Yankee Whale Watching - August 23rd, 2008

By admin

What can I say? This may be one of the best whale watch seasons we’ve ever had! Each day continues to rival the previous days just in number of whales sighted. I still think we have some of the best passengers too; you all have been great and so wonderful to spend time with!
I want to start this report with a bird-watcher update. We’ve seen increasing numbers of Greater Shearwaters and a fair number of Sooty Shearwaters too. We see and HEAR the squawking of Common Terns everyday now, along with Wilsons Storm-petrels that dance on the water picking up their food. Of course, you all know that the Northern Gannets are my favorite and 10 to 12 juveniles gave us an impressive show of dive-bombing for Sand Launce on August 12th!

Now, on to the whales! Fin Whale sightings have been sparse lately and I’ve had reports from other organizations that a number of them are feeding north of Stellwagen Bank on Jeffrey’s Ledge. Minke Whales come and go as usual, but the Humpback Whales continue to make every single day exciting. Here’s what we’ve had:

August 11, 2008
3 to 4 Minke Whales, 1 Fin Whale, and 12 to 15 Humpback Whales including, Draco, Pinpoint, Echo and her calf, Lavalier, and Fulcrum. All feeding!

August 12, 2008
3 to 4 Minke Whales and 10 to 15 Humpback Whales including Alphorn, Valley, Anchor, Firefly and calf, Tornado and calf, and Scylla. Feeding and sharing the haul with the birds too!

August 13, 2008
1 Minke Whale, 3 Fin Whales, and 21 to 25 Humpback Whales including Pipette, Tunguska, Rune, Leukos and calf, Echo and calf, Apex, Nile, Pepper, Draco, Geometry, Tornado and calf, Anchor, and Filament. Yeay!!!

August 14, 2008
Afternoon Trip: 20 to 24 Humpback Whales including Apostrophe, Crown and calf, Nile, Draco, Etch-A-Sketch, Pinpoint, Pixar, Apex, Lavalier, Trident and calf, Tornado and calf, and Jabiru.

Special Evening Trip: 2 Minke Whales and 16 Humpback Whales!

August 16, 2008
1 Minke Whale and 17 to 20 Humpback Whales including, Crown and calf, Perseid, Tornado and calf, Milkweed, Nile, Cajun and calf, Swimmer, Apex, and Pele.

August 17, 2008
23 to 25 Humpback Whales including, Alpha, Zeppelin, Echo and calf, Rune, Cajun and calf, Bandit, Percussion, Tectonic, Crown and calf, Firefly and calf, Tornado and calf, Apex, Milkweed, and Ravine and her calf.

August 18, 2008
1 Minke Whale and 12 to 15 Humpback Whales including Geometry, Ravine and calf, Infinity, Cajun and calf, and Milkweed.

August 19, 2008
19 to 20 Humpback Whales including Nile, Pepper, Perseid, Tear, Percussion, Crown and calf, Ravine and calf, and Etch-A-Sketch.

August 20, 2008
1 to 2 Minke Whales and 9 to 11 Humpback Whales including, Pinch, Black Knight, Plateau, Percussion, and Pinpoint.

August 21, 2008
3 to 4 Minke Whales, 1 Fin Whale, and 11 to 13 Humpback Whales including, Pinch, Pinpoint, Etch-A-Sketch, and Percussion.

August 22, 2008
12 to 14 Humpback Whales including, Pinpoint, Echo and calf, Tectonic, Venom, Crown and calf, and Trident and calf.

August 23, 2008
2 Minke Whales and 11 to 13 Humpback Whales including, Crown and calf, Cajun and calf, Tear, and Pinch.

WOW, the past couple weeks have been incredible! Whale watching is sailing everyday. Trip times are Monday - Friday 1:30-5:30 and weekends 2:30-6:30. Reservations are suggested so give us a call at 1-800-942-5464 or click below for online tickets. Don’t miss this phenomenal season!

It’s a whale world,
Jodi Sivak
Lead Naturalist