Other Cetaceans

Key cetaceans regularly recorded in East Grampian coastal waters are bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), orca (Orcinus orca), and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) (Evans et al, 2008; SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.).

However there are a number of other species which have been recorded along the East Grampian coast. Inshore cetaceans recorded include fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), and risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus). Offshore cetaceans recorded include striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus), and sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) (Evans et al, 2008; SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.).

Conservation Status:
All of the below species are Priority Species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BRIG, 2007) and the Scottish Biodiversity List (NatureScot, 2020b). Some are also Priority Marine Features, this is stated where applicable. 

Fin Whale:
Fin whale are a very rare species in East Grampian waters, more generally sighted off of the West Coast of Scotland (Couzens et al, 2017). Between 1870 and 1997 there were six records in the North East region. The next records in the East Grampian area were of a stranding on Balmedie Beach in June 2021 and one individual off of Collieston coast in August 2021 (SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.). Fin whale are a Priority Marine Feature (NatureScot, 2020a).

Long-finned Pilot Whale:
Long-finned pilot whale are a rare species in East Grampian waters and are more generally sighted off of the West and North coasts of Scotland (Couzens et al, 2017). A number of strandings have been recorded in the North East region since 1905, with the most recent being Cairnbulg in January 2014. Long-finned pilot whale was most recently recorded off of Peterhead in June 2022 (SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.). Long-finned pilot whale are a Priority Marine Feature (NatureScot, 2020a).

Common Dolphin:
Common dolphin (fig. 1) are a rare species in East Grampian waters, and are more likely to be sighted off of West Scotland (Couzens et al, 2017). In recent years six individuals were recorded in Inverbervie Bay in August 2018. Five individuals were recorded off of Cove and four off of Peterhead in July 2021 (SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.). Common dolphin are a Priority Marine Feature (NatureScot, 2020a).

Atlantic White-sided Dolphin:
Atlantic white-sided dolphin are a very rare species along the East Grampian coast, more generally recorded in waters to the West and North of Scotland and around Shetland (Couzens et al, 2017). The only live sighting since 2003 was of two individuals off of Fraserburgh in 2005. There have been strandings recorded at Slains Castle in 2007 and Inverbervie in 2014 (SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.). Atlantic white-sided dolphin are a Priority Marine Feature (NatureScot, 2020a).

Risso's Dolphin:
Risso's dolphin (fig. 2) are a rare species in East Grampian waters, sighted more often to the West and North of Scotland's mainland as well as around Orkney and Shetland (Couzens et al, 2017). Live sightings of risso's dolphin include Peterhead in 2005, Donmouth to Balmedie in 2006, Muchalls in 2007, and Boddam Ness in 2022. There have been a number of strandings recorded including Blackdog in 2004, Donmouth in 2005, Rattray in 2012, Sandhaven in 2021, and Philorth in 2022 (SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.). Risso's dolphin are a Priority Marine Feature (NatureScot, 2020a).

Striped Dolphin:
Striped dolphin are a very rare species to the East Grampian coast, sighted mostly far off the West Coast of Scotland in deep waters (Couzens et al, 2017). One was recorded stranded at Cairnbulg in 2011 (SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.).

Sei Whale:
Sei whale are a very rare species to the East Grampian coast, sighted mostly far off the West and North Coasts of Scotland in deep waters (Couzens et al, 2017). An individual was sighted in August and September 2021 off of St Cyrus and Inverbervie - before this the only previous record was a stranding at Strathbeg Bay in 1949 (SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.).

Sperm Whale:
Sperm whale are a very rare species to East Grampian waters, generally recorded off the West and North Coasts of Scotland in deep waters (Couzens et al, 2017). One individual was recorded off of Peterhead in 1998. Strandings have been recorded at Cruden Bay in 1996 and 2003, Forvie in 2006, and Balmedie in 2009 (SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.). Sperm whale are a Priority Marine Feature (NatureScot, 2020a).

Northern Bottlenose Whale:
Northern bottlenose whale are a very rare species to the East Grampian coast, preferring very deep waters, and has mostly been sighted off of the Northern coasts of Scotland (Couzens et al, 2017).
Live sightings were recorded off of Peterhead in 1997 and Aberdeen in 2006. There is a stranding record at Bridge of Don in 1941 (SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.). Northern bottlenose whale are a Priority Marine Feature (NatureScot, 2020a).

Sowerby's Beaked Whale:
Sowerby's beaked whale are a very rare species to the East Grampian coast, generally sighted in the Faeroe-Shetland channel (Couzens et al, 2017). There have been two strandings recorded at Kirkton Point in 1967 and Peterhead in 2006 (SOC North East Scotland Branch, n.d.). Sowerby's beaked whale are a Priority Marine Feature (NatureScot, 2020a).

Report any cetacean sightings to the SeaWatch Foundation or NESBReC via the links below.