Summertime Surveys

The summer has finally arrived in west Wales and last week we took full advantage of the beautiful sunny weather and conducted one photo ID survey and three line-transect surveys. On Monday our rib, the Gallois conducted its first survey of the season, while at Ynys Lochtyn the crew encountered a group of 14 feeding bottlenose dolphins, this group included two familiar fins in the form of Bond and Spot. Later on, during low tide at Birds rock the crew photographed 3 grey seals, a female and juvenile male hauled out on the rocks and a female swimming in the water nearby. These photographs will be used by Aurore Sage, a French master’s student, working with SWF, who is building a photo ID catalogue of grey seals in Cardigan Bay.

On Tuesday we sailed out of Aberystwyth on board the Machipe to survey the Pen Llyn a’r Sarmu SAC. With calm seas and sunny weather on our side, we had a very productive survey, with numerous sighting of grey seals and harbour porpoises. Just before lunch while surveying the waters offshore of Tywyn we encountered a group of 6 bottlenose dolphins, the group was composed of 4 adults, 1 juvenile and 1 calf. Altogether we encountered 6 bottlenose dolphins, 10 grey seals and 16 harbour porpoises.

On Wednesday we once again returned to the familiar territory of New Quay and ventured out onboard the Dunbar Castle II. As often happens in New Quay, a group of 6 dolphins joined us just outside the harbour at the very beginning of survey. The group including Bond, Chris and her calf were seen socialising, leaping, bowriding and were even seen playing with large barrel jellyfish (Rhizostoma octopus), slapping the jellyfish with their tails as they swam past.   Another successful survey with sightings of 24 bottlenose dolphins, 6 harbour porpoises and 6 seals.    

Thursday’s survey on the Morgan James II out of Caernarfon was not as successful, due to foggy conditions and a lack of dolphins in the area. We did however manage to spot a total of 4 harbour porpoises. Despite the lack of sea life we had a very pleasant first trip on board the Morgan James, with beautiful views of Caernarfon bay, South Stack lighthouse and a flyby by the RAF Red Arrows.

Sea Watch Team