CETA The Newsletter for the Cetacean Watcher in Norfolk

Issue No 2 – February 2015

Please report any cetacean sightings to Carl Chapman Your sightings will be recorded and published on the Seawatch Foundation Website http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/ The Norfolk Cetacean Website: http://norfolkcetaceans.wordpress.com/ and will also be noted within the county records. Contact Details Office 01263 576 995 Mobile 07833 463 034 Email carl@wildlifetoursandeducation.co.uk

The 2014 Seawatch Foundation Whale and

Dolphin Watch

On Sunday 27th July last year we once again held the Sea Watch Foundation Whale and Dolphin Watch at Overstrand; just one of a number of watches around the UK coastline during the week. Unfortunately for the third year running cetaceans failed to put in an appearance. A few Grey Seals and seabirds were all we could muster but many thanks to all who turned up to spend a little time looking out to sea with Sharon and myself. Nationally the watch discovered much more – see the details at http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2014/#6

It may be that the Sea Watch Whale and Dolphin Watch in July is just not the optimum time for watching Cetaceans off Eastern England. Elsewhere in the UK it sometimes appeared Dolphins and Whales were almost leaping down the optics of observers whilst here in Norfolk despite concerted effort the only thing we could manage in the NWDW was a solitary record of Harbour Porpoise. The end of October however was a different story. Once again the Humpback came back to the Norfolk coast having been sighted first, as last year, off the coast of Suffolk. It was proven by the fluke pattern and

The 2014 round-up

also other distinguishing features to have been the same whale. The Humpback was associated with Minke Whale sightings in the same area no doubt associated with the movement of Herring offshore. A possible Fin Whale was also reported well offshore at the same time and a pod of Long Finned Pilot Whales performed well for a large group of sea watchers off Weybourne, Salthouse and Cley. Harbour Porpoise continued to be sighted year round with the peak predictably in spring.

The photo above shows the Norfolk Humpback as seen from Sea Palling on the 19th November 2014. The photo below shows the whale at the same location just over 12 months earlier on the 13th November 2013, The white calluses on the edge of the right hand fluke and the white area on the right side of the tail stock match exactly. In addition although not photographed the under-tail fluke pattern was the same on both the 2013 and 2014 animal. This coupled with it’s identical movements and almost same arrival and departure date put beyond doubt that it was the same whale.

A rough sketch of the approximate markings on the under-tail fluke of the Norfolk Humpback made in 2013 that enabled firm identification of the whale as the same individual when it was seen again in 2014. Under tail-fluke markings are like fingerprints, unique to each Humpback Whale.

The Humpback off Walcott on the 11th November 2014 when it was seen to breach

It seems obvious now after the whales were closely observed further around the coast in Essex but when viewed at distance in North Norfolk the separation of Long finned from Short finned Pilot Whales can be fraught with difficulty. The two species are very similar. There are several distinguishing features between the species but only two reliable ways of separating them in the field; distribution range and length of pectoral fin. Range: The short finned pilot whale is restricted to warm temperate to tropical waters between 50 degrees north and 40 degrees south. In the Atlantic the northward range is a line from the St Lawrence river on the eastern seaboard of Canada to southern Portugal. Long finned Pilot Whales however are frequently found in the north Atlantic and the North Sea (cf Jefferson et al Marine Mammals of the World) – but we all know species can (and do) turn up in the most unlikely places. Pectoral Fin: Long finned Pilot Wales have a fin length 18 to 27% of the body length. Short finned Pilot Wales have a fin length 14 to 19% of the body length. I took this photograph, enlarged on the left, of one of the Pilot Whales off Norfolk as it dropped back sideways into the water after Spy hopping . Although distant and a little unclear it shows and was observed to have a very long pectoral fin.

Why were the Pilot Wales off Norfolk Long-finned?

Humpback are the performers of whales. No other whale breaches, tail slaps, fin slaps or spy hops as much. They are therefore very entertaining to watch. Fin shape is stubby and mounted on a hump that gives the animal its name

Identification Forum The Humpback Whale

Key Identification Features • Extremely long flippers up to one third of the body length with

two consistent tubercles (bumps) on the leading edge that divide the flipper into thirds.

• Tail flukes have a serrated trailing edge and are uniquely patterned black and white underneath.

• Dorsal fin is stubby and located two thirds of the way back from the rostrum often sitting on a raised hump of tissue.

• The head has a single low median ridge. • Tubercles are most prominent near the lips and chin each

containing a single sensory hair. • The body is black or dark grey dorsally with variable amounts

of white beneath. • Low and bush blow roughly 3m in height. • 11 to 17m long; females averaging 1 to 1.5m longer than

males.

The patterning on the underside of the tail fluke of a Humpback can be used to identify individual whales. There are several fluke catalogues for various areas throughout the world.

Photo showing the Nodules on the head, throat pleats and baleen plates of a Humpback Whale

Scientists and the public partnering to monitor and improve the

conservation of cetaceans in UK waters.

Become a Sea Watch Observer

Sea Watch Foundation has one of the largest and longest running sightings schemes for whales, dolphins and porpoise in the world. This information is used to determine

distribution, seasonal changes and critical habitat for these species. Become a Sea Watch Observer and help monitor and safeguard cetaceans in our waters.

How do I submit my sightings?

Download forms from: www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk

Send an e-mail to: sightings@seawatchfoundation.co.uk

Call the sightings hotline: 01545 561227

Adopt a

Cardigan

Bay dolphin For just £3.50

per month you can support

cetacean conservation and research. www.adoptadolphin.org.uk

Many thanks to everyone who sent in records of cetaceans from around the coast of Norfolk during 2014. Your effort and diligence is much appreciated. Carl Chapman carl@wildlifetoursandeducation.co.uk

All photos are by C Chapman and are copyrighted to Wildlife Tours and Education.

Minke Whale