Whale Watch News
August Sightings Update 2010
Winter was in full swing over August with a couple of polar blasts bringing plenty of snow on the mountains, making for a stunning back drop on the many crisp blue sky days we had during this month.The semi-resident sperm whales we had feeding off the coastline this month included Tutu, Tiaki, Manu and Rua. Rua was given his name because at the bottom edge of his dorsal fin he has two nicks taken out, in the Maori language Rua means two and since he has two nicks we felt it was a fitting name for him.
We also had a pod of transient sperm whales passing through our waters at different times of the month.
It was a quiet month on the dolphin front, with only a few days at the beginning of August that we were able to see dusky dolphins on our tours. The dolphins were feeding quite a way South and time didn't allow for us to travel that far on our tours. We were fortunate enough to see hectors dolphins on some of our tours as well. This species being unique as they are only found in New Zealand waters. They are also known as the mickey mouse dolphin due to the shape of their dorsal fin being like that of a mickey mouse ear.
On one of our trips we also were fortunate enough to see a Fiordland Crested Penguin, this is not a common sighting so the crew and passengers were very happy to have the opportunity to view one and get some photos.
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. These birds have black and white splotches on their backs making them quite distinctive and easy to see when out at sea.
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 month ahead.
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
Captain @ Whale Watch Kaikoura
lisab@whalewatch.co.nz
