Bottlenose dolphin seen off coast of Somerset

A wildlife enthusiast has described the "absolutely incredible" moment she photographed a bottlenose dolphin off the coast of Somerset.

Louise Christiaans said she did not realise it was the particular species until she got home and looked through her photographs.

She added it is "very rare" to see the dolphin species in the waters of West Somerset, but hopes to see more of them.

One expert said sightings could increase as the seas around the UK get warmer.

Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset, Ms Christiaans said she spotted something in the water as part of her regular surveying of harbour porpoises at Hurlstone Point, between Porlock and Minehead.

She said: "I'm used to seeing some unusual fish and that's what I thought it was.

"The shape disappeared below the surface and then reappeared a few seconds later."

When she returned home, she went back over the photographs and noticed different colours and a beak.

She said she received expert confirmation from the conservation charity Sea Watch Foundation the next day.

Kirsten Hintner, the regional co-ordinator for Sea Watch Foundation, said: "Since 2014, there've only been four reports of bottlenose dolphins at Hurlstone Point and eight in total off Somerset."

Ms Hintner added: "Louise was really lucky to see this dolphin."

Bottlenose dolphins are often spotted in Cardigan Bay, Wales and Cornwall.

But Ms Hintner said they may be seen more often off the coast of Somerset in the future.

She said: "Our waters are warming up, which means food sources change and some are more plentiful at different times of year."

"It's really based around what these animals are looking for to eat," she said.

The charity is encouraging people to register sightings during its annual National Whale and Dolphin Watch event between 26 July and 4 August.

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