Sun June 7 – Whale Watching

We found them!! Dolphins, pelagic birds, and finback whales!!

On a day with good visibility, comfortable and sometimes cold conditions, we were successful finding several aggregations of Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops erebennus) groups in the near shore waters just south of Montauk Point. After encountering 150-200 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins, we decided to search further to the east where we encountered ocean sunfish (Mola mola) and many Lion’s mane jellyfish (*Cyanea capillata).*Just about everywhere we went, we saw pelagic birds including 25 Wilson’s storm petrels (Oceanites oceanicus);135 Sooty shearwaters (Ardenna grisea), 36 Great shearwaters (Ardenna gravis), 2 Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus), 2 Cory’s shearwaters (Calonectris borealis). On our way back, we saw a massive conical blow going 20′ into the air – a finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus), the whale was about 1 mile away and blew 4 times before diving. We carefully got to the area and the whale eventually surefaced 1/4 mile away, which is typical fin whale behavior. While searching for this massive fin whale we found a smaller fin whale nearby and were able to capture photos of its dorsal fin and left side. Unfortunately, we had to leave shortly thereafter. We can’t wait to get back out!

Totals

150-200 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins

2 finback whales

2 Ocean sunfish

25 Wilson’s storm petrels

135 Sooty shearwaters

36 Great shearwaters

2 Manx shearwaters

2 Cory’s shearwaters

Photos available to view and purchase at https://drartiek-cresli.smugmug.com/CRESLI-2026-Whale-Watches/2026-06-07-Montauk-Whale-Watch