A new humpback whale for Ireland was spotted just off the coast of West Cork yesterday (Mon 18/03).
Micheal Cottrel, owner of Baltimore Sea Safari confirmed the humpback sighting, and photographs obtained by Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) members Simon Duggan and Youen Yacob allowed the IWDG to confirm the young animal as a brand new addition to the Irish humpback whale catalogue.
Welcome to Ireland #HBIRL22.
One of the most spectacular and enigmatic of the great whale species, humpback whales are infrequent but regular visitors to Ireland’s south coast. Traditionally humpback “season” in Ireland stretches from autumn through early winter, but this is the second year in succession that a humpback new to Irish waters has turned up off the West Cork coast in early spring.
Last April a new humpback for Irish waters (HBIRL#20) turned up with another known humpback (HBIRL#18). At the time IWDG sightings coordinator Pádraig Whooley said it was very unusual for humpbacks to turn up in Irish inshore waters at this time of year.
Photo: Humpback Whale HBIRL#20 photographed off West Cork in April 2012
1 comment
Owen Mc Carthy
I think this is absolutely Brilliant. It should be capitlised on and encourage both our enviromental awareness and our tourist industry. Despite it being an unusual time of year for them to show up, i believe it can only be a good reason as to why they are here.