Having arrived at Dover and collected my pass from the port office, I drove to the DFDS check-in and on to the Cote d’Opale ferry. The weather forecast was for light winds and calm seas, so conditions appeared favourable for the day’s survey on the short return crossing to Calais.

After making myself known at the information desk, I was escorted to the bridge and welcomed by the captain and crew. Once the vessel had set sail, I took up position on the starboard side of the bridge and began recording.

The first sightings were of Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull, followed by the first Northern Gannet and Kittiwake of the day and some immature Great Black-backed Gull.

The majority of Gannet were adults in breeding plumage, but third-, fourth- and fifth-year immature birds were also recorded.

Nearing Calais, two seals were sighted, one of which was positively identified as a Harbour Seal, spy hopping ahead of the vessel before submerging on our approach. Two Guillemot were also encountered in the same area.

Once the turn around in Calais had been completed, with passengers and cargo unloaded and new passengers and cargo loaded for the return trip to Dover, the Cote d’Opale set out once more, back across the English Channel.

On the way back to Dover, Northern Gannet and Kittiwake were both recorded in larger numbers than on the outward leg of the survey, with Gannet again including several immature birds.

About halfway through the return trip, two Gannet were seen diving into the sea about 500 metres off the starboard bow. A quick scan of the area around them revealed two Harbour Porpoise, surfacing several times as we passed them in the opposite direction.

Closing in on Dover, four Brent Goose flew across the bow of our vessel, and a single tern was recorded.

Our thanks to DFDS, Captain Francois de Jonckheere, his officers and crew for their warm welcome and for facilitating our survey.

Pat Hatch, Research Surveyor for MARINElife (Registered Charity No. 1110884; Registered Company No. 5057367)

Weather

Outbound – wind variable force 1-3, visibility good, overcast

Return – wind S-SW force 2-4, visibility good, clear sky