Sighted: a dolphin…..nope a Minke Whale!

As the second Sea Watch volunteer period finishes the volunteers were treated to 2 spectacular final surveys. Last Monday on Dunbar Castle II we saw 60 bottlenose dolphins in total- it was the first time we had seen so many dolphins in New Quay on one survey! As well as this, we had a great surprise when we saw a Sunfish, the first sighting of the season. As you can see in the pictures below, a Sunfish can be recognized by its flattened body shape and two dorsal and anal fins, which often make it as long as it is tall. We first noticed the fish by the tall dorsal fin coming out of the water and flapping. This individual was a small fish, only about 40 cm long, but some can reach 3m in length and can weigh 2000 kg! 

Our amazing week continued when, on Wednesday, we were very lucky to see two Minke Whales (one adult and one juvenile) during our boat survey up in Anglesey. This sighting is quite exceptional because their presence is not normally recorded in this area. Adult Minke Whales can reach 8 meters long and can be identified by a tall and sickled-shaped dorsal fin situated two-thirds along the back. This species can be also recognised by a diagonal white band found on each of its pectoral fins; unfortunately we were not close enough to see these marks, but we thoroughly enjoyed the rare sight anyway.

Sea Watch held a charity pub quiz and raffle in our local pub The Dolau on Thursday night, which was a real success. We were very happy to raise £90 to support our research and would like to thank everyone who participated in this accomplishment.

 

In the end our volunteers had a great last week at Sea Watch, and although we are sad to see them go, we are equally happy to welcome 3 new volunteers for the next period! Hopefully we will still be lucky with all our amazing sightings :-)

The Sea Watch Team

Warm Working Weekends

While rain fell over most of Great Britain for the Queen's Jubilee weekend, New Quay was lucky to have a warm and sunny bank holiday Monday which encouraged tourists and locals on to the harbour wall for some dolphin watching! The holiday atmosphere was making everyone smile, the dolphin-spotting boat trips were busy and the town was buzzing! Whilst looking forward to an evening of a barbeque and music festival in town, Sea Watch volunteers did their usual land-watch shifts – recording cetaceans and seals seen from New Quay harbour wall – which provides a great opportunity to answer visitor's questions about the mammals, as well as collecting valuable data. Three dolphins were seen leaping in the bay most of Monday, to the delight of many satisfied dolphin-spotters!

The eighth of June every year is designated World Oceans Day by the United Nations to build awareness that we must do more for our world’s oceans, which are threatened by pollution, depleted fishery resources, the impacts of climate change and the deterioration of the marine environment. With this message in mind we took the opportunity to promote Sea Watch's important conservation work in New Quay. On Saturday we took our usual place on the sunny harbour wall and set up our information stand including publications, dolphin toys and postcards to purchase as well as face painting for children. We were modestly proud of our artistic attempts and the resulting sea creatures on little happy faces! It was encouraging to have so many interested people asking about our work and generously filling our donation box with very much appreciated funds! Unfortunately the dolphins didn't show this time for the crowds, as is the unpredictable nature of wild animals. Happily we know they are never far away and can appear at any time, as they often do, reassuring us that all is well and healthy in the waters of Cardigan Bay. But if we fail to listen to the World Oceans Day message, the absence of these fascinating creatures in their natural environment could become reality; what a tragic day that would be! If we all do our best to care responsibly for our environment, we and future generations will continue to enjoy its many blessings.

The Sea Watch Team.