22.02.2023 – Upgrade

The Sahara mist is finally beginning to clear, giving our spotter a better view on the Atlantic and leaving less of a glare on the oceans surface. Our team was excited to head out in these favorable conditions and enjoyed a wonderful day in our blue office. 

The day began with an encounter with our “coast guard” species, a pod of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). These charismatic dolphins are very well documented on both a global and local level, so sharing the abundant information on these dolphins is always a pleasure during sightings and helps guests better understand the current behavior. Next up was a pod of Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) traveling peacefully and shortly resting in tight formations. The morning ended with nursery group of Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), who approached us gleefully with their calves and engaged in a little bow-ride.

All three species were again encountered in the afternoon along with a bonus sighting of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), small cetaceans that are extremely abundant during the summer months and occasionally drop by in the winter. An upgrade from already three species in the morning to four in the afternoon; I’d say today was definitely a marvellous day to be out on the Atlantic Ocean!

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-beaked common dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Short-beaked common dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales