25.07.2021 – Sunday brunch

Not only we humans like to go to brunch on Sundays. Marine mammals also seem to like it. Today there were many fishy “picnic” places. The school of over 200 Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) ate their bellies full. The Tropical whale (Balaenoptera edeni), which is currently here on site, got plenty between its baleen. Schooling fish are on the menu of our summer dolphins, the Spotted dolphins, as well as the baleen whale. This mix of dolphins and the whale, all in the same area, was spectacular.

The group of Blainville beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris), consisting of four animals, was a bit reserved at the beginning, but then they showed up and became really cuddly for their circumstances. So it was a great experience too.

The favorite word of our morning guests was “enormous”.

In the afternoon, a sea of sun hats drove out into the blue. We met the Tropical whale, which had filled its stomach with fish that morning. Now he swam very relaxed in the serpentine lines.

A single Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) enjoyed a small school of fish. He did not share his “five o’clock tea” with his fellow species, but a few Cory Shearwaters were allowed to grab the leftovers.

The school of the Atlantic spotted dolphins had their dinner. The spectacle was accompanied by loud screeching shearwaters, terns and seagulls.

Brunch, five o’clock tea and dinner. Today, everything seemed to revolve around the food.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Tropical whale, Blainville‘s Beaked whales, Cory‘s Shearwaters

15:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphin, Tropical whale, Loggerhead turtle , Cory‘s Shearwaters, Portuguese man o‘war, Flying fish