Marinelife Lyme Bay Sightings

Fea's Petrel 22nd August West Bay

24 Aug 2009 14:00:00 GMT

22nd August 2009, Dorset, up to 30 miles South of West Bay
5 Common Scoter, 4 Manx Shearwater, 3 Storm Petrel, 3 Great Skua, 2 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Arctic Skua and 1 rare sighting of Fea’s Petrel recorded by Peter Jones during an Opportunistic Survey on Huntress II of West Bay.

Sightings: 19 - 24 August Lyme Bay

24 Aug 2009 14:00:00 GMT

24th August 2009, Channel Islands, near Braye Harbour, Alderney
2 Striped Dolphin recorded by Stephen Wall-Palmer during an angling trip on Trio III

Dorset, Lyme Bay, approx. 4 miles South of West Bay
3 Gannet flying South over boat, 2 Fulmar, 1 Sooty Shearwater feeding around the boat for approx. 10 minutes, and several mixed Gull Species recorded by Tony Smith of the angling/cruise boat, Christine Anne

23rd August 2009, Channel Islands, Alderney
Manx Shearwater recorded at 12:00 hours approx. 9 miles South of Alderney and Harbour Porpoise recorded at 17:45 hours near Braye Harbour, Alderney, by Stephen Wall-Palmer during an angling trip on Trio III

22nd August 2009, Cornwall, Fal Estuary
5 – 8 Dolphin Species were observed at 08:30 hours in the Fal Estuary in addition to Manx Shearwater at 12:00 hours, approx 7 miles West of St. Anthony’s Head, by Ken Dodgson of Leo1.

Dorset, Lyme Bay, near Royal Adelaide wreck off Chesil Beach
A very active, large Ocean Sunfish was recorded around the wreck of the Royal Adelaide, approx. 150m off Chesil Beach at 16:00 hours by Tony Smith of the angling/cruise boat, Christine Anne

20th August 2009, Dorset, Lyme Bay, approx. 4 miles South of West Bay
Gannet sat on sea surface reported by Tony Smith of the angling/cruise boat, Christine Anne

19th August 2009, Cornwall, Falmouth, approx. 4 miles South West of St Anthony’s Head
1 Manx Shearwater recorded at 09:00 hours by Ken Dodgson of Leo1.

Sightings: 9 - 18 August Lyme Bay

21 Aug 2009 14:00:00 GMT

18th August 2009, Transect Survey from Lulworth Cove to tip of Portland Bill (approx. 18 km)
A surprisingly quiet transect survey with 5 Herring Gull (of which 2 Juvenile), 2 Shag, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 Gannet recorded by Mike Bailey and Kate Lewis onboard the Huntress II. 2 Fulmar, 1 Yellow Legged Gull and 1 Phalacrocorax Sp. were recorded off transect.

14th August 2009, Dorset, Poole Bay up to 25 km SSE of Poole Harbour
Carol Greig recorded 37 Gannet, 20 Common Tern, 22 Fulmar, 5 Shag and 4 Cormorant during an Opportunistic Survey onboard Poole fishing vessel Rapid Return.

9th August 2009, Cornwall, Penzance to Lands End coastal trip, up to 19km SW of Penzance
Two sightings of 3 Dolphin Species, 23 Gannet, 4 Oystercatcher, 3 Fulmar, Common Buzzard and Manx Shearwater were recorded by David Chilcott during an Opportunistic Survey with Adrian Thomas on Mermaid Pleasure Trips. In addition, Grey Seals were seen off the rocks off Mousehole and 1 Ocean Sunfish.

Sightings: 26 July - 15 August Lyme Bay

17 Aug 2009 14:00:00 GMT

15th August 2009, Cornwall, Gwennap Head
c140 Common Dolphin inc 40 calves, 700m from shore, 1 Great Shearwater, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 59 Manx Shearwater, 7 Kittiwake, 1 Arctic Skua, 3 Great Skua, 6 Common Scoter. Recorded during a land watch by Martin Gillingham.

14th August 2009, Cornwall, Gwennap Head
3 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Great Skua, 19 Kittiwake, 78 Manx Shearwater, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Puffin. Recorded during a land watch by Martin Gillingham.

13th August 2009, Dorset, Lyme Bay approx. 10k SSW of West Bay
2 Fulmar seen feeding amongst a group of mixed gulls at 12:00hrs from the angling/cruise boat Christine Anne

12th August 2009, Cornwall, Gwennap Head
1 Great Skua, 18 Kittiwake, 25+ Manx Shearwater, 1 Storm Petrel, 1 Grey Seal, 1 Harbour Porpoise. Recorded during a land watch by Martin Gillingham.

11th August, Cornwall, Scillonian III Crossing from Penzance to St. Mary’s
9 Harbour Porpoise, 5 Ocean Sunfish, 1 Grey Seal, 33 Storm Petrel, 27 Manx Shearwater, 10 Fulmar, 150+ Gannet, 3 Common Tern, 2 Sandwich Tern, 8 Dunlin, 1 Turnstone, 2 Unidentified large Shearwater (probable Great Shearwater). Recorded by Martin Gillingham.

9th August 2009, Naturetrek/Marinelife Pelagic Lyme Bay
White-beaked Dolphin 18, Balearic Shearwater 5, Manx Shearwater 300, Sooty Shearwater 1, Great Skua 10, Arctic Tern 1, Little Gull

Devon, Plymouth
David Curtis recorded a good species range of birds including 49 Storm Petrel, 4 Arctic Skua, 2 Manx Shearwater, 8 Common Tern and 72 Fulmar during an Opportunistic Survey on an angling trip with Geordie Dickson of C-Cheetah.

8th August 2009, Naturetrek/Marinelife Pelagic Lyme Bay
White-beaked Dolphin 20+, Harbour Porpoise 3, Balearic Shearwater 1, Manx Shearwater 240, Sooty Shearwater 3, Great Skua 3, Sandwich Tern 6, Common Tern 1

Dorset, Swanage
Bryan Coates recorded a single flock of 17 Common Scoter amongst more typical seabirds during an Opportunistic Survey on a diving trip with Martin Jones of Sidewinder.

7th August 2009, Naturetrek/Marinelife Pelagic Lyme Bay
White-beaked Dolphin 39, Balearic Shearwater 2, Manx Shearwater 38, Great Skua 2, Arctic Skua 1, Pomarine Skua 1, Common Scoter 3, Sandwich Tern 4
Also large east/north easterly movement of Large White butterflies (and hoverflies) noted across Lyme Bay through the day.

Dorset, up to 30 miles South East of Poole
Shearwater sp. 1, Fulmar 3, Gannet 50, Kittiwake (juvenile) 1, Great Black-backed Gull 2, Herring Gull 2, "Commic" Tern 13, juvenile Gull sp. 6, Large White butterflies also noted. Opportunistic survey by Darren Fanner.

6th August 2009, Naturetrek/Marinelife Pelagic Lyme Bay
08:30-17:15 F0-3.5 light NW wind, dull with frequent showers
White-beaked Dolphin 20, Harbour Porpoise 1, Sooty Shearwater 2, European Storm-petrel 11, Manx Shearwater 10, Great Skua 9, Arctic Skua 1, Little Egret 3, Green Sandpiper 1, Common Scoter 1, Common Tern 4

5th August 2009, Dorset, Lyme Bay
Fulmar reported feeding around the angling/sightseeing cruise boat, Christine Anne, approx. 11km SE of Lyme Regis.

4th August 2009, Devon, Berry Head
Ocean Sunfish, 2 Harbour Porpoise, 11 Balearic Shearwater, 113 Manx Shearwater, European Storm-petrel, Common Scoter, 677 Gannet, 2 Pomarine Skua, 2 Arctic Skua, 12 Great Skua, 2 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 173 (16 juveniles) Kittiwake, 18 Sandwich Tern, 127 Common Tern, 2 Puffin, Razorbill recorded during a land-based watch by Mark Darlaston.

3rd August 2009, Devon, Berry Head
2 Harbour Porpoise (including an animal unusually repeatedly breaching), 17 Balearic Shearwater, 347 Manx Shearwater, 5 European Storm-petrel, 6 Common Scoter, 233 Gannet, 5 Arctic Skua, 4 Great Skua, juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 55 Kittiwake, 11 Sandwich Tern, 256 Common Tern, and 1 Puffin recorded during a land-based watch by Mark Darlaston.

2nd August 2009, Cornwall, Mounts Bay, approx. up to 8 miles SW of Penzance
Skipper, Nicky Morse, reported approx. 15 Common Dolphin observed chasing a shoal of fish and another group of 6 Common Dolphin reported heading West in Mounts Bay during an angling trip with Viking Charters. Dolphin sp. also reported in Mounts Bay, approximately 4 miles South of Lamorna Cove.

Devon, Coastal trip from Dartmouth to Start Point and Bolt Tail
David Chilcott recorded a feeding frenzy of Gannet and distant Shearwater sp. during an Opportunistic Survey onboard a diving trip with the Falcon of Dartmouth.

Cornwall, up to 9 miles off Lizard Peninsula
1 Balearic Shearwater, approx. 30 Storm Petrel and 1 Ocean Sunfish recorded by Steve Bury during an Opportunistic Survey onboard an angling trip with the Blue Pointer.

1st August 2009, Devon, Brixham to Skerries Bank, approx. 8 miles SSW of Brixham
During an Opportunistic Survey with Kelly’s Hero, Mark Darlaston recorded a good passage of Gannet heading south through Lyme bay, 153 seen with groups up to 18. Also 1 Manx Shearwater, 7 Sandwich Tern, 5 Common Tern, 25 Common Scoter, and 2 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull.

Solent, Warner Shoal
Juvenile Balearic Shearwater recorded approximately 5km South of Southsea by Andy Snow of Sea Fox.

31 July 2009 - Hampshire, approx. 50 miles South of Portsmouth
Bryan Coates recorded 3 Storm Petrel during an Opportunistic Survey onboard an angling trip with Trio III.

30 July 2009 - Cornwall, Penzance to St. Mary’s: Return leg on the Scillonian III Ferry
David Chilcott recorded 1 Marsh Sandpiper on Scilly Isles, as well as distant Dolphin Sp., Storm Petrel and Manx Shearwater during the return journey from St Mary’s to Penzance.

Devon, up to 30 miles South of Looe
4 Storm Petrel, 4 Fulmar plus the usual Gull species and Gannet were recorded by David Curtis during an Opportunistic Survey onboard an angling trip with Swallow.

29 July 2009 - Devon, Berry Head
3 Harbour Porpoise, 13 Balearic Shearwater, 237 Manx Shearwater, 5 European Storm-petrel, 12 Common Scoter, 446 Gannet, 3 Arctic Skua, Great Skua, juv Yellow-legged Gull, 33 Kittiwake, 49 Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Tern, 8 Puffin, Razorbill. 0800-1800. Land-based watch by Mark Darlaston.

28 July 2009 - Devon, Berry Head
17 Balearic Shearwater, 134 Manx Shearwater, 2 European Storm-petrel, 5 Common Scoter, 75 Gannet, juv Yellow-legged Gull, 23 Kittiwake, 6 Sandwich Tern, 6 Common Tern, Puffin. 1300-1800. Land-based watch by Mark Darlaston.

Hampshire, Langstone Harbour
2 Harbour Porpoise reported near the throat of Langstone Harbour entrance.

27 July - various sites in Lyme Bay
4 Balearic Shearwater seen scavenging around a fishing boat 3 miles south of West Bay
2 Balearic Shearwater 14 miles south-east of Portland Bill and large numbers of European Storm-petrel. Also 10 Common Dolphin in the Hurd Deep all seen from the Tiger Lily
A Cory's Shearwater seen by JNCC Seabirds at Sea Team surveyors 10 miles south of Sidmouth.

Dorset, Eastern end of Shambles Bank off Portland Bill, approx. 9 miles SSE of Weymouth
1 Balearic Shearwater recorded resting on the sea surface by Dave Gibson during his angling trip on Lady Godiva.

26 July - Lyme Bay, Dorset up to 30 miles SW of Weymouth
Up to 7 Balearic Shearwater and 7 Great Skua and 21 European Storm-petrel amongst the other more regular seabirds during an opportunistic survey with the Tiger Lily

Devon, Berry Head
Harbour Porpoise, 34 Balearic Shearwater, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 59 Manx Shearwater, 1 European Storm-petrel, 33 Common Scoter, 220 Gannet, 5 Arctic Skua, 3 Great Skua, 45 Kittiwake, 26 Sandwich Tern, 25 Common Tern, 11 Puffin, Little Egret. 0800-1400. Land-based watch by Mark Darlaston.

Sightings: 7 - 25 July Lyme Bay

07 Jun 2009 14:00:00 GMT

21 July - off Old Harry Rocks, Dorset
1 Balearic Shearwater seen approx. half mile off Old Harry Rocks flying past during an angling trip with Merve Minns, of Our Gemma

20 July - Falmouth, Cornwall
10 Bottlenose Dolphin (8 Adult; 2 Calf) recorded by David Chilcott during an Opportunistic Survey with Seaquest of Falmouth

19 July - Bournemouth, Dorset
1 Balearic Shearwater seen resting on the sea surface, approx. 1 mile off coast of Bournemouth during angling trip with Merve Minns, of Our Gemma

Weymouth, Dorset
Manx and Balearic Shearwater recorded by Darren Edwards during an Opportunistic Survey with Chris Caines, Tiger Lily

18 July - Falmouth
9 Manx Shearwater, 5 Shearwater Sp. flying in the distance and 7 Shearwater Sp. circling a boat (Ken Dodgson, Leo1)

Naturetrek/Marinelife Pelagic off Portland Bill
16:45-20:45 F2-4 westerly, sunny spells and scattered showers
Balearic Shearwater 6+, Manx Shearwater 13, Common Tern 18, Guillemot 1, Razorbill 1, Gannet 21, Shag 18, Cormorant 7, Fulmar 3, Great Black-backed Gull 13, Herring Gull 44, Oystercatcher 1, Grey Heron 1

16 July - Poole Bay, Dorset
Balearic Shearwater seen diving under a raft of weed during an angling trip with John Stevenson of Blue Duo, Poole

12 July – Near Scylla Wreck, Devon
Sunfish seen during diving trip with www.maidmaggie.com

9 July – Manacles Reef, Falmouth, Cornwall
A Minke Whale seen 8 miles South of Manacles Reef during an angling trip with Gordon Howells, of Madeleine May, Falmouth

Bigbury Bay, Devon
2 Sunfish, one jumped out of the water. Seen during a diving trip with www.maidmaggie.com

8 July - Off Old Harry Rocks, Poole Bay, Dorset
A Balearic Shearwater scavenging 2km offshore around the angling boat www.crimsontidecharters.co.uk

Poole & Bournemouth, Dorset
Balearic Shearwater seen approx 12 miles South of Poole as well as Storm Petrel observed 2 miles off coast of Bournemouth during an angling trip with John Stevenson of Blue Duo, Poole

30 June - 6 July - West Bay
1-2 Mediterannean Gulls

5 July - 7 West Bay
Grey Seal

Porth Kerris Beach, Cornwall
6 Bottlenose Dolphin

Berry Head
6 Balearic Shearwater, 4 Harbour Porpoise

4 July - Berry Head
Ocean Sunfish

Off Manacle Point, near Falmouth
Manx Shearwater

3 July - West Bay
Arctic Skua from a fishing boat 3 miles offshore

Sightings: 3rd July Lyme Bay

07 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT

3rd July - Lyme Bay
7 White-beaked Dolphin

Sightings: 29 May - 5 June Lyme Bay

07 Jun 2009 14:00:00 GMT

5 June - Lyme Bay
12 Bottlenose Dolphin SW of Portland Bill
30 Common Dolphin south of Seaton

4 June - Lyme Bay
A possible Basking Shark off Burton Bradstock

31 May - Lyme Bay
15 Common Dolphin off Budleigh Salterton

29 May - Lyme Bay, East of Berry Head
100 Bottlenose Dolphin

Lyme Bay Sightings - February to May

16 May 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Sightings from Lyme Bay and the surrounding area, including from joint Natural England/Marinelife surveys since February have included Common, 50+ Bottlenose and White-beaked Dolphin, Harbour Porpoise, Grey Seal, Manx Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, Pomarine Skua, Great Skua, Puffin.

Press Release: New Hope For Endangered Marine Animals

21 Mar 2009 14:00:00 GMT

White-beaked Dolphin and Balearic Shearwater to become the focus of a research collaboration between ‘Marinelife’ and Natural England in Lyme Bay, Dorset.

‘Marinelife’ the marine conservation charity, has been building relationships with the local community in Dorset over the last three years, in particular angling, dive and fishing boat operators which has facilitated a research project in the waters of Lyme Bay. The project has established the area as an important habitat for two threatened marine animals – the White-Beaked Dolphin and the Balearic Shearwater.