A PHOTOGRAPHER from Portland was in the right place at the right time as he photographed a pod of dolphins.

Peter Staddon took several photographs of the pod on Tuesday evening swimming off Portland Bill just after 6pm.

He said: "I decided to go out to the Bill. I actually went out to look for the seal because I haven't seen him for a few weeks."

On his way down, Peter saw three dolphins and carried on to the area known as deep river.

He said: "I managed to get one picture of them and they disappeared."

Not long later, a fishing boat was returning back in and Peter spotted a dolphin at the bow of the boat.

It was at this point he noticed a pod of dolphins behind the boat.

He said: "I was watching them for a good hour taking pictures and they were still there when I left.

"It was getting close to sunset. They were definitely feeding there.

"I was over the moon to see the baby coming out of the water with its head."

Peter uploaded the photographs to social media, with one Facebook post attracting more than 500 likes.

He said: "I got over 600 likes on that. I was really pleased with that. My computer was going mental."

Peter said the experience made his evening and hoped to photograph them again in the near future.

Emma Rance, marine conservation officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said the dolphins were likely to be bottlenose dolphins.

The Trust has received reports of sightings throughout the year.

She said: "It's been fantastic. I couldn't tell you (the number) off the top of my head. We get reports all the time of dolphins. It's been really, really good."

Emma said the Trust had received reports from all over the county.

Dean Rook shared with us some footage of dolphins near Old Harry Rocks earlier this week (below).

Emma said: "I think social media has really helped. It's easier for people to report sightings.

"We've had far more reports of dolphins than we have had for some time."

Emma said the water surrounding the headland off Portland provided dolphins a 'really good food source'.

She said: "We do welcome sightings from members of the public for our marine database."

People can get in touch with the Trust by Twitter using the handle @DorsetWildlife and by calling 01305 264620.

Have you taken any pictures of the dolphins? We would love to see them! Email newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk

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