Home Travel Humpback whales cause a sensation in UK waters as amazed onlookers report sightings along the Sussex coast

Humpback whales cause a sensation in UK waters as amazed onlookers report sightings along the Sussex coast

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Wildlife fans in Sussex have been treated to an incredible spectacle during the first few weeks of the year - humpback whales making a rare appearance along the UK's east coast. Pictured: A whale breaches near Hastings on January 3.

UK wildlife watchers have been treated to an incredible spectacle in the first few weeks of this year – humpback whales splashing around in British waters.

Once-endangered whales have been spotted along the Sussex coast, from Eastbourne to Hastings.

Other whales have appeared off the coast of Deal in Kent, while two more have been spotted off Cornwall in recent days.

Stunning videos show the 40-tonne mammals leaping majestically over the waves before crashing down with a splash.

Whale experts say such sightings in the UK are not unheard of, but it is very rare for humpback whales to travel along the east coast.

Their sudden appearance has raised hopes that humpback whale numbers could be increasing after being pushed to the brink of extinction in the 1990s.

However, some scientists are concerned that the changing patterns could be a sign that warming waters are driving whales further afield in search of food.

Danny Groves, head of communications at Whale and Dolphin Conservation, told MailOnline: “Humpback populations are generally recovering after their numbers were decimated by hunting, but it could also be that humpbacks are being forced to change their movements due to the changes. in the climate.”

Wildlife fans in Sussex have been treated to an incredible spectacle during the first few weeks of the year – humpback whales making a rare appearance along the UK’s east coast. Pictured: A whale breaches near Hastings on January 3.

Humpback whales usually appear off the west coast near Cornwall. But this year they have been found traveling from the Arctic along the Sussex coast. Pictured: A humpback whale spotted by a member of the public in Hastings

Humpback whales usually appear off the west coast near Cornwall. But this year they have been found traveling from the Arctic along the Sussex coast. Pictured: A humpback whale spotted by a member of the public in Hastings

Since the start of the year, keen wildlife watchers have recorded humpback whales along the south-east coast of the UK.

According to the Sussex Dolphin Project, which has been recording these sightings, whales have now been seen in Rye, Pett Level, Fairlight, Hastings, St Leonards, Bexhill, Pevensey and Eastbourne.

Previous sightings have also been made at Beachy Head in Sussex and Dungeness in Kent.

In addition to providing some incredible views for wildlife fans, these sightings also offer valuable information about whale behavior.

In one video, recorded off the coast of Hastings, a whale can be seen breaching several times.

Scientists believe this characteristic behavior is used as a form of communication, allowing whales to send messages over great distances.

Similarly, a sighting on January 12 at Birling Gap shows a whale slapping its front pectoral fin against the water surface.

In a post on Instagram, the Sussex Dolphin Project wrote: “This is a form of non-verbal communication to attract attention and communicate with other whales.”

The sightings reveal some fascinating details of whale behavior. In this sighting, made on January 12 in Birling Gap, a whale can be seen hitting the water with its pectoral fin. Scientists believe this is a form of long-range communication.

The sightings reveal some fascinating details of whale behavior. In this sighting, made on January 12 in Birling Gap, a whale can be seen hitting the water with its pectoral fin. Scientists believe this is a form of long-range communication.

These sightings are made even more exciting by how rare it is to see humpback whales in this part of the UK.

Humpbacks spend the winter in the Arctic Circle feeding on krill and herring before heading south early in the year.

But their routes usually take them along the west coast of the UK, passing through Newquay and the Isles of Scilly, where they are often seen.

Dr Carol Sparling, director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of St Andrews, told MailOnline: “Although they are not as common as our more resident whale species such as minke whales, sightings of humpback whales They have become increasingly common across the UK in recent years, with winter being the main time to see them.

If you’re hoping to see a whale pass by, Dr. Sparling says you need a calm sea, a pair of binoculars and a lot of patience.

The best areas are in Scotland, where you can see this species along with orcas, minke whales and bottlenose dolphins.

However, if sightings continue, there could still be chances of seeing these beautiful creatures on their migration to warmer waters in the south.

Many have taken the sudden surge in whale sightings as a promising sign that the species is on the road to recovery.

Whales have also been seen breaching in several locations, including Cornwall (pictured). Experts believe that humpback whales use these leaps to send messages over long distances.

Whales have also been seen breaching in several locations, including Cornwall (pictured). Experts believe that humpback whales use these leaps to send messages over long distances.

Meanwhile, more humpback whales have also been sighted along their usual migratory routes near Cornwall. Experts say this could be due to an encouraging increase in the humpback whale population since the abolition of commercial hunting. Pictured: A humpback seen from a drone in Watergate Bay in Cornwall on January 2.

Meanwhile, more humpback whales have also been sighted along their usual migratory routes near Cornwall. Experts say this could be due to an encouraging increase in the humpback whale population since the abolition of commercial hunting. Pictured: A humpback seen from a drone in Watergate Bay in Cornwall on January 2.

Due to commercialized hunting beginning in the 20th century, whale populations fell to critical levels in the 1990s.

But as bans on whaling have been imposed, their numbers have gradually recovered.

There are currently an estimated 84,000 humpbacks living in the wild and the IUCN, the leading conservation status body, now lists them as a species of “least concern”.

Dr Sparling says: “Globally, the humpback whale population is growing, as it recovers following the cessation of commercial whaling, so we may continue to see increases in sightings across the Kingdom. United”.

“We could be seeing a comeback in areas regularly used before whaling.”

Humpback whales undertake some of the longest migrations of any known species: one individual travels more than 8,000 miles across three oceans, from Columbia to Zanzibar.

This means the whales spotted off the Sussex coast could simply be passing through and further study will be needed to determine whether these animals are sticking around.

“Although this is not proven, whales in the UK in winter may make a stop on their southward migration to feed on the schools of fish found around our coasts, or they may be animals that do not make the entire migration. south to breed,” says Dr. Sparling.

But a growing number of whales in the UK is not necessarily a good sign for the species.

Global ocean temperatures have increased in recent decades due to human-caused climate change, which has a large knock-on effect on global marine wildlife.

Meanwhile, overfishing has depleted populations of key species, leading to significant changes in the distribution of humpback whales’ feeding grounds.

This has raised concerns that the whales may be leaving their normal routes in search of a dwindling food supply.

Lauren O’Brien, spokesperson for the Marine Conservation Society, told MailOnline: “This is likely because climate change is altering the distribution of marine species, including humpback whales.

“As a result, they may be forced to travel further in search of suitable habitats or prey, such as krill and herring.”

However, more observations will be needed to determine whether whale numbers are actually increasing and whether this has any relationship to climate change.

WHALE SONG EXPLAINED

For a long time it was believed that whales sang solely for mating purposes.

But some experts suggest that songs also help mammals explore their environment.

Researchers have recorded that humpback whales change their calls when moving to new pastures to match the songs of other people around them.

Learning these songs can help whales identify each other and group together better when they are in unfamiliar waters.

Researchers have recorded that humpback whales change their calls when moving to new pastures to match the songs of other people around them (file photo)

Researchers have recorded that humpback whales change their calls when moving to new pastures to match the songs of other people around them (file photo)

It’s difficult for scientists to study how whales sing, as these shy beasts are notoriously difficult to observe and each species vocalizes differently.

Humpback whales sing using folds in the vocal box that vibrate at low frequencies when air passes over them.

It has been suggested that they have special air sacs next to these vocal cords that connect to the lungs.

These allow whales to pass air between their lungs, sacs and vocal cords without losing any of their precious air supply.

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