records from the irish whale and dolphin group for 2003

Records from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group for 2003Author(s): J. Brophy, S. Murphy and E. RoganSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 28, No. 5 (Apr. 22, 2006), pp. 214-219Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25536715 .

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Ir. Nat. J. Volume 28 No 5 2006

Cetacean Notes

Records from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group for 2003

Compilers : J. Brophy, S. Murphy and E. Rogan

Department of Zoology, Ecology, and Plant Science, U.C.C., Cork.

All records below have been submitted with adequate documentation and/or photographs to put identification beyond doubt. The length is a linear measurement from the tip of the snout to the fork in the tail fin. Unless otherwise stated the animal was 'observed' dead on the sea shore on the

given date.

Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus (Linnaeus)

Male 11.28m. Live stranded and later died 15 June 2003, Oysterhaven, Co Cork (W6848). E. Rogan, P. Smiddy, P. Whooley.

Minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacepede

Female >8m. Found 15 May 2003, Port na Spanaigh, Giants Causeway, Co Antrim (C954454). J. Allen, R. Ruddock, G. Burrows.

Female 4.74m. Found decomposing 6 June 2003, Rocky Bay, Co Cork (W7753). T. Clayton, J. Wilson.

Male c7m. Found floating 12 September 2003, Killybegs Harbour, Co Donegal (G7276). P. Kelly, P. McCauley.

Male 6.5m. Found dead 13 November 2003, Dooey Strand, Gweebarra, Co Donegal (B7502). E. Magee.

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus

Unsexed. Found decomposing 17 January 2003, Kincaslough, Inishfree Bay, Co Donegal (B745195). D. Friel, P. Sleeman. (Friel, D. & Sleeman, P. 2003. Irish Naturalists' Journal

27: 322).

Unsexed. Found decomposed 27 June 2003, Little Island Strand, Owenahincha, Co Cork (W3135). P. Whooley, D. Wall.

Unsexed 14.5m. Found decomposed 10 August 2003, Clifden, Co Galway (L655502). C. Lawton, S. Kettlewell.

Common (harbour) porpoise Phocoena phocoena (Linnaeus)

Unsexed 1.45m. Found 10 January 2003, Ballagan, Co Louth (J2407). J. Larkin.

Female 1.23m. Found dead 12 January 2003, Whitestown Point, Co Louth (J235065). J. Larkin, E.

Rogan.

Male 1.57m. Live stranded and later died 13 January 2003, Ardgroom, Co Cork (V7157). B. Heaps, J. O'Brien.

Male d.55m. Found decomposing 19 January 2003, Templetown, Cooley, Co Louth (J2205). J.

Serridge, A. Rogan.

Female 1.10m. Found decomposing 20 January 2003, King's Strand, Ballbriggan, Co Dublin

(O2064). N. Ui Loinsigh, D. Wall, J. O'Brien, L. Mirimin.

Unsexed. Found decomposing 29 January 2003, Elly Beach, Co Mayo (F6325). M. Odendahl.

Unsexed d.52m. Found 30 January 2003, Carnsore Point, Co Wexford (T1204). K. McCormac.

Male. Found decomposing 17 February 2003, Ardmore, Co Waterford (X1977). D. Berridge.

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Ir. Nat J. Volume 28 No 5 2006

Female 1.71m. Found decomposing 21 February 2003, Garryvoe. Co Cork (W9967). P. Smiddy, J.

O'Brien, E. Rogan.

Female 1.51m. Found dead 23 February 2003, Dollymount Strand, Bull Island, Co Dublin (02337). Irish Seal Sanctuary, D. Wall.

Male >1.3m. Found 23 February 2003, Carnsore Point, Co Wexford (T1203). K. McCormac.

Female 1.5m. Found dead 24 February 2003, Nethertown Beach, Co Wexford (T1204). K. McCormac.

Male 1.60m. Found freshly dead 25 February 2003, Tramore Strand Co Waterford (X6001). D. Berridge.

Male 1.2m. Found 14 March 2003, Ballytrent Beach, Co Wexford (T1308). K. McCormac.

Male 1.35m. Found 19 March 2003, North Beach Skerries, Co Dublin (O2560). J. Woodlock, K. O'Hare, D. Wall.

Unsexed. Found decomposing 23 March 2003, Ballyquin, Co Waterford (X2079). S. Ingram.

Male 1.43m. Found 27 April 2003, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal (G8362). E. Murphy.

Unsexed. Found 4 July 2003, Portrush, Co Antrim (C8540). J. Allen.

Male. Found 8 July 2003, Castlerock Beach, Co Londonderry (C8036). J. Allen.

Unsexed. Found 10 August 2003, Benone Strand, Co Londonderry (C7136). J. Allen.

Unsexed. Found 11 August 2003, Castlerock Beach, Co Londonderry (C8036). J. Allen.

Male 1.56m. Found 3 September 2003, North Strand, Skerries, Co Dublin (O2560). D. Wall.

Unsexed d 7m. Found 7 September 2003, Portstewart, Co Londonderry (C7736). G. Burrows.

Male 1.60m. Found decomposing 7 October 2003, Dingle, Co Kerry (Q4599). K. Flannery, J. O'Brien.

Unsexed. Found 10 October 2003, Rosdoonstown, Co Wexford (T0805). K. McCormac.

Unsexed 0.85m. Found 27 October 2003, Whiterocks Beach, Co Antrim (C8741). G. Burrows.

Unsexed d.47m. Found 8 November 2003, Long Strand, Castlefreke, Co Cork (W3334). C. Kingston, P. Whooley.

Unsexed d .22m. Found dead 9 December 2003, Courttown, Co Wexford (T2057). A. Stafford.

Female 1.53m. Found freshly dead 10 December 2003, South shore, Rush, Co Dublin (02754). D. Wall, J. Brophy.

Female 1.64m. Found decomposed 12 December 2003, North Beach, Greystones, Co Wicklow

(02913). C. Brady, R. Garden.

Unsexed d.3m. Found decomposing 28 December 2003, Ennereilly Beach, Co Wexford (O 2979). T. Doyle.

Female 1.66m. Found decomposing, Ballymacoda, Co Cork (X0772). P. Smiddy, E. Rogan, J.

O'Brien.

Long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melaena (Traill 1809)

Unsexed. Found decomposed 18 March 2003, Cross Strand, Belmullet Peninsula, Co Mayo (F638285). T. Murray.

Male 6.1m. Found decomposing 25 May 2003, Wild Shore, Mweenish Island, Co Galway (M339182). (Tierney, T. D. & Cullen, P. 2003 Irish Naturalists'Journal 27: 364).

Unsexed 1.75m. Found 27 May 2003, Thornhill Strand, Westport, Co Mayo (L892832). S.

Callaghan.

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Ir Nat J. Volume 28 No 5 2006

Male 3.82m. Live stranded and later died 10 October 2003, Renvyle, Connemara, Co Galway (L6463). A. Englund.

Killer whale Orcinus orca (Linnaeus 1758)

Female 2.6m. Found freshly dead 25 December 2003, Omey Island, Co Galway (L5655). G. O'Donnell.

White-beaked dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris Gray 1846

Male 1.8m. Found freshly dead 6 March 2003, Portacarn Strand, Mullet Peninsula, Co Mayo (F6325). M. Odendahl, T. Murray.

White-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus Gray 1826

Unsexed 2.26m. Found decomposing 17 March 2003, Binghaunstown, Co Mayo (F656331). L. Sides, T. Murrary.

Male 2.42m. Found decomposed 24 March 2003, Carricklahan, Tirraun Point, Mullet Peninsula, Co Mayo(F6121). T. Murray.

Unsexed 2.1m. Found decomposing 30 August 2003, Tracht Beach, Kinvara Bay, Co Galway (M135222). L MacNamara.

Risso's (Grey) dolphin Grampus griseus (Cuvier 1812)

Unsexed 1.3m. Found decomposing 15 February 2003, Culleenduff, Ballysdare Bay, Co Sligo (G6133). B. Glynn, D. C. F. Cotton. (Cotton, D. C. F. 2003 Irish Naturalists' Journal 27:

323-324).

Unsexed c2.0m. Found decomposed 11 September 2003, Toberpatrick, Co Sligo (G5435). J. M. Dick. (Cotton, D. C. F. 2003. Irish Naturalists' Journal 27:323-324).

Unsexed 3.2m. Found 25 April 2003, Bray Head, Bray, Co Wicklow (02817). (Wall, D. 2002 Irish Naturalists' Journal 27: 366).

Male 2.4m. Found 9 July 2003, Carrickfinn Strand, Co Donegal (B7520). R. Ruddock.

Male 1.54m. Bycaught alive and later died 23 July 2003, off Hook Head, Co Wexford (X7597). J. Doyle, J. O'Brien.

Unsexed d.5m. Newborn with umbilical cord and neonatal lines found freshly dead 15 October 2003, Ballinesker, Curracloe Beach, Co Wexford (T1229). G. Martin, K. McCormac, G.

Ponzi.

Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen 1833)

Male 1.67m. Found freshly dead 9 February 2003, Doolough Strand, Co Mayo (F7322). L. McAndrew, O. O'Cadhla, T. Murray.

Male 1.74m. Found freshly dead 9 February 2003, Doolough Strand, Co Mayo (F7322). L. McAndrew, O. O'Cadhla, T. Murray.

Female 1.70m, Found freshly dead 9 February 2003, Doolough Strand, Co Mayo (F7322). L. McAndrew, O. O'Cadhla, T. Murray.

Male 2.03m. Found freshly dead 15 June 2003, Rosscarbery, Co Cork (W3135). P. Whooley, R. Johnson, J. O'Brien

Unsexed. Found dead 16 June 2003, Cullenstown Beach, Co Wexford (S8607). K. McCormac,

Male <2m. Found 25 July 2003, Garretstown, Co Cork (W6043). E. Rogan.

Male d .8m. Found 26 August 2003, Coolmaine, Harbour View, Co Cork (W5443). P. Whooley.

Female c2.20m. Found 29 September 2003, Knock Beach, Mannin Bay, Connemara, Co Galway

(L588472). S. Ingram.

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Ir Nat. J. Volume 28 No 5 2006

Common dolphin Delphinus delphis Linnaeus 1758

Female 1.99m. Found dead 28 January 2003, Ventry, Co Kerry (V3799). G. Timmons, S. Murphy, T. Griffin.

Male 1.79m. Found dead 29 January 2003, Banna Strand, Co Kerry (Q7423). S. Berrow, S.

Murphy, T. Griffin.

Male 2.12m. Found decomposing 3 February 2003, Doonbeg, Co Clare (Q9666). B. Honan, S.

Berrow.

Male 1.69m. Found decomposing 4 February 2003, Ardmore, Co Waterford (X1977). P. Smiddy, J. O'Brien.

Male. Found dead 18 February 2003, Holy Ground, Cobh, Co Cork (W7966). C. Ryan.

Male 1.98m. Found decomposing 22 February 2003, White Bay, Co Cork (W8260) P. Smiddy, J. O'Brien, L. Mirimin.

Male 2.01m. Found decomposing 22 February 2003, Outside Pilmore Strand, Youghal Bay, Co Cork (X0773). P. Smiddy, E. Rogan, J. O'Brien.

Unsexed. Found dead 24 February 2003, Boat Strand, Dunabrattin, East of Tramore, Co Waterford

(X4898). B. McDonald, H. McDonald.

Male 2.23m. Found decomposing 24 February 2003, Rocky Bay, Co Cork (W7753). B. White, J. O'Brien.

Female 2.3m, Found 5 March 2003, Cullenstown Strand, Co Wexford (S8607). K. McCormac.

Male c2.13m. Found decomposing 7 March 2003, Bunrriahon, Co Waterford (X4398). D. Berridge.

Male c2.13m. Found with evidence of bycatch 11 March 2003, Carnsore Point, Co Wexford (T1204). K. McCormac.

Female c2.13m. Found decomposing 16 March 2003, Kilowen/Man of War Cove, Co Cork (W7651). S. Birch, E. Rogan.

Female c2.13m. Found decomposing 18 March 2003, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork (W7963). E. Rogan.

Male c2m. Found decomposing 23 March 2003, Curragh Beach, Co Waterford (X2079). S. Ingram.

Unsexed. Found decomposing 25 March 2003, Ardnahinch, Co Cork (W9967). V. Cummins, P.

Smiddy.

Female 2.06m. Found decomposing 26 March 2003, Ardnahinch, Co Cork (W9967). V. Cummins, P. Smiddy, E. Rogan, J. O'Brien.

Female 2.31m. Found decomposing 31 March 2003, Kilrush, Co Clare (Q9954). B. Duffy, S. Berrow.

Female 2.3m. Found decomposing 11 April 2003, Rosdoonstown, Co Wexford (T0805). K. McCormac.

Unsexed 1.81m. Found decomposing 11 April 2003, Ventry Strand, Co Kerry (V3799). D. Wall.

Male 1.96m. Found dead 14 April 2003, Myrtleville, Co Cork (W7958). J. O'Brien, L. Mirimin.

Male. Found decomposing 26 April 2003, Fountainstown, Co Cork (W785581). M. Mackey.

Unsexed c2.25m. Found 29 April 2003, Ballynamona Strand, Ballycotton, Co Cork (W9964). P.

Smiddy.

Male 1.74m. Found freshly dead 4 May 2003, Kilronan, Inismor, Co Galway (L885088). M.

Broderick, J. O'Brien, L. Mirimin.

Male 1.69m. Found freshly dead 4 May 2003, Kilronan, Inismor, Co Galway (L885088). M.

Broderick, J. O'Brien, L. Mirimin.

217




Male 1.71m. Found freshly dead 7 May 2003, Cluain Beach, Ventry, Co Kerry (V3898). K. Flannery, J. O'Brien.

Unsexed. Found freshly dead (2 animals) 7 May 2003, Cluain Beach, Ventry, Co Kerry (V3898). K. Flannery.

Unsexed d.8m. Found 6 June 2003, Inishbofin Harbour, Inishbofin, Co Galway (L554662). Inishboffin N.S.

Unsexed. Found (2 animals) 6 June 2003, Inishbofin Harbour, Inishbofin, Co Galway (L554662).lnishboffin N.S.

Male >1.45m. Found dead 28 June 2003, Little Island Strand, Owenahincha, Co Cork. (W3135). P. Whooley, J. O'Brien.

Female 1.95m. Found decomposing 10 August 2003, Coolmain Beach, Kilbrittain, Co Cork (W5343). P. Whooley, J. O'Brien.

Male 2.4m. Found dead 25 September 2003, Garretstown Strand, Co Cork (W6043). P. Whooley.

Male 1.83m. Bycatch died before rescue, 23 October 2003, Carrigaholt, Co Clare (Q8451). S. McGee, J. O'Brien, L. Mirimin.

Male 1.45m. Found freshly dead 28 November 2003, Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford (T1412). K. McCormac, J. O'Brien, J. Brophy.

Unsexed 2m. Found 14 December 2003, Coolmain Bay, Kilbrittain, Co Cork (W5344). C. Cater, P.

Whooley.

Bottle-nosed dolphin Tursiops truncatus (Montagu 1821)

Unsexed. c2.74m. Found dead 16 March 2003, Falcarragh Strand, Co Donegal (B9235). C.

Symmons.

Male 3.11m. Found freshly dead 6 November 2003, Lacken Strand, Co Mayo (G195375). J. Kilroy.

Unidentified whales

Unsexed. Found dead 24 May 2003, Rock Island, Crookhaven, Co Cork (V8126). A. Power.

Unidentified dolphins

Unsexed. Found dead 2 January 2003, Caherdaniel Beach, Co Kerry (F5358). E. O' Mahoney, P.

Whooley.

Unsexed <1.80m. Found decomposed 28 January 2003, Tramore Beach, Rossbeg. Co Donegal

(B9837). M. Cunningham.

Unsexed dm. Found 29 January 2003, Elly Bay, Co Mayo (F6425). M. Odendahl.

Unsexed. Found 19 February 2003, Fountainstown Beach, Co Cork (W7858). J. Wilson.

Unsexed c2m (2 animals). Found 11 March 2003, Tramore Strand, Co Waterford (S6000). D.

Berridge, J. O' Brien.

Unsexed. Found decomposed 18 March 2003, Cross Strand, Co Mayo (F6330). T. Murray.

Unsexed. Found 22 March 2003, Fermoyle Beach, Castlegregory, Co Kerry (Q5412). P. Whooley.

Unsexed. Found 26 March 2003, Loughbeg, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork (W7963). J. March.

Unsexed 1.98m. Found decomposing 3 April 2003, Kilcummin Strand, Co Kerry (Q5612). M O'Connell, A. Barrett.

Unsexed c1.8m. Found 1 June 2003, Castlegregory, Co Kerry (Q6313). N. Linehan.

Unsexed d.5m. Found decomposed 10 July 2003, Cobh, Co Cork (W7966). C. Ryan. Unsexed. Found decomposing 10 July 2003, Bull Island, Co Dublin (0324237). P. Corrigan.

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Unsexed c2.1m. Live stranded and died 26 September 2003, Ballyconneely, Co Galway (L6245). S. Kettlewell.

Unsexed d.3m. Found dead 18 December 2003, Duncannon Strand, Co Wexford (S7307). M. Doyle.

Scoliosis in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus (Montagu) in Ireland and Britain

A world-wide review of vertebral column malformities in delphinids has recently been published (Berghan, J. & Visser, I. N. 2000 Aquatic Mammals 26(10): 17-25). Similar malformities have recently been observed in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus off the coasts of Cos Clare and Galway which are now described together with a review of published and unpublished observations from Ireland and Britain.

A young bottlenose dolphin with a spinal abnormality was seen in the Shannon Estuary in August 2001 (Geoff Magee pers. comm.). On 4 August 2002, SB came across what may have

been the same dolphin in the Shannon Estuary off Kilstiffin Bank (52? 34'N, 9? 45'W). It was estimated to be less than 2.5m in length (from comparison with the 5.4m boat) and was pale in colour suggesting it was a juvenile (<2 years of age) and still dependent on its mother for nutrition (Thompson, P. & Wilson, B. 1996 Bottlenose dolphins. Worldlife Library Series. Colin Baxter

Photography Ltd, Grantown-on-Spey). It approached to within 1m of the boat providing excellent views and the opportunity to obtain video footage. It was obvious that it had a spinal deformity that affected its ability to swim and surface. The dolphin's spine was bent upwards and to the left, immediately posterior to its dorsal fin. A number of deep creases could be observed running from

behind the dorsal fin down the dolphin's flank and onto its belly, demonstrating how deep was the malformity. This dolphin has not been reported since September 2002.

On 29 June 2005, a bottlenose dolphin with a spinal deformity was observed and photographed off English Rock, south of Garumna Island, on the north shore of Galway Bay (53? 13'N, 9? 39'W) by JOB. This dolphin was approximately 3-3.5m in length and thought to be

older than the one previously described, due to its uniform dark grey colour. It was observed in a

group of between 10-12 adults and was only marginally smaller than the others present, thus it is

likely to be an immature or small adult, and nutritionally independent. The dolphin swam within 5m of the boat and a clear view was obtained of the dolphin's malformity. Posterior to the dorsal fin

the dolphin's spine rose into a very pronounced hump. This individual did not appear to have any difficulties swimming or keeping up with the group.

Two different bottlenose dolphins with apparent spinal deformities were observed on more than one occasion near Killary Harbour, Co Galway (53? 37'N, 9? 54'W) during 2001 and 2002 (Simon Ingram pers. comm.). A malformed dolphin has also been observed in a group of three

dolphins, travelling past salmon fish cages in Mannin Bay, Co Galway (53?28'N, 10?05'W) on 25 and 30 May 2005 (Saul Joyce pers. comm.) approximately 40km from Killary Harbour. The group included what appeared to be an adult and calf. The malformed dolphin was a little smaller than the adult but was a much paler colour and had no difficulty keeping up with the other dolphins. It is

likely that these observations all refer to the same dolphin and it is also probable that this is the same dolphin as that observed in Galway Bay.

Although probably not uncommon, malformites such as those described here have not been

reported before in Ireland. A recent review (Berghan & Visser 2000 op.cit.) would classify the

spinal deformities described in Ireland as kyphoscoliosis (backward and lateral curvature of the vertebral column).

The only published records of spinal deformities from Britain are from the Moray Firth, Scotland where four bottlenose dolphins were reported with conformational deformities during the

period July 1989 to March 1993 (Wilson, B., Thompson, P. M. & Hammond, P. S. 1997 Ambio

26(4): 243-247). These deformities occurred both in front of and behind the dorsal fin resulting in animals being "humpbacked" or having kinked tail stocks. There are however a number of

unpublished records from Britain.

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records from the irish whale and dolphin group for 2003

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