27.07.2024 – Nothing Special…

So what did we see on today’s tours? Nothing special spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis). Nothing special, the most commonly cited species over the summer in Madeira, nothing special. A small dolphin at only one and a hald to two metres long. Nothing special, one of six of the genus stenella. nothing special. Today we saw nothing special, only a species endemic to the warm temperate and tropical waters of the world and perfectly adapted to this niche. A species’s cryptic coloration confused early scientists. Nothing special, only a species whose name was bestowed from the famous George Cuvier and whose very same name is emblazoned on the side of all the best whale-watching vesels. A cooperative complex and strategic species who organise their pods via ten different vocalisations’s dive to 60 metres for Squid care for their young together. this playful, excitable, and beautiful species who are so often found on the bows of our boats. This is “nothing special.”.

by Peter Worth 

Sightings of the Day

Ribeira Brava

0930 Atlantic spotted dolphins

1330 Atlantic spotted dolphins

Stenella

0930 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Loggerhead sea turtle

1400 Atlantic spotted dolphin, Risso’s dolphins

1700 Rough toothed dolphins, Risso’s dolphins