The Irish Whale And Dolphin Group (IWDG) is hosting free shore-based guided whale-watching events around the Irish coast on Saturday 21 May to mark National Biodiversity Week. IWDG personnel will lead events in 5 counties, assisted by local members and experienced observers who will share their skills and experience on the day. It offers a fantastic opportunity to learn more … [Read more...] about Free shore-based whale watching events to mark National Biodiversity Week
whales and dolphins
Irish Humpback Whale linked to Cape Verde breeding grounds
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
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
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. This in depth feature will help you spot whales and dolphins around the Irish coast, from shore and when you're out on the water.Ireland -- one of Europe's … [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
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
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
Underwater whale footage… with broom-cam!
The BBC and National Geographic have gizmos like "Turtle Cam", featuring cutting edge remote filming technology. Here at Ireland's Wildlife we have a camera strapped to a broom.It works better than you might think. Check out the video below of a young minke whale visiting the Cork Whale Watch vessel The Holly Jo on a recent trip. As the whale approached and began circling … [Read more...] about Underwater whale footage… with broom-cam!
Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
Reaching a maximum length of around 1.9 metres, the diminutive harbour porpoise (also known as the common porpoise) is Ireland’s smallest cetacean species and our only species of porpoise. Found right around the Irish coastline, it is one of the most widely distributed cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in the northern hemisphere. Average sizes are smaller, with adults rarely … [Read more...] about Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
Out of the blue: Ireland’s blue whales photographed
Blue whales are perhaps the most evocative and spectacular of all the great whale species. The largest animals ever to have lived on earth, there's an almost mythical quality surrounding these ocean giants. Hunted almost to extinction at the height of the whaling boom the species is thought to be recovering slowly. According to the IWDG species profile the North Atlantic blue … [Read more...] about Out of the blue: Ireland’s blue whales photographed
Minke whale extravaganza: amazing whale watching in West Cork!
I've been lucky enough to do quite a lot of whale watching in my time -- in some of the world's iconic whale watching hotspots. But last weekend West Cork, off the south coast of Ireland, reminded me once again that I live in a place that, on its day, can rival the best whale watching anywhere in the world.I'd heard through the grapevine that there was some … [Read more...] about Minke whale extravaganza: amazing whale watching in West Cork!
Concern growing over Shannon dolphins
Concern is growing over three bottlenose dolphins observed in the Ralty River, near Durty Nellies pub, Bunratty. The dolphins, which were first observed in the shallow creek on Sunday 31/03/2013."The group remain in apparently good condition with no obvious signs of distress," said the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group today. "There is growing concern that they have spent a … [Read more...] about Concern growing over Shannon dolphins
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
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
Incredible photograph of blue whales in Irish waters
Two blue whales cruise the waters 80-100 nautical miles off Ireland’s south coast The Irish Air Corps captured some phenomenal images last week when they encountered fin whales and two incredibly rare blue whales in Irish waters near the continental shelf edge about 80-100 nautical miles off Ireland's south coast. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group's recently refurbished … [Read more...] about Incredible photograph of blue whales in Irish waters
IWDG research vessel spots blue whales off Ireland’s continental shelf
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group's (IWDG) recently relaunched research vessel the RV Celtic Mist has recorded an impressive 11 cetacean species on its maiden research and training voyage, including the elusive blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).Setting sail from Dingle in County Kerry on Monday 03 September, the Celtic Mist headed off on a week long Marine Mammal … [Read more...] about IWDG research vessel spots blue whales off Ireland’s continental shelf
West Cork fin whales as they should be seen
After the traumatic events and harrowing images of the last few days I thought I'd post a few photographs of healthy fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) off the West Cork coast. This is how they look at their best: … [Read more...] about West Cork fin whales as they should be seen
IWDG to host European Cetacean Conference
Europe’s foremost cetacean conference is coming to Ireland in 2012. Co-hosted by the The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) and the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), the 26th annual European Cetacean Society Conference will take place over the the weekend of 24-25 March in the Galway Bay Hotel, with workshops being held at GMIT. Registration for the conference is … [Read more...] about IWDG to host European Cetacean Conference
Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
The common dolphin is regularly encountered around the Irish coast. As its name suggests this is one of the most abundant and widely distributed dolphin species in the world, and occurs in all tropical, sub-tropical and temperate waters with average surface temperatures above 10°C. They are often seen in large schools that can consist of hundreds, even thousands of individuals. … [Read more...] about Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
Sperm whale live strands in South East
A 10 metre long adult male sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) has live stranded at Cunniger spit, Nr. Dungarvan, Co. Waterford today. A flurry of phone calls yesterday evening (18/08) first alerted the IWDG to the presence of a large whale in some difficulty off the east side of the Hook Head peninsula in Co. Wexford. The IWDG confirmed from photographs that the animal, … [Read more...] about Sperm whale live strands in South East
Large whales continue to dominate wildlife headlines
Reports of large whales continue to make wildlife headlines around Ireland. A sizeable influx of fin whales off the coast of West Cork, four different humpback whales of Slea Head in County Kerry, and a rare sighting of a humpback whale near Lambay Island off north Dublin means that large whale season is well under way around our coasts. There are also reports this week of a … [Read more...] about Large whales continue to dominate wildlife headlines
Whales, dolphins, sharks and more off West Cork
“This is a research charter, not a pleasure cruise,” cautioned Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) sightings coordinator, Padraig Whooley as we boarded the boat. “We’re not stopping for anything under forty tonnes!”As the Holly Jo slipped out of Reen Pier the anticipation on board was palpable. IWDG researchers were joined on board by a National Parks and Wildlife Service … [Read more...] about Whales, dolphins, sharks and more off West Cork
Nature doesn’t get any wilder than this… and it was filmed in Ireland
Cornish surfer Mickey Smith hit national television in the UK last week when his short film Dark Side of the Lens featured on the incredibly popular Springwatch series. It struck me straight away that a lot of the coastline looked like the Atlantic coast of Ireland – and I found out later that much of the footage featured in the short film was shot here, and that Mickey … [Read more...] about Nature doesn’t get any wilder than this… and it was filmed in Ireland
