Moray Firth Wildlife

 

The Moray Firth is home to an abundance of wildlife, many of which we are fortunate to see on our boat trips. Here is a little background information on the wildlife, however we do offer a full briefing and commentary throughout the trip.

 

We also have some reference information at our Dolphin Centre in Cromarty so please feel free to stop by and spend some time with us.

 

Bottlenose Dolphins

The Moray Firth is home to the most northerly colony of Bottlenose Dolphins in the world, one of only two resident populations in the UK.

 

There are currently believed to be approximately 130 individuals within the colony, some of which are seen as far a field as St Andrews and Aberdeen. The dolphins here in the Moray Firth are also the largest in the world growing up to 4m in length and sometimes living for over 40 years. Dolphins are very inquisitive and boisterous creatures and they love to frolic, hunt and play, often approaching our boat to have a closer look.

 

Calves can be born all year round but we tend to see more of them between March and September. Born at just 1m long they can often be seen surfacing very close to their mother and, like any young, are extremely playful.

 

If you belong to the WDCS Adopt a Dolphin scheme please let our staff know.

 

Harbour Porpoise

Harbour Porpoise are sometimes mistaken for Bottlenose Dolphins but the main difference is they are almost half the size. The other distinct differences are their rounded snout and triangular shaped dorsal fin. They are much less boisterous than the dolphins and very rarely breach or approach boats. On calm days however, we are often lucky enough to encounter small groups on our trips.

 

Common and Grey Seals

Both Common and Grey Seals can be seen in the Firth, particularly on the sandbanks and 'haul-out' sites at low tide. Weighing up to 130kg, the Common or Harbour Seal has a smaller 'dog-like' face whereas the larger Grey Seal has a distinctive straight or 'roman' nose. Both Seals feed on a variety of fish and other species such as squid while they are in the Firth.

 

Minke Whales

The Minke Whale is most commonly seen in the Inner Firth between May and September although there are occasional sightings throughout the year. Growing up to 10m long they are large filter feeders and can often be seen lunging close to the surface using their huge baleen plates to separate food from vast mouthfuls of seawater.

 

Birdlife

The bird colony at the North Sutor cliffs, which we visit on our trips, supports breeding Shag, Razorbill, Guillemot, Black Guillemot, Kittiwake, Fulmar and 4% of the breeding British Cormorant population. Gannets, Puffins, Herons, Osprey, Buzzard and Peregrines are also occasionally sighted. You may also see Red Kite if you keep an eye out as you drive across the Black Isle.

 

The mud flats, sheltered bays and salt marshes of the Cromarty Firth are home to wintering wildfowl and waders regularly numbering in excess of 29,000 birds. It is the most northerly major estuary in Britain and plays a crucial role in the successful migration of a number of species.

 

There are currently two RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) reserves on the Firth, one at Udale Bay just 4 ½ miles from Cromarty and the other at Nigg Bay on the northern side of the Firth. Amongst possible sightings are Curlew, Redshank, Wigeon, Bar-tailed Godwit, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Oystercatcher, Pink Footed Geese, Scaup Greylag Geese, Slavonian Grebe, Whooper Swan and Teal.

 

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Bottlenose Dolphin Seal Swimming Mother and Calf Dolphins Minke Whale Gull
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