Marine Life News Archive 2000
Friday 29 December 2000
The 6 HARBOUR PORPOISES are still in Busta Voe (north Mainland).
Sunday 10 December 2000
6 KILLER WHALES were off Haroldswick / Norwick (Unst) - including 2 males. Six HARBOUR PORPOISES were also off Lund (Unst) - they have been frequenting the area for most of the year.
Thursday 7 December 2000
6 KILLER WHALES were off Maywick (south Mainland) today.
Monday 4 December 2000
Philip Smith of Cullivoe reported 4 KILLER WHALES twenty yards off the shore at Papil Bay Cullivoe (Yell) - circling Kellister Rocks before moving off north, staying close inshore.
Monday 27 November 2000
2 KILLER WHALES in Burrafirth (Unst) this morning (per Willy Henderson of Burrafirth) and 6 (including 3 bulls) south past Norwick (Unst) this afternoon (per Willy Laurenson of Norwick).
Friday 24 November 2000
Six HARBOUR PORPOISES were in Busta Voe today.
Wednesday 15 November 2000
The LEATHERY TURTLE is to be preserved.
Tuesday 14 November 2000
The LEATHERY TURTLE was unfortunately pronounced dead by the west side vet today.
Monday 13 November 2000
The LEATHERY TURTLE still appears to be in a torpid condition at the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary.
Saturday 11 November 2000
The 10th record of a live LEATHERY TURTLE was found tangled in creel ropes in Basta Voe (Yell) late this afternoon. Despite attempts to free it unharmed the animal was so badly caught it had to be brought ashore to be released. Once ashore and untangled it became torpid and and appeared unable to return to the sea. It was therefore taken to the Wildlife Sanctuary at Hillswick for rehabilitation where, after an examination by a vet and treatment for abrasions from the creel ropes, its body temperature will be raised for a few days before returning it to the sea. This was no easy task as the animal was extremely heavy requiring ten or so folk to lift it into the Sanctuary. The following measurements of the animal were taken by Hugh Harrop and Paul Harvey:
Body Length (head to tail) = 208
cm Width (flipper to flipper) =
220cm Tail (from base to tip) =
28.5cm Carapace length =
169cm
Fore flippers (from base
to tip) = 105cm Rear flippers (from base to tip)
= 50cm
The Leathery Turtle at the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary being measured by Hugh Harrop and Paul Harvey - photos: Kevin Osborn
The previous nine Shetland records of Leathery Turtle, involving live animals, are as follows:
In addition a turtle that
was thought to be this species (and possibly the 1999 Bressay individual
above) was seen in Bluemull Sound, between Yell and Unst, by the crew of
the Fetlar ferry on the 8th September 1999. Shoreline carapaces (the
turtle's shell) are also occasionally recorded. Martin Heubeck, who
organises Shetland's beached bird surveys, recalls finding one at
Sumburgh in the 1980s. In 1996 a carapace was found, on a beach just
west of Punds Voe, Scalloway on the 12th October. The shell measured
110cm by 96cm.
Thursday 28 September 2000
A freshly dead WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN was washed ashore at Baltasound (Unst) today.
Tuesday 29 August 2000
A pelagic out to the edge of the continental shelf off Foula today produced 4 WHITE-BEAKED DOLPHINS and 2 RISSO'S DOLPHINS.
Sunday 13 August 2000
Chris Rodger saw a pod of 7 KILLER WHALES, including one bull, moving from north of Yell and past Hermaness before moving off east. The usual 6 WHITE-BEAKED DOLPHINS were also seen offshore.
Friday 11 August 2000
Hermaness warden Chris Rodger saw a group of 6 WHITE-BEAKED DOLPHINS off Hermaness (Unst) - they have been seen regularly over the last few weeks.
Wednesday 9 August 2000
The Fetlar ferry crew report a BASKING SHARK from the ferry between Yell and Fetlar.
Monday 31 July 2000
A pod of at least 5 KILLER WHALES were off the north end of Lerwick Harbour in the morning.
Wednesday 26 July 2000
George Petrie reported a pod of about 30 WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS in the Bay of Tresta (Fetlar) and 3-4 MINKE WHALES were off Hermaness (Unst)..
Thursday 20 July 2000
A pod of at least 10 KILLER WHALES were off the bard at the south end of Lerwick Harbour in the morning and were off Sumburgh Head in the evening.
Wednesday 12 July 2000
A pod of 13 KILLER WHALES were off Sumburgh Head and later off St. Ninian's Isle (south-west Mainland).
Sunday 9 July 2000
A school of 30+ WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS were chasing herring during a fishing competition off north-east Unst today and a pod of c.25 WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS and a MINKE WHALE were off Hermaness (Unst). Another pod of c20 WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS were at the north end of Lerwick Harbour in the morning.
Saturday 8 July 2000
The pod of at least 5 KILLER WHALES were off Sumburgh Head today - they killed and ate a seal and carried on round the head and headed north again up the west coast.
Friday 7 July 2000
Yesterday's pod of at least 5 KILLER WHALES were at the south end of Lerwick Harbour during the morning and headed south during the afternoon where they were seen again off Mousa in the evening. Another pod of six were off Hillswick (north-west Mainland).
Thursday 6 July 2000
A pod of at least 5 KILLER WHALES were at the north end of Lerwick Harbour this morning.
Thursday 29 June 2000
A pod of at least 5 KILLER WHALES were off Sandsound today.
Wednesday 28 June 2000
Two HUMPBACK WHALES were off Sumburgh Head today.
Monday 26 June 2000
A pod of 6 KILLER WHALES were in Mousa Sound during the evening.
Wednesday 21 June 2000
A pod of 6 KILLER WHALES were off the south of Burra during the evening - comprising one bull and at least two immatures and a female with a nick half way up the dorsal fin.
Tuesday 20 June 2000
Yesterday's c.10 WHITE-BEAKED DOLPHINS were off Catfirth (east Mainland) this morning.
Monday 19 June 2000
c.10 WHITE-BEAKED DOLPHINS off South Nesting (east Mainland) this evening.
Friday 16 June 2000
12 WHITE-BEAKED DOLPHINS were off Hermaness (Unst) this morning and a further 8 were in Lerwick Harbour.
Tuesday 13 June 2000
A KILLER WHALE was off Trebister today.
Monday 12 June 2000
8 KILLER WHALES off Sumburgh Head this morning and 2 possible Risso's Dolphins in Basta Voe (Yell).
Tuesday 6 June 2000
A MINKE WHALE and 20+ HARBOUR PORPOISES were off Maywick (south Mainland) today.
Sunday 4 June 2000
The BEARDED SEAL was back at the head of Mid Yell Voe (Yell) again today.
Wednesday 31 May 2000
A pod of 3 KILLER WHALES (2 females and a calf) were off the Booth, Hillswick during the evening.
Monday 29 May 2000
A MINKE WHALE was off Wats Ness (west Mainland) this morning and the BEARDED SEAL was back at the head of Mid Yell Voe (Yell) again.
Friday 26 MAY 2000
A 3 metre PILOT WHALE has washed ashore along the northern shoreline at the entrance to Sullom Voe Oil Terminal, possibly the animal reported in Yell Sound on the 4th May.
Friday 19 MAY 2000
A pod of 5 KILLER WHALES were off Sumburgh / Scatness this morning.
Wednesday 10 MAY 2000
A pod of 3 KILLER WHALES, including one large bull, spent most of the day feeding among sandeel shoals between Sumburgh and Sandwick.
Thursday 4 MAY 2000
The BEARDED SEAL was at the head of Mid Yell Voe (Yell) during the late morning but was not seen later in the day. A pod of 6 RISSO'S DOLPHINS were seen from the Yell to Fetlar ferry during the early evening and a small PILOT WHALE was in Yell Sound.
Wednesday 3 MAY 2000
The BEARDED SEAL was back at the head of Mid Yell Voe (Yell) again today.
Tuesday 2 May 2000
A pod of 3 KILLER WHALES were off the south end of Noss today.
Saturday 29 April 2000
A freshly dead juvenile RISSO'S DOLPHIN (1.3 metres in length) has washed ashore on Haroldswick beach (Unst).
Tuesday 26 April 2000
Wendy Dickson reported the BEARDED SEAL was back at the head of Mid Yell Voe (Yell) again today.
Wednesday 19 April 2000
Evan Nisbet reported an unidentified WHALE off the construction jetty at Sullom Voe Terminal this morning.
Tuesday
18 April 2000Evan Nisbet reported a pod of 3 KILLER WHALES in Yell Sound at 10.00am today.
Saturday 15 April 2000
The BEARDED SEAL was back at the head of Mid Yell Voe (Yell) today.
The Bearded Seal in Mid Yell Voe - photos Hugh Harrop, Shetland Wildlife Tours
Sunday 9 April 2000
A BEARDED SEAL is at the head of Mid Yell Voe (Yell).
The Bearded Seal in Mid Yell Voe - photos Hugh Harrop, Shetland Wildlife Tours
Thursday 30 March 2000
The MINKE WHALE is still in Weisdale Voe today - in the area between Hellister and the school.
Tuesday 2
8 March 20008 March 2000A 3 metre, freshly dead PILOT WHALE has washed up at Hillswick (west Mainland).
Wednesday 29 March 2000
The MINKE WHALE is still in Weisdale Voe today - in the area between Hellister and the school.
The Minke Whale at Weisdale Voe - photos Bill Jackson.
Tuesday 28 March 2000
The MINKE WHALE is still in Weisdale Voe today - in the area between Hellister and the school.
Monday 27 March 2000
The MINKE WHALE was still in Weisdale Voe today - in the area between Hellister and the school.
Sunday 26 March 2000
Paul Fisher of the Shetland Sea Mammal Group sent the following report today. A MINKE WHALE was reported to Neil Anderson on Sunday morning. It was apparently first seen in Weisdale Voe on Thursday and Friday, but not seen on Saturday. We took Neil along today for a look, and watched it blow bubbles, followed by ten breaches in succession! Quite a sprightly young chap. The whale looked pretty small - approximately 15 ft. Good views of the white flashes on the pectorals. Unfortunately no photos of it breaching. It could well stay feeding in the area between Hellister and the school - worth going along if the weather stays calm.
Saturday 11 March 2000
This OTTER, feeding on a Lumpsucker, was photographed by Bill Jackson today.
Saturday 19 February 2000
At least 30 HARBOUR PORPOISES are frequenting the area around Hamnavoe, Lunna (north-east Mainland).
Friday 4 February 2000
The decomposing SPERM WHALE carcass washed ashore along the west shoreline of Vaila is to be disposed of by the Shetland Islands Council Environment & Transportation Department - hopefully at the next high tide which is on the 18th February.
The decomposing Sperm Whale on the rocks at Vaila -
photos John Leach
Monday 31 January 2000
A 11-12 metre decomposing SPERM WHALE carcass has washed ashore along the west shoreline of Vaila (west Mainland). The carcass is basically intact although it has no skin left on it at all.
Tuesday 18 January 2000
Two KILLER WHALES were off Rerwick (south Mainland) this morning.
Thursday 13 January 2000
Martin Holmes reported at least 4, possibly 5 WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS feeding in Scalloway Harbour today for over an hour.
The White-sided Dolphins in Scalloway Harbour - photos Bill Jackson
Sunday 2 January 2000
A 2.4 metre WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN was found washed ashore on the beach at Cat Firth (near Nesting, east Mainland) today. It was slightly decomposed around the head.
Text provided by and copyright Shetland Wildlife, additional recent wildlife sightings welcome.
Original photographs copyright the named photographer.
Copies of photographs by Bill Jackson and Hugh Harrop are available for purchase, email for details.
Trademarks and Copyright of companies and their software is fully acknowledged.
The above records are unchecked reports, not authenticated records, no liability is accepted for the accuracy of this information.