Weather Conditions: Fair to overcast, Wind Direction: S/SW, Sea state 0-1
It was the return of the Eurasian Otter during yesterday’s land surveys; it was seen travelling from the harbour wall towards the Cardinal Buoy in the morning. There were also a number of Bottlenose Dolphins seen in the early morning and again late afternoon, including Corky and calf close to the harbour wall in the afternoon. 2 Atlantic Grey seals were observed close to the harbour wall swimming and scanning.
Weather conditions: No precipitation, Sea State 1-3, Visibility >10km, Wind force 1-4
Our Living Seas volunteers carried out one boat survey yesterday with a number of bottlenose dolphin and Atlantic Grey Seal sightings. A group were seen at the start of the survey foraging close to the fish factory, with around 5 gannets circling overhead. Whilst later on in the survey a female Atlantic Grey Seal was observed scanning in the water, with its pup hauled out.
Weather Conditions: Overcast, Wind Direction: W, Sea state 1-3
Our Living Seas volunteers observed bottlenose dolphins throughout the land surveys yesterday. They were mainly observed foraging and chasing after fish around the Cardinal Buoy, with some seen leaping later in the day. There was also large number of Atlantic Grey seals seen with 3 being seen just outside the harbour wall just after lunchtime! These were mainly scanning and bottling. Other notable sightings include gannets, and guillemots and Mediterranean gulls in their winter plumage.
Weather Conditions: Sunny and fair, Wind Direction: N/NW, Sea state 1-3
Yesterday was quieter than previous days in terms of marine mammal sightings with no bottlenose dolphins being seen between 9am and 1pm but Snowcap and her calf Mushroom came up close to the wall later in the afternoon and were observed throwing and chasing fish at the surface below circling and diving gannets. A few female grey seals also passed in front the harbour wall throughout the day, displaying behaviours such as swimming and bottling.
Weather conditions: No precipitation, Sea State 1-3, Visibility >10km, Wind force 1-3
Three of our Living Seas volunteers carried out an all day boat survey yesterday with the Cardigan Bay Big 3 being observed. Bottlenose Dolphins were seen throughout the survey foraging and travelling. There were also around 30 Atlantic Grey Seals hauled out and swimming in a rocky bay between Cardigan Island and Mwnt. One group of 2 harbour porpoises were observed early on in the day around 100 metres from the boat.
Weather conditions: Sunny, Sea State 1-2, Visibility >10km, Wind force 1-3
Two boat trips yesterday produced some good marine mammal sightings. 2 seal pups were seen, one swimming with its mother, and one hauled out, and an additional 6 female Atlantic grey seals were in the sea bottling and swimming. Two groups of bottlenose dolphins were also observed leaping and foraging at the sea surface.
Weather Conditions: sunny, wind direction S/SW/NW, sea state 1-2
The sunny weather and calm sea conditions yesterday made for another ideal day for spotting marine wildlife. Multiple small groups of dolphins were observed between our 9am and 7pm land surveys including a close encounter with Jacky and Jay who came to forage close to the wall in the morning. In the afternoon, 4 Atlantic grey seals were spotted swimming and bottling right in front of the wall and one individual was feeding with a fish in its mouth.
Weather Conditions: sunny, wind direction S, sea state 1-2
It was an excellent day for our Living Seas volunteers, both in terms of sightings and the sunny weather! Bottlenose dolphins were observed all around the bay mainly foraging, but showing more social behaviours later on in the day. Some were even seen leaping in front of the wall in the early evening! There were also 6 Atlantic Grey Seals seen throughout the day travelling close to the harbour wall.
Weather conditions: Overcast and sunny, Wind direction W/SW, Sea state 3-5
Unfortunately the first land watch yesterday was cancelled due to poor weather. Our Living Seas Volunteers conducted the remaining surveys despite the rough seas, with dolphin sightings increasing throughout the afternoon. Some close encounters were enjoyed where dolphins could be seen surfing the waves. 10 individuals including Jacky and Jay as well as Snowcap and Mushroom were observed in the final survey. Both a male and female grey seal were seen just off the harbour wall earlier in the day.
Weather conditions: Overcast with sunny spells and strong winds, Wind direction S/SW, Sea state 2-3
Groups of dolphins were seen foraging and socialising throughout the day yesterday, leaping out of the water and mingling at the water’s surface. A number of mother and calf pairs were able to be identified, including Jacky & Jay, Cross & Spot and Snowcap & calf. A female Atlantic grey seal was spotted in the morning swimming along the harbour wall, and a male was seen in the afternoon. There was also an exciting sighting of a juvenile Basking Shark during a morning survey.
Weather conditions: Overcast and sunny, Wind direction S/SW, Sea state 1-2
Several small groups of bottlenose dolphins were seen during our morning land watches, appearing again during late afternoon. A number of mother and calf pairs were seen foraging for fish in the bay, for around an hour at a time. A Eurasian otter was seen once more, swimming towards the fish factory on the headland. We also had a number of Atlantic grey seal sightings, during the morning and late afternoon, with individuals exhibiting behaviours such as foraging, scanning and bottling.
A brilliant Birds Rock survey for our Sea Seal volunteer yesterday evening! A female Atlantic grey seal was spotted hauled out on a small shingle beach close to where a seal pup had been sighted from boat trips earlier on in the day! Excitingly, she was recognised as a regular visitor Birds Rock!! Two more Atlantic grey seals were also observed swimming through the area, as were a group of bottlenose dolphins!