SIGHTINGS MAPS
Whilst we don't produce maps every month, we hope that our sightings maps help you find a good site to watch from and give an idea of the wide range of species that can be seen.
OMMRI is the County Recorder for cetaceans as well as Regional Coordinator for Sea Watch Foundation. All records are submitted annually to the Orkney Biological Records Centre and Sea Watch Foundation National Database to help build a picture of distribution in Orkney.
It's never too late to report anything to us, as we're always happy to add records. If you've seen a dolphin, whale or porpoise whilst visiting Orkney, let us know at sightings@ommri.org.
1. In total, we had 91 sightings totalling 7 species. The most common records were of 𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗘 (38) followed by 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗢’𝗦𝗗𝗢𝗟𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗡 (20) and 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗦𝗘 (11).
2. There was 1 reported stranding of a 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗡
𝗗𝗢𝗟𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗡
in North Ronaldsay which washed in dead having been seen circling close to land
the previous day. Again, all details were passed to our colleagues at SMASS.
3. 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗘
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗘
numbers have increased with 9 reported sightings through the month.
4. An incredibly early first 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗞 of the year was recorded off Rothiesholm, Stronsay followed by a second record from Scapa Bay on 30th May. 5. Confirmed 𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗘 pods were 12s, 19s, 27s, 64s and 169s. Killer whale pods are named after the matriarchal female. The Scottish Killer Whale Photo Identification Catalogue 2021 can be downloaded and is a fabulous resource.
1. In total, we had 44 sightings totalling 7 species. The most common records were of 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗢’𝗦 𝗗𝗢𝗟𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗡 (18). 𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗘 were the second most common with 5 records.
3. A 𝗙𝗜𝗡 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗘 was photographed off Hobbister on 14th April.
1. In total, we had 22 sightings throughout the three-month period totalling 7 species. The most common records were of KILLER WHALE (7) although some of these were the same group sighted in different locations. COMMON DOLPHIN were the second most common with 4 records.
