Humpback whale spotted in sea off Sussex coast
WATCH: Full video report by ITV News Meridian's Charlotte Wilkins (Credits: Kitty Dale and Ricky Martin)
A humpback whale has been spotted leaping from the sea off the Sussex Coast.
Kitty Dale filmed the mammal from Hastings seafront on January 3.
The Sussex Dolphin Project says it also received sightings from Rye, Pett Level, Fairlight, St Leonards, Bexhill, Pevensey and Eastbourne, Dungeness and Beachy Head.
Although humpback sightings are rare in the Eastern English channel, experts say they do happen in the winter period as they migrate south, passing the UK.
A humpback whale leaps from the water off the Sussex coast (Credit: Kitty Dale)
In a post on Facebook, the Sussex Dolphin Project said: "Wow, what a few days of sightings!
"Thank you to everyone who has reported sightings of a humpback whale over the last few days, culminating in some very public breaching displays yesterday.
"Although humpback sightings are rare in the Eastern English channel, we usually receive a few sightings in the winter period as they migrate south, passing the UK.
"Most take the westerly route past Ireland, but a few take the easterly route past the UK and ultimately pass through the channel to continue their journey.
"We were lucky enough to spot a humpback breaching off Beachy Head on December 14th during a Sussex Dolphin Project landwatch!
"Keep your eyes on the water; you never know what you might see!"
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