Humpback Whale, S Otago

Discuss natural history subjects not strictly related to birds. Reports of interesting mammal, reptile, and invertebrate sightings are welcome.
Richard Schofield
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Humpback Whale, S Otago

Postby Richard Schofield » Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:16 pm

We watched a Humpback Whale for about 45 minutes this afternoon from Nugget Point. It was picked up at about 3 km, heading steadily from the NE across Molyneux Bay. Came within about 500m of us then followed the coastline around the point. It seemed to be continuing in a SW direction, but then lingered in an area where there was lots of seabird activity (100s WF terns, 30-40 Fluttering Shearwaters, gannets, Shy & Buller's Albatross, numerous gulls). While crossing the bay the whale was accompanied by about 6 dolphins (possibly Dusky, but only seen head-on). Southern Right Whales are fairly regular on this coast in spring & autumn, but I'm not aware of Humpbacks at this time of year.

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