Nick Masset reported a single basking shark in Ventry Harbour, Co. Kerry, on 29 March, while on 30 March “effort” whale- watches from both Ram Head, Ardmore, Co. Waterford and Galley Head, Co. Cork also produced single basking sharks.
The bad news is that this period is historically considered to be the “low season” for cetacean activity, and very few watches are producing anything other than harbour porpoises.
The good news is that by April we should see an increase in the sightings of minke whales, which can be seen in many locations along the south and southwest coast when prey species like sand eels start aggregating in large shoals.
Please keep your sightings coming.
Padraig Whooley