A group of orcas delighted fishermen after they appeared to play around a fishing boat off the Northumberland coast.
The pod, estimated to include eight to ten orcas, was first spotted by 14-year-old Tyler Annison and filmed by his 17-year-old brother Joshua. The sighting took place about three miles off Beadnell on Wednesday morning.
Their father, Glen Annison, said the family had been watching the waters around this time of year, as they had seen orcas in the same area previously. “It’s not something you see every day, so we took time to enjoy the moment,” he said.
Orcas, also known as killer whales, are the largest members of the dolphin family. They live in oceans around the world, but sightings along the UK coast remain rare.
Glen Annison, an experienced fisherman from Seahouses, said he has only seen orcas a handful of times in his life. He described this encounter as especially memorable.
“There was a young calf swimming close to the boat, while the adult orcas stayed slightly further away,” he explained. “Last year, they were moving very fast, but this time they seemed relaxed and playful.”
Local boat operator Andrew Douglas also reported spotting orcas in the area last year. While he is unsure if it is the same group, he believes the animals may be moving closer to shore.
“It’s incredibly rare to see orcas here, so having sightings in consecutive years is something truly special,” he said.
The unusual encounter highlights the growing excitement around marine wildlife sightings along the UK coastline.
