Dear Journey North participants:
It's been an interesting voyage over the internet -- I hope to be able to participate again next year. Here's my final report on right whale and humpback whale sightings.
Rights have moved out of Cape Cod Bay but have not yet gone up to the Bay of Fundy (a correction to my last report). Phil Hamilton of the New England Aquarium reports that they're probably still in the Great South Channel and other areas in the southern part of the Gulf of Maine. In a month or two they will head up to the Bay of Fundy for breeding and feeding.
Humpbacks have been spotted sporadically in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary over the past few weeks and in other southern Gulf of Maine locations by whale watch operations. However, a few reports from fishermen have come in noting that hundreds of whales have been gathering in the Great South Channel (probably feeding on herring). The Center for Coastal Studies is trying to arrange for some all- day whale watches with the Dolphin Fleet to check out these reports (it would probably require a 10-12 hour cruise from Provincetown).
Quite a few fin whales have been seen in coastal waters around Massachusetts, as well as minke whales, and basking sharks. Occasional seals and harbor porpoises have also been spotted. This past weekend over 100 Atlantic white- sided dolphins, including a new-born calf, were seen in the Sanctuary.
This is Anne Smrcina from the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary signing off for this year's Journey North. See you next year!