Common dolphin
Common dolphin
Nature Notes November 2011
Living in the South West, we are fortunate in being in one of the best parts of the country to see Cetaceans (def: mammals that are best adapted to aquatic life), probably only bettered by the west coast of Scotland although it is true that the further west one goes i.e. Cornwall, the better it gets.
The cetaceans most likely to be seen from the South Devon coast are common porpoise, Phocoena phoceon, common dolphin, Delphinus delphis and Bottle-nose dolphin Tursiops truncates. Other dolphin species that do occur are striped dolphin, Atlantic white sided dolphin, White beaked dolphin and Risso’s dolphin although the latter is not a true dolphin and is related to the pilot whale.
Harbour porpoise is a small stocky animal around 1.4 to 1.8 metres in length and dark grey or brown in colour with no beak or forehead bulge. The best distinguishing feature is the small triangular dorsal fin. They are seen in small groups or as individuals and are the most frequently seen cetacean due to living close to the shore.
Common dolphin is slightly larger growing to between 1.6 and 2.5 metres in length. It has a very streamlined body with a slender and curved dorsal fin. Other distinguishing features are its figure of eight or hourglass pattern on its sides which varies from off white to cream set against a grey body.
These dolphins will breach and ride ships bow waves and can be found in groups numbering more than a hundred. The bottle nose dolphin is a large and robust creature that grows up to 4 metres in length, is uniformly grey with pale undersides and has a large central curved dorsal fin. It has a rounded head and a very distinct short beak. These usually occur in small groups and they are the most acrobatic of the commoner species.
Close to Dartmouth, Berry Head is an excellent viewpoint to search for these fantastic creatures, with harbour porpoises seen frequently. Common and bottle-nose dolphin also occur and I have seen the latter in Torbay in winter from the cliffs at Broadsands and also further down the Devon coast in Thurlestone Bay in spring when they follow the mackerel shoals up the channel.
MarineLife UK has been carrying out a survey of cetaceans and seabirds in the western English Channel for the last three years and have an excellent website for latest sightings at http://marinelife-charm3.blogspot.com/. As well as sightings there are some excellent photographs of both cetaceans and less common seabird species.
What to look for in November
The oak trees will be looking at their best for autumn colour at the beginning of the month and will be steadily dropping acorns. Look for jays busy collecting and hiding stores for later in the winter.
Winter thrushes will be evident with Fieldfares and Redwings devouring berries. The mountain ash and holly berries seem to be their favourites with hawthorns and pyracantha being saved for later in the winter. A calm sunny day could see the last butterflies, most likely Red Admiral, on the wing.
First Published November 2011 By The Dart