Minke whales spotted off Scotland's west coast 'lunge feeding'
The footage was captured by those onboard the Hebrides Cruises' vessel Lucy Mary in an area known as The Minch, a rich marine corridor between the Outer Hebrides and the mainland.
Lunge feeding is a hunting technique used by baleen whales. The whale accelerates towards a dense patch of prey with its mouth wide open, engulfing a huge volume of water and fish.
The video shows the whale surging through the water, surfacing with its jaw extended, a classic lunge.
James Fairbairns, Skipper, Hebrides Cruises, said: 'While minke whales are one of the most regularly seen baleen whale species in The Minch during the summer months, witnessing lunge feeding behaviour is relatively rare.
'We might encounter feeding whales a handful of times in a season, but seeing a clear, sustained lunge feeding event, as in this footage, is a real highlight.
'This year, there have been a few isolated sightings, but this was one of the most dramatic displays we've witnessed.'
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The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Footage captures whale feeding behaviour off Scotland's west coast
This behaviour, known as 'lunge feeding', is one of the most dramatic feeding strategies in the natural world, with whales gulping down huge amounts of water and prey in just seconds. Hebrides Cruises has spotted minke whales on most of its cruises this season and reports all sightings to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) via the Whale Watch app. Every summer, minke whales migrate to feed in the waters off Scotland's west coast, and Hebrides Cruises' Wildlife Guides and Skippers are expert at reading the sea to locate them. A large gathering of seabirds is often the first sign of a fish feeding frenzy, which attracts minke whales to lunge feed at the surface. READ MORE: The footage was recorded in The Minch, a rich marine corridor between the Outer Hebrides and mainland Scotland, with strong tidal flows and mixing currents. This combination brings nutrient-rich waters to the surface, which fuels the growth of plankton and supports large shoals of small fish, such as sand eels, sprats, and herring - exactly the prey species that minke whales are looking for. Lunge feeding is a hunting technique used by baleen whales. The whale accelerates towards a dense patch of prey with its mouth wide open, engulfing a huge volume of water and fish. Pleated grooves along the whale's throat expand, allowing it to take in more food. The whale then closes its mouth and uses its tongue to push the water back out through its baleen plates, trapping the fish inside. In the footage, you can see the whale surging through the water, surfacing with its jaw extended, a classic lunge. Feeding events like this suggest that prey stocks in the area are currently healthy enough to support large marine predators. The presence of feeding whales can also be an encouraging sign that The Minch is continuing to serve as an important seasonal feeding ground for minke whales. James Fairbairns, Skipper, Hebrides Cruises, said: 'While minke whales are one of the most regularly seen baleen whale species in The Minch during the summer months, witnessing lunge feeding behaviour is relatively rare. We might encounter feeding whales a handful of times in a season, but seeing a clear, sustained lunge feeding event, as in this footage, is a real highlight. This year, there have been a few isolated sightings, but this was one of the most dramatic displays we've witnessed. Hebridean Cruises (Image: unknown) Guests were absolutely thrilled – for many, it was their first time seeing a whale in the wild, let alone such close-up feeding behaviour. The excitement on deck was palpable, with cameras clicking, binoculars scanning, and numerous 'did you see that!' moments. Encounters like this are unforgettable and a reminder of the incredible wildlife right on our doorstep in Scotland.' Minke whales are also highly curious animals and will often approach vessels, sometimes circling around or passing under the hull, much to the delight of crew and guests. Occasionally, a whale will flash its white underside at the boat or even swim upside down. Earlier this summer, Hebrides Cruises guests were also treated to a sighting of John Coe, the UK's most famous killer whale, near the Isle of Mull, highlighting the extraordinary diversity of marine life to be found in these waters. Later this month, Hebrides Cruises' second 'In Search of Giants' expedition cruise departs from Oban. This pioneering 10-night voyage to the former whaling grounds west and north of Scotland sold out within hours for both 2025 and 2026, with bookings now being taken for 2027. The cruise ventures beyond the Outer Hebrides to the continental shelf-edge west and north of St Kilda, one of the most remote and dramatic marine environments in the UK. This area, known as the Rockall Trough, serves as a crucial migratory corridor for large baleen whales and sperm whales. Although acoustic research has shown the presence of whales in the corridor, a dedicated search and documentation of sightings has never been carried out. Specialist guide Dr Conor Ryan, a leading expert in whale ecology and the history of whaling in Scotland, will join the voyage aboard the ocean-going vessel Elizabeth G. Guests will search for fin, humpback, and possibly even blue whales, with all sightings logged in collaboration with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. Shore visits include historic whaling sites such as Bunavoneader, offering a poignant link between Scotland's whaling past and the conservation-focused future.
STV News
4 days ago
- STV News
Minke whales spotted off Scotland's west coast 'lunge feeding'
Multiple minke whales have been spotted lunge feeding off Scotland's west coast, which is a rare sight in UK waters. The footage was captured by those onboard the Hebrides Cruises' vessel Lucy Mary in an area known as The Minch, a rich marine corridor between the Outer Hebrides and the mainland. Lunge feeding is a hunting technique used by baleen whales. The whale accelerates towards a dense patch of prey with its mouth wide open, engulfing a huge volume of water and fish. The video shows the whale surging through the water, surfacing with its jaw extended, a classic lunge. James Fairbairns, Skipper, Hebrides Cruises, said: 'While minke whales are one of the most regularly seen baleen whale species in The Minch during the summer months, witnessing lunge feeding behaviour is relatively rare. 'We might encounter feeding whales a handful of times in a season, but seeing a clear, sustained lunge feeding event, as in this footage, is a real highlight. 'This year, there have been a few isolated sightings, but this was one of the most dramatic displays we've witnessed.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
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