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Species commonly seen around the South West
coastline: Harbour porpoises – small rounded head, stocky, no beak, triangular blunt dorsal fin. Predominantly dark brown backs with a pale grey or white underside. Up to 1.5m long.
Common dolphin – look for their slim beaks and slender bodies. They are dark grey on top and whiter below and have a distinctive cream/yellow coloured shape starting behind the beak. Length 1.5-2.5m (See main pic left)
Bottlenose dolphin – the most widely recognised species of dolphin known for their acrobatic leaps out of the water. Length 2-4 m
Minke whale - Up to 10m long. They have sleek dark black, grey, brown bodies with a lighter belly that flashes through the water. Usually solitary and their blows are rarely visible.
Humpback whale – these very large baleen whales have black bodies and enormous pectoral flippers and their heads are covered with bumps and knobbles. Can grow up to 16m in length.
Did you know?...... ● A fish’s tail is vertical and moves from side to side whilst a cetacean’s tail is horizontal and moves up and down.
● The hippopotamus is apparently one of the whale’s closest living relatives.
● Blue whales are the largest animals ever to have lived on earth. A blue whale’s tongue alone can weigh as much as an elephant.
● Bottlenose dolphins only give birth to a single baby once every 1 – 6 years.
● All dolphins are whales but not all whales are dolphins! And a killer whale (orca) is actually a dolphin.
● All toothed whales use echolocation using the ‘melon’ (the swollen part on the top of their head) to hunt and to navigate underwater.
Humpback whale
For more information check
Seawatchfoundation.org.uk and whale and dolphin conservation society (uk.whales. org) who work to improve the conservation and protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises in British and Irish waters.
Where to whale
watch locally? Whales and dolphins often hang out in bays and around headlands so keep your eyes peeled around Start Point, Berry Head and Bolt Head.
● Humpback whales that feed in Antarctic waters have been known to swim north to breed off Colombia and Panama making this the longest confirmed migration of any animal.
It’s Bonfire season …. But don’t forget our hedgehogs!
Check bonfires thoroughly before lighting as hogs like to sleep in them. Lift up the base and listen for any noise, even better move the bonfire completely before lighting, and light from one side only.
WILDLIFE & NATURE
EVENTS October Devon Naturally Healthy Month Naturally Healthy Month will encourage everyone to continue to engage with the natural world around them to make them feel happier and healthier. Check the website and social media for up to date events.
Activedevon.org
21 October
World Earthworm Day Celebrate the humble earthworm with this year’s theme of Super Composters! Get ready for a day celebrating how earthworms deal with both man and nature’s waste, including tips and guidance for composters and gardeners.
Earthwormsoc.org.uk
23 – 30 October
Devon Dark Skies Week Join us in exploring Devon’s Dark Skies and how we can reduce the impacts of lighting on wildlife, tranquillity and ourselves. Lots of online events and information including:
26 October
In the Night Sky Live 11am – 12noon. Join this highly interactive Space Workshop suitable for all ages delivered live and online by Jo Richardson who is a professional Space Outreach Educator and the founder of Space Detectives. Investigate the amazing sky full of stars and become a Dark Sky Ranger. See
spacedetectives.com
BEACH CLEANS Check
Southhamssociety.org for further information.
17 October
Soar Mill Cove 11am. Meet in the car park behind Soar Mill Hotel.
14 November
Beesands 10.30am. Meet at parking area in front of Britannia @ The Beach café.
Lukesland Garden, Ivybridge. Open Weds & Sun till 15 November 11am – 5pm. Cash only at the gate. Contactless card payment preferred in the tea room. Atmostpheric in all seasons this 24-acre family-run garden is well-loved for its wonderful range of spring and autumn flowering shrubs and specimen trees.
Lukesland.co.uk
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