Dolphin sightings in the Bay

We were amazed by how many sightings we had in our first 2 years of this research.

Over 2,000 sightings were reported because since Chesapeake Dolphin Watch was launched in late June 2017. Bottlenose dolphins occurred throughout the Bay, including in many rivers and creeks. In both 2017 and 2018, total reported sightings peaked in the month of July.

In 2017 and 2018 dolphin sightings were seasonally stratified in Chesapeake Bay, meaning that dolphins were seen in different portions of the bay in different months.

Dolphins were reported in the Lower Bay nearly year-round. The Lower Bay is considered to be the portion of Chesapeake Bay from the mouth at the Atlantic Ocean to the Maryland-Virginia state line, including in the Rappahannock, Piankatank, York, Poquoson, James, Nansemond, Elizabeth, and Lynnhaven Rivers.

Middle Bay sightings were centralized in the warm months from May to September. Middle Bay is the portion of Chesapeake Bay from the Maryland-Virginia state line northwards to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (near Annapolis. Middle Bay includes Patuxent, Potomac, Choptank, and Wye Rivers as well as Eastern Bay.

Upper Bay sightings were primarily June to July. The Upper Bay is the portion of Chesapeake Bay north of the Bay Bridge (near Annapolis) including the Chester and Patapsco Rivers. In 2018 we were surprised to see a large number of sightings in the Chester River and near the Bay Bridge.