Have a whale of a time at special west Clare wildlife event

AN UPDATE on the 145 dolphins that are unique to the Shannon Estuary will be presented this Friday night in Kilkee.

Members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG), as well as their supporters, will gather at Cultúrlann Sweeney for a discussion that will cover the life marine life off the Clare coast, including humpback whales, fin whales and basking sharks.

‘The Wonderful Wildlife of West Clare’ is open to all and bookings can be made on the IWDG website. Those attending will see incredible new images of sea creatures off the Clare coast, including drone footage shot by Dr Simon Berrow off Doonbeg.

“Fin whales are the second largest marine creatures ever,” he explained. “They’re big beasts and can be seen from the shore. I captured drone footage off Doonbeg which is simply wonderful.”

IWDG has spent the past there decades monitoring the estuary’s dolphins and are well placed to track their daily lives. “Mags Daly is Project Manager for the Shannon Dolphin Project and she calls them her babies,” said Dr Berrow.

“We saw one about a month ago in poor condition and Mags recognised her as ‘Astra’. She saw her again last Friday, so it’s great to know she’s fine.

“These dolphins are genetically discrete and unique to the area. Mags will be giving an update on how they’re getting on, who’s had a calf and so on.”

Humpback whale activity off Loop Head will be discussed by John and Dixie Collins.

“John and his dad have been watching them for years,” Dr Berrow said.

“In 2021, they came close enough to be seen easily from the land. If we can get to see their tails, we can check their unique markings in a catalogue that IWDG has been co-ordinating for 20 years.

“Last year, we saw three that had been off the Clare coast previously and one that had been seen in Iceland.”

Dr Berrow has been tracking basking sharks off the coast for 15 years.

“Normally, I would be going to Kerry to observe them, but for the last two years, they’ve been off the coast of Clare,” he said.

“They should be up here feeding on plankton in the next few days. Late last summer, we saw them circling. Dixie Collins had been able to see this behaviour through his telescope.

“Now that we’re flying drones, we can see from above and recognise this as courtship behaviour. Vanessa and Emma have been swimming and diving with them.

“We want to share that experience and wonder and Cultúrlann Sweeney is an amazing venue. The evening will include some music and it’ll be a celebration and a sharing of science.”

(See Clare Champion video below of basking sharks engaged in courtship rituals from last year)

The IWDG will also invite some new arrivals from Ukraine to join them and learn more about the area.

“They’re in a welcoming and wonderful place and Friday night will offer an opportunity for everyone to learn more about what’s around them,” Dr Berrow said.
Bookings can be made on iwdg.ie.