Song of the Whale Diary: 7th - 9th July

Monday 7th July
Written by Nienke
Toady is a very quiet day. Not many sightings from land and sea. We fall back into our old habit of investigating sperm whales, because they are the most abundant species around at the moment. The Risso’s dolphins also show how resident they are by accounting for one third of all the sightings of the day. We finish the day with a very lovely curry and a beautiful red sunset.

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Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th July
Written by Nienke
Because several people from the land team have not yet had a chance to join us on board we swap people around for the next two days. On Tuesday morning very early, Bridget and Nienke are dropped off in the harbour, while Theresa and Claire are picked up, together with Joanna (from the local whale watching company Espaço Talassa). In the early morning, many sperm whale and dolphin groups are seen, and there is also a quick sighting of Northern bottlenose whales. But, from the lookout tower, the sighting conditions deteriorate quickly. At the end of the morning, the research area is empty of cetaceans. The land team do their very best to find animals, but except for a beautiful group of bottlenose dolphins very, very close to the coast and visible without binoculars, nothing is seen for the whole afternoon. On Tuesday, Raquel and Kathy come on board the Song of the Whale, while Nienke and Katie join the land team. Fortunately, the sighting conditions are better than yesterday. The entire morning, the bay is full of life: many, many sperm whale groups with calves, long- and short-finned pilot whales, striped dolphins, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and, luckily for us, also the Northern bottlenose whales again. In the afternoon, most groups seem to go into ‘hiding’ and only a few sightings are recorded. Nevertheless, another group of beaked whales are seen, but unfortunately not heard. Hopefully better luck next time!