COMMENT MURMURATIONS
their environmental and ethical standards. The
downside, though, was that it was a bit
cinematic. It was obvious that many passengers
didn’t appreciate that the whales were wild; they
would complain if the trip didn’t live up to their
theme-park expectations. It was almost too easy,
and that detracted from this magical experience.
On the other hand, the onboard naturalists
knew their marine biology. I’m not sure how
many passengers took in environmental
messaging woven into the narrative, but
hopefully some did. The diversity of people was
enormous. It was an accessible experience for
all. So, despite my slightly ‘purist’ reservations,
on balance this was potentially a positive
interaction for both the whales, which would
benefi t from increased public awareness and
tourist-funded research, and for passengers who
enjoyed a rich wildlife experience.
Of all animals on earth, only a few share our
ability to develop cultures – languages, values,
decisions based on emotion as well as instinct.
Cetaceans are one such order, alongside other
wildlife like elephants, chimps and some birds.
This is perhaps why we share such a natural
a nity with them. We can make eye contact
and empathise with them. How some species
are still hunted or captured for entertainment
beggars modern sensibilities, and let’s hope that
international and public pressure can consign
both to history. ■Lucy McRobert returns in December.
❝
Many
passengers
didn’t appreciate
that the whales
were wild; they
would complain
if the trip didn’t
live up to their
theme-park
expectations
❞
I
adore cetacean-watching. Anyone who’s
seen me on Scilly knows that I’ll be hanging
o the front of the MV Sapphire at the fi rst
sni of a Common Dolphin.
It seems I’m not the only one. There is
something about cetaceans that connects
with humans on an intimate and emotional
level. On any given day o Chanonry Point
near Inverness, groups of people will be waiting
for the resident Bottlenose Dolphins to put on
an almost daily show as the tide fl oods in.
When a pod of Sperm Whales washed up
along the east of coast of England in February
2016, hundreds of people turned out to mourn
a dying animal on Hunstanton beach, and
many more made a pilgrimage to see the body
in the next few days. Poignantly, when the
coastguard failed to save the whale, some stayed
in the water with the animal until it died.
Similarly, when a Humpback Whale hung
around o Slapton Sands, thousands went to
see it. Buses screeched to a halt to let passengers
enjoy it; families set up barbecues on the beach;
and schools ran fi eld trips to study it. When it
got caught in nets and had to be freed, it raised
uncomfortable questions about current inshore
fi shing practices.New and unusual
Whale-watching o the coast of New England,
however, was di erent to anything I’d
experienced. We sailed from Gloucester and
Newburyport in Massachusetts, scoring some
amazing wildlife: Minke, Fin and numerous
Humpback Whales, and Atlantic White-sided
Dolphins.
What was disconcerting was the luxury in
which we did this. Both boats were around 100
feet long, taking 150 passengers apiece. No one
had binoculars but us. Most didn’t have
jumpers. They did, however, have burgers,
nachos, clam chowder and chips, bought from
the ship’s bar. Some had beer; others had wine.
Many sat inside playing cards, ignoring the
phalaropes, shearwaters, skuas and petrels
wheeling around the boat, until they were
summoned on deck by the naturalists locating a
whale. When we found an animal, it was never
announced until it was within a hundred feet.
Immediately a stampede outside ensued,
followed by applause, cheering, wolf-whistling
and screams of delight.
The tour companies were keen to emphasiseWatching marine mammals is certainly popular, and done well it can be a positive
experience for all involved, including the wildlife.A young bull Sperm Whale in the
waters around Oban, Argyll, in April
2013 pulled in the crowds before it
swam back out to sea.LUCY MCROBERT
Prince of whales
BILL JACKSONhttp://www.birdguides.com/birdwatch Birdwatch•October 2017 53
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