Sunday 17 August 2014

All aboard with AK Wildlife

 The Lizard
 Manx Shearwaters
 Common Dolphin
 Common Dolphin
 Gannet
 Gannets
Manx Shearwaters
Shearwater flock

It was another early start from my Devon stopover down to Falmouth in Cornwall. Falmouth has the third deepest natural harbour in the world and is famed as the start and end point for the round the world cruises for stars such as Dame Ellen MacArthur. I met up for my day on the boat with the three crew who were all keen wildlife enthusiasts and were very eager to show us some of local wildlife in the harbour.

Once out of the harbour the Captain picked up a pod of Common Dolphins which we followed closely. You were able to stand right up on the bow of the boat and see the Dolphins diving all around us. 

The second pod was larger in size but contained many calves only days old which made amazing viewing. 

It had been fairly quiet birding wise up to this time other than a constant flow of Gannets in various plumage. This was until we started to find the Manx Shearwaters who were great to observe so closely. Suddenly the first of five Sooty Shearwater, another lifer for me. This was one of my target birds of the year so I was very pleased. 

The journey covered a beautiful part of the Cornwall coast down to the Lizard but there wasn't much variation in the birds in all honesty. I was really hoping for a Storm Petrel but sadly no luck on this occasion. Overall it was a good experience and I wasn't sea sick ! 

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