First Humpback calf Season 2023 was sighted today off the Gold Coast as the precious youngster practiced a few breaches and head lunges enthusiastically. It was a beautiful winters days on the Gold Coast with many Humpback Whales making the steady and purposeful migration towards warmer waters further north. Travelling with consistency we observed mostly escort pods throughout the day as protective males kept close to their females and always on the lookout for any bachelor males who could be ahead of them. One pod appeared to be a bachelor pod as two males over towards a pod just off to our starboard side with much interest. A few lights tail slaps seems to ensure that this pod maintained dominance as they stopped directly in front of the others. A prolonged downtime indicated these whales were moving past each other and after a quick investigation the dominant pod moved onwards as the second pod kept swimming north.
The first pod we had joined were now targeting another pod just ahead of them and after a short time diverted away which was odd. Soon we could see why as a little commotion appeared on the surface with a tiny white belly falling backwards. It was our first Humpback calf for Season 2023! The gorgeous bub was swimming enthusiastically next to mum and appeared to have recently enjoyed a feed of milk with plenty of energy observed. Head lunging, breaching and a tiny fluke slap were all achieved by the young calf while keeping up with mum. It was beautiful to meet our first calf for the season and we only stayed a short time with mum and bub before wishing them well for their journey ahead. Our team in Augusta, Western Australia also reported today their first Humpback calf sightings for 2023 which was very exciting news to receive. A fantastic example of how our research is able to be expanded to both sides of Australia as we monitor and study the Humpback Whale populations.
