Desperately Seeking Dolphins!
Marine Mammals of our Biosphere
The Sussex coast may not be the first place that comes to mind for spotting sea mammals, but you might be surprised to know that dolphins, seals and occasionally even whales are spotted in and around the sea of our Biosphere each year!
The species of dolphin most commonly seen is the bottlenose dolphin a large coastal species that can reach 4m in length. These are transient animals, passing through but occasionally, when food is abundant, a group of dolphins may remain in the area for a week or more.
When I first started to monitor Sussex Sea mammals in 1991, bottlenose dolphins were regularly seen 100 to 200m from the shore every year at Brighton, usually swimming west to east. Sadly an increase in water sports and other human activities has meant that inshore sightings have declined.
However, we do receive some very interesting offshore sightings of bottlenose dolphins, usually bow-riding and playing around vessels. For example in 2015 we had a number of sightings of a large group of bottlenose dolphins, including several juveniles, throughout July and August. These dolphins also came close enough to be seen from the shore – including at Brighton, so its worth keeping your eyes pealed!
Bottlenose dolphin group © Luke Biddlecombe 2015
Part of a group of 30+ bottlenosed dolphins August 2015
- the common dolphin, a deep water species, identified by its characteristic long beak
- the shy harbour porpoise (the only porpoise species in the UK), that can be identified by its triangular dorsal fin and its lack of a beak.
Grey and Common Seal Comparison © Steve Savage 2013
The difference in head shape/silhouette is the best way to identify the grey seal (left) and common seal (right)
Common Seal River Adur 2016 © Paul Loader 2016
Common seal hauled out on the estuary mud at low tide, River Adur January 2016
Dolphin Rescue Activity © Steve Savage
School children learn about threats to sea mammals and discover how to rescue a stranded dolphin