Humpback whale returns in Devon 'like Blue Planet' Published duration 5 March 2017

image copyright Pete Moore/ Simon Marshall image caption The humpback whale has returned to Start Bay, Devon where it appears to be feeding on herring and mackerel

A humpback whale has returned to Devon bay and is attracting large numbers of spectators hoping to catch a glimpse.

There have been reports on social media of its return in recent days and some photos now show it spouting water into the air.

It was seen close to shore on Saturday evening and has attracted other species to the area.

Pete Moore from Forest and Beach Outdoor Learning Centre said: "It's incredibly active, has been feeding loads and it's a great spectacle. People have been coming from a long way to try and see it."

It is thought the whale is coming in to feed on herring and mackerel, which are also attracting large number of gannets.

image copyright Simon Marshall image caption The humpback whale has been attracting people and other species to Start Bay, Devon

Whale watcher Pete has lived nearby for 14 years. "I've never see so many species of animal feeding in the bay, it's like Blue Planet.

"The herring gulls are following the whale like they might follow a trawler, and we've got loads of spectacular gannets, porpoises and seals too," he said.

He said the whale had been doing a loop of Start Bay, and most sightings had been in the late afternoon or early evening.

image copyright Pete Moore image caption Large numbers of people have travelled to Start Bay to try and spot the whale

The Sea Watch Foundation, which records sightings of whales, said it was rare for humpbacks to be seen off the UK coastline until about five years ago, when sightings increased from about five per year to between 15 and 30.

Sea Watch director Dr Peter Evans said numbers rose to about 40 in the past 12 months, a record high.

image copyright Pete Moore image caption Gulls have been following the whale as a way of finding fish

He added: "They seem to be recovering and it could be just that there is a lot of fish about.

"They won't hang around anywhere unless there's food."