
Marine mammals were still present this past week, which was marked by weather mostly typical for January in Quebec, notwithstanding…
Harp Seals on the South Shore
Over the past week, harp seals seem to have invaded the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie regions. Some were resting on shore,…
Blowing Blues in Sept-Îles
To celebrate the holiday season and the start of winter, what could be better than admiring seals and cetaceans in…
Recap of the Most Notable Sightings of 2024!
For this year’s final edition of weekly sightings, we take the opportunity to look back at the highlights of the…
Blowing Rorquals in the Stillness of Winter
As we enter into a sleepy winter on the St. Lawrence, a few belugas are quietly swimming here and there,…
In Search of Marine Mammals in Cape Breton
Last September, I set off to explore Cape Breton Island. This region of Nova Scotia is well known for a…
Snowflakes on the St. Lawrence
Snow is slowly settling on the Quebec landscape and marine mammal sightings seem to be winding down with winter right…
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…
Stranded Beaked Whale on Île d’Orléans
On October 23, the carcass of a northern bottlenose whale was discovered on the banks of Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d’Orléans, near Quebec City.…
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…
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…
Gala de la Terre Supports Three Environmental Organizations
The 2024 Gala de la Terre was a huge success! The third edition of this major event took place at…
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!…
Gala de la Terre: Belugas Given a Voice at Montréal’s Maison Symphonique
What if, for one evening, belugas were to become choir singers? Thanks to a composition by Claudie Bertounesque, which will…
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…
The Winter Migration of the Fin Whale Ti-Croche
The migrations of large rorquals still hold many mysteries. Where do they go in winter? How long do they stay…
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…
ROUND-UP OF 2024 NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE NEWS
After being hunted for centuries, today’s North Atlantic right whales face many challenges, including entanglements with fishing gear, ship strikes…
Meredith Sherrill: An Example of Tenacity for Working with Whales!
To work with whales, Meredith’s journey took her to California, Michigan, Scotland, and ultimately to Quebec! Meredith Sherrill is a…
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…
Humpback Observed Earlier This Summer Washes Up in the Gaspé
On Wednesday, October 25, a humpback whale carcass washed up in Saint-Maxime-du-Mont-Louis in the Gaspé Peninsula. It was a male…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
“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…
Round-up of 2023 North Atlantic Right Whale News
After being hunted for centuries, today’s North Atlantic right whales face many challenges, including entanglements with fishing gear, ship strikes…
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…
Katak the Brave Beluga: An Eye-opening Film on the Beauty of the St. Lawrence and the Fragility of Belugas
In the thrilling journey of a young beluga in search of his grandfather, the animated film Katak the Brave Beluga,…
In Search of Wonder
Over the past week, harp seals, harbour seals and belugas have been sighted along the north shore of the St.…
Winter Pupping Season: A Risky Affair
The diminishing ice cover observed in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence in recent years is having an impact…
Winter Pupping Season: A Risky Affair
The diminishing ice cover observed in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence in recent years is having an impact…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Entangled Humpback – A Chronicle
On Wednesday, July 13, a humpback whale was spotted off the coast of Les Escoumins accompanied by a calf that…
Exploratory Belugas
Belugas made headlines this week when a group of a dozen or so individuals was observed in Baie des Ha! Ha!…
A Day in Good Company
On Sunday, July 3, a minke whale carcass was found on Île Vertein Quebec’s Bas-Saint-Laurent region. This is practically the…
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…
Spring 2022: A Busy Season for QMMERN
Seal pups harassed on the beaches, discovery of pinniped carcasses along the shores, vagrant minke whales in Montréal: these are…
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.…
Seals That Don’t Need Our Help
Spring is here and the seal pupping season is in full swing. The Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN)…