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.
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| 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.
