At the port of Dover, we boarded the Cote des Flandres and reported to the information desk, from where we were taken up to the bridge and welcomed by the captain and crew. As usual, we took a seat while the vessel was unmoored and manoeuvred out of the harbour, then took up our survey position on the starboard side of the bridge.

Shortly after we sailed out of the harbour, we recorded our first Kittiwake and Gannet, the latter including an almost adult bird, being all white except for a distinctive central black stripe on the tail. We then spotted three divers in flight, but were unable to identify the species.

Gannet was the most numerous bird species on the outward leg of the survey and Kittiwake was the most numerous of the gulls, along with lower numbers of Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Black-headed Gull. Many of the adult birds looked resplendent in their breeding plumage, especially so in the bright sunlight.

On the way over to Calais, we also spotted an auk in flight, a pigeon and something of a surprise around mid-channel – a Manx Shearwater, first seen sitting on the water and then taking flight as our vessel approached. ‘Manxies’ arrive on their breeding grounds at this time of year, although most are a long way west of the Dover Strait, and we wondered whether this bird may have deviated from the usual Atlantic migration route.

During the return voyage to Dover, the bird species we encountered were more or less the same as on the outward leg of the survey, with the addition of Common Gull. Among the Gannet was another last stage immature bird, distinguished by the remaining dark feathers on the trailing edge of the wings.

Our thanks to Captain Guilbord, his officers and crew for their warm welcome and for allowing us to carry out our survey.

Pat Hatch and Rhys Ap Llwyd Jones, Research Surveyors for MARINElife (Registered Charity No. 1110884; Registered Company No. 5057367)

Weather

Outbound – good visibility, sea state 5

Return – good visibility, sea state 4