Whale of a time at Moggs Creek

THE Surf Coast had a couple of extra-large visitors at the weekend when whales came to the beach for a swim.
At least two southern right species were noticed at several spots close to the shore from Moggs Creek to Point Roadknight.
Mrs Taylor said she saw just one whale on Saturday but others reported seeing at least two.
"Usually you can see their tails flopping and see their spouts but this one looked a little distressed and a friend actually said to me maybe it's calving," she said.
On Sunday, the Lorne Visitor Information Centre had reports of two whales near George River and at Lorne's beach, fairly close to shore. Other reports came from Teddy's Lookout at Lorne. By Monday, sightings were made near Point Roadknight, near Anglesea. Mrs Taylor said it was not that common to see the whales, noticing them just 12 times in 35 years. "We also had a shop at Anglesea for about 10 years during that time and we didn't often see them,"she said.
She said when the big mammals came to town they always excited the locals and visitors.

But Lorne Visitor Information Centre assistant co-ordinator Leon Walker said the whales, namely southern rights and humpbacks, were becoming more common. "Last year we had some come pretty close, about 50 metres off shore and we had some between Lorne and Apollo Bay about three weeks ago, and at the same time near Bells," Mr Walker said.
"The ones on Sunday were the closest to the shore we've had for a while." He said last weekend's sightings at different spots on the Surf Coast were most likely the same whales.
Mr Walker said Warrnambool, which calls itself "Victoria's southern right whale nursery" was a more common destination for the species but they often made the journey towards the Surf Coast.
Yesterday the Warrnambool Visitor Information Centre website reported sightings of one mother and her calf in the area.

Rebecca Tucker

August 21st, 2008