11TH DECEMBER 2010

Cornwall, up to 6nm SE of Coverack

Small pod of Common Dolphin encountered at 11:30am (2 animals) and 1:30pm (4-5 adults, 2 calves) up to 6nm south-east of Coverack. Sighting reported by Ken Dodgson, skipper of Leo1, Falmouth.

6TH DECEMBER 2010

Cornwall, Mounts Bay

2 Bottlenose Dolphin encountered at 15:00hrs and again at 16:30hrs by Dave Paddock, skipper of Capriole, Penzance.

21ST NOVEMBER 2010
France, Pointe du Grouin (Cancale/35)

Seawatch between 09:15 - 11:15 recorded 150 - 170 Balearic Shearwater (a record for this site), many were fishing under the cliffs - a beautiful observation. 500 - 600 Little Gull scattered at sea, 4 Red-throated Loon, 80 - 100 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot, 9 Kittiwake, 5 Mediterranean Gull, 25 - 30 Black Scoter (including 2 accompanied by ~10 Wigeon), 1 male Red-breasted Merganser, 1 male Eider, 2 Oystercatcher and approx. 420 Redwing from several groups to the North East 25 min.! Probably "misled" by the coastline. Sightings reported by Bertram E.B. Bree.

France, Point de la chaine (Cancale/35)

Seawatch from 11:30 to 12:30 recorded 3 Red-throated Diver (including a well observed in full dress), 1 Diver sp. (probable Black-throated Diver), 5 Black-necked Grebe, 8 - 10 Razorbill, 10 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Common Gull, 1 adult male Peregrine Falcon, and the icing on the cake were 2 White-sided Dolphin moving between Cancale rock and the tip (so close!); identified afterwards from my photos. Sightings reported by Bertram E.B. Bree.

France, Anse Duguesclin (St Coulomb)

Seawatch from 13:00 - 14:15 recorded 12 Balearic Shearwater (again very close), 80 - 100 Little Gull, approx. 40 Razorbill, 1 Guillemot, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 3 Gannet, 21 Turnstone and a group of at least 5 Bottlenose Dolphin (4 adults and 1 juvenile) passed at 250 meters distance so very well observed. Sightings reported by Bertram E.B. Bree.

15TH NOVEMBER 2010

Mid-Channel, 30 nm SSE of Start Point

1 Pomarine Skua (1w), 15-20 Great Skua, 5 Little Gull (4 ad and 1w), Mediterranean Gull (ad). Otherwise plenty of large gulls, Kittiwake and a few Gannet and Fulmar and a diver sp. flying past. Sightings and images provided by Mark Darlaston.



Great Skua



Little Gull



Little Gull

Kittiwake (1st Winter)

Mediterranean Gull

Pomarine Skua (1st Winter)



Pomarine and Great Skua



Pomarine Skua



More images can be viewed at Devon BIrd News.

6TH NOVEMBER 2010

Lyme Bay, up to 15nm East of Berry Head

Highlights included 2 Pomarine Skua (1st winter), 4 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua (3rd summer) which chased Kittiwakes around the boat until one regurgitated - an amazing sight to see!

Arctic Skua (3rd summer) chasing a Kittiwake

Arctic Skua chasing Kittiwake

 

Arctic Skua (3rd summer)



Arctic Skua (3rd summer)

 

Arctic Skua (3rd summer)

More incredible images of the chase can be seen on Devon Bird News Blog.

25TH OCTOBER 2010

France, Brittany, Vilaine Estuary

ca. 550 Balearic Shearwater observed in Vilaine Estuary by Tom Brereton and Kate Lewis.

24TH OCTOBER 2010

Cornwall, 1.2 nm SE of Porthcurno

6 Bottlenose Dolphin observed by Dave Paddock, skipper of Capriole, Penzance.

21ST OCTOBER 2010

Cornwall, 20nm South of Penzance

Marinelife Targeted Survey: A pod of 12 Common Dolphin including 1 calf and a juvenile feeding in association with Gannets 10nm SSW of Lizard Point, 2 sightings of Harbour Porpoise, 2-3 Minke Whale 9nm off Lizard Point, Puffin, 4 European Storm-petrel, 2 Fulmar, a few Kittiwake including one being attached by a Great Skua, in addition to a number of Razorbill and Guillemot were recorded by Kathryn Driscoll and Richard Price on board Capriole, Penzance with skipper David Paddock. Sea state 0-2.

17TH OCTOBER 2010

Cornwall, 9.8nm SSW of Lizard Point

1 Minke Whale (possible) seen at 14:30hrs by Dave Paddock, skipper of Capriole, Penzance.

Dorset, Portland Bill

Small flock of Grey Phalarope, small flock of Common Scoter, 100 Gannet and Mediterranean Gull recorded by Maggie Gamble during an Opportunistic Survey on Tiger Lily of Weymouth.

Cornwall, 1/2 mile South of Manacle Bell
2 Harbour Porpoise (probable) seen by Dan Gardner, skipper of Blue Pointer, Helford.

English Channel, ~40 nm SSE of Start Point
16 Great Skua, Arctic Skua, European Storm-petrel and 3 Little Gull (2 adults with a second-winter). Sightings reported by Mark Darlaston.

Little Gull (adult)

Little Gull (2nd Winter)

More images can be seen at Devon Bird News Blog.

16TH OCTOBER 2010

Devon, Wembury

7 Bottlenose Dolphin seen close in off Wembury travelling west at approx. 07:15hrs. Sighting reported by Richard Billington.

14TH OCTOBER 2010

Cornwall, Penzance to 20 miles South of Lands End

Marinelife Targeted Survey: 10-12 Bottlenose Dolphin feeding, 1 probable Minke Whale, 1 unidentified cetacean species, 3 Grey Seal, European Storm-petrel, 27 Great Skua and 34 Kittiwake recorded during a targeted survey on board Capriole with skipper David Paddock.

Cornwall, Penzance to Runnel Stone

A total of 14 Harbour Porpoise (including 2 juvenilles and 3 calves; some of these may have been repeat sightings). Seabird sightings included a passage of Kittiwake (some 1st years) were seen with a large group of Kittiwake stopping to feed close in shore to Lamorna. Lots of Razorbill were flying West along with a Puffin in Winter plumage.


Harbour Porpoise

The first sighting of Harbour Porpoise was near Lamorna cove consisting of 1 adult, 1 juvenille and a calf. Two other groups were spotted close in shore and within close range to each other so a possible dispersed pod of 5. Fish were later seen bumbling at the surface in the area. Further sightings of Harbour Porpoise were seen out at the Runnel Stone reef and then on the return journey. Sightings recorded by Kathryn Driscoll during a Marinelife Opportunistic Survey between 13:30 - 17:00 hrs with Marine Discovery Penzance.

Devon, nr Exmouth

1 Seal Species spotted at 16:17 on the way back from Starcross to Exmouth on the ferry. Sighting reported by Richard Edwards.

13TH OCTOBER 2010

Cornwall, Penzance to Runnel Stone

1 Grey Seal, 1 possible Bottlenose Dolphin, 1 Harbour Porpoise. Seabirds included a few Black-headed Gull, Razorbill and a few Guillemot. Sightings recorded by Kathryn Driscoll during a Marinelife Opportunistic Survey between 10:08 and 17:09 hrs on board Capriole in association with Sea Watch SW.

10TH OCTOBER 2010

France, Bay of St Brieuc

51 Balearic shearwater in the evening, and 1500 Balearic Shearwater in the Bay of St Brieuc (la cotentin, Planguenoual). Sighting reported by Laurent Thebault.



Balearic Shearwaters in Bay of St Brieuc (20/09/10)

 

Balearic Shearwaters in flight

9TH OCTOBER 2010

France, La Pointe des Guettes in the Bay of St Brieuc

1,500 Balearic Shearwater, 350 Common Scoter, 12 Little Gull and 10+ Black Tern. Sighting reported by Bertram E.B. Bree, Jersey

Devon, Wembury Beach

6 Bottlenose Dolphin travelling east and 1 Grey Seal. Sighting reported by Dr Richard Billington.

3RD OCTOBER 2010
Cancale, East of St Malo
Approx. 200 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Arctic Skua, Mediterranean Gull, Little Gull, 3 Little Tern, 10 Sandwich and Common Tern, a few Guillemot and Razorbill, Gannet, 4 Brent Geese, 1 Peregrine and 1 Merlin.  At Peid de la Chaine 2 Wheatear and 5 Mediterranean Gull.  Sightings reported by Bertram E.B. Bree, Jersey.


Juvenile Gannet and Balearic Shearwaters

2ND OCTOBER 2010

St Malo – Portsmouth Ferry

25 Common Dolphin, 4 Balearic Shearwater, Sabine's Gull, 3 Black Tern, Sooty Shearwater, European Storm-petrel, 7 Little Gull and 2 Great Skua recorded between 10:30-18:15 by Tom Brereton.



Common Dolphin


Mid-Channel, approx. 40 miles SSE of Start Point

Chumming from a fishing boat produced Leach's Petrel (passing and not attracted to the chum), 40+ Storm-petrel, 6 Sabine's Gull ( all ads), 2 Little Gull (ad & juv), 30+ Great Skua, 2 Sooty Shearwater and 2 Balearic Shearwater.



Sabine's Gull

Sabine's Gull attracted by the chum

Sabine's Gulls and Storm-Petrels



Storm-petrels



Little Gulls (adult and juvenile)



Sooty Shearwater



Balearic Shearwater



Great Skuas attracted by chum



More images taken by Mark Darlaston during this trip can be seen at Devon Bird News Blog.

1ST OCOTBER 2010

Dorset, West Bay
7 Bottlenose Dolphin encountered one mile offshore at 7:45 am. Sighting reported by Dave Sales.

29TH SEPTEMBER 2010

Cornwall, between Black Head and Kennack

6 Bottlenose Dolphin seen at noon close inshore between Black Head and Kennack during an angling trip. SIghting reported by Dan Gardner, skipper of Blue Pointer, Helford.

Cornwall, 9.5nm WSW of Gwennap Head

6 Bottlenose Dolphin encountered during an angling trip from Penzance. Sighting reported by David Paddock, skipper of Capriole, Penzance.

27TH SEPTEMBER 2010

Devon, Lyme Bay

2 Great Skua seen 7nm South of Seaton. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast of Seaton.

Devon, Lyme Bay

c50 Common Dolphin on shoal of fish, c70 Gannet and a Sooty Shearwater approx 12nm ESE of Berry Head. A total of 18 Great Skua and a Balearic Shearwater were also seen during the day. SIghting and images provided by Mark Darlaston.



Common Dolphins



Sooty Shearwater

26TH SEPTEMBER 2010

Devon, Plymouth

Ca.30 Common Dolphin east of Eddystone, together with the accompanying wall to wall Gannets, were the highlight of an Opportunistic Survey out of Plymouth. Sightings recorded by David Curtis during an Opportunistic Survey on board C-Cheeta with skipper Geordie Dickson.

Cornwall, 1 mile SE of Coverack

30 Common Dolphin encountered 1 mile South East of Coverack. Sighting reported by Dan Gardner, Skipper of Blue Pointer, Helford.

25TH SEPTEMBER 2010

Dorset, Hengistbury Head

15 - 20 Bottlenose Dolphin encountered close to shore feeding on mullet shoals coming out of Christchurch Harbour and also seen off Boscombe. Sighting reported by John Stevenson, skipper of Blue Duo, Poole. You can view a video of the Bottlenose Dolphins which were later seen off Boscombe on the Bournemouth Echo website.

24TH SEPTMEBER 2010

Dorset, Portland

15 - 20 Bottlenose Dolphin including 3 or 4 calves encountered on the east side of Portland Bill. The group included one large adult with a distinct, almost cut-off dorsal fin with a flat top on it. Sighting reported by Lyle Stantiford, skipper of Supanova, Weymouth.

Devon, Lyme Bay

2 Harbour Porpoise and a Skua species encountered 11nm South of Seaton. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

22ND SEPTMEBER 2010

Dorset, West Bay

2 Harbour Porpoise (mother and calf pair) surfaced twice near the boat this morning at 10:15 hours, travelling east. Sighting reported by Tony Smith, skipper of Christine Anne, West Bay.

Dorset, West Bay

At least 6 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen at 11:30 hours chasing a shoal of mackerel 1/2 mile off the coast at West Bay golf course. Sighting reported by Ivor Bending.

17TH - 22ND SEPTEMBER 2010: MARINELIFE TARGETED SURVEYS

22ND SEPTEMBER 2010

Jersey, Channel Islands to West Bay, Dorset

1 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Black Tern, 29 European Storm-petrel, 50 Great Skua, 12 Fulmar, 6 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern and 10 Bottlenose Dolphin (including 1 calf) were encountered at Sark at 10:22 hrs. Sightings recorded between 08:00 - 18:50 during a Marinelife Targeted Survey by Kate Lewis, Mark Darlaston and Peter Lewis on board Huntress II of West Bay. Video to follow soon!

21ST SEPTEMBER 2010

St Malo, France to Jersey, Channel Islands

2 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Puffin, 6 Great Skua, 4 Sandwich Tern and 116 European Storm-petrel recorded by Mark Darlaston, Peter Lewis and Kate Lewis between 07:30 - 18:30 during a Marinelife Targeted Survey by Kate Lewis, Mark Darlaston and Peter Lewis on board Huntress II of West Bay.

20TH SEPTEMBER 2010

Paimpol to St Malo, France

An incredible 400 - 550 Balearic Shearwater encountered in the Bay of St Brieuc, 92 European Storm-petrel, 18 Great Skua, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 6 Manx Shearwater, 1 Arctic Skua (Juvenile), 2 Black Tern, ca.12 Arctic Tern, 1 Roseate Tern, 5 Sandwich Tern, 41 Common Tern and 4 Mediterranean Gull recorded by Peter Lewis, Mark Darlaston and Kate Lewis between 07:20 - 17:15 during a Marinelife Targeted Survey on board Huntress II of West Bay. Video to follow soon!



Distant flock of resting Balearic Shearwaters in the Bay of St Brieuc



Resting Balearic Shearwaters



Balearic Shearwaters taking flight



Balearic Shearwaters in Bay of St Brieuc



Sooty Shearwater (left) and Balearic Shearwater (right)



Balearic Shearwater feeding

Resting Balearic and Manx Shearwaters



Manx Shearwater

 19TH SEPTMEBER 2010

Roscoff to Paimpol, France

1 Grey Seal, 17 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Great Skua, 1 Black Tern, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 18 Mediterranean Gull, 7 Common Tern, 1 Commic Tern, 47 Sandwich Tern and 1 Yellow-legged Gull recorded between 08:15 - 17:15 during a Marinelife Targeted Survey by Kate Lewis, Mark Darlaston and Peter Lewis on board Huntress II of West Bay.



Common Tern (1st Summer) sat on flotsam

18TH SEPTEMBER 2010

Guernsey, Channel Islands to Roscoff, France

1 Balearic Shearwater, 341 European Storm-petrel, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Black Tern, 17 Great Skua, 4 Sandwich Tern, 3 Fulmar and a distant unidentified cetacean species recorded between 09:00 - 19:00 during a Marinelife Targeted Survey by Kate Lewis, Mark Darlaston and Peter Lewis on board Huntress II of West Bay.

17TH SEPTMEBER 2010

West Bay, Dorset to Guernsey, Channel Islands

1 Balearic Shearwater, 775 European Storm-petrel, 24 Great Skua, 19 Sooty Shearwater, 20 Fulmar, 8 Common Tern and 1 Puffin recorded between 08:10 - 19:30 during a Marinelife Targeted Survey by Kate Lewis, Mark Darlaston and Peter Lewis on board Huntress II of West Bay.

Resting European Storm-petrels

18TH - 20TH SEPTEMBER 2010
Poole - Santander Ferry Survey. Good sea state conditions for most of the trip.
4 Bottlenose Dolphin, 109 Common Dolphin, 63 Harbour Porpoise, 16 definite Cuvier's Beaked Whale and 10 medium-sized Whale species (most likely Cuvier's), 1 Minke Whale, 11 Fin Whale, 6 large Rorqual Whale Species, 9 Dolphin Spp., 7 Fulmar, 2 Manx Shearwater, 7 Sooty Shearwater, 8 Balearic Shearwater, 21 European Storm-petrel, 502 Gannet, 1 Grey Phalarope, 97 Great Skua, 1 Sabine's Gull, 1 Puffin, 10 Auk Spp. Sightings recorded by Simon Hartill & James Darke. You can keep up to date with monthly ferry survey sightings here.

19TH SEPTMEBER 2010
Dorset, Portland Bill, Shambles Bank
3 Sooty Shearwater at Shambles Bank at 13:00hrs. Sighting reported by Chris Caines, Skipper of Tiger Lily, Weymouth.

18TH SEPTMEBER 2010
Devon, Exe Estuary
1 Little Auk seen in the Exe Estuary at 09:00 and in the docks again at 12:30hours. Sighting reported by Jackie Fenton of Tiger Charters, Exmouth.

12TH SEPTEMBER 2010

St Malo to Portsmouth Ferry: Marinelife Survey

6 Bottlenose Dolphin, 12 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater, Black Tern, 4 Arctic Skua, Puffin, 6 European Storm-petrel and 783 Swallow recorded by Tom Brereton between 10:30 and 18:30 from St Malo to Portsmouth.

Devon, Lyme Bay

3+ Harbour Porpoise encountered 9nm South of Seaton and 1 Great Skua seen 17nm South of Seaton during an angling trip in Lyme Bay. Sightings reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

11TH SEPTEMBER 2010

France, St Malo to Cancale: Marinelife Survey

10 Bottlenose Dolphin, 43 Balearic Shearwater and 1 Black Tern recorded by Tom Brereton between 14:30 and 17:00 during a Marinelife Survey.

Black Tern (31/08/10, South of Start Point)



Black Tern (31/08/2010, South of Start Point)



Black Tern (31/08/10, South of Start Point)

9TH SEPTEMBER 2010

Dorset, West Bay

Two groups of 10 Bottlenose Dolphin (calves present) encountered in West Bay. Sighting reported by Dave Sales.

Devon, Lyme Bay

A few sightings of Great Skua during an angling trip 17nm South of Seaton. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

8TH SEPTEMBER 2010

Devon, Lyme Bay
Great Skua stayed around the boat for most of the day, 8nm South of Seaton. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

NEWS: SeaWatch SW Annual Report 2009 co-authored by Marinelife Online Now

SeaWatch SW Annual Report 2009 co-authored by Marinelife is now available online. Illustrated throughout with colour images, this report includes a summary of all Balearic Shearwater records from the UK and Ireland during 2009. The report also contains all data from the SeaWatch SW survey that took place between 15 July and 15 October 2009, with intensive effort-based observations at Gwennap Head, Porthgwarra, supported by sister sites at Berry Head, Pendeen, Trevose Head, Strumble Head and Whitburn. Finally, a summary of boat-based observations in the western English Channel has again been provided by Marinelife. A shorter version containing a summary of key results is also available. Thank you to all who have taken part in the project.

Visit SeaWatch SW online now to read the report here: http://www.seawatch-sw.org/

7TH SEPTEMBER 2010
Devon, Lyme Bay
Little Tern enoucntered 8nm South of Seaton during an angling trip. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

Cornwall, ~5nm ENE of Coverack
The bay is still full of mackerel with plenty of diving Gannet, at 15:45 on the way back to Falmouth, we saw 2 Sooty Shearwater resting on the water and at 16:10 we passed close to a flock of 60-70 Manx Shearwater sitting on the water. Sightings reported by Ken Dodgson, skipper of Leo1, Falmouth.

Sooty Shearwater, 15-30nm SE of Start Point, Devon 31/08/2010

Sooty Shearwater, 31/08/2010

5TH SEPTEMBER 2010

France, Brittany, Bay of Lannion

Ca. 450 Balearic Shearwater observed in Bay of Lannion. Sighting reported by Laurent Thebault.

Cornwall, mouth of Helford River
2 Bottlenose Dolphin encountered at the mouth of the Helford River, just east of Nare Point, at 16:00 hours after a day of angling. Sighting reported by Dan Gardner, skipper of Blue Pointer, Helford.

Cornwall, Carrick Roads

6 - 8 Bottlenose Dolphin spotted in the Carrick Roads at 11:30 hours. Sighting reported by Caroline Harvey of Orca Sea Safaris, Falmouth.

Cornwall, 1/2 mile East of Manacle Bell
Great Skua flying around the angling boat. Sighting reported by Dan Gardner, skipper of Blue Pointer, Helford.

Great Skua

Isles of Scilly, 4 miles SW of Bishop Rock Lighthouse
3 Bottlenose Dolphin observed 4 miles south west of Bishop Rock Lighthouse, Isles of Scilly. Sighting reported by David Paddock, skipper of Capriole, Penzance.


4TH SEPTEMBER 2010

Cornwall, inside Falmouth Harbour

A small pod of 5 Bottlenose Dolphin encountered at 17:00 hours inside Falmouth Harbour when returning after a day of angling. Three large dolphins with 2 calves. Sighting reported by Nigel Hodge, skipper of Wave Chieftain, Falmouth. Video footage coming soon!

Cornwall, ~6.6nm WSW of Gwennap Head
15 Bottlenose Dolphin encountered at 10:00 hours on transit between Penzance and Isles of Scilly. Sighting reported by David Paddock, skipper of Capriole, Penzance.

Cornwall, 6nm ESE of Coverack
Great Skua observed at 14:00 hours off Coverack. Sighting reported by Dan Gardner, skipper of Blue Pointer, Helford.

Dorset, 15 miles S of West Bay then headed NE off Chesil

Marinelife Targeted Survey, 10:00 - 15:30, Force 5 SE wind

1 Great Skua recorded during a Marinelife Targeted Survey on board Huntress II.