Here are the latest sightings from the summer. We have had some amazing, flat calm seas, perfect for whale watching ….

June 2009

4th June - 5 big dolphins (possibly Rissos) coming out of water in Bay of Ireland 6am. Heading towards Hoy sound.

8th June - X2 porpoise going to & from Rousay, west of Wyre

9th June - Fin Whale was seen in the Pentland Firth, a massive blow, 1 animal with possibly 2 others. travelling east. Harbour porpoise seen off Grimness Head

10th June - 1 Minke whale, groups of 3+2+2 Harbour porpoise off Grimness Head. During the evening a pod of Risso’s dolphins & 2 Harbour porpoise.

16th June - Possible x2 Minke whales seen close to Noup head, Westray

27th June - x2 Basking Sharks seen off Burwick, South Ronaldsay

27th-29th June - School of dolphins in the Holm & scapa Flow area. Some were Rissos’s dolphins

July/August

1st July - Basking shark seen off Saviskaill Head, Rousay

15th July - Basking Shark seen in Birsay Bay & we didn’t see it!!

3rd August - Minke Whale & Harbour Porpoise seen at in Eynhallow sound, Costa.

6th August - Basking Shark seen in Eynhallow sound, Costa during the evening.

7th August - X12 Rissos Dolphins & Harbour Porpoise seen in Eynhallow sound, Costa at 8AM!

May 2009

9th May - 4 Orcas seen off North Ronaldsay

10th May - Despite rough sea conditions 1 adult Rissos dolphin (very big & pale) & a pod of 4 Orcas including 1 bull seen at Noup Head Westray

11th May - 4 Orcas seen on Stronsay, possibly the same pod as day before?

12th May - an amazing pod of 15+ Orcas  slowly cruised past the North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory just offshore and along the west coast! Go to www.nrbo.co.uk for some amazing photos.

25th May - 5 Orcas heading north from Egilsay

What an amazing month for Orcas? Unfortunately we haven’t seen anything as yet, fingers crossed. Thanks to all those keen cetacean watchers ie Steve Sankey from Orcadian Wildlife, NRBO & many others.

An exciting & unusual sight was seen on 15th January 2009, a pod of 3 Orca’s! The group consisted of a bull & two females. They were seen about noon at Manse bay, South Ronaldsay.

So keep your eyes peeled, you never know when you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these sometimes elusive mammals! 

We wonder when our first sighting of 2009 will be??