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Cetacean Notes species were reported with four sperm whales, two northern bottlenose whales, six Mesoplodon species, including a True’s beaked whale and two Records from the Irish Whale and pygmy sperm whales. This year saw the highest number of Sowerby’s beaked whales recorded Dolphin Group for 2009 stranded in a single year. Records of stranded pilot whales were down on previous years. Compilers: Mick O’Connell and Simon Berrow A total of 23 live stranding events was Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, recorded during this period, up from 17 in 2008 Merchants Quay, Kilrush, Co. Clare and closer to the 28 reported in 2007 by O’Connell and Berrow (2008). There were All records below have been submitted with however more individuals live stranded (53) adequate documentation and/or photographs to compared to previous years due to a two mass put identification beyond doubt. The length is a strandings involving pilot whales and bottlenose linear measurement from the tip of the beak to dolphins. Thirteen bottlenose dolphin strandings the fork in the tail fin. is a high number and it includes four live During 2009 we received 136 stranding stranding records. records (168 individuals) compared to 134 records (139 individuals) received in 2008 and Fin whale ( Balaenoptera physalus (L. 1758)) 144 records (149 individuals) in 2007. The Female. 19.7 m. Courtmacsherry, Co. number of stranding records reported to the (W510429), 15 January 2009. Norman IWDG each year has reached somewhat of a Keane, Padraig Whooley, Courtmacsherry plateau (Fig. 1) which provides some consistency Lifeboat Service. if we want to use these data to monitor trends. Male. 15-17 m. Ballyduboy Beach, Co. Wexford Sixteen species were recorded in 2009, with (T193402), 1 February 2009. Deirdre Slevin, 22 specimens not identified to species level. The Eamon Doran, Nicky Walshe, Kevin harbour porpoise was the most frequently McCormick, Tony Murray, Tom Pearman, recorded species with 27 records (19.9%) John Byrne. followed by the common dolphin with 21 Male. 3.4 m (tail and partial body). Doughmore, records (15.4%). This was consistent with Doonbeg, Co. Clare (Q985677), 14 March previous years. The relatively high number of 2009. Identification confirmed from DNA striped dolphin strandings (17) reported in 2006 tests. Simon Berrow, Conor Ryan. (O’Connell and Berrow 2007) has continued, though at a slightly lower level, with 11 reported Minke whale ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata during 2008 and 10 in 2009. Some deep-diving Lacépède 1804) Female. 7.5 m. Ringbaun, Kilmore, Co. Wexford 160 (T024050), 2 May 2009. Connie Doolan, Jim 140 120 Hurley, Kevin Mc Cormick. s d r

o 100 Female. 6.4 m. Roskeeragh, Mullaghmore, Co. c e r

80

f Sligo (G692564), 18 May 2009. Mike Trewby, o

. 60 o Fiona Farrell (NPWS), Don Cotton, Jean N 40 Dunleavy. 20 0 Unsexed. c.4 m. Carrowhubbock, Inishcrone, 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Co. Sligo (G283301), 20 June 2009. Pamela Year Bergin, Laura Mulhern. Figure 1. Number of published cetacean stranding Female. 8.8 m. Inishcrone, Co. Sligo records 2000-2009. (G261295), 16 September 2009. Don Cotton,

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Séamus Feeney, Johnny Kilcullen, James Kilroy Unsexed. c.8 m. Ervallagh, Roundstone, Co. (NPWS). Galway (L706382), 7 April 2009. Thomas Cuvier’s beaked whale ( Ziphius cavirostris O’Sullivan. Cuvier 1823) Unsexed. Unmeasured. Coolnaharrigal, Unsexed. 5.3 m. White Strand, Caherciveen, Co. Rossbeigh, Co. Kerry (V606891), 6 November Kerry (V435793), 8 March 2009. Rosemary 2009. Liam Griffin, Valerie O’Sullivan, Hill, Gerry Enright. Gearoid O’Murchu. Unsexed. 4.65 m. Lenstown, Lenadoon Point, Male. 13 m. Fahy, Clifden, Co. Galway Killala Bay, Co. Sligo (G328388), 28 March (L600517), 27 November 2009. Thomas 2009. Míchéal, Claire and Eileen Casey, Gerry O’Sullivan. Gannon, Don Cotton, Jean Dunleavy. Female. 6 m. Terman, Maghery, Co. Donegal Pygmy sperm whale ( Kogia breviceps (De (B705086), 9 April 2009. Emer Magee Blainville 1838)) (NPWS). Female. 2.2 m. Illaundrane, River, Co. Kerry (V627609), 17 January 2009. Kevin Northern bottlenose (bottle-nosed) whale O’Farrell, Clare Heardman (NPWS), Padraig (Hyperoodon ampullatus (Forster 1770)) Whooley. Female. 7.4 m. Ross Point, Killala, Co. Mayo Female. 2.6 m. Dungarvan Harbour, Co. (G218339), 22 July 2009. James Kilroy Waterford (X274909), 8 December 2009. (NPWS), Conor Ryan, Ger Kearney, Joe Cliona MhicGhiolla Chuda, Pat Cullen, Duffy; but refloated and stranded again at Bernadette Harty, Andrew Malcolm. Lenstown near Lenadoon Point, Co. Sligo (G326388), 24 July 2009. Don Cotton, Jean Harbour porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena (L. Dunleavy. 1758)) Female and male. 6.3 m and 5.5 m. Whiddy Male. 1.8 m. Bunagee Pier, Culdaff, Co. Donegal Island, Bantry Bay, Co. Cork (V991495), (C539503), 11 January 2009. Emmett 27 August 2009. Diarmuid Murphy, Jimmy Johnston (NPWS). Goggin. Female. 1.58 m. Chour, Carnsore, Co. Wexford (T097045), 22 January 2009. Tom Pearman. True’s (Wonderful) beaked whale ( Mesoplodon Female. 1.35 m. Ownahincha Strand, Castle- mirus True 1913) freke, Co. Cork (W313349), 27 January 2009. Male. 4.7 m. Strandhill, Co. Sligo (G603359), Dan Crowley. 20 March 2009. Don Cotton, Jean Dunleavy, Female. 1.8 m. Waterville, Co. Kerry (V497664) , Kate Kenny, Gerard Scott, Gary Waters. 4 February 2009. Rosemary Hill. Female. 1.7 m. Ballyduboy Beach, Morriscastle, Sowerby’s (North Sea) beaked whale Co. Wexford (T196418), 7 February 2009. (Mesoplodon bidens Sowerby 1804) Linda Daniels. Unsexed. 4 m. Glasagh Lower, Derrybeg, Skull only. , Valentia, Co. Kerry , Co. Donegal (B805302), 10 April (V416789), 15 February 2009. Rosemary Hill. 2009. Séamus McGinty (NPWS). Unsexed. 1.56 m. , Co. Kerry Unsexed. 3-3.5 m. Kilcummin Strand, Co. Kerry (V452677), 16 February 2009. Bridge Haug, (Q557124), 21 July 2009. Simon Berrow. Rosemary Hill. Male. 4.52 m. Spanish Point, Co. Clare Unsexed. 1.8 m. Emlagh Beach, Louisburgh, Co. (R025788), 23 November 2009. Geoff Magee, Mayo (L745795), 25 February 2009. Michael Simon Berrow. Bowler. Unsexed. c.1.5 m. Portstewart, Co. Derry Sperm whale ( Physeter macrocephalus L. 1758) (C815382), 9 March 2009. Gary Burrows. Male. 14 m. Garrywilliam, Maharees, Co. Kerry Unsexed. c.1 m. Benone Strand, Co. Derry (Q600190), 8 March 2009. Christian Brene, (C714364), 24 March 2009. Neil Hewat, Rob Jones, Rose Spillane. Gary Burrows, Edita Magileviciute, Rod Male. Unmeasured. Seen floating at surface Penrose, Andrew Black. 300 km west of , Co. Clare, Unsexed. c.1.5 m. Long Strand, , Co. 30 March 2009. Paddy Reilly (Irish Air Cork (W335336), 1 April 2009. Tony Corps). Manning.

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Male. 1.66 m. Lough Swilly, Co. Donegal Kenmare Bay, Co. Cork (V649532), 28 January (C254155), 6 April 2009. Andrew Speer 2009. Clare Heardman (NPWS). (NPWS). Female. Live stranded and euthanized. 2.45 m. Unsexed. Unmeasured. Sandylands Beach, Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo (G710575), 9 May Ballyhalbert, Co. Down (J646640), 9 June 2009. Don Cotton, Niamh McHugh, Ronan 2009. Ronald Stedman. Feely, Míchéal Casey. Unsexed. 0.8 m. Annagassan, Dundalk Bay, Co. Skull only. Beale Strand, , Co. Kerry Louth (O091947), 10 June 2009. Stephen (Q923483), 16 May 2009. Simon Berrow, Harmon. David Griffith, Joanne O’Brien, Barry Unsexed. Unmeasured. South of Dunany Point, O’Donoghue (NPWS). Co. Louth (O153894), 11 June 2009. James Female. 4.4 m. Doughmore, Doonbeg, Co. Clare Murray. (Q990688), 25 May 2009. Doonbeg Unsexed. Unmeasured. Donabate, Co. Dublin Community Association, Simon, Rónán, Cuan (O257500), 17 June 2009. Carol Doyle. and Muireann Berrow, Frances Bermingham. Unsexed. Unmeasured. Brittas Bay North, Co. Unsexed. c.4.5 m. Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal Wicklow (T306821), 23 June 2009. Irene (G858682), 24 June 2009. Bernadette O’Brien (NPWS). Connolly. Unsexed. Unmeasured. Drumanagh Beach, Unsexed. Unmeasured. Malin, Co. Donegal Loughshinney/Rush, Co. Dublin (O272553), (C419527), 23 July 2009. Paul Hanna. 30 June 2009. Aaron Murray. Unsexed. Unmeasured. Bunawonder, , Co. Male. 0.74 m. North of Balbriggan, Co. Dublin Kerry (Q720109), 29 July 2009. Ten individuals (O199651), 30 June 2009. Paul Rogers. (including two calves) live stranded and were Male. Unmeasured. Dollar Bay, Hook Head, Co. refloated by RNLI and Coastguard units. Wexford (S749055), 27 July 2009. Deirdre Remained in the area for a number of days but Slevin. did not re-strand. Valentia Coastguard Service. Unsexed. c.1 m. Moville, Greencastle, Co. Female. 4.5 m. Saleens Beach, Tramore, Co. Donegal (C630390), 27 July 2009. Laura Waterford (S625002), 1 September 2009. Keith Cornick, Daragh McDonough, Keith Stafford, Pat Connolly, Michael O’Meara, Buchanan. Andrew Quinn, Irish Seal Sanctuary. Male. 1.48 m. Donabate, Co. Dublin (O255496) , Female. 4.9 m. Rostoonstown Beach, Co. Wexford 9 August 2009. Cormac Price. (T079050), 31 October 2009. David Ennis, Male. c.1m. Wicklow Harbour, Co. Wicklow Tony Murray (NPWS), Kevin Mc Cormick. (T319940), 14 September 2009. Alexander Unsexed. 5.1 m. Dollar Bay, Hook, Co. Wexford Ellis, Declan Quigley. (S744064), 22 November 2009. Kevin Unsexed. Unmeasured. Laytown, Co. Meath McCormick, Brendan O’Callaghan. (O171706), 17 September 2009. Keith Unsexed. c.6 m. North Shore, Inishmaan, Aran Murphy, Johnny Woodlock. Islands, Co. Galway (L940068), 2 December Unsexed. 1.5 m. Ballydowane Beach, Bunmahon, 2009. Padraic Flaherty. Co. Waterford (X398975), 16 November 2009. Male. c.5 m. Sruhir Strand, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo George Munday. (L749776), 30 December 2009. Patrick Male. Unmeasured. Whiterocks Beach, Curran Lonergan. Strand, Co. Antrim (C881409), 3 December 2009. Michael Gardiner, Andy Black, Helen White-beaked dolphin ( Lagenorhynchus White, Gary Burrows. albirostris Gray 1846) Male. Unmeasured. Long Strand, Castlefreke, Co. Unsexed. c.2 m. Keel Beach, , Co. Cork (W330340), 10 December 2009. William Mayo (F654032), 30 May 2009. Jens, Helps. Symanther and Lokni Heinzinger. Male. 3 m. Dooey, Lettermacaward, Co. Donegal Long-finned pilot whale ( Globicephala melaena (B753027), 22 October 2009. David Mitchell, (Traill 1809)) Andrew Kenned y. Unsexed. c.2.3 m. Ballycastle Beach, Co. Mayo (G101396), 23 January 2009. Ballina Gardai, White-sided dolphin ( Lagenorhynchus acutus David Tully. Gray 1826) Unsexed. 4.1 m. Inner Ballycrovane Harbour, Female. 2.7 m. Omey Strand, Claddaghduff, Co.

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Galway (L576567), 19 February 2009. Unsexed. 1.5 m excluding tail. Dog’s Bay, Dermot Breen (NPWS). , Co. Galway (L695373), Male. 2.6 m. Nun’s Beach, Derrygimlagh, 3 February 2009. Dermot Breen (NPWS). Ballyconneely, Co. Galway (L623457), 1 May Male. 1.73 m. Incheydoney, Co. Cork 2009. Thomas O’Sullivan, Dermot Breen (W399381), 3 February 2009. Doug Buggy. (NPWS). Unsexed. 1.3 m. Allihies, Co. Cork (V574458), 13 March 2009. Pauliina Knauppila. Risso’s dolphin ( Grampus griseus (Cuvier Unsexed. c.1.5 m. Whitepark Bay, Co. Antrim 1812)) (D025444), 10 April 2009. Kaiti Kartusov, Unsexed. 3.1 m. Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork Mari-Liis Jaanus, Barry Crawford, Gary (V954220), 30 March 2009. Steve Wing, Dara Burrows. Fitzpatrick. Unsexed. c.2 m. Beach, Co. Kerry Unsexed. Unmeasured. Melmore, Co. Donegal (V531582), 24 April 2009. Rory Tangney, (C135440), 29 June 2009. Gary O’Connell, Ethna Viney. John Houston. Unsexed. 1.65 m. Jack’s Hole Beach, Brittas Bay, Female. 3.04 m. Ballygrangans, Kilmore, Co. Co. Wicklow (T308832), 24 April 2009. Ben Wexford (S993040), 1 September 2009. Jim McCabe (NPWS). Hurley. Unsexed. Unmeasured. Docks, Co. Mayo (F712323), 1 May 2009. Initial live Striped dolphin ( Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen stranding of two animals which were refloated. 1833)) Soon followed by live stranding of three Male. 1.5 m. Lahinch, Co. Clare (R082883), animals (which may or may not have included 2 January 2009. Simon Berrow, Dave Wall, the two dolphins involved in the initial Lahinch Coastguard. stranding). Two were refloated and the third Unsexed. <1.8 m. Tullan Strand, Co. Donegal died. Belmullet Gardai, Mayo Fire Service, (G831620), 14 January 2009. Gerald Adley. NPWS, Irish Coastguard Service. Unsexed. 1.5 m. Doughmakeon, Carrowniskey, Female. 1.83 m. Carrowniskey, Co. Mayo Louisburgh, Co. Mayo (L747789), 25 January (L749785), 28 May 2009. Louise Noble- 2009. Michael Bowler, John Mc Dowell. Moore, Ethna and Michael Viney, John Female. 1.8 m. Ballywalter, Co. Down McDowell. (J632688), 29 January 2009. Tania Singleton. Unsexed. Unmeasured. Barrow Strand, , Male. 1.66 m. Ballyloughane Beach, Renmore, Co. Kerry (Q777146), 21 July 2009. Mairead Co. Galway (M316247), 27 February 2009. Moore, Simon Berrow. Rita Gately. Female. 1.5 m. Skerries, Co. Dublin (O258606), Male. 2.13 m. Purteen Harbour, Achill Island, 21 July 2009. Johnny Woodlock. Co. Mayo (F622037), 13 March 2009. John Unsexed. Unmeasured. Fintragh Bay, Killybegs, O’Shea, Lee McDaid (NPWS). Co. Donegal (G690762), 23 July 2009. Paul Unsexed. 1.9 m. Tramore Beach, Co. Waterford Hanna. (S588010), 1 July 2009. Alison Irwin, Billy Male. 2.09. Beach, Mullet Peninsula, Butler. Co. Mayo (F650188), 3 August 2009. Machiel Male. 1.88 m. Reenroe Beach, Ballinskelligs, Co. Oudejans, James Keating, Fleur Visser, Fintan Kerry (V470679), 4 July 2009. Lucy Hunt, Sheeran. Kathy Heavey. Female. 1.5 m. Seapoint, Co. Dublin Unsexed. 1.5 m. Kilkee, Co. Clare (Q882599), (O220297), 8 August 2009. Nick Channon, 10 October 2009. Simon and Ronan Berrow, Mike Vanhorn, Philip Stone. Tom Byrne. Male. 2 m. Clogher Strand, Co. Kerry Unsexed. 1-1.5 m. Eastern beach, Inis Mor, Aran (Q316033), 11 August 2009. Nick Massett. Islands, Co. Galway (L903073), 27 December Unsexed. Unmeasured. Banna Strand, Co. Kerry 2009. Ronan MacGiollapharaic. (Q747237), 26 August 2009. Mairead Moore. Male. 2.35 m. Smerwick Harbour, Co. Kerry Common dolphin ( Delphinus delphis L. 1758) (Q366057), 3 September 2009. Brid Unsexed. 2 m. Bealacoon, Minard, Co. Kerry Houlihan, Oceanworld. (V533983), 22 January 2009. Ray and Female. 2 m. Ray Bridge, Rathmullen, Co. Marilyn Farrell. Donegal (C258253), 12 October 2009. David

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McNamara (NPWS). Unsexed. 2.7 m. Gowlane Strand, Brandon Bay, Unsexed. Unmeasured. Carricklahan Beach, Co. Kerry (Q566128), 22 December 2009. Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo (F611218), Katie O’Dwyer. 28 November 2009. Dave Suddaby. Unsexed. Unmeasured. Laytown Beach, Co. Striped or common dolphin Meath (O168713), 3 December 2009. David Unsexed. 2.34 m. Ringbaun, Kilmore, Co. Conroy. Wexford (T013047), 1 January 2009. Jim Female. 2.1 m. Doughmore, Doonbeg, Co. Hurley, Roy Watson. Clare (Q990693), 8 December 2009. Simon Female. 1.52 m excluding tail. Coumeenole Berrow, David O’Gorman, Pearse Ryan. Strand, Co. Kerry (V312980), 22 August 2009. Nick Massett. Bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus Unsexed. Unmeasured. White Strand, Co. Mayo (Montagu 1821)) (L747795), 13 September 2009. Kerstin Male. 2.13 m. Quilty, Co. Clare (R011745), 10 Koeppchen. March 2009. Tara Sharp, Simon Berrow. Unsexed. Unmeasured. Reen Pier, Castle- Unidentified dolphin/porpoise townsend, Co. Cork (W186307), 14 March Unsexed. 1.8 m. Ballyhornan Beach, Ardglass, 2009. Jim Kennedy. Co. Down (J595418), 17 January 2009. Noel Unsexed. 2.4 m. New Bridge Bay, Lough Swilly, Taggart. Co. Donegal (C296328), 23 April 2009. Unsexed. 1 m excluding head and upper body. David McNamara (NPWS). Tracht Beach, Kinvara, Co. Galway Female. 3.04 m. Warren Strand, (M340141), 1 March 2009. Belinda Bay, Co. Cork (W298352), 4 June 2009. Deutinger. William Helps. Unsexed. c.1.2 m. Laytown, Co. Meath Unsexed. Unmeasured. Spa, Fenit, Co. Kerry (O174693), 6 April 2009. Keith Murphy (Q779148), 10 July 2009. Unprecedented live Unsexed. Unmeasured. Laytown, Co. Meath stranding of 17 bottlenose dolphins which (O172700), 14 May 2009. Keith Murphy. were subsequently refloated. Four bottlenose Unsexed. 0.8 m excluding head and tail. dolphin strandings (at three locations, see Rossbeigh, Co. Kerry (V644913), 25 May below) over the following days are likely to 2009. Sean and Janette O’Callaghan. have been part of this group. Irish Coastguard Unsexed. Unmeasured. Dog’s Bay, Ballyconneely, Service. Co. Galway (L692386), 31 May 2009. Richie Male. 2.82 m. Fenit, Co. Kerry (Q781148), Conroy. 12 July 2009. Juvenile, post mortem revealed Unsexed. 2-3 m. Eddy Island, Galway Bay, Co. no obvious cause of death. Kevin Flannery, Galway (M347164), 3 June 2009. John Boyd. Dingle Oceanworld. Unsexed. Unmeasured. Strand, Co. Kerry Unsexed. Unmeasured. Fenit, Co. Kerry (V374993), 11 July 2009. Kevin Flannery, (Q727153), 13 July 2009. Mike O’Neill, Dingle Oceanworld. Colm Horgan, Tom Kennedy. Unsexed. 1.45 m excluding head. Banna Strand, Male. 2.8 m and 2.9 m. Camp, Co. Kerry Co. Kerry (Q749225), 29 July 2009. Deirdre (Q679107), 21 July 2009. Two immature McElligott. males. Bernard Mac Bradaigh, Simon Berrow. Unsexed. Unmeasured. Annagassan, Co. Louth Unsexed. 1.15 m. Cloonagh Beach, Ballinfull, (O136933), 14 August 2009. Irish Coastguard Co. Sligo (G596473), 31 July 2009. Neonate. Service, Gerry Mc Donald. Don Cotton, Jean Dunleavy, James Hanrahan. Unsexed. c.1 m. Tramore, Co. Waterford Male 3.21 m. Cappagh Strand, , Co. (S591008), 30 September 2009. Declan Kerry (Q527131), 14 August 2009. Peggy Quigley. Fitzgerald, Nick Massett. Unsexed. Unmeasured. White Strand, Miltown Male. Unmeasured. , , Malbay, Co. Clare (R038804), 1 October Co. Kerry (Q609185), 24 August 2009. 2009. John Paul, John Shine. Emmet Jackson. Unsexed. c.1.6 m. Duvillaun Beg, Mullet Unsexed. Unmeasured. Five Fingers Strand, Peninsula, Co. Mayo (F591164), 23 October Malin Head, Co. Donegal (C463496), 2009. Eoin McGreal (NPWS). 27 September 2009. George Woolsey. Unsexed. c.2 m. Ballydowane Beach, Bunmahon,

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Co. Waterford (X390974), 17 November marks between the head and dorsal fin. Such skin 2009. George Munday. conditions are common on porpoises (Baker, J. R., 1992 Aquatic Mammals 18:27-32) but the Unidentified whale species cause of these are not known and being present Unsexed. 5.5 m section of vertebrae. Roonah, on a new born animal we suspect they represent Louisburgh, Co. Mayo (L747766), 23 July post-mortem damage. We have placed photo- 2009. Eoin Mc Greal (NPWS), Dan Brown. graphs of the animal with Nigel Monaghan at the Unsexed. c.10 m. Black Strand, Caherciveen, Co. National Museum of . Kerry (V433800), 9 December 2009. Paul Murphy. Acknowledgment: Thanks to Vic Simpson for advice. Unidentified cetacean species Unsexed. Unmeasured. Kilshannig, Castle- David Friel gregory, Co. Kerry (Q623191), 30 January Environment Section, Donegal County Council, 2009. Mick O’Connell. Co. Donegal Unsexed. 2.3 m length of vertebrae. Farrihy Bay, D. Paddy Sleeman Kilkee, Co. Clare (Q902634). Simon Berrow. Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, University College Cork References O’CONNELL, M. AND BERROW, S. (2007) Minke whale (Balaenoptera Records from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group for 2006. Irish Naturalists’ Journal acutorostrata Lacépède) at 28(11): 459-466. Ballyhealy, Co.Wexford O’CONNELL, M. AND BERROW, S. (2008) Records from the Irish Whale and Dolphin A dead baleen whale was washed ashore at Group for 2007. Irish Naturalists’ Journal Ballyhealy Beach, Co. Wexford (T018049) on 29(1): 40-45. 2 May 2009. When visited on 5 May 2009 the whale was measured as being 6.9 m in length and was observed to have a pointed head and a ridge A neonate harbour porpoise running down the length of the rostrum between the blow holes and with over 30 visible throat (Phocoena phocoena (L.)) with grooves. The dorsal fin was small and sickle- damaged skin shaped (40 cm long, 20 cm high) and the pointed pectoral fins (108 cm) with white bands On 8 June 2009 a small dead cetacean on the confirmed that it was a minke whale strand at Greencastle Co Donegal (C6439) was (Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacépède) (Wilson, J. brought to our attention. It was clearly newly and Berrow, S. 2006 A guide to the identification born as it had neonatal folds on its flank, the of the whales and dolphins of Ireland. Irish Whale dorsal fin was flopped over, it had no visible and Dolphin Group, Kilrush). teeth, its eyes were closed and it had vibrissae on The whale was in good general condition, but its beak. At approximately 60 cm long and from there were rope marks on the tail stock and flukes the body shape we concluded it was a neonate and there was a large gash (60 cm) on the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena (L.)). abdomen. These injuries would point to it This species is Ireland’s most abundant having been caught in fishing gear. cetacean and it is well established that the young are born in June (Fairley, J. S. 1981 Irish Whales Daire Ó hUallacháin and David Devaney and Whaling. Blackstaff Press, Belfast). What was Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Wexford. interesting is that there were a series rounded

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