It was mizzly and breezy when I arrived at the main beach but at least I could see The Mewstone this time. The tide was heading out and along the beach the usual Gulls were hanging out but I didn't find a Yellow-legged Gull this time although a 2nd calendar year Mediterranean Gull and a few adult and juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gulls were present amongst the usual Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
I set up my scope again at the bench along the tarmac path at Wembury Point and began scanning the sea. The visibility wasn't as good as it was on the 5th August but the sea wasn't as rough and initially there was very little to see except for the odd Gannet or two. However I eventually began to find birds passing west and over the course of my watch from 08:15 to 10:00hrs I saw countless Gannets, 100+ Manx Shearwaters, 50+ Kittiwakes including 2 juveniles, 3 Fulmars, 2 male and 2 female Common Scoters and best of all a Sooty Shearwater. Unfortunately it was a little further out than most of the other passing birds but its larger size, long wings, easier looking flight style and all dark plumage stood out amongst the Manx Shearwaters it was with. There was no hint of any pale underwings as it banked amongst the waves and it looked totally black against the water in the dull light and at distance. All too sadly it passed out of view all too quickly and again I don't think I took a breath as I followed its progress across the waves with my scope!
The Mewstone from my bench
The usual Oystercatchers were along the beach with 2 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and 17 Mallard. Skulking in the bushes out of the grotty weather were Whitethroats, Cirl Buntings, Chiffchaffs and Stonechats but as the wind and mizzle cleared through and the sun appeared they became much more showy along with House Martins, a Coal Tit, a Kestrel and 5 Long-tailed Tits.
A few butterflies appeared too including a nice Wall Brown and along the stream there were 5 female Beautiful Demoiselles but just 2 males.
Wall Brown
Beautiful Demoiselle
Tuesday 15th August was bright and sunny for a change and so we had a walk at Rame Head, enjoying the warmth and sunshine and fantastic views of the coastline. It was quiet on the bird front but there were Gannets offshore with the usual Gulls and overhead Swallows, House Martins and 3 Sand Martins were seen moving west and also perching up on the telegraph wires.
Autumn is here!
Wednesday 16th August was warm, sunny, humid and still, perfect for a sailing across The Bay of Biscay to Santander with Brittany Ferries and Orca. We set sail at 4pm and as we passed The Eddystone Lighthouse the wildlife began to appear - 1000's of Manx Shearwaters, 100's of Cory's Shearwaters, 100's of Great Shearwaters (but fewer than the Cory's) and a few Sooty Shearwaters all milling around and feeding in bait ball frenzys with Storm Petrels, Gannets, Fulmars, a Commic Tern, Common Dolphins, Harbour Porpoises and a Minke Whale. It was quite the spectacle and a very magical experience and all in sight of the South Devon coast too.
Great Shearwater
Great Shearwater with a Manx
Great Shearwater
Shearwater Raft
A Beautiful Vista of nothing but Sea!
The next morning it was an early start to begin watching the sea as we headed into Santander for a 12:15hrs arrival. Great and Cory's Shearwaters were still milling around and there were sightings of a Fin Whale, Striped Dolphins, Common Dolphins, a Basking Shark and a Sunfish for me. A surprise sighting were 4 Common Scoters flying low over the waves and a Whitethroat flying alongside the ferry with at least 2 Willlow Warblers which attempted to land on the ferry before giving up and carrying on towards Spain.
Dawn in The Bay of Biscay
A short stop in Santander was pleasant with 2 Swifts over the city and Yellow-legged Gulls around the harbour seen along with a Mediterranean Gull before we had to get back on board the ferry and head back to Plymouth. An hour delay meant an hour less whale watching but we set off again at 16:00hrs in perfect weather conditions and I stayed on deck until 20:00hrs. Again it was an interesting watch with Striped Dolphins seen and some very good sightings of Cuvier's Beaked Whales including a a female with a calf and also a possible Sowerby's Beaked Whale. A few Great and Cory's Shearwaters were also noted but all too soon the light began to fade and it was time to head down for dinner.
Yellow-legged Gull, Santander
The next morning was a lie in but I was up on deck at 09:00hrs as we headed in to Plymouth for an 11:00hrs docking. There were still good numbers of Manx, Cory's and Great Shearwaters milling around but fewer than on the outward journey and I only found 1 Sooty Shearwater and just 1 Storm Petrel this time. Common Dolphins were still milling about too but weren't very showy and a few Kittiwakes were picked up too.
Gannet
Cory's and Great Shearwaters
Great Shearwater
A fantastic trip in perfect weather conditions and one that I haven't enjoyed for a few years now, I really should make the effort to do it again next year.
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