A humpback whale was spotted passing the Kessock Bridge. Picture: Zolt\u00e1n Petres<\/p>\n
Wildlife watchers were in for a treat yesterday as a humpback whale was spotted swimming in the waters of the Beauly Firth.<\/p>\n
According to Inverness tour operator Dolphin Spirit\u2019s guide and skipper Zolt\u00e1n Petres, local whale and dolphin conservation volunteers first reported the rare sighting in the early hours of Tuesday (April 15).<\/p>\n
\u2022 READ: Highland Council consultation over water activity restriction guidance at Loch Ruthven in bid to protect Slavonian Grebe population as breeding numbers plummet<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 READ: Glen Affric beaver project delay shows \u2018mystifying lack of backbone\u2019 by NatureScot, says Trees For Life<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 More environment news<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The cetacean was spotted near the Meikle Mee buoy and then making its way towards Castle Stewart golf course, after which it headed back towards Inverness.<\/p>\n Mr Petres said: \u201dTogether with other colleagues, WDC volunteers and BDMLR medics we were observing it and when it decided to head further into the Beauly Firth, we headed out to monitor its movements, making sure it was healthy and staying out of the shallow areas.<\/p>\n \u201cIt did a loop in between the slipways at North and South Kessock and then it headed out. The last time I saw it, it was just after 7pm as it was being photographed by a couple as it was passing the Kessock Bridge.<\/p>\n \u201cIt looked to be healthy, and it was most likely in there for food, as lately we’ve been seeing common dolphins (not very common here) and quite a bit of bird life around that end to go for smaller fish, as baleen whales do.\u201d<\/p>\n He explained that to get whales this size in this area is quite a rare occurrence, adding that in case of such sightings, best practice would be to report them to British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).<\/a><\/p>\nA humpback whale was spotted passing the Kessock Bridge. Picture: Zolt\u00e1n Petres.<\/p>\n