Incredible moment a DOLPHIN is spotted in river 13 miles from the sea in Cambridgeshire

A DOLPHIN has been spotted in a river 13 miles from the sea in Cambridgeshire, leaving locals surprised.

Richard Priest, 32, and his wife Serena, 41, were strolling along the edge of River Nene in their home town of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire when they spotted a fin in the water.

In a video clip filmed by Richard on August 23, a dolphin can be seen gliding along the surface of the river.

Tesco manager Richard said: "I didn't believe it was a dolphin at first, it was such a shock.

"I was going for a walk with my wife and just by luck, I saw a big ripple in the river, then the dolphin fin popped out the water.

"I thought it was strange and the dolphin must be lost as I have never known a dolphin to be in the river so I reported it to Sea Watch Foundation who were very surprised."

The Sea Watch Foundation monitors cetaceans in British and Irish waters and after watching Richard's video, they confirmed it was indeed a common dolphin.

'VERY SURPRISED'

The common dolphin species can measure up to 2.5 metres long and weigh up to 235kg and usually are found to be living in deep water.

Up to 29 species of cetaceans, which include dolphins and whales, have been sighted in the UK and Ireland since 2000, according to the charity.

Common dolphins are an offshore species, but often come close to shore to feed, according to The Wildlife Trusts.

They are highly social and normally found in groups, travelling at speed and frequently leaping from the water.

Richard has claimed that the dolphin seemed to be ok but the charity were concerned and reported the sighting to British Divers Marine Life Rescue.

He added: "The charity were concerned but they did say that most of the time, the dolphins do find their own way home."

Last month, a pod of at least three dolphins were spotted putting on an acrobatic display for tourists as they swam off Northumberland's coast. 

A dolphin has previously been spotted in the River Thames in London after swimming more than 50 miles inland from the sea.

The mammal was filmed in Wandsworth, south west London – and others claimed they had seen it elsewhere on the Thames around the capital too.

Another dolphin was also seen in Richmond, south west London.

Former Olympic swimmer Andy James tweeted: "Ok …. you may all think I'm mad, but I just saw a Dolphin in the river Thames at Richmond [embarrassed emoji] #DolphinAtRichmond".

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