After parking the car on board for our return journey to Jersey, we headed up to the lounge area and were immediately recognised by a crew member who promptly escorted us up to the bridge. As we were arranging our paperwork cups of coffee were offered which set us up nicely for the survey.

As we started the survey off the Isle of Wight, we noticed Herring Gull moving in a line out to sea.  A search showed the gulls were flying towards a large feeding frenzy of over 800 birds to our port side, mainly gulls but 10 Gannet were also noted. That sighting was soon dwarfed by over 1,000 gulls feeding near St. Catherine’s lighthouse but outside the recording area! Such a dense flock of birds made an impressive sight shimmering white in the morning sunlight.

Auks were recorded 9 miles from their breeding area at Durlston before sightings quietened as we crossed the shipping lanes which were very busy.

In mid-channel clouds developed and the sun completely disappeared and we then had a spell of rain squalls which increased the sea state. As we approached Alderney the weather improved and we were surprised to be joined by a Kestrel which did a circle of the ship before departing. A few lines of Gannet did a fly past on their return to their Alderney breeding grounds.

The regular sightings of Bottlenose Dolphin off the northwest coast of Jersey kept us on high alert but our anticipation was thwarted as we unfortunately didn’t manage to record any on this occasion.

Just prior to docking we left the bridge and thanked the very helpful crew for their kind hospitality. In the lounge area we waited for the return passengers to board before retiring to our cabins.

After a smooth overnight crossing the sun was rising over Southsea before arriving on time in Portsmouth.

Many thanks to all the DFDS team for making us so welcome throughout. Although no cetaceans were seen, nonetheless, it was a very enjoyable survey with regular bird sightings.

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

Weather

Wind N-NE, 10 knots increasing to 20+ during the day, fine and sunny to start occasional squalls later