Killer Whales spotted just 300 metres off Moray coast
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A group of killer whales were the source of widespread excitement yesterday evening when they came within 300 metres of the Moray coastline.
The pod of orcas was first spotted at about 3.30pm when they were still around eight miles out at sea.
Over the next couple of hours they then steadily headed towards the shore on the hunt for seals and porpoises.
Moray resident Steve Truluck, one of the authors of the Scottish killer whale photo ID catalogue, said it was really rare for the creatures to come so close to the region's shoreline.
Steve added: "Loads of folk are absolutely buzzing after yesterday evening.
"The smiles and jubilation on people’s faces as they saw these incredible apex predators so close to our coastline will be etched in the memory.
"I initially spotted them from my home in Covesea and put the word out on social media.
"I then travelled to Burghead Visitor Centre where I managed to get them in my spotting scope.
"Loads of others had also made the trip out to see them.
"We watched as the group milled around a few miles offshore but were then stunned when they began to travel straight towards us at Burghead.
"Unbelievably, three members of the group came within 300 metres of the shore and began to travel along the coast to Hopeman.
"Unfortunately, by that point the light was fading so it was difficult to get any quality photos of this incredible occasion."
Steve added that there is a possibility the killer whales could return again either today or in the near future.
Efforts are now being made to identify to which particular group these killer whales belong.
Photos from yesterday can be seen on the ‘Caithness & Moray Firth Cetacean Sightings’ page on Facebook.
