2014 Florida Volunteer Updates

As the North Atlantic right whales migrate to the South Georgia/Northern Florida coast each winter volunteers help watch for and capture critical details related to this endangered species. This information helps scientists track the fate of the species and acts as a first alert system to pilots in the shipping lanes to avoid accidental killings. This blog shares the findings, photos and other pertinent information gathered from the Palm Coast Sector Volunteer Team while helping to connect and communicate the many ways we can protect the right whales and sustain our wonderful ocean life.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Planned Whale Watch Parties!

Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies Invitation Email. Cape Cod Bay is much easier to control sighting parties than our ocean!

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Join us to watch right whales...right from the beach!
Tuesday, April 20, 11 a.m. and
Friday, April 23, 1 p.m.


Several right whales congregate off Race Point
Right whales off Race Point

Please join Jesse Mechling, PCCS education director, for the thrill of right whale spotting from Herring Cove Beach.

Cape Cod Bay is alive with right whales this April, with large numbers of sightings from PCCS researchers in its Right Whale Aerial Survey Program. But you don't need to get in an airplane to see these ancient and awesome creatures. You can see them right from the beach!
Meet at Herring Cove parking lot (right side) for the beginning of each walk.  If you have questions, please e-mail or call Jesse (508-487-3623, ext. 103).


Newcomers to PCCS receive a complimentary one-year membership! Contact 
Jan Young(508-487-3622, ext. 104) before or after your walk to register for membership.

And stay tuned for an invitation to our Full Moon Dune Hike, coming up at the end of the month!

Our Friends Have Arrived Safely

A group of right whales skim-feeds in the southern portion of Cape Cod Bay.
Right whales off Dennis, April '10
I apologize for my lack of posting at the end of the season while some of you were able to see the remaining whales in our area before they left and in particular the right whale mother and calf. I was a bit depressed that I was not able to get to these final sightings and yet have had a few bright notes from the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies that I thought you'd be interested in (most current email is below and photo above is from them). 


There is a group of right whales currently close to shore near the town of Dennis, MA - which is like us hearing that whales are currently in St Augustine (about the same distance from Dennis to Provincetown).  The Cape Cod bay is tidal (low tide takes the water out almost half a mile or more in some places!), the water is much warmer and more shallow as compared to the Atlantic side of the Cape plus as you'll read it is full of their favorite food. 


I will attempt to post this type of information as it crosses my path and possibly other related to our abundant ocean life but please email me any and all information you come across that you think others would be interesting in reading as well and I will be happy to post. 


What a wonderful and life changing few months we have had this season! Here's to a healthy and happy summer to you all.


Yours in whale watching.
-Chris Sullivan

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April 16, 2010
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (PCCS) Email

Dear Friend of PCCS:

Many of you have asked to be notified of opportunities to observe North Atlantic right whales from shore. As of 8:00 a.m. this morning, PCCS staff have confirmed at least 8-10 right whales skim-feeding off of Mayflower and Chapin Beaches in Dennis.

We expect them to stay in the area, and possibly along adjoining bayside beaches, for the next day or two until the patch of zooplankton that they are feeding on is gone.

PLEASE remember and inform others, that federal law protecting this most endangered of whales requires all vessels to remain 500 yards away from right whales; so enjoy this special opportunity from the beach but strongly discourage anyone who might contemplate approaching them from the water.

Let us know what you see.

Thank you for caring about this most endangered of great whales.

Richard Delaney
Executive Director