26.06.2025 – Familiar

With such an array of species visiting our islands waters, it can often be hard to keep up with any repeated occurrence of specific individuals. This is why forwarding photos and other data to scientists is so valuable during our tours, that way we can all keep up with the movement and distribution of populations.

Some animals, however, do have very distinct markings making them easier to recognise. In fact some dorsal fin shapes or skin markings are so distinct, that even our two new summer guides, Horst and Hannah, have been able to recognise a few individuals. This morning, for instance, Horst recognised an individual amongst the lovely curious group of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and a Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) with a distinct white mark near its fin. We also had an encounter with a large Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) and it too had a dorsal fin shape that I recognised from the past few years.

Dorsal fins are an extremely important feature when it comes to recognising most cetaceans, with its trailing edge gaining long term markings that can allow eager scientists to identify the animal for the rest of its life. It’s truly fascinating work! Both dolphin species and, among them a few of the familiars, were seen again this afternoon and our spotter even managed to locate a pod of Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) far offshore. These giants can be identified through markings on their dorsal hump but the primary feature is the trailing edge of the tail fin. Through these ID photos, scientists recognised a few individuals passing through the Azores and even Norway! We didn’t manage a sighting with the group but our guests appreciated the effort nonetheless and the fact that so many of these lovely animals decide to return to our islands waters! Can you blame them though?

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Bryde’s whale

Stenella

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Bryde’s whale

13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins