Dorset Dolphin help

[Steve_B]

Dorset Wildlife Trust have asked us to help with a survey of the dolphins frequently seen along the Dorset coast from Bournemouth to Weymouth.
They would like to establish whether it is one pod or several. To do this they need pictures of the pectoral fins of dolphins seen in this area over the last few years. Example below

If you have any that fits this criteria, could you post so that I can pass on
Many thanks
Steve

[PeterM]

I'll see what I have from summer 2011.

[zookeeper]

we saw them last week, took lots of photos, ill try to upload them.

[Dunc]

Hi 250knts,
The bottlenose dolphins along the Dorset coast are likely to be the pod/pods that we also see off Cornwall. They range between the The Isle of White all the way round Land's End up to at least the Cornwall/Devon boarder. We have been collecting photo ID for them for the last 7 years. Interestingly so far we have no fin matches with the Cardigan bay dolphins or the bottlenose dolphins resident off the Normandy coast so they operate as a separate unit. Your local wildlife trust should speak to Tom Brereton at the charity Marine Life based in Dorset as they also have an extensive fin ID catalogue.

Here is a link to our .pdf photo ID catalogue -http://www.marinediscovery.co.uk/bottlenose_dolphin_catalogue_web.pdf

Hope this is helpful
Duncan

[Steve_B]

Thanks Duncan

I have passed your information on

Many thanks
Steve

[boristhebold]

From a couple of weeks ago

[boristhebold]

More photos from last year, in same area between Durlston and Old Harry

[AJ.]

Great photos, is there a good chance of seeing them at the moment. Any particular times/patterns they travel up to Old Harry?

[boristhebold]

About 3.30 to 4.30 in the afternoon from my experience to date.

[AJ.]

Originally Posted by boristhebold

About 3.30 to 4.30 in the afternoon from my experience to date.

That's a nice short window to bob around for a bit. Thanks will be heading down very soon

[Steve_B]

Whilst I would not question the advice of Mark/Boris, we have found that there would appear to be no particular pattern in terms of place or time.
It is my opinion that they tend to follow the Mackrel shoals and therefore, it is probably more related to tides and sea temperature, particularly where cold and warm waters mix.
Saw them from 1000 to 1600 on every trip over the weekend of the 18/19th and not at all last weekend!
Steve

[matt h]

Originally Posted by AJ.

Great photos, is there a good chance of seeing them at the moment. Any particular times/patterns they travel up to Old Harry?

Yes this Saturday and Whisper will guarantee a viewing!!
Sarah will not want to miss it!

[boristhebold]

Originally Posted by AJ.

That's a nice short window to bob around for a bit. Thanks will be heading down very soon

The time a suggest is only because thats the usuall time ive seen them, but thats probably just coincidence but then again perhaps ive just been lucky. Have a
Ook at the durlston park website and look for the marine sightings report, will show times of sightimgs last year.

Its probably worth a low speed cruise up the swash channel and along past durlston to dancing ledge and back. Nice trip anyway even yoi dont see them.