The Return of Knobble

Knobble, a whale that we recognize through our photo-identification project, has
returned to its favourite feeding ground near Coll. Last summer we had
regular sightings of this particular whale and it was great surprise to see
it again in the exact place we last saw it in 2007.

Anyone on our trips can get involved in the photo-ID project. All you need
is a camera, film or digital, and you can help contribute to the ever
expanding ID catalogue.

For more info see our research section on our
website.

You can also have a look at the Minke Whale research page on the HWDT website.

Bottlenose Dolphins Back Again

A playful group of Bottlenose Dolphins spent time with both our Ecocruz and
Whale Watch Explorer on Saturday. They seemed to enjoy the experience as
much as we did and where observed breaching, back-flipping and tail slapping
around both boats. The sighting was also important for our ongoing photo-id
project in collaboration with Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. Every time
they are seen photographs are taken of the dorsal fins and any other
distinctive markings and these photos together with sighting information
provide an understanding of the population dynamic and movements of the 30
strong Hebridean group. In the future this information could be used to
support any marine protection initiatives on the west coast.

Also seen were Minke Whale, Harbour porpoise, Seals and a huge feeding flock
(approx 2000) of Manx Shearwaters.

Record Breaking Plankton Trawl

Todays plankton trawl on our Whale Watch Explorer, had ' phenomenal' amounts
of plankton. The net, which normally collects about 25ml of pure plankton,
had at least 3 litres of plankton after only being trawled for 2 or 3
minutes.

What does this mean? Well, plankton sustains all life under the waves and
this was very apparent at the time of the trawl. Scores of diving gannets
and three feeding Minke Whales were around the boat at the
time of the trawl! The gannets were probably feeding on fish that were in
turn feeding on the plankton and the whales could have been feeding on both
the fish and plankton. This can only be good news for the fish, birds, whales
and of course the Whale Watchers!

Also seen today where Basking Shark, Harbour Porpoise and six Bottlenose
Dolphins that surprised us with a visit in Tobermory Bay.

It was awesome!!!!!

Bottlenose dolphins enjoying the sunset with Sula Mhor

Last weeks 2 hour Sunset Cruise was delighted to enjoy the Mull sunset with a pod of 8 bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins treated Sula Mhor and her small group of 6 passengers to a fantastic show of them playing with each other and jumping around the boat.
The dolphins followed Sula Mhor right into Tobermory bay, and continued to accompany us between the moorings.

Onlookers from the shore also got a spectacular sight from the pier. The photo here was kindly given to us by holiday-maker Will Dawes, who captured the moment perfectly. Thanks Will.

Dolphins frequently pass through our waters and although they aren’t resident here, we get excellent sightings of them throughout the season.

Abs – SLS guide.

New Visitor Centre Update - More Pictures

View from outside & Sea Eagle section

Minke Whale scull & 500 Gallon fish tank!!

Interpretation displays

View from the pontoon where our boats leave from.  The new building, Taigh Solais and our Sea Life Visitor Centre in the background.

'Mull is Britains whale-watching capital'

Last weekend we had an article in both the Guardian and the Observer, with the title 'Mull is Britains whale-watching capital'.

To read the article written by Severin Carrell please follow this link;

Guardian Article

New Visitor Centre Update

The fit-out of our new visitor centre is now underway

There are display areas, sea eagle section, childrens corner...and a lot more...

Today we took delivery of our brand new marine fish tank...

...it took eight men to get it lifted and into the centre...

Official opening day is 3rd July 2008, 

watch this space for more updates, including some 

fantastic events during the opening.

Sharks & Suncream

Monday’s whalewatch explorer started with high hopes as Sula Beag sailed out of the harbour on flat calm seas and in glorious sunshine.

We had our first sighting of a Minke whale just 45 minutes into the trip – a record for the SLS team this season. We had great views of surfaces, and spent a good hour with 2 whales found in that area before heading off out to sea to see what else was around.

After landing on Muck for lunch and (yet more!) carrot cake (if you ever want to bribe the SLS crew, you know where to go), we left Port Mor amongst lots of porpoise, giving us a graceful show.

Amid the “mirror like” sea, in the distance, we spotted a pod of 20 common dolphins steaming towards us. They treated us to a spectacular sight of them herding and feeding on a shoal of fish, before playing around the boat. They continued to follow us, bow riding and jumping alongside Sula Beag, seemingly enjoying the cheering from the passengers on board.

With smiles all round, we headed back into the Sound of Mull, liberally applying the sun cream. In the distance, a 3rd whale was spotted, along with a large basking shark (the first shark for me this season – I was grinning from ear to ear)!
We approached the shark, and when all eyes were on it, a second showed itself behind the boat.

All on board had amazing views of the sharks, seeing their impressive gill rakers which they use to feed on plankton.

3 whales, 20 dolphins, 25+ porpoise and 2 sharks – a memorable day for all on board.
Now, where’s that after-sun moisturiser.....

Abs – SLS guide.

Killer Whales Come Back

A massive black fin had been spotted roughly 2 miles to the North of Sula
Beag and after turning towards it our suspicions were confirmed - Orca!!

Just 30 minutes earlier we had been watching a young minke whale foraging,
unaware of what loomed on the horizon, we had turned towards Coll for lunch
but ended up spending nearly two hours with 4 adult Orca.

Orca are rarely seen in our area, but they pass through regularly, it is pure
luck when we cross paths. This experience was one of my best yet. 

The small pod consisted of 2 females and 2 males. 

The males have been provisionally identified as Floppy Fin (a
certified Porpoise killer) and Kinky. The females are known as Lulu and
Nicola. As we entered "The Cairns of Coll" for lunch the local seal colony
looked incredibly vulnerable. Killer Whales are the Top predator in all the
oceans and it is a massive privilage to see them in our own small Hebridean
sea.