Pelagic

Another Pelagic with Seatrust , this time aboard the "Cartlett Lady". We went out, passing Grassholm , still "white-capped" with Gannets , then headed out further into the Celtic Deep, going out past The Smalls before heading back in past Skokholm. We encountered many Dolphins - perhaps up to 400 in all in numerous pods. Many came to investigate the boat and rode with us in the bow wave. Amongst the adults there were numerous juveniles and plenty of young calfs. A small Sunfish was also seen.

With an, at times, rather lumpy sea birding was not easy but amongst the background birds of Gannets, Manx Shearwaters, Kittiwakes, Guillemots and Razorbills we saw 20+ Commic Terns, 2 Great Skuas, 6+ Puffins, a Red Throated Diver, a Kestrel off Grassholm and a fleeting glimpse of a Grey Phalarope. A small but steady passage of Swallows was seen all day. A "small brown job" flew alongside briefly whilst we were over 20 miles out and shortly after the bizarre sight of a Bat which circled the boat and continued to fly strongly away until lost to sight.
A memorable day in the sunshine of this Indian Summer.