Dolphins in the Channel

[Mike C]

Thought this might interest.....

A friend and I had a couple of days off on Monday & Tuesday this week and the weather looked good….. so we decided on an overnight trip to Alderney.

On the way out, once we got away from the Needles, most of the trip was millpond calm. Half way across, (almost exactly) we noticed some fins about 300 – 400 yards on our starboard side. I immediately put the engine into tick over and scrabbled for my camera. By the time I found it the ‘fins’ were heading straight over to us. A pod of about ten dolphins, (if someone wants to correct me and say porpoises, I apologise – but they were all called flipper).

They circled us, peering up at us for 2 or 3 minutes before getting bored and leaving. A great sight! And yes, they definitely came to us not the other way round!

Off then to Alderney for a great visit. (Thoroughly recommend the Town House B&B in Alderney by the way – good and very reasonable price).

We set off back after lunch the next day with winds increasing to 15 knots, getting less as we headed back to the Needles, 60 N Miles north east. A little bumpier ride but no real problem. A great midweek weekend!

Mike C

[codprawn]

Great shots - they were probably bored because they wanted a chase - they just love to play in the bow wave.

[MarkWildey]

There was a pod of 8-10 outside Poole Harbour just over a week ago, maybe the same lot. Went out on my canoe for a look but couldn't find them.

Maybe I should have gone more offshore!

Mark

[Mike C]

Codprawn.... Thanks for the comments. Yes, they may well have followed us if I hadn't stopped.... but they were certainly inquisitive! I wish I had had a mask and snorkel with me!

Mark…. You would have had a long paddle! You will note the sea was a little calmer than the last time you and I tried to cross together with Jono a few years back!

Mike C

[martini]

Plenty around Channel Island waters at the moment, spotted 8-10 in amongst the rocks at Les Minquiers and a few on Jerseys south coast in the last couple of weeks.

[Mike C]

For those keen to know, a nice lady called Gemma at the Seawatch Foundation ( http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/ )has identified the dolphins we saw.

They are the common Short Beaked Dolphin.

So, not porpoises!

Mike C