A favourite for those out on coastal waters on a nature expedition, the distinctive harbour porpoise - smaller than many other porpoises and sporting a small triangular fin - can be seen inshore throughout the year, but are at their most abundant between August and November, drawn in by swelling numbers of fish on which they feed.
Although it is the most well-observed of all the cetacean family (which includes porpoises, whales and dolphins), its numbers have been in decline for the last 30 years. The exact reasons for this remain unclear, but many factors are under suspicion such as pollution, temperature changes affecting food stocks, and over-fishing.
Harbour Porpoise
