It was almost midday when we boarded the Condor Liberation in Poole, bound for Guernsey. Although overcast and a little breezy, it was fairly warm on the viewing deck as we waited to depart, and a few passengers enquired what wildlife we were likely to see on the crossing.
As we passed the lagoon on Brownsea Island we spotted a large flock of Oystercatchers and a few Cormorants, although the skies were empty of the usual Common and Sandwich Terns which may have already migrated south having raised their chicks.
Around mid-Channel we spotted a few Manx Shearwaters skimming the waves. Although mostly in small groups we were delighted to spot a flock of around 30 birds low to the water as we approached Alderney. We also saw a fair few Gannets, including a few dark juveniles, around the very busy colony on Ortac as we passed close by.
The wind had dropped for the return journey, making the sea a little smoother, but as it was evening the light made wildlife spotting difficult. Several passengers mentioned having seen dolphins from the ferry on their way to the Channel Islands a week or so earlier, and quite a few were curious about the small dark birds flying low over the water and we were happy to explain about the extraordinary lives of the Manx Shearwaters. Although it was getting fairly dark as we passed Alderney and the Gannet colonies again, we managed to spot a few of the birds and point them out.
Many thanks to Condor Ferries for welcoming us aboard!
If you like the sound of joining one of our trips to Guernsey from Poole, then you can book online at https://www.marine-life.org.uk/daytrips.
Weather: overcast with sunny spells, breezy
Summary of Sightings
Seabirds:
Gannet
Oystercatcher
Manx Shearwater
Black-headed Gull
Cormorant
Shag
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
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