18th August 2019
Survey Report for 18/08/2019 - Ardrossan - Campbeltown
When we arrived at the terminal the conditions looked pretty windy and rough and as this survey takes place on the outside bridge wings we were unsure whether the survey would be possible. We were also one surveyor down due to logistical issues getting to the ferry. Both of us decided that we would simply get on board and give it a go.
Yet out on the bridge wings we were pleasantly surprised - the sea state was a 5 but the swell wasn't as bad as we expected and the sun was shining so we were able to go ahead with the survey. We could hear adult Guillemots calling to their youngsters out on the water and as we rounded Arran there were large numbers of Gannets and Manx shearwaters feeding but the sea conditions weren't good for finding any marine mammals and we didn't have any luck.
But as crossed over Kilbrannon Sound and approached Campbeltown Loch a group of feeding birds alerted us to the presence of a minke whale not far off port. We left the bridge as we entered the red zone but crew members reported a group of feeding harbour porpoise soon after we went down.
The sea state had dropped a little for the return leg. We didn't manage to find the minke whale again but we did record 4 Harbour porpoise and another 3 porpoise went down as incidental after being spotted by the officer of the watch. The survey rounded off with a fly past of 3 red throated divers.
As always, many thanks to the captain and crew of MV Isle of Arran for making us so welcome and facilitating our conservation work.
Marine Mammals Seen:
- Harbour porpoise - 7
- Minke whale - 1
Birds Seen:
- Guillemot
- Razorbill
- Manx shearwater
- Gannet
- Kittiwake
- Great black backed gull
- Great skua
- Oystercatcher
- Shag
- Cormorant
- Red throated diver
Survey Team Members:
Andy Gilbert, Janine Yarwood