Seen any dolphins in the Channel lately?

[ColinR]

I had two playing in the bow wave off Old Harry early one morning last week, oh joy!!

They were the first I've seen in 7 seasons of sailing in the Channel from the Solent to West Country, Channel Islands and N Brittany. When I kept my boat in Milford Haven and used to sail across to Ireland, I always saw them. I remember one occaision when there were several schools all round the boat, maybe 30 dolphins in all. One was an old spotty one who swam upsidedown by the bow and others did co-ordinated jumps, half a dozen leaping out of the sea at once. Another time on a rough and queazy passage they appeared in the grey early dawn and gave such a boost to our spirits.

Colin

 

[Jean]

The last time I sailed Milford Haven to Ireland (late last year), I had a similar encounter. Also made hand contact with one of them from the bow, a wonderful experience!

 

[Chris_Robb]

Dolphins or Porpoises?

We saw a pair in Plymoth sound last weekend - we've been aguing ever since as to whether they were dolphins or Porpoises. Any one know which was more likely - very black colour.

 

[lyc]

Re: Dolphins or Porpoises?

Take a look at http://www.brixhamseawatch.fsnet.co.uk/ to help identify them. Sounds like porpoise as they tend to be single or in pairs and very dark in colour. The face and tail are not usually seen out of the water, they have a small triangular dorsal fin.

 

[kimhollamby]

Last time I saw any in English waters was whilst on passage to Milford Haven. Check out:

http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/19990426113317mbmnews.html

kim_hollamby@ipcmedia.com

 

[derekgillard]

I also saw them at Poole entrance last season, these were bottle nose dolphins and there were 4 of them. If you do see them the Dolphin society would like to hear from you as they keep a record of sightings. I have also seen them off the channel Islands.

What other sightings have been made by Forum menbers, Basking Sharks are out there but I have never seen them

Del Buoy

 

[oldharry]

I saw 2 Dolphins in the Solent - yes honest! - about 4 years ago, heading west into Spithead about 3 miles off Chi Bar, and a Basking Shark off Fowey in July 2000.

The Poole Dolphins sightings are probably members of the 'Durlston Pod' which are being regularly monitored from the Durlston Country Park Centre near Swanage, who will be glad to hear details (time, location, what they were doing etc) of any sightings. Well worth a visit to Durlston for more information if you are interested.

Also there are 6 Seals living in Chichester Harbour although I have not yet seen them yet this year. They (wisely) remain in an area largely inaccessible to boats, and are being monitored by the Harbour patrols.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: Dolphins or Porpoises?

Thanks - they were definitely Porpoises

 

[ponapay]

Haven't seen any in the channel for 45+ years, but hundreds in the Moray Firth every time I sail there. Plus Pilot Whales, Minke whales and the occasional Orca, lots of porpoises, a few otters and many seals.

The bird life (ornithological) is pretty good too, and the prices are a third of those down south.

ponapay

 

[Guest]

There has been considerable consternation down here about the number of dead dolphins being washed up on the becahes fo Devon and Cornwall. Culprits are thought to be sea bass netters as dolphins will drown if held underwater too long.
There is a one-eyed seal living in Looe Harbour who has been nicknamed Nelson - what else?

 

[tadpole]

sunfish

Had a bottlenose nearly touch the transom twice off Poole last November. We sailed very close to a largish sunfish north of Alderney four or five years ago. I guess they're fairly rare - have many others seen one?

 

[tome]

Re: sunfish

Saw one in Biscay back in July 83, odd looking creature lying near the surface with one fin lolling around. Came up close for a look and was about to prod it with the boat hook (thinking it was the remains of something) when it came to life and swam away. Looked it up in the library when I returned, but never seen one since.

 

[Goldie]

Must be my lucky year! Saw 30+ Bottlenose Dolphins East of Dodman Point about 3 weeks ago, then a smaller pod (8-10) in Falmouth Harbour 10 days ago - just off the deep water piers. It was a Sunday morning and in the rush to get to sea, dozens of boats streamed past oblivious. Yesterday, spoke to another yacht who had just seen a dozen or more at the entrance to Carrick roads.