Orca Watch excitement as ferry passengers see killer whales
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WILDLIFE enthusiasts crossing the Pentland Firth were given a memorable Orca Watch treat today when killer whales were spotted from the John O’Groats ferry.
Four or five were observed as the Pentland Venture made its way to Orkney, and orca fans will be hoping for further sightings as the annual whale-watching exercise continues over the coming days.
John O’Groats Ferries is offering special discounts throughout the 10-day event.
Fred Fermor of John O’Groats Ferries said on Tuesday: “We were delighted for the orca watchers that they were rewarded with a fantastic sighting of a pod of four or five orcas this morning from the Pentland Venture. This was the first time that some of these folk had witnessed these magnificent creatures and it was quite an emotive experience for many with hugs and tears on board.
“We’re all just really pleased for everyone. It has been an exciting and busy week for us here in John O’Groats with whale watchers of all ages arriving from all over the country. We’ve let them travel very cheaply on the ferry on the lookout for the whales.
This was the first time that some of these folk had witnessed these magnificent creatures... There were hugs and tears on board.
“I think the ferry trips have certainly added greatly to the overall experience and we are really pleased to have been a part of the whole thing. It has given a bit of a boost to us too in this early part of the season.
“We’re putting on a special wildlife cruise this Saturday to see what we can find – you never know, we might be lucky again.”
This is the Sea Watch Foundation's eighth annual Orca Watch, covering Caithness and the Northern isles and running until Sunday. It is organised in collaboration with regional co-ordinators and Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC).
Anyone wishing to be involved with data collection on the ferry should download the Sea Watch forms and cetacean ID guide, and join the volunteers who will be happy to teach people how to identify whales and count in the wild, how to recognise whale behaviour and how to collect photo-identification images.
If you have close-up images of any cetacean species encountered during you ferry trip, you are encouraged to get in touch with the Orca Watch organisers at orcawatch@seawatchfoundation.org.uk
Photos from the public could help the Sea Watch Foundation monitor abundance, health status and association patterns of whales and dolphins around the UK.
In order to take advantage of the John O’Groats Ferries discount, participants will need to be wearing one of the Orca Watch silicone wristbands. Wristbands are being sold at the ferry ticket office.
Orca Watch includes organised watches at Duncansby Head, St John’s Point at East Mey, Windhaven Café (Brough Bay) and Dunnet Head. Times can be found online.
“Being able to sight so many different cetacean species in Caithness, Orkney and Shetland so close to shore is something truly amazing,” said Dr Chiara Giulia Bertulli, Sea Watch sightings officer and lead organiser of this year’s event.
With Duncansby being used as the main base, the organisers are hoping to get as many local people involved as possible and they are providing training throughout the week.
Promotional Orca Watch clothing has been selling out fast, with T-shirts going out of stock earlier this week. There were still a few hoodies left.
On Wednesday evening a two-hour training session, starting at 6pm, will be held at the Pulteney Centre in Wick. Run by WDC staff, the session is open to anyone keen to learn how to observe whales and dolphins and record their sightings. For more information contact Katie Dyke at katie.dyke@whales.org
Also today, as part of Orca Watch, a beach clean is being organised by Sea Watch and High Life Highland staff at Sannick beach, near Duncansby, from noon to 3pm. Those interested are asked to meet at the off-road parking area by Sannick Bay on the road up to Duncansby Head.
A cetacean talk will be given to the pupils at Canisbay Primary School on Friday.
For the past seven years former local regional co-ordinator Colin Bird has helped with the organising of the national recording event focusing on orcas and any other cetacean species passing by.
The idea originated from the possibility of underwater turbines being installed in the Pentland Firth, which initiated the first seasonal watch to gather information on how orcas use the area and what might be the consequences of such a development.
Further details of Orca Watch events can be found here or on the Sea Watch Facebook page.
- Orca Watch – an event organised by the Sea Watch Foundation in partnership with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC)
