When we go silent on humpback whales, it’s usually not what you’re thinking. So rather than there being few sightings, we are far more likely to be busy, either on the water gathering the evidence, or in my case frustratingly staring at the screen trying to put some order on who is seeing what, where and when! Increasingly, with so many communication and social media platforms today, this aspect of the job has if anything got somewhat more complex. But having too much sighting information is a far better problem, than having too little.
This weeks humpback sightings Sept. 2024
In the past week a few humpback hotspots have emerged, often with repeat sightings of the same individuals on consecutive days. Sept 16th was something of a red-letter day, when we documented humpbacks in counties: Kerry, Clare and Donegal/Sligo, with photo ID confirmed at least 10 individuals, among whom are some of the longest animals on the Irish humpback catalogue which commenced back in 1999: #HBIRL001, 009, 010, 023, 047, 048, 067, 077, 102, & 131. Since then other old regulars have joined the fray.
Among these the standout record was that of HBIRL001, whose video capture a quarter of a century ago off the Kinsale Gas fields, Co. Cork in September 1999 marked the beginning of this fascinating journey monitoring humpbacks along the south coast. So although he appears infrequently, with just 10 records over 7 out of a possible 25 years, it is remarkable that we are still recording his presence, even if like so many other humpbacks his allegiance has shifted from West Cork to West Kerry, where he was seen on both Sept. 13th & 16th off the Ballyferriter and Ballydavid Head areas.
The activity in Donegal Bay is also building nicely and it seems that for the 3rd year running now this huge catchment straddling south Donegal and Sligo is attracting known humpbacks from the southwest. With them are also fin and minke whales to complete the suite. It’s encouraging that the arrival of these charismatic species is helping us reach out to a new cohort of biological recorders keen to report land and boat- based sightings to IWDG, with powerful supporting video taken from both private and local licenced passenger boats.
But it was a What’s App message from Nick Massett on Sept. 17th that really set the cat among the pigeons. It read that Skellig based ecologist Brian Power also had humpbacks, with at least three animals showing in the afternoon. On contacting Brian, he duly sent us his report with a nice selection of images of an individual that he felt was quite well-marked. On opening the folder, it was immediately clear that this was no ordinary individual but was perhaps Ireland’s best-known humpback and an individual whose claim to fame was that he’d never once been recorded outside of Counties Cork or Waterford. Yes, our old friend “Boomerang” or #HBIRL003, after 69 sightings over 19 of a possible 24 years, has finally been recorded in Kerry waters and in so doing, moved to greener pastures.
Now I know what some of you are thinking, that such a short-range movement from West Cork to Kerry, a mere 120 km, in the greater scheme of things is little more than a long days swim for an adult humpback. And I accept that, but it is hard to avoid the fact that not once over the past 24 years has anyone recorded this heavily scarred and very obvious whale anywhere in Co. Kerry.
1st Photo ID image of “Boomerang'”s fluke off Seven Head, Cork Aug. 2001 © Colin Barnes
Latest image of Boomerang off the Skelligs, Co. Kerry Sept 17th 2024 © Brian Power
Of course we can’t record everything, nor is it our intention to, as recording schemes such as the IWDG’s are sampling exercises at best; but “Boomerang” has been the most heavily sampled humpback in Irish waters and presumably the absence of a single record of him, until the day before yesterday, further west of the Mizen, suggests that the coastal waters between Dunmore East and Cape Clear were his primary feeding area, not just for years, but for decades. Up to now, he has had no need to waste precious energy reserves foraging further afield.
Something has clearly changed, but not just for Boomerang, as most of the humpbacks currently showing in Donegal Bay, such as HBIRL009, 047, 067 & 102 made their early debuts in the Irish southwest. So assuming Boomerang is a bellweather for the wider humpback population, then the ecological factors underpinning this shift are likely being faced by all others. So don’t expect their loyalty, as their only loyalty is to their stomachs. Food is after all the only reason they grace our coastal waters.
The much promised legislation that would in effect offer strong protection for spawning sprat in our bays and estuaries in the coming months, may already be too late for this area. Whale watch and marine tourism operators I’ve spoken to in west Cork this week, the first to embrace the concept of commercial whale watching, are all in agreement that 2024 has been the worst year on record in terms of whale sightings. They have never had to work so hard to show customers so little. The absence of whales in what was once a “whale rich” area may be our canary in the coal mine, which shouldn’t be ignored. What has happened in West Cork will in time likely happen in other humpback hotspots if Irish governments continue to allow the industrial harvesting of forage fish for processing into meal.
IWDG extend a huge thanks to everyone who has reported humpback & fin whale sightings in recent weeks from both the Irish South and northwest.
By Pádraig Whooley