Humpbacks in Sussex waters

, 20 January 2025
Humpbacks in Sussex waters
The tailfin of a Humpback Whale, by Gillian Day

By Sarah Ward

Marine Conservation Officer 

Rudyard Kipling wrote of the ‘whale-backed’ South Downs - but did he ever see a whale while looking out from Seaford Head?

This winter has seen an extraordinary spate of sightings of one of nature’s giants, the Humpback Whale, along the Sussex coast.

Those lucky enough to see the action have had a special experience, as records of this species in the eastern end of the English Channel are quite rare. 

A sighting was also confirmed from Deal, on the Kent coast, in mid-January, but it’s not clear whether this relates to the same individual - or perhaps one of several individuals - we’ve been seeing lately in Sussex.

Humpbacks are known to be expressive, often observed breaching or slapping their flippers on the water’s surface – both behaviours that have made them visible in Sussex. They are also very vocal and will sing to communicate with others or attract a mate.

Humpback Whales are cetaceans, a group of marine mammals that includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. Like all mammals, cetaceans are warm-blooded, breathe air, and suckle their young.

Cetaceans are divided into two groups: toothed whales and baleen whales. Humpbacks are part of the second grouping, meaning they have plates of baleen (whale bone) instead of teeth. They generally feed on krill and small fish in cool, productive waters, moving into tropical areas to breed.

Humpbacks on the up

Since a ban on hunting in the 1980s, Humpback numbers have increased in the North Atlantic, as have sightings in UK waters - mainly to the North and West, but with small numbers off the East coast.

It’s possible that some Humpbacks using the North Sea are beginning to travel back to the Atlantic via the English Channel.

As a highly migratory species, Humpback Whales play a vital role in global marine ecosystems. During their travels, they move nutrients around with them, sustaining global food webs by transferring these nutrients from rich areas to poor areas.

It is therefore vitally important that we protect migratory corridors, and sightings data is key. If you are lucky enough to see a Humpback (or any other marine mammal!) please report it to the Sussex Dolphin Project.

Where and when to look for a Humpback in Sussex

Sightings this winter have come from several sites along the East Sussex coast, including Hastings, Pevensey and Eastbourne.

Unsurprisingly these have mainly been on days with good visibility and when winds are light, making the splash of the breaching whale (or a flapping fin) easier to notice.

Some of the more reliable sites in mid-January have been Birling Gap (Beachy Head) and Seaford. But being so massive, and capable of travelling many miles in a day, the whale (or whales) may continue to surprise lucky onlookers in new locations.

If you’re beside the sea in Sussex, keep your eyes peeled!

Whale-watching from Seaford? Find out more about Seaford Head Nature Reserve

Leave a comment

Comments

  • Maurice vonnir:

    I saw a wale breaching traveling along the shawline in Bexhill towards Eastbourne on the morning the clocks went back Autumn 2024.

    21 Jan 2025 18:07:00

  • Joyce Heward:

    I have a bird feeder both back and front gardens where I have lots of birds. Endless sparrows in my olive tree, starlings, a residents Robin, sometimes a sparrow hawk. Great tips,magpies pigeons, wood pigeons, a wren, blackbirds nesting, Badger sett, resident fox, a barn owl inclose by, red kite, Bats and more

    21 Jan 2025 22:45:00

  • i grew up in West Sussex, but have not lived there since 1968. I still have very good memories of riding my furry and well muddied Fell pony across the downs, and my later pony in the magical woodlands of Bedham. I send your newsletters to other people, on both sides of the Atlantic.
    Here we have skunks, porcupines, possums, raccoons, coyote, wolves, groundhogs, fishers, very large snapping turtles, many non poisonous snakes, and a wonderful variety of birds.
    I love your newsletters!

    21 Jan 2025 23:37:00

  • Ted Lankester:

    Are Marsh Tits becoming more common? We often have two at our bird feeder near Crowborough and I think they have nested in our quite large garden with secluded nooks.

    23 Jan 2025 17:54:00

  • Carol grives:

    We saw a humpback at Birling gap on January12th

    24 Jan 2025 17:25:00

  • Alan Rex Walker:

    East Sussex members and staff are in a much better position to spot whales because of high cliff vantage points. In all my 80 years I have not yet done so but I still long to do so. I hope to here about more sightings.

    27 Jan 2025 20:06:00

  • Ajay:

    Thank you 🙏🏽 for sharing the sightings of the animal kingdom ‘coming back’ 😍

    10 Feb 2025 12:35:00