News and Sightings Archive
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2009
24/12/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Cotentin 19 - 21 December 2009 - David Chilcott, Steve Hughes
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| Common Dolphin |
Large Rorqual sp. 1, Small Whale Sp. 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 13 (+20 probable), Dolphin Sp. 24
Gannet Morus bassanus 60, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 17, Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 1, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 60, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 53, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 30, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 59, Puffin Fratercula arctica 2, Guillemot Uria aalge 15, Auk Sp. 21, Gull Sp. 82
Eurasian Teal Anas crecca 2
21/12/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Fleetwood-Larne Stena Leader 19 December 2009 - Joe O'Hanlon, Jane Petley-Jones
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 10, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 3, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 5, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 265, Common Gull Larus canus 15, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 57, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 3, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 2, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 34, Guillemot Uria aalge 28, Razorbill Alca torda 80, Eider Somateria mollissima 4, Auk Sp. 72, Gull Sp. 42, Diver sp. 1
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 1, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1, Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 5, Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 900+, Dunlin Calidris alpina 14, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 1, Common Redshank Tringa totanus 41, Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 3, Jackdaw Corvus monedula c30, Geese sp 23+ (All Fleetwood Mudflats area).
01/12/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Fleetwood-Larne Stena Leader 28 November 2009 - Duncan Fyfe, Helen Miller
Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 1, Cetacean Sp. 1, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1, Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus 1
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 14, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 4, Gannet Morus bassanus 1, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1, European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 6, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 1, Skua sp. 1, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 3, Common Gull Larus canus 4, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 42, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 4, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 1, Little Gull Larus minutus 2, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 25, Guillemot Uria aalge 123, Razorbill Alca torda 7, Auk Sp. 65, Gull Sp. 30, Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides 2
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata 3, Diver sp. 1, Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 1, Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 30, Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 120, Common Eider Somateria mollissima 4, Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 1207, Common Redshank Tringa totanus 5
24/11/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Felixstowe-Vlaardingen Maersk Voyager 23 November 2009 - Steve Hughes, Vincent Green
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| Kittiwake |
Shearwater Sp. 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 31, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 43, Common Gull Larus canus 5, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 4, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 12, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 5, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 26, Guillemot Uria aalge 38, Gull Sp. 40
Common Coot Fulica atra 2, Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 4, Common Raven 0Corvus corax 5, Swan Sp. 43, Duck Sp 4
17/11/09 - Marinelife partners with Swan Hellenic Cruises
Transatlantic Survey for Marine Wildlife
Marinelife, the marine conservation research charity, is continuing its marine wildlife research and education in the offshore waters of the Atlantic through its partnership with Swan Hellenic Cruises.
16/11/09 - News: Humpback Whale behaviour seen in the South Atlantic.
Clive Martin and Emma Webb are travelling south down South America on the Minerva and have encountered Humpback Whale. This included mothers with calves including a pair breaching, tail slapping and vocalising in the presence of two interested males.
A variety of dolphins have also been seen including Clymene Dolphin, Spinner Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin and Pantropical Spotted Dolphin.
Read details of these sightings on the blog at: Marinelife Blog
05/11/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Fleetwood-Larne Stena Leader 31 October 2009 - Joe O'Hanlon, Paul Causon
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 5, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1, Shearwater Sp. 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 2, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 5, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 26, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 21, Common Gull Larus canus 14, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 21, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 15, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 2, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 26, Guillemot Uria aalge 108, Razorbill Alca torda 184, Eider Somateria mollissima 20, Auk Sp. 48, Gull Sp. 65
Grey Heron Ardea cinera 1 (Larne Port), Shelduck Sturnis vulgaris c60 (Fleetwood mudflats), Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 4, Starling Sturnis vulgaris 1, Waders sp c2500 (fleetwood mudflats)
29/10/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Cotentin 17 - 19 October 2009 - Hugh Venables, Frankie Hogan
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| Sooty Shearwater |
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 2, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 5, Dolphin Sp. 2
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 6, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 4, Gannet Morus bassanus 788, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 67, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 2, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 5, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 8, Little Gull Larus minutus 4, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 19, Guillemot Uria aalge 3, Razorbill Alca torda 1, Auk Sp. 14, Large Gull Sp. 451
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer 1, Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata 1, Sky Lark Alauda arvensis 40, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 2, Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 7, White / Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba 11, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1, Redwing Turdus iliacus 30, Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 2, Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 8, Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 25, Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina 1
03/10/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Felixstowe-Vlaardingen Maersk Voyager 28 September 2009 - Michael Bamford, Ian Paynter
Common Seal Phoca vitulina
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 51, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 5, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 1, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1, Common Gull Larus canus 2, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 50, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 276, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 46, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 3, Guillemot Uria aalge 1, Razorbill Alca torda 1, Gull Sp. 1025, Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata 1
24/09/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Cotentin 19-21 September 2009 - Peter Howlett, Bryan Coates
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| Sperm Whale |
Weather: Southbound NW 2-4, 4-5 in Biscay, Northbound NW 5-2
Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1, Sperm Whale
Physeter macrocephalus 1, Beaked Whale Sp. 4, Long-finned
Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 23, Common Dolphin Delphinus
delphis 58, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 8, Striped
Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 3, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops
truncatus 16, Dolphin Sp. 48, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena
phocoena 33
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 143, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 62, Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 449, Macaronesian (Little) Shearwater Puffinus baroli 3, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 48, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 1, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 354 (inc. 110 sat on the sea in a really tight flock), Gannet Morus bassanus 1033, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 11, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 105, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 4, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 67, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 56, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 7, Little Gull Larus minutus 1, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 2, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 1, Auk Sp. 2
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 7, Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 22, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 1, White / Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba 2, Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 1, Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina 18
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| Northern Bottlenose Whale - Bournemouth |
15/09/09 - News: Northern Bottlenose Whale, Bournemouth, Dorset
A Northern Bottlenose Whale is swimming up and down, 400-500m off Bournemouth beach, occasionally tail slapping, it has been present since sunday. The whale is being monitored by BDMLR as this is a deep-water species and it is unclear why it is in Poole Bay. Durlston Project have posted details of the whale and local fish stocks on the 15th. Echo article.
It is important to note that no watercraft is to go within 200 metres of the whale and it is against the law to chase or go to close to any marine mammal and persons will be prosecuted under said laws.
26/08/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Felixstowe-Vlaardingen Maersk Flanders 25 August 2009 - Russell Neave, Carol Greig
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 15
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 5, Gannet Morus bassanus 39, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 23, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 1, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 1, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 9, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 37, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 3, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 3, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 6, Black Tern Chlidonias niger 2, Guillemot Uria aalge 1, Large Gull Sp. 3
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 6, European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 1, Dunlin Calidris alpina 5
In addition Egyptian Goose 2, House Crow 1 (probable)
25/08/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Cotentin 22 - 24 August 2009 - Martin Gillingham, Durwyn Liley
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| Cory's Shearwater |
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Beaked Whale Sp. 5 (probable Cuvier's), Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 11, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 10, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 4, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 61, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 19
Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 1
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 48, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 52, Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 8, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 19, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 1, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 64, Gannet Morus bassanus 540, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1, European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 2, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 11, Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 1, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 79, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 31, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 12, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 9, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 18, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 2, Gull Sp. 366
Dunlin Calidris alpina 4, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 75, Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 1, Warbler sp (Chiffchaff/Willow) 1, Pipit sp (Meadow/Tree) 4
29/07/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Felixstowe-Vlaardingen Maersk Flanders 27 - 28 July 2009 - Mike Bailey, Andrew Palmer
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 7
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 6, Gannet Morus bassanus 57, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 10, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 3, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 10, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 161, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 35, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 10, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 8, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 39
Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 2, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 49
Note: Off effort, House Crow Corvus splendens 7 seen at their only European breeding site, Hook of Holland railway station (Hoek van Holland)
22/07/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Holyhead-Dublin Stena Adventura 20 July 2009 - Clive Martin, John Arnott
Weather SW - SSW 5-3
Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1, Harbour Porpoise
Phocoena phocoena 1
Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus 1
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 15, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 296, Gannet Morus bassanus 4, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 5, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 3, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 3, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 5, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 1, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 21, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 1, Puffin Fratercula arctica 1, Guillemot Uria aalge 9, Razorbill Alca torda 17, Auk Sp. 8
Note: 21 Black Guillemot in Dublin Harbour on this inaugural survey.
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| Cuvier's Beaked Whale |
21/07/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Ferry Cotentin 18 - 20 July 2009 – Andrew Palmer, Joe O’Hanlon
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 5 plus 3 probable, Beaked Whale Sp. 3, Whale Sp. 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 485, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 64, Dolphin Sp. 49, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 11
Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 1
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 23, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 80, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 17, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 6, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 7, Gannet Morus bassanus 261, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 3, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 4, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 125, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 49, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 1, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 1, Gull Sp. 250, Wader Sp. 35, Racing Pigeon 3
04/07/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Plymouth-Roscoff ferry Amorique 3 - 4 July 2009 - David Chilcott, Michael Bamford
Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 4
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 4, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 105, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1, Skua sp. 2, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 29, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 4, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 7, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 5, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 4
Feral Pigeon Columba livia 1
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| Common Dolphin |
30/06/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Felixstowe-Vlaardingen 29 - 30 June 2009 - Michael Bamford, Suzie Opacic
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 4
Gannet Morus bassanus 4, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 5, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 6, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 120, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 3, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 1, Little Tern Sterna albifrons 3, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 1
It is interesting to note Common Dolphin in this area of the North Sea. Refer also to a recent sighting of a Common Dolphin superpod in the Moray Firth and the distribution on the Seawatch website.
16/06/09 - Seabirds & Cetaceans of Lyme Bay
Building on the success and knowledge gained during recent surveys, Naturetrek are offering evening and day trips to experience the wildlife of Lyme Bay. Led by Marinelife's Research Director, Tom Brereton the trips may encounter a rich variety of marine life such as Balearic Shearwater, White-beaked Dolphin, Basking Sharks and Ocean Sunfish.
16/06/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Ferry Cotentin 13 - 15 June 2009 - Duncan Fyfe, Tim Marlow
Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 3, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 3, Sowerby's Beaked Whale Mesoplodon bidens 6, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 3, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 559, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 35, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 11 (one group of these was recorded on the 15th off Old Harry Rocks, Poole Bay), Dolphin Sp. 18, Cetacean Sp. 3, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 26
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 98, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 9, Shearwater Sp. 5, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 511, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 7, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 29, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 14, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 50, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 6, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 4, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 2, Guillemot Uria aalge 14, Gull Sp. 283, Skua Sp.1
Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 2, Common Swift Apus apus 11, Grebe sp. 1
14/06/09 - Announcement: New brochure and poster added.
These new publications summarise our current research and aims.
18/05/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole - Santander Ferry Cotentin 16th - 18th May 2009- Jo Wharam, Kathryn Driscoll
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 273, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2, Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 2 (plus another possible), Northern Bottlenose Whale Hyperoodon ampullatus 1
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 41, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 12, Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 4, Gannet Morus bassanus 326, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 1, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 46, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 7, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 8, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 38, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 2, Puffin Fratercula arctica 2, Razorbill Alca torda 4, Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 2, Gull spp. 101, Shearwater spp. 4, Swift Apus apus 6
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Puffin |
16/05/09 - Lyme Bay Sightings - February to May
Sightings from Lyme Bay and the surrounding area, including from joint Natural England/Marinelife surveys since February have included Common, 50+ Bottlenose and White-beaked Dolphin, Harbour Porpoise, Grey Seal, Manx Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, Pomarine Skua, Great Skua, Puffin.
30/04/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Felixstowe-Vlaardingen Maersk Anglia 27 - 28 April 2009 - Rayner Piper
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 6
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 10, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 2, Gannet Morus bassanus 62, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 3, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 6, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 67, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 164, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 2, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 5, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 11, Guillemot Uria aalge 2, Tern Sp. 6, Gull Sp. 13, Duck Sp. 30
15/04/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Ferry Cotentin 11 - 13 April 2009 - Simon Hartill, David Chilcott
Large Rorqual sp. 4, Medium Rorqual Sp. 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1 (logging and tail fluke dive), Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 96, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 3, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 12, Dolphin Sp. 29, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 9
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 35, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 4, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 381, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 13, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 2, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 14, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 16, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 1, Guillemot Uria aalge 18, Auk Sp. 2, Skua Sp.2
06/04/09 - Marinelife Survey Report: Plymouth-Roscoff ferry Amorique 4 April 2009 - Duncan Fyfe, David Chilcott
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 12
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 109, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 19, Shearwater Sp. 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 374, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 3, European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 1, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 11, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 6, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 28, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 6, Guillemot Uria aalge 56, Razorbill Alca torda 11, Tern Sp. 2, Auk Sp. 26, Gull Sp. 111
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Great Shearwater - February 2009 |
28/02/09 - Rare sighting of Great Shearwater in Lyme Bay.
During a recent survey a Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis was recorded in Lyme Bay.
Click here for more details and photos from recent surveys.
18/01/09 - Lyme Bay sightings: White-beaked Dolphin confirmed in winter
A recent trip into Lyme Bay has confirmed the presence of White-beaked Dolphin in winter, also seen were Harbour Porpoise and Common Dolphin
2008
24/12/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Ferry Cotentin 13 – 15 December 2008 - Celine Mangan, Kathryn Driscoll
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 40
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Common Dolphin |
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 5, Gannet Morus bassanus 142, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 21, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1, Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus 1, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 1, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 2, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 13, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 27, Guillemot Uria aalge 13, Razorbill Alca torda 2, Brent Goose Branta bernicla 24
01/12/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Felixstowe-Vlaardingen Clonlee 29 - 30 November 2008 - Rachael Portnall
Dolphin Sp. 2, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 6
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 3, Gannet Morus bassanus 75, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2, Common Gull Larus canus 7, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 46, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 1, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 54, Little Gull Larus minutus 1, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 65, Guillemot Uria aalge 4, Gull Sp. 13
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer 5, Diver sp. 1, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1, Common Blackbird Turdus merula 2
27/11/08 - Marinelife Surveys: Italy-Argentina MV Minerva
We are conducting a pioneering trans-atlantic cetacean and bird research
survey aboard the Swan Hellenic Cruise ship mv Minerva sailing from Naples
in Italy heading for Argentina.
The on board researchers and wildlife officers are recording sightings
during the trip for later scientific analysis, encountering some of the
migratory bird species we see earlier in the year in the Bay of Biscay.
Regular updates are being posted on the Marinelife blog.
18/11/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Ferry Cotentin 15 - 17 November 2008 - Rachael Portnall, Dave Chilcott
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 2 (+3 probable), Rorqual Sp. 1, Beaked Whale Sp. 1, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 2 possible, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 94+, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 3
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 1, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 3, Gannet Morus bassanus 160, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 21, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 7, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 16, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 3, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 12, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 42, Guillemot Uria aalge 3, Razorbill Alca torda 3, Auk Sp. 7, Gull Sp. 32
Thrush Sp. 1, Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 4
20/10/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Ferry Cotentin 18 - 20 October 2008 - Tom Brereton, Paula Bates
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Striped Dolphin |
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 6 (+7 probable), Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 4, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 6, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 66, Dolphin Sp. 9, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 29
European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 2, Leach's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 1500, Red (Grey) Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 1, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 174, Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus 1, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 1, Puffin Fratercula arctica 3, Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 12, Wood Lark Lullula arborea 3
24/09/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Felixstowe-Vlaardingen Maersk Flanders 20 - 21 September 2008 - Fraser Paterson, Ian Poynter
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 11, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 1, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 2, Gannet Morus bassanus 48, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 19, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 4, Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus 1 adult and 1 probable juvenile, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 1, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 6, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 58, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 1, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 2, Guillemot Uria aalge 2, Tern Sp. 2, Gull Sp. 63, Skua Sp. 2
01/09/08 - Marinelife Survey Update: ScanMed Survey Reports
The Maersk Newark with two Marinelife researchers on board has completed the first ScanMed survey. See the route and details on the press release. The surveyors have posted 5 updates with photos as they have traveled to Scandinavia, down through the Bay of Biscay and Mediterranean and back to England.
30/08/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Felixstowe-Vlaardingen Maersk Flanders and Maersk Anglia 23 - 24 August 2008 - Fraser Paterson, Azli Zainal
Dolphin Sp. 1, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 81, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 1, Shearwater Sp. 2, Gannet Morus bassanus 65, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 25, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 5, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 2, Skua sp. 4, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 5, Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 1, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 9, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 232, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 2, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 36, Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 1, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 56, Black Tern Chlidonias niger 15, Tern Sp. 65, Gull Sp. 239, Phalarope Sp. 1
11/08/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Ferry Cotentin 9 - 11 August 2008 - Simon Hartill, Celine Mangan
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 34, Large Rorqual sp. 48, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 2 (probable), Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 2 (probable), Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 42, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 4
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Cory's Shearwater |
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 31, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 45, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 2, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 14, Gannet Morus bassanus 234, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 3, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 2, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 1, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 15, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 2, Black Tern Chlidonias niger 1, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 8
04/08/08 - Marinelife Survey Update: ScanMed Survey Updates
The Maersk Newark with two Marinelife researchers on board is in its final week and left Izmir in Turkey yesterday en-route back to Felixstowe. See the route and details on the press release. The surveyors have posted 3 updates so far as they have traveled to Scandinavia and then down through the Bay of Biscay and Mediterranean.
22/07/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Felixstowe-Vlaardingen Maersk Explorer outbound, return on Maersk Flanders 19 - 20 July 2008 - Fraser Paterson, Helen Farmer
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 22, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 3, Gannet Morus bassanus 159, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 10, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 29, Common Gull Larus canus 6, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 18, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 139, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 32, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 9, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 42, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 10, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 96, Guillemot Uria aalge 1, Razorbill Alca torda 1, Tern Sp. 6, Gull Sp. 33
Common Swift Apus apus 1, Sand Martin Riparia riparia c180
22/07/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Ferry Cotentin 19 - 21 July 2008 - Peter Howlett, Tim Balmer
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 11, Large Rorqual sp. 7, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Beaked Whale Sp. 2, Small Whale Sp. 1 (probable Minke), Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 61, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 38, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 9, Dolphin Sp. 85, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 10
Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 4
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 89, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 5, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 8, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 21, Gannet Morus bassanus 802, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 3, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 1, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 10, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 15, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 82, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 3, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 39
Common Swift Apus apus 2
21/07/08 - Ultimate Pelagics Iceland Trip (27 June to 9 July 2008)
Photos from this trip have been uploaded and trip reports are available on our blog.
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Minke Whale |
28/06/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Felixstowe-Grangemouth Clonlee 24 - 26 June 2008 - Steve Hughes, Edward Oliver
Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 1, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 6
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 170, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 3, Common Gull Larus canus 13, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 2, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 3, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 2, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 17, Little Tern Sterna albifrons 1, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 3, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 2, Puffin Fratercula arctica 31, Guillemot Uria aalge 150
24/06/08 - Helium Balloon Pollution Blights Our Seas
Marinelife monitors record many deflated helium balloons in our seas
On its survey of the Southern North Sea, Marinelife has monitored a worrying number of helium balloons along its wildlife survey route from Felixstowe (UK) to Vlaardingen (Netherlands). This new route with Norfolkline Ferries is surveyed by Marinelife for the presence of marine wildlife including whales, dolphins, porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans) and seabirds and is proving to be very productive.
18/06/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Ferry Cotentin 14 - 16 June 2008 - Russell Neave, Andrew Palmer
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 19, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 2, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 71, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 7, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 294, Dolphin Sp. 50, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 12
Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 9
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 168, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 9, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 1, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 44, Gannet Morus bassanus 1384, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 2, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 56, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 107, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 86, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 4, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 2, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 22, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 3, Black Tern Chlidonias niger 1, Guillemot Uria aalge 1, Razorbill Alca torda 1, Tern Sp. 14, Large Gull Sp. 703
Feral Pigeon Columba livia 132, Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 1, European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 1, Common Swift Apus apus 3
16/06/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Felixstowe-Vlaardingen 14 - 15 June 2008 - Andrew Boulden, Ian Paynter
Weather: Eastbound – NW 2-1 – Maersk Anglia , Westbound – NW 2-1 – Maersk
Importer
Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1 (Breaching)
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 37, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 37, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 1, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 1, Common Gull Larus canus 82, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 126, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 153, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 1, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 2, Gull Sp. 44
12/06/08 - Make money for you and Marinelife/Biscay Dolphin Research Programme by selling your old mobile phone
We have teamed up with enviroCharities, a scheme dedicated to helping
you as a supporter make money for your old mobile and support Marinelife/Biscay
Dolphin Research Programme at the same time. The process is really simple,
it works by you selling your old mobile phone(s) for anything up to £180
on our website (www.marinelife-bdrp.envirocharities.com)
and for each sale you make, enviroCharities will automatically make a
donation of £3.00 to Marinelife/Biscay Dolphin Research Programme. You
will always receive the value of your phone as listed on the website,
but if you are feeling generous you can also donate a percentage value
of your mobile phone to Marinelife/Biscay Dolphin Research Programme.
Donations can be made in increments of 10% up to 100%.
To sell your phone or see how much it is worth, simply visit www.marinelife-bdrp.envirocharities.com.
22/05/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Ferry Cotentin 17 - 19 May 2008 - Russell Neave, Hugh Venables
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 3, Large Rorqual 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 1 (probable), Northern Bottlenose Whale Hyperoodon ampullatus 2 (possible), Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 5, Beaked Whale Sp. 3, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 139, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 6, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 75, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 12, Dolphin Sp. 8, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 9
Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 5
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 230, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 1, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 21, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 8, Gannet Morus bassanus 543, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 5, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 52, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 49, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 303, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 2, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 3, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 5, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 3, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 4, Guillemot Uria aalge 11, Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii 2 (possible), Gull Sp. 5
Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 1, Common Swift Apus apus 16, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 2, House Martin Delichon urbicum 22, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 1, Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 1
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Cuvier's Beaked Whale |
17/05/08 - Lyme Bay sightings & 2008 Balearic Shearwater Survey details updated
March-early May Spring migration of land and shorebirds
West Bay and surrounding area:
A good selection of birds passing through including Whimbrel,
Common Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover,
Mediterranean Gull, Greenshank, Red Kite, Osprey, good numbers
of Willow Warblers, several Redstarts and
White Wagtails, Grasshopper Warbler, Ring Ouzel and Yellow
Wagtail.
06/05/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Felixstowe-Vlaardingen Clonlee 3 - 4 May 2008 - Hugh Venables, Mike Bailey
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 40, Gannet Morus bassanus 30, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 5, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 1, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 3, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2, Common Gull Larus canus 5, Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 5, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 156, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 149, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 8, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 6, Little Tern Sterna albifrons 3, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 14, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 7, Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 2, Guillemot Uria aalge 2
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 1
05/05/08 - Announcement: Fund raising event - Cycle to Paris
Come
on a fabulous London to Paris cycle ride and help raise funds for Marinelife
and the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme. Details from john.arnott@marine-life.org.uk
25/04/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Ferry Cotentin 19 - 21 April 2008 - Duncan Fyfe, Jeff Picksley
Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1, Large Rorqual 1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus 6, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 1, Beaked Whale Sp. 2, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 5, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 59, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 4, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 13, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 37, Dolphin Sp. 8, Cetacean Sp. 2, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 5
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 37, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 18, Petrel sp. 263, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 11, Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 36, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 3, Little Gull Larus minutus 2, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 6, 'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea 11, Guillemot Uria aalge 103, Razorbill Alca torda 7, Auk Sp. 20, Gull Sp. 15, Skua Sp.2
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 1, Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 18, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 18, Phylloscopus sp. 1, lark sp. 1, calidris sp. 3, pipit sp. 3, wagtail sp. 1, wader sp. 1
08/04/08 - Charity Takes Steps To Increase Whale & Dolphin Research
‘Marinelife’ extends its vital monitoring of endangered whales and dolphins
‘Marinelife’ has extended its EU-recognised whale and dolphin research conducted in partnership with several well known commercial ferry and transport operators in order to further enhance scientific knowledge on endangered whale, dolphin and seabird populations in and around the UK and European coastlines.
24/03/08 - Marinelife Survey Report: Poole-Santander Ferry (Brittany Ferries freight) 15 - 17 March 2008 - Tom Brereton, Matt Hobbs
Wind F4-9, up to 5.5m swells
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 73, Dolphin species 5,
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 5
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 51, Gannet Morus bassanus 298, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 80, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 40, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 55, Black Headed Gull Larus ridibundus 55, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 5, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 33, Guillemot Uria aalge 46, Razorbill Alca torda 40, Auk Sp. 5, Gull Sp. 1
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 1, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 2, Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 11
16/03/08 - Whale and Dolphin Charity "Marinelife" Expands Its Research
‘Marinelife’ will be expanding its essential research covering whales, dolphins and oceanic bird life in collaboration with Brittany Ferries Freight and their new ship Cotentin on the Poole to Santander route.
To facilitate this ‘Marinelife’, a European marine conservation research charity, is being supported by The Haven Hotel at Sandbanks, Poole, to run a land-based training session, in scientific marine mammal and seabird monitoring methods on 6th April 2008.
01/03/08 - Press Release: Charity Monitors Plastic Bag Spread from Land to Sea
Marinelife monitors UK Waters for discarded plastic bags which kill whales
Marinelife welcomes any move to reduce the impact discarded plastic bags are having on our oceans. The charity which conducts year round whale and dolphin research in the English Channel, North Sea and Bay of Biscay has also been working closely with Aberdeen University for over 2 years to record all plastic rubbish along its research route.
Ed. - I've added a link for Plastic Bag Free Modbury which has an interesting page on plastic pollution and infomation on reducing the use of plastic bags.
31/01/08 - Become a Cetacean & Sea Bird Surveyor with Marinelife/Biscay Dolphin Research Programme
Marinelife, which has been operating its successful Biscay Dolphin Research Programme for 13 years, is running a special shore-based training opportunity at RSPB Rainham Marshes for volunteer whale and dolphin surveyors for a new all -year survey route operating out of Felixstowe and covering the North Sea area as well as other survey routes.
The programme will include an introduction to ocean-going cetacean and seabird survey techniques and protocols, a brief overview of identification issues, guidelines on how to become more actively involved with Marinelife/BDRP pelagic surveys and an opportunity to network with key personnel and other volunteer surveyors.
This will be followed up with opportunities for more rigorous scientific training at sea under the guidance of experienced team leaders through our programme of monthly research voyages on ferry routes in the English Channel and Bay of Biscay as well as an exciting new route from Felixstowe covering the North Sea area. This will ensure that all data collected by volunteer researchers during ongoing projects is of the same high quality and continues to be at the forefront of current best practice.
The event will be held in the RSPB Rainham Marshes Visitor's Centre. It will include information on:
Survey methodology
Using the Recording Forms
Explanation of terms
Bridge protocols & general behaviour
Team structure & operation
Information on the route & identification of cetaceans, birds and other
marine life likely to be observed
This introductory training event is being held at RSPB Rainham Marshes on Thursday 7th February 2008 at 19:00h. There is a nominal charge of £5 per person to help cover expenses, payable in advance.
To register for this course or for further details, including booking information, please email Emma Webb, Marinelife Community and Operations Officer, at emma.webb@biscay-dolphin.org.uk
24/01/08 - Charity Takes Plight Of Dolphins To The European Commission
Marinelife discussing drastic dolphin decline and positive action
Following the reported drastic decrease in dolphin numbers in the Bay of Biscay by wildlife research and conservation charity Marinelife during the summer of 2007, the charity’s Chairman Clive Martin was invited to share its findings in more detail with the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Joe Borg, in Strasbourg earlier this week on 15th January.
2007
23/12/07 - Announcement: 2008 Whale and Dolphin Theme Cruise Dates Now Available to Book
In
association with P&O Ferries, BDRP will be running four special Whale
and Dolphin theme cruises in 2008, sailing over four days from Portsmouth
to Bilbao and back, through one of the best localities in the world for
whale watching.
These follow the success of the 2007 trips.
The 2008 dates are: 9 - 12 July
12 - 15
July
16 - 19 September
19 - 22 September
16/11/07 - NEWS FLASH: Marinelife Director Presents to EU Meeting on Fisheries Bycatch
Clive Martin, Director of Marinelife, attended the Labour Party Conference
in September 2007, in particular, a fringe meeting concerning the welfare
of animals, including marine mammals, where he gave a presentation on
this subject. Following this meeting, Marinelife received an invitation
to give a presentation to the infragroup of the European Union Parliament
in Strasbourg. This invitation was extended to Clive Martin by Robert
Evans MEP and took place in Strasboug on Wednesday 14th November 2007.
The meeting was specific to fisheries bycatch and Clive was able to give
a presentation with regard to bycatch issues as well as, and more importantly,
the massive decline of dolphin numbers which has been recorded by Marinelife
by daily and monthly surveys in the English Channel and Bay of Biscay.
Following this presentation, which was extremely well received, a further
invitation to attend a meeting with the European Fisheries & Maritime
Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg has been received by Marinelife.
17/09/07 - Sighting: Blue Whale seen on BDRP Whale & Dolphin Themed Cruise
A
definite sighting of an adult Blue Whale was seen whilst
travelling southbound on the 2nd Whale & Dolphin Themed Cruise of
the year. A good proportion of the passengers enjoying the Themed Cruise
in calm conditions got views of the world's largest animal as it exhaled
a blow, rolled its back and proceeded to show its flukes as it dived.
This is the first confirmed sighting of Blue Whale this year and was the
highlight of a great trip.
30/08/07 - BDRP & Ultimate Pelagics Cruise Report: MV Athena 25 - 30 August 2007
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 83, Sei Whale Balaenoptera borealis 1, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1 (probable), Rorqual Sp. 89, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 10, Beaked Whale Sp. 6, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 69, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 199, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus 11, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 178, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 68, Dolphin Sp. 67, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena Several Reported.
Full totals to follow...
20/08/07 - Where Have All The Dolphins Gone This Summer?
Researchers from the wildlife conservation charity Marinelife are extremely concerned about what it is NOT seeing this summer in the Bay of Biscay.
Early indications have shown that during June and July, the total number counted of the 3 main dolphin species, Common Dolphin, Striped Dolphin and Bottlenose Dolphin, are down by around 80% on the same time last year. Seabirds, such as auks, shearwaters, and gannets have also been in short supply and the situation has been ongoing since the early spring, with no signs of an improvement thus far during August. Marinelife are worried that this very apparent decline in sightings of both dolphins and seabirds along the ferry route, could be more wide-ranging and could indicate a big reduction in fish stocks due to over fishing or a change in distribution of fish stocks due to temperature changes (in turn linked to climate change). This year has already been marked by a failure of the anchovy fishery, with bans being put in place for the Spanish and French fleets, but what else could be happening?
10/08/07 - White Beaked Dolphin in Lyme Bay
4th
August - Lyme Bay Pelagic - up to 40km south-east of Exmouth 07:00-17:30
Highlight on this trip was the sighting of 3 White-beaked
Dolphins which came to ride the bow of the boat. Also Basking
Shark, 2 Manx Shearwater, 6 Great Skua,
9 Fulmar, 3 Common Scoter, 10 Kittiwake,
20 Sandwich Tern, 54 Gannet, 20 Great
Black-backed Gull and 91 Herring Gull.
Lyme Bay Project Latest Sightings>>
09/08/07 - New Balearic Shearwater Survey launched.
New volunteer survey to locate endangered Balearic Shearwaters off the Devon and Dorset coasts
In collaboration between Marinelife, the RSPB and the National Oceanography Centre, an offshore survey of the globally and critically endangered Balearic Shearwater is currently underway this summer off the coasts of Devon and Dorset. The aim of the survey is to find out more about the at-sea distribution and behaviour of Balearic Shearwaters, by placing volunteer observers on fishing boats and other ships of opportunity such as dive boats and angling boats. Any data collected will help inform future conservation strategies for this highly threatened seabird.
09/08/07 - News: Yangtze River Dolphin officially declared critically endangered (probably extinct)
After more than 20 million years on the planet, the Yangtze river dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer) was yesterday officially declared likely to be extinct, the first species of cetacean (whale, dolphin or porpoise) to be driven from this planet by human activity. It is the first large animal to be wiped from the planet for 50 years, and only the fourth entire mammal family to disappear in 500 years. An intensive six-week search by an international team of marine biologists involving two boats that ploughed up and down the world's busiest river last December failed to find a single specimen. The species was the only remaining member of the Lipotidae, an ancient mammal family that is understood to have separated from other marine mammals, including whales, dolphins and porpoises, about 40-20 million years ago. This probable extinction represents the disappearance of a complete branch of the evolutionary tree of life.
06/07/07 - Update: The 1st 2007 BDRP Theme Cruise sails this weekend
The first of BDRP and P&O's 2007 Whale and Dolphin Themed Cruises sails this weekend, check the Bay of Biscay trips page for further trips this year.
28/05/07 - Update: Blue Ocean Safaris - trips added
3 new Maldives trips for 2008 have been added to the Blue Ocean Safaris section for The Great Migration, Tropical Whales & Dolphins and Manta Rays, there is one more Maldives trip this year to see Blue Whales in autumn. Other locations include trips throughout the summer to the Azores. Also we have many trips to Bay of Biscay, including our popular Themed Cruises in July and September, Ultimate Pelagics in August and the Company of Whales trips throughout the summer.
11/05/07 - News: Ferry Travel reviewed in the Telegraph
Shaking off the old stereotypes, taking the Ferry to the continent on modern vessels received a good review in the Telegraph as pleasant way to travel with the added bonus of the opportunity for whale and dolphin watching.
21/03/07
- News: Monty Halls from Channel Five’s Great Ocean
Adventures draws raffle at London Dive Show
Straight from a hectic London Dive Show, Monty Halls of Channel Five’s Great Ocean Adventures and Full Circle Expeditions took time out to support the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme and draw the winning raffle ticket from our show raffle. The lucky winner, Mr Varga from Wales, won £100 cash.
The event was a huge success which much interest shown in our work as well as trips on the Pride of Bilbao. In total we raised nearly £500 for BDRP!
I would like to thank all of the volunteers who gave up their time to support us on the stand as well as the many people who took time to visit us during the show as well as Monty for drawing the raffle.
16/03/2007 - Announcement: 2007 Whale and Dolphin Theme Cruise Dates
In
association with P&O Ferries, BDRP will be running three special Whale
and Dolphin theme cruises this year, sailing over four days from Portsmouth
to Bilbao and back, through one of the best localities in the world for
whale watching.
The 2007 dates are
7 - 10 July
14 - 17 September
20 - 23 September
These follow the success of previous trips. Check the sightings from previous Whale and Dolphin Special trips (July & September 2006 trip 1 & trip 2), as well as BDRP's news and sightings, as a good diversity of wildlife was recorded for the region last summer.
02/03/07
- Biscay Dolphin Research Programme at The London International Dive
Show 2007 ~ 10th & 11th March 2007, ExCeL, London
For the first time, Biscay Dolphin Research Programme will be present at the London International Dive Show at Excel.
"Twice a year the diving world gears up for the highlights of the sport's calendar — the London and Birmingham Dive Shows. At each event hundreds of leading suppliers of the latest diving gear, holidays, training courses, leisurewear and boats meet with thousands of experienced and wannabe divers from the UK, Europe and beyond."
24/02/07 - Marinelife Survey Website Section Added: Plymouth-Roscoff Survey
The February Plymouth-Roscoff Survey report is now available from the sightings page for this survey within the new section that has been added to the website for this route
08/02/07
- BDRP WLO Reports resume for 2007
WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 4 - 8 February 2007 - Clive Martin, BDRP Wildlife Officer, Pride of Bilbao, Director BDRP
Weather: Southbound NW 2, Northbound NW up to storm force 11, decreasing
to force 4, rain
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 1,685,
Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 18, Harbour
Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 18
NB: This was a winter schedule 4 day trip enabling us to monitor the shelf break in daylight hours.
25/01/07 - Marinelife Survey Report: Plymouth-Roscoff ferry, Pont L'Abbe 14th January 2007 - Emma Webb, Andrew Boulden
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 35, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 8, Small cetacean Sp. 2, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 2
Gannet Morus bassanus 24, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 3, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 22, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 4, Lesser Black-Backed Gull Larus fuscus 4, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 33, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 5, Puffin Fratercula arctica 19, Guillemot Uria aalge 3, Razorbill Alca torda 2, Black-backed Gull sp. 2, Gull sp. 19, Auk sp. 14
24/01/07 - News: Many seabirds affected by fuel oil from beached container ship in Lyme Bay
The MSC Napoli was beached in Lyme Bay following storm damage to its hull and structural failure. This has resulted in large quantities of goods and resultant litter being lost overboard into the bay. As well as floating around in the bay causing a hazard to fisherman and other boat traffic, much of it has been washed up along the shore is now subject to ongoing efforts to clean it up by local groups and volunteers. Whilst work is ongoing to pump out the 3,500 tonnes fuel oil from the ship, a quantity of it has already leaked and created a slick. Efforts are being made to contain this but local wildlife has already been affected. BBC News on the containment...
The
RSPB has estimated that around 1,000 birds may be affected - mainly Guillemots,
but also Gulls and Razorbills. Many
birds have been found at Portland
Bill where they breed on the cliffs. Local wildlife groups have been
working to rescue affected birds, but many were seen floundering at sea
and may not have made it to land. Of those that have been rescued, many
have been sent to an RSPCA centre to be cleaned up and recover, although
staff and volunteers are prepared for high mortality rates amongst oiled
birds. BBC
News on the rescue...
3 Dolphin have been found washed up including 1 Common Dolphin, although the cause of death is unconfirmed. The full extent of the damage will become clearer as time goes on, but this clearly impacts a World Heritage site and diverse marine habitat.
02/01/07 - Marinelife Survey Report: Plymouth-Roscoff ferry, Pont L'Abbe 12th December 2006 - Charlie Rugeroni, Peter Hutchinson
Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 1
Gannet Morus bassanus 4, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 3, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 3, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 4, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 3, Guillemot Uria aalge 30
2006
29/12/06 - Announcement: Become a Cetacean Surveyor with Marinelife - 13th January 2007
A special shore-based training opportunity for volunteer whale and dolphin surveyors is being offered in preparation for the 2007 survey season. The programme will include an introduction to ocean-going cetacean and seabird survey techniques and protocols, a brief overview of identification issues, guidelines on how to become more actively involved with Marinelife/BDRP pelagic surveys and an opportunity to network with key personnel and other volunteer surveyors.
This will be followed up with opportunities for more rigorous scientific training at sea under the guidance of experienced team leaders through our programme of monthly research voyages on ferry routes in the English Channel and Bay of Biscay. This will ensure that all data collected by volunteer researchers during ongoing projects is of the same high quality and continues to be at the forefront of current best practice.
This introductory training event is being held at the National Marine
Aquarium in Plymouth on Saturday 13th January 2007 at 13:30h, finishing
at 16:30h. The cost will be £5 per person, payable in advance.
For further details, including booking information, please email John Arnott, Marinelife/BDRP Research Teams Manager, at john.arnott@marine-life.org.uk
24/12/06 - Recycle your Old Mobile Phone
If
you got a new phone for Christmas or just have an old phone gathering
dust then why not trade it in for recycling. Envirophone will make a donation
to BDRP for every phone and will also pay you for many phones.
14/12/06 - Special Offer: Cetacean Field Guide Offer
BDRP are pleased to announce that the new Whales, Dolphins & Seals Field Guide by Hadoram Shirihai is available for only £10.99 plus £2.95 p+p. This essential new guide book is the ideal Christmas present for all cetacean lovers.
Buy together with the Ocean Guides: Whales & Dolphins of the European Atlantic by Graeme Cresswell and Dylan Walker and save on postage.
09/11/06 - Marinelife Survey Report: Plymouth-Roscoff ferry, Pont L'Abbe 7th November 2006 - Hugh Venables, Suzie Opacic
Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 50, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 8, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 1
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 5, Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 13, Gannet Morus bassanus 303, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 5, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 8, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 10, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 612, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 70, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 9, Puffin Fratercula arctica 3, Guillemot Uria aalge 15, Razorbill Alca torda 1, Auk sp. 21
Starling Sturnus vulgaris 1, Finch sp. 2
09/11/06 - BDRP Survey Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 29 - 31 October 2006 - Emma Webb, John Day, Justine Cooper
Weather:
Southbound SW 0 to NE 5 (heavy fog patches), Northbound NE 5 (fog to start)
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus/Large Rorqual
1, Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus
1 , Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 2,860,
Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 29, Bottlenose
Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 1, Harbour Porpoise
Phocoena phocoena 3
Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 4, Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus 1
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 2, Great Shearwater
Puffinus gravis 7, Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 11,
Wilson’s Petrel Oceanites oceanicus 1, Gannet Morus
bassanus 428, Greylag Goose Anser anser 7, Anas sp.
20, (Ruddy) Turnstone Arenaria interpres 20, Great Skua Stercorarius
skua 26, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 1, Herring
Gull Larus argentatus 5, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
5, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 5, Sabine’s
Gull Larus sabini 1, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 72,
Puffin Fratercula arctica 1, Guillemot Uria aalge 12,
Auk sp Uria sp. 5
Skylark Alauda arvensis 139, Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
23, White Wagtail/Pied Wagtail Montacilla alba/M. alba Yarrellii
1, Black Redstart Phoenicurus chrurus 1, Song Thrush Turdus
philomelos 1, Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 1
09/11/06 - Marinelife Survey Report: Plymouth-Roscoff ferry, Pont-Aven 12th September 2006 - Emma Webb, Charlie Rugeroni
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 9
Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus 1
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 2, Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 5, Gannet Morus bassanus 87, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 4, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 16, Gull Sp. 50, Razorbill Alca torda 1, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1, Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 1
07/11/06
- Sightings: BDRP and Coastal Migration
A number of interesting species have been seen from the Pride Of Bilbao recently, including Blue Whale, White-Beaked Dolphin and thousands of Gannets and other seabirds accompanied Common Dolphin in a feeding frenzy. Continued Coastal bird migration has seen even greater numbers of birds moving with the cold snap. This is contributing to a variety bird life in the Bay of Biscay with many interesting species being seen.
01/11/06 - Marinelife's Biscay Dolphin Research Programme news article gets international TV coverage
A recent 9 minute news article on the work of Marinelife's Biscay Dolphin Research Programme was aired on 9 international satellite channels. Featuring cetacean footage mainly taken during the group's research, the article is fronted by Director and Principle Scientific Officer Dr Tom Brereton, as well as covering the work of Director and Senior Wildlife Liaison Officer Clive Martin and the research team aboard the Pride of Bilbao.
14/10/06 - Marinelife Survey Report: Plymouth-Roscoff ferry, Pont-Aven 10 October 2006 - Catherine Strong, David Hopkins
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 1, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 9, Gannet Morus bassanus 356, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 13, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 29, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 34, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 1, Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 7
Turnstone Arenaria interpres 15
11/10/06 - Announcement: Report Added
Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry BDRP Cetacean & Seabird public cruise 16 - 19 September 2006 - Tom Brereton, Clive Martin, Emma Webb, John Arnott, Adrian Shephard, Darren Fanner
Fin
Whale Balaenoptera physalus/Large Rorqual 71, Sei
Whale Balaenoptera borealis 1 (probable), Minke
Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 2, Sperm
Whale Physeter macrocephalus 9, Cuvier's
Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 7 (including 1 breaching
- see photo), Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala
melas 3, Killer Whale Orcinus orca
1, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 420,
Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 55, Bottlenose
Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 25, Harbour Porpoise
Phocoena phocoena 13, Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 5, Billfish/Marlin
sp. 1
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 86, Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 1,602, Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis 3, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 6, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 29, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 3, Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 16, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 4, Red (Grey) Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 1, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 3, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 6, Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus 2, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 38, Black Tern Chlidonias niger 1...
26/09/06 - WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry BDRP Cetacean & Seabird public cruise 19 - 22 September 2006 - Clive Martin, Emma Webb, John Arnott, Adrian Shephard, James Phillips
Fin
Whale Balaenoptera physalus/Large Rorqual 61, Minke
Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata (probable) 1, Sperm
Whale Physeter macrocephalus 2, Sowerby's
Beaked Whale Mesoplodon bidens (probable) 2, Long-finned
Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 11, Common Dolphin
Delphinus delphis 9, Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus 21, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena
phocoena 2, Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 3, Several Tuna boils Thunnus
sp.
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 7, Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 2, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 36, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 75, Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 1, Parasitic (Arctic) Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 4, Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus 1, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini 12...
22/09/06 - RSPB Launches South Coast Survey for Balearic Shearwater
The presence of the internationally threatened Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus off the South West coast, particularly around Berry Head, has attracted the attention of the RSPB who have announced plans launch a survey to improve our understanding of their movements. Marinelife have recorded this species for a number of years from the Pride of Bilbao and this summer from the Pont-Aven and pelagic trips out of West Bay and continue to collect data on this special bird.
21/09/06 - Announcement: Whale and Dolphin Watching Holidays in 2006 and 2007
Blue Ocean Safaris in conjunction with Whale Watch Azores, Ultimate Pelagics in the Bay of Biscay and Dr Chas Anderson in the Maldives are running a number of trips to watch Whales and Dolphins around the world later in 2006 and into 2007. Further trips will be added once dates are confirmed.
09/09/06 - Ultimate Pelagics 13 - 16 August 2006 - Highlights
Initial reports from the first Ultimate Pelagic into the Bay of Biscay are of a huge success. The full sightings list has been compiled and trips on 2 different routes next year are booking up.
2,500 cetaceans of 12-13 species as well as over 40 species of bird were
seen, these include:
Sei Whale, probable Blue Whale, Fin
Whale 125, Beaked Whales (all species) 50+,
Sowerby's Beaked Whale
Possible Bulwer's Petrel, Wilson's Petrel, Little Shearwater, Cory's Shearwater, Great Shearwater, Sabine's Gull and Grey Phalarope
Also Leatherback Turtle, Basking Shark, Melodious Warbler 3, Small Mottled Willow and Cosmopolitan Moths.
16/08/06 - Marinelife Survey Report: Plymouth-Roscoff ferry, Pont-Aven 8 August 2006 - Duncan Fyfe, Hugh Venables
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 13, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata 1
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 3, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 3, Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 2, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 1, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 5, Leach’s Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa 1, Gannet Morus bassanus 117, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 505, Yellow-Legged Gull Larus cachinnans 2, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 42, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 1, Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 2, Black Tern Chlidonias niger 7, Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 12, Sand Martin Riparia riparia 1, Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1, Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 2, Shearwater sp 1
01/08/06 - WLO Report: Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry BDRP Cetacean & Seabird public cruise 6 - 9 July 2005 - Tom Brereton, James Phillips, John Arnott, Adrian Shephard, Jo Wharam
Weather
Southbound SW 2-4 rain/mist, Northbound E 1-3
Sowerby's Beaked Whale Mesoplodon
bidens 1 (possible), Northern Bottlenose Whale Hyperoodon
ampullatus 4 (probable), Sperm Whale Physeter
macrocephalus 13, Killer Whale Orcinus
orca 3, Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus
2, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 1,553,
Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis
1,081, Harbour Porpoise Phocoena
phocoena 8, Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala
melas 17, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata
1, Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris
12, Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus 4, Dolphin
sp. 78
Ocean Sunfish Mola mola 2, Billfish 1
22/07/06 - Marinelife Survey Report: Plymouth-Roscoff ferry, Pont-Aven 11 July 2006 - Jenny Haley, Rolf Williams
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 6, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 1, European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 5, Gannet Morus bassanus 105, Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 6, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 3, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 297+, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 2, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 12, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 1, Gull sp 150+
06/07/06 - Marinelife Sightings: Long-finned Pilot Whale
The Coastal Migration Watch section is being updated with regular sightings including Long-finned Pilot Whale off Lyme Bay on the 5th, as well as moth and bird sightings. The Biscay Dolphin Research Programme sightings are also regularly updated and Pilot Whale were recorded in the channel today, it is not certain that this is the same group, although it is likely and it does illustrate the advantages of monitoring adjacent areas and habitats by Marinelife projects. The Pride Of Bilbao sails tonight on the first of the Whale and Dolphin Themed Cruises, details of further trips are in the Blue Ocean Safaris Whale, Dolphin and Marine Life Tours section.
28/06/06 - Marinelife Survey Report: Plymouth-Roscoff ferry, Pont-Aven 13 June 2006 - Tom Brereton, John Arnott
Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 3
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 7, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 86, Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 16, Gannet Morus bassanus 153, Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 11, European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 11, Herring Gull Larus argentatus 172, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 6, Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 17, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 3, Gull sp. 2, Common Tern Sterna hirundo 2, Guillemot Uria aalge 2, Razorbill Alca torda 1
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 2, Common Swift Apus apus 3, Painted Lady or Red Admiral butterfly 1
28/06/06 - Marinelife Website launched
The Biscay Dolphin Research Programme has recently been subsumed into the registered charity Marinelife. To this effect the website has been expanded and split out into sections to reflect the research of the wider group. The Biscay Dolphin Research Programme section is regularly updated with sightings with a good variety of species seen as we move into the summer months. The Whale, Dolphin and Marine Life Tours operating as Blue Ocean Safaris has improved navigation to find the many trips available in the Bay of Biscay and around the world. Whilst the Coastal Migration Watch area has regular sightings and further details will become available in due course.
March 2006 - Announcement: Emma Webb has been appointed to the full-time position of "Marinelife Community and Operations Officer"
Marinelife and the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (which is the major project under the Marinelife banner) is expanding and we are now, of course, operating a fully registered charity. As with any organisation there are always administration details to address and we have several major projects currently underway as well as 2006 Research on the Pride of Bilbao and other places notably the Canyons off Northern Spain... so life is very busy and Emma will help us to deal efficiently with these projects. The post will entail relief Wildlife Liaison Officer duties and Emma will also be a point of contact in my absence.
I am sure that you will join me in wishing Emma a happy and successful employment with Marinelife
Clive Martin
Chairman
Marinelife
Registered Charity No. 1110884
Copyright of Marinelife 2009