20TH APRIL 2011

Cornwall, Manacles Reef

2 Puffin sat on sea surface near the Manacle Buoy. Sighting reported by Dan Gardner, skipper of Blue Pointer, Helford.

Lyme Bay

1 Skua species observed during a fishing trip. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

19TH APRIL 2011
Dorset, Lyme Bay
8 Bottlenose Dolphin observed ~1nm SSW of Lyme Regis harbour. Sighting reported by Harry May, skipper of Marie F, Lyme Regis.

Channel Islands, Jersey

Ca.100 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen in groups off the Minquiers Reef south of Jersey by G.E.C.C. Sighting reported by Bertram E.B. Bree.

18TH APRIL 2011

Lyme Bay, 17.5nm WSW of Portland Bill

Minke Whale encountered swimming by the boat at 13:00hrs. Sighting reported by Ivan Wellington, skipper of Top Cat III, Weymouth.

Cornwall, 1 mile East of Nare Point
Basking Shark 18ft in length. Sighting reported by Dan Gardner, skipper of Blue Pointer, Helford.

17TH APRIL 2011

Lyme Bay, 20nm SSE of Seaton

1 Whale species and 2 Great Skua observed during a fishing trip. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

16TH APRIL 2011

Cornwall, Coverack

1 Basking Shark over 26ft in length observed close to Coverack. Sighting reported by Dan Gardner, skipper of Blue Pointer, Helford.

MARINElife CHARM III Survey

Lyme Bay, up to 30 miles South of West Bay and West towards Dartmouth

Highlights included 30 Common Dolphin, plus Balearic Shearwater, 465 Manx Shearwater, 25 Puffin, Great Skua, 4 Great Northern Diver, 1532 Guillemot, 125 Razorbill, 296 Gannet, 3 Common Tern and 158 Kittiwake. Sightings recorded by Tom Brereton, Adrian Shephard & Russell Wynn during an Opportunistic Survey onboard Huntress II, West Bay.

Exclusive video footage of Common Dolphins coming in to bow-ride Huntress II in Lyme Bay!



1 Balearic Shearwater among many Manx Shearwater



Balearic Shearwater



Balearic Shearwater



Common Dolphin



Common Dolphin coming in to bow-ride



MARINElife will create a photo-ID catalogue for Common Dolphin as some individuals had distinct nicks on their dorsal fins. You can view our current photo-ID catalogue for White-beaked Dolphin & Bottlenose Dolphin at http://www.marine-life.org.uk/



Razorbill



Kittiwake



Killer Whales in the Channel

A pod of Killer Whales have been sighted in the Channel - with four seen on 14th April off Dungeness, Kent.

17TH APRIL 2011
Lyme Bay, 20nm SSE of Seaton
1 Whale species and 2 Great Skua observed during a fishing trip. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

14TH APRIL 2011

Mid-Channel

8-10 White-beaked Dolphin encountered 33nm SE of Start Point at 16:45. Sighting reported by Mark Darlaston on behalf of Rob Dart, skipper of Dart Angler.

Cornwall, Lands End

A pod of 11 Common Dolphin observed at 11:20am, 1km out to Longships Lighthouse. The group were travelling West and seen breaching. Sighting reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

13TH APRIL 2011
Dorset, Lyme Regis
Basking Shark observed very near the harbour mouth at Lyme Regis.  Sighting reported by Harry May, skipper of Marie F, Lyme Regis.  Visit thisisdorset.net to read more about this close encounter.

11TH APRIL 2011
Dorset, West Bay
1 Great Skua observed 2 miles South of West Bay. Sighting reported by Dave Sales.

10TH APRIL 2011
Lyme Bay, 20nm South of Seaton
2 Great Skua, 5 Manx Shearwater and a Swallow seen during an angling trip. Sightings reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

8TH APRIL 2011

Dorset, Swanage Pelagic, ~11 nm South of Swanage

5 of us joined Tom Greasty & Pete Barratt on the first of the Swanage Pelagics this afternoon. Flat calm all the way, but with a little bit of a swell running & nice sunny conditions. We went about 11 nautical miles South of Swanage fairly fast before cutting the engine so we could just drift with the tide. Good numbers of Guillimots, a few Razorbills & 2 Puffins on the way out. Most encountered between 2 & maybe 6 n miles out, but some of the Auks were as far out as we went.

Tried chumming for a couple of hours attracting Fulmars & Kittiwakes as well as Great Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls & Common Gulls. You can see from the photo how calm it was & that's with my little Lumix.

Fulmar

On the way back, good numbers of Guillemots & some Razorbills. Initially, 3 Fulmars & a couple of Kittiwakes were following us, but they dropped off after a couple of miles. Back along the Purbeck coastline from St Aldhelms to Swanage.

A good trip enjoyed by all & nice weather. Perhaps a bit early in the year to try the trip & next time the chum will be fresher & not frozen.

Tom is planning on another trip in about a month's time so I'll be happy to keep people informed when I get confirmation of the date.

Swanage Pelagic: 9+ Fulmar, 2 Gannet, 5+ Great Black-backed Gull, 5+ Herring Gull, 3 Common Gull, 3 Kittiwake, 56 Guillemot, 12 Razorbill, 2 Puffin, 14 Auk sp., 1 Swallow (North).

St Aldhelms - Durlston: c6 Fulmar, c15 Shag, 1 Oik, 48 Guillemot (most of 1 ledge), 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Sika Deer.

Sightings reported by Steve Smith on behalf of Tom Greasty, skipper of San Gina II, Swanage Sea Fishing.

3RD APRIL 2011

Mid-Channel, 20nm SSE of Portland Bill

6 groups of 4 - 5 Bottlenose Dolphin and 1 Skua species were encountered during a fishing trip last Sunday. Sightings reported by Ivan Wellington, skipper of Top Cat III, Weymouth.

Local Wildlife Trips

South Coast

Details: Pelagic trip venturing 15 miles offshore with chumming

Date: First trip starting Friday 8th April

Departing: From Swanage

Time: 3pm - 8pm

Cost: £20 per person

Contact: Tom Greasty, skipper of San Gina II, on 07932 557376

Website: http://swanageseafishing.wordpress.com/

29TH MARCH 2011
Channel Islands, Jersey
At 8.00am 8-10 Bottlenose Dolphin headed west past Ronez towards Bonne Nuit. Sighting reported by Bertram E.B. Bree.


27TH MARCH 2011
Lyme Bay
A small pod of Bottlenose Dolphin seen 2 miles South of West Bay. Also of late, regular sightings of Bottlenose Dolphin south of Portland Bill - associated with an influx of Herring into the area. Sightings reported by Dave Sales.


25TH MARCH 2011
Mid-Channel
~50 Common Dolphin encountered 36 miles SSE of Dartmouth. Sighting reported by Ian Noble, skipper of Samuel Irvin, Dartmouth.


23-24TH MARCH 2011
Channel Islands, Jersey
11 Atlantic Grey Seal were on the Ecrehous reef. Plus a Common Redstart! Also a few Harbour Porpoise passing offshore. Sightings reported by Bertram E.B. Bree.