WHALES - WEEK FOUR

 Sightings

As of 27 January, we have had whale sightings in our area in four of the last five days. On Saturday, 23 January, at 8:00 a.m., MRC called with a report from Ormond-by-the-Sea. Survey Team 4 responded to help track, and Jim & Sara got on the road. It was a gray windy day. The whales were at the surface infrequently, and, they were moving fast. Conditions were not suitable for the drone. We tracked the whales south. Finally, at 10:45, we got a photo from the Cardinal Street Beach Patrol tower. It was a new whale for our area--Right Whale #3904, Champagne, with her first calf.

Female #3904, Champagne, with her first calf, heading south past Ormond Beach on 23 January 2021

But there's more. 23 January was a two-sighting day. Survey Team 3 called from Beverly Beach at 9:27 a.m. The mother-calf pair was Right whale #4040, Chiminea, also with her 1st calf. They passed south by Flagler Pier, and by 2:00 p.m. were off South Flagler Beach.

The calf's flukes draped over the back of mother, #4040, Chiminea, off the Flagler Pier, 23 January 2021. Photo: M. Garito

The next day, Sunday, 24 January, we got a call from Daytona Beach Shores. Jim & Carol Logan responded. Despite three drone flights, we were unable to photograph the whales, so their identity is unknown.

On Tuesday, 26 January, Survey Team 5 reported a sighting from Daytona Beach.  Nadine P., who we met last last year working on a right whale documentary, responded along with us, as did Jamie, drone operator, of Blue Water Research Institute.  An acoustic research team from Florida Atlantic University (FAU), including Julie from the MRC, responded with their boat and gear. And, oh yes, at one point the Florida Fish & Wildlife survey plane flew over. It was Right Whale #4040, Chiminea, with calf.

And lastly, Wednesday, 27 January, Survey Team 4 called from Ormond-by-the-Sea. It again was Right Whale #4040, Chiminea, and calf. The conditions were good. We got both drone images and stills from shore. On this day, we again collaborated with the FAU acoustic research team.

The Calf Count to Date

As of this date, 14 right whale mother-calf pairs have been sighted in the southeastern U.S. In the Marineland area, we have sighted three of the mother-calf pairs, along with sightings of a trio, a pair, and a single yearling.

For our group, the sighting activity has been better than in recent years. For the Southeast US as a whole, as it is still early in the season, we hope for 20 or more calves born this year.

And as always, many thanks to our capable and dedicated team members and our opportunistic spotters.

Whale Sightings Update

On Wednesday, 20 January, we had a late sighting in Ormond-by-the-Sea. At 3:41 PM, Julie at the MRC relayed a call. Drone operator Ralph Bundy responded quickly. Jim grabbed his gear and headed down. It turned out to be a most interesting sighting...two adults heading south. They were Right Whale #4340, Pilgrim, and Right Whale #3810...an 8-year old female and a 13-year-old male, respectively. They had distinctive marks and displayed social behavior. They were seen previously by the Georgia team on 17 January near the St. Mary’s River entrance (at the north end of Amelia Island).

Female #4340 and male #3810 traveling as a pair off Ormond-by-the-Sea on Wednesday afternoon, 20 January 2021. Photo: R. Bundy, NOAA Fisheries research permit #20626.

Previously, on 16 January, a yearling was sighted south of the Flagler Pier. It was the 2020 calf of Right Whale #1612. Both of these sightings contribute to a more diverse demography than we have seen in recent years, and are considered a good sign.

Human Impacts

There are hazards to the whales. Three recent events make the point. On 11 January, a paddleboarder closely approached Right Whale #4040, Chiminea, and calf south of Matanzas Inlet. On 14 January, a jet-ski event was held off Daytona Beach. Chiminea and calf were near. Volusia County Beach Safety was alerted. The jet skiers were called in. On 17 January, the harassment or potential harassment continued. Chiminea and calf were again off Matanzas Inlet. It was a weekend with good weather. On-water activities, and perhaps jeopardy to whales increases at these times.The whales were approached closely by both boaters and jet skiers. The events were such that law enforcement was contacted.

Scoter Ducks

A cautionary note. On Thursday, 21 January, we received a possible sighting report. A low, long, black line observed in the water south of Hammock Dunes. Sara and Jim deployed. The very intriguing object turned out to be a raft of Scoter ducks. There is no shame. It has happened to us all. Many a whale spotter has been deceived by these ducks who dive and surface in unison.

Calf Births

NOAA Fisheries recently posted reports of the 12th and 13th calves for the season.  Number 12 was born to Right Whale #3230, Infinity, and #13 to Right Whale #3720. The two mothers were both first-time mothers...a good sign, as new mothers are coming into the reproductive pool and contributing to the population. At this time, the calving has exceeded the 2020 count of 10, and indeed, the annual count for the last four years. As it is still early in the season, we can reasonably hope for additional mother-calf reports. Will we be able to reach, and possibly exceed, the hoped-for 20 calves this season??

We can cautiously say that we are having an active and productive season so far.  Please continue looking for whales when you are on the coast and report any sightings to 1-888-97-WHALE (1-888-979-4253).

Whales, TV, and a U-Turn

The events of Monday and video by the Marineland Right Whale Project were on the evening news. To view, copy and paste this link into your browser: 

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2021/01/11/2-right-whale-calves-spotted-off-coast-of-northeast-florida/

 

Alternatively, search on “2 right whale calves spotted + News4Jax.”

Next, we watched Right Whale #4040, Chiminea, and calf swim steadily northward during the last two weeks. We began to think their northward migration was underway. But no! In the afternoon of Monday, 11 January, the pair made a U-Turn off Crescent Beach, and yesterday again crossed past the Matanzas Inlet, and by mid-afternoon were approaching Marineland. Did the mother decide to linger in the southern waters, perhaps because the calf was not ready for the migration? Will we see more of her in Flagler County and to the south?

Lastly, several more mother-calf pairs have been sighted. The count now stands at nine. Several of these were in the Ponte Vedra area. Will they come south into our search area? We are perpetually optimistic.

Early Whales Continue! Will We Have More?

We, and our partners at the Marine Resources Council, have had sightings of Right Whale #4040, Chiminea, and her first calf on many days during the last two weeks from New Smyrna Beach through Daytona Beach to near Matanzas Inlet, slowly making their way north. She may be beginning her northward migration, but it’s early, and we simply don’t know. At the same time, there are perhaps 3-4 other mother-calf pairs in the southeast, and, in addition, perhaps a number of females who are yet to calve. We encourage anyone along the shoreline to keep a good lookout!

Yesterday, just south of Matanzas Inlet, we recorded a possible human impact event. A paddleboarder approached the mother-calf pair. This is illegal (violates the 500-yard approach rule), and may introduce stress into the sensitive situation of a mother with a young calf. The images and drone footage were passed along to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, who may initiate an enforcement or warning action. Part of our mission is to help influence changes in human behavior (keep your distance) that will benefit the whales.