After a speedy and efficient transfer through Heysham Port and onto the CLdN Performance, and following a welcome breakfast, we set off out down the Lune Deep at around 09.30 and out into the Irish Sea on for our crossing to Warrenpoint.

There was a fresh onshore breeze blowing and as we left the shelter of the coast the sea began to pick up with many whitecaps, making conditions for cetacean spotting a wee bit tricky. Bird sightings were scarce to begin with, but even as the waves built up we spotted a group of feeding Gannet circling and diving – always worth watching in case of cetaceans there as well. As we watched we were no to be disappointed as about 25 Common Dolphin began sporting below the birds, leaping and splashing about in the waves. The Precision was moving quite quickly, but we had a fine view of the scene as the dolphins moved down the side of the ship and were left behind in the wake.

As we neared the Isle of Man, Manx Shearwater started to appear, initially in low numbers but seen regularly throughout the voyage, with large rafts on the sea as we approached the Irish coast. We also recorded a number of Kittiwake, Great Black-backed Gull, and a few Guillemot.

Throughout the survey, the auks were generally scarce, as presumably they are mostly still at their breeding sites. However, it was encouraging to see a couple of freshly jumped ‘jumpling’ Guillemot with their single parent -hopefully the first of many on the next few weeks!

There were no sightings of pinnipeds until we were entering Carlingford Lough where some Grey Seal were spotted hauled out on a sandbank. In the lough Black Guillemot and Sandwich Tern were also seen, though not in great numbers. The survey ended at around 17.00 and we went ashore at Warrenpoint where we had a lovely meal and comfortable night at the Whistledown Hotel.

The following morning the wind was much lighter as we boarded the CLdN Progress, and the sea conditions were much calmer for our survey back to Heysham. The conditions bode well for Harbour Porpoise sightings (which can hide behind the smallest of waves!) and we soon spotted our first one, followed by regular sightings for the whole of the crossing.

As on the first day, there were many Manx Shearwater moving through, as well as a noticeable number of Greater Black-backed Gull which were attracted to the several fishing vessels, together with numbers of Gannet and Kittiwake. It was also a delight to see a few Puffin, but number of Razorbill were very low.

After the Isle of Man and period of quiet, we were treated to another pod of Common Dolphin which came in to bow ride in front of the Progress, while late in the survey as we approached Heysham, a group of Bottlenose Dolphin also put in a welcome appearance.

There were only two terrestrial birds spotted while we were at sea – a Curlew and a Swift, which was making its way south! Autumn migration starting early!!

Our thanks to CLdN for their continuing support of our valuable survey programme, and to Captains Tuuling and Soostar and their crews of the Performance and Progress for their warm welcome onto their vessels.

Jane Petley-Jones and Rob Petley-Jones, Research Surveyors for MARINElife
Registered Charity No. 1110884; Registered Company No. 5057367

Summary of Weather
Outward leg: Wind SW F5-6, sea state 4-5, overcast but bright
Inward leg: Wind SW F1-2, sea state 2, overcast but bright with occasional glare to port