MARINElife/Lundy WLO: Megan Strachan I arrived at the shore office in Ilfracombe to collect my ticket and introduced myself to some passengers who were excited about the journey across to Lundy. Whilst waiting to board I met Kevin and Matthew who would be conducting the MARINElife survey, the first on this route since the pandemic began. On boarding I made my way to the front of the vessel, introduced myself to the crew and collected my hi-viz.
The sea was very calm and with overcast skies, viewing conditions were optimal. As we headed out of Ilfracombe we passed a large group of adult and juvenile Herring Gulls sat together on the rocks. Once the passengers had settled into the journey, I made my way around the decks to introduce myself and hand out some MARINElife leaflets. I drew attention to the images and pointed out the wildlife we were likely to see on the crossing.
On the journey to Lundy we picked up Manx Shearwater and a few passing Gannets. The survey team and some passengers were lucky to witness a brief passing of two small pods of Common Dolphin. We arrived at Landing Bay on a low tide, with views of six Grey seals hauled out on the rocks of Rat Island. The water was crystal clear with the sun beginning to shine through the clouds.
I departed the vessel after thanking the crew for a pleasant journey across and made my way up the path for a picnic with views over Landing Bay. For my first trip to the island, I wanted to see as much as possible so walked around the coastal path around the Atlantic side of the island, up to halfway wall. I saw a good amount of wildlife on Lundy, including the feral goats, Soay sheep, long-horn cows, and Lundy ponies. With the time for re-boarding approaching, I continued along halfway wall and made my way along the east coast side back to Landing Bay. There was time to get a few snaps of the Grey Seals around Rat Island and get a glimpse of a Compass jellyfish before boarding the Oldenburg for the return journey.
The weather caught up with us on the return journey but despite the rain, it was a very pleasant crossing with flat calm sea. Lots more Manx Shearwaters, Gannets and a few Shags on the return journey, and I was treated to a close fly-by from a pair of Fulmar as we neared Ilfracombe.
We arrived back into Ilfracombe with music from the Bird-Man festival and a very busy pier. I thanked the crew of the Oldenburg for a very enjoyable first crossing and I look forward to sailing with them again soon.
Marine mammals: Common Dolphin
Grey Seal
Seabirds:
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Fulmar
Shag
Gannet
Manx Shearwater