31.05.2024 – Waiting for Whales

Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) are a species that can completely captivate a whale-watching boat. Madeira is one of the best places to see these strange-looking cetaceans, and they are believed to be the widest-spread member of the genus Mesoplodon. These facts do not mean they are easy to spot, however. The beaked whales are a family in themselves, the Ziphidae; they contain some of the least researched cetaceans on the planet. All of these animals dive deep, dive long, and can be cryptic to observe from the surface. The deepest diving amongst the Ziphiidae? It is not our Blainville’s, but it is a closely related cousin of Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris). Cuviers can dive to a wild 3000 m for over two hours, not matched by any other whale, dolphin, or mammal on the planet. Blainvilles, in comparison, reach a “measly” 1400 m for just under an hour, and it’s that dive time that makes these mini submarines a real thorn in our side. When we arrive at the place where Blainvilles has been sited, the rule is clear: whale watching is whale waiting. There is often tension in the room. Will the animal be down for 25 minutes or the full hour? Often it’s later; often we run out of time and go home; often we leave empty-handed and go to watch some dolphins, but sometimes just sometimes the stars align and we are in the perfect place at the perfect time. For example, despite trying to spot the Blainvilles on all trips this morning, only one group was the lucky few at 13.30. 

by Peter Worth

Sightings of the Day

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Striped dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

13:30 Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella

09:30 Striped dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

13:30 Blainvilles Beaked Whales

16:00 Atlantic spotted Dolphin