Basking sharks have been spotted off the island of Coll over the Easter weekend, much earlier in the year than expected. We’ll be looking out for them on our Magical Mull cruise on April 25th (two spaces still available at a special offer of only £1150.00 pp due to cancellation)
It is thought the high pressure in the weather over the Easter weekend prompted early zooplankton bloom, which attracted the basking sharks to the waters around Coll, according to Basking Shark Scotland. One possible reason for the early arrival and plankton bloom could be in conjunction with the frequent high wind and storms this winter which could have unlocked natural upwelling and nutrients availability in the Atlantic, which in turn has provided the perfect conditions for generating shark food.
Around ten individuals were counted during a Basking Shark Scotland research trip on Easter Monday, among the earliest sightings that have been recorded in these waters and the wider UK.
Basking sharks normally appear in the Hebrides from May onwards. Areas such as Cornwall usually have amongst the first sightings although the number of sightings has been very poor over the last few years. The early arrival and large numbers of individuals present over the Easter weekend are amongst the first in the UK in 2015 and confirms that the Hebrides are still the best in the world for basking shark sightings.
This was such a magical adventure. I can't praise the crew highly enough, with the attention to detail, caring approach, thoughtfulness and professionalism all making our trip so easy, relaxing, happy and fun. I travelled with my elderly mother who benefited from a helpful hand navigating some of the wobblier walking moments and was thrilled at the generous approach towards topping up her wine glass. The kindness and thought put into celebrating her birthday was hugely appreciated. Like me, she came away having enjoyed fabulous scenery, majestic views (we were so fortunate with the weather), amazing animal encounters, excellent food, cleanliness throughout and generous hospitality, but it was the sheer friendliness and kindness of the crew that made the holiday so perfect. I brought with me various food intolerances and not once did I feel that I was getting second-best, indeed quite the opposite with my own freshly-baked cake each day and a very understanding approach from the fabulous Izzy and Craig.
Rebecca Lovelace: 21 September 2024The Small Isles and sea lochs: Wildlife havens