This was the first MARINElife Wildlife Officer (WLO) day trip that I’ve undertaken on the Condor Liberation from Poole to Guernsey. It was almost midday when we boarded the Liberation in Poole, bound for Guernsey. The sky was a dark grey, with Corfe Castle and the Isle of Purbeck almost lost in the mist, even so a small group of passengers joined me on the viewing deck.
As we passed the lagoon on Brownsea Island we spotted large groups of both Cormorant and Oystercatcher and one Spoonbill huddled at the back near the bushes. There was also a mixed group of waders which included Curlew. Unfortunately, before we reached the Sandbanks ferry thick misty rain swept across the ship, and the visibility became very poor. We were well across the Channel before the rain stopped and the sky started to clear.
Approaching Alderney, we had close views of a flock of over one hundred Manx Shearwater flying over the waves. The Ortac Gannet colony was very busy, with one large mixed-aged group of Gannet fishing in the rough waters nearby.
After disembarkation in Guernsey, I walked towards St. Sampson. Black-headed and Herring Gull dominated the beaches. Back in St Peter Port I admired the statue of Victor Hugo with a huge Octopus!
The sun was setting as we departed Guernsey. So, there was just enough time for some close views of a few Gannet and four Kittiwake.
Many thanks to the staff of Condor Ferries for their assistance and making me so welcome.
MARINElife/Condor WLO Judith Tatem
Weather: Misty rain clearing to sunny intervals, breezy
Summary of Sightings
Seabirds
Gannet
Oystercatcher
Manx Shearwater
Kittiwake
Black-headed Gull
Cormorant
Shag
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gul
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