The Princess Seaways, a cruise ferry operating out of the DFDS quay at North Shields, set sail on the evening of the first day, heading down the River Tyne before emerging into the North Sea for the southward voyage to Ijmuiden, a port near Amsterdam. Once underway, we were taken up to the bridge, where we were welcomed by the captain.

The sky was blue and clear and the sea state was near-calm as we began our first evening survey. Gannet was the most frequently encountered species, recorded primarily as lone birds, almost exclusively adults. Fulmar and Kittiwake were occasional and two Guillemots were recorded.

We stopped surveying as light levels fell, thanked the bridge crew and made our way to our cabins. The following morning, we reached Ijmuiden and took the coach into Amsterdam city centre, where we spent an enjoyable few hours exploring the canal-side streets and watching the world go by.

Back aboard the Princess for the return sailing, we began the second leg of our survey once we were out into the North Sea, where the sea state was again calm. Bird numbers were low, with small numbers of Gannet and gull, including Black-headed Gull.

Nearing the end of the survey, two seals were spotted close to the ship within five minutes; the first a spy hopping Grey Seal, the second a slow-swimming seal of unknown species.

The following morning, we arrived at North Shields and disembarked.

We are grateful to Captain Vang for allowing access to the bridge to carry out our survey and to him and his crew for their warm welcome and hospitality.

Patrick Hatch and Yvette Best, Research Surveyors for MARINElife (Registered Charity No. 1110884; Registered Company No. 5057367)

Weather

Outward – wind ESE force 3, good visibility

Return – wind S force 1-3, moderate visibility