Results of Whale Watch Ireland 2019

On Saturday 24th August, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group delivered Whale Watch Ireland 2019. All–Ireland Whale Watch day, now in its 19th year, comprises free, guided land-based watches, spread over 14 counties, and in all four provinces and continues to be one of the largest events on the Irish wildlife calendar.

To maximize the impact of this event it was once again timed to coincide with Heritage Week, thus helping us introduce this event to as wide an audience as possible. The main objective of Whale Watch Ireland is to raise awareness of the 25 species of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) recorded to date in Irish waters, and to promote their conservation by highlighting public participation in our successful recording schemes, which encourage members of the public to report sightings and strandings to the IWDG.

As usual there was a good mix of both Irish and overseas visitors to the watches, and for many attending, this was their first encounter with a cetacean in the wild in Irish waters. Those attending at many of the sites were provided with interpretation by IWDG personnel, who have considerable experience regarding cetacean identification, ecology, biology and the conservation threats facing these marine mammals. An
assortment of whale artifacts were on view at some sites, and there was plenty of handouts and information sheets supplied by both IWDG and Inis, the event’s sponsor.

This year’s event was attended by c.860 wildlife enthusiasts and visitors at 19 sites. There was an increase in numbers attending at 7 sites while 3 sites remained the same. The lower numbers this year may best be explained by the very foggy conditions that occured along much of the south and southwest coasts.

The success or otherwise of this outdoor event is generally determined by the prevailing weather on the day, and thankfully most sites were treated to calm seas and clear skies which surprisingly, still resulted in lower than expected cetacean sighting rate of 58%. This compares with 73.6% in 2018. There was one standout result from this year’s event, which was Clogher Head, Co. Kerry, which produced an impressive 4 species tally including common and Risso’s dolphins, minke and humpback whales, and this was despite this watch being cut short due to fog.

IWDG are very pleased with the day, and we hope that among those who attended, there will be some new members for IWDG and dedicated whale watchers who are willing to volunteer some of their time and energy in furthering our understanding of the whales and dolphins that live in Irish coastal waters.

From all of us in IWDG, we extend a huge thanks to Inis in Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow for once again making this wonderful day possible.

Pádraig Whooley
IWDG Sightings Officer and Event organiser

Summary of Results

Numbers attended: 860 people
Overall, sightings at 11 of 19 sites = 58% (compares with 73.6% in 2018)
Cetacean species seen (6): harbour porpoise, common, bottlenose & Risso’s dolphins, minke & humpback whales (3 spp. In 2018)
Zero species @ 8 sites, 1 sp. @ 8 sites, 2 sp. @ 2 sites, 4 sp. @ 1 site
Other species: Sunfish (2), and Grey seals
Number individuals: hbr. porpoise x 20, common dolphin x 108, Bottlenose dolphins x20, Risso’s dolphins x6, minke whale x6-7, humpback whale x2