Poole-Santander

Stephen Dunstan and Hugh Cairns, Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Weather: Southbound: SW 7-9; Northbound: SW 2-4

Cetacean Recorded
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis  31
Unidentified Dolphin species 2
Unidentified Large rorqual species 1

Seabirds Recorded
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 42
Gannet Morus bassanus 515
Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 6
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 11
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 13
Yellow-Legged Gull Larus michahellis 38
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 23
Common Gull Larus canus 1
Little Gull Larus minutus 1
Red-Throated Diver Gavia stellata 1
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 8
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 82
Guillemot Uria aalge 64
Razorbill Alca torda 56
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra  8   
Unidentified Auk Species 6
Unidentified small Gull Species c650
Unidentified large Gull Species 5

We were checked in by welcoming Brittany Ferries staff and soon transferred onto the ship.  We headed onto deck whilst we waiting to go on the bridge and scanned Brownsea Island lagoon as we passed.  Here we were very pleased to pick out a Spoonbill feeding among more regular birds, a good record at any time but particularly in winter.

We saw four groups of Common Dolphins before the weather closed in mid afternoon.  All of these came in to bow ride, offering excellent views.  A good variety of seabirds was also seen before mist and rain stopped play, latterly including several Great Skua to add to the auks, gulls, Gannets and Fulmars. All in all, a good return for the Channel in February. 

Sunday saw calmer conditions than Saturday so we were hopeful of something good.  We weren't to be disappointed as a large whale surfaced quite close to the ship.  Unfortunately it was probably spooked by the close encounter and didn't resurface in view, but it was almost certainly a Fin Whale.  Birds wise we added Common Scoter to the trip list, a surprise so far off the coast.

We wandered around Santander before returning to the ship. As we edged away from port we did see the only Mediterranean Gull and Sandwich Terns of the trip.  As we resumed the survey a few Yellow-legged Gulls were seen near the coast, even better an adult Little Gull was seen deep into the Bay of Biscay, reflecting the pelagic habits of this tiny gull in winter.  A couple of Common Dolphins were also seen before sunset.

Our final day began with the calmest conditions of the trip and we were optimistic of dolphins and porpoises.  We did indeed see several more pods of Common Dolphin coming in to the bow, but porpoises eluded us before the wind picked up a little and that was that.  Seabirds were generally similar to other days, but included very large groups of Gannet and several hundred presumed gulls distantly around fishing boats.  It was very quiet nearing Poole again but persistence was rewarded with a Red-throated Diver and the only Common Gull if the survey.

Thanks to Brittany Ferries and particularly the crew of the Cotentin for terrific hospitality as usual.

Stephen Dunstan and Hugh Cairns, Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Russell Neave and Emma Webb Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Weather: Southbound: W 3-8; Northbound: NW 2-5

Cetacean Recorded
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis  71
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 8
Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 6
Unidentified Dolphin species 4
Unidentified Large rorqual species 1
Unidentified Small cetacean species 2

Seabirds Recorded
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 14
Gannet Morus bassanus 173
Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 1
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 10
Mediterranean Gull Larus  1
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 3
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 7
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 65
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
Guillemot Uria aalge 116
Razorbill Alca torda 29
Puffin Fratercula arctica 1
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra  2 
Unidentified Auk Species 26
Unidentified Gull Species 2

We arrived at the freight office at 07:00 and were promptly checked in by the staff and taken to the vessel.  Once we were settled in and clear of the coast we were escorted to the bridge and warmly welcomed by the Captain and crew.  We then began our formal survey under rather grey damp clouds with brisk winds whipping up some white water, but the ship was very stable and this made for a comfortable crossing.  We were soon noting a good variety of seabirds including Gannet and Kittiwake which were enjoying the breeze as they arched over the waves and Guillemot bobbing about or shooting past like whirring missiles. Several sightings of Great Skua, or Bonxie to give it its' colloquial name, added to the interesting birdlife.

Our first cetaceans of the day were two Common Dolphin powering in towards the boat, always good to see. Several more sightings of this species punctuated the afternoon as we passed between Roscoff on the mainland and the Ile de Batz.

The following morning we awoke well into southern Biscay and the sea had calmed, looking very promising for some good sightings, we were not disappointed. First was a pod of four Striped Dolphin, ever active as they headed in towards the bow. Next, a group of four Cuvier's Beaked Whale, moving slowly at the surface, perhaps after one of their long deep dives; a key species we're always hoping to see in the canyon areas off the north Spanish coast.

More frustrating was a brief view of two small dorsal fins, possibly belonging to small beaked whales, perhaps Sowerby's Beaked Whale, another rare and enigmatic species occasionally recorded in theses waters. At about the same time a large rorqual whale blow was seen some way off, probably a Fin Whale, but too distant to confirm. A few Common Dolphin were recorded as we headed into Santander.

After stretching our legs with a stroll along the promenade in Santander and sightings of some local Yellow-legged Gull and a smart moulting Black-necked Grebe as it dived about just off the quay wall, we headed back aboard for the return.

We had just over an hour of daylight northbound, but with calm seas we were confident we'd see something. The only bird of note was a smart adult winter Mediterranean Gull, looking ghostly pale against the dark sea. Then, right on queue, at almost the same point at 2000m depth as the morning sighting, four Cuvier's Beaked Whale surfaced and moved slowly away from the vessel, giving good, if rather distant views, the same group as in the morning?  The day ended with two playful Striped Dolphin which came down the port side and we watched them leaping and splashing about in our wake waves.

Our final watch started with the bridge crew eagerly informing us we had just missed twenty Common Dolphin coming into the bow, typical!  We had seen three alongside the vessel at breakfast, probably some of the same group.  Still, as we came in towards Roscoff we recorded another three as they came bounding into the bow.  As we headed across the Channel towards Poole, with calm seas and some sunshine, we were hopeful of a sighting of the diminutive Harbour Porpoise, but it was not to be. Plenty of birds kept us busy, with lots of Guillemot and we recorded our only Puffin of the trip. Our last cetacean sighting was mid-channel, a pod of about twenty Common Dolphin feeding with attendant Gannets diving around them, a proper feeding frenzy.

We headed into Poole, were chauffeured through customs and were soon on our way having greatly enjoyed our re-acquaintance with the Bay of Biscay and a reminder of what an important area it is for marine wildlife. Once again our thanks go to the staff and crew of the Cotentin who made this a very enjoyable crossing.

Russell Neaveand Emma Webb, Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Richard Price and Tim Balmer Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Weather: Southbound: NW 4-6; Northbound: W 3-5

Cetaceans
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 25
Unidentified Dolphin Sp. 2

Seabirds
Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 1
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 6
Gannet Morus bassanus 9
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 5
Mediterranean Gull Larus malanocephalus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 20
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 3
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 29
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 121
Puffin Fratercula arctica 2
Guillemot Uria aalge 93
Unidentified Auk Species 5
Unidentified Large Gull Species 3
Unidentified Small Gull Species 3

Terrestrial Birds
Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1

Departure was prompt, and after leaving the harbour we were welcomed by the very helpful crew.

As we sailed down the Channel, numbers of the more coastal seabirds such as the Black-backed and Herring gulls decreased, while sightings of species such as the hansom Kittiwake, Great Skua and Guillemot became more frequent. 

The cetacean watching was a little frustrating, as despite good light conditions the wind ruffled the water causing tiny whitecaps which made viewing of Harbour Porpoises challenging.  We know Harbour Porpoises can frequently be seen on this route, but their tiny size and undemonstrative behaviour make them difficult to spot unless the sea is mirror calm.

Due to the limited daylight hours at this time of year, it wasn't long before we had to draw our observations for the day to a close. The next morning, dramatic cloud formations meant we were treated to a superb sunrise. Again, we were soon recording a gentle trickle of seabirds, with Fulmars and a Mediterranean Gull also adding to the mix.

Whilst in Santander harbour, we encountered the avian highlight of our trip, an Osprey. It was certainly a great sight to see this magnificent raptor successfully catch a fish relatively close to the ship, before taking its prey out of view.

Our final day saw us take a route close to the Brittany Coast, past Roscoff before picking our way through the Channel Islands to cross straight into Poole. 

The Channel Islands appeared to be quite productive, with many seabirds here, including a couple of drab looking Puffins in their winter plumage as well as Common dolphins. This larger cetacean is more obvious to us especially when they energetically approach the ship leaping and turning to bow ride. It is always exciting to see these charismatic animals so close to the ship and mothers with small calves by their side made this encounter even more rewarding.

Once again our thanks go to the staff and crew of the Cotentin who made this a very enjoyable crossing.

Richard Price and Tim Balmer, Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Rick Morris and Gareth Bradbury Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Weather: Southbound: SE-SSE 3-5; Northbound: SE-ESE 2-4

Cetaceans
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 108
Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 2
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 2
Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 7
Unidentified Dolphin Sp. 8

Seabirds
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 2
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 1
Gannet Morus bassanus 250
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 85
Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1
Common Gull Larus canus 2
Mediterranean Gull Larus malanocephalus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 2
Yellow Legged Gull Larus michahellis 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 19
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 85
Little Gull Larus minutus 3
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 99
Puffin Fratercula arctica 1
Guillemot Uria aalge 21
Razorbill Alca torda 12
Unidentified Auk Species 11
Unidentified Large Gull Species 123
Unidentified Small Gull Species 1
Unidentified Shearwater species 1
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1
Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 1

Terrestrial Birds
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 1
Short Eared Owl Asio flammeus 1
Starling Sturnus vulgaris 43
Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 1
Blackbird Turdus merula 2
Passerines 2
Unidentified Finch sp. 18

The Brittany Ferries Staff at the Poole Terminal were, as usual, extremely helpful in getting us on board for the early (7 am) start. Crossing Poole harbour, we had excellent views of Spoonbills in the lagoon on the starboard side, together with other waders, and a Black-Necked Grebe, with Brent Geese surfing at the Harbour entrance.

We were welcomed to the bridge as we left the harbour, but had to wait until midday for the first group of Common Dolphins to come to the ship, and thereafter we had more distant views of a couple of Bottlenose Dolphins, and two further groups of Common Dolphins close to the vessel. A distant view of 4 lethargic animals, suggested possible Risso's Dolphins, but distance precluded confirmation. A steady trickle of the usual birds was seen, but it was already noticeable that there were exceptional numbers of Great Skuas (Bonxies) evident. We lost light after 4.30pm, and were able to have an early night, to catch up on lost sleep.

At first light we found ourselves in Southern Biscay but the cetaceans were not obliging on this trip. Notable birds included Little Gulls, Arctic Skua and Balearic Shearwater, a species we study in the Channel. After a walk around a park area in Santander where we encountered Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and heard Cetti's warbler we headed back on board for the return crossing.

Overnight the sea state had settled to 2 and by morning we had reached the Channel, just off northern Brittany. Migrant birds were evident, including a flock of 40 Starlings, and a Short Eared Owl flying high back towards land. We were startled by a Woodcock which appeared suddenly, like a large bat, possibly having roosted on board.

We were surprised and pleased to see a pod of 6 adult and 1 young Long-Finned Pilot Whales just to starboard of the ship, and thereafter we had frequent groups of Common Dolphins in various behaviour modes, feeding, bow-riding and swimming leisurely, a total of 93 in all. We also had glimpses of a couple of Harbour Porpoises.

Great Skuas kept coming in exceptional numbers, at times threatening to exceed Gannets.  A group of 16 together on and above the water, around a feeding Harbour porpoise was very unusual.

 An altogether enjoyable and interesting trip and we were very grateful for the hospitality and interest of the crew of the Cotentin.

Michael Bamford and Sean Minns, Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Rick Morris and Gareth Bradbury Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Weather: Southbound: SE-SW 1-3; Northbound: NE-SW 3-5

Cetaceans
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 501
Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 12
Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 30
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 4
Large Rorqual sp. 2
Unidentified Blackfish sp. 1
Unidentified Dolphin Sp. 60

Seabirds
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 41
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 1
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 37
European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 35
Gannet Morus bassanus 498
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 8
European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 12
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 26
Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 3
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 36
Common Gull Larus canus 4
Mediterranean Gull Larus malanocephalus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 323
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 22
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 31
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 7
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 1
Puffin Fratercula arctica 1
Guillemot Uria aalge 14
Unidentified Auk Species 6
Unidentified Gull Species 338
Unidentified Skua species 1

Terrestrial Birds
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 1
Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba 7
Brent Goose Branta bernicla 15
Feral Pigeon Columba livia 1
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 6
Chiffchaf Phylloscopus collybita 1
Robin Turdus migratorius 1
Short Eared Owl Asio flammeus 1
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis 1
Passerines 22
Unidentified Duck sp. 2
Unidentified Wagtail sp.1
Unidentified Eared Owl sp. 1

We boarded our research vessel the MV Cotentin just after 07:00, on a bright and warm Saturday October morning. After being greeted on board we put our kit in our cabins and went down to the restaurant for a hearty breakfast before making our way up to the bridge ready for departure at 08:00. It was good to see the regular crew again; we exchanged greetings and began to set up on the starboard side ready for departure.

Leaving Poole harbour we observed good numbers birds including a number of little Egrets on Brownsea Island. Heading out into open water we started recording various sea birds, then just after midday we had our first cetacean encounter, a group of ten Common Dolphins, their position given away by Gannets circling overhead. More Common Dolphins and a Harbour Porpoise were observed through the afternoon followed by a lively pod of Bottlenose Dolphin. We came down from the bridge at dusk and upon entering our cabins, looked out of the window to watch a group of Common Dolphins come in to bow ride, followed by another group just before dinner.

Day two gave us a beautiful sunrise and a sea state of one, our expectations were high! Our first cetaceans of the day came at 07:30 a group of eighteen adults and two juvenile Common Dolphins followed by fifty unidentified Dolphin sp. and an unidentified possible Rorqual Whale logging in the distance.

As the day progressed we encountered a pod of twelve Striped Dolphins, more Common Dolphins including a large pod of three hundred and fifty which were making light work of a bait ball, two Cuvier's beaked whales and an unidentified black fish!

A short eared owl performed a fly by just before arriving in a very warm and sunny Santander.

The return journey saw the weather deteriorate gradually making it more difficult to spot cetaceans although one Harbour porpoise was seen and a few Lions mane jellyfish.

We observed a Chinook helicopter practising retrieving a SBS speedboat just off Old Harry Rocks, before making the turn into port and recording a few more sea birds.

We thanked the crew and said farewell as we left the bridge to make ready for disembarkation.

Rick Morris and Gareth Bradbury, Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Simon Hartill and Sean Minns, Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 7

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 82
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 344
Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 1235
Little Shearwater Puffinus baroli 8
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 24
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 43
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 8
European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 31
Gannet Morus bassanus 730
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra  2
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 44
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 10
Long-Tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus 2
Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 22
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 8
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 2
Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 7
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 13
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 9
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 1
Black Tern Chlidonias niger  4
Puffin Fratercula arctica  11
Guillemot Uria aalge 1

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 1
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 1

We departed on time at 08:00 from Poole in windy overcast conditions, the forecast was not looking good for cetacean sightings, 30mph winds in the Channel and worse further west!

Good views of the Brownsea Island scrape in Poole harbour from the outside deck, at least 60 Avocets, 15 Little Egrets and what looked like some Spoonbills roosting. Good numbers of terns and waders on the large scrape were also seen. We admired the expensive real estate as we passed Sandbanks, home to the rich and famous!! 

The views from the ship of the Jurassic coastline of Dorset from Old Harry Rocks to Portland are always impressive. Good numbers of gannets and some Storm Petrels were seen in the Channel.

Unfortunately, the sea state got steadily worse as we travelled further west into the Channel.

On Sunday morning we awoke to calmer conditions in southern Biscay but still not great, sea state 3-6.   However, this made for some fantastic close seabird sightings, including some more unusual birds with 1235 Great Shearwaters, 344 Corys, 8 Little Shearwaters, 42 Sooty Shearwaters, some Manx and 8 Balearic Shearwaters seen.

We had 3 hours ashore in the beautiful old city of Santander, unfortunately we had torrential rain halfway walking back to the ship but managed to buy some Spanish Rioja wine, cheese and honey to keep the family back home happy with presents!

The return journey was similarly good for seabirds but far too rough to see, let alone identify any cetaceans.

Luckily the weather was better in the Channel next day and we managed 7 Common Dolphins that came into the bow. Arriving back into Poole harbour, the Spoonbills on the Brownsea Island scrape were still present, fast asleep as they usually are! 

An excellent trip for rare seabirds, but well below par for cetaceans. This was not unexpected due to the adverse weather conditions.

Stephen Dunstan and Diederik Dherte, Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 4
Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 3
Large Rorqual sp. 2
Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1
Northern Bottlenose Whale Hyperoodon ampullatus 4
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 3
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 249
Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 36
Dolphin Sp. 5
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 78

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 157
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 4
Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 19
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 15
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 3
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 15
Small Shearwater Sp. 3 
European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 51
Gannet Morus bassanus 1694
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 10
European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 1
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 59
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 11
Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 14
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 208
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 44
Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 5
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 2
'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 1
Large Gull Sp. 57

We left Poole at 08h00 in good weather conditions: cloudy, but only a moderate wind and little waves so expectations were high - and they were met!

Soon after we left, the first Harbour Porpoises were seen. Early afternoon we spotted a very distant Minke Whale, and only a couple of minutes later, a second Minke surfaced quite close to the ship. Small groups of Bottlenose Dolphins were seen at several locations. As sunset began, a group of Common Dolphin joined the ferry to bow ride. Fabulous!

The first day was also enlivened by three adult Sabines's Gulls and good numbers of Great Skua (47) and Fulmar (64). Further sightings included 4 Balearic and 6 Manx Shearwaters, 25 Storm-Petrels and 1000+ Gannets.

August is a great month in the Bay of Biscay, where we started the next day. Weather conditions were again excellent for observation: only a light wind and small waves.

The most spectacular sighting was a group of 4 Northern Bottlenose Whales that surfaced just in front of the ferry. Some groups of Common Dolphin (totaling 72 individuals) were seen as well as 3 Cuvier's Beaked Whales. Three Fin Whales were also recorded and two whale blows were left unidentified.

When we left Santander, we were initially trapped in a dense fog bank which reduced visibility to less than 300m, but luckily it disappeared quickly. On the Northbound part of the trip a single Fin Whale and 19 Common Dolphin were added to the list. Some notable birds were seen including good sightings of Great Shearwater (15), Cory's Shearwater (2), Manx/Yelkouan Shearwater (3) and another stunning adult Sabine's Gull.

On the third day, back in the Channel, 30 more Common Dolphin were seen. Several small groups of Harbour Porpoise (totaling 22 individuals) were observed in calm seas. We noted a good number of seabirds as well, including 93 Fulmars, 11 Balearic Shearwaters, 4 Great Shearwaters, 2 Cory's Shearwaters, 3 Sooty Shearwaters and 9 Manx Shearwaters as well as another adult Sabine's Gull.

Our thanks go to all the bridge crew members who were extremely interested in the sightings during the survey.

Stephen Dunstan and Diederik Dherte, Research Surveyors for MARINElife

Maggie Gamble and Sharon Morris: MARINElife Research Surveyors
Weather: Southbound SW 3-6 with moderate swells. Northbound NW 3-7 with heavy swells. Visibility variable with patches of heavy rain.

Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus ~4 (blows only)
Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 1
Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 14 (including 1 juvenile & 1 calf)
Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 3
Unidentified Dolphin Species 1

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 10
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 1
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 38
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 31
European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 3
Gannet Morus bassanus 150
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 14
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 36
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 4
Common Tern Sterna hirundo  3

Adrian Shephard and James Darke, MARINElife Research Surveyors
Weather: Southbound WSW-W 2-5 with heavy swells. Northbound W-SW 1-5 with moderate swells.

Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1
Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 12
Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 2
Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 215
Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 17
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 3
Unidentified Dolphin Species 15
Unidentified Small Whale Species 1

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 2
Unidentified Shark Species 2

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 73
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 38
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 4
European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 3
Gannet Morus bassanus 751
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 2
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 56
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 36
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 2
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 2
'Commic Tern' Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 2
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 3
Guillemot Uria aalge 7
Unidentified large gull species 1
Unidentified Shearwater species 1

Racing Pigeon Columba livia 5

Martin Gillingham, Simon Boswell, MARINElife Research Surveyors
Weather: Southbound S-N 2-5. Northbound N-SSW 1-7 with a very large swell in northern Biscay

Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 1
Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 12
Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 70
Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 181
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 3

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 33
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 15
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 1
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 1
European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 53
Gannet Morus bassanus 394
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 4
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 2
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 55
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 5
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 2
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 7
'Commic Tern' Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 26
Guillemot Uria aalge 20
Razorbill Alca torda 1
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer 1

Feral Pigeon Columba livia 31
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 6
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 2
Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 3
House Martin Delichon urbica 2
Unidentified pipit species 1

Darren Fanner, John Down, MARINElife Research Surveyors
Weather: Southbound SW-NNE 0-4 in Channel, E 3-4 in Biscay. Northbound NE 3-6 in Biscay, ENE 2-4 in Channel

Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 3
Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 22
Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 18
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1
Unidentified large Rorqual species 4
Unidentified Dolphin Species 6

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 43+
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 4
Gannet Morus bassanus 475+
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 7
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 17
Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 2
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 4
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 26
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 4
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 6
'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 64
Puffin Fratercula arctica 4
Guillemot Uria aalge 115
Razorbill Alca torda 6
Unidentified Tern Species 20
Unidentified Auk Species 60
Unidentified Gull Species 112+

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 1
Unidentified small Wader Species 2
Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 2
Common Swift Apus apus 1
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 3
Unidentified Hirundine Species 1

Mike Bailey, Philip Dutt, MARINElife Research Surveyors
Weather: Southbound SW 2-3 in Channel, 1-3 in Biscay. Northbound NE 3-4 in Biscay, 0-2 in Channel

Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1
Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 5
Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 27
Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 57
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 8
Unidentified small whale species 1

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 1

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 61
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 2
Gannet Morus bassanus 870
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 13
Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 2
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 18
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 4
Common Gull Larus canus 2
Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 53
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 94
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 7
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 53
Little Gull Larus minutus 1
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 64
Little Auk Alle alle 1
Guillemot Uria aalge 634
Razorbill Alca torda 27
Unidentified Auk species 68
Unidentified Black-backed gull species 7
Unidentified large gull species 439
Unidentified small gull species 7

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 1
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 1
Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 1
Robin Erithacus rubecula 4
Sand Martin Riparia riparia 5
Starling Sturnus vulgaris  5
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 6
Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 1
Unidentified wader species 4
Unidentified pipit species 4
Unidentified wagtail species 3
Unidentified phylloscopus warbler species 1
Unidentified warbler species 1
Unidentified passerine species 17

Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus 1 (soaring over Santander harbour)

Peter Howlett, Joe O'Hanlon, MARINElife Research Surveyors

Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 78
Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 4
Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 115
Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 30

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 21
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1
Gannet Morus bassanus 504
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 41
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 4
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 25
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 7
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 21
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 11
Little Gull Larus minutus 2
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 163
Guillemot Uria aalge 71
Razorbill Alca torda 221
Unientified Auk Species 142
Unidentified large Gull Species 103

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 1

Michael Bamford, Durwyn Liley, MARINElife Research Surveyors

Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2 (probable)
Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 3 (probable)
Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 140

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 2
Gannet Morus bassanus 145
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 17
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 6
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 4
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 5
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 80
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 2
Guillemot Uria aalge 84
Razorbill Alca torda 106
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata 3
Unidentified Auk Species 27
Unidentified Gull Species 150

Peter Howlett, David Chilcott, MARINElife Research Surveyors
Weather: Southbound SW-W 6-7, large swell, especially in western Channel, SE 2 in Biscay. Northbound E 2 with large swell in Biscay, SSW 2 in Channel

Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 6
Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 12
Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 250
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1
Unidentified Dolphin species 12

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 4
Gannet Morus bassanus 122
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 16
Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 5
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 18
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 8
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 45
Guillemot Uria aalge 68
Razorbill Alca torda 37
Unidentified Petrel species 1
Unidentified Auk species 100

Most of the Short-beaked Common Dolphin were seen in the Channel south of Start Point, including one spread out group of 130 animals.