Heysham-Dublin survey 10 October

The previous survey on this route having been carried out only a fortnight ago, we thought our sightings might be roughly similar, but it turns out that two weeks is a long time for wildlife and things were quieter. There were still some interesting highlights, so our time as guests of the Seatruck Panorama was well spent.

It was still very dark when we met for a tasty, cooked breakfast at 07:00, and by 07:45 we had been welcomed to the bridge and could see well enough to start our survey. This began with a group of five Gannet flying right outside the windows, while regular sightings of Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill and a steady stream of mostly adult Gannet followed.

Razorbill (Library photo: Peter Howlett)

Then just as the ship was entering the channel into Dublin port, a group of feeding auks and gulls was seen with a single Harbour Porpoise joining the fray. The ship was a little ahead of schedule, so we closed the survey at Poolbeg Lighthouse at 08:49 and enjoyed relaxed views of a couple of Atlantic Grey Seal, a swirl of waders over the rocky northern breakwater, and a number of Black Guillemot in their smart winter plumage, as we made our way to Seatruck berth.

After only an hour’s survey we were hardly ready for a break, but nevertheless enjoyed some time on deck, although because it was high water there were not many gulls or other birds to be seen. The busy port is always fun to watch though, with ships manoeuvring, containers being moved around like chess pieces, and even a boat-full of people off on a tour of Dublin Bay!

Arctic Skua (Library photo: Peter Howlett)

The afternoon’s survey was more of a challenge, with the wind increasing steadily to force 7 and the swell making itself felt even on the bridge. The ship however managed to steer a course through threatening-looking conditions on all sides and we recorded Gannet, Razorbill, Fulmar, Kittiwake and Guillemot, usually single birds or small groups. A couple of Manx Shearwaters were seen – late leavers for their annual migration. The main excitement was an Arctic Skua crossing in front and almost below us, so that we had a good if very brief view of its characteristic outline. Otherwise, we managed to pick out individual auks from the breaking waves and wind-flecked seas, with the occasional gull as we neared the Lancashire coast.

It is always a pleasure to do a survey on board a Seatruck ship - their officers and staff are welcoming and hospitable, both on board and shore-side, and we are grateful to the Panorama’s master for allowing us to survey from the bridge.

Jenny Ball and Tony Marshall, Research Surveyors for MARINElife (Registered Charity No. 1110884; Registered Company No. 5057367)

Weather

Outward: Wind: S 20kn reducing to 10kn. Overcast but reasonable visibility and low sea state

Return: Wind: S/SW 20kn increasing to 30kn; Swell: 2m; Visibility and sea state reasonable

Summary of sightings:

Marine Mammals

Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1

Seabirds

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 16

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 3

Gannet Morus bassanus 62

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 5

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 2

Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle 1

Guillemot Uria aalge 76

Razorbill Alca torda 27

Auk sp. 74

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 21

Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 60

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 2

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 2

Herring Gull Larus argentatus 18

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1