Whales of the English Channel
&
the Bay of Biscay

The Bay of Biscay and the Western Approaches to the English Channel are extremely rich in whale and dolphin species. Thirty species have been reliably recorded, either at sea or when stranded on shore, which is more than a quarter of all of the world's species, making these waters some of the most important in the world for cetaceans.

The opportunities for good cetacean watching from relatively stable and comfortable platforms are presented by a number of ships of opportunity that we and our ARC partners regularly monitor from.

Identifying cetaceans at sea is never easy; when watching from a ferry the observer is faced with some significant difficulties. The ship doesn't deviate or stop to view the cetaceans! and the viewer is often looking from quite a height above the sea. The viewing height is an advantage for finding whales and dolphins, looking down into troughs, but there is a tendency to try and identify animals that are too distant to pick up all the features.

Whales and dolphins are often only on the surface for a second or two at a time and, for whales, then only usually show a tiny proportion of themselves at a time. The viewer then has to find the animal in a massive expanse of sea, and see sufficient detail to identify it! However novice watchers should not despair, as no one sees everything, and some of the sightings will be close to the ship and spectacular, for instance when a large school of dolphins approach the ship, frequently leaping clear of the water, or when a group of Fin Whales are blowing together two to three hundred metres from the ship.

The species accounts on these pages aim only to cover those species which have been positively identified at sea (and therefore can be!), and only intend to guide the reader towards the right conclusions, rather than define the identification. It is often the case that a sighting will be too brief or too distant to get a positive identification. The key should provide the watcher with a quick and logical route towards making an identification.

Checklist of species recorded in the Bay of Biscay, English Channel and the Western Approaches Frequency and Occurrence

Frequency:

1 very rare; not annual
2 scarce; only a handful of records a year
3 regular; recorded on a reasonable number of crossings each summer
4 common; seen almost every crossing in summer, usually only in small numbers
5 abundant, seen almost every crossing in summer, usually in good numbers

Occurrence:

Those species that have only been recorded as strandings but have never been positively identified at sea are indicated.

Blue Whale 1-2       Fin Whale 4       Sei Whale 3       Humpback Whale 1       Minke Whale 3      
Pygmy Sperm Whale 1 (Stranding)       Dwarf Sperm Whale 1 (Stranding)       Sperm Whale 2      
Northern Bottlenose Whale 3       Cuvier's Beaked Whale 3       Sowerby's Beaked Whale 1      
Blainville's Beaked Whale 1 (Stranding)      True's Beaked Whale 1 (Stranding)      
Gervais' Beaked Whale 1 (Stranding)       Long-finned Pilot Whale 4      
Short-finned Pilot Whale 1 (Stranding)       False Killer Whale 2       Killer Whale 1      
Bottlenose Dolphin 4       Common Dolphin 5       Striped Dolphin 5      
Atlantic White-sided Dolphin 1       White Beaked Dolphin 1       Risso's Dolphin 2      
Harbour Porpoise 2-4      

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Cuvier's Beaked Whale: Ziphius cavirostris

Where is it seen?

• Southern sector of Biscay, associated with the canyon edges, on the shelf edge.

Frequency of sightings:

• Usually seen as singles, or in small groups. Regularly recorded between March and September.

Recognition:

• Medium sized whale (adults 5.5-7m).

• Generally brown pelage.

• Older animals can be heavily scarred, and have variable amounts of pale (to white) on the forward upper parts.

• The dorsal fin is set well back (2/3 towards tail) and small, falcate.

• Indistinct beak and gently sloping forehead, with indentation behind blow-hole.

Behaviour

• Normally undemonstrative, so may easily be missed.

• Occasionally breaches.

• A low blow bushy is not always visible.

• Deep dives for a long time (20-40 minutes).

• At surface, blows at 10-20 second intervals.

• Arches steeply before deep diving.

• In calm conditions, is seen to log with forward part of back exposed on surface.

Confusion species:

• Northern Bottlenose Whale; similar in size and colouration, but their swimming behaviour reveals the strongly domed forehead. Ranges within the bay don't overlap as their feeding niches are different.

• Minke Whale; similar sized, but are usually blackish above, and lack any pale colouration on the frontal upper parts.

Status and distribution summary:

• Strongly associated with deep oceanic canyons in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, little is known about the species' true population, but at well studied parts of its range, including the southern Bay of Biscay, it appears to be quite common.

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Northern Bottlenose Whale: Hyperoodon ampullatus

Where it is seen?

• Usually over the deeper waters of the Bay, though occasionally close inshore.

Frequency of sightings:

• Used to be regular in summer, when it would occur in small pods of 2 - 10 individuals, but less commonly seen in recent years. Infrequent or absent at other times.

Recognition:

• Medium-sized (up to 9 metres in length).

• Orangey brown or medium grey in colour, many have a pale patch on the forehead (perhaps a feature of older animals).

• Distinctive bulbous forehead with a protruding beak.

• Small falcate dorsal fin is set 2/3 towards the tail.

• Low bushy blow is usually visible.

Behaviour:

• Frequently occurs in groups, which sometimes surface together.

• Undertakes long deep dives of between 15 minutes to hours.

• At the surface, blows approximately every 30 seconds for 10 minutes before diving, surfacing at an angle which often reveals the bulbous forehead.

• Known to breach, leaving the water completely, and lob tail.

Confusion species:

• Cuvier's Beaked Whale; similar in colour, including pale patching on the forehead, size and general shape, however any view of the head shape will be diagnostic.

• Minke Whale; similar in size and fin shape, but is blackish, and lacks a bulbous head.

Status and distribution summary:

• World distribution is restricted to the northern Atlantic Ocean from north of the Azores to the Arctic Circle. Large numbers are known from the canyons off the Nova Scotia coast (at the south of the range) and north of Iceland. It is difficult to determine a population size from the number of sightings in the eastern part of the Bay and further study would be beneficial.

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Sowerby's Beaked Whale: Mesoplodon bidens

Where it is seen?

• Deep waters in the southern Bay.

Frequency of sightings:

• Very rarely seen, though it may be under-recorded as it is largely undemonstrative. Only a handful of positive identifications have been made in Biscay.

Recognition:

• Small to medium sized (5-7m).

• Dark grey upper parts with some blotching and scarring.

• Small dolphin like dorsal fin set 2/3 back to the tail.

• Long thin beak and bulging forehead and crown.

• Distinct notch behind the crown bulge where the blow hole is situated.

• Small tooth visible at mid point of beak, though probably not a good feature unless seen very well.

Behaviour:

• Little known.

• Head often breaks surface when surfacing, so aiding identification.

• Travels in small groups (2-5 reported).

• Small bushy blow is sometimes visible.

• Thought to spend only a short time at the surface, taking 4 or 5 breaths in 1 or 2 minutes before deep diving for approximately 15 minutes.

Confusion species:

• Other mesoplodon Beaked Whales look very similar, though with good views it should be possible to differentiate head shapes.

Status and distribution summary:

• Restricted to the northern Atlantic Ocean from the Azores north to the ice edge. Nothing is known of the population of Sowerby's Beaked Whale.

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Minke Whale: Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Where it is seen?

• Less associated with deep water, and more commonly seen in the channel and the northern Bay than in the southern Bay.

Frequency of sightings:

• Regularly seen in small numbers in summer, less frequently seen from October to May.

Recognition:

• Medium sized (7-10m)

• Smallest rorqual, size is often easy to assess, though usually seen alone so no comparisons are possible.

• Black or dark grey upper parts.

• White bands on pectoral fins can be seen when breaching or when at the surface in good viewing conditions. White lower lip is sometimes visible on surfacing.

• Falcate fin is set well back (2/3) to tail, is proportionally tall.

• Blow is rarely visible, making this a good feature.

Behaviour

• Occurs singly or in small family groups.

• Surfaces rostrum first, sometimes showing pale lower lip in calm sea state.

• Blow hole/splash guard and dorsal fin are visible simultaneously.

• Tail stock arches on diving, but flukes do not break the surface.

• Breaching is fairly common, often several times in sequence. Emerging at around 45°, before belly flopping.

Confusion species:

• Fin Whale; is much larger, with strong visible blow.

• Sei Whale; is larger with a more erect dorsal fin and distinct blow.

• Cuvier's Beaked Whale; usually paler and browner with a pale area on the domed forehead.

• Northern Bottlenose Whale; is paler and has a strongly bulging forehead, and usually occurs in groups.

Status and distribution summary:

• Distributed throughout the world, including polar areas, the Minke Whale is less common in warmer waters. Recent taxonomic evaluations suggest that there are at least two species of Minke Whale, one in the southern oceans, and possibly one in each of the northern Atlantic and northern Pacific. Minke Whales are hunted in the northern Atlantic, theoretically to reduce competition for fish stocks in Norwegian waters, and in the southern Oceans and western Pacific by the Japanese for so-called scientific reasons.

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Sperm Whale: Physeter macrocephalus

Where it is seen?

• Deep water areas of the southern Bay area.

Frequency of sightings:

• Relatively scarce in the Bay, usually recorded in late summer and early autumn. Occurs as singles with occasional family groups of 2-5.

Recognition:

• Large, up to 20m in length.

• Dark grey or brown upper parts.

• Huge head and no dorsal fin, though does have a series of knobbles down the dorsal ridge of the tail stock.

• Strong blow is angled forward from a single blow hole set right at the front of the head and angled to the left.

Behaviour:

• Dives for long durations, up to 2 hours.

• Between dives often stays on the surface, breathing every 10 -20 seconds, looking like a large piece of driftwood.

• Deep dives by surging forward surging forward just below the surface, then diving showing the tail stock, and frequently the flukes as the whale dives vertically.

• Breaches regularly, mostly by juveniles, emerging at a steep angle and sometimes leaping clear of the water, before belly flopping back into the water.

Confusion species:

• The angled blow and lack of dorsal fin should avoid confusion with other species.

Status and distribution summary:

• Occurs in most deep water areas of the world, though only solitary males visit those at high latitudes, Sperm Whales favour the continental shelf edges. This is a relatively abundant species which has recovered well in certain parts of the world after intense whaling pressure for hundreds of years. In the Bay of Biscay many of the sightings are of family groups, suggesting that the Bay is used as a nursery area.

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Humpback Whale: Megaptera novaeangliae

Where is it seen:

Mainly in coastal waters though they undertake extremely long migrations. Have occasionally been seen in the English Channel.

Frequency:

Very rarely seen from the ferry.

Recognition:

• Uniquely shaped and very familiar due to its popularity with film makers.

• Black or grey with variable amount of white on undersides.

• Medium to large robust rorqual 11-18m.

  

• Extremely long, mainly white pectoral flippers very visible through the water.

• Dorsal fin varies from small triangular knob to larger sickle and is situated 2/3 along back.

• The head is covered in fleshy tubercules.

• Bushy, dense and very visible blow, occasionally V shaped (2.5-3m).

• The deeply notched tail flukes have serrated trailing edges and each is uniquely patterned in black and white.

Behaviour:

• most spectacular behaviour of all the whales - extremely demonstrative at the surface, breaching repeatedly, lobtailing, spyhopping and flipper and tail slapping

• usually groups of 1-3 but in large aggregations at feeding grounds

• raises tail flukes high before diving

• very vocal and can be heard underwater but not from big ships like the Pride of Bilbao

Confusion species:

• Unmistakeable

Status and Distribution summary:

• Due to earlier relentless persecution (recently recommenced by Japan) numbers of this wonderful animal worldwide are a maximum of 35,000. They are found throughout the oceans and undertake huge migrations.

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  Sei Whale: Balaenoptera borealis

  Where it is seen?
  

  • Most commonly seen in deeper waters in the Bay, but occasionally sighted in shallower waters to the north.

  Frequency of sightings:

  • Sei Whales are encountered much less frequently in the Bay than are Fin Whales, but still regularly seen in the summer months.

  Recognition:

  • Medium sized rorqual (up to 16 metres in length).

  • Appears blackish at sea, though in good light may appear dark bluish or browny grey.

  • A white lower lip on both sides.

  • Has a relatively tall, erect dorsal fin with a hooked back tip, which is set relatively far forward (less than 2/3 to the tail).

  • The blow is distinct, but not as tall or as columnar as Fin Whale.

  Behaviour:
  

  • Usually seen alone or in pairs.

  • Surfaces at a very shallow angle, so the blow is visible as the dorsal fin appears.

  • Even breathing pattern, blowing every 20 - 40 seconds for 2 to 4 minutes before deep diving.

  • Dorsal and back stay in view for longer than other species.

  • Tends to slide under the surface when diving, without arching the tail stock or showing the flukes.

  • Breaches only rarely, normally only once at a shallow angle.

  Confusion species:

  • Fin Whale; is larger, with proportionally smaller dorsal fin set further back, simultaneous blow and dorsal fin are unusual.

  • Minke Whale; lack a prominent blow and arch their back and tail stock on diving.

  Status and distribution summary:

  • Sei Whales have a world wide distribution, but avoids polar seas. It is more numerous in the southern hemisphere, although some scientists suggest that southern Sei Whales are a different species.

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  Fin Whale: Balaenoptera physalus

  Where it is seen?
  

  • Almost invariably recorded in deep waters in the southern part of the Bay, below 46° North.

  Frequency of sightings:

  • The commonest large whale occurring in the Bay, Fin Whales are seen on almost every crossing from May through to October, and it is possible to see over 20 animals on a mid summer crossing. They are recorded at other times of the year, but with less frequency, suggesting that there is seasonal migration into the eastern part of the Bay.

  Recognition:
  

  • Fin Whales are the second largest animals on the planet (adults reach up to 25 metres in length).

  • They appear black in colour, though close views in good light reveal a dark grey or brown tone to the upper parts.

  • Close views can reveal the asymmetrical patterning on the lower lip, the right hand side is pale to white, and the left hand side is dark.

  • The dorsal fin is small, usually falcate (though variable), and set well back on the body (more than 2/3 to the tail).

  • The blow is strong, tall, columnar and lingers for several seconds.

  • Care should be exercised as blows later in a sequence tend to be lower and more bushy.

  Behaviour:

  • Usually occurs as singles or in groups of 2-7.

  • Blow sequence is usually 4-5 blows 10-20 seconds apart, followed by a deep dive lasting 5 - 15 minutes, the tail stock is strongly arched as it deep dives, though flukes almost never show.

  • Usually undemonstrative, but is seen to breach, when ca 2/3 of the animal appears at around a 45° angle, causing a huge splash on re-entering the water.

  • Ignores ships, leading to occasional very close views.

  Confusion species:
  

  • Sei Whale; is very similar in appearance at sea, look for tall dorsal fin set well forward, showing at the same times as the blow, which is generally lower and bushier, it lacks asymmetrical pattern on lip.

  • Blue Whale; is huge, bluey grey, and has a tiny (barely visible) dorsal fin which shows only late in the roll.

  • Humpback Whales; are very rare in Biscay, they show a hump in front of the dorsal fin, and have a very bushy blow.

  • Minke Whale: is similar in shape and colour but much smaller (but compare with Fin Whale calves), rarely has visible blow, shows white patches on pectoral fins.

  Status and distribution summary:

  • Fin Whales occur in all oceans of the world, most populations are migratory, moving from warmer wintering grounds to cooler temperate waters such as the Bay of Biscay to feed in summer. Fin Whales are one of the most numerous of large cetaceans, having recovered from the ravages of commercial whaling. The animals encountered in the eastern parts of the Bay appear to be part of a larger population living in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, which may number over 5000 individuals.

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  Blue Whale: Balaenoptera musculus

  Where it is seen?
  

  In deep waters of the southern Bay.

  Frequency of sightings:

  • Very rare, not recorded every year.

  Recognition:

  • The largest whale, appears massive (20-33.6m).

  • Mottled blue grey colouring even in poor light.

  • Tiny dorsal fin set far (3/4) back to the tail.

  • Prominent splash guard protecting blow hole.

  • Very powerful blow, tall and columnar, lasting for several seconds, can reach 10m.

  Behaviour:
  

  • Usually occurs singly, or as parent and calf.

  • Blows every 10 -20 seconds for only a few minutes before diving, which is for 5 to 20 minutes.

  • Surfaces at a shallow angle, blows before back is in view, rolls at a gentle angle so back is seemingly endless, with the tiny dorsal fin eventually appearing before the arched tail stock.

  • Flukes sometimes show above the surface on deep diving.

  Confusion species:

  • The combination of size, body colour and tiny dorsal fin set well back should make the Blue Whale unconfusable.

  Status and distribution summary:

  • Hunted to the verge of extinction in the early 20th Century, Blue Whale populations are recovering in some of its former range, notably in the north eastern Pacific Ocean where there are thought to be thousands, however, it is still a globally threatened species. The reappearance of Blue Whale in the Bay of Biscay in recent years is perhaps a sign that the northern Atlantic populations are recovering, and several other small groups are known from other locations, such as off south western Ireland, and off Iceland.

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  Pygmy Killer Whale: Feressa attenuata

  Where it is seen?
  

  • In deep waters of Southern Biscay.

  Frequency of sightings:

  • Very rare, occasionally recorded but very difficult to be certain of ID.

  Recognition:

  • Very small whale 2.1-2.6m

  • Robust , dark body with hard to see black cape.

  • Very rounded head with no beak.

  • Often white on lips and chin.

  • Tall falcate fin.

  Behaviour:

  • Difficult to approach.

  • Predates on other dolphins.

  • Often “chorus lines” (swim in line abreast) synchronously.

  • Occasionally breaches, spyhops and lobtails but generally not acrobatic.

  • Brings head completely clear of water when surfacing.

  Confusion Species:

  • Melon-headed Whale – this is by far the most similar species but the only record in the transect area is of two stranded animals near La Rochelle in 2005. Confusingly their melon is smaller than that of the Pygmy, they have no white on their chin and are likely to be seen in much larger groups.

  • False Killer Whale – though this is darker, larger and has no white on lips.

  Status and Distribution summary:

  • Mainly inhabits deep waters of tropical and subtropical oceans but no reliable estimates of populations

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  Long-finned Pilot Whale: Globicephala melas

  Where it is seen?
  

  Both inshore and over deep water, though most sightings come from the deeper waters. Regularly recorded in the western English Channel.

  Frequency of sightings:

  Most frequently seen in summer months when large groups can be encountered; up to 100 though more usually 10, and only rarely alone. Recorded throughout the year, though in winter is less frequent.

  Recognition:
  

  • Up to 6 metres long.

  • Black upper parts, with a grey saddle behind the dorsal fin, though this is not always apparent.

  • Bulbous forehead, without a protruding beak.

  • Dorsal fin set well forward; slightly forward of the mid point.

  • Males have a large, bulbous dorsal fin, with a squashed appearance, female dorsal fins are more upright and falcate.

  Behaviour:

  • Social animal, rarely seen in groups less than 4, sometimes gatherings of over 100 are seen on good feeding grounds.

  • Usually breathes frequently at the surface before diving for a few minutes.

  • Often shows domed forehead when surfacing.

  • Frequently spy hops, and tail slaps, breaches less often.

  • Associates with other species of cetacean particularly dolphins, though has been known to predate on dolphins and the calves of larger cetaceans.

  Confusion species:
  

  • Short-finned Pilot Whale; is almost identical but with slightly shorter pectoral fins and fewer teeth, hence is not reliably separable at sea. Ranges of the two species are by a short distance in the mid latitudes of the northern Atlantic Ocean. However a number of strandings along the northern Spanish coast have been of this species, suggesting that there is some overlap in the southern Bay.

  • False Killer Whale; is similar in size, also black and is usually seen in pods. Often shows its whole head on surfacing, offering possible confusion at distance. Prominent strongly falcate dorsal fin should allow separation. When traveling quickly pods almost appear to surface in synch.

  • Female Killer Whale; has a much taller, upright dorsal fin and white patch on side of the head which is often visible.

  Status and distribution summary:

  • Common in the northern Atlantic from the Arctic Circle south to the Canary Islands, and again at similar latitudes in the southern oceans. Replaced in tropical and subtropical latitudes by Short-finned Pilot Whale. Long-finned Pilot Whales are hunted in various parts of their range, including infamously in the Faroe Islands where each year hundreds are driven ashore and massacred in a ritualistic display. Claimed to be a traditional harvest for their meat, much of the meat is wasted in a country with one of the highest standards of living on earth!

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  Killer Whale (Orca):Orcinus orca

  Where is it usually seen?
  

  • Potentially occurs throughout the area. Is seen annually off Cornwall, and in the Western Approaches. Has also been recorded in deep water in the southern Bay.

  Frequency of sightings:

  • Rare, probably seen less than annually from ferries.

  Recognition:

  • Unique and highly familiar species.

  • Up to 10 metres in length, males grow to 20% bigger than females; heavily built.
    

  • Black and white patterning is unique, particularly the white patch above the eye. A grey 'saddle' can be visible behind the dorsal fin in very good conditions.

  • A very tall dorsal fin is centrally placed, and in males is massive (up to 20% of body length), which is erect, triangular and, is unique to the species. The female has smaller, more curved dorsal fins, though proportionally still larger than most other species.

  • Blow is bushy and visible.

  Behaviour:
  

  • Lives in pods of 3 - 20, though males may occur as singles or in twos.

  • When at rest the pod moves slowly, often breathing synchronously, or is motionless, logging on the surface.

  • When fast swimming or hunting, travels very quickly, frequently leaping clear of the water, creating large splashes on re-entry.

  • Sometimes acrobatic, which includes breaching, belly flops, somersaults, and fin slaps.

  • Studies in western USA reveal two forms, one inshore resident form, and another more offshore transient form, each form has different behaviour patterns. The residents tend to feed mainly on fish, including sharks, whereas the transients tend to specialise in mammalian prey, including seals, dolphins and larger cetaceans (adult Blue Whales have been seen with scars from Killer Whale attacks!).

  Confusion species:

  • Adult males are distinctive even at distance with their huge triangular dorsal fins.

  • Females seen poorly could be confused with Risso's Dolphin, which has a similar fin shape, or possibly False Killer Whale, whose dorsal fin is proportionately shorter and more curved.

  Status and distribution summary:

  • Occupies all oceans of the globe, including the high latitudes, and appears to be more common in cooler waters. Nowhere abundant, but concentrations occur in areas of good hunting, for example in the fiord lands of western Canada and Alaska. In the Atlantic is more frequent in higher latitudes, and is for instance a regular visitor to the Shetland Islands. Has suffered persecution, and is still collected for showing in aquaria. Gets caught in fishing nets and is susceptible to marine pollution.

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  False Killer Whale: Pseudorca crassidens

  Where it is seen?
  

  • In deeper waters in the southern Bay.

  Frequency of sightings:

  • Rare, there have only been a handful of sightings in recent years. Its status prior to the 1990s is unknown. This species may be under recorded as it is unfamiliar to most observers and could be confused with female Long-finned Pilot Whales. Only recorded in spring and summer thus far in the Bay of Biscay

  Recognition:

  • Medium sized, reaching 6 metres in length.

  • All blackish or dark grey, apart from a grey patch on the underside, between the pectoral fins.

  • The head is streamlined with a rounded, 'bullet' shaped beak.

  • The dorsal fin is set at the mid point, and is prominent and falcate with a strongly concave trailing edge, and in some cases the tip may be rounded.

  Behaviour:

  • Usually in pods of 10 - 50, though most Biscay sightings are of 3 - 7, with one of over 30 in summer 2000.

  • Generally fast swimming in groups, giving an impression of large dolphins.

  • Head frequently (may even be invariable) breaks the surface when breathing, even doing so in slow swimming [as for record of 30 in August 2000].

  • When fast swimming frequently leaps clear of the water, also breaches, belly flops, lob tails, and makes sudden changes of course.

  • Hunts in groups, and is known to attack dolphins and immature larger cetaceans.

  Confusion species:

  • Female Killer Whale; is similar in size but the dorsal fin is taller and the white head patch is normally quite visible.

  • Female Pilot Whale; is similar in size with a lower, less falcate dorsal fin. The domed forehead should be diagnostic.

  Status and distribution summary:

  • Occupies most tropical and subtropical waters of the world, though is thought to be nowhere common. Is regularly killed in the western Pacific Ocean, usually by fishermen who regard them as competitors.

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  Copyright of BDRP, 2003