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October

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 29 - 31 October 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Marinelife Community and Operations Officer

Weather: Southbound NW 3-4 to W5, Northbound WNW 8-10, heavy squalls
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 772, Dolphin Sp. 20, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 2

Common Dolphin

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 1

BDRP Survey Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 26 - 28 October 2008 - Jo Wharam, John Day and Andy Phillips

Large Rorqual sp. 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 213, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 3, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 12, Dolphin Sp. 3

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 2

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 2, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 3, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 1, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 269, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 55, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 3, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 2, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 11, Little Gull Larus minutus 1, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 19, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 1, Puffin Fratercula arctica 4, Razorbill Alca torda 2, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 1, Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 26 - 28 October 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Wildlife Officer

Weather: Southbound WSW 8-6, Northbound NW-N 2-7
Large Rorqual sp. 2, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 224, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 3, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 12, Dolphin Sp. 3

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 2

Common Dolphin

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 23 - 25 October 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Wildlife Officer

Weather: Southbound SW 7-3, Northbound SE 3-1
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 6, Large Rorqual Whale spp 7, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 8, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2, Beaked Whale spp. 3, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 5, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 91, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 13, Dolphin spp. 107

NB: The Pride of Bilbao has had a scheduled 2 day lay-over in Portsmouth hence there are no sightings reports from 21-23 October.

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 19 - 21 October 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound SSE 3, Northbound SW 1-5
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 18, Large Rorqual Whale spp 7, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 6, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 3 (breaching), Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 6, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 25, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 17, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 15

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 16 - 18 October 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP

Long-Finned Pilot Whale

Weather: Southbound NW 2-3; Northbound E 2-3
Large Rorqual Whale spp 3, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 3, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 9, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 4, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 68, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 172

NB: The Pride of Bilbao has had a scheduled 2 day lay-over in Portsmouth hence there are no sightings reports from 13-16 October.

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 11 - 13 October 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Wildlife Officer

Weather: Southbound ESE to SE 2-4, Northbound SSE to SE 2
Large Rorqual Whale spp 2, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 8, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 127, Dolphin spp 9

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 8 - 10 October 2008 - John Arnott & Clive Martin, BDRP Wildlife Officers

Harbour Porpoise

Weather: Southbound WNW to N 3-1; Northbound NE 3-2
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 8, Large Rorqual Whale spp 17, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 2, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 82, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 393, Dolphin spp 18, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 2

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 5 - 7 October 2008 - Emma Webb & Clive Martin, BDRP Wildlife Officers

Weather: Southbound W 10-5, (Day 2) SE 2; Northbound NE-SE 2 (Day 2) SW 7
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 15, Large Rorqual Whale spp 5, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 6, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 56, Dolphin spp 38
Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 4, Large Shark spp (not Basking Shark) 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 2 - 4 October 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound NW 8-6, heavy squalls; Northbound NW 3
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 2, Large Rorqual Whale spp 4, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 74

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September

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 29 September - 1 October 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound N5-3; Northbound NNW3-8
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 33, Large Rorqual Whale spp 17, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 33, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 33, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 41
Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 3

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 26 - 28 September 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Wildlife Officer

Weather: Southbound E3-6; Northbound ENE3-4
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 8, Large Rorqual Whale spp 39, Large Whale spp 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 97, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 46, Dolphin spp 3, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1
Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 3

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 23 - 25 September 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound E 5-2, Northbound E 2-3
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 14, Large Rorqual sp. 11, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 5, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 59, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 1, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 20, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 33

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry BDRP Whale & Dolphin Themed Cruise 19 - 22 September 2008 - Clive Martin, Emma Webb, John Arnott, Adrian Shephard, Tom Brereton, Jo Wharam, Andrew Boulden, Suzie Cartwright, Peter Hutchinson, Mike Bailey, Russell Neave

Sperm Whale

Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 16, Large Rorqual spp 34, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 2, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 11, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 3, Beaked Whale Sp. 1 (breaching), Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 22, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 51, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 43, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 8, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 28, Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 3

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 4, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 4, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 3, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 1, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 17, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 234, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 13, Red (Grey) Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 6, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 20, Black-Headed Gull Larus ridibundus 10, Yellow-Legged Gull Larus michahellis 577, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 6, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 1, Little Gull Larus minutus 1, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 35, 'Commic' Tern Sterno hirundo/paradisaea 3, Shearwater spp 1, Skua spp 1

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 2, White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2, Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1, Robin Erithacus rubecula 1, Goldcrest Regulus regulus 1, Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 1, Garden Warbler Sylvia borin 1, House Martin Delichon urbica 1, Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 9, Dunlin Calidris alpina 1, Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1, Knot Calidris canutus 1, Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 3, Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1, Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 6

Cleopatra Gonepteryx cleopatra 1, Large White Pieris brassicae 3, Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta 1, Silver Y Autographa gamma 1, Underwing sp. 1

Blog Report

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry BDRP Whale & Dolphin Themed Cruise 16 - 19 September 2008 - Clive Martin, Emma Webb, John Arnott, Adrian Shephard, James Phillips, Darren Fanner, Andrew Boulden, Suzie Opacic, Peter Hutchinson, Tony Thouless

Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 37, Sei Whale Balaenoptera borealis 1 (possible), Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 2, Large Rorqual sp. 49, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 4, Beaked Whale Sp. 2, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 8, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 95, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 3, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 167, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 40, Dolphin Sp. 26, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 8

Common Dolphin

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 8

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 2, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 3, Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 30, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 176, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 1, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 54, Leach's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 535, European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 1, Red (Grey) Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 13, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 39, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 1, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1, Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus 8, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 105, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 60, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 3, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 75, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 2, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 4

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus 1 - from St Catherine's Hill, Isle of Wight, south over the Pride of Bilbao at 14:30 on the 19th
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 1, Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2, Merlin Falco columbarius 1, Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 8, Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 1, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 60, House Martin Delichon urbicum 1, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 2, White / Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba 4, Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 2, Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti 1, Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 1, Passerine Sp. 2, Duck Sp. 12 (dabbler)

Blog Report

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 11 - 13 September 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Wildlife Officer

Humpback Whale

Weather: Southbound WSW to WNW 6-5; Northbound NW 7-4
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 5, Large Rorqual spp 49, Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae 1, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 3, Common Dolphin Delphius delphis 101, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 17, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 2

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 5

Bird Report courtesey of Dominique Verbelen
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 140, Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 10, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 15, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 36, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 2, European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicua 4, Gannet Morus bassanus 828, Great Skua Sterorarius skua 40, Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 4, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 27, Sandwich Tern Sterna paradisea 3, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisea 33, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 2, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 59, Yellow-Legged Gull Larus michahellis 1, Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 1, Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 16, Auk spp 2, Grey (Red) Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 2, Turnstone Arenaria interpres 2, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 9, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 5, Alba Wagtail Motacilla alba 1, Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 1, Feral Pigeon 3

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 8 - 10 September 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Wildlife Officer

Weather: Southbound S to SE 5-2 , Northbound WNW 2-0
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 59, Large Rorqual Spp 56, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2, Beaked Whale Spp 4 (1 breaching), Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 26, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 22, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 97, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 116, Dolphin Spp 38, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 2

Bird Report courtesey of Nigel Jarman, Gerald Segelbacher, Richard Heading & Jack Chantler
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 153, Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 7, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 53, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 210, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 1, European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicua 84, Great Skua Sterorarius skua 24, Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 2, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 1, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 66, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisea 28, Black Tern Chlidonias niger 6, Puffin Fratercula arctica 1, Grey (Red) Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 10, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 15, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 24, Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 1, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 6, House Sparrow Passer domesticus

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 5 - 7 September 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Weather: Southbound SSW 8-9, heavy rain/swell; Northbound WNW 7, heavy swell
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 7, Large Rorqual spp 12, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1 (possible - reported), Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 14, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 7, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 12, Dolphin spp 6

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 2 - 4 September 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Cuvier's Beaked Whale

Weather: Southbound W 7-4; Northbound WNW 5-6-2
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 9, Large Rorqual spp 24, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 13, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 10, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 10, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 118, Dolphin spp 5

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 30 August - 1 September 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound NE-NW 2-4; Northbound NW 4
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 57, Large Rorqual spp 39, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 5, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 5, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 40, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 350, Dolphin spp 18, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 19

Bird Report courtesey of Martin Gillingham, Rachael Stilgoe, Jim Glover, Chris Skinner
Fulmar Fulmaris glacialis 7, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 59, Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 5, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 3, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 9, European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 14, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 4, Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 1, Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 4, Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 9, Turnstone Arenaria interpres 1, Redshank Tringa totanus 1, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 8, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 1, Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 10, Lesser Black-Backed Gull Larus fuscus 29, Little Tern Sterna albifrons 4, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 12, 'Commic' Term Sterna hirundo/Sternaparadisea 13, Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 1, Sand Martin Riparia riparia 1, Alba Wagtail Motacilla alba 1, Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 3, Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 1

Strandings: Sowerby's Beaked Whale and Risso's Dolphin calf

A 3.6m female Sowerby's Beaked Whale was washed up in the Isles of Scilly. Shortly after a Risso's Dolphin calf was also found stranded, initial indications suggest it may have been killed by Bottlenose Dolphin.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust >>

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August

Harbour Porpoise

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 27 - 29 August 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound W 2-3, Northbound NE 2-5
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 37, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 4, Rorqual Sp. 29, Beaked Whale Sp. 1 (breach), Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 656, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 12, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 43, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 57

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 7

Bird Report courtesy of Ken Dunningham, Mark Garner
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 11, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 3, Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 4, Macaronesian (Little) Shearwater Puffinus baroli 1, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 10, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 7, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 19, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 8, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 2, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 6, Black Tern Chlidonias niger 2

Common Coot Fulica atra 1, Dunlin Calidris alpina 2, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 5, Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina 1, Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 1, Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1, Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca 1

BDRP Survey Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 24 - 26 August 2008 - Duncan Fyfe, Andrew Boulden, Carley Elson

Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 32, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 2, Large Rorqual sp. 22, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 2, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 9, Beaked Whale Sp. 1, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 8, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 569, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 65, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 7, Dolphin Sp. 15, Cetacean Sp. 1, Blackfish sp. 3, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 9

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 9, Shark Sp. 1

Sabine's Gull

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 57, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 14, Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 3, Macaronesian Shearwater Puffinus baroli 3, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 5, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 7, large Shearwater Sp. 32, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 10, Petrel sp. 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 629, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 30, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 1, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 150, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 32, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 7, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 5, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 19, Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 2, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 13, Auk Sp. 1, Gull Sp. 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 24 - 26 August 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Weather: Southbound NNE-NNW 4 - 2; Northbound NNE-NNW 1/2
Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 2, Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 33, Large Rorqual spp 28, Sei Whale Balaenoptera borealis 1 (possible - reported by others), Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 2, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 16, Large Blackfish spp 3, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 11, Large Beaked Whale spp 2, Medium Beaked Whale spp 3 (2 breaching), Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 54, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 553, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 80, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 14, Dolphin spp 7, Large Whale spp 3

Large shark spp 1, Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 15

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 21 - 23 August 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer

Weather: Southbound SSW – WSW 3-0 , Northbound NW 6-3
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 25, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 2, Rorqual Sp. 94, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Beaked Whale Sp. 1 (breach), Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 12, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 250, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 3, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 128, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 17, Dolphin Sp. 31

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 6

Bird Report courtesey of Jeremy Demay and the Belgian Group
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 40, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 160, Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 2, Macronesian Shearwater Puffinus assimilis 3, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 33, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 7, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 2, European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicua 40, Gannet Morus bassanus 407, Great Skua Sterorarius skua 17, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 3, Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 3, Long-Tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus 2, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 15, Little Tern Sterna albifrons 10, Black Tern Chlidonias niger 25, Turnstone Arenaria interpres 4, Dunlin Calidris alpina 3, Grey (Red) Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 2, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 3, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 3

Updated - BDRP & Ultimate Pelagics Cruise Report: MV Princess Danae 16 - 21 August 2008

Sowerby's Beaked Whale

Fin Whale Balaentoptera physalus 40, Large Rorqual spp 103, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 4, Sowerby's Beaked Whale Mesoplodon bidens 1, Beaked Whale spp 4, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 53, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 29, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 122, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis Dolphin spp 44, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 11, Unidentified Whale spp 2.

Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus 3, Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 122, Tuna spp 2, Turtle spp 1

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 235, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 668, Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 35, Macaronesian Shearwater Puffinus baroli 6, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 67, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 58, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 14, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 267, Wilson's Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus 6, Gannet Morus bassanus 2663, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 44, European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 1, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 50, Red (Grey) Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 5, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 113, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 5, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 26, Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus 12, Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 3, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 10, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 417, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 30, Little Gull Larus minutus 1, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 14, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 70, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 19, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 245, Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 35, Black Tern Chlidonias niger 19, Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 2, Puffin Fratercula arctica 1, Auk Sp. 1

Cory's Shearwater

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 4, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 1, Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 3, Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1, Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 1, Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 30, Red Knot Calidris canutus 21, Sanderling Calidris alba 7, Dunlin Calidris alpina 9, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 39, Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 3, Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 2, Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 2, European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 1, Common Swift Apus apus 3, Sand Martin Riparia riparia 1, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 2, Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 1, Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 18 - 20 August 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer

Weather: Southbound SW 4-5, Northbound WNW 4-7
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 10, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1, Rorqual Sp. blow 31, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus blow 1, Beaked Whale Sp. 1, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 2, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 37, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 15, Dolphin Sp. 2

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 1

Stranding: Fin Whale

A 17m Fin Whale stranded on the Breton Coast at Damgan on the 15th August.

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 15 - 17 August 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer

Weather: Southbound WSW - SW 1-5, Northbound WSW - WNW 2-7
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 7, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1, Rorqual Sp. blow 34, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Beaked Whale Sp. 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 123, Dolphin Sp. 1, Cetacean Sp. 1, Small cetacean blows 2, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 9, Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus 1

Macaronesian Shearwater

Bird Report courtesy of John Mallord and Dave Showler
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 26, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 90, Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 4, Macaronesian Shearwater Puffinus baroli 2, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 2, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 2, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 8, Gannet Morus bassanus 500, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 6, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 13, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 6, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 4, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 4, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 2, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 14, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1, Red Knot Calidris canutus 5, Dunlin Calidris alpina 7, Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 2, Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 1, Feral Pigeon Columba livia 1, Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 1, Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 1

Highlights in Spain
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 1, Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1, Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla 1, Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica 2, Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta 1, Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 6, Serin Serinus serinus 2, Fan-tailed Warbler Euthlypis lachrymosa 1, Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala 1, Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 12 - 14 August 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound SW7-9-6 heavy rain and heavy swell, Northbound WNW 6-3
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 12, Large Rorqual spp 15, Beaked Whale Spp. 2 (probable Cuvier´s Beaked Whale breaching), Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 172, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 78, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 2

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 7

Atlantic White-sided Dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus 2 - observed by Anthony Virandeau

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 9 - 11 August 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound SW6-2, Northbound SW 1-3
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 46, Large Rorqual spp 35, Sei Whale Balaenoptera borealis 1 (reported by others), Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1 (probable), Beaked Whale Spp. 2 (probable Cuvier's Beaked Whale breaching), Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 20, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 2 (reported by others), Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 33, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 79, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 15

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 7

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 6 - 8 August 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Marinelife Community & Operation Officer

Weather: Southbound S4-1, Northbound NW 5-8-7
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 15, Large Rorqual spp 30, Large Whale Breach 1, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 2, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 4, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2, Beaked Whale Sp. 2, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 5, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 18, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 68, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 104, Dolphin Spp. 11

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 3 - 5 August 2008 - Emma Webb and Mike Bailey, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officers

Weather: Southbound SW 4-5, fog patches and heavy rain showers, Northbound Day 1 - NNE-NNW 1/2, Day 2 - S2-3
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 42, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 3, Large Rorqual sp. 58, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 11, Beaked Whale Sp. 3, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 39, Large whale breach 1, Small Whale Sp. 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 199, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 7, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 290, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 22, Dolphin Sp. 8, Cetacean Sp. 1, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1

Risso's Dolphin

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 5

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 31 July - 2 August 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound SW 5-7, rain, Northbound NW 3
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 59, Large Rorqual sp. 5, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 4, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 131, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 82

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 40+

Strandings: Northern Bottlenose Whale

On 1st August a Northern Bottlenose Whale stranded on Hayling Island, Hampshire. Report courtesy of BDMLR.

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July

Sunfish

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 28 - 30 July 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound SW 0-5, Northbound NW 2-1
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 49, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1, Large Rorqual sp. 35, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 10, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 932, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 136, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 40, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 4

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 25 - 27 July 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound SW 2, Northbound N 2-0
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 36, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 5, Large Rorqual sp. 66, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 4, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 9, Beaked Whale Sp. 4, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 29, Killer Whale Orcinus orca 8, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 281, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 248, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 98, Dolphin Sp. 30, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 86

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 8

Thanks to BDRP Researchers Derek & Mike traveling as passengers.

BDRP Survey Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 25 - 27 July 2008 - Nigel Symes, Suzie Opacic

Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 28, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 5, Large Rorqual sp. 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 3, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 7, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 15, Killer Whale Orcinus orca minimum of 8 (6+ northern shelf edge & 2 southern bay), Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 203, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 262, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 111, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 82

Gannet Morus bassanus 676, Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 19, Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 34, Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus 5, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 1, European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 44, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 5, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus graellsii 66, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 11, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 20, Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 1, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 6, Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 2, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 1

Ocean sunfish Mola mola 7, Tope Galeorhinus galeus 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 22 - 24 July 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Wildlife Officer / Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Bottlenose Dolphin

Weather: Southbound ESE 3-4; Northbound Day 1 NE - E 5-3, Day 2 SE 4
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 5, Large Rorqual Whale spp 26, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 2, Beaked Whale spp (breaching) 1 probable, Dolphin spp 20, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 194, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 150, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 115, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 8

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 10, Leatherback Turtle Dermochelys coriacea (possible) 1

High numbers of Swifts observed in Southern Biscay heading south.

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 19 - 21 July 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer

Weather: Southbound NW - NNW 3-2, Northbound NNE 4-5
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 12, Large Rorqual sp. 26, Beaked Whale Sp. 1, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 12, Killer Whale Orcinus orca 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 136, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 221, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 18, Dolphin Sp. 17

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 8

Courtesy of Nicholas De Fodelen birds include
Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 1, Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1

Stranding: Atlantic White-sided Dolphin

On the 17th July an Atlantic White-sided Dolphin stranded at Hayle, Cornwall. Attended by BDMLR

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 16 - 18 July 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Wildlife Officer

Weather: Southbound NNW to NW 3-2; Northbound N 3-2
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 11, Large Rorqual Whale spp 8, Medium Whale spp 1, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2, Beaked Whale spp 2, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 210, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 192, Dolphin spp 20, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 2

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 2

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry BDRP Whale & Dolphin Themed Cruise 13 - 15 July 2008 - Emma Webb, John Arnott, Laura Fletcher, Suzie Cartwright, Andrew Boulden, Peter Hutchinson, Russell Neave, Mike Bailey, Fraser Paterson

Pygmy Killer Whale

Weather: Southbound W 2/1; Northbound NE 2-0
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 19, Large Rorqual Whale spp 14, Medium Rorqual Whale spp 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1 (probable), Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 2, Northern Bottlenose Whale Hyperoodon ampullatus 4, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 9, Beaked Whale spp 1, Mesoplodon spp 2, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 49, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 146, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 2, Pygmy Killer Whale / Melon-Headed Whale Feresa attenuata / Peponocephala electra 15 *, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 1241, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 437, Dolphin spp 333, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 3, Cetacean spp 5, Large Dead Whale 1

* Please note: it is extremely difficult to differentiate between a Pygmy Killer Whale and Melon-Headed Whale at the distance they were observed. However, photographic ID is being carried out and an update will be posted if further identification is possible.

Swordfish spp. 1, Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 11, Shark spp 1

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 13, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 31, Macaronesian Shearwater Puffinus baroli 1, Manx Shearwater Ouffinus puffinus 2, European Storm-Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 7, Gannet Morus bassanus 357, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 9, Arctic (Parasitic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1, Black-Headed Gull Larus ridibundus 6, Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 1, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1, Yellow-Legged Gull Larus michahellis 3, Lesser Black-Backed Gull Larus fuscus 59, Great Black-Backed Gull Larus marinus 3, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 10, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 1, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 2, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hiruno / Sterna paradisaea 2, Gull spp 38, Racing Pigeon 2, Petrel Spp 1

Pilot Whale

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry BDRP Whale & Dolphin Themed Cruise 10 - 12 July 2008 - Emma Webb, John Arnott, Russell Neave, Laura Fletcher, Adrian Shephard, Peter Hutchinson, Andrew Boulden

Weather: Southbound WSW 6 to SW 5-4, Northbound NW 2-4
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 12, Large Rorqual sp. 16, Medium, Rorqual Sp. 1, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 29, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 113, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 114, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 11, Dolphin Sp. 87, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 2

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 6, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 77, Macaronesian Shearwater Puffinus baroli 3, Gannet Morus bassanus 57, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 3, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 6, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 4, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 1

Macaronesian Shearwater

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 2, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 1, Small Wader sp. 10

Stranding: Fin Whale

A Fin Whale stranded on the 9th July at Sainte-Marine on the Brittany peninsular. It measured 17-19m and weighed around 40 tons. Report courtesy of Dolphinus2 Yahoo! newsgroup.

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 7 - 9 July 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer, Marinelife Community and Operations Officer

Weather: Southbound WNW 8, Northbound day 1 N - NNW 2-3 to W 2/3, day 2 SW 5
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 3, Large Rorqual sp.5, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2, Beaked Whale Sp. 1 (breaching), Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 5, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 129, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 31, Dolphin Sp. 17

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 3

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 4 - 6 July 2008 - Emma Webb & John Arnott, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officers

Cory's Shearwater

Weather: Southbound S-SW 8-3, Northbound NNW-WNW 1-4
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 9, Large Rorqual sp.5, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 5, Beaked Whale Sp. 1, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 5, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 80, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 47, Dolphin Sp. 1

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 4

Bird Report courtesy of John Mallord & Dave Showler
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 18, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 37, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 250, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 10, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 1, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 7, Guillemot Uria aalge 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 1 - 3 July 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer

Weather: Southbound SSW-SW 3-5, Northbound WNW-W 3-5
Large Rorqual sp.4, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 3, Killer Whale Orcinus orca 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 107, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 30, Dolphin Sp. 2

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June

Orca

BDRP Survey Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 27 - 30 June 2008 - Peter Howlett, James McCarthy, Hannah Watson

Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 12, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 5, Large Rorqual sp.4, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 4, Beaked Whale Sp. 3, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 80 (one school of 65), Killer Whale Orcinus orca 2 ( 1 male with large dorsal fin), Small Whale Sp. 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 690, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 99, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 31, Dolphin Sp. 149, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 45

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 7, Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus 1

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 96, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 77, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 11, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 1, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 43, Gannet Morus bassanus 1055, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 8, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 46, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 3, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 103, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 20, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 1, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 1 (plus 1 probable), Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 2, Guillemot Uria aalge 4, Auk Sp. 1

Feral Pigeon Columba livia 4, Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 1, Common Swift Apus apus 2

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 25 - 27 June 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer

Weather: Southbound W-NW 5-2, Northbound NE-N 5-2
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 1, Large Rorqual 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1 (possible), Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 3, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 149, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 12, Dolphin Sp. 4

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 2

Common Dolphin

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 16 - 18 June 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director

Weather: Southbound N 7-3; Northbound NW 6-4
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 9, Large Whale Breach 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 4, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 32, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 94

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 3

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 13 - 15 June 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director

Weather: Southbound N 2-3; Northbound N 1-2
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 17, Large Rorqual Whale spp 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 3, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 9, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 8, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 4, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 66, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 249, Dolphin spp 6, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 3

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 10 - 12 June 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director

Weather: Southbound N 2, fog banks; Northbound N 6-2, poor visibility
Large Whale spp 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 3, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 8, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 36, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 63, Dolphin spp 12

Bottlenose Dolphin

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 7 - 9 June 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Weather: Southbound SSW 1 to SW 3, overcast and heavy rain showers; Northbound N 2-4 to NNE 5 to NNW 4
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 3, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 3 (probable), Beaked Whale spp 1, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 27, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 37, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 269, Dolphin spp 19, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 3

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 2

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 4 - 6 June 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Weather: Southbound SSW 4-5 to WNW 2 to NNW 3-4; Northbound NNE 1 to WNW 2 to NNW 3-4
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 10, large Rorqual Whale 1, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1, Sowerby's Beaked Whale Mesoplodon bidens 4 (inc. 1 calf), Beaked Whale spp 1, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 5, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 7, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 732, Dolphin spp 52

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 1 - 3 June 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director

Weather: Southbound NE 2-4-3; Northbound NW 4-7
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 2, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 5, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 10, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 15, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 74

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May

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 29 - 31 May 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director

Weather: Southbound SE 2; Northbound W to NW 2-3
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 10, Large Rorqual Whale spp 1, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Breaching Mesoplodon spp (probable) 1, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 30, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 25, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 12, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 136+, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 240+

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 26 - 28 May 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director

White-Beaked Dolphin

Weather: Southbound N 4-2; Northbound NW 2-3
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 8, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 3, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorosrata 1, Northern Bottlenose Whale Hyperoodon ampullatus 2, Beaked Whale spp 1, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 2, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 27, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 346, White-Beaked Dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris 2, Harbour Porpoise Phoceona phoceona 2

BDRP Survey Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry Pride of Bilbao 23 - 25 May 2008 - Adrian Shephard, Pete Hutchinson, Chris Fryatt

Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 7, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 3, Large Rorqual 4, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 36, Whale Sp. 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 228, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 110, mixed Common and Striped Dolphin group 257, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 17, Dolphin Sp. 20, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 13

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 2

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 59, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 61, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 523, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 3, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 1, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 36, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 4, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 8, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 11, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 4, Guillemot Uria aalge 11, Gull Sp. 5

Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1, Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 2, European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 1, Common Swift Apus apus 1, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 4

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 23 - 25 May 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao

Weather: Southbound E to SSE 1-6, fog patches; Northbound NW to WNW 4-2
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 7, large Rorqual whale spp 7, Medium whale sp 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 3, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 3, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 36, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 21, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 190, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 216, Dolphin spp 260, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 13

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 20 - 22 May 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Weather: Southbound SSE4 to SE2, hazy; Northbound ENE4 to 0 to SE-S1
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 3, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 2, Large Beaked Whale spp (possible Northern Bottlenose Whale) Hyperoodon ampullatus 2, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 3, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 65 + 30 possible (passenger report), Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 28, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 145, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 1458 including one group of 1250+ individuals, Dolphin spp 93

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 17 - 19 May 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Weather: Southbound NW1 to W3; Northbound NNW4 to 1
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 5, Large Rorqual whale 8, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Beaked Whale spp 2, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 2, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 10, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 162, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 245, Dolphin spp 30, Dead Large Whale spp 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 14 - 16 May 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Weather: Southbound E to SE 3-1, early fog; Northbound N1 to NW2 to W1
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 5, Large Rorqual whale 3, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 4, Beaked Whale spp 1, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 14, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 3 (probable), Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 104, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 90, Dolphin spp 137, Dead dolphin 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 11 - 13 May 2008 - Jackie Smith, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao

Weather: Southbound N 2-0, Northbound N-NNW 1
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 105, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 26, Dolphin sp 31, Cetacean sp 1, Beaked Whale sp 1, Large Rorqual 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 8 - 10 May 2008 - John Arnott, Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao

Fin Whale

Weather: Southbound ESE to SW 3-0; Northbound (Day 1) WNW to WSW to NNE 5-2, (Day 2) ESE 1-2
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 1, Large Rorqual spp 4, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 2, Beaked Whale spp 1, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 4, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 9, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 70, Dolphin spp 27, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 2

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 5 - 7 May 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao , Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound NE 3-1; Northbound E 2
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 7, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 2, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 15, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 46, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 1202

Sowerby's Beaked Whale

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 2 - 4 May 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao , Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound S to SE 3-4; Northbound E 1-2
Large Rorqual 3, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 8, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1 + 1 probable (breaching), Sowerby's Beaked Whale Mesoplodon bidens 1, Beaked Whale spp Mesoplodont spp 3, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 27, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 66, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 77, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 4

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April

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 29 April - 1 May 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound SW 7-9; Northbound NW 7 - 3
Large rorqual 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 40, Dolphin Spp 10

BDRP Survey Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 26 - 28 April 2008 - Bob Graves, Martin Gillingham, Fraser Paterson

Cuvier's Beaked Whale

Weather: 3-4, some rain northbound
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 4, Whale Sp. 1 (breaching), Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 64, Dolphin Sp. 12, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 102, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 10, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 7, Gannet Morus bassanus 752, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 48, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 1 (with full 'spoons'), Herring Gull Larus argentatus 2, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 265, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 3, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 35, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 1, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 1, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 9, Guillemot Uria aalge 16, Gull Sp. 12

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1 (male), Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 5+, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 7, Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 2, Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 1 (female)

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 23 - 25 April 2008 - John Arnott, Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao

Weather: Southbound SW to SSW 2-3; Northbound (Day 1) NW 2, (Day 2) S 3
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Long-Finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 14, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 20, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 57, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 53, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1, Dolphin spp. 36

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 2

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 20 - 22 April 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound NE to SW 5-7; Northbound W 6-7 decreasing W2 in Channel
Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 38

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 17 - 19 April 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao

Weather: Southbound E-NW 8-5, Northbound WSW - WNW 11-7
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 10

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 1

Numerous small birds on the ship southbound, including Chaffinch, Blackcap, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Meadow Pipit, Robin, Swallow, Sand Martin. Also Redshank and Cormorant

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 14 - 16 April 2008 - John Arnott, Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao

Weather: Southbound: WNW to NNW 3-2; Northbound (Day 1) E 5-3, (Day 2) E 5-7
Large Rorqual Whale 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 23, Dolphin spp 4

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 1, Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus (Passenger Report) 1

Common Dolphin

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 11 - 13 April 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, BDRP Director

Weather: Southbound: W 5-6, squalls; Northbound W to NW 5-6
Large Rorqual Whale 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 31, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 12

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 8 - 10 April 2008 - Emma Webb, Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Weather: Southbound: NE 2-4; Northbound NE 4 to N 5
Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 2, Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 4, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 15, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 22, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 12, Dolphin spp. 7

Many migratory terrestrial birds on the move: Chiff Chaff, Willow Warbler, Wheatear, Blackcap recorded on ship.

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 5 - 7 April 2008 - Emma Webb, Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Weather: Southbound: N4; Northbound N-NNW 3-6
Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 5, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 15, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 13, Dolphin spp. 7

Many migratory terrestrial birds on the move: Chiff Chaff, Black Redstart, Linnet, Sand Martin, Wood Pigeon recorded on ship.

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 1 - 4 April 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, BDRP Director

Weather: Southbound: W 2-3 fog patches; Northbound NW 2-3
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 6, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 2, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 12, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 4

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March

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 30 March - 1 April 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, BDRP Director

Weather: Southbound: SW 3-6; Northbound NW 6
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 24, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 6

Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 2

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 27 - 29 March 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao , BDRP Director

Weather: Southbound W 1-3; Northbound WNW 2-7 to S 9
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 117, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 9, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1

BDRP Survey Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 24-26 March 2008 - Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, BDRP Director

Weather: Southbound NW 5, squalls; Northbound N 5-6, squalls & rain
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 1, Large Rorqual whale 1, Beaked Whale breach (prob) 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 5

BDRP Survey Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 21 - 23 March 2008 - Darren Fanner, Mike Bailey, Heather Meakins

Weather: Southbound NW to NNW 8-9; Northbound NNW to NE 7-8
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 11, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 4

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 123 (group of 60 including 3 "blue" type Fulmar, and later an intermediate type bird), Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 221, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 48, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 1, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 4, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 54, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 4, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 41, Puffin Fratercula arctica 7, Guillemot Uria aalge 32, Auk Sp. 10, Gull Sp. 4

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 17 - 19 March 2008 - Jackie Smith, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao

Weather: Southbound SE 4-5; Northbound W to NE 2-4
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 8

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 14 - 16 March 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Bottlenose Dolphin

Weather: Southbound SW to SE 4, fog patches; Northbound (day 1) W 3-9, touching 10 at times; Northbound (day 2) W 5

Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 356, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 3, Bottlenose Dolphin 80+

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 10 - 12 March 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Sailing cancelled due to severe adverse weather conditions.

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 7 - 9 March 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao

Weather: Southbound NW 3-5; Northbound SW to W 3
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 18, Dolphin spp. 6

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 3 - 5 March 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound NW 6-10; Northbound N 10-2
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 184, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 2

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February

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 29 February - 2 March 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound S to SW 2-4; Northbound W to WNW 3-4
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 299, Beaked spp. 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 25 - 27 February 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound SE-SW 2-4; Northbound 0 - W5
Large Rorqual blow 2, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 8, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 66

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 22 - 24 February 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Marinelife Community & Operations Officer

Weather: Southbound WSW 4-1; Northbound (Day 1) NE4 to E5 - big residual swell from NW; Northbound (Day 2) S2
Small whale spp. 4, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 4, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 8, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 38, Dolphin spp. 30+, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 2

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 18 - 20 February 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao

Weather: Southbound E to ESE 3-7; Northbound (Day 1) SSE2, Northbound (Day 2) 0-1
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2 (probable), Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 4, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 20, Dolphin spp. 2

Stranding: Fin Whale calf, Cornwall 18 February 2008

A 6.2 metre long, baby fin whale has been found on a beach on the Lizard

Cornwall Wildlife Trust

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 15 - 17 February 2008 - John Arnott, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao

Weather: Southbound E 3-7, Northbound (day 1) - E 1 to ENE 3, (day 2) E to SE 4-5
Whale Sp. Medium whale sp. 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 14, Dolphin Sp. 4

Long-finned Pilot Whale

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 12 - 14 February 2008 - Emma Webb, BDRP Relief Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Marinelife Community and Operations Officer

Weather: Southbound ESE to SE 5, Northbound SSE 3 to SE 4
Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1 (1/2 body breach and tail smacking), Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas (possible) 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 121, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 12, Dolphin Sp. 12

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 9 - 11 February 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director BDRP and AMBAR on the Southbound leg

Weather: Southbound E2-3, Northbound SE2-4
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 12, Large whale Breach 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 690, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 1

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 6 - 9 February 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director BDRP and AMBAR on the Northbound leg

Weather: Southbound SE 6-4 fog patches, Northbound S 3-1
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 136, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 66, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 4

The Risso's Dolphin sightings consisted of two groups, both of which were recorded in the English Channel. The first group consisted of 26 individual animals including 3 juveniles and 1 calf. The second group was made up of 40+ animals.

Risso's Dolphin

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 2 - 5 February 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director BDRP

Weather: Southbound SSW 8 - 10 - 5, Northbound W to SW 8
Large Rorqual (probable Fin Whale) 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 60, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 15

NB: Our casual sighting reports are collated by the Wildlife Officer who travels on every trip. The sightings mainly come from the WLO, but also are collected from passengers on the ship. We would be grateful if any passengers travelling could pass sightings (including bird records) to the Wildlife Officer when they are on the ship.
Our survey data is collected only by our researchers on the Bridge of the ship whilst conducting a effort-related survey. Both reports will be listed on the website.

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January

Stranding: Sowerby's Beaked Whale Mesoplodon bidens 18 January 2008

A female Sowerby's Beaked Whale Mesoplodon bidens stranded at Sangatte near Calais, a stranded juvenile was also reported.

Skua blog with pictures >>

WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 2 - 6 January 2008 - Clive Martin, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, BDRP Director

Weather: Southbound SE 6-7, Northbound W 2-7
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 171

NB: The Pride of Bilbao is now in annual refit, returning to service on 2 February 2008

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