Semi-resident sperm whales found feeding off the coastline during August included Tutu and Manu. Tutu is given his name due to his dorsal fin which is shaped like a Hectors Dolphins dorsalds the Maori word for Hectors Dolphin is Tutumairekurai which means special ocean dweller, Tutu for short.
We have also had a transient pod of sperm whales that were moving in and out of the Kaikoura canyon. It is around this time of the year that there is a transition take place between the winter sperm whales and the summer sperm whales. As August drew to a close it was the transients that we were viewing some distance offshore which is a sign to us that this transition is starting to take place. This usually lasts for around 3-4 weeks when the whales are feeding up in the northern feeding grounds usually around 20-25 miles offshore. We send out a tracking boat each morning to hydrophone around in the canyon hoping to locate the whales before our tours head out to save them time searching as 20-25 miles can take some time to travel. There were some large pods of dusky dolphins being sighted when time was available on the tour pods averaging in numbers of between 200-400 individuals. Common & Hectors dolphins were also being sighted at times.
Passengers on the 2nd, 8th & 26th August were treated to Humpback whale sightings. Humpbacks migrate through these waters during our winter months heading up to the warmer waters such as places like Australia & Tonga.
There were also many other species of birds sighted throughout the month, petrels, shearwaters, and various species of albatross. It is during this time of the year that we especially see many cape petrels as they frequent our waters during our winter months along with the Hutton Shearwaters starting to make their return home after a long winter in Australia.
Spring is starting to make itself known with plenty of blossom and daffodils blooming along with lambs and calves bouncing around in the paddocks. Here is hoping for a great September not only in the whale department but for the All Blacks too!We look forward to hosting you on your visit with us! Please let me know if you have any questions, or if you have visited us and have a story you would like to share we would love to hear from you.
Until next month!
Lisa Bond
Captain @ Whale Watch Kaikoura
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