The man who took the incredible footage believes it was a pod of dolphins
A man has captured a very special sight on film in Barton. While he was enjoying the sunny weather on Saturday, he was joined by what he believes to be a pod of dolphins swimming in the Humber Estuary.
The porpoises were “literally next to the Humber Bridge“, he said. The animals were observed “jumping from the water”, but he reckons only four people got to see them.
About 21 seconds into his footage, which you can view above, there is the unmistakable sight of a dark fin as the porpoise breaks through the surface. As he continues to film the mysterious mammal – or perhaps one of its friends – surfaces again.
Harbour porpoises had not been seen in the Humber Estuary for about 200 years before being spotted in the mid-2000s. It is thought a reduction in pollution drew them back in.
Local wildlife experts said harbour porpoises are considered “rare” to “uncommon” guests in the Humber Estuary. They frequent the North Sea and are sometimes tempted inland by migratory fish in spring.
The species is smaller than other dolphins, with a maximum length of just under 2m. They also have a more triangular dorsal fin and a chunkier body shape.
In 2024, a porpoise became stranded in the mud flats of the Humber Estuary and needed to be rescued. Luckily, there was a happy ending and the porpoise was successfully returned to the water.
The summer previously, beachgoers were treated to a close encounter in Hornsea. Cheeky porpoises were filmed getting up close to paddleboarders.
Dolphins and minke whales have also been spotted in or around the Humber Estuary. Sadly, unlike the porpoises, whales rarely end up in the Estuary unless they are unwell or in distress.
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