Bottlenose Dolphins in the Tay

[Image: Bottlenosed Dolphins]

Did you know that 2006 was a bumper year for dolphins in the Tay?

It has been suggested that they might have formed a ‘breakaway pod’ from the famous Moray Firth bottlenose dolphin colony.

There were more sightings than there have been for many years and this has been attributed to the improvements in the cleanliness of the waters around Dundee.

Effluent which was previously discharged directly into the Tay is now handled by the Hatton wastewater treatment works near Carnoustie which was constructed between 1998 and 2001 at a cost of £140 million.

Early in 2006 Broughty Ferry Beach became one of 60 designated bathing waters in Scotland by the award of a yellow flag. One criterion for the award is that “bathing water has to be up to EU minimum legal standards for cleanliness”.

Dolphins are attracted to clean water and due to Scottish Water’s efforts, the river is so clean that you can actually see all the way down to the river bed.

Watching the Dolphins

Good places to watch the dolphins include:

Broughty Ferry Beach.
Broughty Ferry Esplanade – close to the Castle.
The grassy area around Broughty Ferry Castle.
The breakwater at Broughty Ferry Harbour.
The Broughty Ferry Promenade.
In the channel between Broughty Ferry Esplanade and Tentsmuir (binoculars useful)

Good times to look for the dolphins include:

Summer evenings – 5 o’clock onwards seems a good time. Dolphins pass close to viewing areas.
As the tide is coming in – dolphins tend to follow shoals of fish upstream.
When the sea state is ‘choppy’.
When there are no jet skis or powerboats around.

Equipment

No specialist equipment is neeeded, but a 7x–10x pair of binoculars will give stunning closeups.
Still cameras / Video cameras with zoom lenses will capture some great pictures.

WDCS Cetacean Watching Code of Conduct

Whales and dolphins are highly intelligent animals, sensitive to disturbance and can be hit by vessels, including their propellers. If they approach the boat or bow-ride, maintain a slow speed and course until clear. Cetaceans should never be chased or harassed in an attempt to make them bow-ride. When watching dolphins, always let them decide what happens.

When watching marine mammals please follow these simple guidelines:

KEEP your distance. Never go closer than 100m (200m if another boat is present).
NEVER drive head on to, or move between, scatter or separate dolphins. If unsure of their movements, simply stop and put the engine into neutral.
PLEASE spend no longer than 15 minutes near the animals.
SPECIAL care must be taken with mothers and young.
MAINTAIN a steady direction and slow 'no wake' speed.
NEVER try to swim with cetaceans for your safety and theirs.
DO NOT dispose of any rubbish, litter or contaminants at sea.

Crawsnest Network – Tay Dolphins Project

More detailed information about the dolphins, a Tay Dolphin Blog, a Photo Gallery and much more can be accessed at the Crawsnest Network.

This information is provided by the Leisure and Communities Department