Felixstowe-Vlaardingen

Emma Webb and Russell Neave: MARINElife Research Surveyors.
Weather: visibility 5, wind ENE force 6, sea state 6
in river ; visibility 5, wind ENE force 4, sea state 2

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 21

Gannet Morus bassanus 2
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 27
Common Gull Larus canus 883
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 558
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 4
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 24
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 56
Guillemot Uria aalge 91
Razorbill Alca torda 86
Auk Sp. 168

Mute Swan Cygnus olor 6
Greater Canada Goose Branta canadensis 20
Brent Goose Branta bernicla 6
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus 3
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope 412
Gadwall Anas strepera 1429
Eurasian Teal Anas crecca 47
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 91
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 2
Common Coot Fulica atra 20
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 6
Dunlin Calidris alpina 15
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 1
Common Redshank Tringa totanus 1
Diver Sp. 1
Goose Sp. 35

Despite a windy few days before the trip, our overnight crossing to Vlaardingen was comfortable and we were able to get some sleep before starting our formal observations at sunrise the following morning.  We were kept busy with plenty of sightings of Kittiwake, Guillemot and Razorbill on the way to the river as well as two quick sightings of Harbour Porpoise.

The trip up river was very smooth and bright with many large groups of Wigeon, Gadwall and gulls before we docked at the freight port. Departure was prompt, and again we were kept exceptionally busy with groups of Gadwall and Wigeon on the river.  Almost as soon as we left the river mouth into the open sea, we started recording Harbour Porpoise, all looking as if they were busy feeding in the turbulent water where the river meets sea.  However, all too soon we lost the daylight and after watching a beautiful sunset over the North Sea, it was time to finish the survey and thank the bridge crew for their fantastic hospitality.

Emma Webb and Russell Neave, Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Maggie Gamble and Phillip Dutt: MARINElife Research Surveyors.
Weather: SW1-2 Overcast

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 36

Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus 1

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 1
Gannet Morus bassanus 88
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 258
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 134
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 1
Unidentified Skua Sp. 2
Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus  2
Razorbill Alca torda 1
Guillemots Uria aalge   5
Unidentified Auk Sp 3 
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 8
Common Gull Larus canus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 193
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 13
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 33
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 39
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 11
'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 5
Unidentified Gull Sp 585

Mute Swan Cygnus olor 214
Gadwall Anas strepera 30
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 5
Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris 1
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 1
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 48
Jay Garrulus glandarius 1
Unidentified Harrier Sp. 1

Boarding the ship at around 11pm our overnight crossing eastbound was very smooth. We were welcomed to the bridge just after dawn and were soon recording a variety of seabirds. A highlight of this eastbound leg was several flocks of Common Scoter as we approached the Dutch Coast. The UK breeding population of this small diving seaduck has substantially declined and it is now a UK Red List species. Nesting on upland moors, it winters chiefly on coasts of Western Europe where the water is shallow enough to allow it to dive for molluscs.

Arriving at Port we had time for an excellent lunch before returning to the bridge for the westbound leg of the survey and after departure had good views of the river barrage which is an amazing looking piece of engineering.

The almost mirror calm conditions on this return leg gave perfect conditions for spotting Harbour Porpoise and we counted at least thirty five (plus one on the outward leg). We are hoping for the route record! We were alerted to the presence of one (or possibly two) of them by four Gannets which were flying around in a manner which suggested they were watching something in the sea below. Eventually, beneath them we could see the Porpoises' small triangular dorsal fin just breaking the surface and as we watched more Gannets started to arrive, no doubt attracted by the attentive behaviour of the others.

The growing group of Gannets tracked the Porpoise for a few minutes then in a sudden flurry of swept back wings and dagger sharp bills they plunged in around it, in a mini feeding frenzy! Whether there were any fish to be had we couldn't quite make out.

After a beautiful sunset we lingered hopefully for just one more Porpoise? But it was not to be and thanking the Bridge Crew for their hospitality we headed to our bunks for a couple of hours sleep before disembarking at 10.45pm.

Maggie Gamble and Phillip Dutt, Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Michael Bamford and Robbie Hawkins: MARINElife Research Surveyors.
Weather: E-SE 3 with thunder storms

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 9

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 4
Gannet Morus bassanus 7
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 179
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 4
Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 65
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 424
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 253
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 35
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 3
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 18
'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 22
Black-backed Gull Sp. 50

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 5
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 909
Gadwall Anas strepera 42
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 12
Domestic Duck sp. 8 
Common Coot Fulica atra 1
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 1

This route takes in a Dutch river mouth which is rich in bird sightings, but also with a chance to see Harbour Porpoises.

The night sailing meant we surveyed the Dutch side twice, on the outwards and return journeys - but in very different weather conditions! We boarded at just after 11 pm, and quickly put our heads down as we were due up at 5.30am. The Flandria Seaways is smaller than the recently used Tor ships, and has an excellent forward bridge for viewing. Just before 6am there was a force 3 easterly, which backed to south east, accompanied by thunder, lightning and continuous rain. This was spectacular, but not helpful for viewing! We left the bridge at about half distance up channel due to the weather conditions. 

Docking at 11.00am we had time for lunch before the ship sailed at 14.30. On the river, and for the first hour, conditions were calm with a sea state 1 and a very light southerly, allowing good views of nine Harbour Porpoises, close to the river mouth. We were lucky enough to see one uncharacteristically breach fully out of the water, showing its chunky body shape and pug-like nose.

A wealth of bird sightings included an Arctic Skua, and four each Fulmars and Great Skuas. There were good numbers of Black-headed and Great Black-backed Gulls, and large numbers of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Three types of terns were spotted along with a large number of Cormorants (179).

The biggest count though was for Mute Swans with over 400 of them seen at arrival and departure. Gadwall and Great Crested Grebe were among the other species counted.

After this window of opportunity, the wind backed further to the south west and strengthened to force 4/5, limiting viewing until loss of light stopped play at 19.45.

Our thanks go to the company and crew for this trip.

Michael Bamford and Robbie Hawkins Research Surveyors for MARINElife
 

Rick Morris and Sharon Morris: MARINElife Research Surveyors.
Weather: Sea state 3, Winds NE 3 with full cloud cover both survey legs with occasional rain.

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 9
Gannet Morus bassanus 6
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 566
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 1
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 49
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 147
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 206
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 13
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 3
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 4
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 126
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 9
'Commic Tern' Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 67
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 1547 (!)
Gadwall Anas strepera 5
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 5
Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris 30
Unidentified gull species 480

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 2
Carion Crow Corvus corone 5

Maggie Gamble and Carol Farmer-Wright, MARINElife Research Surveyors.
Weather: Outward leg - dry with occasional lightning, sea state 0-1. Return leg - overcast, some rain, sea state 3-5, wind NW.

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 17

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 9
Gannet Morus bassanus 13
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 56
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 10
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 30
Common Gull Larus canus 18
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 71
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 133
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 36
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 1
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 22
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 520
Greylag Goose Anser anser 38
Gadwall Anas strepera 7
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 3
Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris 23
Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus 1
Unidentified gull species 1800

Swift Apus apus 7

Carrion Crow Corvus corone 2

NB Bridge crew reported bio-luminescence shortly after departing Felixstowe!

Michael Bamford, Debbie Ping, MARINElife Research Surveyors
Weather: SE 3-4, bright and hazy

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 2

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 3
Gannet Morus bassanus 20
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 147
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 33
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 9
Common Gull Larus canus 3
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 689
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 198
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 4
Little Gull Larus minutus 498 (three large flocks loafing on water - two near Dutch coast, one smaller flock mid North Sea)
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 3
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 22
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 16
'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 38
Guillemot Uria aalge 5
Great-crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 2
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 2
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 71
Greylag Goose Anser anser 4
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus 2
Gadwall Anas strepera 33
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 1
Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris 1
Coot Fulica atra 1
Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus 1 (1w/1s) seen by DP only
Unidentified large Gull species 1530
Unidentified Diver species 1
Unidentified Skua species 1

Sean Minns, Julie Flanagan, MARINElife Research Surveyors
Weather: SSE-ENE 1-2

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 15 

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 9
Gannet Morus bassanus 33
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 6
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata 9
Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica 1
Common Gull Larus canus 17
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 18
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 21
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 37
Little Gull Larus minutus 29
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 24
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 17
Guillemot Uria aalge 38
Razorbill Alca torda 2
Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 1
Feral Pigeon Columba livia 1
White/Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba/yarrellii 1
Unidentified Diver species 2 (probable Red-throated)
Unidentified Auk species 29
Unidentified Large Gull species 34
Unidentified Black-backed Gull species 14
Unidentified Gull species 5
Unidentified Tern species 1
Unidentified Wader species 3 (possible Sanderling)
Unidentified Finch species 5

Gadwall Anas strepera 147
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 52
Wigeon Anas penelope 13
Teal Anas crecca 13
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 9
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus 5
Greylag Goose Anser anser 5
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 43
Great crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 6
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1
Common Coot Fulica atra 7
Redshank Tringa totanus 3
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 2
Turnstone Arenaria interpres 1
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 34+
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 81+
Common Gull Larus canus 67+
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 75+
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 133+
Blackbird Turdus merula 1
Jackdaw Corvus monedula 1
Magpie Pica pica 3
Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 1
Carrion Crow Corvus corone 6
Unidentified Duck species 9
Unidentified large Wader species 1
Unidentified Black-backed Gull species 8
Unidentified Large Gull species 16

Mike Bamford, Amy Tinson, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 6

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 2
Gannet Morus bassanus 44
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 11
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 3
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 70
Common Gull Larus canus 32
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 133
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 35
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 32
Little Gull Larus minutus 1
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 128
Guillemot Uria aalge 37
Razorbill Alca torda 16
Auk Sp. 15
Large Gull Sp. 501

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata 13
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer 1
Diver Sp. 5
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 2
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 2
Greylag Goose Anser anser 2
Brent Goose Branta bernicla 18
Goose Sp. 1
Gadwall Anas strepera 91
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 2
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Common Coot Fulica atra 1
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 2
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1
Sky Lark Alauda arvensis 1
Carrion Crow Corvus corone 2
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 1

Steve Hughes, Abigail Bruce, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Gannet Morus bassanus 3
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 17
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 4
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 38
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 12
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 9
Razorbill Alca torda 2
Auk Sp. 3
Gull Sp. 42+

Mute Swan Cygnus olor 1

Michael Bamford, Amber Newman, Marinelife Research Surveyors 

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 3 (1 juvenile)

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 49
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 1
Gannet Morus bassanus 57
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 79
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 2
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 398
Common Gull Larus canus 20
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 456
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 232
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 29
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 79
Guillemot Uria aalge 15
Razorbill Alca torda 2
Auk sp. 4
Gull sp. 300+

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata 112
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 5
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 11
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope 130
Gadwall Anas strepera 237
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 24
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 2
Common Coot Fulica atra 288
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 3
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 6
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 3
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 1
Diver sp. 3

Michael Bamford, Abigail Bruce, Marinelife Research Surveyors 

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 22
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1
Gannet Morus bassanus 170
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 10
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 6
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 1
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 17
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 13
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 39
Guillemot Uria aalge 11

Sky Lark Alauda arvensis 8
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 101
Passerine sp. 15 (probably Starling)

Graham Oliver, Amber Newman, Marinelife Research Surveyors

White-beaked Dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris 4 (probable)
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 7

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 22
Gannet Morus bassanus 36
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 171+
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 58+
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 9
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 53+
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 52+
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 8
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 17
Gull sp. 1050+

Mute Swan Cygnus olor 158
Brent Goose Branta bernicla 50+
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 4
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 2
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 1
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus 1
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 4
Meadow/Tree Pipit Anthus sp. 4
White / Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba 1
Robin Erithacus rubecula 11
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 3
Redwing Turdus iliacus 35+
Willow/Chiffchaff Phylloscopus sp. 3
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 80+
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 8
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 19
Siskin Carduelis spinus 1
Magpie Pica pica 1
Dunnock Prunella modularis 1
Passerine sp. 1

Steve Hughes, Richard Price, Marinelife Research Surveyors 

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 5
Gannet Morus bassanus 42
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 4
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 4
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 17
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 1
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 2
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 47+
Shearwater sp. 1
Tern sp. 4
Gull sp. 33+

Mike Bamford, Graham Oliver, Marinelife Research Surveyors 

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 3

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 4
Gannet Morus bassanus 28
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 232
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 12
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 2
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 50
Common Gull Larus canus 2
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 424
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 445
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 13
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 1
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 1
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 53
Large Gull sp. 1,900

Mute Swan Cygnus olor 654
Gadwall Anas strepera 6
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 10
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegypticus 5

Nigel Jarman, Rob Smith, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 7
Gannet Morus bassanus 5
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 19
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 1
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 13
Common Gull Larus canus 6
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 78
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 1,719
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 6
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 1
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 64
Guillemot Uria aalge 1
Gull sp. 1,000+

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 3
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 898
Greylag Goose Anser anser 1
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 19
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 11
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 4
Feral Pigeon Columba livia 3
Common Swift Apus apus 1

Bob Graves, David Hawkins, Marinelife Research Surveyors 

Gannet Morus bassanus 13
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 36
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 6
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 25
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 99
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 561
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 7
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 3
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 19

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 3
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 578
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 24
Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus 1
Common Swift Apus apus 4
Sand Martin Riparia riparia 6
Carrion Crow Corvus corone 3

Martin Gillingham, Graham Oliver, Marinelife Research Surveyors
Weather: 0-1

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 31

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 2
Gannet Morus bassanus 22
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 131
European Sha0g Phalacrocorax aristotelis 2
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 17
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 3
Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 165
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 77
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 70
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 107
'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 79
Guillemot Uria aalge 30
Razorbill Alca torda 1
Auk sp. 1
Mixed breeding colony of Larus Gulls 3040

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata 3
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 1
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 2
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 137
Greylag Goose Anser anser 3
Brent Goose Branta bernicla 5
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus 3
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 2
Gadwall Anas strepera 3
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 36
Common Coot Fulica atra 7
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 3
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 8
Jackdaw Corvus monedula 2
Carrion Crow Corvus corone 2
Warbler sp. 1

Steve Hughes, Rayner Piper, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 4
Gannet Morus bassanus 11
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 23
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 9
Common Gull Larus canus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 173
Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 259
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 21
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 1
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 1
Auk sp. 4
Gull sp. 694

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata 2
Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus 2
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 1
White / Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba 1
Carrion Crow Corvus corone 3
Diver sp. 34

Andrew Palmer, Thomas Brown, Marinelife Research Surveyors
Weather: NE-E 4-6

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 11
Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus 1

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 4
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1
Gannet Morus bassanus 38
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 32
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 11
Common Gull Larus canus 58
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 22
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 54
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 17
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 121
Puffin Fratercula arctica 1
Guillemot Uria aalge 17
Razorbill Alca torda 4
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata 5
Auk sp. 24
Gull sp. ~200
Diver sp. 7

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 101
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 36
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 168
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 5
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 7
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope 182
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 25
Common Coot Fulica atra 4
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 10
Sanderling Calidris alba 12
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 1
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 6
Carrion Crow Corvus corone 1
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 3

Emma Webb, Richard Price, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Gannet Morus bassanus 21
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 3
Common Gull Larus canus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 11
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 2
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 9
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 37
Guillemot Uria aalge 39
Razorbill Alca torda 6
Auk sp. 20
Gull sp. 10
Diver sp. 10

Steve Hughes, Vincent Green, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Gannet Morus bassanus 31
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 43
Common Gull Larus canus 5
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 4
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 12
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 5
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 26
Guillemot Uria aalge 38
Gull sp. 40
Shearwater sp. 1

Common Coot Fulica atra 2
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 4
Common Raven 0Corvus corax 5
Swan sp. 43
Duck sp. 4

Michael Bamford, Ian Paynter, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Common Seal Phoca vitulina

Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 1
Gannet Morus bassanus 51
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 5
Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 1
Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1
Common Gull Larus canus 2
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 50
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 276
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 46
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 3
Guillemot Uria aalge 1
Razorbill Alca torda 1
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata 1
Gull sp. 1025

Russell Neave, Carol Greig, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 15

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 5
Gannet Morus bassanus 39
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 23
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 1
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 9
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 37
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 3
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 3
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 6
Black Tern Chlidonias niger 2
Guillemot Uria aalge 1
Large Gull sp. 3

Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 6
European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 1
Dunlin Calidris alpina 5

Egyptian Goose 2
House Crow 1 (probable)

Mike Bailey, Andrew Palmer, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 7

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 6
Gannet Morus bassanus 57
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 10
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 3
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 161
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 35
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 10
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 8
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 39

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 2
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 49

Note: Off effort, House Crow Corvus splendens 7 seen at their only European breeding site, Hook of Holland railway station (Hoek van Holland)

Michael Bamford, Suzie Opacic, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 4

Gannet Morus bassanus 4
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 5
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 6
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 120
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 3
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 1
Little Tern Sterna albifrons 3
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 1

It is interesting to note Common Dolphin in this area of the North Sea. Refer also to a recent sighting of a Common Dolphin superpod in the Moray Firth and the distribution on the Seawatch website.

Rayner Piper, Marinelife Research Surveyor

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 6

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 10
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 2
Gannet Morus bassanus 62
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 3
Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 6
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 67
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 164
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 2
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 5
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 11
Guillemot Uria aalge 2
Tern sp. 6
Gull sp. 13
Duck sp. 30

Rachael Portnall, Marinelife Research Surveyor

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 6
Dolphin sp. 2

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 3
Gannet Morus bassanus 75
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2
Common Gull Larus canus 7
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 46
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 1
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 54
Little Gull Larus minutus 1
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 65
Guillemot Uria aalge 4
Gull sp. 13

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer 5
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1
Common Blackbird Turdus merula 2
Diver sp. 1

Fraser Paterson, Ian Poynter, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 11
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 1
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 2
Gannet Morus bassanus 48
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 19
Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 4
Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus 1 adult and 1 probable juvenile
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 6
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 58
Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 1
'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 2
Guillemot Uria aalge 2
Tern sp. 2
Gull sp. 63
Skua sp. 2

Fraser Paterson, Azli Zainal, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1
Dolphin sp. 1

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 81
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 1
Gannet Morus bassanus 65
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 25
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 5
Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 2
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 5
Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 9
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 232
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 2
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 36
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 1
'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 56
Black Tern Chlidonias niger 15
Shearwater sp. 2
Skua sp. 4
Tern sp. 65
Gull sp. 239
Phalarope sp. 1

Fraser Paterson, Helen Farmer, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 22
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 3
Gannet Morus bassanus 159
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 10
Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 29
Common Gull Larus canus 6
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 18
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 139
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 32
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 9
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 42
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 10
'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 96
Guillemot Uria aalge 1
Razorbill Alca torda 1
Tern sp. 6
Gull sp. 33

Common Swift Apus apus 1
Sand Martin Riparia riparia c180

Andrew Boulden, Ian Paynter, Marinelife Research Surveyors
Weather: Eastbound - NW 2-1 - Maersk Anglia , Westbound - NW 2-1 - Maersk Importer

Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1 (Breaching)

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 37
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1
Gannet Morus bassanus 37
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 1
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 1
Common Gull Larus canus 82
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 126
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 153
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 1
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 2
Gull sp. 44

Hugh Venables, Mike Bailey, Marinelife Research Surveyors

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 40
Gannet Morus bassanus 30
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 5
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 1
Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 3 adults with full 'tail spoons'
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2
Common Gull Larus canus 5
Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 5
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 156
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 149
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 8
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 6
Little Tern Sterna albifrons 3
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 14
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 7
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 2
Guillemot Uria aalge 2

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 1