Killer Whales in Mayo

Galvasean · 08-07-2009 10:09pm #1

Pretty awesome sighting. A pod of at least 5 (pic in link)

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0707/1224250171277.html

cashback · 08-07-2009 10:10pm

Galvasean wrote: »

Pretty awesome sighting. A pod of at least 5 (pic in link)

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0707/1224250171277.html

Cool. I didn't know they ever visited these parts.

fryup · 09-07-2009 10:31pm

wasn't there one in cork city in the lee, a few years back??

Rebel021 · 09-07-2009 10:36pm

yup they were

Run_to_da_hills · 09-07-2009 11:11pm

These should be called Orcas and not Killer Whales.

Birdnuts · 10-07-2009 8:21am

The sad thing is the reason the LE Ciara was off Erris head was because it was guarding Shells pipe-laying ship, a companies who's activities in Erris threaten nearby Broadhaven Bay, an SAC precisely because of its importance to a number of species of small Whales.:(

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 10-07-2009 8:50am

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

These should be called Orcas and not Killer Whales.

Not wishing to be pedantic but: Killer Whale or Orca are both perfectly correct in both scientific and common usage. Orcinus orca if you want to really impress.

fryup · 10-07-2009 9:56am

so is it dangerous to go swimming at beaches in mayo??

KTRIC · 10-07-2009 10:00am

fryup wrote: »

so is it dangerous to go swimming at beaches in mayo??

Only if you are a seal

fryup · 10-07-2009 10:32am

but seriously, how close to the shore do they come??

KTRIC · 10-07-2009 10:42am

fryup wrote: »

but seriously, how close to the shore do they come??

Orca's will beach themselves to catch prey.

kippy · 10-07-2009 10:47am

Birdnuts wrote: »

The sad thing is the reason the LE Ciara was off Erris head was because it was guarding Shells pipe-laying ship, a companies who's activities in Erris threaten nearby Broadhaven Bay, an SAC precisely because of its importance to a number of species of small Whales.:(

What exactly are shell doing in the bay that threatens the SAC? Laying pipes out to sea?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 10-07-2009 10:58am

Relax! Killer Whales in Irish waters are far from big news. Yes numbers of sightings are up (great!) but we have always had plenty about. We are lucky in that we have great opportunities to see them from land. They generally don't come in to shallow water unless in pursuit of food. (the famous BBC coverage of beaching after seals for example). In November 1977 an adult male, named “Dopey Dick” swam into Lough Foyle, Co. Derry, chasing after a late salmon run. 3 killer whales took up residence in and around Cork harbour between June- Sept 2001, (they are extremely confident in shallow inshore waters) foraging for periods in bays and estuaries. They may even extend their search into river systems where prey is abundant, as displayed when the Cork whales fed for extended periods in the River Lee, moving right into the center of Cork city.
As for safety while swimming in Mayo: Catch yourself on. They don't generally stay in an area and are too far off shore to worry any swimmer. We're not talking about Great White Sharks here (Yet :P)

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 10-07-2009 11:02am

kippy wrote: »

What exactly are shell doing in the bay that threatens the SAC? Laying pipes out to sea?

Correct, just laying piped. Don't mind Birdnuts. The Environmental Impact Study was extensive.

(Mods: Apologies for going Off-Topic about Shell/Corrib but it warrented a reply.)

kippy · 10-07-2009 11:41am

Alaya Embarrassed Motorcycle wrote: »

Correct, just laying piped. Don't mind Birdnuts. The Environmental Impact Study was extensive.

(Mods: Apologies for going Off-Topic about Shell/Corrib but it warrented a reply.)

YEah, sorry for going off topic as well.
Back on topic.
Would love to see these animals close up. Was watching a programme recently on something nothing related to animals and there were a few people going on whale watching tours off of Cork, what were they looking out for?

I know in Achill we see Basking sharks pretty regular and pretty close in.

DTrotter · 10-07-2009 5:31pm

Alaya Embarrassed Motorcycle wrote: »

Not wishing to be pedantic but: Killer Whale or Orca are both perfectly correct in both scientific and common usage. Orcinus orca if you want to really impress.

Aren't killer whales more closely related to dolphins and porpoises. Think the name killer whale comes from an old name whale killer (as they feed on small whales) that got flipped around.

Mena · 10-07-2009 5:37pm

fryup wrote: »

but seriously, how close to the shore do they come??

You'll be fine, take off the wet suit though

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNnx_X5ue2c

Run_to_da_hills · 10-07-2009 7:55pm

fryup wrote: »

so is it dangerous to go swimming at beaches in mayo??

Not unless you are wearing a black wet suit and flippers. :eek:

Birdnuts · 11-07-2009 1:58am

Alaya Embarrassed Motorcycle wrote: »

The Environmental Impact Study was extensive.

(Mods: Apologies for going Off-Topic about Shell/Corrib but it warrented a reply.)

Really?? Your knowledge of this issue appears to be shaped by Shells many friends in the Irish corporate media!!

The EIS was carried out by Shell with no independent oversight to the extent that SHELL will be monitoring their own emissions and its up to them to report any problems to the EPA. Not a very comforting thought given this companies environmental record around the world. I know this because I was at the oral hearing back in 2007 in Erris. The refinery waste discharge pipe will be just off Erris Head at the mouth of Broadhaven Bay.:(

PS - SHEll have already damaged a number of land based SAC's and NHA's in the area including massive aluminium run-offs from the Bellenalboy refinery site into Carrowmore lake, the areas main water supply. Their compound at Glengad has no planning permission and during its construction a large number of protected sand dunes were bulldozed including an important breeding site for sandmartins - this issue will be tackled in a court case brought by An Taisce against Mayo Co.Co. in the coming months. This and other issues are the subject of a number of complaints to the EU environmental directorate since the Irish state appears hell bent(400 gardai, navy boats, air support etc.) on ensuring Shell get their way and our gas by hook or by crook.

armedboarder · 17-06-2012 10:06am

Hey Guys, I was on the ship that reported the pod. We successfully ID'd two from an existing name tag. Nicola and floppy fin.
Nicola and floppy fin aere unmistakable because of Dorsel fin markings & striping.
I have posted a link to my flickr set for anyone interested. Hold out for the calf breaching and blowing halfway through, it's an amazing shot, I was very lucky to get it.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gordonkinsella/3709110825/in/photostream