Out on the decks, I chatted to many of the passengers about our work and what we could possibly see during today’s sailings. The sea state was calm, and the sun shone on us for most of the day.
As the ship navigated the Taw estuary, many common birds were observed, then once out into the Bristol Channel and open sea, we started to pick up some of the expected seabirds, Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar, Kittiwake and single Puffin. Also of note were 3 Ringed Plover, passing over the port bow.
Arriving at Lundy’s landing bay the passengers were eager to get off and happily made their way up to the top of the island.
After exploring the Milcombe area, I then completed a circular walk around the southern part of the island which included the cliffs on the west side of Lundy. Returning to Milcombe, I heard the distinctive call of a Cuckoo, a first for my Lundy bird list!
A huge treat for the day was an around the island sailing on Oldenburg which was well attended. The Captain took the ship in an anti-clockwise direction with lots of stops to enjoy the many breeding birds rafting on the water. To the delight of many passengers the famous Puffins were very generous in allowing us all good views of these iconic birds!
The return sailing was again a calm one, sadly, there were no sightings of any cetaceans this trip. The ship arrived back in Bideford and before I disembarked, I thanked Jason the Captain and his crew for supporting MARINElife and I look forward to my next trip.
MARINElife Wildlife Ambassador – Steve McAusland
Species recorded
Seabirds
- Fulmar
- Gannet
- Great Black-backed Gull
- Guillemot
- Herring Gull
- Manx Shearwater
- Puffin
- Razorbill
- Shag
Estuary birds
- Carrion Crow
- Cormorant
- Curlew
- Jackdaw
- Little Egret
- Mallard Duck
- Oystercatcher
- Shelduck
- Swallow
Birds seen on Lundy
- Blackbird
- Blue Tit
- Carrion Crow
- Chaffinch
- Chiffchaff
- Cuckoo
- Fulmar
- Gannet
- Goldfinch
- Great Black-backed Gull
- Great Tit
- Guillemot
- Herring Gull
- House Martin
- House Sparrow
- Jackdaw
- Linnet
- Manx Shearwater
- Meadow Pipit
- Merlin Falcon
- Oystercatcher
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pied Wagtail
- Puffin
- Raven
- Razorbill
- Robin
- Shag
- Skylark
- Starling
- Swallow
- Wheatear
- Whitethroat
- Wood pigeon
- Wren
Animals seen on Lundy
- Feral Goat
- Atlantic Grey Seal
- Lundy Pony
- Sheep
- Sika Deer
Butterflies
- Brimstone
- Large White
- Small White
- Small Heath
- Painted Lady
- Peacock
- Meadow Brown
- Red Admiral