From the middle of the Irish Sea . . . .

We have successfully released 60 Manx shearwaters into the western side of the Irish Sea this evening.  They all flew off happily down to the sea, probably relieved to smell the salt air again.

In addition we saw a few seabirds - including common, arctic, roseate and little terns, adult Sabine's gull, juvenile pomarine skua, bonxie, guillemots, puffins.  No cetaceans today.

Many thanks to Stena and staff for allowing us to use their ship - and to Cliff for organising it.  Not forgetting John Hayes and Jeans Haines and all others who have been looking after the shearwaters since they were stranded. And to the volunteers who helped us with the release.