Blog Post

Humpback whales have been seen in Donegal Bay for the last three months!

admin admin • October 15, 2019

In August 2019, reports of a breaching humpback whale came to O.R.C.Ireland from anglers in Donegal Bay. In September, two angling vessels in the area reported sightings of humpback whales as they fished for Atlantic Bluefin tuna as part of the Marine Institutes tagging programme. Now, in October, the humpbacks have been sighted again and this time we have recieved a great dorsal I.D. shot which added to our growing database of humpback whales will help us solve the mystery of how humpback whales use our waters.

Humpback whale shows it's throat grooves as it lunge feeds in northern Irish waters. Photo source: Damian Doherty. Donegal Bay, 13-10-2019.

The first mention of a humpback whale in Donegal was reported to Ocean Research & Conservation Ireland (O.R.C. Ireland) by Adrian Malloy of Tuna.ie from the 2nd of August 2019. Adrian and his crew member Conor, whitnessed a humpback whale breach in the distance but didn't manage to capture a photograph for species confirmation.

The first validated record of a humpback whale in Donegal Bay came from John McKeown on the 22nd of September. WATCH VIDEO HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEFfW-B53lU

The next report was two days later off Mulaghmore, Co. Sligo by Declan Kilgannon of KiwiGirl.
WATCH VIDEO HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJebF-c2iYc

At least two individual were confirmed present in Donegal Bay, when they were re-sighted another two days later again by Declan Kilgannon.
WATCH VIDEO HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMyAW3AD-Wk&t=33s AND HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhXuHwttPkc

On Sunday the 13th of October, Declan Kilgannon had another sighting of two, maybe even three, humpback whales while out fishing.

Humpback whale lunge feeding. Sighted from angling boat "KiwiGirl". Photo by: Declan Kilgannon.

On the same day, Sunday just gone, John and Matt McKeown were fishing in Donegal Bay with Damian O'Doherty and also saw the humpbacks and managed to get these amazing photographs!

Humpback whale dorsal fin identification shot. Photo source: Observers App; Damian Doherty, Co. Donegal. 13-10-19.

Humpback whale blow holes. Photo source: Observers App; Damian Doherty, Co. Donegal. 13-10-2019.

Note: baleen whales such as the humpback whale has paired blowholes unlike dolphins which only have a single blowhole.

Humpback whale surfacing while lunge feeding. Photo source: Damian Doherty, Co. Donegal. 13-10-2019.

Humpback whale and common dolphin surface together in synchrony. Photo source: Observers App Damian Doherty. Co. Donegal. 13-10-19.

Short-beaked common dolphin in Donegal Bay, 13-10-19. Photo source: Damian Doherty.

Matt McKeown also managed to capture this stunning footage of short-beaked common dolphins ( Delphinus delphis ) underwater socialising and communications. Dolphins use whistles to communicate and echolocation clicks or "buzzes" when they are foraging and chasing fish.

WATCH HERE: https://youtu.be/RfAdGAc3FPk

For recent updates on records check out our "Latest Records" from our website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @ObserversApp.

  • © Ocean Research & Conservation Ireland (ORCireland) and www.orcireland.ie , est. 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ocean Research & Conservation Ireland and www.orcireland.ie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.


SHARE THIS ARTICLE

By ORCA SciComm Team April 10, 2024
The Urgent Call to Protect Our Marine Life: Stand Against Pair Trawling in Irish Waters ORCA SciComm Team | 10th of April 2024 In the diverse waters surrounding Ireland, a battle for the future of marine conservation is being waged—a battle that calls for your voice and action. As a leading marine conservation NGO, ORCA Ireland are at the forefront of advocating for the protection of our oceans and the incredible life they harbor. Today, we stand united with other leading organisations around the country against a grave threat: pair trawling within the 6 nautical mile zone, a practice that endangers the rich biodiversity of our coastal waters.
By Emer Keaveney March 30, 2024
New Research on Distinct Species of Killer Whales Emer Keaveney/ ORCA SciComm | 29th March 2024
By Kiera Mc Garvey Sears January 16, 2024
Ocean Noise Pollution - Impacts on Marine Wildlife Kiera Mc Garvey Sears I 16th January 2024 Marine noise pollution can have significant negative impacts on marine mammals, including increased stress levels, tissue damage, hearing loss, and even death, and researchers are studying how individual responses to noise can affect the overall population.
By ORCA Scicomm Team December 15, 2023
URGENT need for an International Fossil Fuel Non-Expansion Treaty. ORCA Sci-comm Team I 15th December 2023.
By ORCA SciComm Team December 1, 2023
Are Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) developments just a “quick-fix” money-making scheme by greenwashing energy companies? ORCA SciComm Team | 1st December 2023
By ORCA SciComm Team | 30th November 2023 November 30, 2023
COP28 Controversies: The Urgency of Action and Accountability ORCA SciComm Team | 30th November 2023 COP28 represents the UN's most recent series of international climate negotiations taking place from November 30th to December 12th, 2023. This year, it is hosted by the UAE in Dubai and is expected to be attended by 167 world leaders, among them the Pope and King Charles III. As the first day of COP28 begins, the critical climate conference taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), we at ORCA Ireland find ourselves reflecting on the paradox that frames this event. The UAE, a nation with an economy that is built on oil and gas production, is hosting a summit aimed at mitigating the very crisis exacerbated by fossil fuels. This juxtaposition is not lost on the global community, particularly in light of leaked documents suggesting an agenda to boost oil and gas production rather than reduce it.
By Kiera McGarvey Sears I ORCA Scicomm Team November 21, 2023
Ocean Noise Pollution - Part 1 - Episode 1 20th November 2023 I Kiera Mc Garvey Sears - ORCA Scicomm Team ORCA Ireland is delighted to present a new educational series focusing on Ocean Noise Pollution. Written and produced by ORCA Ireland's Educational Officer, Marine Biologist - Kiera Mc Garvey Sears, this episode explores some of the sources of noise in our oceans, including biophony, geophony and anthrophony. Dive in and learn about this unseen but not unheard threat to marine wildlife in our oceans. Ocean noise, both natural and human-introduced, has a significant impact on marine life and ecosystems. Here is why:
By ORCA SciComm Team August 21, 2023
Lolita, also known as Tokitae, was a killer whale who was captured from the wild in 1970 and has been living in captivity ever since. She was the last surviving orca from the infamous capture of the Southern Resident killer whales in Penn Cove, Washington. For over 50 years, Lolita has been living in a small tank at the Miami Seaquarium, where she has been performing for crowds and living a life that is far from natural.
By Emer Keaveney August 11, 2023
The World's Most Endangered Marine Mammal.
By Emer Keaveney July 15, 2023
WORLD ORCA DAY The Last Orcas of Ireland and the U.K. Emer Keaveney I July 14th, 2023
Show More
Share by: