New born dolphin calf recorded in New Quay harbour

The baby Bottlenose dolphin was seen in New Quay harbour; it is just a week or two old. Credit Sea Watch

On the 8th July, the Sea Watch Foundation's (SWF) team was conducting a dedicated photographic survey in Cardigan Bay with, when upon leaving New Quay harbour, three dolphins were observed feeding. This is not an unusual sight as dolphins tend to feed close to the reef regularly at this time of year.

Once close enough for photographic identification Daphna Feingold, Cardigan Bay Monitoring Officer, was able to recognise one of the dolphin's from the well marked dorsal fin as a male known affectionately as ‘Bond'. The other adult was obviously a female as at her side was a new born calf.

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Often seen around New Quay
On returning to the office to assess the survey's data it was realised that the female and ‘Bond' are known individuals in the catalogue, seen every year since 2003, having been recorded in southern and northern Cardigan Bay and around the Isle of Anglesey. On June 17th, both Bond and the same female were sighted around New Quay headland, in a spot locally known as Bird's Rock. Both were seen feeding in close proximity with other adult dolphins. During that encounter it was recorded that the female had no calf with her.

Less than 3 weeks old
"This is an exciting time for us. We have been able to identify that this new born calf must have been born less than three weeks ago from the information obtained on the 17th June. One way we can accurately age a living dolphin is from recording it from birth" commented Daphna Feingold, SWF Monitoring Officer. "This means we will be able to accurately age the new calf throughout its life time in Welsh waters".

Moneypenny
Since this new mum seems to be spotted with the dolphin ‘Bond', the Sea Watch Foundation team have nick-named her ‘Miss Moneypenny' from the Bond movies, and are asking the public for suggestions for a nick name for the new born calf.

Courtesy of Sea Watch