Clouds hung low over Witless Bay when Lottie first caught someone’s eye, her silhouette gliding like a grand ship through the green depths. There's a certain bounce to her travels—perhaps the liveliness of the Atlantic gave her a bit of extra spring.
In the golden afternoons of July 2005 and again the following year, Lottie showed up in Witless Bay, delighting anyone lucky enough to look her way. The days were crisp, the waves flecked with sun, and Lottie moved with the effortless grace only a true local of Newfoundland and Labrador could muster.
Then, for years—quiet. Lottie seemed to vanish into the endless blue, perhaps drifting far or keeping her secrets tucked beneath the waves. But just when mystery seemed certain, word spread in 2023: Lottie was seen dancing near Trinity Bay, and in 2024, lively as ever, along the cliffs of Bonavista, showing off her resilience.
2025 turned out to be a grand year. Not only was Lottie spotted near S Horney Head and east of Belle Isle, but something remarkable—a calf at her side. Now she carried not just herself, but new life, right through the pulse of summer and into September’s brisk winds. The following June, Lottie made her way back to St. John's and soon returned to Witless Bay, never lingering too long, always on the move. By early July, she’d greeted Green Island, making her summertime circuit feel like a celebration. Each appearance a splash of wonder along the wild coast.
Lottie’s journey is woven through years and places, always leaving folks gazing after her, hoping for just one more look.
Have you seen Lottie? If you have, your sighting or photo could be the next piece of her story. Every submission helps connect the dots—filling in the mysteries of where whales like Lottie roam, and when. Your eyes on the water add colour and wonder to the ongoing tale of these majestic travellers.
Humpback mothers and calves often travel together during the summer feeding months—these bonds keep little ones safe as they learn the ways of the sea.
Witless Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
July 22, 2005
Witless Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
July 8, 2006
Witless Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
July 21, 2006
Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
August 3, 2023
This is Happywhale's real data for this whale. The story above was generated based on these details, and a few creative assumptions.
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By submitting to Happywhale, your sighting can become part of Lottie's data. Not only will it make their story richer for the next time they're spotted, but you'll become part of a global citizen science effort to better understand our oceans and the humpback whales that call them home.
