Mother-Calf No. 1
On Monday, 16 December, the first mother-calf pair for the 2020 season was sighted. Female #3560 and a recently born calf (just look at that little peanut!) were sighted off Sapelo Island, Georgia, by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research team flying on the NOAA Twin Otter.
(Image: Marcy Lee, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research team, NOAA/NMFS permit #20556)
Encouraging news is that she is a first-time mother, apparently a late-bloomer at 15 years old. There is further news―the Marineland Right Whale Project has had experience with this whale. We saw her as a calf in February 2005, as a juvenile in December 2007, and as a sub-adult in February 2011. Based on these previous sightings, we can cautiously conclude that mother and calf may appear in our area in 2020.
Then too, there are perhaps five other potentially pregnant females sighted so far, all to the north of us. Will they calf? Will they come our way? As Yogi Berra stated, “it’s hard to make predictions, especially when it’s about the future.” OK then, flippers crossed.
The Weather is Frightful
We believe that there are seven right whales in the southeast U.S. so far. But the weather has been unsettled and the survey planes have had minimal flight days.
Bad weather for the weekend.
Therefore, the whereabouts of these whales is mostly unknown. Weather and whales―the perfect combination! Looking ahead, when we have a period of good weather, what will turn up? When walking on the beach, take your binoculars, and call 1-888-979-4253 if you get lucky! Anything can happen, anytime, anywhere.
Mark Your Calendars
Our kick-off event for the 2020 season will be held on Saturday, 4 January, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the University of Florida’s Whitney Laboratory in Marineland. We will begin with a “big-picture” update and overview of our program. We will then break out into our individual teams for training details and sign-up for days and areas. And yes, there will be program caps and T-shirts, and … door prizes.
