Montrose
Medic Rescues 3 trapped Fulmars
27th
May
Checking
the kiln at Boddin, Medic Bob Pert found three prisoners and, with
the help of wife, Julie, successfully released them at approximately
13.30. It would appear that someone locally
has had the idea of dropping a branch of wood in the
hole in order to provide some way that the birds can get out of
the hole. Unfortunately, these
are
seabirds with webbed
feet and are incapable of utilising the branch, as can be seen by
today's rescue!
Someone
has asked Bob why he doesn't just throw the birds up in the air,
will they not simply fly away
then? The answer to that is no, throwing these birds up in the air
is not a good idea. When you have birds that have
been flightless for two or three days they need time to exercise
their wings in order to take flight.
They also need time to acclimatise to the fact that they are free
to fly. This
is why each bird is taken to a section of
the Point away from the kiln hole and released there, they generally
take a few minutes before taking flight, usually seaward for a good
feed !
Elaine Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue - Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
Entangled
whale rescued from ropes by Navy divers - Scotland
24th
May
PDF version
of Press Release - HERE
Earlier today, divers
aboard the MOD ship MV Tormentor cut free a humpback whale which
had become caught in ropes attached to creel pots. [1]
The Coastguard reported
to BDMLR’s [2] Skye Coordinator that a 'whale' of unknown
species had become caught in creel ropes in the Sound of Raasay
near Applecross [3]. MOD divers aboard the MOD vessel 'Tormentor',
already on an exercise in the area, raced to try and free the whale
from the ropes. The whale was aHumpback whale and possibly an adult.
BDMLR Director Alan Knight was in direct contact
with Lieutenant Richard Watson on the MV Tormentor, a navy diver
at the scene. Lieutenant Watson was given advice on possible rescue
techniques and used ‘safe knives’ to cut the whale free.
Three lines were originally attached to the whale and it was in
danger of drowning while still attached to the creel pots. The divers
managed to free two lines but were unable to reach third which was
attached, loosely, around the tail stock of the whale but this line
has now been seen to free itself.
Alan Knight said, “We are delighted that
the Navy have managed to free this whale from what would have been
a slow and certain death. I was able to closely liase with Lieutenant
Watson about the type of whale and advice on its condition. It seems
that the whale has survived with only very minor abrasions, it was
very lucky that the Navy were willing able to help it. For this
we are very grateful.”
Coincidentally, a team of BDMLR members is
travelling to the US later this week to train with the Center for
Coastal Studies [4] in whale disentanglement. BDMLR will also be
equipped with a whale disentanglement kit [5] including a satellite
telemetry buoy for tracking entangled whales, as well as many other
items. The training trip and kit have been funded by the International
Fund for Animal Welfare. [6]
BDMLR, the UK’s leading marine animal
rescue organisation, has become increasingly concerned by the number
of whale entanglements happening around the world. The team consists
of ; BDMLR Directors Alan Knight, Mark Stevens and Geoff Hammock
as well as BDMLR Medics James Brett and Rod Penrose.
Alan Knight said, “There have been a
handful of incidents in UK waters over the last few years and as
a result it has been decided to train a team in this highly specialised
and sometimes dangerous rescue work. We are very grateful to IFAW
for funding this training trip and equipment and we hope in the
future to be able to put the skills we will learn to rescue any
unfortunate animals which become entangled around the UK.”
The BDMLR Team will
be arriving in Boston on Friday and the Course will be run over
5 days with classroom and practical sessions. Also, if a whale entangles
while they are there we will be able to observe the rescue process.
Images
© Lt Richard Watson/Royal Navy |
click on image to enlarge
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click on image to enlarge
(left to right) Lt Richard
Watson, CPO(D) Graham Haran, LS(D)
Jason King,
(Front) Diver 1 Scott King, LS(D) Simon Day
|
[1] – Creels are the ‘pots’;
used to catch lobsters, crabs etc
[2] British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR)
is proud of the fact that they are an entirely voluntary organisation
(registered charity: 803438). It is the UK’s leading marine
animal rescue organisation.
[3] Map of location : HERE
[4] Provincetown
Center for Coastal Studies
[5] Further details of the whale disentanglement
kit : HERE
[6] International
Fund for Animal Welfare
Royal Navy Press Release - HERE
Whale entangled
in 'creel' ropes at Applecross - Scotland
24th May
The Coastguard have
reported to BDMLR's Skye Coordinator that a 'whale' of unknown species
has become caught in creel ropes in the Sound of Rassay off Applecross
(map - HERE).
The creel pots have been cut free and MOD divers aboard the MOD
vessel 'Tormentor' are planning to try and free the whale.
BDMLR has offered any assistance we can.
A team of BDMLR members
is travelling to the US later this week to train with the Center
for Coastal Studies in whale disentanglement. BDMLR will also
be equipped with a whale disentanglement kit including a satellite
telemetry buoy. The training trip and kit have been funded by the
International
Fund for Animal Welfare.
Tony Woodley
- BDMLR OnLine
Harbour
porpoise strands at Amroth, South Wales
20th
May
BDMLR
Medic, Gayle Lister, was leading a field studies trip to Amroth
(map HERE)
when she observed a porpoise approx 50m offshore at about 13.40hrs.
The sea conditions were very rough. The animal quickly stranded
and Gayle contacted me, as I was on-call for BDMLR. The porpoise
was seen to strand and flounder and within only a couple of minutes
die. Blood was seen to come from its mouth at the point it was stranded.
By this
time I had alerted local Medic Adrian Hawthorne who dashed to the
location from Tenby.
Adrian
awaited Rod Penrose* who was able to travel to collect the carcass
for a post mortem. The animal was approx 1.8m in length and female.
Thanks
to Gayle and Adrian for their efforts.
Tony
Woodley - BDMLR OnLine
[ * -
Strandings Co-ordinator (Wales) Collaborative
UK & Celtic Marine Mammal Project ]
Click
images to enlarge. Images by Gayle Lister/BDMLR |
|
|
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Beckfoot
Dolphin (Marra)
Monday
15th May
[ Images
courtesy of Silloth RNLI - click on image to enlarge]
A local man had been
walking on the beach when he spotted what looked like a dolphin
stranded on the beach. He then walked to a nearby house where the
owner contacted one of the Lifeboat launching authorities - he contacted
Sandra Robson (a member of the lifeboat crew) and she made a number
of phone calls to other members of the lifeboat crew who had been
involved with the previous rescue of 'Marra' . The RNLI crew met
on the scene where on confirmation that this was indeed a live mammal
(dolphin) contacted a member of the Maryport MCA. The RNLI then
ensured that the dolphin was kept cool with buckets of water and
kept his blow hole clear. They also dug the dolphin out of the sand
which was covering his fins and tail
Tony Woodley rang
at 7pm to say we had a stranded dolphin at Beckfoot near Silloth.
Local Coastguard/RNLI were in attendance and being guided by advice
from Tony. It was agreed that Tony would contact David (medic) who
was nearest. My husband Rob (medic/ assistant co-ordinator) started
loading the Landrover. I called John (diver) who was with Craig
1 (diver) and Craig 2 (diver). All would attend. I called Julia
(medic) and Lynsey (diver) and would collect on our way.
The weather was dreadful,
foggy, torrential rain and we had about 30 miles to go. The roads
were flooded but we found the Coastguard parked near the beach.
The Coastguard briefed me that Andy Carr had built a sand wall with
a JCB around the dolphin to hold back the receding tide and the
dolphin was in the pool of water. David had arrived and together
with the coastguard and a large number of RNLI personnel were caring
for the dolphin.
Tony had contacted
a , Vicki Weeks and when she arrived the Coastguard and myself had
discussions on our options and I gave her a copy of the medic handbook
already open at the Vet page.
I went down to look
at the dolphin, a bottlenose. I was concerned about the number of
people around the dolphin and the noise levels so asked people not
involved to stand back. Rob, Julia and Lynsey joined David with
the dolphin. I spoke to RNLI and Coastguard and looked at options
for refloatation. The ITV Border News arrived and I spoke to them
briefly about what was happening. The vet arrived to assess the
dolphin and under 
guidance
from James Barnett took blood samples for analysis. Lynsey and Martin
(diver) took them to Cockermouth and the vet then gave fluids as
the dolphin was slightly dehydrated.
I came up with 3 options for refloatation and I
assessed the risks to the dolphin and also to the personnel. I wanted
the least stress to the dolphin but refloatation in the dark had
me concerned about the safety for all concerned, about 30 plus.
I took continual updates and advice from Coastguard, RNLI and vet.
The vet gave us the OK for refloatation when the analysis was received
showing that the dolphin was fit.
I had asked for a
Lifeboat to stand by, the Coastguard for Life jackets and to monitor
people safety and the 4 medics would do the refloatation. All those
in the water had to wear a lifejacket. Divers would be backup to
the medics and vet would give guidance.
Julia co-ordinated the lift into the stretcher and
about 12 people including RNLI and Coastguard carried the dolphin
out to the rapidly incoming tide. Divers carrying dive torches gave
us light and we put the stretcher down in about knee depth of water.
The 4 medics knelt in the water supporting the dolphin. He started
to move and support himself and gradually started to move very slowly
forward. The incoming tide was now chest deep. It became obvious
that he wanted to go and as we gently let go of him he took off
into the sea so fast he was soon out of reach of our torches.
What a great feeling of relief as he left us. My
greatest thanks go to all concerned as the dolphin was successfully
released and all personnel safe. I hope he will now stay safely
out at sea where he should be.
Jenny Watkins
(medic/Area Co-ordinator)
Click HERE
to view a short piece of (phone camera) video of the stranding,
courtesy of Tracy Routledge MCA
Rescued
dolphin was Marra
16th May
Following
the availability of higher resolution images of last nights' dolphin,
rescued successfully from the shore at Beckfoot, it has now been
ascertained that this dolphin was indeed the local dolphin known
as Marra.
A comparison
of images [right] has shown that distinctive marking on his right
flank matches in three images taken over the last few months, including
one from last night. [click on image to enlarge]
However, why he stranded at Beckfoot
is not known but the fact that blood tests taken and examined before
he was released, show he was in good condition.
Once
again, BDMLR & WDCS ask members of the public and boat owners
not to engage in activity with Marra and we will continue to monitor
the unusual behaviour of this most unusual animal.
BDMLR
Bottlenose
dolphin, Beckfoot, Cumbria
15th May
A Bottlenose dolphin
has stranded at Beckfoot, Cumbria. ( map - HERE
)
Officers from the MCA were first on site and
were joined by a team of trained volunteers from BDMLR including
Area Coordinator Jenny Watkins. A vet is also on site and had been
assessing the animal with assistance, over the phone, from BDMLR
Veterinary Director James Barnett.
The dolphin, at first thought to be local dolphin
'Marra', is approx 2.5m in length. Photos sent from the scene have
been compared with shots of Marra and they do not match.
More details here as they come in.
Tony Woodley
- BDMLR OnLine
(MCA - Maritime &
Coastguard Agency)
[pic credit
: BDMLR ]
UPDATE : 23.30hrs
- blood tests taken from the dolphin and completed at a nearby veterinary
surgery, have shown the animal to be in reasonable condition. After
consulting with James Barnett it has been decided to try and release
this dolphin. The dolphin is being transported on a coastguard RIB
(Rigid Inflatable Boat) a short distance down the beach to an area
where the team can stand in the water and 'refloat' the animal.
This is a process where the animal, which has been stranded for
some time, is acclimatised to the water again allowing it to regain
its equilibrium and muscle tone. Following this process, the dolphin
will be released into deeper water off-shore via the RIB.
UPDATE : 16th
May 00.10.hrs - I have just spoken to BDMLR Coordinator
Jenny Watkins, she confirms that at 23.55hrs after a period of refloating,
the dolphin has been released and has been seen to swim strongly
away from the beach. Border Television have filmed the entire rescue
and we hope to see some more images and video soon.
Press Release - Here
(pdf version)
Neonate
porpoise strands at Newquay, Cornwall.
15th May 2006.
Mark Stevens called
Coordinator Dave Jarvis at about 6pm to report a stranded ‘baby
dolphin’ at Towan Beach, Newquay. Dave immediately called
Medics Jenny Haley, Phil Jarvis, Jessica Maynard and Karl Wheston,
and then called Dan Jarvis who was at Plymouth University revising
for an exam the next day. While Dave got equipment together Dan
continued with ringing Medics in the Newquay area and gave first
aid advice the caller, Mr Vangellis.
The porpoise was described as about 2ft long,
with no beak – obviously a very small harbour porpoise. He
also mentioned that it had stranded twice already and was currently
being held in a sling (a jumper) in waist deep water and was breathing
very rapidly. Mr Vangellis was advised to keep the porpoise supported
in the sling until Medics and a veterinarian arrived to assess its
health.
Jenny was the first Medic to arrive, shortly
followed by Rebecca Allen, Andrew Macreadie, Kirsty Balcombe, Terrence
Shackleton, Matt Boulter and Jo Ward. Jenny, Rebecca and Kirsty
went into the water to support and assess the porpoise (now confirmed
as a neonate) while Terrence, Matt and Medic Nikki Fuszard searched
along the beach and harbour in case the mother was nearby. Andrew,
also a member of the Coastguard, took the job of crowd control.
Dave, Lesley and Phil,
Jess and Karl then arrived. Dave spoke to a man in a boat that came
close in to see what was happening, and was instructed to look for
any sign of the mother with the help of some nearby kayakers, as
well as people watching from the promenade. Dave then 
spoke
with BDMLR Director and consultant marine mammal veterinary surgeon
James Barnett and gave him the details of the situation.
BDMLR veterinarian
Mike King was contacted and arrived quickly with Medics Jim and
Ida Moore while the porpoise continued to be supported in the water.
Its breathing rate was fluctuating between 12 – 22 bpm so
it was obviously in a lot of distress and was not responding well
to calming techniques employed by the Medics despite their best
efforts. Mike assessed the porpoise to be in poor nutritional condition,
and as the light was beginning to fade with no sign of the mother
whatsoever there was no alternative but to euthanase the young animal,
which was carried out quickly and efficiently. The porpoise died
shortly after the injection was given.
After the porpoise had passed away the body
was examined. It was a male with part of the umbilicus still attached,
measured 85cm from tip of the snout to the tail notch and had a
few superficial scrapes and scratches probably caused by when it
stranded earlier on in the evening. The body was taken for Post
Mortem.
Despite the sad outcome, we would like to
thank all Medics who attended this incident for their professional
attitudes in dealing with the situation and rapid response.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Porpoise
update - 14th May : no sightings since 12th May. Staff
at locks and on canal ferry keeping an eye out for the animal. BDMLR
no longer monitoring due to size of area. Will repond to call if
animal is sighted again.
Latest
news on Manchester Ship Canal Porpoise
13th May - 09.00hrs
The last
sighting of the porpoise was at 12.15hrs on the 12th May. The animal
was seen swimming seawards, towards the Chester Bridge at Warrington
( map HERE
). BDMLR Medics will return to the area today to try and sight it
but it is a huge area of water and we ask that if anyone sights
the porpoise, to call BDMLR on 01825 765546.
Tony
Woodley - BDMLR OnLine
Porpoise
- Manchester Ship Canal
12th May - 10.50hrs
Latest
sighting is at Latchford
Lock, Warrington. Various large vessels will pass through the
area today. The animal has been seen bow riding in the area. BDMLR
medics will be monitoring the animals' behaviour.
PRESS
- BDMLR have no images of this animal at this stage. If you have
one, please email to tony@bdmlr.org.uk.
Tony
Woodley - BDMLR OnLine
Latest
news - Porpoise in Manchester Ship Canal
11th May - 23.00hrs
Dave
Williams (local BDMLR Coordinator) visited the canal late afternoon
and in to the evening. The porpoise had moved up to Latchford Locks
at Warrington. This is approximately 21 miles inland. The porpoise
appears fit and healthy. After about 90 minutes the porpoise suddenly
decided to turn and head off back down stream.
Monitoring and observation will take place over the next few days
and investigations will continnue into possible courses of action
if a rescue is required.
Trevor
Weeks
National Co-ordinator
BDMLR
Porpoise - Manchester
Ship Canal
Update
: 12.10hrs 11/05/06
Kathryn Clarke has reported
that the cetacean is a porpoise 4-5ft long. No obvious injuries,
breathing normally, doesn't seemed stressed at all and staying out
in the middle of the canal. Medic Mark Ellingham has joined Kathryn
Clarke on site and they are observing the porpoise for the moment.
Porpoise
monitored in Manchester Ship Canal
11th
May
Had a
call from a Nature Reserve at Moore, Warrington regarding a large
porpoise in the Manchester Ship Canal. The porpoise has passed through
a lock gate and in now in a two mile stretch of canal. Local Medic
Kathryn Clarke is on her way to get a better identification and
description of the cetacean and its activity.
We have also had a call from the Environment Agency who have asked
to be kept informed too. The canal here is about 60metres wide and
about 30-35ft deep. It is brackish water up to Warrington and there
is a good supply of fish. I have spoken to RSPCA Inspector Roland
Parkes who is a BDMLR medic at Chester and he is willing to be involved
if necessary and has asked to be kept informed.
I have spoken to the Manchester Ship Canal Company and spoken and
person who I spoke to has never seen any cetaceans in the canal
before, but is aware that in the local news a dolphin was reported
in the River Mersey near by and there has been a cetacean in the
canal before but is not sure what the outcome was.
Regional Co-ordinator Dave Williams is due to visit the site this
afternoon to undertake a better assessment of the situation and
possible options available, but these are thought to be very limited
if any at this stage.
Further up-date will follow.
Trevor Weeks
National Co-ordinator
BDMLR
Grey
Seal Pup, Hornsea
Thursday 11th May
At approximately 5:45pm on Thursday 11th May. Bev Drayton received
a phone call from Trevor Weeks reporting a young injured seal on
the beach at Hornsea in East Yorkshire. After receiving the call,
Bev [Mum] did a group text and medic Gary Bolton was the first person
to respond and offer his services. Mum also asked me to attend.
Gary
and I loaded up the car and set off to Hornsea which was a good
40 minutes away. Arriving at approximately 6:30pm, Gary dropped
me off to search the beach while he parked the car. Almost immediately
after start searching I spotted a young, grey seal pup lying on
its back with one flipper in the air, on the beach. Gary followed
me onto the beach with the grab bag towards the seal. I did a quick
inspection of the pup and found a small cut on its rear right flipper.
Gary and I came to the decision that we should take a closer look
and treat the wounds. Gary opted to catch the seal and did so. I
then promptly checked the rear body and flips and treated the cut
which was superficial. Gary also checked the front end of the seal
and discovered that it was slightly underweight but not by too much.
We took the decision to leave the seal where it was as it seemed
quite happy sunning itself before we got to it. A few seconds after
“dismounting” the seal began to make its way back into
the water. Gary and I stayed and observed the shore for a good hour
before heading back home. Thank you to Beverley Drayton, Gary Bolton
and Alan Stewart who was also willing to go if needed.
Ryan
Walker
MMM Yorkshire & Humberside
Montrose
Team Uplift Exhausted Duck
8th May
Elaine received a call at 09.00hrs
from Gary and Wendy of Woodston B&B who had been on St Cyrus
beach and retrieved a duck from the surf. The duck appeared to be
exhausted and had taken a pounding from the rough seas. At 22.30
hrs Norman Mundie (Volunteer Driver) with the team accompanied by
Medic Peter Taylor had taken receipt of the bird and delivered it
to Medic Elaine Roft. The duck now named "Woody" has been
placed in an isolation pen overnight and will be transferred to
The Grampian Wildlife Trust at New Deer in the morning. "Woody"
is from the duck family, looks like a female mallard, but unlike
female mallards has dark webbed feet and darker plumage. Species
identification will come soon - hopefully with Medic Bob Perts help!
Elaine
Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
Live
porpoise stranding - Scotland
7th May
A call
was received on Elaines mobile at 12.30hrs - Taken by Medic Willie
Taylor from member of the public Jason Sweeney who was on the West
Sands at St Andrews accompanied with SSPCA Inspector Ian Burlinson.
A Harbour porpoise had live-stranded and was listing badly to one
side. Whilst the Inspector and John kept the animal in the surfline
in an upright position to keep it wet and protecting the blowhole,
Willie called Area Co-ordinator Elaine Roft. Elaine contacted Aberdeenshire
Co-ordinator Nick Duthie and also Dundee Co-ordinator Bruce McLeish
to get a response team out. Jason called Elaine back at 12.42 hours
to confirm that the porpoise had died. Elaine then contacted Nick
to let him know and also Bruce asking him to stand down. Elaine
also notified Bob Reid of SAC. Dundee Medic Michelle Penny went
to the locus to retrieve the carcass to bring it up to Broughty
Ferry where it will be uplifted on Monday by Bob Reid of The Scottish
Agricultural College in Inverness for post mortem along with the
Montrose porpoise which was uplifted on Saturday. SSPCA Inspector
Ian Burlinson said that the porpoise had what appeared to be lesions
on its body.
Thanks to Willie Taylor & Elaine Roft (Montrose), Nick Duthie
(Aberdeen), Bruce Mcleish and Michelle Penny (Dundee), Jason Sweeney
(Member of the public), SSPCA Inspector Ian Burlinson, Bob Reid
(SAC)
Elaine
Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
Grey
Seal rescue, Tunstall Sands, Humberside
6th May 2006
Received a call from
Bev Drayton (NE Area Coordinator) mid afternoon to ask if I could
attend a seal hauled up on the beach. Babysitting duties unfortunately
prevented me from doing so. Must admit I was less than happy that
I couldn’t attend.
Received a second
call at 17:00 hrs from Bev to say she’s been forced to send
out someone who was yet to attend their medic course and was 
reporting
the seal as having an injury on its left rear side, which may require
transportation. Luckily I was able to attend (with the help of mum
for baby sitting duties J ).
Arrived on site to
find George (medic-to-be) with two members of the public, Tanya
and Kim sitting very close to the seal. I was kind of bemused to
find one of the friendliest seals I've ever come across which was
a sign something wasn’t quite right.
Identified the seal
as a grey, and from the length and appearance Bev confirmed that
it was one of this year’s. It had a lump on its left side
with slight puss seeping out but even so initially didn’t
look that bad. I treated the wound on site and by how sprightly
he was decided to release him and observe what happened.
The seal reluctantly
made his way to the water’s edge where he eventually made
his way in. He swam out to a distance of around 30 ft where he stayed.
In the meantime I was told by a newly-arrived member of the public
that the seal had been very reluctant to go back into the water
for around a week! Hmmm – if only I’d known that a few
minutes ago…
Took the decision
at that stage to bring the seal in for examination if possible.
Unfortunately the seal was still in the water – but after
half an hour of cat and mouse he finally came ashore again about
100 ft down the beach.
By this time it was
already 20:15hrs. After bringing my car (and seal cage) closer to
the beach myself and George caught the seal and carried it up the
embankment to the car, with assistance from two members of the public
(thankyou!).
In the meantime Bev
had organised Swanbridge Veterinary Hospital (Swanland) to take
the seal and keep it overnight until the RSPCA could collect in
the morning to take to East Winch hospital. The seal travelled far
too well for my liking – very quiet and absolutely no wee
or poo! (good news for my car, bad news for the seal!).
Met Fernandez (the
vet) and Lucy at Swanbridge around 21:15 hrs. After giving relevant
injections Fernandez examined the seal’s wound and 
said
in his opinion it would need operating on as there was a large hard
lump under the skin, possibly from a fire arm. The seal was then
tube fed and put in a large secure pen for the night.
Naively I thought
that was the end of a happy story – until I received a phone
call from Lucy (Swanbridge) at work the next day to say the seal
had passed away suddenly after appearing fine twice during the early
hours. I informed Bev straight away (sorry for getting you out of
bed on a Sunday at that time!) who requested an x-ray. This revealed
a huge abscess under the skin but thankfully no sign of a gun shot
wound. At least he’d died with as little suffering as possible.
Many thanks to:
George (medic-to-be) for keeping such a cool head when thrown in
at the deep end.
Tanya and Kim (members
of public), who stayed with the seal for hours until I arrived (and
then still stayed!). Your help and dedication was invaluable.
Fernandez and Lucy
from Swanbridge Veterinary Hospital who appeared to have been handling
seals all their lives, and who lived up to the expectations we’ve
always experienced there.
Bev Drayton for her
brilliant coordination and organisational skills and for being a
rock – I don’t think the area coordinators get enough
recognition sometimes but just because they’re not physically
stood on the beach doesn’t mean they’re not working
like hell behind the scenes!! (pay me later Bev ;-) )
Alan Stewart
MMM North East
Cornwall
Medics monitor young porpoise, Porthleven
3rd May
Myself
with Coordinators Dave Jarvis and Tim Bain; cetacean expert Ruth
Leeney and Matt from the University of Exeter in Cornwall, attended
to assess the situation, at Porthleven,
before taking any further action and calling out further Medics.
A very small, unweaned size, porpoise was seen swimming in the outer
harbour near the pier and no injuries or blood in the water could
be seen as earlier reports said it had been thrown against rocks
a couple of times. We watched the porpoise and split into groups
as it moved to the opposite side of the channel into the harbour
and came close to stranding on the rocky beach. It was difficult
to assess its nutritive state in the swell and becasue it wouldn't
stay in one place long enough! It was last seen heading towards
Praa Sands, swimming strongly a bit further offshore. We kept watch
around the harbour entrance for another hour but there was no sign
of it. We are still a little concerned as we did not see its mother,
unless she was just offshore where our attention was not focussed
while the baby was still in view! Dave and Tim are checking out
a few nearby coves and beaches and handing out Strandings cards
and leaflets to local shops and any passers by in case it returns.
Thanks to Mr & Mrs Shepherd for reporting the
animal, the lady I spoke to in the Harbourmaster's office, various
passers-by who helped keep watch on the porpoise, BDMLR consultant
veterinarian Paul Riley and Medic Kelly Robinson (visiting from
SE England) for being on standby.
Medic Dan Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay - Land's End - St Austell)
Dolphin
observations for Montrose Group
3rd May
Observations and Monitoring have
continued on a school of 6 Bottlenose Dolphins and a neonate that
are currently within BDMLR Montrose teams patrol area (Inverbervie-Easthaven).
The dolphins have been regular visitors for the past 3 weeks. Although
we have sightings of them regulary from June - October every year,
they have made an appearance to the area early this year. The team
are monitoring them daily to ensure that they do not travel up river
into the Scottish Wildlife Trust Premises on an ebb tide, this area
is tidal and once under the main bridge they could strand on the
mudflats. These dolphins so far seem to know the pattern of the
sandbanks, working between ebb and flow tides and to date have not
ventured beyond the boundaries that they are used to. We must praise
the local anglers who have given these mammals full respect by adhering
to the Wildlife and Countryside acts by keeping their distance and
not harassing them. Many thanks also to Ian Paterson Photography
for the excellent shots of them taken within the river estuary.
