Migrating sea creature makes ‘rare’ appearance off the coast of England, photos show
A humpback whale recently made a “rare” pit stop in the English Channel while migrating south for the winter, photos show.
The massive marine creature was photographed lunging out of the water off the coast of Hastings, a coastal town in East Sussex, according to a Jan. 4 news release from the Sussex Dolphin Project, a conservation charity.
Sightings were also reported in other seaside towns around the same time, including Rye, Fairlight, and Beachy Head.
“Humpback sightings are rare in the Eastern English Channel,” the organization said.
When humpbacks migrate south during the winter months, “most take the westerly route past Ireland, but a few take the easterly route past the U.K. and ultimately pass through the channel to continue their journey.”
This is at least the second member of the species to be spotted in the channel in recent weeks. One was seen Dec. 14 off Beachy Head.
Humpbacks — which are found throughout all the world’s oceans — can weigh up to 40 tons and live to be nearly 100 years old, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
They undertake epic seasonal migrations, which put most other mammals to shame, according to the organization.
After occupying feeding grounds near the poles during the summer, they migrate to winter mating areas closer to the equator — with some traveling 5,000 miles.
Some have made their migrations at breakneck speeds, swimming 3,000 miles in less than one month, according to NOAA.
Humpbacks seen around the U.K. winter in the Arctic reaches of the North Atlantic Ocean and summer off the west coast of Africa, according to Whale and Dolphin Conservation, another conservation charity.
“Keep your eyes on the water,” the Sussex Dolphin Project stated. “You never know what you might see!”