The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has announced a positive match between a Humpback Whale photographed at feeding grounds off the Irish south coast in 2015, and an animal photographed at breeding grounds in the Cape Verde Islands off West Africa in April of this year.This is the first ever match between one of the 92 whales (at the time of writing) in the Irish … [Read more...] about Irish Humpback Whale linked to Cape Verde breeding grounds
Humpback Whales in Ireland
The humpback whale is one of 24 species of cetacean recorded in Irish waters... humpbacks are seen regularly from shore and whale watching trips off the south coast of Ireland, mainly in autumn and early winter, but have been recorded in every month of the year.
Incredible humpback whale footage off Ireland’s south coast
This breathtaking drone footage of four Humpback Whales interacting with a pod of Short-beaked Common Dolphins was captured off the coast of West Cork in late April by researchers from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).https://vimeo.com/332435303The footage is part of an exciting new project called Whale Track Ireland, initiated by the IWDG thanks to funding from … [Read more...] about Incredible humpback whale footage off Ireland’s south coast
First basking sharks and humpback whales of the year off Ireland’s south coast
Ireland's wild south coast scored a "double whammy" in the marine megafauna stakes over the last week, with records of the first basking sharks and humpback whales of the 2018 season off the coasts of Kerry and West Cork respectively.According to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, which coordinates sightings of whales, dolphins and basking sharks around the Irish coast, the … [Read more...] about First basking sharks and humpback whales of the year off Ireland’s south coast
Wildlife highlights of a memorable year
Life is punctuated by years that are particularly memorable for wildlife. Calvin Jones looks back at some of the highlights of the 2016 wildlife year on the West Cork stretch of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way.With 2017 well underway I'm looking forward to the wonderful wildlife encounters the year undoubtedly has in store, but I also can't help looking back at the year … [Read more...] about Wildlife highlights of a memorable year
World class whale watching? Head for Ireland!
I'd had a fantastic day watching all manner of wildlife along the West Cork Coast with guests on one of our custom Discover Wildlife Tours recently. From basking sharks to choughs and jays, wildflowers and butterflies to common dolphins, minke whales, and much more besides... by any measure it had been an exciting day.We were finishing up the tour on Toe Head, a fabulous … [Read more...] about World class whale watching? Head for Ireland!
Baby humpbacks suckle up to 80 pints of their mother’s milk every day
Young humpback whales guzzle some 45kg of their mother's milk every single day -- that's an astonishing 80 pints or so of the nutrient rich cocktail. That fun whale factoid comes from an Instagram post by the BBC Earth team promoting the upcoming "Big Blue Live" due to air on BBC later this month live from the fantastic marine sanctuary of California's Monterrey … [Read more...] about Baby humpbacks suckle up to 80 pints of their mother’s milk every day
Humpback whale wows onlookers at Inchydoney
Inchydoney beach, near Clonakilty in West Cork, is one of the undisputed jewels along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. This outstanding blue flag beach draws visitors from far and wide, but earlier this week it was a visitor of a different kind that was getting all the attention.The sandy bottom in the bay off Inchydoney is perfect for small fish called sand eels -- and earlier … [Read more...] about Humpback whale wows onlookers at Inchydoney
New humpback whale off Irish south coast
A new humpback whale for Irish waters has been added to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group's (IWDG) photo-id catalogue for the species.West Cork whale watching operator Colin Barnes of Cork Whale Watch found the lone humpback during an afternoon whale watching trip out of Reen Pier near Union Hall. According to the company's Facebook fan page whale watch vessel "The Holly … [Read more...] about New humpback whale off Irish south coast
New humpback whale recorded in Irish waters
Ireland's 2013/14 "Large Whale Season" got off to a flying start last week with a brand new entry to Ireland's humpback whale catalogue.Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) member and keen whale watcher Nick Massett observed and photographed the whale -- the 23rd humpback recorded in Irish waters, and now dubbed HBIRL23 -- off Clogher Head and Sybil Head, Co. Kerry on the … [Read more...] about New humpback whale recorded in Irish waters
IWDG humpback research charter opened to non-members
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has opened up a research charter scheduled for tomorrow morning to non-members.The formerly "members only" research trip is hoping to find and photograph the humpback whale confirmed in the area yesterday afternoon, and is scheduled to leave Reen Pier, Union Hall, West Cork at 9am sharp... details via the IWDG provided … [Read more...] about IWDG humpback research charter opened to non-members
New humpback whale for Ireland spotted off West Cork
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 … [Read more...] about New humpback whale for Ireland spotted off West Cork
West Cork Whale Watching: Front Page News
Whale watching in West Cork is in the news again after this incredible shot made the front page of several national newspapers today.A humpback breaching off the West Cork Coast (c) Simon Duggan, All Rights ReservedIt is a once-in-a-lifetime moment captured by whale watcher and long time Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) member Simon Duggan. The boat in the … [Read more...] about West Cork Whale Watching: Front Page News
World Class Whale Watching off the West Cork Coast
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has highlighted the world class whale watching opportunities at several sites along the Irish south coast at the moment, with significant large whale activity reported from Co. Kerry east to Co. Waterford.The nucleus of this activity is currently centred off the coast of West Cork, where fin, minke and humpback whales are being … [Read more...] about World Class Whale Watching off the West Cork Coast
West Cork humpback adventure
It was a glorious morning on Toe Head in West Cork. The sun was shining, and the April breeze, while still a bit keen, wasn’t at all uncomfortable. At my feet was a stunning vista spanning from Galley Head to the east all the way around to the Fastnet Rock to the West. But I wasn’t here to admire the view... not this morning... this morning I was on a mission.I scoured the … [Read more...] about West Cork humpback adventure
New humpback whale for Ireland recorded off Cork coast
A new humpback whale, the 20th to be recorded in Irish inshore waters, was added to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s (IWDG) photo-ID catalogue over the Easter weekend. Researchers photographed HBIRL20 on Saturday 07 April just West of The Stags off Toe Head in West Cork. The whale was one of two humpbacks seen from Galley Head, near Clonakilty earlier in the week, but with … [Read more...] about New humpback whale for Ireland recorded off Cork coast
Ireland’s first April humpback sighting
Humpback whales have returned to Ireland’s south coast during a month that was, up until now, the only month of the year with no reported large whale sightings from inshore Irish waters. The whales – at least two and probably three animals, including one juvenile, were originally spotted on the morning of the 03 April from Galley Head in West Cork by local birders and IWDG … [Read more...] about Ireland’s first April humpback sighting
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Humpback whales are regular visitors to Ireland’s south and east coasts. These magnificent whales begin to appear around early September each year, and spend several months in the area before moving on to their winter breeding grounds. They are also occasionally sighted elsewhere around the Irish coast. Adult humpbacks are large, thick-set whales that typically measure from 12 … [Read more...] about Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
