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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.