"Humpbacks Are Returning to NYC Waters, and There's a Lot of Them"

"Whale watchers have spotted a stunning number of humpback whales in New York waters recently, especially around the Rockaway peninsula, part of New York's borough of Queens. More than a hundred of the massive and majestic beasts have been sighted so far this year, marking what may be the largest resurgence of whales the region has ever seen.

New York waters have always been home to the endangered humpback whale, which will occasionally show up along the Big Apple's coasts to give tourists a look at their massive tails and iconic ridged backs.

However, according to Gotham Whale, an organization which documents the number of visiting migratory whales in the area, sightings usually number around no more than 15 individual humpbacks in a year. Now, the organization is saying that 2014 saw a stunning 106 humpback whales - a giant spike in the local population which continues what is looking to be an encouraging trend. Last year, Gotham Whale noted 33 individual whales in NY waters."

Brian Stallard reports for Nature World News December 12, 2014.