Sunday June 29, 2025

2 species of cetaceans and hundreds of pelagic birds, but way too many balloons

A great way to start our 30th season with 75-100 Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins, a finback whale, and lots of pelagic birds. Today's trip was a nice way to beat the heat and see wildlife. Our first encounters were with several groups of Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops erebennus), as many as 5-6 groups totaling 75-100 individuals, including some moms and calves in the near shore waters west of Montauk. There were also a few Great shearwaters (Ardenna gravis) and Cory’s Shearwaters (Calonectris borealis). We eventually decided to head southward (offshore). Things were quiet, with a few shearwaters and storms petrels, as we traveled, we reached an area where the ocean became alive with birds, bait, and ultimately a baleen whale.  We were in 170’ of water, with prey from the bottom to the surface. We knew we were in the right spot and eventually saw the characteristic 20-foot blow of a finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus). What a pleasure it was to find this majestic, fast, and sleek individual. Finback whales are the 2^nd largest animal. We watched it for about 30 minutes before making our way back to the dock. This was our 110^th consecutive trip (since 2019) finding cetaceans. While we never guarantee it, we do our best to find them and have been doing it longer than any other group in the NY Bight.

Totals:

• 75-100 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins
• 1 finback whale (~55-60 feet long)
• Great shearwaters
• Cory’s shearwaters
• Sooty shearwaters
• Wilson’s storm petrels

Unfortunately, just about every direction we looked, we saw balloons on the surface of the water.  We scooped up as many as we could but didn’t have the time to grab more.  The ones we removed were graduation celebratory balloons. Come on folks – stop buying and releasing balloons, they are killers.

Photos to view and/or purchase to help support our work - prints, digital copies, and framed artwork available

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Monday, June 30, 2025

Another successful trip!!
Our second trip of the season started out in a thick layer of fog that quickly enveloped the point despite clearer skies at the dock. Excitement onboard though was palpable like the mist consuming the region. Despite the limited visibility, passengers were afforded close-up views of a variety of pelagic birds including Cory’s, Great, and Sooty shearwaters, along with flocks of the small but mighty Wilson’s storm petrels. Our captain wisely steered us into deeper waters with the hope that there, the fog would lift, and that it did!  As if a switch was suddenly flipped, the skies cleared to nearly unlimited visibility at which point, a small pod of dolphins was spotted off the starboard bow. At first the pod was tricky to find again, but then several other small pods were observed around the vessel. We spent some time here, enjoying some good looks at porpoising and playful Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins before continuing southwest in hopes of finding larger cetaceans. It took some time, but eventually a large spout belonging to a finback whale was observed about a half a mile away. With bait detected along the bottom, this whale was likely feeding, spending little time at the surface and long stretches underwater. Observing finback (fin) whales can be tricky because they are incredibly sleek and fast. In 6-8 minutes time, they can move ¼ mile away from where last observed. We had some far-off views, but others close enough to see the body and the characteristic fin. The blow itself is also impressive and was exciting to behold. As we headed back to port, we encountered a beautiful flock of sooty shearwaters, mixed with Great and Cory’s and more Wilson storm petrels along the way. More views of porpoising bottlenose and at least one seal were enjoyed as the sun set beautifully over the water.
Our season is only just beginning and every trip is unique. Come out and see why we have been doing this for 30 years!

• 150-200 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins
• 1 finback whale
• 1 seal of unknown species
• 30-50 great shearwaters
• 50-60 Cory’s shearwaters
• 8-12 Sooty shearwaters
• 80-120 Wilson storm petrels

Photos to view and/or purchase to help support our work - prints, digital copies, and framed artwork available

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Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Our 3rd trip of the 2025 season was the 1st time in a while that we didn’t find a baleen whale. It was a great trip nonetheless! The earlier rain/drizzle and dense fog gave way to incredible unlimited visibility. We were all ready to encounter cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), as well as pelagic birds. We had reports, but had a planned route to head to where we’d seen that finback whale one 6/29 and 6/30.

As we headed out, we encountered a small pod of about 20 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins, along with a few Great Shearwaters and Cory’s Shearwaters.  In a short while, we encountered another group of about 50-75 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins, as well as more shearwaters, and Wilson’s Storm Petrels. The area offshore where days before we found the whale and loads of bait fish throughout the water column (surface to 170 feet) not productive.  We headed closer to shore and ultimately came across a massive aggregation of Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins. We watched as several pods joined together repeatedly top interact and feed. Captain Dave Marmeno told us that the bait profile on the sonar was indicative of squid, and lots of it. These dolphins were spending a lot of time beneath the surface, most likely feeding on those deep squid.We saw moms and calves, adults, juveniles. It was a pleasure to watch. Eventually we had to head back to the dock and a few saw a seal just of Gin Beach.  Please note that as members of the Whale SENSE system, we are committed to responsible whale watching and will always abide by the constraints of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and never harass, chase, or disturb them. 

• 250-300 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins
• Great shearwaters
• Cory’s shearwaters
• Sooty shearwaters
• Wilson’s storm petrels

Photos to view and/or purchase to help support our work - prints, digital copies, and framed artwork available

Here's a slideshow

Friday, July 4, 2025

Happy Independence Day! For our fourth trip on the Fourth (say that five times fast!), we set sail under sunny skies and excellent sea conditions. Our first cetacean encounter occurred quickly with a small pod of Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins as we steamed passed the lighthouse. We spent some time observing this group of approximately a dozen dolphins before continuing in search of other species. We headed towards an area where humpback whales were seen a day prior, not far from where also observed a fin whale on previous trips. Despite near unlimited visibility and calm seas, no baleen whales were found. Instead, we enjoyed nice views of Cory’s and great shearwaters along with sporadic sightings of Wilson’s storm petrels. We also stopped a few times to pick-up multiple batches of mylar balloons which otherwise kill marine life (especially sea turtles) when ingested. About six miles off Napeague, we encountered another pod of Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins. This aggregation was larger than the first with multiple small pods and one large pod of 40-60 individuals surrounding the vessel affording everyone outstanding views. Some of the dolphins were tail-slapping, a form of non-vocal communication which could also serve as a hunting mechanism to stun prey. With little bait detected, however, these displays were most likely interactive. We stayed in neutral as the dolphins surrounded the vessel, when suddenly a group of at least 12-16 simultaneously surged to the surface to the delight of those of us onboard. Other synchronized leaps followed before we continued north and east towards Montauk. Another small group of Tamanend’s was observed on our return. What a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July! Please note that as members of the Whale SENSE system, we are committed to responsible whale watching and will always abide by the constraints of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and never harass, chase, or disturb them. 
 

• 120-140 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins
• 30-40 Cory’s shearwaters
• 6-8 great shearwaters
• 10-12 Wilson’s storm petrels

Photos to view and/or purchase to help support our work - prints, digital copies, and framed artwork available

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Sunday, July 06, 2025

We found our first humpbacks (and common dolphins) of the season!

Yesterday was a beautiful day to be out on the water and sightings began early with a gray seal in the harbor upon departure. We first headed south to an area where whales were reported to be the day prior, but despite significant bait detected beneath the surface, no whales were found. Sporadic sightings of Cory’s and great shearwaters kept us entertained while we continued east in our search towards a second area where whales were also reported, but at first, it seemed as if the whales had moved away. Then, a blow! Upon investigation, it was found to belong to MTK119 (also known as Loon in the Gulf of Maine catalog*), a humpback whale previously documented by CRESLI off Montauk in 2022 and 2023. We spent some time alongside this whale before investigating two other blows about a quarter mile away. As we did, a pod of short-beaked common dolphin charged toward our vessel to the sheer delight of those onboard. Surrounded by dolphins, we now had views of the second humpback, MTK141 (known as Celebration in the Gulf of Maine catalog*), who was previously seen off Montauk in 2023 and 2024, making this the third consecutive year we observed this humpback in our waters. In fact, MTK141 is quite familiar to CRESLI having been sighted eleven times over three months in 2024! There were two other humpbacks in the area, but the whales were diving for about six minutes at a time and not feeding cooperatively so it was difficult to reach the other two while observing the ones closest to us. Viking and CRESLI are proud participants of WhaleSENSE, a voluntary program promoting responsible and ethical whale watching and we do not transit with whales below until we know they are safely away from the vessel. We used this time wisely though, removing a mylar balloon, from the water. Common dolphins continued to approach the vessel as we eyed a navy combat ship, the USS Billings (as later determined by the hull number) in the distance. It was a very exciting and awe-inspiring day on the water and we cannot wait to get back out! Please note that as members of the Whale SENSE system, we are committed to responsible whale watching and will always abide by the constraints of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and never harass, chase, or disturb them. 

*the Gulf of Maine Humpback Whale Catalog is organized and maintained by the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, MA. CRESLI proudly contributes data to this catalog.

• 3-4 humpback whales
• 60-80 short-beaked common dolphins
• 1 Atlantic gray seal
• 12-16 Cory’s shearwaters
• 4-6 great shearwaters
• 16-20 Wilson’s storm petrels

Here's a slideshow

Photos to view and/or purchase to help support our work - prints, digital copies, and framed artwork available soon

Monday July 7, 2025

Our 1^st 3 species day of the season!!

We left the dock ready to look for the humpback whales sighted the day before (7/6/25). We new it would take a while to get out to the zone and began looking esly and found a small pod of about 10 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins. They were nice to view, but very elusive and we continued our way.  We found a humpback whale with a highly curved dorsal fin. It was making shallow dives and rarely putting it’s flukes. Actually, it was logging most of the time, that is, essentially sleeping just at or below the surface.  Occasionally fluking and diving deep and staying down for 5-7 minutes ((the prey was 150’ down).  The time spent with this whale travelling ENE and surfacing to blow every 30 seconds while sleeping, was well worth it. Of course, we were joined out there by a pod of short-beaked common dolphins. These dolphins swam towards us, with and around us for a while as we remained out of gear.

We also encountered the typical array of pelagic birds and picked up more balloons.

This was a great trip and we are trying to ID this humpback whale . Check back with us in a few days. Please note that as members of the Whale SENSE system, we are committed to responsible whale watching and will always abide by the constraints of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and never harass, chase, or disturb them. 

• 10 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins
• 12-15 Short-beaked common dolphins
• 1 Humpback whale
• 24 Great shearwaters
• 1 Cory’s shearwaters
• 22 Wilson’s storm pertrels

Photos to view and/or purchase to help support our work - prints, digital copies, and framed artwork available

Here's a slideshow

Wednesday, July 09, 2025

On yesterday’s trip, we followed-up on some reports of whale and dolphin activity to our south. We headed out under beautiful weather conditions, exchanging cool ocean breezes for the steamy conditions left behind on land. About two miles out, we had our first cetacean encounter with a group of Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin. What was first believed to be a small group of a dozen or so ended up being 30-40 individuals swimming around the vessel. Everyone got great looks at the pod(s) before steaming our way south. Eventually we got into an area that was ripe with bird activity; Cory’s and great shearwaters, along with common tern were numerous, and bait was detected from 40-50 ft to the surface. This was a good area for whales, but none were yet found. So we traveled east until a large splash was detected, belonging to a kick-feeding humpback whale. This was the first of five humpbacks encountered in a thick sea of sand eels. Scores of shearwaters joined in on the feast and we enjoyed spending time on the water as whales surrounded the vessel feeding and diving on the bounty. As we left, a small pod of dolphins appeared next to the vessel to the delight of those watching from the bow. It was wonderful being in the presence of such active whales again.

Viking and CRESLI are proud members of NOAA’s Whale SENSE program promoting responsible and ethical whale watching. We do not chase or crowd the whales and keep a safe distance while observing them. Every trip is different and we never know what we will see or experience. Book your first or repeat trip with us today!

• 5 humpback whales
• 30-40 Tamanend’s dolphins
• Small pod of dolphins, likely short-beaked common dolphins
• 80-100 great shearwaters
• 40-60 Cory’s shearwaters
• 20-35 Wilson’s storm petrels

Photos to view and/or purchase to help support our work - prints, digital copies, and framed artwork available

Here's a slideshow

Friday, July 11, 2025

Wow, what a day we had on the water yesterday!

Numerous reports of whales in the area had us excitedly heading out in search of some of the humpbacks we had seen on Wednesday’s trip. But to our surprise, our transit was ‘interrupted’ by the sightings of three finback whales less than halfway to our destination. The massive whales were feeding on sand eels, with one seen lunge-feeding on its side at the surface. Fin whales are extremely fast and can travel tremendous distances in a short time, so we enjoyed watching them for a bit, before they – and we – traveled on. About twelve miles offshore, we found blows belonging to two, and then four, and then five humpback whales. All types of feeding and surface displays were observed with one humpback kick-feeding at the surface, another open-mouth feeding with excellent views of its baleen, and another breaching beyond our vessel. We spent time with these whales, while more blows were observed in the distance, and we traveled on to investigate. Again, to our surprise, two fin whales appeared in the mix, along with a minke whale, while tails of humpbacks dove in the distance. What an amazing experience! We reached the additional humpbacks and were pleased to see the tails belonged to a mom/calf pair that had been encountered on Wednesday’s trip. Humpbacks often form associated pairs while feeding and can vary in size and length, so we are always cautious to identify a pair as mom/calf without additional observation. This sighting confirmed what we believed on Wednesday to be our first humpback mom and calf pair of our 2025 season. What a wonderful way to spend a summer’s day on the water.

Every trip is different and we never know what we will see. Don’t miss the boat – book your trip today!

• 3-5 finback whales (not yet determined if additional two were same as those first encountered)
• 7-11 humpback whales
• 1 minke whale
• 80-120 Great shearwaters
• 20-30 Cory’s shearwaters

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