Weather conditions: Overcast with rain at times, Wind direction S/SW, Sea state 1-3
Groups of bottlenose dolphins were seen by our Living Seas Volunteers during every watch yesterday. Again several mother and calf pairs visited the bay to forage at times joining with others to form larger groups. There were also three sightings of Atlantic grey seals swimming just north of the harbour wall.
Weather conditions: No precipitation, Sea state 3, Wind force 4, Moderate swell
Despite the choppy sea conditions yesterday, a successful boat survey took place in the afternoon, with a sighting of a young seal pup. The pup was hauled out on a small beach just past New Quay headland, towards Cwmtydu.
Weather conditions: Overcast and sunny, Wind direction S/SW/W, Sea state 1-4
Following this morning’s otter encounter, bottlenose dolphins were observed on every following land survey. Multiple small groups and mother-calf pairs were foraging in the bay for up to 2 hours at a time, routinely leaping out of the water and belly rolling. These cetaceans came right up to the harbour wall at times, allowing our Shorefin team to photograph and identify several individuals. An Atlantic grey seal was also seen close to the harbour wall towards the late afternoon.
Weather conditions: Fair with sunny spells, Wind direction W/SW veering NW, Sea state 1-3
Our Living Seas Volunteers were treated to almost constant sightings yesterday of bottlenose dolphins. Several loose groups were spotted foraging between the headland and the Cardinal Marker although at times they did approach the harbour. This enabled our Shorefin Team to identify several of our regulars including Snowcap and Jackie with her calf Jay. There were also two sightings of Atlantic grey seals.
Weather Conditions: No precipitation, Sea state 2, Visibility >10 km, Wind force 2, Light swell
There were several sightings of bottlenose dolphins within New Quay Bay and off Target Rock during the early part of our boat survey aboard the Anna Lloyd. Five separate groups were observed totalling 11 animals including 4 calves. There were also sightings of five Atlantic grey seals including a pup on the beach near Bird Rock with a male nearby in the water. The survey ended as it had begun with seeing a dolphin just off the harbour wall in New Quay.
Weather conditions: Cloud and rain with sunny spells, Wind direction S/SW/W/NW, Sea state 1-3
A rainy start quickly became a great day of continuous sightings of bottlenose dolphins; with various groups staying in the harbour throughout the day until our last watch at 7pm. Groups were seen foraging near the cardinal buoy for most of the day, with a number of young juveniles exhibiting behaviours such as leaping and spy hopping. Jacky and Jay were seen close to the harbour wall in the bay during the morning watch. An Atlantic grey seal was also seen scanning close to the harbour wall during the afternoon.
Weather conditions: Overcast with sunny spells, Wind direction S/SW/W, Sea state 1-3
Our Living Seas Volunteers and members of the public were treated to continuous sightings of bottlenose dolphins throughout the day between 7am and 7pm, including some very close encounters when groups came in to forage off the harbour wall. Jacky and Snowcap were among individuals in the bay displaying behaviours such as spy-hopping and leaping, and gannets could be observed foraging above. A grey seal was also seen logging for over an hour during the final survey.
Weather conditions: Sunny, Wind direction NE/N/NW, Sea state 1-4
Another quiet day at New Quay where dolphins were only spotted during the two morning surveys. A single adult foraged for a while in the bay but then our two regulars Jacky and Jay gave watchers from the sea wall a close view for one hour. An Atlantic grey seal was seen in the afternoon in the water just off the harbour wall.
Weather conditions: Overcast with rain, Wind direction N, Sea state 4/5
The intense swell of a sea state five lead to all but two surveys to be cancelled yesterday. Despite the high waves, a group of two dolphins were spotted foraging close to the harbour wall and just to the side of the harbour itself. An Atlantic grey seal was also seen swimming west. Other notable sightings include five Fulmars and a Gannet.
Weather Conditions: fair with sunny periods, Wind direction: S/SW backing NW, Sea state 1-3
The only sighting in the morning was of a male Atlantic grey seal swimming west in front of the harbour wall. From mid-afternoon several groups of dolphins were spotted by our Living Seas Volunteers including Jackie and Jay who were seen again foraging within the harbour.
Weather Conditions: sunny/fair, Wind direction: S/SE, Sea state 1-2
Six land-based surveys were conducted by our volunteers yesterday, with a variety of wildlife recorded. Grey seals were seen from the survey point during the early morning and late afternoon watches – observed to be resting and foraging close to the fish factory and to the harbour wall. The most notable period of the day came at 1pm, when dolphins (including juveniles) were frequently spotted displaying a wide range of behaviours including travelling, leaping, foraging and chasing fish at times only meters from the wall. Other sightings include gannets, razorbill and turnstones.
Weather Conditions: No precipitation, Sea state 0-3, Wind force 1-4
Three boat-based surveys were conducted by our volunteers yesterday, with grey seals and bottlenose dolphins seen on every trip. The Pinnipeds (seals) were seen by the many caves and alcoves around the bay, whereas dolphins were observed further out to sea, with individuals such as ‘Lipstick’ spotted foraging and at times displaying small leaps.