Minke
whales can also be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Arctic Oceans
The
sighting of a minke whale swimming with bottlenose dolphins off the Isle of Man
coast has been described as "incredibly rare," by a marine expert.
Members
of the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch made the sighting on Thursday.
Sea
Watch Foundation director Dr Peter Evans said: "Although this association
is known to occur, it is incredibly rare to witness in the British Isles".
The
sighting was made from Marine Drive in Douglas in clear conditions at around
13:00.
Manx
Whale and Dolphin Watch members Becca Crow and Sarah Kaye described the
sighting as "once in a lifetime".
'Clear
identification'
Ms
Crow said: "Although they were a little way out, the distinct surfacing
patterns along with calm water conditions enabled us to make a clear
identification through our binoculars.
"They
would go one way and then the next. Dive and then reappear. It was incredible.
"Potentially
I believe the two species could have been co-operatively hunting and feeding on
herring stocks that move round to the east side of the island, during autumn
and winter months.
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