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
IWDG
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
Huge spike in common dolphin deaths around Ireland
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group has expressed concern over a worrying increase in reports of dead common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) around the Irish coast during the first two months of 2018.According to the figures on the group's website 2017 was a record year for cetacean strandings in Ireland, with 263 validated stranding records (of all species) documented over the … [Read more...] about Huge spike in common dolphin deaths around Ireland
How to watch whales and dolphins
Whales and dolphins are an exciting part of Ireland's wildlife. As an island nation perched on the edge of the north east Atlantic we have some of the best whalewatching in Europe right on our doorstep. We teamed up with UK optics company Hawke to bring you this in depth feature on how to spot whales and dolphins around the Irish coast, from shore and when you're out on the … [Read more...] about How to watch whales and dolphins
Saturday 27 August 2016 is Whale Watch Ireland Day
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) continues it's annual all-Ireland synchronised whale-watching event in 2016, with this year's event scheduled for Saturday the 27 August between 2pm and 5pm.Timed to coincide with Heritage Week, the event, supported as always by Inis Cologne, takes place simultaneously at 20 headlands around the Irish coast, and is free and open to … [Read more...] about Saturday 27 August 2016 is Whale Watch Ireland Day
New whale species for Ireland: Bowhead Whale confirmed at Carlingford
The Irish Whale and Dolphin group (IWDG) has confirmed that an unidentified whale seen and photographed by the crew of a pilot vessel at the mouth of Carlingford Lough yesterday is a young bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus).This Arctic whale species has never been recorded before in Irish water, and fittingly becomes the 25th whale and dolphin species on the Irish list on … [Read more...] about New whale species for Ireland: Bowhead Whale confirmed at Carlingford
Sharks are back!
Great news for wildlife enthusiasts -- sharks are back off the Irish coast.Basking sharks, the world's second largest shark species, return to Irish shores every year around the same times as swallows. Early sightings of these less well known but much larger harbingers of spring trickled in at the end of March from West Cork, and with an impressive record of 20 basking … [Read more...] about Sharks are back!
Whale Watch Ireland 2015
On Sunday 23 August, as part of Heritage Week 2015, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group is hosting its annual shore-based all-Ireland whale-watching event, Whale Watch Ireland.Taking place at 20 land-based vantage points around the coast of the Island of Ireland, the event aims to raise awareness of the 24 species of cetaceans that occur in Irish waters. It also provides … [Read more...] about Whale Watch Ireland 2015
Rare beluga whale sighting off Antrim coast
A rare beluga whale, a species usually only found in Arctic and sub-arctic waters, was captured on camera off the Antrim coastline late last week. This is the first confirmed report of this rare cetacean in Irish waters since the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) started keeping systematic sightings records in 1991 and only the third ever. The two previous … [Read more...] about Rare beluga whale sighting off Antrim coast
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
Why you should visit a dead whale
In this guest post marine biology student Sean O'Callaghan, a keen cetacean enthusiast and admin of the popular Kerry's Wild Side page on Facebook, explores some of the benefits of visiting a dead whale.Visiting a dead whale may appear on the surface to be a morbid proposition, but there are many positives that outweigh the obvious concern; that being a large … [Read more...] about Why you should visit a dead whale
Resident killer whales could die out due to pollution
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has expressed concern that Ireland's only resident group of killer whales (Orcinus orca) could be dying out due to the long term effects of marine pollution.Known as the Scottish west coast community group, the killer whale pod is the only known resident pod of this apex marine predator around Britain and Ireland. The group is … [Read more...] about Resident killer whales could die out due to pollution
Female killer whale washed up in Co. Waterford
The unusual stranding of a 5 metre female killer whale on the beach at Saleen, near Tramore in Co. Waterford on Friday (30/01/2015) has been in the news this weekend.The whale, which was dead when it washed up, was said to be in "very fresh condition", according to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG). The whale's teeth were very badly worn, leading some … [Read more...] about Female killer whale washed up in Co. Waterford
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
IWDG calls for clarity following Donegal live stranding
In the wake of the unfortunate live stranding of 13 long-finned pilot whales in Co. Donegal last week, The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) -- a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to whale and dolphin research and conservation -- has called for clarity from state agencies in terms of which authority has responsibility for managing live-stranding events around the Irish … [Read more...] about IWDG calls for clarity following Donegal live stranding
Pilot whales strand on Donegal beach
Four of thirteen pilot whales that stranded overnight on a beach in Co. Donegal have died. The other nine have been successfully re-floated by a local rescue effort that involved up to 100 people at its peak according to reports.The whales were spotted on Ballyness beach at Falcarragh, Co Donegal at 8am this morning."It's not something you want to see everyday," local … [Read more...] about Pilot whales strand on Donegal beach
National Whale Watching event on Sunday 18th August
As part of National Heritage Week 2013 the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) is hosting its annual shore-based whale watching event, Whale Watch Ireland 2013. The event takes place on Sunday 18 August 2013 between 2pm and 5pm at 16 headlands around the Irish coast (see details below).It's a great opportunity to learn a bit more about the 24 species of cetacean (whales, … [Read more...] about National Whale Watching event on Sunday 18th August
