24.04.2023 – Incredible feat of orientation
April 30, 2023
26.04.2023 – Potpourri
May 2, 2023
What a marvellous day out on the ocean today! Our tours were filled with sightings of smaller dolphin species, like the curious Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and the beautiful Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), as well as a pod of Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris). The latter species are usually quite shy with our boats so the close encounter tees we managed to enjoy on todays tours astonished both guests and crew.
The highlight of the day, however, arrived 7 nautical miles offshore this morning. A small pod of Orcas (Orcinus orca) that included a small calf and large male were travelling through the southwest waters of the island today. Needless to say, our team was once again thrilled to be the first on site and enjoyed a lovely encounter with these highly intelligent top predators.
Meeting Orcas in the wild is a breathtaking experience we rarely enjoy, in fact their mere presence already humbles us. They are our oceans top predators and are notoriously intelligent and cultured. Orcas move in family groups that each possess their own culture, that includes unique dialects, hunting skills and social dynamics. They also belong to the oceanic predators with the most diverse array of prey, particularly the transients which prey on bony fish but also on other marine mammals. The orcas visiting Madeira are thought to be offshore transients, probably approaching the islands waters to hunt tuna or other cetaceans. It was magnificent to encounter these incredibly intelligent cetaceans out at sea as well as all their other equally beautiful relatives today!
By Paula Thake
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
09:30 Blainville’s beaked whales, Short-beaked common dolphins
13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Blainville’s beaked whales, Short-beaked common dolphins
Stenella
09:30 Blainville’s beaked whales, Orcas, Short-beaked common dolphins
13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Blainville’s beaked whales, Short-beaked common dolphins
16:00 Blainville’s beaked whales, Short-beaked common dolphins
