08.04.2023 – Meeting point
April 15, 2023
11.04.2023 – Dreamwork
April 18, 2023
In the morning, influenced by Leste (wind that brings sand from the Sahara), the sea looked like liquid lead. This creates a special mood. Both Stenella and Ribeira Brava encountered Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). Portugueseman-o-war (Physalia physalis) floated serenely on the surface, accompanied by a few small fish. Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) use the warmth of the sun to get their circulation going and breathe.
On the midday tour we encountered many, many waves and a few dolphins. Far upwind there seemed to be a scattered group of Atlantic spotted dolphins and Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). As suddenly as they were discovered, they disappeared again. On the way back we observed Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).
In the afternoon, Common dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins enjoyed themselves off Calheta. As the day began, with a sea of liquid lead, so it ended.
By Fatima Kutzschbach
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
09.30: Atlantic spotted dolphins, Striped dolphins
13.30: Bottlenose dolphins
Stenella
09.30: Atlantic spotted dolphins, Striped dolphins, Loggerhead turtle
13.30: Atlantic spotted dolphins, Common dolphins, Loggerhead turtle, Bottlenose dolphins
16.00: Atlantic spotted dolphins, Common dolphins
