10.05.2022 – Hunting creativity

What a wonderful variety of marine life the Atlantic had in store for our team today! Our crew on board our zodiac managed a few lovely sightings with different species. The first involved a pair of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) hunting Atlantic flying fish (Cheilopogon melanurus). Bottlenose dolphins around Madeira usually dive to hunt, which usually leaves us guessing what prey they may be pursuing. Flying fish are easy to identify as prey since they dash out of the water and hover away from their predators when they feel threatened. We’ve been experiencing more and more sightings of Bottlenose dolphins pursuing flying fish near the coastline and it’s always a joy to observe!

After leaving the two Bottlenose dolphins near Jardim do Mar we stumbled across another four further east in front of Madalena do Mar, that were calmly cruising eastward. Our spotter soon called for us to embark on the same trajectory as these dolphins and gave us a heads up on an incredible sighting. A larger feeding situation was underway where a Baleen whale, likely a Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) was  trying to gain some hunting advantages by following a group of Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). Judging by the speed of the common dolphins pursuit, the animals were likely hunting a mackerel species which a speedy schooling fish that often need to be exhausted through pursuit. Like the Cory’s shearwaters (Calonectris borealis) circling the area, the whale decided to let the dolphins do the dirty work of gathering and exhausting the fish before joining the hunt. In contrast to the handful of common dolphins that approached our boat curiously, the whale displayed evasive behaviour towards us but remained close to the common dolphins.

In the afternoon our Ribeira Brava captain, Filipe, had his last trip on board our traditional boat and our clients had the pleasure of enjoying more sightings of bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins with him and their guide Fatima. We wish Filipe all the best of luck for his future ventures.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

14:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-beaked common dolphins

Stenella

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Bryde’s whale, Short-beaked common dolphins