Naturetrek conquers Lyme Bay!
The first series of Lyme Bay trips has now been completed with great success, delivering the target species in spectacular style! Both evening trips from Weymouth produced Balearic Shearwaters, whilst White-beaked Dolphins were seen on each of the four full-day trips from West Bay.
Balearics & Storm-petrels
On the evening trips we explored the fishing grounds around Portland Bill and on each trip quickly connected with Balearic Shearwaters. The views of these birds were simply stunning, as our photos prove, with the birds virtually being hand fed as they scavenged around the boat! Adults and juveniles were seen on both trips.
Most of the other seabirds encountered were seen at extremely close range, allowing fantastic photographic opportunities. A good variety of species were seen including European Storm-petrel.
White-beaked dolphins
On the full day trips from West Bay, we sailed far out into Lyme Bay and tracked down White-beaked Dolphins each time. Once again, we got stunningly close views on each trip, with the animals bow-riding for up to two hours at a time – absolutely awesome!
A conservative estimate would indicate that up to 40 animals were present on any one day, with juveniles and calves seen amongst the adults. The dolphins were in association with large numbers of seabirds that appeared to be feeding on a mixed shoal of Mackerel and Herring.
The level of frenetic activity of both dolphins and seabirds in association was extraordinary and it felt more like a pelagic in the South Atlantic rather than off the Dorset coast!
Seabird highlights
Seabird highlights, with maximum day counts included 800 Gannets, 300 Manx Shearwaters, 5 Balearic Shearwaters, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, 11 European Storm-petrels, 9 Great Skuas, 2 Arctic Skuas, plus Pomarine Skua, Arctic Tern and Little Gull.
Ten new dolphins added to records!
The trips have yielded extremely valuable research data in terms of understanding how Balearic Shearwaters utilise the Portland Bill area, and in helping to build up a photo-identification catalogue of White-beaked Dolphins. At least 10 new animals were photographed, more than doubling our (Marinelife’s) catalogue!
Due to popular demand …
Due to popular demand we have put on some more of these special research trips. Please see below for details.
More trips – departure dates:
Evening departure from Weymouth:
Fri 4th Sept (4pm-7.30pm) led by Tom Brereton
Full day departure from West Bay:
Sat 5th Sept (9am-5pm) led by Tom Brereton
Thurs 10th Sept (9am-5pm) led by James Phillips
To book contact Gwen in the Naturtrek office on 01962 733051 or via email.