A POD of bottlenose dolphins has been spotted in The Solent.

Six of the marine mammals were spotted by yachtsman Adrian Wood off the coast of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

He reported the cetaceans to the Sea Watch Foundation who were able to identify them as bottlenose dolphins, and added them to the national database to help with conservation.

Sea Watch's sightings officer, Kathy James, said:“Bottlenose dolphins are the species which many people instantly consider when they think of dolphins.

“Many people do not realise that ‘Flipper’s’ relative can be seen in the wild off our coasts, and this sighting in the Solent just goes to show what’s out there on our doorstep.”

Bottlenose dolphins around the UK are the largest of the species, often twice the size of their more famous American counterparts.

Kathy said: “Despite being up to 4.5 metres long, our bottlenose dolphins are still wonderfully acrobatic and it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures to see them put on a display in the wild.

Daily Echo: Bottlenose dolphins photographed off the Isle of Wight by Adrian Wood.

"Small groups of bottlenose dolphins typically range around the Southwest Peninsula, particularly west Cornwall. Occasionally they come further east as far as Dorset but records east of there remain unusual so this sighting of a group was specially useful.

"Some individuals can be recognised by unique markings such as nicks in their fins and that enables the researchers to establish whether they are the same animals as observed elsewhere. So people are encouraged to send in their photographs particularly if they show the fin close up and side on.”

Additionally, to Adrian’s report from October 8, the research charity has also recently received a report of six unidentified dolphins  - which are likely to be the same ones  - in a similar area on October 4 and are urging members of the public to keep them informed of any fins that they spot from the shore as well as whilst on vessels.

• Sightings of whales, dolphins and porpoises can easily be submitted online at seawatchfoundation.org.uk/sightingsform.

Wildlife enthusiasts can become further involved in looking for cetaceans by becoming a Sea Watch observer and should write to kathy.james@seawatchfoundation.org.uk or call on 01545 561227.