Watching The Watchers of the East River Dolphin
On Wednesday afternoon, I watched the dolphin swim and dive in New York’s East River. That afternoon, I also enjoyed meeting and watching a wide range other watchers.
But first … Friday’s Dolphin Update from the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation:
After 24 hours of no sightings, we received a report of the bottlenose dolphin in the East River this afternoon. The first report came in at approximately 2 PM. The dolphin does not appear to be in distress and continues to be free swimming and utilizing the east side of the river near the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. While NOAA encourages you to enjoy the presence of the dolphin, please remember that bottlenose dolphins are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. We are continuing to collect sighting information for monitoring and are ready to respond in the event the animal becomes stranded. Please report any sightings to Riverhead Foundation’s Hotline at 631-369-9829.
(If you are just learning about NYC’s dolphin, you may want to read my earlier posts here and here.)
The first watchers I met were these police officers who had been asked to check out the dolphin. The three of us headed up the 103rd Street pedestrian bridge to get a better look south over the river.
Here’s a more formal portrait.
Soon a photography class from East Harlem’s Renaissance Charter High School for Innovation headed up the bridge, led by teacher Benjamin Caraballo. The class was taking their first outing with cameras.

Students from Innovation High School
Turns out Ben is a wildlife photographer and biologist, who was delighted to learn of the dolphin. He and the class headed back down the ramp to the river walk to try for a closer view of the animal.

Teacher Benjamin Caraballo and a photography student.
On the river walk, a young father and son in matching cammies watched the dolphin.
The gentleman below rushed excitedly to the railing, phone camera at the ready, saying “Where is it?” After I pointed it out to him, he said, “I need a photograph of it.” “And I need a photograph of you,” I said. He gave me a big grin.

Happy dolphin watcher.
I talked a long time with a very nice woman whose grandfather was a New York City tug boat captain, and who knew the area well. I didn’t get a picture of her, but I did get a picture of “her” ducks.

Ruddy duck armada.
She has run along the river for years, and has gotten to know the lovely little ruddy ducks that gather here.

Note the electric blue bill.
These fishermen, according to my new friend, are always out.
“He’s sick. He’s gonna die,” the fishermen declared of the dolphin with great finality, citing the terrible pollution of the East River.
“Then I wouldn’t eat that fish you catch,” muttered my new friend under her breath. Here is a fisherman of another species, that was swimming and diving far below the surface of the river.

I believe this is a Common merganser.
A little later, I talked with Tara who was taking a friend’s dog for a walk. Like most of the watchers, Tara was thrilled with the presence of the dolphin but concerned for its safety. She told me how much she loves working in the summers at an equestrian center on Randall’s Island that I didn’t even know existed. She said they even give lessons to neighborhood kids who can’t afford to pay.

Tara and her friend’s dog.
After a few hours, it was time to go. Bye bye.

Wave bye-bye.
Tags: New Yorkers watch wildlife, people watching NYC dolphin East River dolphin
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March 18, 2013 at 12:47 pm
[…] Vlad, who was out on the river himself this weekend, posted the video in a comment on one of my earlier dolphin posts where he also informed me that some boat club members believe it is possible they saw three […]
March 17, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Great story, Melissa!
Yesterday (Saturday), there were a number of people, including us, dolphin-watching from boats, lower down in the East River. We did see one big dolphin, and there are reports that there may in fact be at least three in the East River. (We also saw a seal.) Here’s a nice video by a couple of the other dolphin-watchers out on Saturday:
March 17, 2013 at 5:23 pm
Melissa—I meant to post just the link to the video, and was hoping it wouldn’t embed automatically. Remove if unwanted…
March 17, 2013 at 6:26 pm
Video is super, Vlad. I’m glad it embedded.
March 17, 2013 at 6:32 pm
Wow. Thanks so much for the update & the terrific video. I’ll probably put in a post. That’s the first I’ve heard about THREE dolphins – holy cow. The presence of a seal doesn’t really surprise me that much anymore, although it’s still thrilling. They seem to be everywhere this time of year, including pups turning up on beaches all along Long Island. (Here is some info on what to do if you find a possibly stranded seal.) But three dolphins in that little space of (polluted) water – that’s something. There are some strange currents right there, I think, which may bring in some good fishing. But still. Again, Thank you, Vlad!
March 17, 2013 at 6:42 pm
Right now, the guys who paddle around there seem to be reasonably sure of two—at least, that’s what they told the press:
http://gothamist.com/2013/03/17/photos_videos_there_are_two_dolphin.php#photo-1
Yesterday, they said three, although of course it’s hard to tell sometimes…
March 16, 2013 at 7:36 pm
Make that ‘walkin’ the dawg’.
March 16, 2013 at 7:34 pm
There’s the dolphin, and then there’s the dolphin-watchers, and
then there’s Melissa walkin’ the dawn! Wonderful!
March 16, 2013 at 6:57 pm
I love the way you engage with fellow new yorkers all sharing the mutual delight this dolphin has brought with its own adventure up the river. Thank you for sharing and bringing delight to me here in Arizona where no dolphins will ever swim up river…:)
March 16, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Love following this story – thanks Melissa!
March 16, 2013 at 12:33 pm
Equestrian center on Randall’s Island! Who knew?!!
Watching the people watching the dolphin — marvelous.