The port of Dover was bathed in late summer sunshine as we drove on to the Cote d’Opale, hopeful of good survey conditions. Having been shown to the bridge and welcomed by the officers and crew, we settled down to wait quietly while the ship unmoored and set sail. As we emerged from the harbour, we took up position on the starboard side of the bridge and began recording.
The sea state was favourable for sighting marine mammals and visibility was fair, although a light mist hampered distant observations and glare reduced visibility off the starboard bow for the first half of the outward voyage.
The first thirty minutes saw regular sightings of Gannet, including a good selection of ages of immature birds. Around mid-Channel, we spotted some large gulls on the water with a darker companion; a small group of Great Black-backed Gull with a Great Skua attendant. Several distant terns were seen but could not be identified to species.
Nearing the French coast, a Harbour Porpoise was spotted about 300 metres way, shortly followed by two sightings of lone Harbour Seal.
A Mute Swan surprised us as it overtook the ship, seemingly heading in from the open sea.
As we arrived at Calais, a group of Harbour Seals were lying on the beach on the far side of the harbour, as is often the case.
Gannet again predominated on the return voyage to England, with Great Black-backed Gull by far the most numerous gull. Two Sandwich Tern, a lone Fulmar and several Kittiwake were also recorded.
A spy hopping Harbour Seal put in an appearance as we closed in on Dover harbour, and shortly thereafter we ended the survey.
Thanks to Captain Jean Pierre Etienne, his officers and crew for their warm welcome and for allowing us to carry out our survey.
Patrick Hatch and Carol Farmer-Wright, Research Surveyors for MARINElife (Registered Charity No. 1110884; Registered Company No. 5057367)
Weather
Outbound – fair visibility, with light mist and some glare at first, wind NE, sea state 2
Return – similar conditions, with persistent light mist, wind E-NE, sea state 2-3
Summary of sightings
Marine Mammals
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1
Harbour Seal Phoca vitulina 3
Seabirds
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 3
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 1
Gannet Morus bassanus 49
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 25
Great Skua Stercorarius skua 1
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 5
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 3
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 6
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 1
Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis 2
Larus sp. 9
Gull sp. 3
Tern sp. 3
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