Photos around East Mainland of Orkney, which is off the North coast of Scotland
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Click on pictures to see them enlarged in a photo stream. Comments: word verification on to allow anyone to comment but try and deter excessive amounts of spam! I LOVE getting comments!
Tuesday 15 April 2008
Seals & Orcas
There was an article in The Independent yesterday which suggested that the decline of common seals (also known as harbour seals) around Orkney and Shetland might be due to Orcas (commonly known as “killer whales”). Apparently numbers have dropped by 40 per cent in the Northern Isles in recent years. One theory from a researcher based in Aberdeen is that Orcas (actually part of the dolphin family and not true whales) predate on common seal pups which are born in June and July. Seemingly there is a connection between the common seal pupping season and peak Orca sightings. According to the researcher the Orcas may have moved into the area following movements of fish shoals such as mackerel and found seals aplenty and are also feeding on them.
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I remember when we ran into a settlement of seals near the Broch of Gurness. Fun memory!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the seals - though they aren't as used to folk watching them as your harbour seals in SF! Sian
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