SECHELT, British Columbia — A beloved grey whale known as Little Patch has made an unexpected return to the waters off British Columbia's Sunshine Coast, defying its typical winter migration to Mexico and choosing instead to feed in the chilly Salish Sea. The sighting, reported on November 25, has thrilled local whale watchers and raised questions about changing patterns among the species amid broader environmental pressures.
Ian Bolden, a Sunshine Coast resident who spends much of his time paddling on the water, was among the first to spot the whale that rainy afternoon. Heading toward Selma Park in Sechelt — about 50 kilometers northwest of Vancouver — Bolden wasn't expecting such a close encounter. "I’m looking out further, and then it’s right under my nose," Bolden recounted. "I didn't realize how close it would actually be." The whale, he said, was roughly 15 meters offshore, feeding close to the shore on shrimp, its preferred snack in these parts.
Bolden snapped a few photographs of Little Patch, whose distinctive white patch near its tail has made it a celebrity among marine enthusiasts since it first appeared in the Salish Sea in 1991. "It's always a thrill to see them … this one just randomly showed up at an odd time of year," Bolden added, capturing the surprise that has rippled through the local community.
Erin Gless, executive director of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, describes Little Patch as the most famous grey whale in the region. "He has a little white patch on the backside of his body, as you're going towards the tail," she explained, noting that the whale's longevity and familiarity have endeared it to residents and visitors alike. Gless believes Little Patch may be one of the very first grey whales to visit Canadian waters for feeding purposes, marking it as a pioneer of sorts in the area's marine history.
This isn't Little Patch's first visit this year. In April and May, the whale spent several weeks feeding off West Vancouver, drawing crowds of onlookers eager to catch a glimpse of the gentle giant hugging the shoreline. That spring appearance was notable enough, but its November return adds another layer of intrigue. "The fact that he kind of showed up there first is really interesting," Gless said. "He really liked something about that area because he came back in November, which is a bit [of] unusual timing."
Typically, grey whales follow a well-trodden migration route: They head north to Arctic feeding grounds in summer, then southward to the warm lagoons of Mexico for winter breeding and calving. But Little Patch's decision to linger in British Columbia bucks this norm. According to Gless, the whale is opting to stay where food is more reliably available, a choice that underscores challenges facing the species. "Instead of making that really long journey all the way down to Mexico to breed, instead [Little Patch] is choosing to spend the winters in these feeding grounds where he knows there's food available for him," she said.
This behavioral shift comes against a backdrop of declining grey whale populations. Researchers have linked the downturn to food shortages in the Arctic, exacerbated by climate change and shifting ocean conditions. In 2019, for instance, five grey whales were found dead along the B.C. coast within just two months, with experts noting that many appeared emaciated from malnutrition. "There were a number of 'very skinny whales' that were not getting enough food," researchers told CBC News at the time, highlighting the vulnerability of the eastern North Pacific population, which numbers around 20,000 but has seen unusual mortality events in recent years.
Gless views Little Patch's presence as bittersweet. "It's kind of sad, it's bittersweet — because by seeing him here now, it means that he's choosing not to migrate down for the winter," she explained. She predicts a strong likelihood that the whale will remain in the Salish Sea through the entire season, taking advantage of the shrimp-rich shallows it favors. This adaptation, while a survival strategy for the individual, signals deeper ecosystem stress for the species as a whole.
Local whale watchers and residents have built a devoted fan base around Little Patch over the decades. From kayakers like Bolden to tour operators on the Sunshine Coast and West Vancouver, the whale's appearances have become highlights of the maritime calendar. Gless noted that "he's established quite a fan base, so a lot of folks have come to know and love him." This year, with two visits already, the excitement is palpable, though tempered by concerns for the whale's long-term health and the broader population.
Boaters in the area are being urged to stay vigilant. Grey whales lack dorsal fins, making them harder to spot than their humpback or orca counterparts. "I would say they are probably the absolute trickiest whales to spot," Gless warned, emphasizing the need for caution to avoid disturbing the feeding mammal. Organizations like the Pacific Whale Watch Association recommend maintaining a safe distance — at least 100 meters by water and 200 meters by land — to ensure Little Patch can feed undisturbed.
The Salish Sea, encompassing the waters around Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the Strait of Georgia, has long been a vital corridor for marine life. Grey whales, which can grow up to 45 feet long and weigh 40 tons, pass through here en route to their northern grounds each spring. But anomalies like Little Patch's winter residency highlight how individual animals are responding to environmental cues. Researchers monitoring the species through photo-identification and acoustic studies have documented similar shifts in other whales, suggesting that food scarcity in traditional habitats is prompting more to forage locally year-round.
Efforts to protect grey whales in B.C. waters include the installation of whale detection devices on private properties along the coast. These buoys and hydrophones help alert mariners to the presence of large mammals, reducing the risk of vessel strikes — a leading cause of injury for the species. In recent years, such technologies have been credited with preventing collisions in busy shipping lanes near Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast.
While Little Patch's story is one of resilience, it also serves as a reminder of the precarious state of grey whales. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared an unusual mortality event for the population starting in 2019, with over 500 strandings recorded along the U.S. and Canadian coasts through 2023. Necropsies have revealed starvation as a primary factor, linked to the loss of sea ice and prey like amphipods in the Bering and Chukchi Seas.
As winter sets in, eyes will be on Little Patch and any companions that might join it. Gless and her team at the Pacific Whale Watch Association plan to continue tracking sightings, sharing updates with the public to foster awareness. For now, the whale's choice to stay put offers a rare opportunity for close observation, but it also prompts reflection on what it means for the future of these majestic migrators. Whether this becomes a new normal for grey whales remains to be seen, but Little Patch's journey underscores the adaptability — and the urgency — of conservation in a changing ocean.
Alanna Kelly, a reporter covering the Sea-to-Sky region for CBC News, first reported on the sighting. Local authorities and environmental groups encourage anyone spotting the whale to report it through apps like Whale Alert or to the B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network, helping scientists build a fuller picture of its movements.