WORK has started to monitor a unique species of dolphin around Bardsey Island.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is working with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation on a long term study of the Risso’s dolphin around the island off the Llyn Peninsula.

This is one of only a few sites around the UK where the dolphins can be seen close to land.

The two week monitoring programme, which started on Saturday, 27 August, will provide experts at NRW and other organisations with valuable information about the dolphin’s feeding habits and social interaction.

Their round heads and white scars tell them apart from bottlenose dolphins, and also helps with the monitoring work.

Ceri Morris, marine mammal specialist from NRW said: “Wildlife is an important part of our environment, our heritage and our culture in Wales and it is important that we monitor species like this to help protect them.

“Risso’s dolphins generally prefer deep water where they feed on squids and octopus. So this area around Bardsey where they can be seen close to land is quite rare in the UK."

See the full story in this Thursday’s Arfon/Dwyfor edition of the Cambrian News