The sailboats anchored in this section of the river provide an unusual and varied landscape. We were treated to a gamut of whale behaviour that included fin slapping, fluking lifting the tail flukes out of the water, spyhopping lifting the head out of the water for a look around, tailslapping and most spectacularly of all, breaching. View historic forts, seaside towns, meandering rivers and a host of marine wildlife. View stephanie levesques profile on linkedin, the worlds largest professional community. When it comes to unique wildlife encounters there are few things as breathtaking and humbling as coming face to face with the worlds largest creatures. Cruise operators in coffs harbour include pacific explorer, cougar cat 12 charters and jetty dive, which also has diving and snorkelling tours. Killer whales on cork visit may be ocean bound the irish times. Dr simon berrow from the irish whale and dolphin group says it is extremely rare for a whale to be in those waters. Whale watch west cork who operate from baltimore harbour, is one of the best in the business and is west cork s only dedicated responsible whale watching operator. Pdf the use of cork harbour by bottlenose dolphins tursiops. Killer whales are regularly spotted in irish waters, but it is very unusual for three of them to venture into polluted, narrow waters such as cork harbour.
A rare stranding of a female killer whale orcinus orca on the south coast of ireland. She is fast and stable and has all round excellent visibility, ideal for wildlife watching tours. Whale watch west cork baltimore updated may 2020 top tips. It is one of those which lay claim to the title of 2nd largest natural harbour in the world by navigational area after sydney, australia. Enjoy one weekend in cork and learn more about the amazing mammals. Colin, the skipper, had to carefully bring the boat close enough. Our coastal waters are a summer feeding ground for a number of whale species and a year round home for. It is one of several which lay claim to the title of second largest natural harbour in the world by navigational area after port jackson, sydney. Stephanie levesque research assistant shannon dolphin. Each harbour not just marinas has full sailing directions, free charts, and photo galleries. Explore cork harbour, from spike island to whale watching travel deals. The 40foot whale was trapped at baltimore harbour in west cork. Since then it is one of the must dos when visiting the southwest of ireland. The humpback whale is one of the most spectacular of the great aquatic.
View historic forts, seaside towns, meandering rivers and a. According to dr andy foote, a marine biologist who studied this group, the west coast killer whales have also been sighted off pembrokeshire in wales, and cork, ireland, as well as scotland. Cork harbour is one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Whales tend to be found off the irish coast in the autumn and winter months, dolphins and basking sharks are more common in. Pdf the bottlenose dolphins in cork harbour were studied using photoidentification. Aug 23, 2016 humpback whale breaching off the west cork coast, may 2016 ireland one of europes whalewatching hotspots shortbeaked common dolphin. Cuan chorcai is a natural harbour and river estuary at the mouth of the river lee in county cork, ireland.
The whales were spotted by the asgard training ship off roches point. You are permitted to print and download extracts from this site provided they are not. Cork whale watching is amazing and defo worth doing, colin our guide was brillant, we left the dock at 10am and arrived back at 2. See the complete profile on linkedin and discover stephanies connections and jobs at similar companies. Since that time according to the irish whale and dolphin group, 25 species have been recorded, ranging in size from the small harbour porpoise to the giant fin whale. Jun 11, 2001 three orca killer whales are continuing to attract huge attention in cork harbour. Whales and dolphins are seen on more than 90% of summer tours and 80% of winter tours. Close encounters with whales and dolphins are up there on most peoples ultimate wildlife bucket list, but it still surprises many when they hear that ireland is one of the best places in europe to see whales and dolphins in the wild. Cork harbour whale found dead in water the irish times.
The big ocean blue covers 70% of the earths surface and harbour some of. A female orca whale which was found dead in cork harbour last sunday may have been up to 80 years old, according to experts from the department of zoology and animal ecology in university college. The harbour porpoise phocoena phocoena is one of six species of porpoise. The whale and dolphin watching weekend in cork makes a unique gift idea for anyone who wants to experience something unforgettable. The pod of three orca killer whales which attracted thousands of spectators to cork harbour over the past fortnight was believed to be heading back out to atlantic waters yesterday.
Kerry is the only other county that really competes with cork on the whale watching front. Come and join whale of a time for a sea adventure in cork harbour the second largest natural harbour in the world, kinsale or youghal. Little grebe tachybaptus ruficollis a004 great crested grebe podiceps cristatus a005 cormorant phalacrocorax carbo a017. A boat tour is a great way to get up close to whales. The territorial waters of the republic of ireland have been designated a whale and dolphin sanctuary since 1991. While at lough swilly, the some of the basking shark. The name killer came from sailors who saw the whales killing humpback whales and called them whale killers. Aug 15, 2012 a 12 metre fin whale is stuck against a pier wall in west cork. Sightings include species from the smaller minke whales and common dolphins right up to the mighty fin whale and humpback whale. As its name implies, it stays close to coastal areas or river estuaries, and as such, is the most familiar porpoise to whale watchers.
Between carrigaline and its estuary, the owenabue winds its way through ballea woods. Enjoy a leisurely cruise from the cork city to cobh and beyond. Whale watching in ireland is a growing tourism activity. About whale watch west cork responsible tourism award winner whale watch west cork runs responsible whale and dolphin watching tours led by zoologist and conservationist dr nic slocum. The five that we encountered were putting on quite a display. Cork harbour cruises 2020 all you need to know before. Click the button below and complete the bookingenquiry form for your. Voyager is a wellequipped, twinengine catamaran, built specifically for whale and dolphin watching tours off west cork and is licensed to carry 12 passengers and 2 crew by the department of transport marine. Back in 1991, irelands biologically diverse waters were declared a whale and dolphin sanctuary, the first of its kind in europe. Dead whale in cork may be 80 years old the irish times. Tours of the harbour are on a personal level with a skipper and guide with a maximum of 12 passengers at any time.
Things to do in cork for couples clayton hotel cork city. Killer whale thriller in cork harbour jim wilson killer whales orcas are regularly observed in irish waters, though are not usually seen close to shore and are rarely recorded in estuaries. How to watch whales and dolphins irelands wildlife. Port of cork promoting and developing corks natural harbour. Humpback whales feeding massive pods of dolphins off.
The waters off west cork, in turn hold some of the highest relative abundances of many species of dolphins, whales, and sharks and can rival anywhere in the world for whale watching and angling. It has been the site of coastal batteries protecting cork harbour the second largest natural harbour in the world and the western approaches to britain for over 400 years. Baltimore, west cork has long been the whale and dolphin watching capital of west cork with a season spanning april through december. Whale watching in west cork, ireland with colin barnes cork. This porpoise often ventures up rivers, and has been seen hundreds of miles from the sea.
Interactivity logged in visitors can leave comments and information. How to contact whale watch west cork to book a boat tour in ireland. T he whales followed fish up the river and are believed to. Two of the most recent estuary sightings were a male in lough foyle in i977 and a male and two females, briefly, in cork harbour in 1974. Whale watching is one of those activities use the calendar to check trip availability. Our guide to things to do in cork for couples will ensure you have a fabulous time. Jun 16, 2001 killer whales are regularly spotted irish waters, but it is very unusual for three of them to venture into polluted, narrow waters such as cork harbour. Cork whale watch reen pier, 5 minutes from, union hall, county cork ireland rated 4. All tours depart from baltimore, harbour, west cork on board voyager daily between april and november sea conditions permitting. Restrictions whale and dolphin weekend break in west cork experience has no restrictions. Take a whale and dolphin watching tour for a chance to see them.
West cork, on the irish south coast attracts minke whales, fin whales, and humpback whales to feed in its rich waters every year. Killer whales visit lough swilly, donegal 6th june youtube. Take in the amazing sites and stunning views steeped in history. Observations on the behaviour of a pod of killer whales. In the unlikely event you do not see a whale or a dolphin you receive a complimentary ticket to join us again another day. Cork harbour boat hire allows you to explore the vast depths of cork harbour on a fantastic boating adventure. At any time of year we may have occasional sightings of bottlenose and rissos dolphins. Padraig whooley of the irish whale and dolphin group. Cork whale watch operate year round and are also available for filming and research charters, as well as pelagic seabird trips.
Two of the most recent estuary sightings were a male in lough foyle in i977 and a male and two females, briefly, in cork harbour. Pdf the bottlenose dolphins in cork harbour were studied using photo identification. For a long time, ive been somewhat sceptical of this claim, so i decided to compare its size to other harbours using the mapfrappe website. Whale watch west corks boat, voyager is a wellequipped, twinengine catamaran, built specifically for whale and dolphin watching tours off west cork and is licensed to carry 12 passengers. Experience the very best of west cork s marine wildlife with skipper colin barnes, irelands foremost whale watch skipper, aboard the. Venture along the ballycotton cliffs which again is a great vantage point from which to see the whales, dolphins and the harbour porpoise.
Fifteen orca killer whales have been sighted at the mouth of cork harbour making their way up river. There will be 20 landbased, guided whale watches open to the. Classic whale watching the original from reykjavik 2020. Now that cork s docklands are to be redeveloped in one of the most significant urban projects undertaken in the state, it is timely that a history of the cork harbour commissioners who governed. Stories of a northern bottlenose whale in cork harbour guidelines for correct procedures when encountering whales and dolphins in irish coastal waters were issued in a marine notice on 14 june 2005 by the department of communications. Northern bottlenose whale, pullen harbour, beara peninsula, co cork, august 2005.
This is the second largest natural harbour in the world. Your support will go a long way in helping tour operators worldwide get back on their feet down the road. With this website, you can quickly compare locations with other sites around the world. The humpback whales of baltimore whale watch west cork. She has been in captivity longer than any other killer whale.
Whale watch west cork baltimore all you need to know. A rare stranding of a female killer whale orcinus orca. Times are tough for the travel community right now. Young fin whale still stuck in west cork harbour experts say the beached whale may be in the final throes as it lies in baltimore harbour. Aug 14, 2012 fin whale stranded in co cork, august 2012. The stomach contents from a killer whale stranded in. Killer whales attract huge attention in cork harbour. Whale watching in ireland and whale watching in west cork in particular has now reached a high point for whale and dolphin watching enthusiasts the world over. Nonprofit organization based in cork, ireland, working for the protection and sustainable management of marine megafauna in irish waters, through research, conservation, technology and education.
Whale watching holiday to ireland whales worldwide. Humpback whales megaptera novaeangliae are the natural acrobats of the whale world. Whale watching in ireland irish whale watching west cork ireland. This is an ideal day out in cork for groups of all ages and sizes, with the easy to drive boats making it very easy to navigate the waters with cork harbour boat hire. In times of war, the spanish and french viewed cork harbour as the key to unlocking the british and irish isles, or. Gardai said the whales made their way up the river lee and are in the south channel area. Three orca killer whales, nicknamed homer, marge and lisa have made their way back to cork harbour after a twoday stay in the river lee. Multiaward winning whale watch west cork runs responsible whale and dolphin watching tours led by. Hundreds of people have lined union quay in cork s city centre to see three killer whales. Whale spotted at dublin port is stressed and will likely. The mammals, from a 30foot male to a young 15foot female, were first. The marine park stretches north from coffs harbour to the sandon river mouth, in the clarence valley.
It looks like an immature, it looks small, about 3040 foot and it is probably. It is fast and stable and has all round excellent visibility, ideal for wildlife watching tours. Understanding the uks last killer whales the independent. If you do not see any whales or dolphins, we will be unable to rebook you in. In addition, cork harbour, shannon estuary and dingle bay each have resident dolphin populations. Nic is no stranger to adventure and leading groups to remote places on earth.
Corky ii is a female captive orca or killer whale from the a5 pod in british columbia, canada. May 03, 2011 whale watching in west cork may 3, 2011 by calvin jones 6 comments an account of my first ever encounter with fin and humpback whales off the coast of west cork, ireland in november 2004, this article appeared in the uk magazine the countryman cj. I am also a member of the irish whale and dolphin group iwdg and cork nature network cnn. A short drive or a cheap flight will get you to county cork, and our purpose built whale watching vessel, the holly jo provides the ideal platform for that onceinalifetime experience. The pod of three orca killer whales which attracted thousands of spectators to cork harbour over the past fortnight was believed. Existing whalewatching and dolphinwatching ventures are concentrated around the southern irish counties particularly counties cork, kerry and clare see. The creature came in to the harbour in baltimore on a low tide and initially moved 300 to 400 metres offshore before coming back to. The river owenabue, sometimes also spelled owenboy, flows into cork harbour near cosshaven. Corky ii received her name after the parks original corky died in december 1970.
Savour smithfield, a scare in croke park and treasure of the north sun, oct 27, 2019, 05. Each month will see a new film uploaded, starting in january 2017. Whale watching in west cork with colin barnes whale. Explore cork harbour, from spike island to whale watching. The first of its kind in europe, this paved the way for whale watching. Observations on the behaviour of a pod of killer whales orcinus orca l. Each tour endeavours to link up with our resident pod of bottlenose dolphins. Other contenders include halifax harbour in canada, trincomalee harbour in sri lanka and poole harbour in england. The irish whale and dolphin group are holding a whale watching event on sunday, august 24th to celebrate national whale watch day. In total, 25 different cetacean species have been recorded in irish waters, with large numbers of cetaceans making seasonal passages off the coastline, and a number of resident populations in coastal harbours and transitional. Promoting and developing cork as a world class port facilitating the efficient and environmentally sustainable movement of goods and people to and from the marketplace while advancing the marine leisure opportunities presented by corks natural harbour.
Whale of a time as orcas go to harbour independent. One of the three orca whales which had been in the cork harbour area for the past three weeks was found dead in the water yesterday. It explores the extensive and rich history in and around the harbour, looking at martello towers, forts camden, carlisle and mitchell, st colmans. A 12 metre fin whale is stuck against a pier wall in west cork. Three orca killer whales are continuing to attract huge attention in cork harbour.
Cork whale watch whales, dolphins and marine wildlife. Whale watch west cork boat tour agency baltimore, ireland. New 3 sep 2011 iwdg fin whale biopsy research trip jul 2011. The best whale watching in ireland discovering cork. Cork coast offshore photos videos dolphins seals whales. He is the director of whale watch west cork which runs boat based tours to watch and photograph whales and dolphins off the coast of southwest ireland.
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