Species that may be sighted

Portland

The following species may be seen from Portland Bill and in Lyme Bay:

 

Cetaceans

 

Odontocetes

 

Harbour porpoise

 

A small inconspicuous animal that rarely breeches. Can be recognised by the triangular shape of the dorsal fin. Present in mid-Channel in unknown, but probably small, numbers. Occasionally dead strands on Chesil Beach.

 

Common dolphin

 

A small offshore species that occasionally approaches Portland shores. Very common in Lyme Bay, but much less common east of Portland. Usually seen in large groups. Can be recognised by the hourglass pattern on the flanks, the front part of which is cream coloured. The most common animal to dead strand on Chesil Beach, usually as a result of fisheries bycatch. Peak month for strandings is February.

 

Striped dolphin

 

A very rare visitor to the mid-Channel area. Very similar to the common dolphin, but the hourglass pattern is replaced with a distinctive stripe.

 

Bottlenose dolphin

 

The species most likely to be seen from Portland Bill. A medium size animal that is usually to be seen in small groups, but occasionally can be seen in large groups of up to 50 animals.

 

Pilot whale

 

A medium size animal that occasionally can be seen around Portland. More often seen as a dead stranding. There are currently two dead strandings that can be seen, one just to the west of Osmington, the other on Chesil Beach near West Bexington. Can be recognised by the black colouring and distinctive dorsal fin shape.

 

White-beaked dolphin

 

A small odontocete with a distinctive white beak. Common around the north of Scotland, but occasionally seen in the Channel.

 

Mysticetes

 

Minke whale

 

The minke whale is the smallest mysticete species and is comparatively common in the western Channel. A small number venture up channel to Portland.

 

Humpback whale

 

A very rare visitor to the Portland area. They migrate past the western entrance to the Channel and very occasionally one will turn east and come up the Channel.

 

Fin whale

 

A large mysticete and very common to the west of Cornwall. A small number venture into the shallow waters of the English Channel, and an even smaller number make it past Start Point.

 

Pinnipeds

 

The two pinniped species likely to be seen around Portland are almost impossible to tell apart at sea without a great deal of experience. They can be seen all round the area, with Balaclava Bay a good spot to see them. Numbers of both species are small. If you see an animal with a coloured tag on its head it is particularly important to record the sighting. If binoculars are available try to get the information written on the tag.

 

Harbour seal

 

Present in small numbers all along the Channel coast

 

Grey seal

 

Grey seals breed along the Brittany coast of France, west Cornwall, and the southern Irish coast. After breeding they disperse and a small number arrive on the Dorset coast.

Last updated 29/8/2007