Aja
Well-known member
We passed the pod of killer whales today as we were heading down river from James Watt Dock at Gourock pier. It truly was an amazing sight and I'm not exaggerating.
Donald
Donald
Orcas!
- Thread starter Aja
- Start date
fifer
Well-known member
Made it onto the news! Had no idea they were seen regularly off Arran.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-43851369
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-43851369
Halcyon Yachts
Well-known member
Spyro
Well-known member
They aren't
SV Kittiwake
Member
We were lucky enough to see one off the coast of Cardigan Bay once when we were rock climbing on a little island there. We almost couldn't believe our eyes until it was in the news spottedfurther down the coast.
Aja
Well-known member
Quandary
Well-known member
Nothing like as exciting as the Orcas in the Clyde, but those of you transiting the Crinan Canal can meet Ardrishaig's otter family who have taken to swimming in the basin and in the reach from 2-4 in the centre of the village. Reportedly displaced from their home in the old oil depot by construction work, the big dog otter is particularly bold, swimming within a few feet of me when on our boat on the basin pontoon. Probably not be there for long as the trout they are coming up with are not big.
If they were badgers they would be protected by legislation from disturbance but then they are black and white and therefore cuddly?
If they were badgers they would be protected by legislation from disturbance but then they are black and white and therefore cuddly?
Last edited:
KellysEye
Active member
Not seen Orcas but off Cape Finisterre there were dolphins as far as we could see in front of us and to the horizon, it took us a hour to pass through them. None came to play on the bow so we assumed they were there because there were lots fish and also to breed.
Homer Simpson's Lovechild
Member
I would not say they are "regularly" seen off Arran - more like "occasionally"
I've seen them maybe twice in my lifetime in the lower Firth.
See Minke whale or two most seasons. Humpbacks fairly regularly venture in. Common Dolphin , both resident individuals and transient pods. Bottlenose pods fairly regular visitors in Loch Fyne.
The whole Firth is hoaching with Harbour Porpoise- will see them every trip out for sure. Loads of fat happy seals as well.
They all seem to be finding food despite the Clyde being "fished out "
I've seen them maybe twice in my lifetime in the lower Firth.
See Minke whale or two most seasons. Humpbacks fairly regularly venture in. Common Dolphin , both resident individuals and transient pods. Bottlenose pods fairly regular visitors in Loch Fyne.
The whole Firth is hoaching with Harbour Porpoise- will see them every trip out for sure. Loads of fat happy seals as well.
They all seem to be finding food despite the Clyde being "fished out "
Lloydroberts
Member
I think you should tell Mr Nairn....he's obviously wasting his time on the topic.
jimmcgee
Active member
so is it just me that finds it strange how something you don't see very often , suddenly appeared in the clyde when the place is full of subs and big warships all sending god knows what sort of sound waves down the water ?? , and on a side note , counted 3 or 4 wee didy subs on sunday heading up to faslane all on there loansum , but when you see the ones with the big smarty tubes in them , as Billy connolly would say
, they are escorted with about 8 boats .
, they are escorted with about 8 boats .Spyro
Well-known member
Well here's his website. If they are regularly seen then they aren't telling him. You can see reported sightings for 2016/17. One off Arran I think. http://www.clydeporpoise.org/
I suppose if you get one every 2 years you could say that's regular.
harry potter
Member
Uricanejack
Well-known member
I would be pretty excited to see otters in the crinnan canal I’ve seen wild otters in Scotland on a Hanful of occasions.
They were virtually nocturnal after being persecuted so much glad to see such things coming back. Including fox’s and badgers.
I’ve seen orca on many occasions. We have resident pods here. Even so to see orca of the coast of Scotland particularly the Clyde would be major excitement for me.
My understanding is much less is known about the movements and ha it’s of transient pods and not much is known at all about the offshore pods.
Atlantic pods are much less well known than the pacific.
I guess as populations of other marine mammals recover
Thier predators will naturally return
Not sure about the Atlantic Orca but the residents here feed exclusively on fish while the transient pods prey exclusively on marine mammals.
Orca are well known in the north and South Pacific the arctic the Antarctic and now the fifth of Clyde.
Good to hear our locals are declining.
They were virtually nocturnal after being persecuted so much glad to see such things coming back. Including fox’s and badgers.
I’ve seen orca on many occasions. We have resident pods here. Even so to see orca of the coast of Scotland particularly the Clyde would be major excitement for me.
My understanding is much less is known about the movements and ha it’s of transient pods and not much is known at all about the offshore pods.
Atlantic pods are much less well known than the pacific.
I guess as populations of other marine mammals recover
Thier predators will naturally return
Not sure about the Atlantic Orca but the residents here feed exclusively on fish while the transient pods prey exclusively on marine mammals.
Orca are well known in the north and South Pacific the arctic the Antarctic and now the fifth of Clyde.
Good to hear our locals are declining.
