Dolphin Diary – February, March, April and May

DOLPHIN DIARY FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL & MAY 2017

 

Hi Everyone,

 

Life has been a little hectic over the last few months so I have combined the Dolphin Diaries for February, March, April and May. I should hopefully be back to monthly again next month.

 

February and March were filled with excitement with the arrival of more new calves to the area.

 

 

On the first of February we noticed a new calf with a pod of dolphins near North Haven. At times some of the dolphins in the pod appeared to be acting quite rough with the young dolphin. There were several occasions when we observed either the mother or another dolphin lifting the calf out of the water. Due to the number of dolphins and the behaviour we are not sure who the mother of the calf was but hope the calf is alright.

 

 

In March we saw two new calves out near St Kilda. Both the mothers are unnamed but one has a very distinctive fin. The other has some very small notches. Both calves appear to be swimming well.

 

Also in March Sharon and Keith sighted one of our resident dolphins Josh with a large skin lesion on his right flank. We have had at least four other dolphins that have suffered similar skin burns and have recovered from them.  Unfortunately we have not seen Josh since the 20th of March and at the time he appeared emaciated. We have seen his good friends Zoom, Bella and Morgan a number of times since then but sadly Josh has not been with them.

 

 

Interestingly at the beginning of April, Sharon and Keith noticed resident dolphin Big Fold with a large scar on his right flank. The scar looks similar to the scar “Wave” had after her skin burn healed. Big Fold was acting normally and  over the last few months we have often seen him leaping and playing with the other dolphins. The scar is very visible and makes him very easy to identify.

On the 12th of April there was more exciting baby news. Mike and Sharon saw well known resident dolphin Harmony with a new calf. Harmony’s previous calf MJ was spending a lot more time on her own so we had been expecting that Harmony could be pregnant again. Harmony’s calf was named Happy by WDC Dolphin Adopters Natalie and her children. Happy appears to be swimming really well and we even saw Harmony and Happy surfing in front of a ship.

 

There has also been plenty of action and some spectacular sites during May. Tail walking appears to be increasing again. Ripple has been sighted tail walking in front of the Dolphin Explorer and Oriana was observed tail walking multiple times in front of the Accolade. When the Accolade left the Port on the 7th May, not only was Oriana tail walking and jumping in front but she was joined by Ripple, Marianna, Tiffany, Summer, Ollie, Zoom, Morgan, Bella, Bubbles and a few others. Below is a link to some footage of them bow riding. It was a spectacular sight.

 

Bow Riding the Accolade II – 7th May 2017

 

Some of the Dolphins we have seen over the last few month include Rob Roy, Ryan, New Moon, Lunar, Namor, Ollie, Morgan, Zoom, Bella, Crystal, Tallula, Hope, Bianca, Doc, Marianna, Mouse, Hunter, Bubbles, Tiffany, Summer, Lartelare, June, Star, Twinkle, Big Fold, Louan, Sparkle, Ruby and Dinah and her calf.

 

Below are links to a slideshow of photos taken throughout the Port during February, March, April and May

 

 

 

February Slideshow

March Slideshow

April Slideshow

May slideshow

 

 

The next Dolphin Diary will be at the beginning of July.

 

 

Best Wishes

Marianna

www.dolphindock.com.au