Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata

The Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) is the smallest and most frequently recorded baleen whale in British and North Sea waters. Relatively fast-moving and inconspicuous compared to larger whales, it is nonetheless an exciting and increasingly reported sighting off the east coast of England. It feeds on fish – particularly sandeels, herring, and sprat – and its presence is often linked to areas of prey aggregation. Suffolk coastal waters and the wider North Sea are within the regular range of this species, and both shore-based and boat-based sightings are periodically recorded. Strandings on the county’s beaches, though infrequent, are also noted. Image: © Mattia Valente, Flickr.

Find out more: Whale and Dolphin Conservation, The Mammal Society, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, iNaturalist