Dolphin Summer

[rotrax]

Any other sailors noticed increased numbers of Dolphins in the Channel this year?

First Mate and I saw four large pods within an hour between Gerrans bay and Fowey in early August, plus many other sightings. The schools of Common Dolphins were very numerous, often 40 plus.

It was a notable trip at sea when none were spotted.

 

[laika]

This "summer" (I use the term loosely to describe august) I was sadly disappointed on the wildlife front. We probably had a normal number of dolphin encounters (between the west side of lyme bay and cornwall) but none of the dolphins stuck around to play. We'd see a few fins go past, a couple might briefly check us out but then they'd be off. Very disappointing. I wonder if they're boycotting us in solidarity with whatever grievance the killer whales have

 

[Iliade]

I don't know that there are more, but...

We have seen small pods of bottlenose dolphins off Shoreham, which only used to happen every few years.

Off the Cornish coast this summer we saw several pods of bottlenose, many large pods of common, crossing close astern one small pod (3-5) of pilot whales and a small pod (2-3) of something with very high aspect ratio dorsal fins...

Around the Isles of Scilly we saw numerous pods of harbour porpoise exhibiting feeding behaviour with gannets and individual patrolling bottlenose (IIRC) dolphins in the porths.


When sailing the common and bottlenose dolphin appear to deliberately seek us out and they seem to like to ride the bow wave. If motorsailing, turning the engine off to protect them seems to make them leave. Turning it on seems to call them from afar.

 

[Sandy]

I saw two, at night, in over 1200 miles of sailing this year. Perhaps going east was a mistake.

 

[Mudisox]

Lots in the SW Channel, almost a daily occurrence in Start Bay much to the annoyance of folk fishing.

 

[rotrax]

Most of the ones we saw were busy feeding, totally different behavior to their play mode.

Obviously lots of grub about for them.

Makerel thick off Littlehampton at the moment.

 

[Moodysailor]

Saw dolphins twice this year, off East Blackstone, and separately off Salcombe. Common I think, although we were transfixed with watching them play so didn't pay too much attention to the detail. We moved to Teignmouth this year as well and there have been several sightings in the bay here too, by boats and paddleboarders.

Not sure if the dolphins are more or less prevalent as this is our first summer cruising the SW. looking forward to next year though

Oh, and lots of seal sightings in the Dart - nothing unusual there

 

[TSB240]

This year we have experienced plentiful sightings of marine life. The most numerous were common dolphins in the Bristol Channel and off Pembrokeshire .
The most welcome were more recent very large bottle nose dolphins off Angelsey.
Friends also had an Orca breach near them off Bardsey Island. I don't think they have learnt to play with yacht rudders yet.
I have had no luck in catching Tuna that are supposed to be local. We had enough of the "Wally" experience in the Scillies.
I think the meetings with the larger creatures has influenced the admirable such that she thinks we need a bigger boat.

 

[matt1]

I had only seen Dolphin in Biscay or when crossing the Atlantic. I had never seen any in Southern UK waters (which I've been sailing since 1975...so a long time!) Then I saw some on a night channel crossing in 2018 and again at night this season in Lyme Bay. I still get as excited as a 7 year old! Wonderful sight, even at night. Based on my 36 year study I would say they are becoming more common ;-)

 

[TiggerToo]

Loads, this year. In fact, last weekend was perhaps the first time I did not see any (Falmouth - IoS area).

I also saw three whales, for the first time. One, massive, just south of the Minack. Two (but could have been the same one) smaller ones, just outside Falmouth.

 

[John_Silver]

Feast and famine, aboard Stargazer, on her loop from the Medway down to Scilly and back via the Channel Islands. One sighting, off Falmouth, on the way out. But, on the way back, a dolphin escort almost continuously (although from two separate pods) all the way from Lands End into the Helford. As well as a 'fly past' from Skorpios, Apivia and Rambler, chasing monohull line honours in the Fastnet. That was a memorable passage. Pics here. An enchanting, moonlit, overnight encounter too, off Les Hanois. Sadly no pictures (for obvious reasons), but some vivid memories of a very special moment.

 

[Iliade]

I think the meetings with the larger creatures has influenced the admirable such that she thinks we need a bigger boat.

Win win!

 

[Wansworth]

White shark seen in outer harbour of Coruna,5 meters long……..very unusual

 

[KeelsonGraham]

We’ve seen one or more pods of dolphin on each of the last 5 occasions we’ve wandered out of Plymouth Sound. Some come and play others are less inclined, but still not at all disturbed by the boat.

 

[Boathook]

Seem to be seeing more in Poole Bay. They like swimming between the hulls and playing 'chicken' with the engine. Whether its the engine noise that attracts them I don't know, but I just keep on my course and steady speed of 4 to 5 knots.

 

[DAS]

A highlight was crossing Lyme Bay on an otherwise miserable day in early August with poor visibility gusting F7, we had dolphins jumping out of the 2m waves alongside us.

 

[Bathdave]

Wife and I have said to each other several times there seem to be far more dolphins this year

it’s seemed quite unusual to NOT see them on our travels

We had 20 different encounters with pods, or an individual dolphin, during one 22 hr crossing from Falmouth to Jersey in August, which seemed extraordinary