Steph one of our fantastic volunteers has been studying cetacean (whale and dolphin) activity off Berry Head NNR as part of a research project. Being a dedicated student she came in on Christmas day and was rewarded with some very strange behaviour. A singular Bottlenose Dolphin was interacting with a Harbour Porpoise. Dolphins are known to attack and kill Porpoise, and although hard to tell it seemed the Dolphin was coraling the Porpoise, forcing it out of the water and butting into the side of it. Steph observed the behaviour for over 50minutes, until a group of Bottlenose Dolphin came into the area and they all moved off together.
The same behaviour has been observed today off the headland. This activity has been reported to the Seawatch Foundation for them to assess. Steph took photos included below, they show clearly the size difference, the Bottlenose Dolphin being 2-3m long and Harbour Porpoise around 1m.
The same behaviour has been observed today off the headland. This activity has been reported to the Seawatch Foundation for them to assess. Steph took photos included below, they show clearly the size difference, the Bottlenose Dolphin being 2-3m long and Harbour Porpoise around 1m.
Bottlenose Dolphin and Harbour Porpoise Image: Steph Wright
I wish they would appear when I'm there, they always seem to be hiding, well done for getting the pictures. I saw a dolphin by Breakwater beach and a seal swimming by the breakwater recently, but have seen nothing from Berry Head
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