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2009 whale sightings reports: ________________________ 2008 WHALE SIGHTINGS REPORTS: View photographs and view sightings reports from the memorable 2008 whale watching season 2009 PELAGIC BIRD REPORTS : A new section of this site reserved just for ocean birds and birders |
2009 WHALE SIGHTINGS REPORT: SEPTEMBER 24, 2009 Total Sightings for the Day:10 HUMPBACK WHALES, 1 FINBACK WHALE, and 3 MINKE WHALES
Fall whale watching is great: Fewer boats on the bank, smaller crowds, but still plenty of whales. Over the past 2 weeks we have been seeing anywhere from 5-15 HUMPBACK WHALES per trip, as well as smaller numbers of both FIN and MINKE WHALES. In the past few days we have also seen a few small pods of HARBOR PORPOISE in the area… a sure sign that fall is here (Harbor porpoise are generally much more common in the late fall and winter off the New England coast). While it is nice to see so many species of whales still in the area, it is the HUMPBACK WHALES that are still putting on the best show. While on some days the whales have been seen diving for long periods while they (presumably) are feeding on schools of fish far beneath the surface, on other days the whales have been quite active at the surface and given us some truly great whale watches. Some of the highlights of the past week have included: Seeing two adult male whales, Tear and Pinpoint, continuously DOUBLE BREACHING! We were actually traveling over the northwest corner of Stellwagen Bank on our way to watch a group of four Humpback whales we had spotted in the distance when we spotted Tear and Pinpoint a bit closer by. Our intention was to pass by the pair so as to watch the group of four, but as we passed by both whales simultaneously leapt from the water. They continued this activity (as well as flipper-slapping and tail-lobbing) for at least 10 minutes which was more than enough time for everyone onboard to get some great looks and hopefully great pictures. On another occasion we were fortunate enough to find a group of 10-12 Humpback whales all actively feeding in one small area. Feeding is always spectacular to see and we have been fortunate to see a lot of feeding this year (and the past few years actually). What made this day extra special was seeing a mother and calf in the group, Nile and calf, and to watch the calf try to imitate the adults feeding style! Up to now the calf had been exclusively nursing from its mother (Nile) but before too long (probably in late November/early December) Nile and calf will separate and the calf will have to fend for itself. So it is at this time of year that we see the calves start to engage in or imitate the feeding adults. The calf still has some learning to do though. Although it made a valiant attempt to catch fish by lunging at the surface and snapping its jaws at the top of the water, it still looked a little awkward and it didn’t seem like it was capturing food with the grace and expertise of the more experienced adult whales. Finally I would like to mention a special trip with an unknown whale (I never did see the underside of its tail) that “Played with boat” for an extended period. The whale continuously crossed back and forth beneath our boat and even spy-hopped a few times (lifted its head out of the water to look at the boat). This trip was made even more fun because we had a group of school kids onboard (the Tower School) and the kids not only got to see a whale VERY close up, but when the whale breathed the spray of water droplets blew right onto the boat misting all the kids with whale breath! So it has been a very successful past few weeks and we only have another few weeks before we have to stop running whale watches for the season. We hope you will be able to join us before the 2009 season comes to an end. Individual Humpback whales seen recently include: Rune Tongs Bat Lavaliere and calf Nile and calf Division Alpha Tear Epee Thread Salt Cardhu Etch-a-sketch Geometry Pinpoint Pele Conflux ***As well as a number of juvenile whales that have not yet been identified*** A number of "Mola mola" or "Ocean Sunfish" have been seen recently as well. These odd looking fish feed on Jellyfish. There have been a lot of "Comb Jellies" (a close relative of the Jellyfish) on Stellwagen Bank recently and these Comb Jellies are no doubt responsible for bringing the Ocean Sunfish into the area as well. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ All photos on this page were taken aboard the 7 Seas Whale Watch boat "Privateer IV" Some of the BEST photographs on this site were taken aboard our whale watching trips by our good friend Oktay Kaya. To see more of Oktay's beautiful whale photographs and other wildlife pictures he has taken please visit his site at http://www.whalesandwhales.com
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Humpback whale breaching
A Humpback whale called "Salt"
Humpback whales
Humpback whale flipper-slapping
Nile's calf learning to feed on fish
"Lavaliere" tail-breaching
Humpback whale diving