Once again over the last few weeks Sea Watch volunteers have been jumping on board the local tour boats, Ermol V and Ermol VI undertaking casual surveys. Ermol VI s a two hour boat trip running South East along the coast heading towards Llangranog and back to New Quay. We’ve been taking these trips nearly every day collecting data and interacting with the public. On these boat trips we also promote the Adopt a Dolphin campaign and increase public awareness of marine mammals through our talk. These trips also act as mini surveys; effort is recorded and we scan the water just as we would on dedicated surveys. So far this year we have been lucky with many sightings of harbour porpoise, grey seals and occasional dolphins which are feeding or travelling along the coastline in the sheltered shallow waters. Occasionally we are greeted by the Ermol crew’s seagull friend George who provides entertainment for the passengers as he flies alongside the boat, and perches on the bow tapping his beak in a cheeky manner for food.
Over the past week a total of 4 dolphins, 7 grey seals and 1 harbour porpoise have been spotted.
One of our volunteers had a lucky sighting yesterday whilst on The Islander; a wildlife tour boat that also runs from New Quay. Helene saw a European Otter (Lutra lutra) feeding on a crab – could this be the one that Michelle saw? Hopefully we will have more sightings of this illusive creature over the coming weeks and we will keep you updated with these.
Sea Watch Foundation Team
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