08.06.2018 – Eye opener numbers
June 21, 2018
12.06.2018 – United
June 23, 2018
First we would like to say “Whalecame” to our new summer guide Jan. He will actively help us during the summer season, he will be with you on board and you also will read one or the other of his blogs. So, welcome to Madeira and into our Lobosonda team 🙂
Two beautiful trips with many sightings, so much joy and enthusiasm and I hope, specially the last two, will last for quite a while :).
In my opinion the morning trips on our traditional fishing boat have a very special charm, and this was confirmed today. During this trip little, brisky Atlantic Spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) played around the boat. Some older animals had a beautiful spotted drawing. Just as a reminder: these animals get their spots only with sexual maturity. On our way to the Pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhyncus) we discovered a spout of a Tropical whale (Balaenoptera edeni). Everybody on board could see the animal very well even if he didn‘t come very close to the boat. Afterwards we were able to observe a matriarchal pod of Pilot whales, before they dived into the blue. Hopefully they found delicious squid in the depth.
During the afternoon the Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) were super active. They were socalizing, bow riding and mating. If these efforts are successfull, we might see tiny little calves of this species off the coast of Madeira next year. Their gestation time is between 10,5 – 11 months. Subsequently we met two Baleen whales and it turned out that they were Tropical whales. Why we are so sure? Well, the three ridges were clearly visible 🙂
By Fatima Kutzschbach
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
09:00 Atlantic Spotted dolphins, Tropical whale, Pilot whales
13:30 Common dolphins, Tropical whales
