It was encouraging to see *Winterwatch 2026 broadcast live this week from the Mount Stewart estate on the shores of Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, feature the resident bottlenose dolphins Squiggle and Squashy.
Squiggle, identifiable by the distinctive markings on his dorsal fin, originates from the Moray Firth dolphin population in Scotland. Both dolphins have been present in the area since 2023 and are chunky, healthy males, appearing in good physical condition.
Dolphins and porpoises have been known to visit the lough but seldom stay – orcas John Coe & Aquarius were even spotted in the lough in May 2020!
*Winterwatch is a BBC nature series that showcases UK wildlife during the winter, highlighting how some species survive harsh, cold, and dark conditions.
Photo Credit: Fran Kennedy Photography
