Mon Sept 1 – Whale Watching

It was a beautifully crisp day as we sailed into September aboard the Viking Starship yesterday. We decided to head west after finding no whales or dolphins to the east on the previous trip. The nearshore environment has been rich with schools of bunker and scores of pelagic birds over the last few weeks, even as the effects of Hurricane Erin passing offshore have been felt elsewhere in the region. We encountered rafts of Cory’s and great shearwaters, likely resting with full bellies, from a previous feast, and enjoyed their characteristic gliding above the water as we continued out transit west. After a short while, a small pod of Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins were seen, if only for a fleeting moment. We waited and watched as they appeared one more time, before continuing on. Eventually, with no whales spotted nearshore, we headed south toward an area rich with bait, and where we had spent so many successful days watching whales last season. Unfortunately, although we did find another small pod of Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin, no whales or other marine life would be found, save a handful of shearwaters and the small, but mighty Wilson’s storm petrel. We continued to search as we passed Montauk Point, aglow with a beautiful sunset, as if to mark the traditional end of summer. Typically, we continue to see cetaceans well into September, so this may be a continued effect of Hurricane Erin passing offshore just a little over a week ago. We have four more trips on the water before our 2025 season wraps up for good; come join us a beautiful and educational time at sea.

4-9 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins

160-200 Cory’s shearwater

70-90 great shearwater

12-15 Wilson’s storm petrels