Amazing Dolphins off Berry Head

[Seven Spades]

We are in Brixham Marina today and earlier we walked to Berry Head and looking out over Tor bay I spotted some splashes. As they go closer it was clear that they were dolphins and I started to count them... there were over 40. I have never seen so many dolphins in my life. They came across the bay came close to the head between 1 and 2 cables from the shore (I could see them swimming under the water with my Polaroids) and then headed offshore but in a South Westerly direction.

They were spread out over an area of about two football pitches but I regret not filming it, it was so specular and I only thought if it after they were almost out of range. It is a pity because wheat I did film does not show the fast numbers of dolphins but it is unusual because it shows that they are all spread out.

 

[johnalison]

It's all because of Brexit; the fish know about it and are returning to our waters.

 

[Allergy]

It's all because of Brexit; the fish know about it and are returning to our waters.

+1:encouragement:

 

[RichardS]

It's all because of Brexit; the fish know about it and are returning to our waters.

I think you've sussed it! On our Adriatic cruise last month we only saw one dolphin which is our lowest dolphin count in 10 years.

They are clearly all heading for the UK.

Richard

 

[KellysEye]

When we passed Cape Finisterre heading south we had dolphins in every direction as far as you could see for an hour. We suspect they were there to breed because none came to play on the bows.

 

[Terra-Loon]

A couple of years ago, in late october i was about half a mile north of Brixham breakwater in the middle of taking down the mainsail when suddenly we were surrounded by a large pod of dolphins. The played happily around the boat for about 20 minutes or so while we watched, taking photos and generally getting cold and wet in the rain.

My mate, who was looking forward to his dinner, eventually uttered the unforgettable line, "I wish these dolphins would **** off so we can get a pint".

 

[johnalison]

My mate, who was looking forward to his dinner, eventually uttered the unforgettable line, "I wish these dolphins would **** off so we can get a pint".

Classic. Along with one from our boat in the great summer of 1975 (not1976) - "another bloody sunset".

 

[Pete7]

Left Brixham at 0400 hrs this morning. Lots of small pods for the first 15 miles East across Lyme Bay.

Pete

 

[Seven Spades]

Left Brixham at 0400 hrs this morning. Lots of small pods for the first 15 miles East across Lyme Bay.

Pete

Same here we left Brixham at 7:15 and had exactly the same experience.

 

[Moonbeam]

That area seems to be bountiful... we also saw several dolphins off Berry Head last year around June, but at some distance from the boat.

But leaving Dartmouth early morning last September, about a mile out, we were surrounded by a pod of dolphins playing around our bow, breaching in sync, diving under our keels, they stayed with us for some minutes, it was wonderful stuff, a dream come true for us.

This season (May) we also saw a pod of Pilot Whales (basically very big dolphins), including mothers with calves, in Wembury Bay just out the the Yealm.

 

[johnalison]

Berry Head is also a nesting place for shearwaters, including Mediterranean ones at times, and I have often seen them off Start Point, so it's worth keeping an eye out for them.