Whale Time Again

It is migration time of year for the Southern Ocean whales. In recent months the whales migrated up to the tropical breeding grounds leaving Antarctica for the winter months, and after the birth of their calves, they return to the southern waters for the summer months. The “Humpback” whales are known to travel in pods, and I wonder how many whales migrate past Norfolk Island shores each year. The journey takes them through the Norfolk Island waters, along the migratory Pacific Ocean corridors passing New Zealand, Australia, and New Caledonia coast lines.

During past weeks I have been looking out to sea hoping to catch sight of the whales, their splash or spray. On calm days it would be so easy to see them out at sea if they happen to breach and dive. This month I have heard that a couple of whales have been spotted by tourists and locals. There have also been reports from the fisherman that “Humpback” whales have been seen when out on their fishing boats.

I have learnt that when the whales travel to Antarctica in the spring, they travel slowly because they have young calves on their first journey to the southern waters. On the onset of winter, the whales migrate north, and they travel at a steady speed.

The most common whale viewed from Norfolk Island is the “Humpback” whales. But other whales are also viewed such as “Minke” whales as well as the “Blainville's Beaked” whales. I have read that the “Humpback” whale has two blowholes, so sprays the water in two directions. The “Humpback” whales are so amazing to watch, their ability to jump out of the water and their skilful water abilities.

Here are a few interesting details about the whales I found while researching.

Humpback Whales scientific name is Megaptera novaeangliae.

Length: 11–15 m/ 37–50 ft,

DORSAL FIN: Small, nubby fin with broad base,

APPEARANCE: Black body; bumps or knobs on head; long pectoral fins with white underside,

BEHAVIOUR: Medium-sized, bushy blow; usually surfaces 2-5 times, between deep dives; often raises tail flukes on final dive.

Threats: Humpback whales face a series of threats including entanglement in fishing gear (bycatch), ship strikes, whale watch harassment, habitat impacts, harvest and pollution.

http://www.juneauwhalewatch.com/25-crazy-factoids-humpback-whales/

The Humpback whale eats in its feeding grounds for no more than about 120 days. Incredibly, they live off their fat reserves for the rest of the year—an 8-month long fast—including the migration.

The Humpback whale has a truly global distribution, living from Antarctica to the Arctic. Every year, they undergo incredible migrations between feeding and breeding grounds. The tropics see them mate, calve and nurse in Hawaii in the winter. The summer sees them migrate to feed in the Gulf of Alaska and other areas in the North Pacific.

A Humpback’s spouting can reach as high as 20-feet. It can also be heard as far as 800-feet away!

A peduncle is the body part connecting the tail flukes to the body. The peduncle enables a quick, powerful sideways thrust of the tail and lower body resulting in an amazing splash of water. A force not to be reckoned with, there is enough force in a peduncle slap to kill an orca upon attack!

Humpbacks are skilled acrobats! The peduncle is partly why the Humpback whale is extremely manoeuvrable and the acrobat of the whale world. In fact, the same power required to breach their 40-50 tons in weight is equivalent to the power required to lift a 747 aircraft off the ground.

These animals have not one, but two blowholes. There’s one for each of their lungs, each about the size of a small automobile!

Humpbacks have fingerprints! Each whale has a different and unique design that can be found on its underbelly. The white markings are like human fingerprints; no one pattern is the same. Scientists use these markings to recognize and identify the whales.

Resources used,

Home - Oceana

Home - Whale & Dolphin Conservation USA (whales.org)

Match My Whale (vimeo.com)

Additional details are available on multi web pages of the internet, you can read more about “Humpback” whales on the Wikipedia page.

Humpback whale - Wikipedia

If you do see any whales take note of WHAT, WHERE & WHEN. Record the time and where the whales are sighted and the direction they are travelling. If you are lucky enough to see any whales passing Norfolk Island, please message me, Betty Matthews 57093, and the whale sightings will be recorded for Norfolk Island annual whale surveys and for the Norfolk Island Fauna and Flora Society.

It is always exciting to see the whales from clifftops, but if you get the opportunity, another way to sight the migrating whales, is from the local fishing boats or the Norfolk Island charter boats, which regularly spend time fishing the Norfolk Island coastal areas.

Here are a few “Humpback” Whale photos I have taken in recent years. Next weekend I think I will take my camera out, I might be lucky and see the whale’s migration. I always enjoy exploring Norfolk Island beautiful great outdoors and taking photos. I think this is the special part of living on this remote island we call home.

Happy Whale Watchin

Betty Matthews

August 2023