Bottlenose dolphins filmed playing around boat in Liverpool Bay
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Bottlenose dolphins may be associated with more exotic climes but this stunning footage shows a pod happily playing off the coast of Liverpool.
The group came within inches of a boat on a fishing trip over the weekend in Liverpool Bay, delighting passengers by racing in front of the prow and leaping out the water.
Some dolphins even performed corkscrew turns in a dramatic display lasting several minutes.
Jay O'Neill, 26, said it was the "last thing" he expected to see on the trip on Saturday morning.
He told the Liverpool Echo: “We started heading back at about 2pm and then 30 of them came from nowhere.
"Two or three came close to the boat and were playing. It was amazing. It was the last thing we expected to see on the Mersey.
"It is very rare to see them. I don't think I ever will again.”
Thomas Johnson, 38, who filmed the dolphins, said the experience was "unbelievable".
They are not the only wildlife in Liverpool Bay, where porpoises and seals are also seen.
Common bottlenose dolphins are found around the British Isles, where they are considerably larger than the species in other parts of the world and reach up to 4m in length.
The largest groups in the UK are to be found in Cardigan Bay in Wales and the Moray Firth in Scotland, but dolphins are also seen in Dorset and around Cornwall.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments