Many thanks to Richard Earle who sent us this fab video of the porpoise he spotted swimming in the River Nith from Glencaple at high water on Tuesday 20th March!
The South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre (used to be DGERC – much easier to remember…) keep records of wildlife sightings. If you spot something interesting or unusual, here is the link to find out more information about recording:
swseic.org.uk/wildlife-recording/
Some porpoises particulars:
- The English word ‘porpoise’ is derived from the Latin word for pig – porcus.
- The harbour porpoise used to be referred to as the ‘puffing pig’ because of the sneeze-like puffing sound it sometimes makes when it breathes.
- It is a dark brown to grey colour on its back and has a white belly.
- Its head is small and round, with no beak.
- The dorsal fin is also recognisable, in the centre of the animal, with a short triangular shape.
- Harbour porpoises are the smallest cetacean and the only porpoise to be found in European waters.
- Porpoise aren’t fussy eaters and will eat squid, fish and crustaceans. However they are still under pressure from extreme exploitation of fish stocks.
- Both sexes are reported to live up to some 23 years but few survive past 12 years of age.
Please share your photos and videos with us too, so we can share them with everyone!
caerlaverockcommunity@gmail.com
Further reading:
uk.whales.org/species-guide/harbour-porpoise
www.orcaweb.org.uk/species-sightings/harbour-porpoise
seawatchfoundation.org.uk/HarbourPorpoise.pdf
Main image by Nicola Hodgins from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation charity: uk.whales.org/species-guide/harbour-porpoise