It is important to know that if you stumble across Dolphins whilst offshore, to stick to the Code of Conduct and never touch the animals. You can find out of how to behave around Dolphins here: https://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/marine-code-of-conduct/ 

Dolphins live complex lives, budgeting activities to compensate with the surrounding ecological pressures. To everyone’s surprise, the Short-Beaked Common Dolphin lacks in behavioural research here in the UK, or worldwide for that matter. Factors like water visibility, non-residential populations and the nature of large moving marine mammals makes it particularly difficult to study the Dolphins here, but there are some really great upcoming projects on the horizon, to help us understand these fascinating creatures more indepth!

When you pass by our cabin and see on our sightings list ‘Common Dolphins’, passengers begin to doubt, with the most common question being: “Do we have Dolphins in Wales?!” You would be inclined to think that we don’t, and surely Dolphins wouldn’t visit our waters. But you’d be pleased to know that we do, during the Spring/Summer months only. The most playful and active Dolphins there are too! Wales sits in a really unique position, providing an array of safe habitats and consistent food sources for many animals, so there is no need to venture away if you are a Marine Life geek like we are!

Fortunately, I have grown up by the ocean. I went to university and undertook my masters in Cornwall, have worked as research assistants for many non-profits that are dedicated to Dolphin research, and I was able to land a fantastic job as a marine wildlife guide with Gower Coast Adventures here in Swansea. Becoming a guide allowed me to express my passion and transfer my knowledge and expertise to equally fascinated individuals. I count myself very lucky to have grown up by the ocean and been surrounded by marine life, especially dolphins. 

These experiences have granted me the necessary skills needed for dolphin research and have also equipped me with specialised knowledge of dolphin sociality that I know today - that I can now pass on to the wonderful passengers that join us on our trips!

Common dolphins around the Gower coast

During the late Spring, early Summer we are granted with many different groups of Dolphins, exhibiting a range of different behaviours! From huge foraging aggregations, younger juvenile males and mother and calf groups. All Dolphins are incredibly adapted and are masters of their particular niche, using bio-sonar to communicate with one another, exhibiting multifaceted cultures and displaying unique sociality!

Through-out my career as a behavioural ecologist, I have dedicated a lot of my research and field time to Dolphins, and from a young age, I was completely and utterly fascinated by them, who isn’t?! Their intricate relationships, complex social behaviours and encapsulating playful nature fuelled my passion for them, and also determined my career choice right from the get go.

Short-Beaked Common Dolphins –  by Wildlife Guide Madi (BA Hons, MSc)
www.madisonbowdenparry.com  

The Short-beaked Common Dolphin is one of two species of Common Dolphins. Their distribution stretches around the world, in temperate waters and tropical, and luckily their range extends to us here in Wales.