09.03.2026 – The heart of responsibility
March 16, 2026
The Cory’s shearwaters drew us out to sea—farther and farther from the coast. Our first encounter was with a small group of Short-beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus delphis).
A little farther offshore, bird activity increased noticeably. We expected to find the main group of Common Dolphins there. But instead, we were met by Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella frontalis). Amid these fast and agile dolphins, several Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) surfed through the now lively waves.
We continued to follow the birds until we finally came across Short-finned pilot Whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), accompanied by small spotted dolphins.
Our “Checkpoint Ocean” today was about 10 nautical miles off the coast of Madeira.
By Fatima Kutzschbach
Ribeira Brava
09:00 no sighting
13:00 Common dolphins
Stenella
09:30 Common dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Pilot whales
