WITH one week left until the whale watching season ends, volunteers have recorded 2424 sightings up to noon today as the mammals make their way north to warmer waters.
Wayne Reynolds and a group of fellow volunteers have fastidiously compiled sightings since about the end of May to now at Cape Solander, Kurnell.
The volunteers have been recording the sightings for 18 years as the whales make their journey from the chilly waters of Antarctica to breed.
With their binoculars and tally books at the ready, volunteers brave wind and rain to count the whales.
The whale watching season ends on Thursday July 31.
The whale-sighting figures are passed on to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The service's public affairs officer Lawrence Orel said the figures showed a healthy number of whales had made the journey this year.
"The numbers are a sign that the whale population is recovering," Mr Orel said.
"Some of them are on their way back now, heading south.
"These are the females with their calves."
Cape Solander was possibly the best vantage point around Sydney for whale sightings, he said.
Mr Reynolds said humpbacks made up most of the sightings. There were also a few minkes and southern right whales.
In 2013, 2646 northbound whales were recorded.
This compared with the previous highest count of 2202 humpbacks spotted in June and July of 2011.
Have you gone whale watching this season? Tell us how many you've spotted. Or send photos to christiner@fairfaxmedia.com.au.