Your marine life questions
The UK's coastline and seas are full of spectacular wildlife: whales, dolphins, shark and many, many seabirds. Some of it's easy to spot, some very hard indeed. So if any of it's a mystery to you, post a question here and Chris, Michaela, Martin and Iolo will do their best to answer it during tonight's show.
Comment number 1.
At 11th Nov 2011, Pebbles wrote:how big is a full grown male stag including the antlers?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 11th Nov 2011, Pebbles wrote:what species of spider is the biggest in britain
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 11th Nov 2011, squeakyted wrote:How long do common and grey seal pups stay with their mothers after weaning? Do they get the chance to watch them and learn how to catch prey? If not, this must be a critical time in their suvival.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 11th Nov 2011, Tina B wrote:My mum would love to see puffins but has mobility problems and can only walk short distances. Is there anywhere on the UK mainland that I could drive her to where we could go to see them?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 11th Nov 2011, Matthew Clayman wrote:Heyy great show! I don't mind who answers this but preferably Chirs :). I was watching a program and it said that seagulls don't fly over the sea but at the coast!!!! Why are they called seagulls not gulls or coastgulls!!!!! Thanks!!
Matthew Clayman (12) :)
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 11th Nov 2011, makka wrote:Hello this is from Lucy who is 11 and her question is how long can a seal get?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 11th Nov 2011, Aaron Bishop wrote:In the news this week a great white shark shows swallowing a seal pup but why are the great white's attracted to the seal pup and like killing them most?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 11th Nov 2011, markpainter wrote:Are there any killer whales in uk waters? If so, where are they? Where can they be seen?
Thanks
Mark from Telford
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 11th Nov 2011, micope wrote:If large Marine Mammals are always on the move - how do things like Barnacles get attached to their skin?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 11th Nov 2011, David Braziel wrote:Question from Jonathan aged 9. How old do sea turtles get?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 11th Nov 2011, calblewog wrote:''Shwmae'' Iolo,
Another large visitor to the coast of Wales is the SUNFISH, what time of year is best to see it?
Calvin, South Wales
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 11th Nov 2011, nightjar wrote:Do jellyfish have a brain, if not how do they think
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)
Comment number 13.
At 11th Nov 2011, colouredkingfisher wrote:All this user's posts have been removed.Why?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 13)
Comment number 14.
At 11th Nov 2011, joff_ster wrote:All this user's posts have been removed.Why?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 14)
Comment number 15.
At 11th Nov 2011, Keira Tansey wrote:Hi, My favourite animal in the world are Killer whales/ Orcas and I would like to know where in Scotland is the best place to spot them and what time of the year? I live in Scotland and it would be amazing to spot them in my country
Complain about this comment (Comment number 15)
Comment number 16.
At 11th Nov 2011, jonny12345678 wrote:Have noticed numerous occasions lately of gulls chasing after small birds in flight.Is this normal practice.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 16)
Comment number 17.
At 11th Nov 2011, hawk501 wrote:can we get any type of see snakes in the british iles and sorry for my spelling i have deslexiaer
Complain about this comment (Comment number 17)
Comment number 18.
At 11th Nov 2011, JacMun wrote:Dear Autumnwatch
Recently my 11 year old son saw a jay and wondered why they are so colourful and other members of the crow family are mostly black. Hope you can help.
J Munro.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 18)
Comment number 19.
At 11th Nov 2011, One Louder wrote:I recently read about a shark attacking some surfers on the Moray Coast. As a surfer I would just like to know the likelyhood of there being a fatal shark attack on our coasts.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 19)
Comment number 20.
At 11th Nov 2011, reeceyboy wrote:is it true killer whales have the best killing techniques in the ocean
Complain about this comment (Comment number 20)
Comment number 21.
At 11th Nov 2011, U15032119 wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 21)
Comment number 22.
At 11th Nov 2011, Super_Trouper wrote:A question… With such huge shoals of Herring do the ones in the middle get short of oxygen in the water?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 22)
Comment number 23.
At 11th Nov 2011, Scott Worrall wrote:Doesnt Norway have more coastline than the UK??
Chris said that the UK has, near the start of the programme.
Scott Worrall
Complain about this comment (Comment number 23)
Comment number 24.
At 11th Nov 2011, Diane wrote:Where is the best place to see Wales either in the uk or perhaps Iceland? Are there certain times if year that are better than others? It's always been a dream of mine!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 24)
Comment number 25.
At 11th Nov 2011, TrinaH wrote:What is the most common whale that beaches on UK shores and how many annually are found?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 25)
Comment number 26.
At 11th Nov 2011, joff_ster wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 26)
Comment number 27.
At 11th Nov 2011, Sarah Stachowski wrote:Are crabs part of the arachnid family?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 27)
Comment number 28.
At 11th Nov 2011, Boo wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 28)
Comment number 29.
At 11th Nov 2011, Keira Tansey wrote:Where is the best place in Scotland to spot killer whales and at what time of year?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 29)
Comment number 30.
At 11th Nov 2011, warmswimming wrote:why is the Med coloured dark blue on the temp chart?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 30)
Comment number 31.
At 11th Nov 2011, jemma fowler wrote:I think the sound quiz was a dolphin calling. Do we have any dangerous sharks in british waters?
jemma fowler
Complain about this comment (Comment number 31)
Comment number 32.
At 11th Nov 2011, LinaLuna wrote:how many pups do seals have per season, and in their lifetime? And how come pups are born with fur?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 32)
Comment number 33.
At 11th Nov 2011, MermanPaul wrote:This may seem like a simple question but everybody I ask cannot give me an answer. Does the team at AutumnWatch?
Why is the sea salty?
And no this is not the beginning of a joke!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 33)
Comment number 34.
At 11th Nov 2011, Ella wrote:Where's the best place to go whale watching and what's the best time ?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 34)
Comment number 35.
At 11th Nov 2011, tofty wrote:Hpw much does a fully grown blue whale way?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 35)
Comment number 36.
At 11th Nov 2011, Yetti8 wrote:Hi - great programme, but so few episodes!
Anyway - my query - on the map in the beginning of the show, the sea temp in the Medit. Sea was blue - but surely should be around 16C - why the odd colour? AND, is there anything new on the Gulf Stream - still much concern about it maybe failing.
Keep up the work - and can we see more of the sea, and underwater, please?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 36)
Comment number 37.
At 11th Nov 2011, KiteSpringer wrote:Hi
Iolo just said that the finn whale is the second largest animal ever lived - or did he mean mammal, surely there where marine dinosaurs that where bigger?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 37)
Comment number 38.
At 11th Nov 2011, Julia wrote:I found a beached wale about 5 years ago on the isle of Islay and ever scince we've been going back and finding rib bones and vertibray how would i find out what they were even though when i went to the iclantic whale muesum and it had lots of skeltons and i think it is a long finned pilot whale. How can I be sure?
Thomas Garner age 13
Complain about this comment (Comment number 38)
Comment number 39.
At 11th Nov 2011, Suze wrote:Hey Up!! I have been told that basking sharks breed off the coast of the Isle of Man - was wondering what time of year this would take place? Love the show - Suze - Bolton xx
Complain about this comment (Comment number 39)
Comment number 40.
At 11th Nov 2011, Fluffy-G wrote:When prawns first have their eggs, you can see the eggs on the back of the prawn, but later in the season we can see the eggs/caviar between all their legs at the front of the prawns. How and why does this happen, please?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 40)
Comment number 41.
At 11th Nov 2011, Marut wrote:Last week the team said that Kingfishers are freshwater birds. We sail regularly in Turkey and have often seen Kingfishers around the coast. In fact, they have even used our mouring lines as perches, and have watched them fishing in (what is obviously) salt water. Fresh water birds?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 41)
Comment number 42.
At 11th Nov 2011, Lockey wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 42)
Comment number 43.
At 11th Nov 2011, Strove wrote:When on holiday in Cornwall whilst rockpooling we discovered a small fish that had amazing colours and eyes with a large sucker underneath. We searched online and discovered It was a cornish sucker fish, is this species only found in cornwall, I had never heard of of fish before
Complain about this comment (Comment number 43)
Comment number 44.
At 11th Nov 2011, Karen Cass wrote:Slimbridge is one of mine and my mums favourite places, we visit often,its really exciting to see AutumnWatch broadcasting live from there ... great show guys god help any of my family who try changing the channel
Complain about this comment (Comment number 44)
Comment number 45.
At 11th Nov 2011, Chaddys boy wrote:We know that fin whales go to southern Ireland but do they go anywhere else in the uk?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 45)
Comment number 46.
At 11th Nov 2011, MH wrote:Not a question but we were in Lynmouth in August and a Finn whale was washed up on the beach - it was amazing to see the size of the whale close up but sad that it was dead.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 46)
Comment number 47.
At 11th Nov 2011, philsykes wrote:please could you tell me why you dont see any starfish very often in rock pools and pools on the beach.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 47)
Comment number 48.
At 11th Nov 2011, Tom Hardman wrote:Will the grey seals in Cornwall stay around our coast throughout the colder months? (I've uploaded some photos of a pup I met on the flickr page).
Complain about this comment (Comment number 48)
Comment number 49.
At 11th Nov 2011, dovane wrote:I have a relative who works offshore in the North Sea. During the past two weeks a flock of starlings were observed on the vessel and they were devouring one of their own! Is this usual behaviour, or does hunger drive them to such behaviour?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 49)
Comment number 50.
At 11th Nov 2011, EleanorDMum wrote:After an assembly at school my 7 year old daughter says wind farms at sea are bad for marine life. Is this right? Your show last week seemed to suggest they're helping seal colonies thrive. Are offshore wind farms good or bad?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 50)
Comment number 51.
At 11th Nov 2011, Tony lawson wrote:Do fin whales target specifically herring or do they take other species such as krill? If they do target krill do they migrate north in the summer months?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 51)
Comment number 52.
At 11th Nov 2011, Andrea wrote:I have posted a photo on Autumnwatch fliker of a rockpool in Cornwall. I can't identify the mass of wriggly "things" Please can you tell me what they may be. Thank you. Andrea
Complain about this comment (Comment number 52)
Comment number 53.
At 11th Nov 2011, Alan wrote:I live in Ardmore Co Waterford and I have just watched your programme about whales etc. in "UK" waters.
Since when has the coast off my village been "UK" waters? you might at least have the courtesy to acknowledge the sovereigty of this State and its coast line.
i am digusted.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 53)
Comment number 54.
At 11th Nov 2011, Tony lawson wrote:Are fin whales predated by orca?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 54)
Comment number 55.
At 11th Nov 2011, OJA wrote:Hi,
Will sparrow hawks and owls kill pigeons.
We have had many pigeons killed around us but they are only taking the heads off!!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 55)
Comment number 56.
At 11th Nov 2011, Marie Young wrote:what causes the gulf stream from archie aged 9
Complain about this comment (Comment number 56)
Comment number 57.
At 11th Nov 2011, MermanPaul wrote:The answer to the sound quiz....
...It's a grey seal, possibly mating!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 57)
Comment number 58.
At 11th Nov 2011, cathamazed wrote:Really surprised to hear on tonight's Autumnwatch repeated references to 'UK waters' accompanying film & comment about fin whales etc off the coast of Eire, the Irish Republic!!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 58)
Comment number 59.
At 11th Nov 2011, joff_ster wrote:All this user's posts have been removed.Why?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 59)
Comment number 60.
At 11th Nov 2011, Beachdrifter wrote:Hi
You have already mentioned the problems with plastic bags rubbish on sea/beaches etc.
Could you mention balloons, so many charity events, fetes, openings etc release ballons, many end up into the sea and have the same effect as plastic bags and cause so many problems to marine wildlife. Could something be done to make people aware of this and even go as far as to ban the release off balloons in this way.
Please mention nurdles as well make people aware of what's being done to the seas around our coast
Complain about this comment (Comment number 60)
Comment number 61.
At 11th Nov 2011, seal wrote:how long can whales live?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 61)
Comment number 62.
At 11th Nov 2011, Ceri Whitmore wrote:I was surfing off Porthtowan in Cornwall early september, when what I think was a young oyster catcher flew around me squawking as two Peregrines took it in turns to dive bomb it. The Oyster Catcher stayed very low to the water so the Peregrines had to keep pulling up before they hit it. I didn't see what happened as I got hit by a wave!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 62)
Comment number 63.
At 11th Nov 2011, WiseyoftheNorth wrote:Tonight's show detailed the DNA capture from Fin Whales and the fella undertaking this was using cross bow and seemed to be struggling to get many 'hits'. Think three was mentioned per year. Would a bow, being able to deliver an arrow further, at more pace and, with practice, accuracy be an idea that he is willing to pick up?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 63)
Comment number 64.
At 11th Nov 2011, Allenkb wrote:Regarding the plastic etc on the bird colony, why not take a hot flame gun up there & "burn" off the plastic so it doesn't pose the same problem next year?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 64)
Comment number 65.
At 11th Nov 2011, brightonjen wrote:It's good that you suggest people pick up some of the litter on the beach & to wear rubber gloves but don't you think it might also be an idea to warn them about the danger of syringes as well. Sadly they are something of a problem on some beaches these days.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 65)
Comment number 66.
At 11th Nov 2011, Matthew Clayman wrote:Hi,
If they are saving the lobsters then won't that affect the other fish as it affects the food chain?!? Matthew Clayman -12
PLease answer thanks!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 66)
Comment number 67.
At 11th Nov 2011, vic wrote:we visited Acrig Tara south of Ayr last week and was surprised to see swans floating on the open see and feeding. is this common. Vic
Complain about this comment (Comment number 67)
Comment number 68.
At 11th Nov 2011, anthonybird121 wrote:I have just watched members of rspb releasing young gannets from discarded nets, etc., why don't I see anybody picking up the discarded nets and putting them in black bags for disposal?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 68)
Comment number 69.
At 11th Nov 2011, Ess wrote:My marine life question....owls at sea - is this common? Take a look at these photos from Islay Wildlife ......
Are these owls stopping off during migration, or is it adaptive behaviour - have they gone there specially to feed off the small birds that stop off there? Would love to hear Chris's view on this! I think he'll find the pictures interesting!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 69)
Comment number 70.
At 11th Nov 2011, KatyLovesChrisPackham wrote:Hi Autumnwatch! Love the show! Chris, I have a question!
Chris: Does the lifespan of a sea mammal vary enormously between species? Or do they all have a similar lifespan? Please answer, it would make my day!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 70)
Comment number 71.
At 11th Nov 2011, babydormouse wrote:How do whales find there way back to the same ocean?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 71)
Comment number 72.
At 11th Nov 2011, Quandy wrote:What is the average length of a blue whale??
Complain about this comment (Comment number 72)
Comment number 73.
At 11th Nov 2011, babydormouse wrote:Why are common seals sometimes different colours?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 73)
Comment number 74.
At 11th Nov 2011, Ashley wrote:A fin 50 foot whale in august was washed up on a beach in the bristol channel at Lynmouth north devon have they been seen in this area before?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 74)
Comment number 75.
At 11th Nov 2011, Erik Blakeley wrote:What food do they feed the baby lobsters on before releasing them?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 75)
Comment number 76.
At 11th Nov 2011, Karen Cass wrote:yeah Chris got to mention poo ... again lol
Complain about this comment (Comment number 76)
Comment number 77.
At 11th Nov 2011, Quandy wrote:What is the average length of a blue whale?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 77)
Comment number 78.
At 11th Nov 2011, Rogelio wrote:What is the third largest whale and the smallest whale
Complain about this comment (Comment number 78)
Comment number 79.
At 11th Nov 2011, marine_life123 wrote:Why do male sea-horses get pregnant and not females?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 79)
Comment number 80.
At 11th Nov 2011, elle wrote:on tonights programme it shows whales off the coast of Ireland,yet your website mainly only lists sites in Scotland.Also the the boatman's name was Pádraig but the presenter didn't seem to be pronouncing right.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 80)
Comment number 81.
At 11th Nov 2011, do1999 wrote:what are the animals u are most likely to see in the autumn?
do any marine animals migrate to the uk?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 81)
Comment number 82.
At 11th Nov 2011, Wivey Dixons wrote:How long do Whales live and what is the oldest recorded whale?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 82)
Comment number 83.
At 11th Nov 2011, naturedude11 wrote:Do Great White Sharks live off the coast of the UK? if so where?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 83)
Comment number 84.
At 11th Nov 2011, Peter Long wrote:Peter Long, Environment Agency, Cornwall - Please encourage your viewers to not only collect some rubbish from the beach but also to recycle the plastics etc rather than just sending it to landfill. Happy Beach Cleaning - Every little bit helps... Peter
Complain about this comment (Comment number 84)
Comment number 85.
At 11th Nov 2011, Rossy wrote:please may we have more insect coverage, had a chap on showing spiders and you gave him very little time and really rushed him, love to see more spiders, beatles, ants and other such species, it always seems like you cover deer, badgers, foxes and loads of birds am watching you at the mo and once again its stags and deer
thanks
Complain about this comment (Comment number 85)
Comment number 86.
At 11th Nov 2011, Tony lawson wrote:Mole, oyster catcher, badger, Green woodpecker
Complain about this comment (Comment number 86)
Comment number 87.
At 11th Nov 2011, sueclarkey wrote:Lasst year in October I was sailing across the Bay of Biscay and a robin landed on the boat for a "breather". Could this be right?
On my return I tried to look up about all the little birds out at sea that we would see and try to entice onto the yacht for a breather. Quite sad - hope they make it!
Love the show!! and the spring one too. Addicted if in the country!
Regards and thanks
Sue Clarke
Complain about this comment (Comment number 87)
Comment number 88.
At 11th Nov 2011, Sarah Stachowski wrote:when we went to New quay we saw more dolphins than when we went on a boat do they get scared of the sound?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 88)
Comment number 89.
At 11th Nov 2011, spotshank wrote:When I was walking home from school I heard a starling making a curlew sound. What use is this for the starling?
Ronan aged 13
Complain about this comment (Comment number 89)
Comment number 90.
At 11th Nov 2011, Hannah wrote:We found this on a walk at Beresford Dale, Derbyshire, and would love to know what animal it came from!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 90)
Comment number 91.
At 11th Nov 2011, Cumbria Steve wrote:A - Mole
B - Star fish
C - Badger
D - Green Woodpecker
regards
Steve Walby
Complain about this comment (Comment number 91)
Comment number 92.
At 11th Nov 2011, Pibip wrote:Agree fully with the comment from Beachdrifter about ballooon releases, a few today to remember the brave folk who give/gave so much. Wonder if anyone has ever been prosecuted for releasing them as they are litter and which animals are most in danger from them?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 92)
Comment number 93.
At 11th Nov 2011, DAN GREENWOOD wrote:Hi there, great show as usual. In the article about the state of Britains seabirds earlier you showed some footage of kittiwakes. I noted one with red legs! I know that red legs on 'our' kittiwakes are uncommon but not unknown, so excellent luck getting one on film...or was this footage of red legged kittiwakes from the Bering Straits :)
Complain about this comment (Comment number 93)
Comment number 94.
At 11th Nov 2011, AnneLouise66 wrote:Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scotland has consigned Unsprung to 10 to midnight! luckily I can access Ö÷²¥´óÐã England on cable, but there must be many who are not so lucky. Please keep unsprung straight after Autumnwatch! Thanks - and thanks for great tv. Anne
Complain about this comment (Comment number 94)
Comment number 95.
At 11th Nov 2011, BlueWhale4321 wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 95)
Comment number 96.
At 13th Nov 2011, Sally-Ann Hoyne wrote:I absolutely loved the all of the story's on marine life big & small. I think it's improved since Springwatch, the inclusion of wildlife near and in the sea. Thank you!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 96)
Comment number 97.
At 13th Nov 2011, janelovesbluetits wrote:I've just watched Autumnwatch on iPlayer and I have a question:
How do seals get pregnant just after their pups are born?
Doesn't the hormone that sustains lactation inhibit ovulation? (as it does in humans?)
Also why don't the hormones that sustain the pregnancy interfere with the ability to lactate?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 97)
Comment number 98.
At 13th Nov 2011, Joejoe wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 98)
Comment number 99.
At 13th Nov 2011, Cheliza wrote:I don't know whether it's too late to ask my question, but I'll have a go anyway.
I just watched show 6 on catch-up, and I was happy to see Iolo's feature on finwhales off the Irish coast. Ever since I saw the scale model of the Blue Whale at the Natural History Museum in S.Kensington, I have been fascinated. To see a live blue whale would be a life's dream for me, but I am looking for advice on where to try spotting one. I've heard Canada, California, and Greenland as top spots, but I'm scouring all available sources for information on these animals. How much can we be sure about their migration patterns, and what does this tell us about where to see them?
PS: Thanks to everyone involved for another great show.
Cheliza
Complain about this comment (Comment number 99)