25.10.2021 – Lament

In the morning, we had very quickly a wonderful sighting with Short-finned Pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Very nice to see how the different species moved together in peaceful harmony towards the south-east.

We made a special observation on the morning tour. A lone Cory’s Shear water (Calonectris borealis) sailed across the sea and emitted its very specific orientation tone. You normally only listen to these at dusk when the birds are active on the coast or during the day when there are loud discussions about a bite of fish. Neither Filipe nor I had heard this tone, which sounded almost like a lament, in this context. The Cory’s shear water moved across the sea, so if he was searching an area. Was he looking for his partner? I hope he found her after all. Cory’s shear waters stay together for a lifetime. Hollywood on the Sea!

Here is a small audio sample of the orientation call of Cory's Shearwaters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d97uQCDV29I

There was another sighting with the Pilot whales in the afternoon. At first it was a bit difficult to get closer, but then we had a special encounter.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Pilot whales

14:30 Pilot whales

Stenella

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Pilot whales

15:00 Pilot whales