Moray Firth Dolphins and Marine Life - Recent Sightings

New Pictures Added 28/07/08 All taken from Gemini Explorer

 

Friday 15th August. What a day! Sailed at 09.15 hrs almost back to the harbour when fins spotted at the East mucks at 11.35 hrs 5 BNDs + a very young calf came close to the boat. Acouple swam under the bow  then dived then reappeared. Four fins in a row & some breaches, left them 11.45 hrs as we made our way in. Sailed again 13.00hrs, Just reached Findochty when the rain started & by the time we were at the Tronachs, the heavens had really opened, water coming straight down, so we all made our way to the back of the boat for shelter & then after we passed the bow fiddle yes a flashbut not from a camera, then the rumble & more flashes as the lightning lit up the then very dull sky & great rumbles,(we all want to hide) Sandend came into sight & just as we were turning round , to leave the rain etc behind, a rush just off our Port side, then the sun came out & yes the rush was the Dolphins coming towards us 14.08hrs. Again there were 5BNDs + a Calf, they came on the bow & then breached along side then seemed to disappear then up they popped again a couple of tail slaps a little more breaching then as we approached Cullen Bay we left them at 14.45 hrs as we sailed for Buckie with very happy passengers.

14.15hrs ( by then our jackets had dried out ) & we were once again leaving the harbour. Just by the middle mucks the skipper gives a shout. dolphins a little ahead on the Port side & yes there was the same group we had left at Cullen Bay coming West, so we slowed down & they came to visit us the little calf leaped right out of the water, then  they surfaced slowly then dived again & the next we saw they were travelling quite fast away towards the West.14.40hrs we turned & continued our trip East, Almost back  to Buckie when yes there again dark skys & lovely flashes of lightening ahead of us at Buckie,great cracks of thunder & once again the rain came & boy didn't it come down, but everyone left happy, though a little wet.

Tuesday 12th August. 15.10 to 15.20 hrs   from Iglis bay to Craigenroan 12+ BNDs  putting on a good show leaping & some on the bow 2 calfs with the group.

Monday 11th August. 13.15hrs  BNDs at middle mucks 12+ spread out around the boat with a couple leaping short distance from the bow.others breaching along side.Left them feeding at  east mucks,saw a couple toss a fish. 14.50hrs  6 BNDs seen in Cullen bay as we travelled West, then 5 appeared on the bow  as we sailed past the bow fiddle  Last seen at 15.10hrs of the stern when they left as quick as they had arrived .. 20+ Seals seen on Graigenroan  on both trips

Saturday 9th August  8+ BNDs  at west mucks at 15.25 hrs  just as we were returning to Buckie  breaching alongside the boat & milling around, watched them for 10mins. 17.10hrs 1 harbour porpoise half a mile from the caple rock Cullen, surfaced 4 or 5 times off our starboard as we travelled West. At 18.35hrs 1 lone juvenile BND at the west mucks turned north & watched it surface slowly 6 or 7 times it did a couple of long dives then we turned & made our way into the harbour 18.50hrs.

WEDNESDAY 6th AUGUST    While travelling East we encountered BNDs 13.40 hrs at the Bow Fiddle. A well spread out group of 18+ breaching ,rushing & on the bow as well as some leaps, sea state 3 and a bit of a swell. we left them at Logie Head  as we turned at 14.10hrs to make our way back to Buckie.

Tuesday 5th August  18.25hrs 8+BNDs  just west if the mucks travelling East , breaching beside the boat a couple of leaps at least  1 calf in the group , left them travelling East as we entered the harbour 18 35 hrs.

Monday 4th August  13.15hrs BNDs off Buckpool harbour travelled East with them as far as Findochy caravan sit where they left the boat at 13.45hrs 18+  spread out along the way, 5 on the bow at one time with plenty activity among them breaching, tail slaps, & leaping out of the water & twisting around as they splashed back into the sea.14.50hrs encountered BNDs at Tronach head as we travelled West , some came on the bow others breaching off the Port side the group 15+ was spread out as far as Longhead where we had a great sight of then tossing fish around as we carried on our way to Buckie, Sea state 3 with at least half a metre swell

FRIDAY 1st AUGUST    13.45hrs  20+ BNDs at Iglis bay (Findochty) .Big swell running, but they put on a good show 4 or 5 calfs with the group. It was great to see the little ones breaching left them at 14.10hrs off Portknockie most kept going East a few turned & went West . 15.OOhrs 4 large BNDs appeared out of nowhere came straight to the bow then dived & they were gone. 17.05hrs saw a Great Skua drowning a Kittiwake  lots of other Kittiwakes tried to scare it off but no luck. 17.45 at Tronach head  4or 5 BNDs  off the Port side, came to the boat then dived for 4 to 5  mins then reappeared behind us, dived & surfaced a couple of more times  in the wake of the boat , then went off East  17.55hrs. A few seals on Craigenroan.

THURSDAY 31st JULY  13 .45 hrs 8 + BNDs at the Whales Moo, watched them till they reached the Bow Fiddle  left them at 13.55 as they  travelled slowly West. 18.15 hrs 8+ BNDs travelling East met them at Iglis Bay ( Findochty) & travelled with them till Longhead where we left them still travelling East as we turned to come back to Buckie. Seals seen on Craigenroan as we returned to Buckie on both trips.

Sunday 27th July   11.30 hrs just as we were about to approach the harbour a fin spotted. 1 dolphin slow travel not usual style ,then the young lad on the boat said as it surfaced again " it's got a rounded head," watched it for app 5 mins & we came to the conclusion that it was a lone Risso.!!.it kept going East as we returned to the harbour.  

Saturday 26th July.  13.20hrs just West of the of the harbour splashes seen, so we sailed West &  encountered 15+ BNDs  breaching jumps & playing around the boat from side to side a couple of calfs in the group. we left them the West of Buckpool at 13.45hrs , where we turned round to carry on our trip Could still see them from the stern leaping in the distance as we sailed Eastwards. Loads of seals on Graigenroan basking in the sunshine.

Friday 25th July   9.10hrs meet BNDs at middle mucks  travelling East, two groups 12+ in total with a couple of calfs, nice breaches , tail slaps & at  times dolphins on both sides of the vessel., jumping so close that we got a nice sea spray from them .Left them East side of the Craigenroan . ON the return leg of the trip as we travelled West   saw the same group off the Port side close to shore at Logie Head at 11.05 hrs travelling pretty fast Eastwards.

Thursday 24TH July    14.55hrs 12+ BNDs including 2 CALFS  just off Findochty caravan site  a  good show a couple on the bow & others breaching & surfacing slowly by the side of the boat. Left them at 15.10 hrs travelling East as we continued on route to Buckie,   15.30hrs 3 BNDs at middle mucks great leaps as we travelled into the harbour.

Wednesday 23rd July.   12+ BNDs at least 2 calfs with the group by the East mucks at 13.25hrs  they stayed with the boat ,breaching & a few jumps, we left them at 13.40hrs at Craigenroan  as we carried on with our trip East, , As we turned at Sandend at 14.40hrs  saw 1HP  sea state 3 on this trip.
15.00hrs off Sunnyside ,one of our passengers announced that he had something to say  we waited to hear what it was  & he produced an engagement ring & asked his very surprised partner  Lorraine  if she would like to make him a very happy person &agree to marry him . Well done Steven  & congratulations to you both from us all .-- a lovely end to a nice trip..   16.45hrs as we sailed past  on the outer side of the middle mucks 3 BNDs  came towards the boat from between the mucks & the harbour, they breached alongside the boat & then  a couple did a little spy hopping just off the bow  before going inshore again, left them at 17.05hrs near Craigenroan..    17.50 hrs 1 BND off Findlater castle.    18.00hrs  as we turned at Sandend 1 MIinkie whale  surfaced couple of times. 18.45 hrs as we made for the harbour on the inside tract, looking out to the North we saw 3 BNDs  just outside the middle mucks leaping out of the water. watched them til the boat passed inside the harbour wall.

Tuesday 22nd July   Another good day, 13.45hrs 3 BNDs  at Cullen feeding left them  at 13.55hrs as they started  travelling slowly West.  On return leg of trip met  3BNDs at 15.25hrs near Craigenroan  they came to boat bow riding & breaching travelled with us  to the West mucks where we left them as we entered Buckie.   16.25hrs  setting off on another trip, just out of the harbour & 3BNDs  just to the West of us, we turned East at 16.35hrs & they came with us travelling a little off our Port side leaping out of the water, then coming towards us was 2 others & a calf & they came bowriding , we left them all at 16.55hrs at Craigenroan feeding, 18.30hrs 1 lone dolphin  East of Findochty then 3 BNDS joined us at Craigenroan had a time on the bow & then put on a show breaching & leaping as far as the East mucks where we left them at 18.45hrs to return to the harbour.

Friday 18th July    1 Minkie whale surfaced 10 times in Sandend Bay a couple of times very close inshore  from10.10 hrs 10.30hrs   13.15hrs  just East of Craigenroan  8+ BNDs  with very young calf we travelled West with them for 10 mins.
 

Thursday 17th July Great day BNDs ;Porpoise ;& Minkie whale!!  

09.15 hrs  just off Buckpool as we left harbour 12+ BNDS breaching , bow riding & leaps left them at 09.30hrs travelling West , as we continued East another 6+ off our Port side travelling West.  

10.45hrs  2 Harbour Porpoise off Findlater bay as we were travelling West.   14.05hrs  20+ BNDs spread out in 4 groups off Sandend travelling East ,some breaching  others milling around & some great leaps, left them in Portsoy Bay at 14.20 hrs still heading East. Just turning to head West  when 1 Minkie Whale surfaced off Sandend, came up 6/8 times.

What a way to end the day!!

Wednesday 9th July    1 Minke whale at 14:35 1.5 Miles North of Logie Head off Cullen. Surfaced six times.

Tuesday 8th July   1 Minke whale off  Logie head  at 14.25hrs seen  from Gemini Explorer   1 Minkie  Whale   3miles N. E. Buckie at 15.30hrs seen from Gemini Endeavour.

Monday 30th June   3 groups of BNDs in Cullen bay at 13.45hrs.
One group on the bow and alongside the boat,  a group feeding a little further in the bay & then the 3rd group came past us travelling very fast. Heading West 30+  in all, a mixture of mature, juveniles and a couple of calfs, some breaching and plenty of surfacing.

Sunday 29th June   What a trip !!!! Left the harbour 13.00hrs & just as we came to the West Mucks   1 BND heading straight for the boat,  watched it surface 4/5 times  we slowed to see which way it was going then it headed away West,so we continued East, then at 13.10hrs between the middle & East mucks 1BND travelling West .App. 15 seals hauled out on the Craigenroan --- 1 BND feeding between the Salmon Bothy Cullen & Logie Head at 14.00hrs.

As we turned at Sanded  at 14.25hrs heading North  loads!! of feeding birds  (could see the fish on the surface off the water ) then 1 Minkie Whale on our Port side , at one point we had a1 Minkie on either side of the boat, one surfacing fully out of the water. 15.20hrs. as we travelled West 3 BNDs off the horses head ( FIndochty) then at 15.35hrs  8+ BNDs putting on  a great show breaching ,tail slaps. at the East Mucks. Just kept watching them until we got into harbour.

Friday 27th June
1 Minkie whale feeding half a mile off Lossie harbour at 13.00hrs    15.00hrs  1 Minkie Whale feeding 1 mile North of Findlater Castle. Lots of birds in vicinity of both sightings.  Seen from  Gemini Endeavour. 

Tuesday 24th June
As we were turning at Sandend Bay at 15.15 hrs up popped  first  2 & then in no time at all  we had 20 + BNDs well spread out,at least 2 calf's in the groups some on the bow others breaching , tail slaps & nice slow surfacing by the boat,  Traveled West with them & left them at Logie head at 15.45 hrs  & made our way back to Buckie.

Saturday 21st June
15.10hrs BNDs Leaping out of the water in front of the boat at SANDEND, we turned West & they came with us well spread out, with some on the bow others rushing up
alongside us , sometimes on the Port side & then on the staboard at least 3 calfs in the group.Left them 15.30 hrs at Logie Head as we returned to Buckie.

Wednesday 18th June
13.15hrs BNDS at Craigenroan  at times
5 on the bow others breaching well in front & off the Starboard as
we travelled East recon 18+ we left them at Findochty feeding

1 HP of Cullen Bay at 14.30hrs we were travelling West
 
BNDs  at 14.35hrs a little of the bow fiddle 3 BNDs leaping out
of the water.
 
15.05hrs large group of BNDs seen of Findochty, the MONOGIRL 2
(out on trials ) was on our Port side & the group split & 10+ made a
rush to meet the Monogirl 2 a great sight to see them bow riding &
leaping along side it. at the same time we had 4 on the bow & 6/8
surfacing beside our boat.  As the Monogirl 2  headed out to turn east
the BNDs that went to it turned & came back towards the Gemini
Explorer.  Left them behind at the Craigenroan as we made for
Buckie.15.15hrs .--- A great trip all round
 
PS. The Monogirl 2 is a small tender  built at Mcduff .John Smith the
former owner of the Puffin was out with it up to the measured mile
puting it through its paces.


Friday 6th June
*1 MINKIE WHALE A MILE OFF FINDOCHTY AT 13.20HRS*

*1MINKIE WHALE 1.5 MILES OFF PORTKNOCKIE AT 13.35HRS*


Thursday 25th May
10 mile North of Lossie  5+ Common Dolphin at 07.00hrs breaching, then 2 on the bow a 07.15hrs.   1 MINKIE WHALE 15 miles North East of Lossie at 07.35 hrs then again at 12.15hrs seals and harbour porpoises also seen.
*_Tuesday 27th May_ * from *_ Gemini Explorer_ 12/14 Seals* seen on
the *shingle beach* of *Craigenroan* at *13.20hrs* as we went *East* 
then as we  came West *10+ BNDs* with *2 Calfs* seen in the group off
*Craigenroan at 15.05hrs  *we left them at the *middle mucks* at
*15.30hrs* as we went into *Buckie*
We had a good time with them & they came to the bow were rushing
towards the boat, tail slaps, leaps, breaching & keeping everyone alert
by coming up on either side of the boat.


Friday. 23rd May
*from * _Gemini Explorer_  20+ BNDs*  first
encountered* * *at 14.30hrs* at *Loggie Head*  they travelled West with
the boat 'till *Tronach Head* where we left them at *15.15hrs*  milling
about .. a great trip at one point we had *9 Dolphins* around the bow
with *2 calves* in the group, other times they were* breaching,
jumping*, & tossing  fish in the air all around the boat.
then at *15.45* just inside the *East mucks* we had *2 BNDs* on the*
bow*,  they left us as we altered course to enter the *Buckie harbour 
*also  saw seals hauled out on the *shingle part Craigenroan*


Thursday 22nd May
8+ BNDs*   seen off Spey Bay by Angela (from her
house) between *20.30 hrs & 21.20hrs*

Wedensday 21st May
1 H.P at  Igles Bay* seen by Davey & Peter Hizzett,
out with the *_Gemini Endeavour_* *(*Storm *) at 19.50hrs*


Friday 16th May
5 miles off Buckie  1 Minkie Whale seen off Port side as the boat was travelling West.  Seals and Porpoise also seen.


Wednesday 14th May
14.50hrs 1 harbour Porpoise.
Half a  mile off Portknockie   15.15 hrs   5+ Dolphins three quarters mile off Buckpool, on the bow and surfacing.


Tuesday 13th May
10+ Moray Firth Dolphins off Findochty at 13.35hrs as we travelled East - 2 calfs in the groups bowriding  and breaching.

Sunday 4th May
1 Bottlenose Dolphin off Findochty at 13.20hrs on the bow  then surficed  4/5 times  travelling East off  Port side, seen again  in same area at 15.05hrs on return leg of trip.  25 Seals on Craigenroan at 15.20hrs


Saturday 3rd May
30 seals hauled out on the Craigenroan 14.14 hrs & again as we made our way back to Buckie at 16.20hrs  15+ Bottlenose Dolphins  at 16.05 hrs  from Longhead to Tronnach head - 3 on bow including a young calf, others milling around and a couple of  great breaches as we left them...

 

Sunday 27th April
3 Moray Firth Dolphins on the bow and 15+ Moray Firth Bottlenose Dolphins dispersed outside the harbour (Aberdeen) 3 calfs & juveniles in the groups 05.10

1mile East of the Ythan  1H.P at 08.40hrs

Quarter mile East of the Ythan H.P at 08.50hrs

2 miles off Colliston  H.P at 10.10 hrs

 

 

 

 

 

  



All wildlife photographs shown were taken aboard The Gemini Explorer