SLS welcome Kasey back

Today's Whalewatch Explorer was able to watch and photograph one of our
favourite summer visitors, "Kasey" is an adult minke whale that Sea Life
Surveys have been watching and photographing since 1997, today he came back
again! 

The last time he was observed was just half a mile from Tobermory bay
in August 2007.

He was seen feeding co-operatively with 4 other adult and juvenille Minkes
near Coll, in amongst hundreds of Manx Shearwaters and thousands of sand eel
shoals. Its a great sign to see him already, as we know that he loves this
area. 

Also seen today were our two White Tail Eagles (green and blue tag),
harbour porpoise, seals and lots of seabirds.

Carrot Cake back on the Table!

Today's Whalewatch Explorer ventured north to Muck and sampled the
delicious fayre of " The Isle of Muck Tearoom". Anyone who has landed on
Muck before knows they make the heartiest soups and the best carrot cake
this side of Oban!

The whales were in hiding, but 2 common dolphins surprised us with a visit
as we headed back towards Tobermory Bay. Seeing a pair commons so far
inshore is unusual, but a there has been a pair resident in Loch Carron
(near Skye) all winter, maybe these are the same animals wanting a change of
scenery? All we knew was it was a very welcome sighting after a days
searching. 

Also seen today were Porpoise, Seals, Puffins, Great Skua, Shearwaters,

and many more.

Whales Everywhere Today!

At least 6 different whales were seen on today's Whale Watch Explorer, the
minkes were spread out over quite a large area, 2-3 square miles, making it
very hard to tell how exactly many whales were there.

 The whales appeared to
be foraging hard for shoals of fish, probably sand eel. Puffins, shearwaters
and gannets were observed in the same area. On our way back to Tobermory our
two favourite Sea Eagles, affectionately named blue tag and green tag, were
waiting to say hello! A great day all round.

The Minke's Are Back

The first minke whale of the season was spotted on todays 4 hr Wildlife
Adventure. It was seen feeding off Ardnamurchan point in amongst hundreds of
Manx Shearwaters and lots of diving Gannets. This is just where the whales
should be at this exciting time of year, feeding along strong tidal waters
where shoals of fish, like sandeels, are at the surface feasting on
plankton. The whale, a small adult or late juvenille, seemed very happy, and
at home, foraging up and down the fish shoals with the birds in tow. Our
only regret is that we did not have more time to watch it or find out if
there were more in the area! We did however get some amazing views, coming
as close as 10 meters off the side of the boat at one point!

Also seen in the area were Harbour Porpoise, Puffin, and Great skua. This
mornings Ecocruz also had a large pod (10-12 animals) of Harbour porpoise
and a Golden Eagle.

Lewis Drysdale

Skipper

Common Dolphins Today

A group of 30 Common Dolphins were the highlight of today's Whalewatch
Explorer.

Commons are normally seen later in the season (from May onwards),
but today's sighting was very welcome.

Shearwaters, gannets and lots of
small groups of puffins were also seen in the same area.