As summer fades and the first autumnal winds sweep across the North Sea, Yorkshire’s coastline takes on a new kind of magic. Some of our most remarkable marine mammals are putting on a spectacular show, drawn to coastal waters by huge shoals of herring and mackrel gathering to spawn.

Minke whales

Autumn is one of the best times to spot the magnificent minke whale. These gentle giants visit Yorkshire’s waters throughout summer and into early autumn, drawn by shimmering shoals of mackerel, herring and sandeels. Around Flamborough, nutrient-rich waters rise from the depths and create a feast for zooplankton and fish. This underwater banquet attracts everything from diving gannets and seals to one of the North Sea’s largest visitors. Using comb-like baleen plates instead of teeth, minke whales gulp vast mouthfuls of water before filtering out their prey. Usually seen alone or in small groups, they occasionally gather in larger numbers where food is plentiful.

Bottlenose dolphins 

Close to shore, bottlenose dolphins have become an increasingly familiar sight and can now be seen throughout the year. Living in close-knit pods of up to 30 animals, they work together to hunt, care for their young and strengthen social bonds through play. The North Sea’s bottlenose dolphins are among the largest in the world, with males reaching almost four metres long; in autumn, lucky watchers may spot them chasing migrating salmon close to the coastline.

Harbour porpoises 

Year-round residents, elusive harbour porpoises are Yorkshire’s smallest cetacean but among its busiest. They have a very high metabolism, which means they must feed almost constantly. Listen carefully and you may even hear the distinctive sneeze-like breath that has earned them the nickname “puffing pigs”!

Where to spot this autumn 

Watch for circling seabirds, a sudden splash, or the unmistakable curve of a dorsal fin from the clifftops at Flamborough Head, take full advantage of our Wild Eye project’s seawatching station at Scarborough’s Marine Drive, or brave wild Spurn for a glimpse out across the waves – you never know what extraordinary wildlife might be waiting.