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!
Weather conditions: overcast, sea state 4, wind direction W
Our SeaSeal volunteer spotted several Atlantic grey seals yesterday evening at Birds Rock, despite the wind and large waves! Two females and a male were observed in the water: scanning and swimming past the rocks. A small group of harbour porpoises were also sighted further offshore! Bird sightings included a peregrine falcon and a kestrel!
Weather Conditions: No precipitation, Sea state 1-4, Wind force 2-5
Yesterday our Living Seas volunteers carried out two boat-based surveys observing Atlantic Grey Seals and Bottlenose dolphins on both. The seals were observed in the water scanning and bottling, notably with some close to caves. Dolphins could be observed leaping and socialising.
Weather Conditions: fair, Wind direction: S/SE, Sea state 1-3
It was a good day for marine mammal observations for our Living Seas volunteers with two of the Cardigan Bay big 3 being observed. Two Atlantic Grey Seals were spotted close to the harbour wall and near the fish factory. Bottlenose dolphins could also be seen foraging and displaying social behaviours such as leaping. Two of the dolphins were identified by our Shore Fin team as Jackie and her calf Jay.
Weather conditions: fair, sea state 1, wind direction SW
It was a busy evening at Birds Rock, with a large number of Atlantic grey seals recorded by our Sea Seal volunteer. Two seals were observed hauled out throughout the entire two hour survey, with one being quite vocal. Towards the end of the survey, several more seals were spotted swimming into the area: splashing and fighting in the water once they reached the sea around the rocks. Bird sightings included oystercatchers, fulmars and a heron.
