Storm Eowyn had put some doubt in our minds as to whether the survey would go ahead, but southern England was spared the worst of it and conditions appeared favourable as we made our way into the port of Dover and on to the ferry. The captain and crew of the Dover Seaways made us very welcome, to the extent of providing tea and cake as we prepared for our survey.

Once the ship left the harbour, we made a start. The sea was fairly calm, with widely scattered whitecaps, and visibility was good. Cormorant, Herring Gull, Common Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull were the first birds to be recorded, followed by sightings of a lone Red-throated Diver and a pair of Red-breasted Merganser, all in rapid flight.

Fifteen minutes into the survey, we spotted a group of at least six Harbour Porpoise approximately 400 metres off the starboard bow, the first cetaceans of the day. Gannet were fairly numerous away from the English and French coasts, along with lower numbers of Kittiwake and Great Black-backed Gull. Black-headed Gull and a single Shelduck were also recorded.

Having completed the turn around in Dunkirk, the ship set out for the return crossing to Dover and what would turn out to be a very memorable end to our survey. Bird species were similar to those encountered on the first leg of the survey. Having recorded no immature Gannet on the way over, we were pleased to see several fourth-year and fifth-year immature birds on the way back, in addition to several Razorbill.

Our first cetacean encounter of the return journey was a single Harbour Porpoise, seen shortly after we left Dunkirk. The next was a group of at least six Harbour Porpoise, in the same general area as those sighted on the way out.

Jeremy and I had spoken about the recent sightings of Humpback Whale in the English Channel and how lucky we would be to see one today, but we were now nearing Dover and the end of the survey, and any faint hopes of whales had faded entirely. Then, about 800 metres ahead, we spotted a large dark shape at the surface – the grey back of a large whale. The animal remained at the surface for a while, submerging and rising several times as it crossed our bow, allowing clear views of the distinctive dorsal fin of a Humpback Whale, following which it raised its tail flukes in the air as if to confirm its identity. This was a rare sighting for the Dover Strait, although numbers of sightings have increased in recent years, and everyone on the bridge was excited to see it.

Five minutes later, with the daylight fading, we were about to end the survey when we spotted some intense activity ahead of the ship, giving all the appearance of dolphins moving at speed. Sure enough, our binoculars revealed tall dorsal fins and hourglass patterns on their flanks – a pod of Common Dolphin, numbering at least 15 individuals. Several animals broke off from the group as we approached and made a beeline for the ship, where we saw them briefly around the bow before losing sight of them: a fitting end to a highly enjoyable survey.

Thanks to Captain Steven Cockerill, his officers and crew for their warm welcome and hospitality, and for facilitating our survey.

Pat Hatch and Jeremy Burgess, Research Surveyors for MARINElife (Registered Charity No. 1110884; Registered Company No. 5057367)

Weather

Outbound – Good visibility, wind NNW force 2-4, sea state 3

Return – Good visibility, wind NNW force 1-3, sea state 2