|
|
|
|
Wildlife
|
White-Sided
Dolphin (7 ft. - 10 ft.)
White-side's are frequently encountered in large "pods"
of twenty-five or more. Often seen riding the bow waves and jumping
out of the water. |
Harbor
Porpoise (4 ft. - 6 ft.)
The most solitary of all the toothed whales, Harbor Porpoises are
difficult to spot because of their small size and small triangular
dorsal fin. |
Ocean
Sunfish (3 ft. - 5 ft.)
These summer visitors are often seen basking at the surface. They
lack tail fins and are perhaps the strangest shaped fish in our waters.
Jellyfish constitute a large portion of their diet. |
Basking
Shark (45 ft.)
This plankton feeder is the largest shark in our waters. It is completely
harmless and can often be seen sunning at the surface or feeding by
cruising slowly with its mouth open. |
Harbor
Seal (4 ft. - 5 ft.)
Common along our coast and often seen around harbor entrances where
they sun themselves on rocks and sand bars. In the water, they can
be seen "bottling" or floating upright, nose pointed up. |
Greater
Shearwater (19".)
A dark cap and white patch at the base of the tail distinguish this
species. Shearwaters, as well as albatrosses, and petrels all have
prominent tubular nostrils though which excess salt is excreted. |
Manx
Shearwater (13")
A newcomer to the western Atlantic, this Old World shearwater can
be readily identified by its small size, quick wingbeats, and black
and white plumage. |
Wilson's
Storm-Petrel (7")
Nests in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic during the southern summer
(November to March) and "winters" off our coasts from May
to September. |
Northern
Gannet (37")
Occurs offshore throughout the year, but is rare in summer. Adults
and white, juveniles dark, and sub-adults are mottled. It plunges
into the water, sometimes from great heights, to catch fish. |
Herring
Gull (24")
Familiar to most as the commonest of the "sea gulls", these
birds were scarce along our coast at the beginning of the century |
Great
Black-backed Gull
(30")
Adult black-backs are unmistakable because of their large size and
striking black and white plumage. Young birds are mottled brown. |
WHALES
|
|
Finback
(Balaenoptera physalus)
Description
Long, thin whale with sickle-shaped dorsal fin. Right jaw white,
left jaw dark. Spout is tall, rising up to 20 ft. Rarely shows flukes
when diving. Length to 80 ft.
Seasonal Distribution
Spring-Fall: New England.
Winter: Unknown
Status and Estimated
Population
Endangered. Approximately 3,000-6,000 in U.S. Atlantic waters.
Floating Carcass
Has throat grooves that reach to nave, body longer than 30 ft.,
relatively short flippers.
|
Humpback
Whale
(Megaptera novaeangliae)
Description
Fairly stocky whale with long, white flippers and small, usually
rounded dorsal fin. Acrobatic. Spout is about 10 ft., bushier than
that of fin whale. Shows flukes before deep dive. Length to 50 ft.
Seasonal Distribution
Spring-Fall: Primarily New England; also mid-Atlantic and southeast
water.
Winter: Caribbean and wlsewhere.
Status and Estimated
Population
Endangered. Approximately 5,500 in Northwest Atlantic.
Floating Carcass: Has
throat grooves, long white flippers (>1/4 body length).
|
| Minke
Whale
Description
Small, thin whale with hooked dorsal fin. Has white patch on short,
slender flippers. Spout is low and difficult to see. Rarely shows
flukes when diving. Length to 30 ft.
Seasonal Distribution
Spring-Fall: Found from Cape Cod north.
Winter: Unknown, possibly Caribbean or offshore.
Status and Estimated
Population
Approximately 2,650 in U.S. Atlantic water; total abundance unknown.
Floating Carcass
Has short throat grooves (doesn't reach navel), body shorter than
30 ft., short flippers, pointed snout with cream-colored baleen.
|
