A pod of transient orcas was spotted east of the Astoria bridge over the weekend, marking the first time the roving cetaceans have been recorded in the Columbia River estuary.

The sighting was first reported by the Daily Astorian.

The pod of eight to 12 whales was seen splashing around east of the bridge on Sunday afternoon when residents and boaters alike spotted the creatures.

Michael Milstein, a spokesman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, confirmed the presence of the whales and said they were transient orcas, a group distinct from the Southern Resident Orcas, which are endangered.

Transient killer whales primarily feed on pinnipeds, of which there is no shortage in the waters around Astoria, while the Southern Residents prefer to dine on salmon.

"I'm actually surprised they don't spend a bunch of time in there given how many pinnipeds are around," Brad Hanson, a wildlife biologist with NOAA told the Daily Astorian.

Update: Friday 11 a.m.

Another orca, this time a loner, was spotted swimming in Yaquina Bay on Thursady evening by staff at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.

Aquarium staff spotted an orca in Yaquina Bay of Newport, OR last night.



The animal swam 5 miles up Yaquina River before staff saw it head back out to sea.



Late spring is best time to spot orcas on our coast. Follow @orcoastaquarium for live updates at next orca sighting. pic.twitter.com/MxgA959uYu — Oregon Coast Aquarium (@orcoastaquarium) May 11, 2018

-- Kale Williams

kwilliams@oregonian.com

503-294-4048