More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A harbour porpoise paid a visit to a Kent town this morning.
The majestic creature was spotted swimming in the River Thames near the pier in Gravesend.
Harbour porpoises are fairly common in UK waters and usually stay close to coastal areas and river estuaries.
But they do face threats from water pollution including litter and plastic, noise from shipping which can disorientate them, and fishing nets which they can become entangled in.
Fraser Gray, who captured to picture of the porpoise, said: "I was out by the river hoping to photograph the dawn that can be spectacular but unfortunately the weather was overcast this morning.
"I decided to go home when I saw a silhouette break the water’s surface, back-lit against the reflection of the dawn on the river and I began to take photographs near Gravesend Town Pier, thinking the silhouette was a seal.
"The Thames was in ebb flow and placid. The porpoise must have been near stationary because of the wake around the dorsal fin gave me the impression it was a seal’s head moving up river against the tide.
"I decided to go home when I saw a silhouette break the water’s surface..."
"When I looked at the image on the review screen of the camera I realised I had seen and photographed a porpoise."
Kent Wildlife Trust's website states: "Harbour porpoise can be easily spotted close to shore in shallow water, either alone or in small groups.
"They are shy and will avoid boats and jet skis. If you do manage to get close enough you may hear their loud 'chuff' noise as they come to the surface for air. This gives them their nickname 'puffing pig'.
"Harbour porpoise give birth to a small calf every one to two years."
Benny the Beluga whale grabbed headlines across the country when it turned up in the Thames near Gravesend in 2018.
A string of sightings were reported across the following months before he left for the sea on the trail of migratory fish.
