Pod of Dolphins in the Merdeway Today.

[oldgit]

Probably 20+ .
Gratifying to see all those passing or had come to view were slowing down and passing with some care and consideration.

Heading downstream past Upnor we noticed two well crewed cruising yachts in a fight to the death battle, returning back upstream about an hour later the two were still in mortal combat and both must have drifted at least several yards further with the tide.
We waved and received a smile in return.

 

[Snowgoose-1]

Probably 20+ .
Gratifying to see all those passing or had come to view were slowing down and passing with some care and consideration.

Heading downstream past Upnor we noticed two well crewed cruising yachts in a fight to the death battle, returning back upstream about an hour later the two were still in mortal combat and both must have drifted at least several yards further with the tide.
We waved and received a smile in return.

Nice sighting. I've only seen a Harbour Porpoise once, and that was only for a second or two.
If you want to, you can report sightings here Sea Watch Foundation

 

[oldgit]

Nice sighting. I've only seen a Harbour Porpoise once, and that was only for a second or two.
If you want to, you can report sightings here Sea Watch Foundation

Some decent video on Kent Online

 

[Aquaboy]

Off the front of Mersea this summer.....bloody difficult to snap. This is a snip from a vid. Along side for 4 or 5mins. .

 

[ex-Gladys]

That's a harbour porpoise, the vertical back edge of the dorsal fin is the identifier...

 

[oldgit]

so long and thanks for all the fish !

 

[Dee Bee]

We have seen quite a few this year and far more exciting than seals. A couple of years ago anchored at Abraham's Bosom on a beautiful evening, we watched a pair systematically swimming up and down and hoovering up lots of tiny fish. Magical.

 

[oldgit]

Back in the mists of time.............feel sure that can recall seeing Dolphins in Long Reach and Kethole Reach during late 1950s and early 1960s.
Or is that just my imagination ?

 

[Mister E]

I don't remember seeing any in the 70s and 80s.
They are wonderful to see in a natural environment.

 

[oldgit]

"I don't remember seeing any in the 70s and 80s."
Noticable by their absence by then.


Do "seem" to recall on any passage after dark fluorescence was the norm, cannot recall anything in the recent past.
Might simply be less movement at night now or simply not looking. ?
In days of yore , it would have been hanging onto a tiller at the back of an open boat listening to a Ford 4D thudding away trying to spot the next lit bouy at the end of the reach.
Now its on the Fly keeping an eye on the COG line on the plotter or doing the same downstairs, wondering if you might turn down the Eber a bit.