DESPITE the inclement weather and some local reports that whale sightings had been fairly scarce so far this year, members and supporters of the Augusta Community Environment Group braved the elements on Sunday, June 28 for a record count.

A total of 175 cetaceans - 171 whales and four dolphins were sited, verified and recorded passing the land-based observation point above Storm Bay from 7.30am-4pm.

Daylight brought the first sightings, but then things slowed down and the speculation was that 2009 would not be as big as the previous two counts.

However, by midmorning a steady stream of “blows”, “tail slaps” and “breachings” were recorded, and continued until counting ceased in a shower of rain at 4pm.

Census observation points are set up all round Australia on the chosen day and Augusta has the only WA post.

ORRCA Australia then collates all the results for a snapshot of migratory whale numbers and behaviour as the Humpback whales, accompanied at times by smaller groups of False Killers, Southern Rights, Sperms and the odd solitary Blue Whale, head north to their tropical birthing grounds.

The results are then fed through to International Whaling bodies and Marine conservation groups worldwide.

For the past two years Flinders Bay has recorded the highest numbers of migrating whales around Australia on census day.