A wildlife charity reports a surge in whale sightings off the Cornish coast in recent years.

Bex Allen of Cornwall Wildlife Trust calls the increase in humpback whales “one of the greatest recovery stories.”

Once reduced to less than 5% of their original population due to whaling, humpback whales have rebounded since gaining protection in the 1960s. Recent monthly surveys indicate a rise in their numbers.

On Thursday, a humpback whale was spotted in St Ives Bay, while another was seen off Newquay by Angie Nash, a wildlife enthusiast celebrating her 50th birthday with a nature-watching week.

Allen believes humpbacks have “captured the hearts and minds” of people in Cornwall.

The marine conservation officer said: “Humpbacks are a bit new to our area and they’re really charismatic whales.

“They do tend to put on a display, sometimes by breaching out of the water and they fluke, so they put their tail flukes out of the water and up in the air when they deep dive.

“They’re one of those whales that everyone wants to see.”

Experts are uncertain about the reason for the increased sightings but suggest the whales may be feeding before completing their winter migration to tropical waters.

Ms. Nash, who divides her time between Newquay and Looe, expressed delight at her unexpected birthday sighting. She had spent six to seven hours daily scanning Watergate Bay, rewarded with the rare spectacle on her special day.

“I’ve finally seen it” she said.

Allen noted that minke and fin whales frequently appear in Cornish waters, making them the most common great whales in the region. Additionally, rare sightings of sperm and bowhead whales have also been recorded off the Cornish coast.