Sightings during our whale watching trips can differ according to a number of factors. Near the obvious effect of weather conditions, swell and wind velocity, the character of the sightings also varies according to the behavior and species of the animals being observed.
Apart from enjoyable encounters with Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), we were also able to enjoy a sighting involving a small group of Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) today. Like with all other toothed whales, sound dictates almost everything in the world of beaked whales. Little is known about these deep diving cetaceans as they spend most of their time in the dark parts of our oceans, where they forage and socialize. The shy nature and brief surface time of these large mammals between dives often makes it difficult to distinguish the different species from one another. The Blainville’s beaked whale, the most frequently sighted beaked whale around the island, is the more curious member of the family and can be distinguished through the upward arch of its lower jaw and the often brown/yellow coloring of the skin on its back. It also happens to be more curious in nature than the other beaked whale family members.
Sightings with these enigmatic animals are always very different to those involving dolphins, who are usually very surface active and stick around our vessels for a longer period of time. Nevertheless, such encounters are equally rewarding and remind us of how much we still have to learn about marine mammals and the deep, dark world they venture into.
By Paula Thake
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-beaked common dolphins
15:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Blainville’s beaked whales, Loggerhead turtle
