Departing the harbour, we soon sighted our first Gannet, the first in a more or less continuous stream of sightings that lasted throughout the survey. By the time we returned to Dover, we had recorded all five plumage states of Gannet, including first-year juvenile birds.
Of the gulls, Kittiwake was the most frequently encountered, often in small flocks flying low over the sea in front of our vessel.
Nearing the French coast, we spotted our first auk of the day, followed by another observed at closer range and identified as a Razorbill. Here we also saw several terns, although their species could not be determined.
On the return leg of the survey, the wind strengthened and the sea state increased, with numerous white caps among the waves, making it harder to spot any marine mammals.
As with the outward leg, Gannet sightings were frequent, reaching a grand total for the day of 110 birds by the time we reached Dover. Kittiwake were fewer in number, with Great Black-backed Gull now the most commonly encountered gull.
Another notable difference between the two legs of the survey was the large number of auks recorded on the return leg, about half of which were positively identified as Razorbill. As we approached Dover in the fading light, our species count was enhanced by the sighting of two Fulmar and two Mediterranean Gull.
In spite of the sea state, we managed to spot two seals as we neared the English coast, the second identified as a Grey Seal, appearing in front of the ship before submerging to make way.
Our thanks to DFDS, Captain Jason Mills, his bridge officers and crew for making us welcome and facilitating our survey.
Pat Hatch and Ptolemy McKinnon, Research Surveyors for MARINElife (Registered Charity No. 1110884; Registered Company No. 5057367)
Weather
Outbound: dry and sunny, wind NW, sea state 3, good visibility.
Return: overcast with light rain at first, wind NW, sea state 4-5, moderate to good visibility.
Species recorded
Marine mammals
- Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus 1
- Unidentified Seal sp. 1
Seabirds
- Common Gull Larus canus 7
- Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 2
- Gannet Morus bassanus 110
- Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 19
- Herring Gull Larus argentatus 6
- Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 39
- Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 3
- Mediterranean Gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalus 2
- Razorbill Alca torda 48
- Larus sp. 16
- Gull sp. 19
- Tern sp. 5
- Auk sp. 46