Miraculously we managed to get out on a Sea Trust Dolphin Survey yesterday on the Celtic Wildcat after a week of gale force winds and with the weather set to become stormy again later today. We were left sweating as to whether we would see any Dolphins as it was nearly 3 p.m. until we saw any when relatively close to land having been out to the Celtic Deep and drawn a blank. Thereafter we had some great encounters with some 150 Common Dolphins in all with one pod riding the bow wave for 20 mins or more.
The abscence of cetaceans in the first part of the trip was, however, well compensated for by the birds. Once out of the Haven we quickly saw small parties of Sandwich Terns and, whilst still quite close to shore, a lone Grey Phalarope which gave good views but sadly did not linger for photos. Kittiwakes were seen in good numbers all day and a total of 6 Sabines Gulls. Several Common Terns also passed the boat. Grassholm still has plenty of Gannets though numbers have thinned since I was last there a few weeks ago, with plenty of youngsters seen on the sea. A single Artic Skua was seen harassing a Commic Tern and the highlight for birds came when we caught up with a trawler which had a trail of birds behind it, 12 - 15 Stormies, loads of Kittiwakes and Fulmars, a few Gannets and 4 Bonxies.
To finish off the birds on the trip a small brown job flew around the boat when we were some 15 miles out eventually landing on the toecap of one of the passengers. Surely in view of it's location a Booted Warbler! Sadly no it was a Reed Warbler which was duly rescued and released safely when we got back to Neyland. For more pics click here
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