Whales, dolphins and porpoises

Status: Stable, with some concerns

(Baxter et al, 2011)

Status of cetaceans: Stable situation since 2012

(United Kingdom Marine Monitoring & Assessment Strategy, n.d)

Cetaceans are a group of aquatic, mostly marine, mammals which covers a highly diverse range of animals, including the World’s largest creature, the blue whale. Although the blue whale is not present in the Solway other cetaceans, including certain whales, porpoises, and dolphins, are spotted in and around the Firth. The State of European Cetaceans Report 2019 illustrates the findings from surveys of 11 ocean regions in and around Europe in 2018 (and previous years). Throughout the 2018 surveys (detailed in the 2019 report) there was a total of 29 different cetacean species identified within these waters (ORCA, 2019). Throughout the Solway Firth, however, only six species are either continually present or common as seasonal visitors. These are the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncates), and common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), with less frequently/ known presence of minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) and Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus). Other cetaceans are spotted in the Solway, however they are not explored due to their infrequency. The common dolphin, bottlenose dolphins, and harbour porpoises are the most common and annually recorded species in the Solway. The other three species listed above vary, and may not be recorded as present some years, however, recording cetaceans with relative certainty as to the presence of certain species is unlikely. 

Image; Whale Watching. © M. Coombey/ Solway Firth Partnership

Whales, dolphins and porpoises

In the Solway

The Solway is a popular area for spotting cetaceans with frequent sightings. Avid wildlife watchers, lucky visitors and locals often catch glimpses of these mammals.

Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are distinguished by their smaller size (1.2 – 1.8m total length compared with 3-4m for dolphins) and by their small, triangular dorsal fin (most dolphins have somewhat sickle- shaped dorsal fins). Harbour porpoises are common throughout Scottish and English waters, and rarely fully breach (leap out of) the water, more commonly seen exposing only their fin and back from the water. They are seen in small numbers off the Mull of Galloway, Castle Point, Corsewall Point, Silloth, and St Bees Head, mainly between July and September. They are the most commonly sighted cetacean in the Solway and their annual distribution and relative abundance between 1979 and 1997 can be seen on the map opposite. 

Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are familiar to many in name but are difficult to identify, having no distinctive pattern of markings. They are dark brown or grey above, with a curved fin on their back, and paler grey on their belly, with shades merging halfway down the flanks. Bottlenose dolphins are sociable and each has its own unique whistled name. Dolphins are also known to slap their tails on the water. They are also the most likely Solway Firth cetacean to breach the water, being surface active mammals. Occasionally bottlenose dolphins are seen during late summer around St Bees Head. In July 2011, 50-70 individuals were observed feeding on a school of mullet off Kirkcudbright Bay, as reported in Solway Firth Partership’s Tidelines magazine.

Maryport enjoyed the residence of a famously friendly dolphin in 2006. Despite being rescued from the marina in January 2006, the dolphin returned several times. Known locally as ‘Marra’ the wild bottlenose dolphin was frequently seen in and around Maryport Marina. Locals were very fond of the friendly dolphin but encouraged to keep their distance in order to protect the dolphin from harm, especially in light of the injuries seen on the dolphin perhaps due to ropes or vessel strikes. Unfortunately, Marra stranded in December 2006 having died from a blood infection, but is still remembered by the residents of Maryport.

The short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is a small cetacean, normally around 2m long, with a dark upper body and a pale ‘hourglass’ pattern on its flanks which features grey on the tail and white/tan on the forward flank. This ‘hourglass’ pattern crosses in a ‘V’ shaped dip in both colours below the fin in the middle of the body. Common dolphins are known for being active on the water surface, breaching and ‘porpoising’, which is jumping out of the water in a semi-circular motion. Common dolphins are commonly observed offshore in the central and western parts of the Irish Sea but also occurring in the North Channel and occasionally eastwards into the Solway Firth. Small numbers of short-beaked common and common bottlenose dolphins have been recorded in the vicinity of Maryport.

The minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) is the smallest type of rorqual whale, measuring between, roughly, 7m and 8.5m, with males being smaller than females. They have two blowholes and a slender, sharply pointed triangular head which also features a central ridge. Minke whales are black or dark grey with white pectoral fins and undersides. Although minke whales can have surface behaviour such as breaching clear from the water, they prefer deeper waters and are most likely to be spotted off the western coast of Galloway. It was reported in Tidelines in 2011 that a minke whale had been entangled in creel pots off Luce Bay but was fortunately rescued and released. According to Baxter et al (2011) the ‘Average Encounter rate’ for Minke whales is very limited within the Scottish Solway region. 

The white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) can grow up a maximum of 3.1 metres long and weigh up to 350 kgs. They don’t always have a white beak despite their name, but feature a white belly and a black upper half with grey on their flanks. They are primarily recorded around the Rhins of Galloway and in the central area of the Solway between Scotland and England.

Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) are encountered primarily in the Solway far from the coast, North of the Isle of Man (Baxter et al, 2011). This is unsurprising given their preference of deeper water. However, data within layer 884 of Scotland’s National Marine Plan Interactive suggests that in the summers between 1994 and 2012 Risso’s dolphin numbers persistence above mean density was recorded throughout the Scottish Solway. Weighing up to 500kg and growing to a maximum of 4m long, Risso’s dolphins are known to have a blunt head and their bodies are often covered in scars from both prey and other Risso’s dolphins. Given their love of squid, plastic pollution can be a huge threat to this species, which may eat plastic bags or other forms of plastic litter mistaking it for prey.

Image; Scotland’s National Marine Plan Interactive, with layers (links will provide usage licence, data provider, etc); ‘Solway Region (mask)‘ © Crown Copyright, All rights reserved, and ‘Annual distribution and relative abundance of Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) (1979 – 1997) (Priority Marine Feature) (SNH WMS)‘ © Crown Copyright, All rights reserved

Whales, dolphins and porpoises

Strandings

Strandings of cetaceans can happen for a variety of reasons, with the mammal being stranded either alive or deceased. Systematic recording of these standings began in 1913, with the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) beginning their work into standings in 1990.
2017 saw the highest number of stranded cetaceans around the UK since the beginning of the CSIP, with 1,010 strandings being reported to the CSIP (UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, 2017).

In addition to the data provided below, there were also 3 harbour porpoises stranded in the Solway Firth near Gretna in August 2019. Attempts were made to refloat and save the mammals, which were successful for 2/3 of the porpoises, with the juvenile porpoise being humanely put down (BBC News, 2019).

This table covers strandings from both sides of the Solway which were examined at post-mortem by the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP). This data is available in an Appendix of each Annual Report for the CSIP.

Table data sources; UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (2006 – 2015) & UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (2011 – 2017).

This table covers more strandings in Scotland from a separate source.

Table data source; Information for this table was gathered from the National Marine Plan Interactive (2019), data layer ‘Marine standings data 2013 – 2018 (cetaceans, seals, sharks, turtles) (time-aware)‘ with data provided by Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMASS). Unless otherwise stated the cetacean was stranded dead, or this information is unknown. Any duplicate listings from both data sources remain within the table above. This table covers Scotland only.

Additional Scottish stranding data;

SMASS provides an interactive map which can illustrate data on strandings from 1991 until 2018 along the entire Scottish coast. If seeking additional strandings data on cetaceans or other marine animals please click here to link to the SMASS interactive map.

Historic stranding data is available from the National History Museum Data Portal, where data from 1913 until 1989 is available here.

Image; Scotland’s National Marine Plan Interactive, with layers (links will provide usage licence, data provider, etc); ‘Solway Region (mask)‘ © Crown Copyright, All rights reserved, and ‘Marine standings data 2013 – 2018 (cetaceans, seals, sharks, turtles) (time-aware)‘ © Crown Copyright, All rights reserved

Whales, dolphins and porpoises

Sightings

The Sea Watch Foundation divides their sightings network into regions, with the Scottish side of the Solway is part of the South west Scotland region. The ‘recent sightings’ for this area, which is grouped with the Inner Hebridies, is available here. The only sighting in Dumfries and Galloway from the 1^st August 2019 (oldest listed sighting) – 8th October  2019 (latest listed sighting) on Sea Watch sightings in Sea Watch sightings was; 

• 5 Harbour porpoises were seen in Rascarrel on 2^nd October 2019
  (Sea Watch Foundation, n.d.a).

The English side is classed as part of the North West England region for Sea Watch Foundation ‘recent sightings’. Online reports for ‘recent sightings’ for this region begin 6^th July 2017 and end on the 23rd November 2019, they are available here.

• 3 Harbour porpoises were seen in Silloth on 15^th October 2019
• 1 Harbour porpoise was seen in Maryport on 7^th July 2019
• 3 Bottlenose dolphins were seen in Workington on 1^st July 2019
• 3 Harbour porpoises were seen in Silloth 27^th August 2018
• 1 Harbour porpoises was seen at St Bees 4^th August 2018
• 2 Risso’s dolphins were seen at Whitehaven on 7^th July 2018
• 1 Harbour porpoise was seen at Whitehaven Harbour West Pier on 29^th June
• 1 Minke whale was seen at St Bees Head 11^th January 2018
• 2 Harbour porpoises were seen at Silloth Harbour on 16^th December 2017
• 2 Harbour porpoises were seen at St Bees Cliff on 1^st August 2017 (There is a double report for this sighting)
  (Sea Watch Foundation, n.d.b)

The interactive map opposite shows, and allows the reader to interact with a sightings map from the © Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust.

Whales, dolphins and porpoises

Pressures

Similar to other marine species cetaceans are vulnerable to several pressures. These include;

• Pollution
  • As with other marine species, chemical and plastic pollution can have a huge impact on vulnerable cetaceans and habitat degradation.
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as discussed in the seals section of the review, despite being banned in 1979, are still housed within our ecosystem and could cause damage to cetaceans, and pass issues onto offspring.
•  Noise Pollution (also see the Noise section)
  • Cetaceans often rely on sound to find out about their surroundings, the weather conditions, presence of prey and for echolocation (in toothed whales, including dolphins). This reliance means that noise interference and noise pollution, for example from construction, could have a considerable impact on cetaceans.
  • Vocalizations are how cetaceans communicate and are important for finding a mate when these mammals could be living within a large area. Interference from activities such as seismic surveys may cause calls to become lost or confused.
• Entanglement/bycatch
  • Bycatch is one of the biggest threats facing cetaceans. Bycatch is when non-target species are caught in the net or gear used when fishing for target species. Even if bycatch is released back into the marine environment cetaceans can suffer injuries or stress, if they survive at all. Certain types of fishing have increased risk of catching cetaceans as bycatch. According to Gillham & Baxter (2009) estimates suggest that around 400 harbour porpoises in the North Sea die each year as a result of accidental bycatch, which helps illustrate the threat to cetaceans bycatch poses.
  • The Solway is not one of the areas defined under Annex XIII of Council Regulation EC No 812/2004 as requiring a use of ‘pinger’ acoustic deterrent devices. However, under the same Annex, certain types of gear fishing from vessels over 15m in length in the Solway do require annual monitoring schemes for cetacean by-catch. All in an effort to reduce bycatch of cetaceans.
  • Entanglement can cause restricted movement which could result in death. Entanglement could also result in the restriction of parts of cetaceans causing painful and harmful lacerations, which could also result in death.
• Collision
  • As with other marine mammals there is a risk of collision with vessels operating in the same marine space. This potential risk is made more dangerous due to the potential of noise pollution interfering with cetaceans ability to assess their surroundings.
• Loss of habitat or habitat degredation 
• Loss of prey
  • Unsustainable fishing practices and a reduction in the abundance of fish can correlate to reduced numbers and sightings of cetaceans within the same area.

Image; Stranded Fin Whale’s Baleen Plates at Barlocco © Solway Firth Partnership. Photographer; Keith Kirk

Whales, dolphins and porpoises

Conservation status

Cetaceans are mammals which travel across large areas, not conforming to jurisdictional boundaries, entering and leaving the marine spaces of many countries. It is important for countries to work together to maximise protection of cetaceans. This section highlights the range of national and international strategies and policies that support cetacean conservation.

EU/ International;

The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (Directive 2008/56/EC) seeks to achieve ‘Good Environmental Status’ (GEnvS) across European member states marine areas by 2020. The UK’s updated Part 1 Assessment published in 2019, sets out progress towards GEnvS and reviewed descriptors for Scottish and English waters. There are 11 ‘descriptors’ in the MSFD to help define what GEnvS will look like in the marine environment. Monitoring and setting objectives to reach GEnvS for cetaceans contributes to measuring GEnvS for descriptor 1 and descriptor 4, biological diversity and food webs respectively. This document highlights that achieving GEnvS for cetaceans in UK waters is ‘uncertain’ and ‘unknown’ out-with the Greater North Sea. The assessment uses indicators of population size and distribution (coastal bottlenose dolphins, and other cetaceans) and bycatch (of harbour porpoise specifically) to assess progress towards GEnvS. In progress since 2012; ‘The target for cetacean bycatch has been met in the North Sea, but in the Celtic Seas it is likely to have exceeded the precautionary threshold.’ (Department for environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2019). The high level objective which will indicate that GEnvS has been achieved for cetaceans is healthy populations, not significantly affected by human uses. In terms of GEnvS for descriptor 4, food webs, which cetacean assessments contribute to, the GEnvS was ‘uncertain’ in 2019. 

The EC Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) provides all cetaceans protection under Annex IV, requiring ‘strict’ protection, with Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) being required to provide conservation for bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises in areas essential to these species, which are additionally listed under Annex II. The Solway Firth does not feature any SACs for these species. This directive also offers species protection requirements to restore and maintain, in addition to monitoring incidental bycatch and deaths of cetaceans (Annex IVa species) and as a result of monitoring takes additional appropriate steps to ensure that these factors do not significantly negatively impact cetacean species. The requirements which are outlined in the EC Habitats Directive are implemented in the UK through the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended for Scotland) out to the limit of territorial waters (aka the inshore area).

The UK is also party to the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas (ASCOBANS), an agreement set up under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). ASCOBANS extended its reach as of Feb 2008, to include the Irish Sea (including the Solway) and the North East Atlantic. This agreement seeks favourable status of cetaceans through means such as reducing bycatch. Annual reporting to ASCOBANS is required from states, detailing conservation, management, and threats. CSIP submits stranding data to contribute to the annual UK national report for ASCOBANS. The national report for 2018 is available here. The UK Small Cetacean Bycatch Response Strategy was created in response to the commitments under ASCOBANS, and consulted on in 2003. This strategy outlined recommendations for the use of gear modifications and management measures to reduce UK cetacean bycatch.

European Council Regulation EC No 812/2004 focusses on laying down measures relating to bycatch of cetaceans. International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) fishing area divisions are used to illustrate different requirements for different areas in relation to trying to reduce bycatch. These requirements are dependent on factors such as effort and gear type. The Solway is in ICES division VIIa and is covered by this regulation. It is not included in the areas requiring the mandatory use of acoustic deterrent devices (‘pingers’), however, it is covered by Annex III, concerning fisheries monitoring for cetacean bycatch, including the minimum level of fishing effort which is subject to on board observers.

The previously mentioned common Solway cetaceans also appear on the IUCN red list of threatened species, but are all considered to be of the ‘least concern’.

It is worth noting that the CMS does cover all Solway cetaceans with the exception of the Minke whale, however only protects populations in specific geographic areas of the World’s oceans. For example, Appendix II includes harbour porpoises, but clarifies that this is for; ‘North and Baltic Sea, western North Atlantic, Black Sea and North West African populations’ (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), Appendix II, 2018). None of the Solway species are covered by the CMS within the extent of the Solway marine area. For a list of CMS species and the areas they are covered within please click here.

Harbour porpoise are also included in the OSPAR list of threatened or declining species.

National;

It is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or disturb cetaceans under s.9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in England and Scotland. In Scotland this includes killing cetaceans recklessly, or harassing them under the amended Scottish applicable version of the same act. Porpoises are not mentioned in the English version of s.9, ad only in Schedule 5 insofar as being included in s.9(5) which concerns the sale of these species. The Scottish sections of this act covers ‘…any animal included in Schedule 5 as a – (a) dolphin, whale or porpoise (Cetacea)…’, however whales do not appear in the Scottish version of Schedule 5. This section was inserted by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 also protects Annex IV species from the Habitats Directive from deliberate capture, injury, disturbance, egg destruction or breeding site damage, making it an offence to commit any of these actions. 

The Solway species of cetaceans highlighted in this section are Priority Marine Features (PMF) in Scotland, and are Features of Conservation Interest (FOCI), which are rare/threatened species or habitats used to help identify Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in England. They are also all priority marine species within the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, which has now been succeeded by the ‘UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework‘, published in July 2012. Despite this, the UK BAP lists of priority species and habitats are invaluable for Scotland and England when drawing up their own biodiversity lists. These species appear on the Scottish Biodiversity list as requiring conservation action and the English list of Species of Principal Importance. These statutory lists of important species are required under s.41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 in England, and s.2(4) of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 in Scotland.

Cetaceans are widely watched, making for a popular hobby or addition to the glorious views around the Solway. However, it is important to follow the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code and the English Countryside Code. There are excellent vantage points around the Solway to whale/porpoises/dolphin watch, the South West Environment Information Centre suggests the following points on the Scottish Solway; Corsewall Point (NW9872), Burrow Head (NX4534), Dunskey Castle (NX0053), Balcary Point (NX8249), Mull of Galloway (NX1530)  and Southerness Point (NX9754). On the English side of the Solway, St Bees Head (NX941143) is the ideal place to watch for cetaceans given its position at the mouth of the Solway into the Irish Sea and elevation.

Boat tour operators are reminded to follow the WiSe Scheme national training scheme for to minimising marine wildlife disturbance. There is also a Code of Conduct available from the SeaWatch Foundation which should be followed to help ensure co-existence of marine spaces for cetaceans and boats in a way which minimises cetacean disturbance. 

For those wishing to look for cetaceans species identification guides are available from the Sea Watch Foundation.

In 2021 a consultation on the UK’s first Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy was launched.

This Strategy was a collaborative effort led by the Scottish Government, and seeks a joined-up approach to ensure the effective management and favourable conservation status for nine species of dolphin, porpoise, and minke whale. It proposes a series of high-level actions to deliver these outcomes. The consultation is available until the 14th June 2021, available here.

Image; Boat on the Solway © Solway Firth Partnership. Photographer; Colin Tennant

Whales, dolphins and porpoises

References

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2003). UK Small Cetacean Bycatch Response Strategy Consultation Paper. Available here. (Accessed: 19.12.19)

International Union for Conservation of Nature (n.d.). Red List of threatened species. Available here. (Accessed: 13.03.18)

Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (on behalf of the Four Countries’ Biodiversity Group). (2012). UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Available here. (Accessed: 07.07.18)

Joint Nature Conservation Committee (2007a). Report on the Species and Habitat Review (UK BAP) Available here. (Accessed: 07.03.18)

Joint Nature Conservation Committee (2007b). UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Marine Species. Available here. (Accessed: 07.03.18)

Marine Management Organisation (n.d). Marine Planning Evidence Base. Available here. (Accessed: 14.05.18)

Marine Life Information Network (n.d.). Species listed as ‘species of principal importance’ (England). Available here. (Accessed: 14.05.20)

Marine Life Information Network (n.d.). Species listed as Features of Conservation Interest (FOCI). Available here. (Accessed: 14.05.20)

Marine Scotland (n.d). Scotland’s National Marine Plan Interactive. Available here. (Accessed: 14.05.18)

Mills, F., Sheridan, S. and Brown S., (2017). Clyde Marine Region Assessment. Clyde Marine Planning Partnership. pp 231, Available here. (Accessed: 14.05.18)

Natural England (2010). Species of Principal Importance List. Available here. (Accessed: 09.01.20)

NatureScot (2020). Priority Marine Features in Scotland’s Seas. Available here. (Accessed: 04.05.21)

NatureScot (2020). Scottish Biodiversity List. Available here. (Accessed: 04.05.21)

Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (n.d). Map the database of strandings. Available here. (Accessed: 07.01.20)

Solway Firth Partnership (1996). The Solway Firth Review, Solway Firth Partnership, Dumfries. Available here. (Accessed 23.07.19)

Solway Firth Partnership (2011). Tidelines issue 35. Winter 2011. Available here. (Accessed: 09.01.20)

The WiSe Scheme. (n.d). Available here. (Accessed: 28.02.18)

UK National Ecosystem Assessment (2011). The UK National Ecosystem Assessment Technical Report. UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge. Available here. (Accessed: 28.05.18)

In-Text References;

Baxter, J.M., Boyd, I.L., Cox, M., Donald, A.E., Malcolm, S.J., Miles, H., Miller, B., Moffat, C.F., (Editors), (2011). Scotland’s Marine Atlas: Information for the national marine plan. Marine Scotland, Edinburgh. pp 191. Available here. (Accessed: 22.07.19)

BBC News (2019). Stranded porpoises prompt Solway Firth rescue. Available here. (Accessed: 17.12.19)

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (n.d.). Stranded Animals. How you can help marine mammals in need.  Available here (Accessed: 16.12.19)

Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. Available here. (Accessed: 09.01.20)

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (2018). Appendix II. Available here. (Accessed: 17.12.19)

Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (2019). Marine Strategy Part One: UK updated assessment and Good Environmental Status. Available here. (Accessed: 10.01.21)

Gillham, K., & Baxter, J. (2009). Naturally Scottish – Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, NatureScot. Available here. (Accessed: 10.12.19)

National Marine Plan Interactive (2019). Data layer Number 852; ‘Marine standings data 2013 – 2018 (cetaceans, seals, sharks, turtles) (time-aware)’ with data provided by Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMASS). Available here. (Accessed: 16.12.19)

ORCA. (2019). The State of European Cetaceans 2019. Available here. (Accessed: 07.01.20)

Sea Watch Foundation (n.d.a). Recent Sightings, South West Scotland and Inner Hebrides. Available here. (Accessed: 17.12.19)

Sea Watch Foundation (n.d.b). Recent Sightings, North West England. Available here. (Accessed: 17.12.19)

UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (2017). Annual Report for the period 1st January – 31st December 2017. Available here. (Accessed: 17.12.19)

UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (2011 – 2017). Annual CSIP Reports from 2011 to 2017. Available here. (Accessed: 08.01.20)

UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (2006 – 2015). Annual CSIP Reports from 2006 to 2015. Available here. (Accessed: 08.01.20)

United Kingdom Marine Monitoring & Assessment Strategy (n.d). Summary of Progress towards Good Environmental Status. Available here. (Accessed: 15.12.20)

Image; Stranded White-beaked dolphin. © Solway Firth Partnership. Photographer; Keith Kirk