Orca pods are usually family groups, but you do get break aways of two and threes.
The very large pods you mention are when smaller pods come together and form large numbers for short periods.
It's been reported that apart from socialising there is no interaction between the individual pods, (sexual)
There have been sightings of these large pods to the West of Shetland near the oil platform.
Andy Foot (Aberdeen Uni) also reported one well out to the East of Shetland during early Summer.
Andy is doing a survey on Orcas and is making ID records of the Orcas seen around Scotland.
He estimates the number seen around Scotland and the Islands at 60, most are being seen over and over again giving the impression that there are a lot more.
A friend of mine who does Mammal sighting and recording for oil companies has reported seeing groups of 80+.
I hope he brings me some pics taken with his new camera from his present trip.
What a fantastic sight such a large group must be.
Colin
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