Moray Firth dolphins appearing in Firth of Forth this summer

Dolphins are among east Lothian sun-seekers

July 2013. Local families and visitors haven't been the only ones enjoying the seaside sunshine at the coastal town of North Berwick at the weekend. Local resident Peter Dollive set sail on a lunchtime seabird cruise from the award winning Scottish Seabird Centre to see the many seabirds that make the Firth of Forth their home at this time of year, and spotted a pod of dolphins just off the Bass Rock.

Peter, a member of the Scottish Seabird Centre, said : ‘I was having had a wonderful time on the Seabird catamaran around the Bass Rock using my new camera system. The icing on the cake was to see the dolphins so close-up, especially I was unaware you could see them off North Berwick. When the captain spotted them and slowed down, I just aimed and fired hoping to get at least one shot. It was fantastic to be so close and see then moving so gracefully through the water - and capture them on film as well - a real thrill!'

Moray Firth dolphins

Erich Hoyt, Research Fellow with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation, and author of the new book ‘Weird Sea Creatures', said: "Bottlenose dolphins swim into the Firth of Forth from time to time. The dolphins seen on Sunday near the Bass Rock are most probably part of the northeast Scotland population of about 130 animals that spend most of their time in and around the Moray Firth. Over the past decade, their appearances in the Firth of Forth have often occurred during a spot of very warm weather. Also, when they have come to this area, they will often stay in the area for a few days. One of the best lookouts is from the Scottish Seabird Centre, but it will be worth keeping an eye out on both the south and north shores of the Forth over the next few days.'

Continued