Survey Route: Poole – Jersey

The avian highlight of the survey was our only Balearic Shearwater about three miles northeast of Alderney

As we approached the area around Alderney, we saw our first Manx Shearwater and Gannet; for the next 90 minutes or so we enjoyed regular sightings of both species.

Then as we had just spotted a fin offshore from the Corbiere Lighthouse a shout went out from the Officers, dolphins ahead!

Despite the challenging sea state, a few hardy seabirds were spotted – mainly Guillemot bobbing on the choppy water and Gannet soaring effortlessly above the swell, their white plumage brilliant against the stormy sky

This was followed by the avian highlight of the trip – a Sooty Shearwater passed close-by in front of the ship giving excellent views of the silvery underwings

Sailing past Alderney and then making a heading to Jersey, we saw a large flock of Balearic Shearwater

A short distance from the seal, a fin could be seen ‘waving’ and we had just enough time to ID this as an Ocean Sunfish

A surprise sighting of a Peregrine flying alongside the boat towards Guernsey was also made and a single Manx Shearwater flew by

During the next hour we observed four groups of Common Dolphin totalling 37 individuals much to the excitement of the bridge crew.

a single Harbour Porpoise was spotted close to the bow with Alderney visible in the distance