Moray Firth Latest

The shortest month of the year has come and gone and at last the daylight hours are getting longer, however it is still cold here meaning at least 10 layers of clothing are needed when I go out on research trips to view the dolphins. I recently heard from a friend in Tenerife who reported watching pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins in fine calm seas and hot sunny weather. For a moment I was envious, wishing I was there, but looking out my window, watching the waves crashing over the rocks, I simply smiled and consoled myself with thought that in a few months time the summer will e once again be upon us.

Despite a few gales over the past month, in general it’s been quite calm here in the Moray Firth. The Fulmars are back and one afternoon I was enthralled, watching a couple of peregrine falcons battle it out for the use of a cliff edge – it’s always a great sight, seeing these amazing birds so close, meanwhile the herring gulls and shags are once again taking over their old haunts on the rocks and cliffs.

Sightings of the bottlenose dolphins have been reasonable with a group of 20+ being frequently seen over at Cromarty. Harbour porpoise were recorded towards Fort George and we even had an orca seen at Golspie. A few dolphins were also seen off Buckie (plus one lone animal seen at Findochty,) and we have been delighted to see the shy harbour porpoise off Cullen Bay.

Best sighting of the month though has to have been a whale. I was looking out of my kitchen window, when all of a sudden a large black shape (at least 3 metres in length) came out of the water. It was travelling fast, so fast that by the time I got myself outside to have a closer look it had gone. I was so excited by the experience that I could not settle down to think of anything else for hours. It’s a great life having the opportunity to study these animals but sometimes it can be stressful – as I really wished I had got a better sighting of this whale, which I thought may be a minke whale due to its’ colour and rough back, but my thoughts are that it was probably a humpback whale, however I will never know.

Sadly the following week (on the eastern coastline) a humpback mother and calf were found dead – they had been entangled in a fishing net. This really angers me, such a waste of lives – and means we have lost two generations of these magnificent animals. I am pleased that the Marine Connection’s work continues to challenge dangers to these animals from industrial fisheries, it has to stop.

I am as busy as usual with our educational work in the local area, we are always in demand at schools etc., but with the longer daylight hours and sun trying to show it’s head more frequently the urge to get out on the water is getting greater each day.

Ah well, until the next time.

All the best

Peter Macdonald