18.08.2023 – Group dynamics

Dolphin pods work as a unit with leading animals changing according to situation and the groups dynamic. For a close encounter to take place, however, it often only takes one individual to prompt the rest of the pod to approaching these curious individuals often save the day for our team. 

Our snorkelling tour this morning thankfully involved a pod of curious Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), that approached and carefully inspected all our participants in the water. On our way back to the marina our team met a pod of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), that briefly surfaced before diving and continuing on their trajectory eastward. 

Our afternoon tours on both boats included a long wait for Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) and a very rewarding encounter with Atlantic spotted dolphins. Beaked whales are generally very timid, usually displaying the exact opposite behaviour of the curious spotted dolphins. Blainville beaked whale females form stable groups that are thought to be resident to the waters surrounding Madeira and our team knows of specific pods with young, curious females that prompt the rest of their posse to approach our boats. Sadly, this wasn’t one of those groups but our zodiac managed a brief sighting of these elusive animals from afar.

Our guests in the evening got lucky with a pod of Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) but not so lucky with the groups behaviour. The dolphins were already being observed as we arrived and behaved extremely evasive towards us. We tried a few approaches but soon left to continue our search which eventually lead us to a young basking Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). Being ocean nomads, turtles aren’t influenced by any group dynamics, each animal does its own thing. This one allowed us to appreciate it basking at the surface, which was quite lovely after our difficult encounter with the Rissos. 

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day 

Ribeira Brava 

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins

Stenella

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins (snorkelling)

14:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Blainville’s beaked whales, Loggerhead turtle

17:00 Risso’s dolphins, Loggerhead turtle