Onlookers gather at resort beach to see stranded whale’s carcass

Onlookers gathered yesterday to look at the unusual sight and see the 27ft whale, which is thought to be a juvenile, close by.

Yesterday, a Scarborough Borough Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a dead whale has been washed up on the shore just south of the Holbeck slipway in Scarborough measuring 8.3 metres in length.

“Our officers are putting up a cordon around the whale this afternoon and arrangements are currently being made in conjunction with the RSPCA to remove the whale from the shoreline.”

Yesterday experts were at the scene in South Bay examining the whale to establish how it had died. It should be removed today.

A boat crew had reported sightings of what they believed to be a dead whale near the outflow pipe in North Bay on Wednesday.

Minke whales are found in the North Sea and, although the creatures are known to often prefer more shallow waters, they are usually spotted further offshore.

Last year, the Yorkshire coastline was identified as one of the best in the UK for spotting northern Minke whales, with Flamborough Head among the top locations.

Other top 10 whale spotting locations chosen by worldwide whale conservation specialists Planet Whale, include Durlston Country Park in Dorset, St Catherine’s Breakwater in Jersey, Cardigan Bay in Wales and Ardnamurchan Point in Scotland.#

Adult Minke whales grow to between 25 and 30ft long, with the females slightly bigger.

The have grooved throats and two blow holes with small shark-like fins on their backs.