Early whales sightings at Cape Schanck and Cape Woolamai ahead of ‘bumper season’
Whale watching season is underway and dozens of humpback sightings are being reported off the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island. Here’s where to find them.
South East
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Citizen scientists and amateur photographers are gearing up for a “bumper” whale watching season as the first humpbacks are spotted off Bass Strait.
Excited whale watchers have started to post photos of the gentle giants making their annual trip past the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island.
Wildlife Coast Cruises held their first winter whale watching cruise for the season on June 6.
“We’ve seen whales every day we’ve been out. They are definitely back for the season,” a staff member told the Herald Sun.
On Monday the Cowes based business shared some incredible footage of a pair of humpbacks “mugging” for the tourists close to the vessel.
Dolphin Research Institute researcher David Donnelly said while there had been many sightings of whales off the Mornington Peninsula it was likely the same animal being spotted multiple times.
“You might have 20 photos taken in different locations, but it’s the same whale swimming around,” he said.
“In reality there has probably been one or two whales come through in the past week or so.”
Mr Donnelly said the season had started in late May with a “pulse” or small group of whales travelling through Port Phillip Bay, along the Mornington Peninsula coastline.
“They’re headed to Queensland to calf and enjoy some warmer weather,” he said.
“It’s been a promising start and we’re expecting a strong season.”
Photographer and citizen scientist Barb Wallace said the Mornington Peninsula was a great place to see whales from the shore.
“There are some great spots including near Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Koonya Beach (Blairgowrie) and Portsea Back Beach,” she said.
The upcoming Island Whale Festival on Phillip Island from June 30-July 2 also offered many chances to see the world’s largest animal.
“We often joke that the whales always turn up for the festival,” Ms Wallace said.
The Boronia resident devotes much of her spare time documenting whale sightings, waiting patiently for hours to spot the gentle giants and sharing what she sees with researchers.
“On average out of every 20 hours I spend looking for whales only one of those hours would involve seeing them,” she said.
Ms Wallace’s photos and those taken by other whale watches can be submitted to the Two Bays Whale Project for inclusion in a Victorian catalogue.
The Two Bay Whales Project is a science citizen initiative led by the Dolphin Research Institute in partnership with Wildlife Coast Cruises.
The catalogues can help identify whales seen elsewhere and help track their movements.
One of the whale photos Ms Wallace submitted was recently “matched” to another sighting in Hervey Bay.
“The underside of the whale’s fluke (tail) is unique, it’s like a fingerprint,” Ms Wallace said.
“If you manage to photograph it at the right angle it can be matched with photos in other catalogues.
“I’ve managed three or four matches now.”
Mr Donnelly said Ms Wallace’s skill and generosity had been a “huge help” to the Two Bays Whale Project.
He said interest in the project had grown significantly with many whale spotters now sending images and reporting their sightings.
You can submit photos to Two Bays Whale Project here