24.03.18 – Lucky charm

The guests on our beautiful traditional boat were able to enjoy sightings that included some very interactive dolphins today! We saw large Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that were hunting and socializing over a large area and finished our trip with a pod of Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) splitting the waters surface elegantly near the bow of the boat. Our youngest guest on board was equipped with a lot of motivation to see dolphins and one of our infant life jackets, which seemingly acted as a lucky charm enhancing the success of our trip together with the sensational work of our spotter and skipper.

We were also able to spot a small pod of Pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) who unfortunately did their best to avoid us due to the presence of multiple calves within the herd. While dolphin communities in Madeira are more fluid in structure, with multiple animals associating and dissociating randomly over time, Pilot whales exist in matriarchal groups that maintain a more constant composition of individual animals. Even when they display evasive behavior, it’s always rewarding to encounter these cetaceans and observe them socializing within their tight social circles.

by Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

15:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Common dolphins, Pilot whales