records from the irish whale and dolphin group for 2004

Records from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group for 2004Author(s): E. Philpott, D. Wall and E. RoganSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 28, No. 9 (May 22, 2007), pp. 379-385Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25536809 .

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Ir. Nat. J. Volume 28 No 9 2007

Cetacean Notes

Records from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group for 2004 Compilers: 1E. Philpott, 2D. Wall and 1E. Rogan

1 Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, University College Cork

2 84 Rockfield Avenue, Terenure, Dublin 12

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.

Minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacepede 1804

Unsexed c5m. Found decomposing 10 June 2004, Kearney Point, Ards Peninsula, Co Down

(J645511). I. Enlander.

Male 7.62m. Found dead 14 September 2004, Cullenstown, Co Wexford (S8607). K. McCormick.

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski 1781)

Unsexed. 31 August 2004, off Greencastle, Co Donegal (C672400) where it drowned after

becoming entangled in lobster pots. Biopsy taken. Two weeks later on 13 September 2004, stranded at Giants Causeway, Co Antrim (C956455). G. Burrows, A. Speer. The same animal was involved in both events because the scar of the biopsy was present on

the Giants Causeway animal.

Sowerby's beaked whale Mesoplodon bidens Sowerby 1804

Male 3.7m. Found 1 April 2004, Ballyteige Beach, Co Wexford (S898076). J. Hurley (Hurley J &

Murphy, S. 2005 Irish Naturalists'Journal 28: 41).

Female 5.5m. Live stranded but died 20 August 2004, Pollshone PL, Courtown, Co Wexford

(T205532). K. McCormick.

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus 1758

Male 14.4m. Found decomposing 7 April 2004, Downings Beach, Co Donegal (C1038). P. Moran.

Male 10.3m. Found decomposing 18 April 2004, Aughleam, Co Mayo (F635215). M. Odendahl.

Male 5.8m. Live stranded at Spanish Point and died 4 May 2004, Quilty, Co Clare (R018754). S. Berrow, J O'Brien. (2005 Irish Naturalists' Journal 28: 40-41)

Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena (Linnaeus 1758)

Unsexed. Found decomposed 13 January 2004, Garretstown, Co Cork (W6043). T. Doyle.

Unsexed 1.35m. Found dead 17 January 2004, Carrickfinn Strand, Co Donegal (B7520). D. Cahill.

Male 1.5m. Found dead 7 February 2004, Mornington, Co Meath (0159756). P. Duffy.

Male 1.62m. Found decomposed 14 February 2004, Rosdoonstown Beach, Carne, Co Wexford


Female 1.17m. Found dead 15 February 2004, Ardmore Beach, Co Waterford (X193779). P.

Smiddy.

Unsexed. Found dead 15 February 2004, Lahinch, Co Clare (R093878). R. Kelly.

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Ir. Nat J. Volume 28 No 9 2007

Female d.2m. Found dead 1 March 2004, Castlerock Beach, Co Londonderry (C780367). G. Burrows.

Unsexed d.5m. Found decomposing 5 March 2004, Runkerry Strand, Co Antrim (C9342). R. Ruddock.

2 unsexed. Found decomposed 17 March 2004, Bastardstown, Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford


Male 1.5m. Found 17 March 2004, Muckross Strand, Inchydoney Island, Co Cork (W394389). P.

Whooley.

Unsexed. Found dead 30 March 2004, Skerries, Co Dublin (0257608). G. De Tenzanos Pinto.

Unsexed. Found decomposing 12 April 2004, Wexford Harbour, Co Wexford (T0621). A. Walsh, C. Wilson.

Unsexed d.5m.Live stranded and successfully refloated, 14 April 2004, Killinchy, Strangford Lough, Co Down (J5260). Quoile Countryside Centre.

Unsexed. Found dead 15 April 2004, Kenmare, Co Kerry (V906701). K. Clifford.

Unsexed. Found freshly dead 4 June 2004, Claddaghduff, Co Galway (L5558). G. O'Donnell.

Unsexed neonatal. Live stranded and died 5 June 2004, Strandhill, Co Sligo (G6036). T. Hickey.

Female calf 0.8m. Live stranded but died 15 June 2004, Portstewart Strand, Co Londonderry (C799366). G. Burrows.

Unsexed 1.85m. Found decomposed 16 June 2004, Doolough Beach, Gaoth Saile, Belmullet, Co

Mayo(F743211). T.Murray.

Male calf 0.8m. Found freshly dead 18 June 2004. Portstewart Strand, Co Londonderry (C799366). G. Burrows.

Female 1.2m. Found dead 25 June 2004, Brown's Bay, Islandmagee, Co Antrim (D438029). I.

Enlander.

Unsexed 1.2m. Found 7 July 2004, Ballyteigue Beach, Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford (S927061). K. McCormick.

Unsexed. Found decomposing July 2004, Ballymony, Co Wexford (T2160). K. Dubsky.

Male 1.5m. Found 9 July 2004, Portnoo Beach, Inishkeel Island, Co Donegal (G712994). M. McMullan.

Unsexed 1.75m. Found 2 August 2004, StradbaWy Strand, Co Kerry (Q571128). P. Green, M. O Connell.

Male 1.36m. Found decomposing 9 August 2004, Dollymount Strand, Bull Island, Co Dublin

(0324237). Irish Coast Guard, D. Wall.

Unsexed 1.2m. Found 6 October 2004, Ferry Point, Youghai, Co Cork (X112766). G. Rankine.

Female 1.3m. Found 14 October 2004, Tramore Strand, Co Waterford (S599006). B. Butler, C. O'Brien-Moran.

Male 1.37m. Found 6 November 2004, The Dumps', Brandon Bay, Maharees, Co Kerry (Q622147). B. Bates, M. O'Connell.

Male. Found dead 6 November 2004, Ballybunnion, Co Kerry (Q859414). T. Doyle.

Unsexed. Found 7 November 2004, Tramore Beach, Co Waterford (S599006) D. Berridge.

Female 1.67m. Found floating in bay 7 November 2004, Brandon Bay, Co Kerry (Q567158). S. Ingram, E. Rogan.

Female. Found dead 4 December 2004, Fennels Bay, Co Cork (W800620). K. Healy, J. O'Brien, E.

Rogan.

380




Long-finned pilot whale Globicephafa melaena (Traill 1809) Unsexed c7.0m. Found decomposed but identified from skull 23 January 2004, Oranmore, Co

Galway (M3824). S. Berrow.

Unsexed c5.1m. Found 5 February 2004, Trafrask Pier, Beara, Co Cork (V844489). C. Heardman.

Unsexed c5.5m. Found decomposing 14 February 2004, Dinish Island, Co Cork (V687454). M. Mackey.

Unsexed. Found decomposing 28 February 2004, Rabbit Island, Co Cork (W223314). R. Kinmouth.

Male 5.53m. Found decomposing 28 April 2004, Erislaanan, Co Galway (L618507). G. O'Donnell.

Unsexed c4.1m. Found 30 April 2004, New Pier, Inishbofin, Co Galway (L537648). J. Coveney.

Unsexed 5.4m. Found 5 May 2004, Spiddal Pier, Galway Bay, Co Galway (M125220). P. De Bhraldraithe.

Unsexed. Found decomposing 12 May 2004, Emlagh Beach, Louisburgh, Co Mayo (L748795). I. Donald. S. Callaghan.

Female 5.1m. Live stranded but died 30 June 2004, Poulnasherry Bay, Kilrush, Co Clare

(Q955557). B. Duffy, S. Berrow.

Unsexed. Found decomposed 12 July 2004, Phort a Chloidh, Co Mayo (F840441). J. Kilroy.

Unsexed. Found decomposed 24 September 2004, Slyne Head, Co Galway (L555425). G. O'Donnell.

Unsexed. Found decomposed 2 October 2004, Lough Donnell, Co Clare (Q998707). J. Woodlock, S. Berrow.

Killer whale Orcinus orca (Linnaeus 1758) Female 5.3m. Found 7 July 2004, Fanad, Co Donegal (C234479). D. McNamara.

White-beaked dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris Gray 1846

Male 2.15m. Found 17 January 2004, Keel Beach, Achill Is., Co Mayo (F635045). J. O'Brien, L.

Mirimin.

Unsexed 2.5m. Found decomposed 6 February 2004, Inch Strand, Co Kerry (Q640009). M. O'Connell.

Female 1.76m. Live stranded but died 12 December 2004, Sellerna, Cleggan, Co Galway (L599586). G. O'Donnell.

White-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus Gray 1828

Male 1.72m. Found stranded 12 January 2004, Caisleain Beach, Mullet Peninsula, Co Mayo (F613204). T.Murray.

Female 1.7m. Found 17 January 2004, Strandhill Beach, Co Sligo (G594346). G. Scott, D. Cotton, J. O'Brien, L. Mirimin.

Unsexed. Found decomposing 18 February 2004, Fallmor, Mullet Peninsula, Co Mayo (F613183). T. Murray.

Male 2.4m. Found freshly dead 17 March 2004, Blacksod, Mullet Peninsula, Co Mayo (F652188). T. Murray.

Unsexed 1.85m. Found dead 24 July 2004, Scraggane Bay, Kilshannig, Castlegregory, Co Kerry (Q634193). N.Brene.

381




Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus (Cuvier 1812) Unsexed. Found decomposed 2 May 2004, Doonbeg, Co Clare (Q965664). J. O'Brien, M.

O'Connell, B. Price, S. Berrow.

Female 2.8m. Found decomposing 15 July 2004, Blackhall Bay, Bannow, Co Wexford (S820069). G. Whooley, K. McCormick.

Unsexed. Found decomposed 25 August 2004, Kilshannig, Castlegregory, Co Kerry (Q634193). N.

Hanley, M. O'Connell

Unsexed. Found decomposed, identified from skull 15 October 2004, Smerwick Harbour, Co Kerry

(Q377056). M. O'Clery.

Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen 1833) Unsexed c2m. Found freshly dead 29 March 2004, Virgin Mary Point, Inchydoney Island, Co Cork

(W404384). P. Whooley.

Unsexed 1.8m. Found decomposing in inland location presumably transplanted 4 August 2004,

Gearagh, Co Cork (W315705). C. Ketch. R.Coilins.

Male 2.03m. Found 21 September 2004, Carrickfinn, Co Donegal (B7721). E. Magee.

Male 2.1m. Found dead 1 November 2005, Ringabelia, Co Cork (\N788576). S. Eldredge, J. O'Brien, L. Mirimin.

Unsexed 2.1m. Found 25 November 2004, Cross Point, Mullet Peninsula, Co Mayo (F630298). M. Odendahl.

Unsexed 1.7m. Found 4 December 2004, Doonbeg, Co Clare (Q965664). G. Magee.

Common dolphin Delphinus delphis Linnaeus 1758

Male 1.98m. Found dead 1 January 2004, Salthill, Co Galway (M2923). P. Moran, S. Berrow.

Female 2.05m. Found freshly dead 22 January 2004, Ventry, Co Kerry (V380985). M. O'Connell.

Female 2.3m. Found dead 8 February 2004, Caisleain Beach, Aghleam, Co Mayo (F612217). T.

Murray.

Unsexed. Found decomposing 11 February, Toorglass, Trawmore Bay, Co Mayo (F730289). T.

Murray.

Unsexed c2,06m. Found decomposing 15 February 2004, Horse Island, Loop Head, Co Clare

(Q717465). M. O'Connell.

Male 1.2m. Found decomposing 17 February 2004, Sandy Bay, Castlegregory, Co Kerry (Q622147). E. Gallagher.

Male 2.2m. Found decomposing 28 February 2004, Carnsore Beach, Co Wexford (T1103). K. McCormick.

Female and calf. Live stranded and died. 1 March 2004, The Burrow, Rosslare, Co Wexford


Male 2.20m. Found dead 2 March 2004, Tramore Beach, Co Waterford (S599006). A. O'Sullivan.

Female 1.99m. Found freshly dead, possible bycatch. 2 March 2004, Garryvoe, Co Cork (W9967). D. Bartlet, P. Smiddy, S. Murphy.

Female 2.25m. Found dead 13 March 2004, St. Margaret's Beach, Co Wexford (T134074). K.

McCormick.

Unsexed. Found decomposing 25 March 2004, Carigeenmore, Tullaghaun Bay, Co Mayo (F789178). T.Murray.

Female 2.18m. Found decomposing 27 March 2004, Doolin, Co Clare (R055976). J. Storer.

382




Unsexed. Skull found 12 April 2004, Dungarvan, Co Waterford (X265928). P. J. Hunt.

Female 1.9m. Found dead, possible bycatch 12 April 2004, Inishcrone Strand, Co Sligo (G2729). M. Gawley.

Male d.95m. Found decomposing 21 April 2004, Gowlane Strand, Stradbally, Co Kerry (Q5914). A. Barrett, M. O'Connell.

Unsexed. Found decomposing 20 May 2004, Harbour View, Courtmacsherry, Co Cork (W515427). A. Kelly, D. Enright, P. Whooley.

Unsexed. Found decomposed 1 August 2004, Mullaghgloss Strand, Renvyle, Co Galway (L6863). L. Sullivan.

Female. Found freshly dead 10 August 2004, Ballyheigue, Co Kerry (Q7527). T. Doyle

Male 2.22m, Male 2.12m, Female 1.93m. 5 Live stranded, 3 died 12 August 2004, Sandy Bay, Castiegregory, Co Kerry (Q622147). M. O'Connell, J. O'Brien.

Female 1.53m. Bycaught in illegal salmon nets 13 August 2004, south-west of Ireland. E. Rogan

(Recovered by the Irish Naval Service but no coordinates given).

Female 1.98m. Live stranded but died. 23 August 2004, Cuan Pier, Ventry, Co Kerry (V380985). M. O'Connell.

Unsexed. 3 Live stranded 5 September 2004, Ross Point, Bartragh Is., Killala, Co Mayo (G231306). D. Coombes.

Female 1.9m. Unsexed calf. Live stranding, female died 8 September 2004, Inchydoney, Co Cork

(W402381). P. Whooley, C. Pollock, E. Rogan, J. O'Brien, S. Ingram.

Female 2m / 2 unsexed. Live stranded, female died 11 September 2004, Cloghane, Co Kerry (Q530126). T. O'Donoghue.

Unsexed c2m. Found decomposed 20 September 2004, Ventry Beach, Co Kerry (V380999). D.

Chippendale, M. O'Connell.

5 unsexed. Found decomposing, probable bycatch 17 October 2004, Tramore Beach, Co Waterford (S599006). D. Mowatt, M. Viney, B. Butler.

Male 2.15m. Live stranded but died 29 October 2004. Ailihies Beach, Beara, Co Cork (V574441). S. Steele, D. O'Callaghan.

Female 1.48m. Bycaught in trawl net 20 November 2004, Cuan Pier, Ventry, Co Kerry (V380985). N. Massett, M. O'Connell.

Unsexed 1.62m. Found decomposing 19 December 2004, Glinsk Pier, Letter Ard, Cashel Co

Galway (L788374). E. Noonan, G. Johnston.

Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus (Montagu 1821) Unsexed 3.1m. Found decomposing 14 April 2004, Carrowinskey Beach, Louisburgh, Co Mayo

(L746765). R. Sheehan.

Unsexed 3.5m. Found decomposed 5 June 2004, Omey Island, Co Galway (L564554). E. Griffin, C. Roden.

Male 2.75m. Found dead 24 June 2004, Baile na Gaul, Co Waterford (X3087). J. Manahan, P.

Smiddy, S. Ingram.

Male 2.95m. Found decomposing 22 September 2004, The Dumps', Castiegregory, Tralee, Co

Kerry (Q622 147). M. O'Connell.

Unsexed c2.6m. Found decomposed 3 October 2004, Dunluce Castle, Co Antrim (C905414). G. Burrows.

383




Male 3.30m. Found decomposing 20 October 2004, Kingstown, Co Galway (L584530). G. O'Donnell.

Male 3.7m. Found dead 1 November 2004, Roundstone, Co Galway (L725404). T. O'Neil, G. O'Donnell.

Female 2.5m. Found decomposing 21 November 2004, Urdcamg, Elly Bay, Co Mayo (F637251). M. Odendahl.

Unsexed. Found 22 November 2004, Roonah Lough, Louisburgh, Co Mayo (L7476). E. McGreal.

Male 2.55m. Found decomposing 20 December 2004, Rossadillisk, Cieggan, Co Galway (L599586). M. Hannigan, G. O'Donnell.

Unidentified beaked whale

Unsexed 5.3m. Found 15 June 2004, Ross Beigh Strand, Co Kerry (V645930). M. O'Connell, K.

Flannery.

Unsexed. Found decomposing 29 September 2004, West Strand, Portrush, Co Antrim (C856405). G. Burrows.

Unidentified whale species Unsexed. Found 2 June 2004, Inch Strand, Co Kerry (V651986). K. Flannery, E. Rogan.

Unsexed c8-9m. Found decomposed 31 July 2004, Dunmoran Strand, Co Sligo (G5135). R. Lundy, T. Roderick. Same carcase reported as possible fin whale on 3 August 2004 by M. Egan and J-M. Dick.

Unsexed c4.5m. Found decomposed 8 October 2004. Streedagh Beach, Co Sligo (G649513). R. White, D. Cotton, J. Dunleavy.

Unsexed c10m. Live-stranded successfully refloated 14 October 2004, Raven Point, Rosslare, Co

Wexford (T117225). T. Ryan.

Unidentified dolphins Unsexed c2.45m. Found dead 2 January 2004, Carrowniskey Beach, Co Mayo (L747765). R.

Sheehan.

Unsexed. Found dead 4 January 2004, Tra na Furteen, Dunabrattin Hd. Co Waterford (X474982). L. Bell.

Unsexed 2.3m. Found decomposed 17 January 2004, Keem Strand, Achill Island, Co Mayo (F562041). B.Smith.

Unsexed (possible common or striped dolphin) 1.65m. Found decomposed 9 February 2004, Trawalua Strand, Mufiaghmore, Co Sligo (G6954). D. Cotton, L. Henry.

Unsexed. Found dead 18 February 2004, Kilcrohane, Co Cork (V825374). N. Cordero.

Unsexed dm. Found decomposed 17 March 2004, Dingle, Co Kerry (V4299). G. Timmons, Dingle Ocean World.

Female 2.18m. Found decomposing 27 March 2004, Doolin, Co Clare (R0597). J. Storer.

Unsexed c2m. Found decomposed 5 June 2004, Ballyconnelly, Co Galway (L622429). G. O'Donnell.

Unsexed. Found decomposed 7 July 2004, Inishkea South, Co Mayo (F552204). T. Murray.

Unsexed. Found decomposed 24 August 2004. Aughos Point, Rossbeg, Co Donegal (G668989). R. Nairn.

Male 2.4m. Found decomposing 20 September 2004, Came Golf Club, Belmullet, Co Mayo (F659321). M. Odendahl, C. Kelly.

384




Unsexed 1.4m. Found decomposing 4 October 2004, Inch Strand, Whitegate, Co Cork (W835639). H. Schieber, F. Gallagher.

Unsexed. Found 7 November 2004. Tramore Beach, Co Waterford (S599006). D. Berridge.

Unsexed c2.5m. Found decomposed 31 December 2004, Traloar, Kifcar, Co Donegal (G6175). J.

O* Boyle.

Unidentified Cetacean Species Unsexed. Found floating in bay 15 June 2004, Pulleen Bay, Doonbeg, Co Clare (Q923672). B.

Ryan.

Unsexed. Found decomposed 6 July 2004, New Pier, Spiddal, Co Galway (M126219). C.

Loughnane.

Male c3m. Found decomposing 7 July 2004, Blue Pool, Doonbeg, Co Clare (Q966664). B. Ryan.

Unsexed c3m. Found 7 August 2004, Bunmahon Beach, Co Waterford (X435987). B. Butler.

Field Records - Insects

New Irish record of the small skipper butterfly Thymelicus sylvestris (Poda) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

On 5 August 2006, whilst looking at butterflies in a wild grassland area created by the

Electricity Supply Board for the clearance of power lines through a private conifer plantation in

Fardystown, Co Wexford, JG noticed a small moth-like butterfly species that he was unfamiliar with. A photograph was taken and e-mailed to CJW who immediately recognized it as one of the small skipper group (Thymelicus spp). JG and CJW both attended the site at 13.30 hours and surveyed the general area, finding at least nine individual butterflies of the same species. The track width varied between 5m and 25m and was rough grassland

- predominantly Yorkshire-fog Holcus

lanatus, bordered by a young conifer plantation on both sides. The butterfly species was confined

to a winding track of 864m in length. An individual was caught and examined while the other specimens were carefully photographed. The species was provisionally identified as the small skipper Thymelicus sylvestris (Poda). On 7 August 2006, JG and CJW attended the site and a male was collected for the Natural History Museum, Dublin (NMINH 2006.74). It was examined and set

by KB who confirmed the identification. On the same date, only three individuals were noted flying. Two other flying small skippers were observed by JG at a neighbouring site 300m south of the

original location on 18 August 2006.

The small skipper's favoured food-plant is the Yorkshire-fog, a species much in evidence at

the location of this colony. How did this butterfly species come to be at the site? It is doubtful that it was overlooked due to the amount of fieidwork completed by various lepidopterists over the years (Martin Speight pers. comm.). Was it deliberately introduced? To date, enquiries to confirm this act have failed to provide any evidence. However, it is possible that the butterfly was introduced

accidentally as some 1000 birch Betula sp plants were brought in from Britain although these had no grasses and very little earth on the roots. A local Teagasc adviser has stated that any material

around the introduced trees was "as good as sterile".

Interestingly, a report by Neil Gregory in http://www.southwestscotland-butterflies.org.uk/

sightings/2006.shtml highlights a Scottish record of the small skipper: "A new species for Scotland does not come along everyday! A single small skipper was sighted by Dr Stewart Graham at Gall Moss (NY027814) [near Dumfries] on 3rd August 2006". This reflects the northward expansion of the species currently taking place in Britain and enhances the theory that the species colonized the

Wexford site in very recent years.

385



records from the irish whale and dolphin group for 2004

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