Mass dolphin stranding in Orkney

2026, January 13. Orkney, Westray. A mass stranding of six common dolphins, including two calves. Two died. The dolphins were spread across a wide area, with some located up to 800 metres apart, making the rescue effort difficult.

Image: by Tom H, Sophie J and Chris S  

2026, January 2. North Sea. East of Orkney Islands. Fireball. Time: 16:37 UT, 16:37GMT. Travelling SSW.

Mass stranding in UK, Sweden has stranding and sonic boom in Australia

2025, August 10 (Could have been dead for some days to a week). Scotland, Orkney, Whitemill Bay. A mass stranding of twenty three long-finned pilot whales, some of them young calves, have been discovered on the shoreline in Sanday. One of the whales was a pregnant female. See July 3rd fireball that created sonic boom. 

2025, August 10. Sweden, Åsa in Kungsbacka. Two Sowerbys stranded. They were refloated; however, the younger one restranded and died later. It comes after the 2025, July 1(See update). Sweden and Finland meteor that created a sonic boom. Although it seems likely that this event could cause strandings, it is more likely due to the July 3rd meteor incident above in Scotland that has caused havoc.

These land-based events give me incredible data on what happens when meteor sonic booms occur. When a relatively small stone can create such a fuss over land, an airburst over water could create a lot of problems for cetaceans. 

Update 20250811: At the moment, there have been several other meteor events sighted over Bass Strait on the night of the main event above. Therefore, a Marine Animal Disturbance Watch should be noted for the coastal regions. 

‘Meteor’ crashes to earth with loud bang & leaves houses shaking after lighting up night sky in Australia | The US Sun

Mass stranding of rare whales in Scotland

2025, July 21. Scotland, Orkney, Papa Westray. A mass stranding of three Northern Bottlenose Whales. They were located deceased on one of Orkney's northernmost islands.

Image BBC

Three bottlenose whales found dead in Orkney stranding

Reminder of the July 3 Meteor. Scotland. Large Fireball / Small Airburst. (Electrophonic Meteor). Had delayed and concurrent sound properties. Time: 00:49. The meteor reportedly entered the Earth’s atmosphere at a staggering speed of about 12,427 mph (20,000 km/h) and was visible as brightly as a full moon before disappearing from view. Sound described as a huge sonic boom heard over 230,000 square kilometres. Tremor felt. The sonic boom was heard in UK and Ireland. Travelling East towards North Sea. Seen in England, Northern Ireland and Wales at a distance over 500 km. Parts of the fireball reportedly landed to the north of Ben Cruachan in Argyll. The incredible blast was spotted as far as the Outer Hebrides. Appin witness: “Then maybe 20 to 30 seconds later, an explosive bang.” The meteor was seen above Taynuilt and Fort William, with one person claiming the “huge bang” seemed to “wake up the whole town”. One person expressed their shock, saying: “I thought it was a bomb at first. I almost had a panic attack.” The boom was also “heard and felt” in Benderloch.

Approximate concurrent sound was 256 km from the meteor explosion. 

Approximate delayed sound was 585 km from the meteor explosion.

Mass stranding in Scotland

2024, July 11. Scotland, Orkney, Tresness Beach on the island of Sanday. A pod of 77 Long Finned Black Dolphins (pilot whales) has died. The pod included males up to seven metres (22ft) long and females, calves and juveniles. See July 6 post. 

77 whales dead after 'biggest mass stranding in decades' in Orkney (bbc.com)