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Our update list is rather brief, since the majority of humpback whale sightings through the 2002 field season were in offshore areas, as well as alternate feeding grounds off of Nova Scotia. Many of the whales we regularly find on Jeffrey's Ledge and Stellwagen Bank (our most accessible, inshore, regular feeding areas) were found 100 miles south and offshore in the Great South Channel and other offshore feeding areas. Subsequently, sightings of humpbacks this year were spotty at best. We believe that this shift in distribution is nothing other than a slight shift in the prey distribution, very likely part of several natural cycles. This has happened many times in the past, and we're hopeful that next year will be another "boom" year for us in the inshore waters of the Gulf of Maine.
 SOCKEYE - is named for a deformity of his jaw that mimics the Sockeye Salmon. Sockeye's smaller upper jaw actually fits down inside his huge lower jaw, creating a whale-sized underbite! Sockeye was first sighted in 1984, and has grown into a healthy adult male. His odd jaw has definitely not impaired his feeding ability! Though we did not see Sockeye ourselves, Regina Silva, working on the Captain John Boats out of Plymouth, MA reported to us that Sockeye was seen feeding on the Southern End of Stellwagen Bank in August of this year. He appeared to be healthy and was feeding heavily!
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 OWL - named for two black dots on either side of her tail, resembling owls' eyes. Owl was first sighted as a calf in 1986 with her mother, Falco. Owl gave birth to her first calf in 1993, and her second in 1998. Owl was sighted several times this year both on Stellwagen Bank and Jeffrey's Ledge with her brand new calf! Both mother and baby were doing well - and were observed several times on their own as well as in the presence of other humpback whales.
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 SHARK - is named for the black markings on the tip of the right side of her tail that resemble the profile of a shark's face. Shark was first sighted as a calf in 1983 with her mother, Apex. Shark has had four calves. CORE scientists did not see Shark this year, but she was reported to us on several occasions by Center for Coastal Studies Scientists out of Provincetown, MA and the New England Aquarium's whale watching vessel. Shark is certainly one of our regular mothers and we're hoping that she might be arriving next spring with a new calf - only time will tell!
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 BADGE - is named for the black markings on the left side of the tail that look like a badge on a military uniform. Badge was first sighted in the feeding area off of Gloucester in 1987 - small at the time, he was probably a calf in 1986. No reports of Badge were made this year. Sightings of humpbacks on Jeffrey's Ledge (one of Badge's "local haunts") were quite low this season. Our friends from Brier Island Whale & Seabird Cruises have reported many humpbacks in the Bay of Fundy this year, as herring in that area has been plentiful. Many of the individuals reported up that way are whales that we see on Jeffrey's Ledge, so it's possible that Badge is feeding in that area. |
There are many ways to help support CORE's research. An avenue you may choose is to donate your time and expertise by becoming an intern or volunteer.
You may also show your support by joining us on one of our special research trips. Each summer, CORE conducts offshore trips - full day, overnight and three day excursions to areas that we are unable to reach during our regular trips. Participation in these offshore excursions not only helps CORE, but enriches your whale experiences, as well!
In kind donations are also a terrific help to our research. For instance, if you have a camera, slide projector or even a printer, we can use it!
Becoming a member of CORE is yet another way to help our research continue. With monies raised through memberships, CORE can procure additional equipment and can also conduct dedicated research trips during the off-season.Please ask a CORE researcher for further details if you are interested in helping CORE in any of the above ways! We do appreciate it!
We hope you feel a sense of satisfaction in knowing that your donations will directly fund CORE's mission to promote stewardship and the conservation of cetaceans and their marine environment.
Thank you very much!
There are four ways you can sponsor a whale: aboard any whale watch boat, at the ticket office, by mail, or by e-mail! Simply click here to access a printable form. Adoptions last for one year, and cost $25.
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