A mystery wrapped up in an enigma from Brennig... And Porp's from Fran and Chris...

Need all of your opinions. Had a great afternoon in Strumble Head, not much close by, but the views were so clear and the sea so still I could see everything from St Davids to Cardigan. I saw around 40 common dolphins (in one pod, heading towards strumble from St Davids, but turning west a few miles away), 12 Risso's (in 3 pods,mostly far out to the west), 4 porpoises (mostly to the south of the lighthouse unusually) and 1 chough.

BUT I also saw these... I was thinking they might be Risso's, but their blows where so big, and they were very dark with white patches (although this could be with the light playing with me?). They were very far out, a group of 8, and travelled faster than any dolphin I've seen before.

At the time I thought they might be Orcas, but surely they're Risso's?

Also saw some bottlenosed dolphins in New Quay yesterday, a great show with lots of leaping and playing

. EDIT: These are Bluefin tuna. See other post for details. https://www.facebook.com/groups/545573509378069/?fref=nf

So seawatching can be full of traps and optical illusion depending on light, sea state and experience. Either way Brennig saw four species of cetaceans over the past week or so here in West Wales, which shows dedication and is pretty good going! It seems he thinks on reflection that the mystery animals were Tuna. If you study the video, one of the breaching animals tails seems to flap about. Which looks almost shark like to me. On the other hand the tails look to be horzontal not vertical. To be honest and with the best will in the world the fact is we will never know for sure!

This morning the Sea Trust Photo ID team were at Strumble from 11.00 to 13.00 weather was overcast with an easterly breeze. Sea State was generally 2 apart from the tide race which was relatively close in.

porpoises dhowed throughout but light was not good so photos are record shots. These were taken by volunteers Chris and Fran with Andy keeping the records.

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Towards the end of the survey, Fran spotted Risso's very distant NW of the lighthouse Typically they were showing occasionally but submerged mostly, heading West to East but then started moving out to the North, Difficullt to track but at least two together, and probably a singleton following at a distance.