All in a day's work.....: Dolphins A-hoy!!!!

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Since 1999 the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) (formerly the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)) have had researchers staying at the obs almost every year. Up to eight researchers have been present for up to six weeks looking out for the Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises that use the waters around the island. The main focus of the WDC project is the magnificent Risso's Dolphin, a species that we are fortunate enough to we very frequently in the waters around here, but is seldom seen elsewhere in the UK with any regularity.

These animals, along with their sometimes tiny youngsters can be seen at any time of the year, but most frequently from mid-summer to late autumn. The main focus of WDC's project is to have a rapid response team here, so that when animals are seen and the sea is calm, the team can get onto a small boat and, under a special licence from CCW, the carefully approach the animals to take photographs of them.

Pine Eisfeld photographing Risso's Dolphin (c) Steve Stansfield

Each of the photos can be compared with hundred of others and be used to identify individual animals. Risso's Dolphins are large mid- to pale grey animals with a tall distinctive dorsal fin. The animals are all very scarred and have many parallel lines in their skin where they have been bitten by other Risso's Dolphins. It is through these series of scars and nicks on the animals that they can be individually identified, and the markings are as unique as our finger prints, ie no two dolphins are alike.

Each year many thousands of photographs of dorsal fins are studied to see if matches from previous years can be made.