It was a bright, sunny day as I drove down to Dover to board the Dunkerque Seaways, although there was a slight haze on the horizon obscuring the French coast.
On joining the Dunkerque Seaways I was welcomed by Captain Jason Mills and went to the bridge to prepare for the survey. On leaving the harbour I noticed that there were small numbers of Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Cormorant on the outer breakwater, far fewer than earlier in the year.
On the outbound section of the survey, only Gannet, a few auks, and Great and Lesser Black-backed Gull were recorded. In the summertime between Calais and Dunkirk, the coast is busy with many breeding terns and Mediterranean Gull. These birds had now departed for their winter habitats, leaving the coast eerily quiet. Whilst surveying I was advised by a couple of the bridge officers that a large bloom of jellyfish had been seen recently in Dunkirk port, the large numbers affecting the local power plant cooling system. Fortunately, the swarm had cleared by the time we arrived in the harbour.
After a quick turn-around we headed back towards Dover. Gannet of various ages were again the main bird recorded, including some young birds that had been born this year.
Despite calm to moderate seas, no marine mammals were seen today.
As the Dunkerque Seaways entered Dover port, I thanked the bridge team and left the bridge to return to my car.
I wish to thank the DFDS, Captains Mills and May, the Officers and crew of the Dunkerque Seaways for their help and support on this route.
Carol Farmer-Wright, Research Surveyor for MARINElife (Registered Charity No. 1110884; Registered Company No. 5057367)
Weather
Outbound: wind ENE-N 4, visibility moderate with initial glare and increasing cloud
Return: wind N-NE 4, improved visibility, reducing cloud with glare
Species recorded
Seabirds
- Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1
- Gannet Morus bassanus 24
- Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 4
- Herring Gull Larus argentatus 2
- Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 3
- Shag Gulosus aristotelis 2
- Auk sp.3
- Gull sp.7
- Larus sp. 5