Some 189 sightings of cetaceans such as bottlenose dolphins have been reported to the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch (MWDW) so far this year.
While the sight of common dolphins is becoming increasingly rare in Manx waters – and across the British Isles – a group of 40 bottlenose dolphins were seen off the island last month.
Tom Felce, of the watch, said: ‘This year has been a bit of a strange one in terms of the marine environment as a whole.
‘Sightings-wise, we have so far had 189 sightings reported to the website this year, compared to a yearly average of around 200.
‘However, many of these sightings can be attributed to sightings we have had from our secondary research vessel, which we have not had in previous years, so 189 sightings is not really directly comparable to other years.’
He said that as expected, harbour porpoise, has been the most commonly sighted species, with sightings throughout the year and all round the island.
Risso’s dolphins were seen as early as March, which based on previous years, is what the trust expected.
Tom said: ‘However, there were then no sightings whatsoever until June, as in 2011, though unlike previous years when we had 40 or 50 sightings reported in April and May, particularly from Marine Drive.
‘As we would expect with Risso’s dolphins, the majority of the sightings have been on the east coast between Langness and the Calf.’
There was a spate of minke whale sightings towards the end of May and start of June, particularly in the south, but there has been only one sighting since.
So far this year, there has been only two sightings of common dolphins in Manx waters, both being reported off Scarlett.
Tom said: ‘We have now come to expect huge groups of bottlenose dolphins in Manx waters in the winter months, with this year being no exception.
‘However, the frequency of reports seemed to suggest that the bottlenose dolphins stayed in Manx waters for much longer periods of time than in previous years.
‘We were lucky enough to come across a group of 70 individuals on our research boat and were able to confirm, thanks to a collaborative project with the Sea Watch Foundation, that a large proportion of these dolphins were the same individuals that spend the summer in Cardigan Bay, West Wales.
‘Interestingly, we have also had sightings reported and have seen ourselves, a group of around 40 Bottlenose dolphins, in the last week, an unusual sighting at this time of year. They have been seen all round the island, from Peel round to Ramsey.’
The MWDW surveys and records cetacean sightings around the Isle of Man and works in collaboration with the Manx Wildlife Trust and the Sea Watch Foundation of the UK.
It has its own survey boat Grampus and surveys out to 12 miles offshore.
Anyone who sees a cetacean in Manx waters is asked to report it at www.mwdw.net and if it’s particularly exciting call 330185.
l If you would like to volunteer with the MWDW email manxwhaleanddolphinwatch@gmail.com
Full training will be given and volunteers go out at weekends and week days.
Volunteers have to be over the age of 18 and be fit enough to climb the steps to the boat’s flybridge.
What should I be looking for?
Harbour porpoise:
• Small and stocky, 1.4 to 1.8 metres
• Small triangular dorsal fin
• Small groups or individuals
• Dark grey colour
• Not acrobatic
• Neither beak nor forehead bulge
• Does not bow ride
• The most common cetacean found around Mann.
Bottlenose dolphin:
• Large dolphin to nearly 4 metres long.
• Robust and very active
• Large central dorsal fin
• Grey or grey/beige colouration
• Off-white to pinkish-white undersides
• Distinct beak and rounded forehead
• Very acrobatic, breaching and bow-riding
• Often small groups but can be up to 40 plus.
Minke whale:
Most common whale in Manx waters
Often seen within metres of the cliff face
7 to 10 metres in length
Large dorsal fin two-thirds along the body
Strongly arching roll
Sometimes seen lunge feeding
Singly or aggregations of up to 20
White stripe on both flippers.
Common dolphin:
•Small dolphin 1.6 to 2.4 metres
• ‘V’ pattern below dorsal fin
• Dorsal can be strongly sickle-shaped
• Hourglass pattern on sides clearly visible
• Yellow/tan patch on each side
• Very streamlined body and slender beak
• Highly acrobatic, breaching and bow-riding
• Often seen porpoising through the water
• Group size can number in hundreds
Risso’s dolphin:
• Large, robust dolphin to 3.5 metres
• Mature adults very pale to white
• Head to dorsal fin can be heavily scarred
• Very tall dorsal fin
• Large rounded head, no beak
• Active and purposeful at surface
• Sometimes breach or spy-hop
• Recorded around Mann most months.