This was, for both of us, our first survey with DFDS on this route direct to Jersey. At this time of year, we were able to survey the whole route with an overnight return to Portsmouth. Check in was speedy and sixty minutes before departure we were called for boarding. We parked the car on board, and as we were heading to the reception area, we were recognised by a crew member and immediately taken up to the bridge to be introduced to Captain Peter Hafstrand. We were supplied with a welcome coffee and then prepared our paperwork ready to start the survey after leaving Portsmouth Harbour.

Steady sightings of birds kept us alert throughout the day with a good number of migrant birds landing on deck including Redwing, Starling, Chiffchaff and Chaffinch. Biggest surprise was a fly by Kestrel! Meadow Pipit and Swallow were seen migrating south as we passed by the Isle of Wight; this was also when we saw our first Harbour Porpoise in calm seas with no glare. Seabirds were as usual dominated by Gannet, but we did see quite a few Razorbill, far outnumbering Guillemot. Small groups of Little Gull gave good views in front of the bridge.

Nearing Alderney, we observed tuna leaping out of the flat calm sea, a spectacular sight. We were pleased to see a few more cetaceans too, before the end of the survey, with a couple of Harbour Porpoise and a brief view of Common Dolphin as we neared Jersey.  A line of Brent Geese arriving on the shores of Jersey reminded us that Winter is on its way.

Finally, a big thankyou to Captain Hafstrand and his very friendly crew who kept us fed and watered and also helped me down to the car with my duty free purchases!

Steve Boswell and Nick Scott, Research Surveyors for MARINElife (Registered Charity No. 1110884; Registered Company No. 5057367)

Weather: wind NW-W throughout force 1-3, full cloud cover