After several days of almost continuous rain, it was a relief to get to Heysham and find the rain had stopped.  With the normal CLdN efficiency I was soon on the Performance eating a good quality breakfast, and shortly after departure I was taken up to the bridge to start the survey.

After a few minutes settling in the survey started with a Kittiwake followed quickly by a selection of gulls including two Little Gull.  Sea birds seemed quite busy and within a couple of minutes there was a group of mixed gulls feeding to the right, a Red-throated Diver flying to the left, a small group of Common Scoter ahead, and a Harbour Porpoise behind them! All very busy!

This proved to be the highlight of the outward voyage, with a few Gannet seen just before leaving the wind farms zone and then only a steady stream of Kittiwake and a few winter-plumage Guillemot and Razorbill.  Only a few more Gannet were seen during the rest of the survey and only late in the day was the first Fulmar seen, its typical gliding and shearing flight low over the water being a welcome addition to the day’s tally.

It was good that the winds of the previous few days had abated and a few showers in the afternoon reduced the visibility only temporarily, one of these periods providing a convenient time for a break.

After a smooth trip along Carlingford Lough, it was time for a brisk walk to the Whistledown Hotel and their usual warm welcome.

Following a good night’s sleep and the wonderfully hearty full Whistledown breakfast there was time for a walk along the coast to the gull and wader roost and a view of the resident Highland cows. A Greenshank with the expected Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatcher was a nice surprise, and there were several Great Crested Grebe and winter plumage Black Guillemot on the waters of the lough.  While walking back to the ferry terminal I took the opportunity to walk the length of the recently, and beautifully restored breakwater and look over the old harbour.

The ship “Progress” left slightly earlier than expected and the return survey started once out to sea. It was a relatively quiet trip back, and during the first couple of hours there were regular Guillemot on the water. The highlight was a group of five Fulmar and a brief but clear view of a Common Dolphin fin just behind them.

A dark-phase Skua flew past but could not be identified to species as it disappeared into the distance, and Kittiwake and Guillemot dominated the rest of the sightings, so it was fitting for a solitary Kittiwake to bring the bird interest of the survey to an end.  The grand finale was a fantastic afterglow just after the sun had set with the cloudy sky illuminated in vivid orange, amber and yellow.

My thanks to the captains and crews of the Performance and Progress, and to the CLdN ground staff who were all most welcoming, helpful, and interested in what we at MARINElife are doing.  It is a great privilege to be able to undertake these surveys and from regular participation to see how the seabird species and their number change through the year.

Tony Marshall, Research Surveyor for MARINElife (Registered Charity No. 1110884; Registered Company No. 5057367)

Sunset over the Irish Sea  Photo: Tony Marshall

Weather

Outward – Overcast, poor visibility, low mist late afternoon: sea state 4.

Return – Sunny becoming cloudy, good visibility: sea state 4 improving to 2