It was a sunny morning, with some streaking clouds. After arriving I collected my tickets and was soon boarding the Oldenburg, where I was warmly greeted by Captain Jason and other members of the crew. Out on the deck, a passenger immediately drew my attention to lots of Moon Jellyfish swimming close to the boat. Another passenger came to tell me that, earlier in the morning, a local fishing boat had seen a large pod of up to two hundred Common Dolphin feeding in the channel off of Ilfracombe.

On the crossing Manx Shearwater were the predominant birds, along with a few Kittiwake, Fulmar, Guillemot and Razorbill. One Common Dolphin briefly approached the ship.

Approaching the Landing Bay. a group of Shag stood on the outer rocks. Further into the bay sixteen Grey Seal were resting on the rocks.

Walking up the hill I could hear the call of Oystercatcher echoing below. I headed towards the Castle, where I sat on the wall to eat my lunch. Raven and Great Black-backed Gull flew below me, whilst a family of Wheatear were feeding nearby.

After lunch I walked further around the coast, then cut across towards the Old Lighthouse and back to the Village. This gave me time to get a drink in the shop and an hour to look for the reported Channel Wagtail in the field with the horses. Unfortunately, only Pied Wagtail were seen.

Back in the Landing Bay, with the tide coming back in, only four Grey Seal remained on the rocks.  A few others who had been displaced swam close by. A single Gannet flew across the bay.

The return Journey was very quiet. Manx Shearwater were again the predominant bird, with one group of twenty resting on the water.

On arrival back in Ilfracombe, I thanked the crew for another great trip.

Judith Tatem, MARINElife Wildlife Ambassador