National Whale and Dolphin watch breaks records
- Published
The 2016 National Whale & Dolphin Watch was the most successful ever, according to the Sea Watch Foundation, with 20% more sightings recorded than in 2015.
Twelve difference species were spotted, including dolphins, porpoises, and whales like this fin whale.
7622 animals were spotted, including some which came in big groups - there was even a pod of 500 dolphins!
As well as 79 'watch sites' on land, 102 boats were involved in the event, including some with tourists on wildlife trips.
About half of the data recorded came from the boats, including sightings of long-finned pilot whales and striped dolphins which weren't spotted from the shore.
The weather made a big difference to how easy it was to spot animals, because heavy rain or choppy water can get in the way. Luckily this humpback whale popped up when it was calm!
There were even sightings of orcas, which are dolphins, even though they sometimes get called 'killer whales'.
In total, people watched the water for about 1200 hours, and it was worth it with an average of nearly one sighting every hour - well done everyone!
- Published30 March 2015
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