We boarded early Thursday morning at around 8.00, faced with a very unclear forecast presented by Storm Goretti storm in the South-western Approaches which threatened widespread snow and disruption!  Fortunately for us, the Irish Sea weather was just overcast with good visibility, and with winds of between 12-20 knots and a sea state of 3.

We settled into our clean and comfortable cabins on the Progress and were served with a tasty breakfast, after which we proceeded onto the bridge to begin the survey by 09.40.

The first sightings were almost exclusively of Herring Gull and Guillemot, mainly in low numbers with no large groups being present.  Most birds were showing full winter plumage with a few still transient, although one notable sighting was of a Guillemot in full summer plumage, looking very resplendent amongst its compatriots!   Mid crossing a few Razorbill appeared amongst the steady stream of Guillemot.

Nearing the Irish coast the Mourne Mountains were resplendent with their snowy caps highlighted against the grayscale backdrop.  A number of Kittiwake appeared flying south, but no feeding activity was noted on this transect from any species seen.  A Great Black-backed Gull in company with a few Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull formed the largest group sighting of the crossing.  About 10 miles out from the Haulbowline Lighthouse diving species including Red-throated Diver, Cormorant, Shag, and possibly a Great Northern Diver were seen singly and in pairs, although not in conjunction with any of the cetacean or seal sightings.

The crossing had five sightings of Common Dolphin, a small pod of six and individuals, while a solitary Harbour Porpoise sighting occurred further from shore than would normally be expected in the Irish Sea.  There were several seal sightings, which seemed to follow the pattern of the ferry surprising the seal near the surface and causing it to dive!  No feeding was observed but they all looked sluggish in their activity, with both Grey Seal and Harbour Seal recorded.

Arriving in Warrenpoint Port, we surveyed the harbour area and noted a number of corvid species including Raven, Magpie, Hooded Crow and Carrion Crow.  The waters of Carlingford Lough produced Shag and Cormorant; as well as a good selection of gulls – Herring Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, and Kittiwake.  Grey Heron and Little Egret stalked the harbour margins.

After stopping the night in Warrenpoint at the comfortable Whistledown Hotel, the return passage was made on the Performance departing at 09.40 the next day.  Returning to the bridge, the skies were open with scattered cloud, the lough was a millpond until we reached the skerries that border the exit to the Irish Sea.  A few seals and many Cormorant and Shag were resting on the skerries.

As we headed out to sea, Red-throated Diver and Great Northern Diver from the wintering populace outside Carlingford Lough appeared.  Two Great Crested Grebe were seen as well as a couple of Red-breasted Merganser picking their way across the white-tops at a substantial velocity with the northerly tailwind.

The return crossing to Heysham was quieter than the outbound leg.  Sightings were far more sporadic, often down to only a couple of birds per hour in the later afternoon.  Cetaceans were also notable with their absence and only a couple of seals were observed, lolling around on the surface.  Survey conditions were pretty good, but the wildlife was not visible, and we questioned whether the large storm front only a few miles south had forced them north. The Irish Sea was calm for us, and we were thankful of that!!

As we entered the waters of Morecambe Bay, a few Gannet appeared along with a sudden flurry of six Fulmar in a mixture of light and dark plumages.  The rest of the survey was a slow stream of Guillemot and Razorbill, and we ended our observations at 16.45 with darkness descending, short of the Heysham channel by a few miles and with Blackpool tower clearly illuminated in the distance.

We were very well looked after and made welcome by the captains, the stewards, and crews alike, all very accommodating and helpful as always. The ships are always immaculate and run like well-oiled machines.  All this really does make these surveys possible and a pleasure to do, a big thank you to CLdN for their continued support.

Tony Marshall and Jon Steele, Research Surveyors for MARINElife (Registered Charity No. 1110884; Registered Company No. 5057367)

Weather

Outbound: Sea state 2-3, Visibility 6, Clouds 6-8, Swell 1-2m with Wind 7-20 knots NE-S

Return: Sea state 1-4, Visibility 4-6, Clouds 2-6, Swell 1-3m with Wind 4-25 knots NNW-NNE