Dead dolphins and birds wash up at Chesil Cove, Portland

The deceased mammals and birds were spotted at Chesil Cove, Portland by Dave Taylor of Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project whilst he was out on a litter pick and dog walk. He noted the birds were covered in oil.

The environmentalist has reported his findings to the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) which coordinates the investigation of all whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans), marine turtles and basking sharks that end up stranded around the UK coastline.

CSIP have identified the mammal as a common dolphin.

Common dolphins are medium-sized dolphins with adults’ range between 1.9 and 2.5 metres long, and can weigh between 80–235kg.

Dead bird (Image: Dave Taylor)

Mr Taylor described the incident as ‘so sad,’ adding: "It’s quite common for dead dolphins and birds to wash up around the area of Chesil Cove, particularly after a storm like the one we saw over the weekend."

Storm Bert descended upon Dorset over the weekend, causing mass disruption, cancelling events, cutting power and causing widespread flooding.

Ahead of the storm, two weather warnings were issued, one for heavy rain, and another for 60mph winds.

Heavy winds were the earliest sign of the storm, gusting at 60mph as early as Saturday morning. The strong winds were a constant feature, though it calmed somewhat to around 30mph from noon on Sunday.

Mr Taylor said: “It’s all to do with the currents why they wash up here.”

Not only did the dead creatures wash up, but also a large amount of rubbish including ‘two sacks of rope and net, a mooring rope and some hard plastics that will be recycled.’

Litter collected (Image: Dave Taylor)

Despite the sad news, Mr Taylor also shared a positive insight, revealing that the issue with rubbish washing up at Chesil Cove and the Fleet ‘seems to be getting better' compared to two years ago.

As reported by the Echo a Sowerby Beaked Whale washed ashore nearby, just north of Smallmouth Bay earlier in the month.

This was just the eighth time one has been found in UK waters.

These reclusive deep-sea dwellers usually occupy the North Atlantic and are rarely spotted in the UK. They can measure up to 5.5 metres in length.