Pod of Dolphins Spotted in Fall River Enjoying the Taunton River

Here is another glorious sign that warmer days are getting closer. Dolphins are being spotted on the SouthCoast.

Bob Smith, the Fall River Shellfish officer, captured some exciting images of a pod of dolphins making its way through the Taunton River in Fall River, reminding all of us that the magic of a SouthCoast summer is right around the corner.

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“It’s a good sign that there is a tremendous number of baitfish in the area,” said Smith online. “Fortunately, this time of year there are almost no boats on the river to interfere with these dolphin pods.”

Smith received a phone call from the International Fund for Animal Welfare on the Cape, advising him and his crew to watch out for this pod.

“She confirmed that (the dolphins) are classified as ‘Common Dolphin,’ he said. “They were concerned for the welfare of the dolphins and asked me to keep an eye on them and notify them of any unusual activity.”

According to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), none of the dolphins in Massachusetts waters have been classified as endangered, but since short-beaked common dolphins are known to swim in coastal waters, it is important to make sure they don’t get stuck in shallow areas.

If you’d like to get a glimpse of the dolphins, pay attention to the seagulls.

“To anyone that may be heading to the boardwalk looking to see the dolphins, just look for a flock of seagulls hovering above the water,” said Smith. “The dolphins chase the baitfish to the surface, and the seagulls hover above the dolphins.”

Keep an eye out for busy seagulls and emerging dolphin fins. Massachusetts waters are beginning to come alive again.