Daily, year-round, records were made between January 1998 and December 2000, of the occurrence of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in New Quay Bay, Cardigan Bay, Wales, by ten trained volunteers. This site previously was identified as a nursery area for the species, with a high proportion of mother and calf pairs. The frequency of dolphin sightings were recorded by the volunteers, in days per month, and the total annual sightings for 1998, 1999, and 2000, were comparable with a previous 1989–1996 study by a single observer. Changes were detected in the use of preferred foraging areas within the bay, and in the group size and structure. Recognised individuals showed long-term site fidelity, and 14 of 16 previously recognized individuals were noted by the observers. In the year 2000, a significant decline in group size and in the incidence of groups containing small calves was detected. |
