WILDLIFE watchers are in for a whale of a time this summer – quite literally.

All the indications suggest that enthusiasts hoping for a glimpse of the giants of the deep are in for a bumper season.

Over the weekend there was a flurry of sightings of minke whales off the east coast – from Cleveland, south through Whitby to Filey and the Bempton Cliffs.

Other recent marine mammal sightings along the Yorkshire coast have included harbour porpoises and a pod of 20 white-beaked dolphins.

And less than two weeks ago a giant fin whale – second only in size to a blue whale – was spotted from a ferry off Whitby.

Staff at the Yorkshire Nature Triangle – a leading “nature tourism” project – are now predicting that a summer of sightings is ahead.

They say minke whales will be passing along the Yorkshire coast as they feast on herring with numbers peaking late this month and into early September.

Although one of the world’s smallest whales, minkes can still reach up to 30ft in length – around the same as a bus – and top more than five tonnes in weight.

Despite their relatively small stature minke whales have become a firm favourite with wildlife lovers due to their inquisitive nature – often swimming right underneath passing boats.

And their tendency to appear close inshore makes it possible to observe them from Yorkshire’s clifftop coastline.

The Nature Triangle is a partner of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and its aim is to promote the region’s wildlife watching network – thought to be worth around £15m a year.

Spokesman Tom Marshall said: “We were blessed with some fantastic, flat calm seas on Saturday and Sunday along many parts of the Yorkshire coast – perfect conditions for spotting whales.”

He added: “Activities like whale watching and bird migration which run well into September and even October provide a huge boost to the tourism industry outside the traditional peak school holiday and ‘hot’ weather season.

“It seems the word may be spreading for Yorkshire as a base for whale watching - however thousands of visitors are still hugely surprised that these mighty marine mammals can be seen after enjoying your fish and chips at places like Whitby.”