IWDG Local Group in Sligo organised their first boat trip out into Donegal Bay to discover what species of whale and dolphin occur.
Recent sightings of a humpback whale in the bay feeding on the plentiful sprat gave the trip an edge. It has been a few weeks since it was first reported and this was the first opportunity to 
get out as a group.
IWDG Sligo Co-ordinator Sophie Bresnihan reports on the day:
Some members of Sligo local group set off on our first local whale watch boat trip on Sunday and what a first!
After such mixed weather all week we couldn’t believe our luck with the forecast that day. Calm seas and clear skies made for great sea state and before we had even pulled out of Mullaghmore we had some sightings of common dolphins from the pier.
Humpback whale. Photo Brendan Quinn
We were so lucky to have local experts from IWDG Brendan Quinn and Gareth Doherty with us, who between them have years of experience of the waters around Donegal Bay.
Within an hour of leaving shore we had amazing sightings of Minke lunge feeding amidst a frenzy of seabird activity and common dolphins followed by the unmistakable blow from a humpback!
Minke whale by Brendan Quinn
We continued to have numerous sightings of common dolphins and some more minke, and of course wonderful diving gannets, razorbills and guillemots in action and up so close!
Who would expect such a spectacle so close to shore and off Sligo? Those who had been as far as Australia or Canada to see whales and heard of sightings off Kerry and Cork could not believe what they had just seen and so close to home….so close to shore… It left everyone hungry for more…
Feeling so grateful for this incredible gem we have up here!
Photo: Brendan Quinn
Thanks to Declan Kilgannon and Kiwi Girl for taking out our local group and Sibéal Regan for organising. Hats off to local members and IWDGs’ own Brendan Quinn and Gareth Doherty fo leading the excursion.
