Latest Sea Mammal Sightings and Photos
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- these records will be used in the compilation of the Shetland Sea
Mammal Report
Andy Foote and the Killer Whale Research Team will be in Shetland from April 30th for ten weeks. They will be pleased to hear of any sightings of Killer Whales on 07500 380524.
So far the photo-identfication
work on Shetland killer whales has shown that the same whales return each summer
and are part of the Icelandic herring-eating population. Any photos collected
this year will be used to estimate birth and mortality rates and the size of
this population, and help set up a baseline for long-term monitoring of the
population's health. We'd therefore greatly appreciate copies of any photographs
of killer whales from Shetland, Orkney or Caithness this year. Andy Foote a.d.foote@abdn.ac.uk
Wednesday 1st July 2009
A Minke Whale went north past Lamba Ness, Unst early this morning.
Monday 29th June 2009
Several sub-groups of approximately 10 Killer Whales each were about 5 miles offshore of the mouth of Bluemull Sound this evening. It was thought that these were not the 'usual' Shetland animals and may have been pods from west Iceland - further details to follow soon.
Approximately 12 Killer Whales were off Hermaness this morning and may have been some of the animals referred to above.
A Minke Whale was off the north end of Mousa this afternoon.
Sunday 28th June 2009
Killer Whales at Grutness/Sumburgh - John Moncrieff (2 photos), Roger Riddington (1 photo), Hugh Harrop (2 photos)
Killer Whales at Sumburgh - Andy Foote (left: animal with scoliosis (twisted spine); middle: 014 'Bigga')
Between 15 and 20 Killer Whales were off south mainland for much of the day, being seen several times around Sumburgh and as far north as Mousa Sound. Individuals identified included 027, 034, 072, 073, 014 (Bigga), 029, 030 and 031; this is the first time 029, 030 and 031 (photographed previously by Mark Breaks off Fair Isle) have been seen in association with any of the other usual Shetland whales. Also present was a male with scoliosis (twisted spine), which had also previously been photographed by Mark Breaks off Fair Isle. The Killer Whale Research Team added several new individuals to the catalogue today - further details will be published soon.
Saturday 27th June 2009
A pod of 60+ White-sided Dolphins headed north from Bressay/Noss during the morning.
Friday 26th June 2009
Risso's Dolphins off Lnna Ness - Volker Deecke
15 Risso's Dolphins were seen off Lunna Ness this morning.
Tuesday 23rd June 2009
A Minke Whale was off Compass Head at 09:45.
Sunday 21st June 2009
White-sided Dolphins at Burland Voe, Trondra - Carina Isbister
About 10 White-sided Dolphins were in Burland Voe, Trondra.
Saturday 20th June 2009
A group of 4 Killer Whales went through Bluemull Sound and down the east side of Yell, hunting seals. This group consisted of animals 027, 034, 072 and 073, which hadn't been seen in Shetland since August 2008. Animal 034's fin has started to 'sprout', indicating he is a male of approximately 14 years of age (see photos below). Animal 072 picked up new scars between July and August 2008 and photos from today (see below) show how these scars can fade quickly or turn black and become permanent.
Killer Whales and potential dinner off Yell - Andy Foote
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From left: Killer Whale '034' in 2008 (Malcie Smith) and today (Andy Foote); Killer Whale 072 in 2008 and today (Andy Foote)
Between 5 and 8 presumed White-sided Dolphins were in Weisdale Voe.
Friday 19th June 2009
At least 4, and possibly 6, Killer Whales were off the east side of Fetlar, between Funzie and Tresta, at 22:30.
Sunday 14th June 2009
White-sided Dolphins at Levenwick - Dave Donaldson
About 100 White-sided Dolphins were off Levenwick from 22:00 to 23:30.
Saturday 13th June 2009
A Basking Shark was in Mousa Sound this afternoon.
Friday 12th June 2009
At least 3 Killer Whales were off Sumburgh Head at 11:40.
Thursday 11th June 2009
A large bull Killer Whale headed north off the west side of St Ninian's Isle at 10:05. A Minke Whale was off the north end of Mousa from 19:30 to 21:30.
Monday 8th June 2009
Otter at Scatness - Roger Riddington
A Minke Whale was off Sumburgh Head this morning.
Sunday 31st May 2009
Killer Whales off Fladdabister/Lerwick - David Gifford (2 photos), Andy Foote (3 photos), Jason Atkinson (2 photos)
The regular 5 Killer Whales (032, 064, 065, 066 and 067) were between Lerwick and Fladdabister during the afternoon and then went around Bressay and Noss later.
A Basking Shark was off Sandness this evening. A Minke Whale was off Cullivoe, Yell.
Sunday 24th May 2009
Killer Whales in Yell Sound (left: 065 and 064, right: 065, 066 and 032) - Andy Foote
The regular 5 Killer Whales (032, 064, 065, 066 and 067) went through Yell Sound during the evening.
Wednesday 20th May 2009
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Killer Whales off Burravoe (left: 032 and 065, right: 067 -"Ossa") - Andy Foote
5 Killer Whales (1 male and 4 smaller animals) were off Burravoe and later off Ulsta. These are some of the animals seen last year and referenced as 032 ("Busta"), 064, 065, 066 and 067 ("Ossa"),
Tuesday 19th May 2009
3 Killer Whales headed north through Noss Sound and 5 (1 male and 4 smaller animals) were off Burravoe, Yell during the evening.
Monday 18th May 2009
Killer Whale at Harold's Wick Bay (probably 032 - "Busta") - Rob Brookes
2 Killer Whales were in Harold's Wick bay, Unst this afternoon.
Friday 15th May 2009
7 Killer Whales were seen at Weisdale Voe.
Thursday 14th May 2009
6-8 Killer Whales were seen 35 nautical miles from Sumburgh Head.
Wednsday 13th May 2009
Killer Whales at Eshaness - Lutz and Petra Bunger
2 or 3 Killer Whales headed north past Eshaness at 12:00.
Tuesday 12th May 2009
A large group of White-sided Dolphins was off the east side of Yell this morning.
Monday 11th May 2009
About 6 Killer Whales (none of which were adult males) and 25 White-sided Dolphins were at the mouth of Harold's Wick, Unst this evening. A Minke Whale was off Sumburgh Head between 18:00 and 18:30.
Sunday 10th May 2009
At least 6, possibly 8, Killer Whales were off Funzie, Fetlar.
Monday 4th May 2009
Otter at Girlsta - Paula Moss
Sunday 12th April 2009
Otter on Whalsay- Jason Atkinson (1 photo); Otters - Brydon Thomason (3 photos)
5 Killer Whales were off Eshaness.
Tuesday 31st March 2009
At least 7 Killer Whales moved south off Ulsta during the evening.
Wednesday 25th March 2009
About 12 Harbour Porpoises were at Burrafirth this morning.
Tuesday 24th March 2009
Otter - Brydon Thomason
A bull Killer Whale was off Ulsta.
Saturday
21st March 2009
Otters - Brydon Thomason
Thursday
5th March 2009
A group of about 5 Killer
Whales were seen moving north off Lunna.
Sunday 1st March 2009
A group of about 5 Killer
Whales were at Reawick in the morning and another group of 5 were off Lunna.
Monday 23rd February 2009
Grey Seal at Lerwick - Rob Brookes
Sunday 15th February 2009
Otters - Brydon Thomason
Wednesday 11th February 2009
Otter at Girlsta - Paula Moss
Tuesday 10th February 2009
Humpback Whale near Hascosay - Malcie Smith
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Humpback Whale - Malcie Smith, Rob Brooks,
Wendy Dickson
Otter - Rob Brookes
At least 3, probably 4
Humpback Whales were off Burravoe in the morning before moving north through
Bluemull Sound in mid-afternoon.
Tuesday 3rd February 2009
Risso's Dolphin at Vatsetter - Malcie Smith
and Martha Devine
A dead Risso's Dolphin
was found yesterday at Vatsetter, Yell, and photographed and measured todya; it
was 3.1m from the tail notch to nose.
A group of 15-20 Harbour
Porpoises were in Sand Voe, Garderhouse; they have been seen in this
location by the same observer at least 7 times now this winter. Another group of
10-15
Harbour
Porpoises were in Bluemull Sound.
Friday 23rd January 2009
About 5 Killer Whales
(none of them adults) were killing seals around Sumburgh Head.
Monday 19th January 2009
A bull Killer Whale was close in to Tresta beach, Fetlar.
Friday 2nd January 2009
4 Killer Whales were off Sumburgh Head before swimming off north.
Saturday 22nd November 2008
Otter - Brydon Thomason (6 photos); Mike Pennington (2
photos)
Friday 21st November 2008
Otter - Rob Brookes
Tuesday 11th November 2008
Grey Seals on Fetlar - Brydon Thomason
Monday 10th November 2008
Dead White-beaked Dolphin at Cunningsburgh - Juan Brown
A White-beaked Dolphin was found dead at Mail beach, Cunningsburgh.
Thursday 30th October 2008
Common Seal - Austin Taylor
Monday 20th October 2008
Otter with Kittiwake at Westing - Mike Pennington
Thursday 9th October 2008
Killer Whales east of Shetland - Harriet Bolt
Over 100 Killer Whales were seen about 50 miles east of Shetland. At least 23 were 'new' animals. The Killer Whale Research Team would like to thank the crew of the Adenia for taking them out over the last few days.
Tuesday 7th October 2008
Killer Whales north-east of Muckle Flugga - Harriet Bolt
30-40 Killer Whales were seen several miles north-east of Muckle Flugga. At least two were animals previously photographed last year by the Killer Whale Research Team.
Monday 6th October 2008
Killer Whales off Bressay Bank - Andy Foote
Six Killer Whales were seen off Bressay Bank; all were 'new' animals.
Sunday 5th October 2008
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Killer Whale '075' off Bressay Bank - Harriet Bolt
Two male Killer Whales were seen off Bressay Bank. Both were 'new' individuals ('075' and '076').
Monday 8th September 2008
Otter - Brydon Thomason (2 photos); Otter at Baltasound - Rob Brookes (4 photos)
Thursday 4th September 2008
Otter at Lunna - Gordon Carle
Saturday 30th August 2008
Four Killer Whales (3 female types and a calf) went north through Bluemull Sound.
Friday 29th August 2008
A Basking Shark was in Noss Sound.
Monday 18th August 2008
40 White-sided Dolphins are off Wester Quarff.
Friday 15th August 2008
Killer Whales in Mousa Sound - Rob Fray (3 photos), Jim Nicolson (3 photos)
Killer Whales in Mousa Sound - Hugh Harrop (3 photos), David Gifford (3 photos)
Killer Whales off Ocraquoy - Andy Foote. The Killer Whale Research Team will be leaving Shetland on 21st August and wish to thank everyone who has helped with the project this summer.(Due to the large amount of photos submitted of these animals (over 35 pictures) we have restricted those shown here to a maximum of three images per photographer - other photos may be viewed on the photographer's individual websites)
A pod of 4 Killer Whales went south from Gulberwick to Mousa Sound during the morning, and remained in Mousa Sound until early afternoon. They headed back north and were seen off Ocraquoy/Fladdabister later in the afternoon. These were the same four whales that were photographed by Malcie Smith in Bluemull Sound on 15th March 2008 and by a number of people in June 2006 when they took seals around Cunningsburgh and Sumburgh Head. They were photographed as part of a larger group in the Pentland Firth in June 2008; the rest of this larger group was also around Shetland earlier this year and was photographed by Jim Nicolson off Sumburgh Head in April. The photo below shows how one animal is easily identifiable - top image from Quarff today, bottom image from Sumburgh Head in June 2006.
Killer Whale at Quarff and the same animal at Sumburgh Head in June 1996 - Hugh Harrop
A Risso's Dolphin and a Minke Whale were seen from the Skerries ferry .
Thursday 14th August 2008
A Basking Shark was in Oxna Sound, in the isles off Scalloway.
Tuesday 12th August 2008
A Basking Shark is in Clift Sound, off Trondra.
Monday 11th August 2008
A male Killer Whale was seen in Yell Sound.
Sunday 10th August 2008
3 Risso's Dolphins and a Minke Whale were seen from the Out Skerries ferry.
Saturday 9th August 2008
A pod of 5 Killer Whales was at Haroldswick/Clibberswick, Unst.
Monday 4th August 2008
A Basking Shark was in Banna Minn Bay, Burra.
Sunday 3rd August 2008
Basking Shark off Dale of Walls - Mick Clifton
A Basking Shark was off Dale of Walls from 15:00 to 16:00, along with 2 Harbour Porpoises.
Tuesday 29th July 2008
A Minke Whale was off Lamb Hoga, Fetlar.
Monday 28th July 2008
A large male Killer Whale was seen in Bluemull Sound around 12:30 to 12:45. A Minke Whale was off Out Skerries.
Tuesday 22nd July 2008
A Basking Shark was off Whalsay in the evening.
Monday 21st July 2008
Otter - Brydon Thomason
Sunday 20th July 2008
Killer Whales off Unst - Andy Foote
The pod of 5 Killer Whales went north through Bluemull Sound and was then seen off the west coast of Unst.
Friday 18th July 2008
Killer Whales off Westing - Brydon Thomason
The usual pod of 5 Killer Whales was in Yell Sound at 07:00 and then later went through Bluemull Sound before being seen off the west coast of Unst at Westing and Hermaness.
Thursday 17th July 2008
The presumed Minke Whale was again off Mail beach, Cunningsburgh.
Tuesday 15th July 2008
Otter at Sumburgh - Hugh Harrop
A presumed Minke Whale was off Mail beach, Cunningsburgh.
Monday 14th July 2008
Killer Whales off Cullivoe - Andy Foote (2 photos), Rob Fray (4 photos)
Otters in north Mainland - Brydon Thomason
The regular pod of 5 Killer Whales was off Cullivoe during the afternoon and the big male 014 ('Bigga') went south-east past Mossbank in the evening.
Sunday 13th July 2008
The big male Killer Whale 014 ('Bigga') went north through Yell Sound at 08:00 and the regular pod of 5 was off the west coast of Unst during the afternoon and then in Bluemull Sound, off Cullivoe, in the evening.
Saturday 12th July 2008
The big male Killer Whale 014 ('Bigga') was off Cullivoe, Yell in the evening.
Wednesday 9th July 2008
Otters on Uyea - Brydon Thomason
Tuesday 8th July 2008
A Harbour Porpoise is at Burrafirth.
Sunday 6th July 2008
A Minke Whale was seen from the Out Skerries ferry and another was seen off Hermaness, Unst on the North Isles Nature Cruise.
Friday 4th July 2008
Killer Whales at South Nesting - Alice Rocco. Left: animal 032 ('Busta'); right: animal 064, which has picked up a scar since it was last photographed on 30th June.
Killer Whales at South Nesting - Adrian Gilmore
A pod of 5 Killer Whales was in South Nesting Bay. This was the regular group that has been seen a number of times over the last month.
Wednesday 2nd July 2008
Killer Whale '014' in South Nesting Bay - Hugh Harrop
Killer Whale '014' in South Nesting Bay - Hugh Harrop (2 photos), Larry Dalziel (1 photo), Andy Foote (1 photo); Killer Whale lunch (2 photos) - Andy Foote
Killer Whale '014' in South Nesting Bay - Brydon Thomason; Otter at Cullivoe - David Tolliday
A male Killer Whale spent much of the day in South Nesting Bay. This was animal 014 ('Bigga').
Tuesday 1st July 2008
A pod of 6 Killer Whales went south through Noss Sound at 11:00.
Monday 30th June 2008
Killer Whales in Yell Sound - Andy Foote. Photo 1 is of animal '032' and photo 2 is of animal '064'
A pod of at least 5 Killer Whales was in Bluemull Sound during the late morning and then Yell Sound during the late afternoon. This group consisted of animals 032, 064, 065, 066 and 067 and were the same as those seen in Yell Sound on June 12th and 22nd. Animal number 014 (a large bull) was later seen at 23:30 in Yell Sound about 2 kms from the main group.
Sunday 29th June 2008
Otter on Unst - Mike Pennington
Saturday 28th June 2008
Humpback Whale at Catfirth - Ivan Hawick
A Humpback Whale was at Catfirth from 10:00 to about midday.
Wednesday 26th June 2008
Two pods of Killer Whales, totalling 30-35 animals, were seen heading north past the Tern Alpha oil rig, east of Shetland.
Sunday 22nd June 2008
Killer Whales - Alice Rocco
A group of 5 or 6 Killer Whales was in Yell Sound, the same
group that was seen there on 12th June.
Saturday 21st July 2008
A pod of 4 or 5 Killer Whales was seen from the Northlink ferry at 20:45 between Sumburgh Head and Fair Isle.
Thursday 12th June 2008
Killer Whales off Yell - Andy Foote. The bull in the first picture had previously been photographed as far south as Berriedale in the northern Moray Firth.
6 Killer Whales (2 adult males, 3 adult females/sub-adult males and a calf) were seen in Yell Sound at 08:30 and later along the east side of Yell. From photographs, it has been shown that this is the same group that was seen eating Eiders in Lerwick Harbour in August 2007. They were also seen off Eynhallow (Orkney) in July 2007.
Sunday 8th June 2008
8 Killer Whales were seen off Ramna Stacks.
Saturday 7th June 2008
8 Killer Whales were around the entrance to West Burrafirth Voe from 16:45 to 17:25 before leaving northwards to the east of Papa Stour.
Thursday 5th June 2008
Otters on Fetlar - Malcie Smith
Sunday 1st June 2008
5-6 Killer Whales were off the north shore of Noss from 15:30 to 15:45 and then off the Bard of Bressay at 17:20. Another pod of 10 was seen distantly from Hermaness, Unst.
Saturday 31st May 2008
Killer Whales in Mousa Sound - Juan Brown
Killer Whales in Mousa Sound - Andy Foote. The animals in the first and second pictures had previously been photographed off Stroma in 2005
A pod of Killer Whales was off Cunningsburgh and
Mousa. In Mousa Sound, the pod was found to consist of 7 animals (1 calf, 1 juvenile, 1 adult male and 4 adult females/sub-adult males).
Friday 30th May 2008
2-3 Killer Whales were from the Skerries ferries off
north Whalsay, 3 were seen off Noss and another pod was off Mousa.
Sunday 26th May 2008
Otters at Sumburgh - John Moncrieff
Friday 24th May 2008
Otters - Brydon Thomason
There were 4-5 Killer Whales off Skaw, Unst, in the
evening, none of them bulls, while 15 White-sided Dolphins are in Weisdale Voe.
Wednesday 21st May 2008
Minke Whale off Out Skerries - Brydon Thomason
A Minke Whale was seen off Out Skerries from the mv Julie Rose.
Tuesday 20th May 2008
Otter - Brydon Thomason
Sunday 18th May 2008
Killer Whales off Skeld - Brydon Thomason
Three Killer Whales were seen heading north just north of Skeld this afternoon.
Friday 16th May 2008
Five Killer Whales were seen from the Out Skerries ferry during the late morning.
Thursday 15th May 2008
Several Killer Whales were off Sumburgh Head at 18:00.
Wednesday 14th May 2008
Five Killer Whales moved through Bluemull Sound during the afternoon.
Tuesday 13th May 2008
Three White-beaked Dolphins were seen from the Foula ferry.
Sunday 11th May 2008
A Minke Whale was in Bluemull Sound and 10 White-sided Dolphins were off Lambaness, Unst.
Thursday 1st May 2008
Six Killer Whales moved through Bluemull Sound at
about 06:30.
Sunday 27th April 2008
Dead White-sided Dolphin at Tresta Voe - Gordon Waddell
Monday 21st April 2008
Killer Whales off
Sumburgh Head - Larry Dalziel
5-6 Killer Whales were seen heading south past
Sandwick, Levenwick and Sumburgh Head during the afternoon.
Sunday 20th April 2008
Killer Whales off Papa Stour - Brydon Thomason
White-beaked Dolphins off Wats Ness and Otter in Central Mainland - Brydon Thomason
From the mv Daggin travelling from Toft to Scalloway, at least 5 Killer Whales were seen between V Skerries and Papa Stour and 3 White-beaked Dolphins were off Wats Ness. The Killer Whales off Papa Stour have also been seen several times off Hillswick over the past month and are a different group to that in Bluemull Sound.
Thursday 17th April 2008
Up to 8 Killer Whales were in Yell Sound during the afternoon.
Monday 14th April 2008
Otter at Sumburgh - John Moncrieff
Sunday 13th April 2008
At least 2 Killer Whales were seen east of Out Skerries lighthouse from 11:15 to 12:45, heading south-west towards Noss.
Sunday 23rd March 2008
Otters at Lunnasting -
Dave Gifford
Thursday 20th March 2008
At least 3 Killer Whales were seen off Yell, at
09:30hrs heading out of Basta Voe off Sellafirth and later at Gutcher 1100hrs
heading north.
Wednesday 19th March 2008
Otters at Mossbank - George Graham
Sunday 16th March 2008
Killer Whales in Bluemull Sound - Brydon Thomason (5 photos); Terry Holmes (1 photo)
The group of at least 8 Killer Whales was again in Bluemull Sound and was last seen heading north past Westing, Unst at 3pm.
Saturday 15th March 2008
Killer Whales in Bluemull Sound - Malcie Smith
Killer Whales in Bluemull Sound - Malcie Smith (left), Martha Devine (next photo); Otters at Lunna - Gordon Carle
At least 8 Killer Whales went through Bluemull Sound and then along the west side of Unst.
Tuesday 12th March 2008
Otters at Lunna - Gordon Carle
Monday 11th March 2008
A group of 3 Killer Whales went south through Bluemull Sound.
Tuesday 4th March 2008
Grey Seals at Lerwick - Hugh Harrop
Wednesday 27th February 2008
A pod of 5 or 6 Killer Whales went east through Yell Sound this afternoon.
Friday 15th February 2008
Otters - Brydon Thomason
Sunday 10th February 2008
Humpback Whale off Bressay - Roy Longmuir (9 photos); Mark Chapman (2 photos)
The two Humpback Whales were off the north end of Bressay this afternoon.
Tuesday 5th February 2008
Otters at Lunna - Gordon Carle
Two Humpback Whales were feeding around salmon cages off Uyea prior to 3pm before heading north through Bluemull Sound.
Saturday 2nd February 2008
Otters - Brydon Thomason
Tuesday 1st January 2008
Otters on Fetlar - Brydon Thomason
Nature in Shetland
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