The Essex Naturalist 49
specimen was captured near the Nore lightship in July 1891 and towed into
Leigh (Laver, 1898).
Date Location Sex Length Ref
7/1891 Barking Creek M ? Laver
9/10/1916 Mucking ? 5.49m SFH
30/7/1939 West Mersea ? 9.14m FCF
30/7/1939 West Mersea ? 5.49m FCF
31/7/1939 Clacton ? 6.40m FCF
27/7/1975 Point Clear Bay M 6.50m MCS
Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) Sowerby
The distribution of this species may be concentrated in the northern North Sea
with strandings occurring mainly in northern and eastern Britain, western
Europe and the Channel coast. (Evans, 1991). Most events involve individuals
and it is rare to find two on the same day.
Date Location Sex Length Ref
16/7/1939 Westcliff ? 4.52m FCF
29/11/1959 East Tilbury ? ? FCF
22/9/1989 Coryton ? ? MCS
22/9/1989 Shoebury F 4.10m Southend Museum
Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) L.
The porpoise is the most frequently recorded species with an increasing
incidence of reports during the present decade. Before 1914, the porpoise was
considered to be widespread with Laver (1898) writing that it "was so common
that I have not thought it necessary to give any records of capture". Porpoises
have been reported in all months but with a clear peak in April. Parturition
usually occurs between May and July, although some young are born in March
and April as evidenced by the stranding of a female with calf in late April at
West Thurrock.
Date Location Sex Length Ref
21/4/1914 Great Wakering ? 1.52m SFH
27/6/1915 Great Wakering ? 1.52m SFH
7/10/1922 Harwich ? 1.40m SFH
4/12/1924 Frinton M 1.08m SFH
9/12/1924 Frinton F 1.57m SFH
9/12/1924 Frinton M 1.14m SFH
20/5/1934 Walton ? 1.37m FCF
28/4/1938 Southend ? 1.22m FCF
13/11/1938 Walton ? 1.22m FCF
10/9/1954 Walton ? 1.57m FCF