Video: Whale mania hits Cornwall with footage of ‘Surf Rider’ humpback
Image screenshot from Dan Abbott’s video
An impressive drone video by wildlife and documentary filmmaker Dan Abbott has captured the presence of humpback whales off the Cornish coast, delighting wildlife enthusiasts and sparking excitement across social media.
The whale, named ‘Surf Rider’ by marine biologist Dan Jarvis, was filmed last week in the waters of Cornwall. According to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust social media, ‘Surf Rider’ has been making regular appearances over the past six weeks.
Abbott, who shared the footage with his followers, says, “Whale mania has gripped the southwest of the UK,” as sightings of these mammals draw crowds to local viewpoints eager to catch a glimpse.
“It’s been amazing watching these humpbacks both up close and from afar, going about their day, breaching, fin and tail slapping,” Abbott shared, highlighting the incredible behaviour of the whales as they go about their day.
The surge in sightings has gleaned widespread attention, with Bex Allen, marine conservation officer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, describing the influx of ocean mammals as “one of the greatest recovery stories” in recent years.
Joining ‘Surf Rider’ was another humpback whale spotted swimming around Newquay named ‘Minstrel,’ who, according to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, is believed to be the second-ever returning humpback in Cornwall and a returning visitor from last year.
Though the exact reasons for the whales’ presence in UK waters remain unclear, sightings have increased in recent years. Experts suggest various factors at play, including population growth, changes in ocean currents, and the possibility that the whales are using Cornwall’s water as a feeding ground before migrating to tropical regions.
Padstow Bay has emerged as one of the top locations for whale watching, with sightings of both humpbacks and minke whales becoming increasingly common along the south coast of the UK.
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