Archives: Survey Reports
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Peltic Survey report #2 5-6 October
Monday 5 October It was still a little dark as we made our way to the bridge but there was enough light to see that there were quite a few small land birds fluttering around outside the. For a birder it’s always a little exciting to see this as there’s a chance there’ll be something…
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Peltic 2026 report #1 3rd-4th October
Saturday 3 October Yes, it’s October so that means it’s Peltic time again – certainly doesn’t seem like a year since I was last on board the CEFAS Endeavour. The MARINElife team onboard this year is Robin Langdon and me – Peter Howlett. I boarded the Endeavour in Falmouth on the 2nd; Robin travelled down…
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MARINElife Wildlife Ambassador report: Ilfracombe-Lundy 3 October
It was a damp misty morning, with just a hint of brightness out in the bay. I collected my tickets and was soon boarding the Oldenburg, where I was warmly greeted by Captain Jason and other members of the crew. I then headed out onto the deck to join my fellow passengers. The crossing was…
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MARINElife Survey Report: CLdN’s MV Palatine and MV Faustine Purfleet-Rotterdam-Leixeos-Zeebrugge-Rotterdam-Purfleet 22 September-1 October 2026
Day 1 Tuesday 22 September – arrival in Purfleet The two-and-a-half-hour journey to Purfleet from our Hampshire home via the M3, M25 and Dartford Tunnel crossing was mostly smooth, and we arrived at the Eastern Access Gate at 12:00. At the gate we were directed to the Access Control Office close by where we were…
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CLdN Heysham to Warrenpoint 1-2 October 2026
It was an unseasonably warm morning when we arrived at Heysham Port and we were hopeful that this would provide us with ideal survey conditions. We were escorted through the port and onto Performance smoothly as always by the helpful CLdN staff, and once onboard we were greeted warmly by the steward, who provided us…
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MARINElife Survey Report: DFDS ‘Dunkerque Seaways’ Dover-Dunkirk 26 September 2026
It was a bright, sunny day as I drove down to Dover to board the Dunkerque Seaways, although there was a slight haze on the horizon obscuring the French coast. On joining the Dunkerque Seaways I was welcomed by Captain Jason Mills and went to the bridge to prepare for the survey. On leaving the…
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MARINElife VSAS survey report: MV Scillonian III Penzance-St Mary’s 19 September 2026
We arrived in Penzance after navigating overnight road closures and a short stay in Liskeard to a grey and damp morning. Fortunately, the rain had stopped and boarded the Scillonian III quickly and smoothly. As the ship made its way out of harbour and we were waiting for the Purser to show us up to…
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DFDS Newcastle to Amsterdam 14-16 September 2026
Stepping aboard the Princess Seaways we were warmly welcomed by the crew and guided to our cabins where we finished essential preparations, ordering all the paperwork, checking camera batteries, and a final clean of binocular lenses, whilst waiting to get underway. As soon as the ship had cleared Tynemouth the wonderfully helpful Ilse, the ship’s…
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MARINElife survey report: Dover-Calais 12 September 2026
It was sunny and dry in the morning as I drove down to Dover. The summer holidays being over, the journey to the port was straightforward. I boarded the ship and was immediately taken to the bridge to set up for my survey. The cruise ship Viking Vela was at the cruise terminal waiting to…
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MARINElife VSAS survey report: Newhaven-Dieppe 12 September 2026
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 acollection of out-of-survey birds as the Seven Sisters made her way out ofport, including noisy Black-headed Gull, a Great Cormorant and severalfishing Sandwich Tern. After clearing the port we took…