Humpback whales back in Britain, with rise in sightings from Kent to Isles of Scilly | Whales
The sight of a humpback whale breaching the surface, its massive tail slapping the grey waters, is becoming an increasingly thrilling possibility along Britain’s coasts. These 30-tonne, 15-meter-long migratory giants are being spotted in growing numbers this winter, from the Isles of Scilly to the eastern English Channel, offering a rare glimpse of nature’s grandeur.
Between Dec. 29 and Jan. 8, 17 humpback sightings were recorded around the Isles of Scilly. Among them was a familiar visitor: a whale named Pi, recognized by the distinctive markings on her fluke. Pi has returned to the archipelago every winter since 2019, delighting observers with her annual appearances.
But the whales aren’t just confined to the southwest. Unusually, humpbacks have also been seen near Deal in Kent and Eastbourne in Sussex, with sightings occurring within an hour of each other. “I know humpback whales are fast, but they’re not that fast,” said Thea Taylor of the Sussex Dolphin Project, confirming that at least two individuals were spotted.
These majestic creatures are migrating from their feeding grounds near Tromsø, Norway, to warmer waters around the Cape Verde islands, where they breed and rest. Traditionally, they navigate around the western side of Britain, but some are now taking an eastern route through the Strait of Dover. This shift may signal a return to ancestral migration paths abandoned during the 19th and 20th centuries, when commercial whaling decimated their populations.
The increase in sightings could be a positive sign of recovery for the species, whose global population now stands at 84,000 mature individuals following the 1986 ban on commercial hunting. However, experts caution that the growing presence of humpbacks in British waters may also reflect changes in food availability.
“We’re seeing a lot of bait fish—smaller fish like anchovies—around the southwest coasts,” said Ruth Williams, head of marine conservation for the Wildlife Trusts. “With climate change, their stocks are moving closer to our waters.”
Wildlife tour guide Carl Chapman noted a likely humpback sighting off the East Anglian coast late last year, accompanied by a large gathering of minke whales drawn to an exceptional herring spawn. Chapman believes warming waters are driving a northerly shift in prey distribution, a theory supported by the recent presence of fish-feeding seabirds like cory’s, great, and sooty shearwaters, typically found further south in the Bay of Biscay.
While these sightings are cause for excitement, marine scientists warn that the reasons behind them are not fully understood. Some humpbacks may be pausing their migrations to feed, suggesting they are undernourished. “These individuals might be stopping off because they are vulnerable and need to feed,” Williams said, urging boat owners to maintain a respectful distance.
The whales’ presence also raises concerns about the challenges they face in increasingly busy waters. The Dover Strait, a narrow and heavily trafficked shipping lane, poses risks of collisions and disorientation. “There are always concerns about collisions with large shipping vessels,” Taylor said. “We hope they continue to hug the coast and avoid the busiest lanes.”
Adding to these concerns are new offshore windfarm projects and subsea power cables, which could disrupt marine ecosystems. Emma Waller, planning and policy officer for Kent Wildlife Trust, highlighted the need for thorough ecological assessments. “Renewable energy is vital, but it must not come at the expense of wildlife,” she said.
As humpback whales continue to grace Britain’s shores, their presence serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between conservation and human activity. “It’s hard not to see a humpback breaching and not want to protect the ocean,” said Emily Cooper, a science communicator for the Marine Conservation Society. “But we must also address the pressures they face, from ghost fishing nets to noise pollution, to ensure their survival.”