Fin whales are back... along with 30 dolphins
PODS SPOTTED OFF HOOK HEAD BY ENTHUSIASTS
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FIN WHALES have once again returned to the Wexford coast.
A pod of fin whales and up to 30 common dolphins have been observed by local members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) off Hook Head in recent days.
At least six individual Fin Whales were recorded – two of these whales were identified in the same location last year and were clearly recognised by their distinctive markings.
The fin whale, which is the second largest living mammal on the planet after the blue whale, is known as 'the greyhound of the sea' as it can reach speeds up to 25 mph (40 km/h) when it lunges.
Members of the IWDG witnessed a spectacular show of these whales lunge-feeding on shoals of herring last week when they were aboard the Rebecca C, skippered by Martin Colfer.
IWDG sightings co-ordinator Padraig Whooley has now documented 65 individually recognisable fin whales in Irish waters, all off the south coast, of which at least 14 have now been recorded inter-annually using photo identification – so just over one fifth have been matched.
This figure increases considerably for humpbacks as 61 per cent of these have been re-sighted between years. According to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, humpback whales are often found in the same location as the fin whales, following the herring.
To avail of a boat trip, Martin Colfer can be contacted on 087 2657177. The whales can also be seen from the coastline with optics.
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group is appealing to people to please report all sightings at their website, www.iwdg.ie.
(Photographs by Deirdre Slevin)
- ELAINE FURLONG
