A summer timetable sailing from Newhaven meant we could take advantage of a more leisurely start, and after a smooth check-in and boarding we observed a
collection of out-of-survey birds as the Seven Sisters made her way out of
port, including noisy Black-headed Gull, a Great Cormorant and several
fishing Sandwich Tern.
After clearing the port we took up our survey position on the bridge. The day was bright early on and the glare and surface conditions were not ideal for observing
close to the water, but we were pleased to see a number of Gannet appear
before too long and the numbers ticked up steadily. On a couple of occasions
we witnessed large feeding groups of Gannet, and an encouraging number were
juvenile or immature individuals in all age categories.
A long lull in sightings was broken with two Great Skua in quick succession;
both were close in to the ship at first but unhurriedly moved away as we
approached.
As the Côte d’Albâtre appeared on the horizon the observations picked up,
with a few Sandwich and Commic Tern making an appearance as well as Herring
Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull. As the ship slowed to enter Dieppe port
we cleared up and prepared to disembark.
There was plenty of time for lunch and a stroll about before returning for
check-in. While walking around the harbour we had lovely sightings of active Turnstone on and around the harbour arm.
The return journey was relatively quiet as the wind had picked up and the
daylight was fading so we could only survey for just over half the crossing
time. Again, the majority of sightings were of Gannet, with another Great
Skua and three Fulmar being the highlights.
Unfortunately we were unable to see any marine mammals on this occasion, but we have had good numbers on previous trips and there’s always next time!
Our thanks to DFDS, the Captain, his officers and crew for their warm welcome
and assistance in ensuring an enjoyable survey.
Deborah & Alistair McKail Research Surveyors for MARINElife (Registered
Charity No. 1110884; Registered Company No. 5057367)
Weather:
Outbound: wind SW 3, visibility excellent, strong glare, sea state 3
Return: wind SW 4, visibility excellent, low glare, sea state 3-4
Species recorded
Seabirds
- Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 3
- Gannet Morus bassanus 112
- Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 1
- Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 3
- Common Gull Larus canus 2
- Herring Gull Larus argentatus 5
- Larus sp. 8
- Great Skua Stercorarius skua 3
- Common Tern Sterna hirundo 6
- Commic Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 10
- Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis 4