15.05.2024 – Rare and impressive guests

This morning we saw Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis). They were spread over a wide area. Cory’s shearwaters glided over the surface. There was also a brief glimpse of a Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), but he quickly desappeared.

There was also a pretty and impressive visitor. A Portuguese man o’ war (Physalia physalis) rocked on the blue. It is a fascinating marine life form that consists of colonies of hydrogenous polyps that form a floating structure. This creature has a transparent outer bubble interspersed with a bluish-purple colour. Its name comes from the appearance of this bubble, which is reminiscent of the sails of a galley. Its tentacles can reach a length of 15 metres. These are equipped with coenocytes that secrete a strong poison. The Portuguese man o’ war drifts through the oceans, mainly in warm waters, and is often driven by the winds and currents. Although beautiful to look at, it is extremely dangerous to humans as its venom can be painful and in some cases even fatal. The Portuguese man o’ war feeds on small fish and other planktonic organisms, which it catches with its tentacles.

At midday there were also Atlantic spotted dolphins and a small school of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

A pretty Common tern (Sterna hirundo) sat on a piece of wood. Everyone needs a break sometimes. It is an elegant looking bird known for its skilful flying manoeuvres and long annual migrations. This species of swallow is characterised by its slender build, long pointed wings and forked tail. They have a characteristic black head and white underparts. The common tern breeds in colonies along riverbanks, lakes and coasts in Europe, North America and Asia. It feeds mainly on fish, which it catches in spectacular swoops from great heights. In winter, these birds often migrate thousands of kilometres to warmer regions. During their migrations, they often cross oceans and face major challenges such as storms and food shortages. Threats such as habitat loss, environmental pollution and climate change are causing problems for this bird species.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins

13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

Stenella

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins,Sperm whale

13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins