18.09.2022 – Little dolphin – little whale

This Sunday morning we went along the rain edge towards the Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis). However, they were different from usual, rather reserved. The group was spread out over a large area. The Cory Shearwaters were looking for fish, we were looking for the dolphins. However, we had a few nice moments with these small marine mammals.

In the afternoon tour, we had to be patient, but then we saw four Blaineville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris). Some of our guests were amazed that these were actually whales, as they are only four to six meters long. This small whale species owes its name to the French zoologist Henri de Blainville. The animals circled our Ribeira Brava. The group consisted of one male, one juvenile and probably two females. Blainville’s beaked whales are mostly found in small groups of two to nine animals. The young are now and then a bit more curious, even if Beaked whales are usually rather shy. Adult males are easily identified by their tusks, one on each side. When they fight for the right to have access to the females in the groups, this can sometimes result in visible scars.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins

15:00 Blainville beaked whale

Stenella

10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins

14:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Striped dolphins, Blainville beaked whale

17:00 Baleen whale