Reflecting on a great season for cetacean sightings
Lynsey Bland, Hebrides Cruises Wildlife Guide
With only a few weeks left of the 2017 season, it is clear that it has been a very good year in terms of wildlife sightings, especially of whales, dolphins and porpoise. Minke whales have been spotted on every single trip I have been on this season so far. The best sighting of the season took place just north of Ardnamurchan point on September 2nd. Over 300 common dolphins, 3 minke whales and hundreds of Manx shearwater and gannets, gathered together in one area of the sea, feeding on shoals of mackerel. This made for an incredible spectacle which is only rarely observed in the Hebrides. Other species spotted this season include bottlenose dolphins, risso’s dolphins and a rare humpback whale.
Reporting sightings via the Whale Track app to HWDT
Whenever we have had a cetacean sighting during the season, data has been collected and reported to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, based in Oban, via the Whale Track app. In August, HWDT launched their new sightings app which makes the reporting of cetacean sightings quick and simple. In just over a month, over 1000 sightings of 8800 animals have been reported to HWDT, proving that the Hebrides is one of the best place in Europe to spot cetaceans.
Hebrides Cruises was involved in the initial testing of the app and have been using it on board both boats since it was launched. I use the app on a daily basis when on board one of Hebrides Cruises vessels and have reported 83 sightings to HWDT this season so far. Other members of the Hebrides Cruises crew, even Chef Ross Harris, have also reported sightings using the app. The data collected is extremely important and it contributes to the understanding of where species are in the Hebrides and how many are in our waters. Hebrides Cruises will continue to use the Whale Track app and we also encourage our guests to get involved and report their sightings to HWDT too.
What a wonderful cruise ! Skipper James and his crew took us around the enchanting Small Isles plus the impressive Loch Skavaig on Skye in whichever order the weather dictated in order to give us the best opportunity to make successful landings and of course, a peaceful nights sleep. All the Islands had their own character, making them all memorable in their own way, difficult to pick a favourite, but I did feel Canna was a special place ! My fellow guests were lovely company, sharing many a story, and many a laugh, and I know they all enjoyed themselves just as I did. It never ceases to amaze me how the team at Hebrides Cruises deliver such fabulously enjoyable cruises. Everything is done to the highest standard, and yet the crew make it look so easy, something akin to the swan sailing serenely along the surface, whilst behind the scenes the legs are paddling like crazy ! James is the perfect skipper, Emma and Helen, chef and steward, just made every minute of our time on the Emma Jane an absolute pleasure with wonderful food and immaculately clean cabins, the most amazing dinner tables, and our every whim catered for, Zoe was our ever vigilant Guide, I don’t think even she could believe all the cetaceans almost queuing up to perform for us on the sail back from Eigg ! And finally, pulling all of this together, looking after us as we booked and queried and pondered, making sure everything was at hand and on the ship, we have to say a big thankyou to Emma onshore. Thankyou all, you’re an amazing team !! I will, of course, be back !!
Steve Lloyd: 28 July 2021Skye and the Small Isles: Hebridean horizons