Whales seen around Peninsula

Peninsula residents caught a glimpse of a small pod of whales off Umina Beach on August 5 and a mother and calf were spotted in the Hawkesbury River near Patonga on August 9.

Umina Beach resident Mr Lawrence Gatt said he was lucky enough to take a photo of the "magnificent" sight.

Mr Gatt said around midday south of Umina Beach, two adult whales and a calf came within a few hundred metres of the beach.

National Parks and Wildlife Service community relations officer Ms Susan Davis said that southern right whales frequently visit our waters at this time of year to calf before their return journey to the Antarctica.

"Just last week we had southern right whales reported at Umina Beach, in the mouth of the Hawkesbury River and also off Terrigal, MacMasters and Copacabana," Ms Davis said.

"From all reports received it seems there are about seven southern right whales in the waters between Newcastle and southern Sydney with at least three mothers with their calves in the local area.

"Some of the behaviour the whales are exhibiting includes breaching, tail slaps and pectoral slaps often staying in one area for a number of hours.

"It really is very exciting to see so many of these whales around the Central Coast but people must remember these are wild animals that need their space.

"There are regulations regarding the approach distances for whales."

Email, 6 Aug 2008 Lawrence Gatt, Umina Beach Press release, 15 Aug 2008 National Parks and Wildlife Service