CORNISH
MARINE WILDLIFE REPORTS 1991
Reports received of Marine Creatures sighted, stranded or landed during
1991
A list compiled by Raymond Dennis
11/12/90 6 or 7 Common Dolphin were seen 15 miles SE of Lizard
at 3.p.m. MFV PZ542
12/12/90 Same area 15 miles SSE of Lizard, groups of Common Dolphin
from 3 to 8 or 9 were seen from time to time all day. MFV."Filadelfia"
PZ542
12/1/91 A fin Whale, estimated at the time to be approx 40ft long seen
breaching off Penlee Point came close inshore and was washed onto rocks
by a large wave and left stranded, another wave shortly afterwards washed
it into a gully. It was stuck in this position from late morning until
after 4.p.m. when a rope was brought to the scene and was manœuvred around
its tail and it was pulled sideways into a widened part of the gully. Once
the whale was able to see the open sea it slowly swam out humping and spouting.
The size was well under-estimated, measurements taken later at low tide,
on rocks seen on a photograph behind the whale show that it was 53'6" from
blow hole to tail, making the Fin Whale about 60ft long.
13/1/91 8 to 10 Common Dolphin playing alongside MFV "Filadelfia" in
lights of boat at 10p.m. in position 48º 30N 07ºW
14/1/91 4 or 5 Common Dolphin near MFV "Filadelfia" all day in position
48º 30'N 07ºW
20/1/91 About 12 Common Dolphin, incl 3 juveniles near MFV "Filadelfia"
all day in position 48º 40N 06º 30W
21/1/91 Two Common Dolphin seen in morning , both adults, MFV Filadelfia
in position 48º 30N 06º 50W
30/1/91 Three or Four sightings of a Porpoise from the hut at Cape
Cornwall. Probably the same porpoise , making north.
31/1/91 Three or Four sightings of a Porpoise from the hut at Cape
Cornwall, again thought to be only one Porpoise.
1/2/91 2 or more Porpoises seen from the Cape Cornwall hut.
8/2/91 Infrequent sightings of small groups of Common Dolphinduring
the day, 4, 5, or 6 at a time seen from MFV Filadelfia in position 49º
N 07º W
13/2/91 Unidentified dolphin, 12ft long seen from the Cape Cornwall
Hut at 3.p.m.
19/2/91 Midday, 2 porpoises seen from the Cape Cornwall Hut
26/2/91 3.p.m. 50 or more Common Dolphin, 20% juvenile, were seen from
MFV Filadelfia in position 48º 15N 06º 45W.
27/2/91 Two groups of 2 possibly 3 Porpoises were observed over a period
of one hour at Cape Cornwall from the hut.
1/3/91 2 or possibly 4 porpoises were observed heading into tide at
Cape Cornwall hut late morning
3/3/91 3 to 6 porpoises were observed heading south at Cape Cornwall.
9/3/91 An approximate estimate of 20 to 25, (but could have been many
more) Common Dolphins were seen from MFV Filadelfia at 4.p.m. in position
48º 24'N 06º 45'W
10/3/91 5 Pilot Whales came to within 30 to 40 yds of MFV Filadelfia
at 8.a.m. in position 48º 13'N 06º 45'W.
13/3/91 3 or 4 porpoises were seen from the Cape Cornwall hut
14/3/91 1 or 2 porpoises were seen from the Cape Cornwall hut.
23/3/91 4 to 6 porpoises were seen from the Cape Cornwall hut at 1430
to 1530.
28/3/91 2 porpoises were seen from the Cape hut between 1440 and 1450
29/3/91 2 porpoises were seen from the Cape hut between 1030 and 1110
15/4/91 An unidentified whale was seen from the Cape hut. A black back
and fin
was observed up to 6 times, very slow moving and just breaking the
surface.
18/4/91 One, possibly, porpoise seen from the Cape hut between
1243 and 1253
19/4/91 12 Bottlenose Dolphins were bow riding the MV Gry Maritha from
off Lamorna Cove to off Penberth Cove from 1930 to 1945. One dolphin had
two white spots on upper right flank just near dorsal fin.
20/4/91 Three Bottlenose Dolphins were alongside MV Gry Maritha for
10 mins about 2 miles from the Wolf Rock Lighthouse on way back from Isles of Scilly at 0920.
23/4/91 3 Bottlenose Dolphin stayed with MV Gry Maritha from 1040 to
1047, 5 miles east of St.Mary's I.o.S. to 6 miles E. of St.Mary's.
One left the ship3 or 4mins before the other two. One dolphins was the
same one seen off Lamorna on19/4/91 with two white spots on upper right
flank. (One spot was circular the other colon shaped near front edge of
dorsal fin.)
25/4/91 2 porpoises were seen from MV Scillonian III between Wolf Rock
and Scillys
49º 59'N 06º 02'W at 1130
25/4/91 3 Bottlenose Dolphins and 1 Juvenile seen from MV Scillonian
III at 1730 BetweenIsles of Scilly and Land's End in position 49º 57'N
06º 21'W
26/4/91 1 Bottlenose Dolphin was seen from MV Scillonian III at 1100
on way from Penzance to Isles of Scilly in position 49º 59'N
05º 55'W, and at 1145 approx. 20 porpoises were seen.
On trip back from Scillys at 1800 20 to 30 Bottlenose Dolphins
= 5 juveniles were seen in position 49º 59'N 05º
54'W
26/4/91 10 Bottlenose Dolphins stayed with the MV Gry Maritha for two
miles N.W of Wolf Rock Lighthouse at 1930 and then headed south.
6/5/91 Two Common Dolphins were seen from MV Scillonian III 5 miles
east of St. Mary'sI.o.S, at 1730
24/5/91 An unidentified whale was recorded at the Cape Cornwall hut
at 1400 (From a drawing made at the hut of the angled plume this is believed
to be a Sperm Whale.) The plume of spray was seen twice near the horizon.
27/5/91 A 9ft long Basking Shark was seen off the Armed Knight (Land's
End) SW340247
late a.m.
28/5/91 A sealion, believed to be a Stellars, was observed basking
on the Brisons (rocks ¾ mile off Cape Cornwall) from 0820 to 1010.
This animal has been reported here from time to time over the past 4 years.
1/6/91 A Basking Shark over 20ft long was seen off Logan Rock SW396219
.
1/6/91 A 15ft Basking Shark was seen just outside Coverack Harbour
at 1115.
1/6/91 Two 15ft Basking Sharks were seen off Porth Chapel SW382218
at 1430
2/6/91 An unidentified dolphin was seen off Lamorna in the morning
and a Basking Shark was seen in the same area in the afternoon.
2/6/91 A 12ft basking Shark was seen off Porthleven at midday.
4/6/91 8 common Dolphins were seen from MV Scillonian III
5 miles east of Isles of Scilly at 1100.
8/6/91 A dolphin described as very pale patchy grey, almost white (probably
Risso's) was seen between Land's End and Sennen about midday.
9/6/91 A Bottlenose Dolphin and soon afterwards 2 Risso's were seen
off St. Loy at noon.
11/6/91 Four 12ft long Risso's Dolphins and another large cetacean,
thought to be a Pilot Whale, were seen from the Cape Cornwall hut between
1215 and 1240.
15/6/91 A 12ft Basking Shark was seen of Porthgwarra late morning,
in the afternoon a larger Basking Shark was seen in the same area.
16/6/91 A 13ft Basking Shark was seen off Lamorna at midday. A little
later a dolphin jumped clear of the water in the same area. It was about
8ft longwith no white showing, but a uniform dark grey colour,believed
to be a Bottlenose.
19/6/91 A 10ft Basking Shark was seen off St. Michael's Mount at about
1820,
27/6/91 12 Drak grey cetaceans about 12ft long, believed to be Bottlenose
were seen off cape Cornwall between 1430 and 1449.
29/6/91 Two 12ft basing Sharks were seen just outside Coverack Harbour
(SW785183) at 2.p.m.
29/6/91 A 10ft Basking Shark was seen approx. 1 mile due south of the
Bucks Rocks SW443214 at midday.
29/6/91 Five Basking Sharks were seen from a passing boat at 1400 off
Lankidden SW756163. They were 15ft long and close inshore.
11/7/91 A dead Pilot Whale was seen floating near the Bucks Rocks SW443214
at approx. 1900. There was a rope around it. Divers in the area reported
hearing sounds described as underwater singing.
11/7/91 A Basking Shark was caught in nets in Mount's Bay and towed
to Newlyn harbour where it was sold at Market for £5-00
12/7/91 8 Common Dolphins were seen from MV Scillonian III approx.
3 miles North of Wolf Rock at 1800
13/7/91 5 Common Dolphins were seen from MV Scillonian III approx.
3 miles NE of Wolf Rock at 0800.
17/7/91 A Killer Whale was seen from MV Scillonian III 6 miles E. of
St.Mary's I.o.S. at 1115
21/7/91 2 Killer Whales were seen from MV Scillonian III 1 mile S.
of Porthcurnoat 1855
28/7/91 A 10ft Basking Shark was seen about 10 miles out from Godrevy(sw577560)
at about 1330.
30/7/91 A small dead cetacean was found on the Beach at Wherrytown
, approx 3'6" long
30/7/91 An animal described as a 'moving lump' was seen about 1 Km
off the Cape Cornwall hut, estimated size 3 to 4ft first seen moving southinto
tide then turning west. Watched from 1015 to 1023 ( Possibly a Leatherback
Turtle)
30/7/91 A 10ft Basking Shark was seen off St. Clement's Island Mousehole
at 7.p.m.
31/7/91 A cetacean, all dark grey to black, about 10ft long with beak,
believed to be a Bottlenose was seen ½ mile west of Godrevy Lighthouse
at about 8.p.m.
3/8/91 Sunfish seen from boat off Porthgwarra, SW372214. At 1030.It
was about 3ft tip to tip of fins.
6/8/91 A 25ft Basking Shark was seen from passing boat between St.Michaels
Mount and Cudden Point (approx positon SW525285) at 10a.m.
11/8/91 A Sunfish, about 3ft tip to tip of finswas seen from boat off
Porthgwarra
12/8/91 An 18ft Basking Shark was seen about a mile offshore from Prussia
Cove in the morning. (Approx position SW557265)
12/8/91 An 11ft Basking Shark was seen off Hayle Bar in the afternoon
SW540395.
15/8/91 A Sunfish was seen close to rocks below the Cape Cornwall
hut from 0900 to 1000. Described as 3ft across with 18" dorsal fin. Was
first seen floating on side then turned vertical and dived.
20/8/91 A Killer Whale was seen off Penzer Point, SW467249 at 1830.
Its dorsal fin was approx. 3ft high.
1/9/91 A Sunfish about 3ft across was seen from a passing boat off
the Longships Lighthouse SW320253 about midday.
15/9/91 10 to 12 Sunfish were seen from a passing boat between Land's
End and Cape Cornwall area. The first one seen off Land's End was picked
up out of the water by divers at the surface into the inflatable boat,
examined and returned to the sea when it swam off vigorously. Some worm
like parasites were left behind on the divers suits..
19/9/91 A 12ft dolphin was seen from a passing boat off Porthcurno
SW387223 at about 5.p.m. Described as black or dark all over. Possibly
a Bottlenose Dolphin.
19/9/91 A Sunfish caught in a Mullet Net off Eastern Green Mount's
Bay SW485305 early in the morning was released and swam of.
20/9/91 A Common Dolphin was seen from MV Scillonian III off
the coast 1 mile east of Porthcurno SW387223 at 1900 on the way back from
the Isles of Scilly .
20/9/91 A pod of approx 20 or more Bottlenose Dolphins including
some juveniles were seen moving N.E. along the coast off Perranporth.
21/9/91 A pod of 20 or more Bottlenose Dolphins were seen close inshore
off Longrock Mount's Bay early in the morning and were still in the Marazion
Old Station area at 10.a.m. and last seen moving S.W. All about 12ft.
long.
22/9/91 8 Common Dolphins were seen from MV Scillonian III at about
1700 1 mile west of Mullion.
22/9/91 A pod of 25 to 30 dolphins, believed to be Bottlenose were
watched for about 2 hours from the cliffs between Mullion and Polurrian
Cove during the late afternoon.. They were about 150yds from the shore.
22/9/91 A school of Porpoises were seen from MV. Scillonian III
on an afternoon cruise from Penzance to the Lizard and back. These were
off Mullion Island late afternoon. An eyewitness said they were dark in
colour and quite small, he estimated some to be as small as 2ft.
( Not likely to have been the Bottlenose Dolphins seen 150 yds from shore
at the same time because the Scillonian was well outside Mullion Island.)
26/9/91 In today's "Western Morning News" there was a report of dolphins
being seen in the Carlyon Bay area early in the week, perhaps Mon 23rd
or Tues 24th September.
26/9/91 6 Common Dolphins were seen from MV. Scillonian III
5 miles east of Isles of Scilly at 1130 on the way to the Isles.
30/9/91 A school of dolphins were reported on Radio Cornwall early
in the morning to be playing in Fowey Harbour.
1/10/91 A pod of dolphins or porpoises were reported to be in Mount's
Bay moving between Marazion and Penzance.
2/10/91 A pod of dolphins or porpoises reported in the same area as
yesterday.
2/10/91 Skipper of MV. Scillonian III reported seeing a large
pod of Bottlenose Dolphin numbering from 60 to 100 animals, about 30 of
which were juvenile just outside Penzance harbour as they left at 0830
to 0915.
3/10/91 15 to 20 Bottlenose Dolphin were jumping clear of the water
near the entrance to Newlyn Harbour at 8.30.a.m. They were
in the Newlyn/ Penzance area most of the day,being seen off Newlyn Green
at 1030 and behind Albert Pier Penzance in the afternoon. They were bow
riding the Scillonian when it arrived Penzance at 1930 and were playing
around divers boat as it approached Penzance harbour later.
3/10/91 A pod of approx. 30 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen south of Penzance
from MV Scillonian III at 0930 on way to I.o.S. they were again seen south
of Penzance at 1930 on the way back.
4/10/91 Three Bottlenose Dolphin 12ft long were seen leaping right
out of the water only 20yds from rocks in front of Cape Cornwall hutat
1404. They moved southward around headland into Priest's Cove.
4/10/91 A pod of about 30 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen from MV Scillonian
III just south of Penzance on the way to I.o.S.
7/10/91 A baby Bottlenose Dolphin 4ft long came ashore near Looe, obviously
sick, having convulsions, it was soon picked up by a van from the Gweek
Seal Sanctuary but it died on the way to the sanctuary.
8/10/91 15 Common Dolphins were seen from MV Scillonian III 3 miles
NW of Wolf Rock.
9/10/91 20 Common Dolphins were seen from MV Scillonian III 7 miles
SW of Seven Stones Lightship.
18/10/91 A pod of 20 to 30 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen off Newlyn
Harbour at 1645 and was watched from close range from Penzance Prom, Battery
Rock and Penzance Harbour Pier as they made their way across the Bay. The
pod included juveniles and an adult with a white patch on dorsal fin. A
video was made of them leaping off the Prom and battery Rocks.
18/10/91 20 to 30 large cetaceans were observed from MV Scillonian
III close to the Cressars Rocks Mount,s Bay as they left Penzance Harbout
at 0900 to 0920. Described as 'May be small whales' ( Think these
must be the Bottlenose which spent most of the day in the area.
26/10/91 20 to 25 Common Dolphins were seen from MV Scillonian
III off Porthcurno at 0950 on way to I.o.S.
3/11/91 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphin were seen off Penzance again today.
8/11/91 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphin were seen off Chyandourat 1600
and moved first toward Penzance and then turned and headed toward Marazion
as darkness approached at 1730.
28/11/91 A large school of Bottlenose Dolphin were seen heading nortwards
off cape Cornwall between 1400 and 1630.
1/12/91 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphin were seen in Mount's Bay late afternoon
moving from outside Newlyn Harbour towards Battery Rocks.
12/12/91 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphin were seen in Mount's Bay during
the day.
24/12/91 4 to 6 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen approx. 300ydsS>E of Newlyn
Harbour entrance at 1045 heading along coast toward Mousehole.
25/12/91 A pod of approx. 40 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen playing just
off the beach at St. Ives during the afternoon. A Video tape was made of
this activity but next day the tape was taken to Birmingham. The house
was burgled as they slept that night and the Video Camera, Player and Tape
was stolen.
9/1/92 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen going north from Cape Cornwall
hut.
9/1/92 A small pod of dolphins were seen at Cape Cornwall at 1400 by
divers in a boat and also underwater, one dolphin nudged a diver
in the back. Thought to be Bottlenose.
10/1/92 A small pod of dolphins came right into the cove at Porthgwarra
15/1/92 9 or 10 Common Dolphin were visible on the surface at one time.
Pod covering an area 75 to 100Metres across at noon in position 50º
45'N 09º 22'W.
16/1/92 20 or more Bottlenose Dolphin were feeding off Cape Cornwall
at 1210. Went north beyond Kenidjack Castle then returned south. Last seen
beyond Aire Point at 1325.
16/1/92 8 Common dolphin were riding bow wave of vessel between 1400
and 1800 in position 50º 35'N 09º 39'W.
19/1/92 24 or mor Bottlenose Dolphin were feeding off Cape Cornwall
at 11.a.m. went north beyond Kenidjack castle then returned south pass
the cape. Last seen at 1145.
21/1/92 20 to 30 unidentified dolphins were seen moving quickly north
pass Cape Cornwall between 1310 and 1320.
26/1/92 7 or 8 Common Dolphin were visible on surface at a time between
1400 & 1800 in position 50º 49N 09º 49'W.
28/1/92 Groups of 2 or 3 Common Dolphin were spotted all afternoon
in position 50º 55'N 09º 50'W
29/1/92 11 or 12 Common Dolphin could be seen at any one time on the
surface in an area 100 Metres across in position 50º 59'N
09º 39'W between 1400 & 1800 hrs
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