Marinelife: Channel Marine Mammal & Seabird Survey

2012-01-11T20:17:00.002Z

10th January 2012
30nm south of Start Point
Around angling boat, 15 Great Skuas, one double-dark Fulmar (in with 20+ normal light phase).

2012-01-08T12:44:00.001Z

26TH DECEMBER, 2011

A blue shark was found washed up on the beach at Burton Bradstock. http://ow.ly/i/op4T

2011-12-12T08:18:00.001Z

Great Skua from St Kilda wintering in English Channel off South Devon
I had a speedy response to yesterday's Great Skua sighting 30nm off Start Point.

The bird was ringed by Will Miles (of Leach's Petrel fame, if you subscribe to British Birds).

Will replied with the following interesting information on the bird:

"This is definitely one of mine, and the first ever record of one away from Kilda - totally brilliant! A live wintering at-sea record is particularly rare for these guys - so many thanks again. This fella is actually the second bird I ever ringed on Kilda. It is White/White (L) Red/White (R), ringed on Hirta on 22nd May 2007 as an adult (wing 441mm, weight 1510g, head&bill length 108.5mm). It nested every year on Kilda that I was there (2007-10) with only two other pairs on 'Mullach Sgar', quite a remote location away from the main colony in Glen Mor. Also, if I remember, the pair had rather a taste for Leach's Petrels too !"

2011-12-11T14:51:00.005Z

10th DECEMBER, 2011
English Channel 30nm SSW off Start Point, Devon
Out on a fishing boat, a few interesting bits and pieces mid-channel. Two groups of Common Dolphins. Up to 15 wintering Bonxies around the boat, one carried colour rings (so awaiting some feedback on this bird as to where it was ringed); see photo below - left leg double white, right leg red over white. There were far more large gulls foraging around the boat than normal, mostly Herring, Great and Lesser Black-backs and good numbers of Kittiwakes. Fulmar numbers have picked up again and there was one dark phase (a dark as opposed to a double dark). Best bird was a cracking dark morph 1w Pomarine Skua, though sadly I have no photos as it disappeared soon as I waved a camera!
Below photos of colour ringed and unringed Bonxies and 'dark' Fulmar

2011-12-07T14:01:00.002Z

4TH DECEMBER, 2011

2 Harbour Porpoise past West Bexington
Reported by Mike Morse

1 Bottlenose Dolphin at the entrance to Brixham Harbour.
Reported by Penny Robson

26TH NOVEMBER & early DECEMBER, 2011

Killer Whale (Orca) spotted off Cornwall on several occasions around Newquay and Padstow, including 2 seen on the 26th November from Trevose Head, near Padstow.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/killer-whales-spotted-off-cornwall-124927982.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-16050956

2011-11-27T20:32:00.002Z

27TH NOVEMBER, 2011

Great Northern Diver, 1 mile off West Bay

2011-11-17T20:00:00.005Z

16th NOVEMBER, 2011
English Channel 20-30nm SE of Start Point,Devon
Yesterday from on a fishing boat: 12+ Great Skuas, 1 Pomarine Skua (juv), 30+ Kittiwakes, Little Gull (1w), Mediterranean Gull (2w), several groups of Common Dolphin.

Kingswear, Devon
Single Bottlenose Dolphin (distinctive dorsal fin with top missing) in the mouth of the Dart estuary off Kingswear early morning.

2011-11-16T23:14:00.001Z

9TH NOVEMBER 2011

Brittany Ferry survey. Caen – Portsmouth
16:00-18:00
Tom Brereton
Highlights included 185 Little Gulls, Mediterranean Gull, 2 Slavonian Grebes and 4 Sandwich Terns
Also reports (by the crew) of a 15m dead whale offshore in the area

2011-11-08T20:31:00.004Z

8TH NOVEMBER, 2011

2 Harbour Porpoise past West Bexington
Reported by Mike Morse

2011-10-29T21:20:00.004+01:00

28TH OCTOBER, 2011

Manx Shearwater seen flying West about 1 1/2 miles out of West Bay
Reported by Tony Smith.

2011-10-23T12:08:00.007+01:00

19TH OCTOBER, 2011

Approximately 14 Bottlenose Dolphin seen 1 mile off West Bay harbour.
Reported by Ivor Bending.

16TH OCTOBER, 2011

7 Bottlenose Dolphin 2 miles out of Seatown.
Reported by Tony Smith of Christine Anne.

9TH OCTOBER, 2011

A Dwarf Sperm Whale live stranded at Mounts Bay, Cornwall and was refloated. This is the first confirmed record of this species in UK waters. More details
A similar species, the Pygmy Sperm Whale stranded on the Isle of Seil in Scotland on 6th October. More details

2011-10-21T16:43:00.003+01:00

20Th OCTOBER,2011
20nm SE of Start Point, Devon
Out on a fishing boat, still good numbers of Bonxies in the English Channel, with c30 around the boat. One Arctic Skua (pale phase adult), 2 Mediterranean Gulls (ads) in with numerous Kittiwakes, 2 Little Gulls (ad and 1w), 2 European Storm-petrels. Best of all a Leach's Storm-petrel passed by a distance, quite a white-rumped bird - I managed to get a couple of shots (see below). Also Common Dolphins feeding under Gannets and a shark sp. feeding on the surface. On the 16th the skipper of the boat saw 2 Risso's Dolphins while fishing in the same area.
Photos below: Leach's, Bonxies, Arctic Skua and Med Gull ©Mark Darlaston

2011-10-14T08:50:00.003+01:00

12th OCTOBER 2011
English Channel - 20nm south of Start Point, Devon
A good day out on a fishing boat with 4 Common Dolphins briefly bow riding. Notable was a large movement of Bonxies through the channel, we had up to 40 around the boat at anyone time, so I probably saw in excess of 6o during the day. One bird carried an orange ring (on left leg) and a logger and would be a bird breeding on either Foula or Hoy being monitored by the University of Glasgow. Only when the data is download next breeding season with we know which Island as I was unable to read the number on the ring.

Other birds included this very interestingly plumaged Pomarine Skua. A very dark bird, with paler barred belly. Probably 4th cal-year as underwing almost as adult except for a hint of barring on axillaries, or perhaps advanced 3rd cal-year.

And also around the boat two Sooty Shearwater but only 3 European Storm-petrels seen.

Photos ©Mark Darlaston

2011-09-27T16:49:00.005+01:00

26th SEPTEMBER, 2011
English Channel up to 30nm SE of Start Point, Devon
Seen from boat while fishing: Sooty Shearwater, 5 Black Terns, 15+ Great Skuas, 10 Common Terns, 'Blue' (dark) Fulmar in with 100+ light phase, 6 European Storm-petrels and juv Sabine's Gull. While heading back in 2 Balearic Shearwaters 5nm SE of Dartmouth.

Above, two different Black Terns

Above juv Common Tern ( quite a dark bird!)

Above Common Tern (immature 1s?) and juv Gannet (up close quite striking plumage)

Above Sabine's Gull juv. Photos ©Mark Darlaston

2011-09-27T15:40:00.006+01:00

23rd SEPTEMBER 2011
Portland Survey
A Grey Phalarope and 2 Great Skuas were the only highlights during JNCC/MARINElife transect survey.

Grey Phalarope ©Kevin Lane

2011-09-25T14:23:00.003+01:00

25TH SEPTEMBER. 2011
Start Point, Devon
Seawatch 08:00-12:00, heading SW: juv Sabine's Gull (at 08:40), 5 Sooty Shearwaters, 37 Balearic Shearwaters, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 5 Bonxies, 8 Arctic Skuas, 2 Arctic terns, 8 Common Terns, 3 Black Terns, 9 Sandwich Terns, 472 Gannets, 38 Razorbills, 6 Guillemots, 2 Puffins & 25 Kittiwakes.

2011-09-25T13:03:00.005+01:00

14TH SEPTEMBER, 2011

33 Balearic Shearwater on the Shambles Bank off Portland Bill.
Report by Chris Caines.

1ST SEPTEMBER, 2011

A 7.5m Northern Bottlenose Whale stranded at Beg-Meil, in Fouesnant, France.

26TH AUGUST, 2011

Berry Head, Seawatching 0830-1030hrs:
469 Manx Shearwater, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (juveniles), first independent juvenile Herring Gull (8) also passing headland today, 3 Arctic Skua, 1 Common Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, 17 Common Scoter, 54 Kittiwake, 50+ Gannets. Also 2 Common Dolphin 0840-0945hrs & 2 Harbour Porpoise 0910-0915hrs
Report by Mike Langman

2011-09-22T17:23:00.002+01:00

21ST SEPTEMBER, 2011
English Channel 20nm south of Start Point, Devon
From a fishing boat: at least 6 Sabine's Gulls (5 juvs, 1 adult), Little Gull juv, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, Balearic Shearwater, 15+ Great Skuas, 10+ European Storm-petrels, 150+ Fulmar (including some interesting birds, will do a separate post on these later). A few photos for now!

from top to bottom, Great Skua, Balearic Shearwater (x2), adult Sabine's Gull, juv Sabine's Gull (x3), juv Little Gull (x2) ©Mark Darlaston

2011-09-19T10:34:00.013+01:00

16th SEPTEMBER 2011
Berry Head, Devon
63 Balearic Shearwaters following one returning trawler and 54 behind another (normally 8 is a good count doing this!). Also Sabine's Gull, Black Tern, Arctic Tern

15th SEPTEMBER 2011
Lyme Bay Survey
132 Balearic Shearwaters (only 2 Manx Shearwaters) and 9 Harbour Porpoise were the highlights during JNCC/MARINElife transect survey of western Lyme Bay.
Balearic Shearwater ©Kevin Lane

This follows an incredible run of Balearic Shearwater records off Devon, where the Devon record has been broken numerous times this September - the larger counts as follows:

14th SEPTEMBER 2011
Dawlish Warren / Orcombe Point, Devon
c200 Balearic Shearwaters (still feeding).

13th SEPTEMBER 2011
Prawle Point, Devon
81 Balearic Shearwaters west

12th SEPTEMBER 2011
Start Point, Devon
383 Balearic Shearwaters (new Devon record!), 14 Sooty Shearwaters and 1148 Manx Shearwaters heading SW.

Dawlish Warren / Orcombe Point, Devon
229 Balearic Shearwaters

11th SEPTEMBER 2011
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
376 Balearic Shearwaters (short-lived Devon record!). Though there may be circulation of birds here.

Budleigh, Devon
250+ Balearic Shearwaters

Dawlish Warren, Devon
220 Balearic Shearwaters

Seaton, Devon
77 Balearic Shearwaters

Chesil Cove, Dorset
140 Balearic Shearwaters

10th SEPTEMBER 2011
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
100+ Balearic Shearwaters.

6th SEPTEMBER 2011
Berry Head, Devon
304 Balearic Shearwaters heading S (short-lived Devon record! Previous was 145).

Start Point, Devon
238 Balearic Shearwaters heading SW.

Prawle Point, Devon
160 Balearic Shearwaters heading W.

5th SEPTEMBER 2011
Berry Head, Devon
Several thousand feeding shearwaters out in Lyme Bay, most Manx, but a sample count of c1000 closer birds indicated 6% Balearic Shearwaters (so there could be 300+ out there).

2011-09-04T10:37:00.002+01:00

3rd SEPTEMBER 2011
Start Point , Devon
The Balearics have arrived! Seawatch 10:45-19:00 surprisingly good for the SeaWatchSW target species, especially late pm, heading SW were : 101 Balearics Shearwaters (strongest passage 14:00-19:00 when 90 past, also one very pale bird on underside with white into undertail coverts, although Balearic on structure), 13 Sooty Shearwaters, 1 large shearwater (most likely great), 1192 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Bonxie, 1 Arctic Skua, 12 Whimbrel, Common Scoter, 2 Puffins, 2 Sandwich Terns, 6 Common Terns, juv/1w Yellow-legged Gull.

2nd SEPTEMBER 2011
Sea area off Portland , Dorset
11 Balearic Shearwaters, 55 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Fulmars, 3 Bonxies, 47 Gannets, 13 Herring Gulls, 18 Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Guillemots during JNCC/MARINElife transect survey.

2011-08-27T12:23:00.011+01:00

26TH AUGUST, 2011
English Channel 13-20nm South of Start Point, Devon
From a fishing boat: 2 Great Shearwaters, Sooty Shearwater, 3 Black Terns, 5 Common terns, Yellow-legged Gull juv/1w, 10+ European Storm-petrels, 3 Bonxies. Two groups of Common Dolphins.

Great Shearwater ©Mark Darlaston

2011-08-22T22:58:00.006+01:00

22ND AUGUST, 2011

3 Risso's Dolphin seen at French Banks, Lyme Bay

20 Dolphin sp. (including one calf) seen 2 miles off Sea Town. Reported by Skipper Tony.

1 dead Comorant floating off Dog Cliff/Thorncombe Beacon. Reported by Simon Miles

2011-08-16T16:32:00.004+01:00

16TH AUGUST, 2011
Berry Head, Devon
Seawatching 0600-1300hrs:
53 Pomarine Skuas of mixed ages most with short spooned tailed but several with full spoons, largest single group 8 (remarkable passage for Aug), 31 Arctic Skua, 21 Bonxie, 66 Balearic Shearwaters, 402 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Little Gull, 721 Kittiwake (inc 61 juvs), 39 Common Tern 5 Sandwich Tern, 748 Gannets, 24 Fulmar. 22 Common Scoter and Harbour Porpoise. Mark Darlaston, Mike Langman and Dave Norman.

Immature Pomarine Skuas ©Mark Darlaston

2011-08-15T23:00:00.002+01:00

13TH AUGUST, 2011

Albatross sp. reported off Porthcurno by Nicky Morse, skipper of Viking, Penzance

2011-08-15T15:02:00.007+01:00

14TH AUGUST, 2011
West end of Lyme Bay off Devon
From a fishing boat.
About 11nm off Start Point one Sooty Shearwater and 3 European Storm-petrels otherwise pretty quiet.

Sooty Shearwater ©Mark Darlaston

Heading back, about 1nm off Dartmouth large feeding frenzy of Gannets with c1000 Manx Shearwaters (no Balearics seen) and a couple of Bonxies.

Manx Shearwater ©Mark Darlaston

2011-08-14T23:11:00.001+01:00

14TH AUGUST, 2011

Sand Bay, Weston Super-Mare
1 stranded Harbour Porpoise

2011-08-11T23:24:00.010+01:00

9TH AUGUST, 2011
Lynmouth, Devon
A Fin Whale stranded on the North Devon coast. As the animal was well preserved it may have only been dead for a day or two.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-14458028

3RD AUGUST, 2011
30-40 Dolphin Sp.,1 mile south of Seaton, Devon, 5-10 Harbour Porpoise 11 miles south of Seaton. Sithing reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast.

1ST AUGUST, 2011
5+ Common Dolphin at 11am and 29+ at 11.45, 2 km offshore west of Longships lighthouse, feeding. 5 Harbour Porpoise. Sighting reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

29TH JULY, 2011
Marinelife/Naturetrek Evening Pelagic from Weymouth Quay 16:45hrs - 19:45hrs. F2 SE. Seastate 1-2. Warm, but overcast with some light drizzle at times
CORY'S SHEARWATER 1, Manx Shearwater 2, Arctic Skua 1, Northern Fulmar 1, Gannet 51, Common Tern 2, Kittwake 10, Yellow-legged Gull 1, Common Scoter 1F, Cormorant 2, Shag 1, Great Black-backed Gull 32, Herring Gull 132, Auk spp. 1

JULY, 2011
Land's End
29th 1 Basking Shark at 11am
27th 5 Harbour Porpoise
20th 8 Harbour Porpoise, 3 Basking Shark, 6 Common Dolphin
13th 1 Harbour Porpoise
12th 8 Harbour Porpoise, 6 Common Dolphin, 3 Basking Shark
11th 26+ Common Dolphin and 8 Harbour Porpoise
2nd 50+ Common Dolphin
1st 25 Common Dolphin
Sightings reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

2011-08-11T17:47:00.002+01:00

11TH AUGUST, 2011
Start Point, Devon
Seawatch 0600-1500:
Great Shearwater (at 12:50), Sooty Shearwater (14:20), 2 Puffin, 16 Balearic Shearwater, 1270 Manx Shearwater, 2 Bonxie, 15 Common Scoter, 6 Common Tern, 2 Sandwich Tern, 7 Auks, 3-5 juv Yellow-legged Gulls, 728 Gannet 10 Kittiwakes (including 3 juvs).

2011-08-07T20:40:00.001+01:00

7TH AUGUST. 2011
Start Point, Devon
Seawatch 12:30-18:30: Cory's Shearwater (at 15:25), Sooty Shearwater, only one Balearic Shearwater!, 569 Manx Shearwaters, 13 Common Scoter, 2 Sandwich Terns.

2011-08-04T10:44:00.004+01:00

3RD August, 2011
11nm south of Start Point, Devon
From a fishing boat: Pomarine Skua (adult), 3 Great Skua, 3 Arctic Terns, 8 Common Terns, 80+ Manx Shearwaters, 3 European Storm-petrels, 5+ Yellow-legged Gulls (juvs) in with numerous Lesser Black-backs and Herring Gulls and around 100 Fulmars (all double light phase bar one light phase).

Common Tern (adult©Mark Darlaston

2011-07-30T08:34:00.005+01:00

28TH JULY 2011
Dorset, Portland
3 Balearic Shearwaters, 7 Manx Shearwaters, 8 Fulmars, Bonxie, Common Tern, 92 Gannets, 60 Herring Gulls, 7 Great Black-backed Gulls, 4 Guillemots and a Grey Seal seen during JNCC/MARINElife transect survey.

2011-07-25T09:15:00.004+01:00

22ND JULY 2011

Weymouth, Naturetrek Pelagic

4 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Ocean Sunfish (first one on these trips), 8 Kittiwake, 21 Common Tern, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Guillemot, 1 Fulmar, 1 Shag and 31 Gannet. Survey carried out between 16:45 - 20:15. F3 NNE wind, sunny spells. Survey carried out by Tom Brereton and Sarah Anthony on board Tiger Lily of Weymouth.

Balearic Shearwater

Lyme Bay, MARINElife Photo-ID Survey

8 White-beaked Dolphin (interacting and bow-riding for 1hr 15 minutes). Also 3 Harbour Porpoise, 918 Manx Shearwater (1 extended group of 910+ birds), 6 Balearic Shearwater, 3 European Storm Petrel, 6 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua, 2 Sandwich Tern, 7 Dunlin (flying E), 3 Common Tern, 41 Kittiwake, 1 Cormorant, 248 Gannet, 27 Fulmar, 289 Guillemot, 352 Herring Gull and 36 Great Black-backed Gull. Survey carried out by James Phillips on board Huntress II of West Bay. F1 NEE with sunny spells; sea state 0-1.

White-beaked Dolphins bow-riding Huntress II in Lyme Bay

2011-07-20T20:52:00.004+01:00

20th JULY 2011
Lyme Bay up to 15nm ESE of Berry Head
Early morning 06:30ish. Strong passage of Manx Shearwaters heading south about 1.5 mile off land. Also Pomarine Skua (full spooned adult), Arctic Skua, Great Skua and Common Scoters. Further out several European Storm-petrels and a Sooty Shearwater investigated the boat while fishing.

Called Mike Langman who went to Berry Head at around 08:30 and saw more good passage from land including some Common Dolphins. See http://devonbirdnews.blogspot.com/

2011-07-20T19:00:00.000+01:00

19TH JULY 2011

Cornwall, 5nm S-SSW of St Anthony's Head

50-60 Shearwater species seen in flight at 11:00am ~5nm South of St Anthony's Head. At 1pm, 2 miles due West of the earlier sighting a similar number of Shearwater species seen - not close enough to identify to species. Sighting reported by Ken Dodgson, skipper of Leo1, Falmouth.

2011-07-19T09:30:00.002+01:00

18TH JULY 2011

France, Northern Brittany
700 Balearic Shearwater seen in the Bay of St Brieuc (Northern Brittany coast) between the Bay of Lannion and Mont St Michel Bay.

Balearic Shearwaters in Bay of St Brieuc - September 2010

Balearic Shearwaters taking flight in Bay of St Brieuc - September 2010

Balearic Shearwaters feeding in Bay of St Brieuc - September 2010

2011-07-14T18:17:00.008+01:00

14TH JULY 2011
Cornwall, Lands End
1 Harbour Porpoise seen at 4pm. Sighting reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

Dorset, Portland Bill

A successful first survey was completed today with 37 Balearic Shearwater recorded during a MARINElife/JNCC Transect Survey off Portland Bill. Survey conducted by Mark Darlaston, Kevin Lane and Neil Gartshore.

Dorset, Lyme Bay
1 Balearic Shearwater seen diving underwater for scraps from around the boat at 11am approx. 9.5nm West of Portland Bill. Sighting reported by Chris Caines, skipper of Tiger Lily, Weymouth.

Balearic Shearwater

2011-07-14T09:38:00.008+01:00

13TH JULY 2011
Dorset, Lyme Bay

Probably the same group of 20-30 Bottlenose Dolphin were encountered again at 3pm just off the cliffs to the East of West Bay. Calves present in the group which was travelling West towards St Gabriel's and Stonebarrow. Sighting and video provided by Ian & Liz Simpson of The White House Hotel, Charmouth.

Ca20 Bottlenose Dolphin encountered at 2pm from West Bay Sewer Buoy, travelling West, to Golden Cap. A number of the dolphins had very distinctive dorsal fins. Sighting reported by Ian Cornwell, skipper of Huntress II, West Bay.

10-12 Bottlenose Dolphin seen swimming across the bay past Burton Bradstock at 12:05pm. Sighting reported by Hive Beach Cafe, Burton Bradstock.

2011-07-12T09:48:00.006+01:00

12TH JULY 2011

Dorset, Portland Bill

Several Balearic Shearwater seen this morning at Shambles Bank. Sighting reported by Chris Caines, skipper of Tiger Lily, Weymouth.

1 Porbeagle Shark seen just off Portland Race at 11am. Sighting reported by Richard English, skipper of Lone Shark II, Weymouth.

Cornwall, Lands End
3 Basking Shark, 8 Harbour Porpoise and 6 Common Dolphin observed from Lands End. Sighting reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

11TH JULY 2011
Cornwall, Lands End
26 Common Dolphin observed at 1km travelling East from Sennen. Sighting reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

Cornwall, Runnelstone Reef
2 Puffin (adult), 2 Guillemot (adult & juv) , 2 Harbour Porpoise, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Ocean Sunfish, 1 Balearic Shearwater and 2 Basking Shark. Sighting recorded during an Opportunistic Survey by Alice Jones of NOC, Southampton.

10TH JULY 2011
Mid-Channel, 20nm SSE of Start Point, Devon
1 Balearic Shearwater observed foraging around a fishing boat. A pristine bird with no moult as can been seen in the images below. Sighting and images provided by Mark Darlaston.

2011-07-11T12:24:00.001+01:00

9TH JULY 2011
Cornwall, Falmouth Bay
A group of 8-10 Bottlenose Dolphin seen again in Falmouth Bay and in the harbour entrance. Sighting reported by Gordon Howells, skipper of Madeline May, Falmouth.

8TH JULY 2011
Devon, Lyme Bay
10+ Bottlenose Dolphin observed swimming West off Beer, Devon. The pod included at least two calves. Sighting reported by Ian McLean.

Cornwall, Falmouth Bay
A group of 8-10 Bottlenose Dolphin seen again in Falmouth Bay and in the harbour entrance. Sighting reported by Gordon Howells, skipper of Madeline May, Falmouth.

7TH JULY 2011
Cornwall, Falmouth Bay
A group of 8-10 Bottlenose Dolphin seen in Falmouth Bay and in the harbour entrance. Sighting reported by Gordon Howells, skipper of Madeline May, Falmouth.

6TH JULY 2011
Cornwall, Lands End
2 White-beaked Dolphin (adult) observed close to shore from Lands End at 13:45. Sighting reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

2011-07-11T11:00:00.000+01:00

5TH JULY 2011
Mid-Channel, 33nm SE of Start Point, Devon

1 Basking Shark observed feeding at the surface at 14:30 hours when sailing from Guernsey to Salcombe. Sighting reported by Jon Elwell.

MARINElife at Weymouth & Portland's Spirit of the Sea Festival: Fri 8th - Sun 10th July 2011

2011-07-07T13:34:00.003+01:00

MARINElife will be attending Weymouth & Portland's Spirit of the Sea Festival this weekend - why not pop down to meet us and find out more about the marine mammals and seabirds that can be seen in Lyme Bay and the surrounding South West coast.

Where to find us:

Friday 8th & Saturday 9th July 2011

MARINElife will be on Weymouth seafront by the kings statue all day.

Sunday 10th July 2011

MARINElife will be in Portland at the 'Save the Lerret' all day.

Visit the Spirit of the Sea Festival website for more information.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

2011-07-05T11:21:00.007+01:00

4TH JULY 2011
Cornwall, Lands End
3 Harbour Porpoise at 3pm seen feeding at Lands End. Sighting reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

Lyme Bay, up to 32nm SW of West Bay
Another good day for sightings including 1 Ocean Sunfish, 98 Guillemot, 19 Manx Shearwater, 17 Fulmar, 11 Kittiwake, 2 European Storm Petrel, 2 Common Tern, 1 Great Skua, 1 Puffin and 1 Common Sandpiper amongst the usual seabird species. 6 White-beaked Dolphin put on a tantalising display, breaching several times at distance but moved on, disappearing from sight despite our efforts. Sightings recorded during a MARINElife dedicated photo-ID survey on board Huntress II, West Bay. Sea state 2 - 4, wind direction SE-E.

Guillemots

Lyme Bay
1 Ocean Sunfish observed 1/2 mile off Freshwater at 12:30pm. Sighting reported by Tony Smith, skipper of Christine Anne, West Bay.

2011-07-03T21:55:00.001+01:00

2ND/3RD JULY 2011

Dorset, off White Nothe

10 Bottlenose Dolphin seen off White Nothe this weekend. Sighting reported by Ian Boid, skipper of T2, Weymouth White Water.

2ND JULY 2011

Cornwall, Lands End

50 Common Dolphin observed at 11.45am feeding for 1 hour. Gannets circling and diving in association. The dolphins were then seen travelling from Sennen Cove to East-Longships Lighthouse. Sighting reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

2011-07-03T21:50:00.001+01:00

2ND JULY 2011
Cornwall, Black Head
1 Basking Shark (10ft long) observed at 10am 0.5 miles due East of Black Head. Sighting reported by Dan Gardner, skipper of Blue Pointer, Helford.

2011-07-01T19:03:00.004+01:00

1ST JULY 2011

Lyme Bay, up to 30nm SW of West Bay

6-8 White-beaked Dolphin (including 2 juveniles) were encountered for 30 minutes bow-riding the survey boat, providing a great opportunity to take images for photo-identification. 1 Harbour Porpoise, 264 Guillemot, 18 Manx Shearwater, 7 Fulmar, 5 European Storm Petrel, 6 Shearwater species, 4 Puffin and 2 Razorbill were also recorded during a MARINElife dedicated photo-ID survey on board Channel Warrior, West Bay. Sea state 0-3, wind direction NE-NW.

2011-07-01T18:55:00.001+01:00

West Sussex, Bracklesham Bay
1 Ocean Sunfish seen approx. 2 miles out from Bracklesham Bay. Sighting reported by Bumble, skipper of Trio III, Hayling Island/Eastney.

2011-06-30T09:57:00.000+01:00

30TH JUNE 2011

Cornwall, Lands End

8 Harbour Porpise observed at 16.11pm in groups of 5 and 3, feeding. The group of 3 included 1 calf. Sighting reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

2011-06-29T10:29:00.003+01:00

28TH JUNE 2011

Dorset, Swanage

1 Balearic Shearwater observed feeding round the fishing boat 5 miles South of Swanage at 19:30 hrs. Sighting reported by Tom Greasty of Swanage Sea Fishing, Swanage.

Cornwall, Lands End

8 Basking Shark in groups of 4 and 4 (including 1 pup of 1.5 metres) feeding in the afternoon. Sighting reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

2011-06-27T12:25:00.000+01:00

27TH JUNE 2011
Dorset, Swanage
2 Balearic Shearwater feeding around the boat 5 miles South of Swanage. Sighting reported by Tom Greasty of Swanage Sea Fishing, Swanage.

2011-06-23T11:15:00.000+01:00

19TH JUNE 2011

Cornwall, 6 miles South of Falmouth

1 Minke Whale observed near Manacles Reef. Sighting reported by Gordon Howells, skipper of Madeline May, Falmouth.

2011-06-16T18:03:00.003+01:00

16TH JUNE 2011

Lyme Bay

A pair of Great Skua fighting 11 miles South of Seaton. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

15TH JUNE 2011
Dorset, West Bay
2 Harbour Porpoise observed 150 metres off the beach. Sighting reported by Tony Smith, skipper of Christine Anne, West Bay.

14TH JUNE 2011
Devon, Dartmouth
1 Minke Whale encountered off Dartmouth. Sighting reported by Chris Tapley.

13TH JUNE 2011

Lyme Bay

Common Dolphins seen 2 miles South East of Seaton. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

2011-06-13T09:59:00.005+01:00

11TH JUNE 2011

12nm S of St Alban's Head (St Aldhelm's Head), near Swanage

15 Balearic Shearwater, 2 Arctic Skua and a good number of European Storm Petrel observed feeding around the fishing boat with the rubby dubby out. Sighting reported by Tom Greasty, skipper at San Gina Charters, Swanage.

15.8 nm SSW of the Needles, Isle of Wight

A pair of adult Puffin observed resting on the water but both dived on approach of the boat. Sighting reported by Dave Wendes, skipper of Wight Spirit, Lymington.

Dorset, Lyme Bay

4 Common Dolphin seen 6 miles West of Portland Bill. Sighting reported by Chris Caines, skipper of Tiger Lily, Weymouth.

2011-06-10T23:17:00.006+01:00

10TH JUNE. 2011
30+nm SSE off Start Point, Devon
Good birds around the boat today. Highlight was a Sabine's Gull (presumed first summer, lacking full black head or yellow bill tip of adult), an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 50+ European Storm-petrels, 2 Bonxies. Surprisingly the most numerous gulls were 1oo+ Lesser Black-backed (mostly adults - failed or non-breeders?), with a handful of Herring and Great Black-backed .

2011-06-10T11:10:00.003+01:00

9TH JUNE 2011

Brittany, 3.4nm NNE of Roscoff

20 Balearic Shearwater observed on the water at 19:49 hrs, however took flight as the ship approached. Sighting recorded by Rick Morris during a MARINElife monthly ferry survey between Plymouth and Roscoff.

Sighting summaries from MARINElife's monthly ferry surveys can be viewed here.

Globally endangered Balearic Shearwater

Lyme Bay, up to 27nm SW of West Bay then 9nm W

100 Manx Shearwater, 13 European Storm Petrel, 6 Fulmar, 5 Puffin, 10 Kittiwake and 21 Guillemot observed amongst other more regular seabirds. Sightings recorded by Tom Brereton, Adrian Shephard, John Arnott, Kate Lewis and Laura McLellan during a MARINElife Opportunistic Survey on board Huntress II, West Bay.

2011-06-08T12:19:00.002+01:00

6TH JUNE 2011

Lyme Bay, 17 miles South of Seaton

1 Harbour Porpoise seen during an angling trip. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

MARINElife & CEFAS Surveys: Western Approaches

2011-06-07T10:31:00.003+01:00

5TH JUNE 2011

Western Approaches

8 Common Dolphin, one of which was a juvenile, were seen 2 miles ESE of Newquay, Cornwall, at 05:50hrs. They came in briefly to bow ride but didn’t hang around long.

8 Bottlenose Dolphin again including one juvenile, were sighted 9 miles E of Trevose Head at 07:44hrs. They were seen leaping and bow riding.

1 Common Dolphin was encountered 8 miles SE of St Agnes Head at 14:53hrs, coming in to bow ride R.V. Cefas Endeavour and then was seen playing in the wake of the boat for a couple of minutes. Sea state 2-3, wind direction NNE.

Sightings provided by Cheryl Yarham, Steve Hughes and Becky Scott, the MARINElife survey team onboard R.V. Cefas Endeavour. You can follow their survey route here.

2011-06-07T10:25:00.002+01:00

4TH JUNE 2011

Devon, Wembury

1 Grey Seal observed just off Wembury beach. That evening c.10 Bottlenose Dolphin were also observed passing Wembury travelling East. The pod contained a couple of medium sized calves. Sighting reported by Dr Richard Billington, University of Plymouth.

2011-06-07T10:00:00.001+01:00

2ND JUNE 2011

Cornwall, Lands End

1 Bottlenose Dolphin (adult) seen travelling West at 13:30 hrs and a Basking Shark observed feeding at 15:00 hrs. Sighting reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

MARINElife & CEFAS Surveys: Western Approaches

2011-06-07T09:41:00.004+01:00

2ND JUNE 2011

Western Approaches

28 European Storm Petrel were seen 121 miles NE of Bishops Rock, Isles of Scilly, between 07:11 and 13:21 hrs; all individuals were sighted at the back of the boat whilst trawling. 1 Sooty Shearwater was also seen during this trawl at 12:32hrs. 2 European Storm Petrel were seen 165 miles NE of Bishops Rock, Isles of Scilly, at 17:44. They were also seen at the back of the boat during a trawl. Sea state 2-4, wind direction NE-SW.

1ST JUNE 2011

Western Approaches

25 European Storm Petrel seen whilst trawling 120 miles W of Bishops Rock, Isles of Scilly at 10:25 hrs. 1 Sooty Shearwater was also seen during this trawl at 10:35 hrs and 1 adult Sabine's Gull (summer plumage) at 10.40 hrs.

9 European Storm Petrel were seen whilst trawling 200 miles W of Ile D'ouessant between 17:45 and 18:30 hrs. 1 adult Pomarine Skua (dark morph) was also seen during this trawl at 19:47 hrs and a further 20 European Storm Petrel at 19:47 hrs. Sea state 2-4, wind direction WNW-SW.

You can follow R.V. Cefas Endeavour's survey route here.

2011-06-01T21:54:00.007+01:00

1ST JUNE, 2011
English Channel off Start Point, Devon
3+ White-beaked Dolphins heading NE at about 06:30hrs, seen from Dartangler 4nm SE from Start Point. Further out (approx. 30nm) 20+ European Storm-petrels and a Bonxie.

English Channel, Lyme Bay
1 Great Skua and 1 Puffin seen 11 miles due South of Seaton, Devon, during an angling trip. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

MARINElife & CEFAS Surveys: Bristol Channel - Cornwall - Celtic Deep - SW Ireland

2011-05-31T10:05:00.013+01:00

31ST MAY 2011
South West Ireland
2 Pomarine skua seen during a trawl 60 miles SW of Mizen Head (South West Ireland) at 11:32 hrs; 50+ European Storm Petrel were also seen during this trawl between 12:25 and 13:15 hrs; one dark Pomarine Skua at 13:20 hrs - this bird did not have as long a tail as an adult Pomarine so it may have been a juvenile or a dark morph; 9 European Storm Petrel were seen during a second trawl 35 miles SSW from Mizen Head between 17:45 to 18:16 hrs;

1 Humpback Whale was seen 43 miles S of Mizen head at 18:20 hrs. This individual was seen head slapping and the pectoral fins were clearly seen albeit very briefly. Sea state 3-5, wind direction SW-NW.

Humpback Whale

30TH MAY 2011
South West Ireland
3 European Storm Petrel seen behind the boat whilst trawling 18 miles S of Galley Head at 07.34 hrs; One adult Pomarine Skua was also seen during this trawl at 07:49 hrs. Sea state 3-7, wind direction W-NW.

29TH MAY 2011
North Cornwall
8 European Storm Petrel seen behind the boat whilst trawling 60 miles WNW of Trevose Head (Northern Cornwall) at 10.09 hrs.

Ireland, off Cork
1 Pomarine Skua observed 36.5 miles ESE of Power Head, near Cork. First sighted hovering about 5 metres from the Bridge, it stayed there for some time before circling the boat several times. We had fantastic views of its head, tail, upper and under wings. Sea state 3-6, wind direction SW-WSW.

Pomarine Skua

28TH MAY 2011
Cornwall, Mine Head to the Celtic Deep
1 Minke Whale seen in the distance 8 miles ESE of Mine Head at 06:33 hrs; 9 Bottlenose Dolphin all came in to bow ride the ship 34 miles SE of Mine Head at 10:04 hrs.

Fantastic views were had of 21 Fin Whale seen blowing and rolling at the surface - 2 were first seen as we were approaching (6 miles from) the Celtic Deep and we continued to see groups of 2-14 Fin Whale as we entered the Celtic Deep. Also seen was one unidentified Baleen Whale which appeared on the bow but only seen very briefly.

Later that day between 18:52 and 19:38 hrs, c.57 miles NW of Newquay, Cornwall, 206 Common Dolphin were encountered, all individuals came in to bow ride the ship. 1 Minke Whale was also seen with this group of dolphins at 19:33 hrs, seen surfacing several times 50-500 metres from the bow. Sea state 3-4, wind direction predominantly SW.

27TH MAY 2011
South Wales
3 Puffin (juvenile) were seen sat on the water c.100m from the boat 8 miles NE of Worms Head, Gower Peninsula at 06:25 hrs. 4 Puffin (adult) were also seen 4 miles WNW of Lundy Island between 08:42 and 09:50 hrs. One juvenile Puffin also flew past us (<10 m from the bridge) in this area at 08:40 hrs; 13 Puffin (adults) were also seen 16 miles NE of Stockholm Island between 09:03 and 09:49 hrs, we had stopped in this area during this period whilst plankton and oceanography data were being collected. Sea state 4-5, wind direction WNW-NW.

2 Common Dolphin seen at 08:48, 09:11 and 14:31 hrs approx. 9 miles SW from the northern tip of Lundy Island. These were possibly the same two individuals as we remained in close proximity to the area they were first sighted from 08:48 to 14:31; on each occassion they came in to bow ride the ship. 1 Balearic Shearwater was also seen off Lundy at 15:05 hrs.
During a transect running NW between 17:45 hrs (23 miles ESE of North Lundy) and 21:12 hrs (7 miles NE of Smalls Lighthouse) we encountered continuous groups of 5 - 28 Common Dolphin which all came in to bow ride (c.75 Common Dolphin in total), with the last group seen at 12:12. 1 Minke Whale was seen surfacing on several occassions and presumed to be feeding. Sea state/wind force 4-5, wind direction WNW - NW.

After an incredible few days of sightings, the survey team are hoping for more cetacean sightings today when they head out to the shelf edge. You can follow the survey route of R.V. Cefas Endeavour here.

2011-05-30T17:02:00.008+01:00

29TH MAY 2011
Devon, Start Point
Seawatch 09:00-12:00. Similar conditions to previous day. Birds heading SW.
Balearic Shearwater, 431 Manx Shearwaters, 110 European Storm-petrels, Bonxie, 35 Puffins (largest group five), 13 Razorbills and 152 Guillemots. Also a Basking Shark close in under the cliffs at the end of Start Bay. Sightings provided by Mark Darlaston.

28TH MAY 2011
Devon, Start Point
Seawatch 13:30-17:00. WSW 5-6 wind with occasional drizzle, birds all heading SW out of Lyme Bay.

3 Balearic Sheawaters, 1020 Manx Shearwaters, 54 European Storm-petrels, 14 Puffins, 14 Razorbills and 112 Guillemots. Sightings provided by Mark Darlaston.

Dorset, Chesil Cove

1 Basking Shark seen in the morning a few hundred yards out heading towards the island. Sighting provided by Paul Harris.

27TH MAY 2011

Cornwall, ~4nm East of Gwennap Head

1 Basking Shark (5m) observed breaching at 15:08 hrs. Sighting reported by Duncan Jones, skipper of Shearwater II, Marine Discovery Penzance.

Cornwall, Lands End

3 Bottlenose Dolphin (adults) seen at 13:15 hrs swimming side by side very close in to shore, approx. 20m, headed around towards Sennen, travelling West. 1 Basking Shark also observed earlier that day at 10:00 hrs. Sightings reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

25TH MAY 2011

Cornwall, Lands End

1 Basking Shark seen feeding at 17:00 hrs. Sighting reported by Kathryn Driscoll.

MARINElife & CEFAS Survey: English Channel Transects

2011-05-26T09:39:00.008+01:00

Despite the first week of transect surveys being hampered by strong winds and a 4+ metre swell, the MARINElife surveys onboard R.V. Cefas Endeavour have got off to a great start. The survey team departed Lowestoft on 18th May and followed pre-determined cross Channel transects West towards Cornwall on 25th May. Highlights of seabird and cetacean species recorded during the daily surveys so far are listed below:

25TH MAY 2011

3 Bottlenose Dolphin appeared off the bow for a couple of seconds then disappeared, were not seen bow riding. 1 Balearic Shearwater and 1 Puffin seen off Land's End, Cornwall.

24TH MAY 2011

1 Cory's Shearwater seen 46.1 miles off Lizard Point at 20:28hrs (sea state/wind force 2, wind direction NNE) and 1 Common Tern (1st summer) seen during cross Channel transect.

23RD MAY 2011

1 Great Shearwater seen 41 miles from Ile D'Ouessant at 15:28hrs and 1 Sooty Shearwater seen 31 miles from Ile D'Ouessant at 14:03hrs (sea state/wind force 7, wind direction south westerly) during a cross Channel transect.

20TH MAY 2011

1 Cory's Shearwater seen in outer Lyme Bay at 18:18hrs (sea state/wind force 4, wind direction westerley) and 1 Puffin seen during cross Channel transect.

With the English Channel transects almost complete, R.V. Cefas Endeavour will head to the Bristol Channel today for the next stage of the research cruise. Sightings reported by Becky Scott, Steve Hughes and Cheryl Yarham.

2011-05-23T21:21:00.012+01:00

23rd MAY
Start Point
Seawatch 10:30-16:00, good seabird passage heading SW included: 3 Balearic Shearwaters, 2135 Manx Shearwaters, 86 European Storm-petrels, 15 Puffins, 23 Razorbills, 191 Guillemots, 150 Gannets, 37 Fulmars, Whimbrel and a Bonxie (which at one point was soaring over the lighthouse! see photo).

11TH MAY- Reposting this news as it was deleted when Blogger crashed.
30nm SSE of Start Point
Seen from Dartangler: an unseasonal Sooty Shearwater in moult (photo), also 2 Bonxies, 20+ European Storm-petrels (photo).

2011-05-23T10:24:00.007+01:00

21ST MAY 2011

Dorset, Portland Bill

8 Bottlenose Dolphin observed at 16:15 travelling from East to West into Lyme Bay. Also 4 Kestrel, 2 Song Thrush and 1 Oystercatcher recorded. Sightings and images provided by Rick Morris.

Bottlenose Dolphins seen off Portland Bill

Bottlenose Dolphin with distinctive notches in its dorsal fin - useful for photo-identification.

You can view MARINElife's Bottlenose and White-beaked Dolphin Photo-ID catalogue here.

Mid-channel, 32nm SSE of Portsmouth Harbour

Basking Shark observed as it fed around the boat for some time. Sighting reported by Matt Horne, skipper of Optimist, Gosport.

2011-05-20T17:01:00.005+01:00

20TH MAY 2011

Devon, 7 miles SW of Start Point
A more playful pod of 15-20 Common Dolphin encountered again this afternoon at 4:45pm, swimming alongside the boat. Sighting reported by Ian Noble, skipper of Samuel Irvin 3, Dartmouth.

Devon, 19 miles SSW of Start Point

15-20 Common Dolphin observed at 11:30am. Sighting reported by Ian Noble, skipper of Samuel Irvin 3, Dartmouth.

Middle of Lyme Bay, 18 miles South of Lyme Regis

2 Dolphin species surfaced briefly in the wake of the boat then followed the boat for a short while at a distance. Choppy sea and brief sighting prevented identification. Sighting reported by Rob King, skipper of Blue Turtle, Lyme Regis.

2011-05-20T10:14:00.003+01:00

19TH MAY 2011

Lyme Bay, 17 miles South of Seaton

2 White-beaked Dolphin encountered in the middle of Lyme Bay. They were very playful and came very close, staying with the boat for 20 minutes. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

2011-05-19T17:40:00.001+01:00

19TH MAY 2011
Cornwall, off Penzance
1 Minke Whale (adult) observed travelling south at 11:40 hrs 3.5nm ESE of Gwennap Head and 1 Basking Shark feeding at 16:10 hrs off Lamorna Cove. Sightings reported by Duncan Jones of Marine Discovery Penzance.

2011-05-19T10:13:00.002+01:00

18TH MAY 2011
Dorset, Hengistbury Head
5+ Bottlenose Dolphin observed just off Hengistbury Head. Sighting reported by Darren Hughes.

2011-05-18T17:34:00.001+01:00

16TH MAY 2011

Lyme Bay, 11 miles South of Seaton, Devon

1 European Storm Petrel, 3 Manx Shearwater and 3 Kittiwake seen during an angling trip. Sighting reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

2011-05-16T17:54:00.000+01:00

15TH MAY 2011
Cornwall, off Penzance
1 Basking Shark (4m) observed feeding at 14:59 hrs just off Lamorna Cove. Sighting reported by Duncan Jones, skipper of Shearwater II, Marine Discovery Penzance.

2011-05-16T10:02:00.007+01:00

14TH MAY 2011
Dorset, Lyme Bay, ~1nm SSW of Lyme Regis
8 Bottlenose Dolphin observed just off Lyme Regis. Sighting reported by Harry May, skipper of Marie F, Lyme Regis.

Dorset, Lyme Bay, 1/4 mile South of Lyme Regis
Approx. 6 Bottlenose Dolphin observed feeding at 10:15am. Sighting reported by Rob King, skipper of Blue Turtle, Lyme Regis.

Dorset, Lyme Bay, 1 mile off Seatown
4 Bottlenose Dolphin seen travelling West. Sighting reported by Ian Cornwell, skipper of Huntress II, West Bay.

11TH MAY 2011

Dorset, Osmington Mills, Weymouth

A stranded White-beaked Dolphin discovered at Osmington Mills. The animal has been measured and the record sent to Rob Deaville at UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme. Stranding information and photographs provided by Steve Trewella, UK Coastal Wildlife.

2011-05-16T09:50:00.001+01:00

11TH MAY 2011
Cornwall, Penzance
2 Harbour Porpoise (adult) observed travelling in a North East direction at 14:17 hrs 4nm South of Penzance. Later that day, 15 Bottlenose Dolphin (13 adult, 2 juvenile) encountered socialising/resting at 17:24 hrs 0.78nm ESE of Penzance Harbour. Sighting reported by Hannah & Duncan Jones of Marine Discovery Penzance.

BBC Inside Out Programme Featuring MARINElife

2011-05-11T14:34:00.000+01:00

MARINElife joins BBC 1's Inside Out Programme in Lyme Bay - Broadcast 6 June 2011

MARINElife had the opportunity to join the team of primetime BBC One programme Inside Out during their filming in Lyme Bay. The programme will be broadcast on June 6 2011.

Chris Packham of hit BBC series Springwatch spent a day with MARINElife in Lyme Bay, filming the seabirds and chatting with MARINElife Chair of Trustees/senior researcher Adrian Shephard. Frustratingly, no White-beaked Dolphins were seen, but plenty of birds were recorded including Manx Shearwaters, Guillemots, Razorbills and a Great Skua (see sightings entry 21 April 2011 below for full count of seabirds recorded during Opportunistic Survey).

The series will start transmitting on BBC One on May 30th in the South West, West and South regions. The first programme will be about farming, then the marine programme broadcast on June 6th, followed by a woodlands episode on June 13th.

Don't forget to set your TV recorders!

2011-05-10T20:56:00.002+01:00

10th MAY 2011
Start Point
Late pm: 1 European Storm-petrel and 50+ Manx Shearwaters all SW

2011-05-10T09:23:00.001+01:00

8TH MAY 2011

Dorset, Lyme Bay, ~22nm South of West Bay

3 Common Dolphin encountered at 05:30am. We were on a 43' yacht sailing from Dartmouth to Isle of Wight crossing Lyme Bay, when a single Common Dolphin started leaping out of water and spinning back slapping water, close to the boat, two other Common Dolphins joined it and swam alongside, in front of and under our yacht, eventually after 5 minutes one left and remaining two stayed with boat for at least 3 or 4 minutes. Weather was cloudy, Force 4 winds, sea was choppy, 1-2m swell. I got a real feeling the dolphins were watching me as I leant over the side, fascinating creatures. Sighting reported by Don Munro.

2011-05-09T09:30:00.002+01:00

7TH MAY 2011

Dorset, Portland Bill

3 Manx Shearwater, 1 Great Skua and 1 Wheatear observed by Sharon and Rick Morris.

2011-05-06T09:35:00.005+01:00

6TH MAY 2011

Dorset, Weymouth

A solitary Bottlenose Dolphin encountered again outside Weymouth Harbour at 8am this morning. Sighting reported by Chris Caines, skipper of Tiger Lily, Weymouth.

5TH MAY 2011

Dorset, Weymouth

A single Bottlenose Dolphin encountered just off the entrance to Weymouth Harbour at 4pm. Sighting reported by Paul Dallaway, skipper of White Motor Boats, Weymouth.

Bottlenose Dolphin

MARINElife & CEFAS team up for Offshore Survey of Western Channel, Celtic Sea and Northern Bay of Biscay

2011-05-03T15:30:00.003+01:00

MARINElife has teamed up with CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science) to undertake a 3 week offshore research survey of the Western Channel, Celtic Sea and Northern Bay of Biscay.

On 18th May 2011 three MARINElife volunteers will join the multidisciplinary research team aboard RV Cefas Endeavour to collect effort-related cetacean and seabird sightings data. From the food–rich waters at the mouth of the Loire Estuary off the Brittany Coast out to the edge of the continental shelf off south west Ireland, this epic voyage is likely to deliver an excellent variety of marine wildlife. Cetacean species likely to be encountered include White-beaked Dolphin, Striped Dolphin, Common Dolphin, Risso’s Dolphin, Minke Whale, Long-finned Pilot Whale and Fin Whale, with Humpback Whale and White-sided Dolphin also possibilities. Migratory seabirds encountered are likely to include Cory’s Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, Pomarine Skua and Long-tailed Skua.

A school of Common Dolphin bow-riding RV Cefas Endeavour
during an offshore survey of Haig Fras in January-February 2011.

Cetacean and seabird sightings data collected by MARINElife will complement the pelagic fish and plankton surveys and oceanographic data collected by CEFAS during this survey with an aim to link cetacean and seabird distribution to prey availability. Data collected will also contribute towards the Interreg IV CHARM III Project.

This scientifically crucial survey will operate from 18 May until 9 June and regular updates of the species encountered will be posted here so please bookmark this page and become a follower.

2011-05-03T10:06:00.008+01:00

27TH APRIL 2011

Hampshire, 13.7nm SSE of Gosport

3 Arctic Skua observed during a fishing trip by Matt Horne, skipper of Optimist, Gosport.

26TH APRIL 2011

Dorset, Poole Bay

6 Bottlenose Dolphin encountered at 17:40 off Poole No.2 Buoy. Sighting reported by Chris Mowlam, skipper of Rapid Return, Poole.

25TH APRIL 2011
Doreset, Hengistbury Head
The group of ca10 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen again off Hengistbury Head this morning. Sighting provided by David Taylor of Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group (CHOG).

Channel Islands, Jersey

A group of 3 Great crested Grebe seen together in Grouville Bay.

24TH APRIL 2011
Hampshire, Milford-on-Sea
The group of ca10 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen again off Milford-on-Sea. Sighting provided by David Taylor of Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group (CHOG).

Channel Islands, Jersey

40+ Bottlenose Dolphin observed off the Minquiers Reef, south of Jersey. Sighting reported by Bertram E.B. Bree.

23RD APRIL 2011

Hampshire, off Hurst Spit

A pod of ca10 Bottlenose Dolphin including a well-escorted calf was observed fishing in the bay for over an hour from 08:30-09:45. They appeared from the West, circled the bay before moving slowly into the Western Solent before turning and heading South West. There appeared to be one individual with a pale tip to the dorsal fin. Sighting reported by Steve Piggott.

Probably the same group of ca10 Bottlenose Dolphin were also seen off Hengistbury Head in the morning. Sighting reported by Chris Chapleo and David Taylor of Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group (CHOG). Click here for images.

22ND APRIL 2011

Dorset, Mudeford Quay

10-18 Bottlenose Dolphin observed by Darren Hughes. Also observed off Whitepits, near Hengistbury Head that morning. Sighting reported by David Taylor of Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group (CHOG).

Lyme Bay

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

21ST APRIL 2011

Lyme Bay - Opportunistic Survey during filming with Chris Packham for BBC's Inside Out

20 Gannet, 110 Guillemot, 44 Manx Shearwater, 41 Great Black-backed Gull, 15 Herring Gull, 6 Fulmar, 4 Razorbill, 2 Swallow, 2 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 1 Great Skua, 5 Kittiwake, 2 House Martin and 3 Gull species recorded by Adrian Shephard during an Opportunistic Survey on board Samuel Irvin 3 of Dartmouth.

2011-04-20T09:46:00.009+01:00

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.

2011-04-18T09:48:00.006+01:00

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

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

2011-04-18T09:35:00.001+01:00

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

2011-04-17T11:00:00.002+01:00

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.

2011-04-15T12:48:00.005+01:00

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.

2011-04-13T11:40:00.004+01:00

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.

2011-04-12T09:33:00.004+01:00

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.

2011-04-11T09:21:00.005+01:00

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.

2011-04-07T12:56:00.003+01:00

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

2011-04-05T12:00:00.004+01:00

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/

2011-04-01T09:30:00.006+01:00

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.

2011-03-25T09:57:00.003Z

22ND MARCH 2011

Lyme Bay

1 Great Skua seen 20 miles S of Seaton and a small pod of 4 White-beaked Dolphin encountered 17 miles SW of Seaton. Sightings reported by John Wallington, skipper of Outcast, Seaton.

2011-03-08T09:50:00.004Z

5TH MARCH 2011

Lyme Bay, 17nm ESE of Berry Head

6-8 White-beaked Dolphin came around the boat at 09:15 hrs for 25 minutes.

Sighting and images provided by Mark Darlaston.

White-beaked Dolphins are back in Lyme Bay

2011-01-28T09:27:00.004Z

26TH JANUARY 2011
Haig Fras
4 Common Dolphin, Great Skua and Manx Shearwater recorded by Amber Newman and Jamie Coleman during a Marinelife Opportunistic Survey on board RV Cefas Endeavour.

Follow the JNCC and CEFAS offshore survey to Haig Fras.

2011-01-25T09:21:00.004Z

24TH JANUARY 2011

Haig Fras

Great Skua and 3 Common Dolphin recorded by Amber Newman and Jamie Coleman during a Marinelife Opportunistic Survey on board RV Cefas Endeavour.

2011-01-24T09:24:00.006Z

22ND JANUARY 2011

Haig Fras

The weather has once again given us some of the best sighting opportunities available so early in the year. This morning at ~09:30 hrs we had a fantastic bow-riding pod of approx. 14 Common Dolphin; they stayed with us for about an hour. A number of Whale blow sightings throughout the morning followed by a sighting of a Fin Whale. Sightings recorded by Jamie Coleman and Amber Newman during a Marinelife Opportunistic Survey on board RV Cefas Endeavour.

21ST JANUARY 2011

Falmouth - Haig Fras

The splendid weather and calm sea gave rise to some very good sightings including approx. 15 Common Dolphin associated with Gannets at 11:00 hrs, 1 White-beaked Dolphin close to the ship, 3 Harbour Porpoise followed by another sighting of approx. 6 Common Dolphin. Sightings recorded by Amber Newman and Jamie Coleman during a Marinelife Opportunistic Survey on board RV Cefas Endeavour.

Photos and video footage to follow shortly.

2011-01-12T15:28:00.002Z

9TH JANUARY 2011
Devon, off Start Point
Pod of Common Dolphin feeding on a shoal of sprat. Sighting recorded by Amber Newman during an Opportunistic Survey onboard RV Endeavour.

7TH JANUARY 2011
Lyme Bay
25-30 Common Dolphin encountered off Lyme Bay. Sighting recorded by Amber Newman during an Opportunistic Survey onboard RV Endeavour.

2010-12-14T15:10:00.002Z

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.

2010-12-07T09:01:00.000Z

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.

2010-11-23T18:30:00.002Z

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.