BDRP conducting the first Whale & Dolphin Theme Cruise of 2005 for P&O Ferries
Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry 7 - 10 July 2005 - Clive Martin, Tom Brereton, James Phillips, John Arnott, Adrian Shephard, Amanda Hyam
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena 14, Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 382, Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 18, Striped Dolphin
Stenella coeruleoalba 332, Risso's Dolphin Grampus
griseus 7, Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata
3, Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae 1,
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris 4,
Sowerby's Beaked Whale Mesoplodon bidens 4,
Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas 5,
Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus/Large Rorqual
6, Dolphin species 28
Sunfish Mola mola 5, Turtle species (size indicated a Leatherback) 1, Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus 3
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 2, Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 5, Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1, Great Skua Stercorarius skua 4, Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 12
Our first theme cruise of the year proved another great success for all involved, with some great sightings. With nearly 840 animals of some 11 species recorded over the 3 days of watching everyone was able to come away with some wonderful experiences of whale watching in the Bay of Biscay. For some this was their first ever experience of whales and dolphins.
The
weather was kind to us too, allowing for good viewing conditions for the
3 days of the trip. The sea state was good, ranging from 3 to 5 for most
of the trip and even dropping to 0 to 1 as we came up the English Channel
on the last day. The skies stayed blue and the sun warm.
There were some 85 people on the trip (including a good number returning from previous theme cruises) and expectations were high as the BDRP team welcomed people on board the theme cruise on the first evening as we came down the English Channel.
The cruise program included constant assisted watches on 11 deck. Guided
visits to the monkey island (which acts as a wonderful viewing platform
above the Bridge) for 2-3 hour spells on the 8th and 9th proved to be
extremely popular. Illustrated presentations were provided on the whales,
dolphins and seabirds that we would hope to see on the trip and on BDRP’s
continuing work in Biscay. On the last day there were follow-up sessions
on the trip’s sightings and a Q&A session.
Day 1
As we headed southbound into the Bay, watching began in earnest around lunchtime on the 8th after the mid-day lecture and it was not long before we had a report of a Minke Whale seen off the starboard side. This was followed by a good series of Harbour Porpoise sighting with at least 14 animals seen.
Following
a brief lull, activity increased significantly from the mid-afternoon
onwards as we approached the continental shelf edge. As this was a specific
BDRP/P&O whale and dolphin theme cruise Clive had asked the captain
if it was possible to get to the shelf edge as quickly as possible so
that we could spend some time cruising along the shelf break encountering
whale and dolphin activity before we continued our trip towards Bilbao.
This we were able to do with wonderful results. From the late afternoon
we started getting excellent sightings as dolphins started to perform,
with good views obtained of Common, Bottlenose and Striped. Stars again
were Common Dolphins, with more than 350 (mostly adults) coming to the
bow. However pride of place must surely go to the superb views of an adult
Fin Whale no more than 300m off the port beam, with everyone having a
wonderful experience of this the second largest animal that has ever lived
on the planet. This was without doubt one of the highlights of the trip.
A number of passengers also had views of a Humpback Whale in the early
evening which was an excellent record for the Bay of Biscay.
Other sightings included Long-finned Pilot Whale, Ocean Sunfish and a turtle species presumed to be Leatherback on shear size alone.
Birds were few but this to be expected for the time of year, although
Sooty Shearwater, Great and Arctic Skuas were seen early on, as were small
numbers of Storm-petrels and one very large group of plunge diving Gannets.
Day 2
We
arrived in Bilbao in the early morning of the 9th and everybody went ashore
and enjoyed the various activities laid on by P&O during their short
stay. By 1215 hrs ship’s time we were on our way once more northbound
and it was not long before we were making the eagerly awaited passage
across the Cap Breton Canyon. Anticipation was high for the mighty Cuvier’s
Beaked Whale and this was duly rewarded with sightings of 4 animals quickly
followed by even more remarkable sightings of 4 Sowerby’s Beaked Whales close to the port side of the boat. All theme cruise passengers
were on hand to get good views of these rarely seen animals.
The late afternoon/evening period though really belonged to the Striped Dolphin, with regular sightings of groups numbering up to 60. Everybody was able to get stunning views of these wonderfully playful dolphins as they came in to bow-ride. Some 200 animals were logged through the evening including one mixed group of some 150 animals.
Other sightings included 7 Risso’s dolphins, Common Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins.
Birds again proved scarce and actually seeing a bird was an achievement!
Only 4 birds were logged. Most agreed that more oil drums were seen………….
Well you can’t win them all.
Day 3
A
beautiful dawn broke on the Sunday morning and those early birds that
were able to make 11 deck were able to catch the worm, well in this case
2 Common Dolphins, 3 Minke Whales, 2 Harbour Porpoises and 4 Basking Sharks;
all observed by 0900 hrs. As predicted the English Channel came good again
...........
After the final briefing people made their way back on deck to enjoy the good weather but all too soon the Isle of Wight came into view and as we made our way towards Portsmouth on a beautiful glorious sunny July afternoon everyone was able to take time out and reflect on a stunning trip.
The Bay of Biscay was able to show once again what a truly wonderful marine habitat it is, this being reflected in the amazing variety of whale and dolphin species that we had just been privileged to see. All agreed that long may it remain so.
Hopefully see you all on the next one ……….
The BDRP Team
Registered Charity No. 1110884
Copyright of BDRP 2006