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
whales
Watching Whales, Dolphins and Basking Sharks
Two of our most popular articles here on Ireland's Wildlife are features on How to Watch Basking Sharks and How to Watch Whales and Dolphins.Ireland's marine wildlife is showcasing in an incredible two-part documentary, "Ireland's Deep Atlantic", at the moment as part of RTÉ's Our Wild Island series of programmes (the first episode aired last night -- repeated on … [Read more...] about Watching Whales, Dolphins and Basking Sharks
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
“Britain’s” Whales: stunning aerial humpback footage, filmed in Ireland
Humpback whales filmed off the south coast of Ireland last year will feature prominently in a new wildlife documentary to air on UK TV network ITV this coming Good Friday (25/03/2016) at 8pm.The film crew captured spectacular drone footage of humpback whales bubble-net feeding off The Blasket Islands in Co. Kerry in September 2015. Presenter Ben Fogle was with Irish Whale and … [Read more...] about “Britain’s” Whales: stunning aerial humpback footage, filmed in Ireland
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
Humpback heaven in Kalbarri, Western Australia
“Get ready to hold on,” skipper Ayden Curic yelled from the bridge as he gunned the engines and the boat surged into the aquatic maelstrom. At the point where Western Australia's second largest river, the Murchison, collides with the crashing breakers of the Indian ocean sits the quiet little town of Kalbarri. It is gateway to the eponymous and spectacular Kalbarri National … [Read more...] about Humpback heaven in Kalbarri, Western Australia
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
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
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
Baltimore whale stranding: a good news story?
I was getting settled at my desk yesterday morning, pondering what to write for my Irish Independent wildlife column, when the phone beeped. It was a message from Padraig Whooley, sightings coordinator with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, telling me that a suspected fin whale had live-stranded in Baltimore, West Cork. He'd be passing my house in a quarter of an hour if I … [Read more...] about Baltimore whale stranding: a good news story?
IWDG whale watching course: places still available
Places are still available on the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s summer whale-watching course on Cape Clear, 20-22 July 2012. I had the great pleasure of attending the course in May… and while conditions dictated that cetacean pickings were a tad slim over that weekend, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience. If you’d like to learn more about the whales and … [Read more...] about IWDG whale watching course: places still available
Ireland’s nature and biodiversity featuring invasive alien
Earlier today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the fifth of their four-yearly State of the Environment reports “Ireland’s Environment 2012: An Assessment”. I read the press release, scanned through the main points with interest, and went straight for my main area of interest, Chapter 6, Nature and Biodiversity… I was greeted by a merlin, hawthorn blossom (I … [Read more...] about Ireland’s nature and biodiversity featuring invasive alien
Irish NGO calls for European Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary
On the 21st anniversary of the declaration of Irish waters as Europe’s first Whale and Dolphin sanctuary, The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has announced a campaign to extend that status to all European waters. On 07 June 1991 then Taoiseach Charles Haughey declared Ireland a Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary in recognition of the importance of Irish waters “for these … [Read more...] about Irish NGO calls for European Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary
Whale Watch Ireland 2011 – Sunday 21 August at a headland near you!
It’s that time of year again, and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has officially announced the date of its annual All-Ireland land-based whale watching event. Whale Watch Ireland will take place on Sunday the 21 August this year between 2pm and 5pm at headlands right around Ireland. It’s a fantastic event, and a great way to get acquainted with some of the fabulous … [Read more...] about Whale Watch Ireland 2011 – Sunday 21 August at a headland near you!
