Humpback whales have been seen in Donegal Bay for the last three months!
In August 2019, reports of a breaching humpback whale came to O.R.C.Ireland from anglers in Donegal Bay. In September, two angling vessels in the area reported sightings of humpback whales as they fished for Atlantic Bluefin tuna as part of the Marine Institutes tagging programme. Now, in October, the humpbacks have been sighted again and this time we have recieved a great dorsal I.D. shot which added to our growing database of humpback whales will help us solve the mystery of how humpback whales use our waters.
Humpback whale shows it's throat grooves as it lunge feeds in northern Irish waters. Photo source: Damian Doherty. Donegal Bay, 13-10-2019.
The first mention of a humpback whale in Donegal was reported to Ocean Research & Conservation Ireland (O.R.C. Ireland) by Adrian Malloy of Tuna.ie
from the 2nd of August 2019. Adrian and his crew member Conor, whitnessed a humpback whale breach in the distance but didn't manage to capture a photograph for species confirmation.
The first validated record of a humpback whale in Donegal Bay came from John McKeown on the 22nd of September. WATCH VIDEO HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEFfW-B53lU
The next report was two days later off Mulaghmore, Co. Sligo by Declan Kilgannon of KiwiGirl.
WATCH VIDEO HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJebF-c2iYc
At least two individual were confirmed present in Donegal Bay, when they were re-sighted another two days later again by Declan Kilgannon.
WATCH VIDEO HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMyAW3AD-Wk&t=33s
AND HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhXuHwttPkc
On Sunday the 13th of October, Declan Kilgannon had another sighting of two, maybe even three, humpback whales while out fishing.
Humpback whale lunge feeding. Sighted from angling boat "KiwiGirl". Photo by: Declan Kilgannon.
On the same day, Sunday just gone, John and Matt McKeown were fishing in Donegal Bay with Damian O'Doherty and also saw the humpbacks and managed to get these amazing photographs!
Humpback whale dorsal fin identification shot. Photo source: Observers App; Damian Doherty, Co. Donegal. 13-10-19.
Humpback whale blow holes. Photo source: Observers App; Damian Doherty, Co. Donegal. 13-10-2019.
Note: baleen whales such as the humpback whale has paired blowholes unlike dolphins which only have a single blowhole.
Humpback whale surfacing while lunge feeding. Photo source: Damian Doherty, Co. Donegal. 13-10-2019.
Humpback whale and common dolphin surface together in synchrony. Photo source: Observers App Damian Doherty. Co. Donegal. 13-10-19.
Short-beaked common dolphin in Donegal Bay, 13-10-19. Photo source: Damian Doherty.
Matt McKeown also managed to capture this stunning footage of short-beaked common dolphins ( Delphinus delphis
) underwater socialising and communications. Dolphins use whistles to communicate and echolocation clicks or "buzzes" when they are foraging and chasing fish.
WATCH HERE: https://youtu.be/RfAdGAc3FPk
For recent updates on records check out our "Latest Records" from our website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @ObserversApp.
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