In recent weeks, wildlife enthusiasts across the UK have been buzzing with excitement after several humpback whale sightings were made along the South Coast – from Kent and Sussex to Cornwall – as well as in Irish waters. But why are the whales here, are they lost, and should we be worried that they might be in trouble?
We’ve been in touch with Thea Taylor, Managing Director at the Sussex Dolphin Project, to get the answers.
There have been lots of humpback sightings of the South Coast recently - what's going on?
Humpback sightings along the Sussex and Kent coasts are rare but not unheard of. Since 2020 (when the charity started its research), we have usually had one or two sightings between December and January. We are not sure what has led to so many sightings this year.
We are not even sure whether it is multiple sightings of the same individual, or multiple individuals as we have not been able to get any photographs of the underside of their fluke (tail fin); the pattern which allows us to identify individuals.
Are the whales lost?
Due to the rarity of the sightings, we don’t currently have enough data to be able to say for definite where they come from. We believe the humpbacks that pass through the Eastern English Channel are coming from the feeding grounds in the Arctic Circle and travelling South to warmer waters often used for breeding grounds. They would usually travel along the West Coast of the UK, and we do not currently know what causes them to travel down the East Coast.
We don't usually see whales in the UK - should we be worried?
The UK actually has some really great places to see whales, such as the Outer Hebrides, Whitby and Cornwall. We don’t believe there is currently any cause for concern with these particular whales – but as they head through one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, we do worry for their safety.
How big is a humpback whale?
Humpback whales can reach up to 18 metres long, but average around 12–16m, and weigh around 36 tonnes! Their pectoral fins are one of their most defining features, at up to 12 feet (3.6m) long.
What are the humpbacks eating?
Over the last decade, humpback whales have started to take advantage of huge schools of herring congregating in the Fjords around Northern Norway as a feeding opportunity before migrating South. While they predominantly feed on herring, humpbacks will feed on other small fish such as blue whiting and Mackerel.
We’ve not witnessed any feeding behaviours from the animal(s) in the Eastern English Channel, and humpbacks do not usually feed while migrating, so this isn’t unexpected.
As populations recover, will we see more humpbacks off our coastlines?
That is something we shall be looking into as the years progress. Theoretically, we should start seeing more humpbacks, but the English Channel is a very busy stretch of water with lots of noise pollution, so they may not hang around here.
How can I give myself the best chance of seeing one?
Binoculars and patience are the main things you need for a good sighting. If you can get up to a headland or high point along the coast, this will give you a better vantage point to be able to see these amazing animals, but often they turn up when least expected.
To make sure you don’t disturb them, keep a minimum of 100m distance away from the animal and avoid being in front of or directly behind it. We ask that people turn off their boat engines to minimise disturbance and the risk of propeller injuries. Be patient and never chase after the animal. If the whale shows signs of distress such as fin or tail slaps, move away from the animal and leave it in peace.
Public sightings are incredibly important for research, so if you do see a cetacean, please report it and try to get photo or video footage to allow us to confirm the species and maybe even the individual. Members of the public can report Sussex sightings at https://sussexdolphinproject.org/report-a-dolphin-sighting/ and Kent sightings at https://kentdolphinproject.org/. Cornish sightings can be reported to Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
Main image: humpback whale swimming/Getty
Find out more
What else lurks beneath UK waters? Check out our expert guides, from jellyfish to small river fish and from seahorses to bluefin tuna.