(South & West Wales)

Strumble Head porpoise surveys

Our porpoise surveys at Strumble head have evolved from relatively naive casual records to really quite sophisticated recording methodology. Using a dedicated colour coded form, porpoise presence and activity is recorded in 15 minute periods over an hour. These forms can be added together to record consecutive hours.

Data recorded includes climatic and tidal conditions, presence of porpoises (and other animals), estimates of numbers present, also seabird and boat activity. Position of animals and activity is also plotted on the accompanying chart, as is the prevailing tide-race. Mothers and calves are noted and also activity such as breaching etc.

These records have established that porpoises are present year round at Strumble and also breed in the vicinity

Into the future

The Strumble surveys will continue and evolve, with the introduction of digital photography and video techniques this year and hopefully acoustic surveys in the future.

With a marina development providing over five hundred berths proposed for Fishguard, it would seem to be a timely piece of work.

Other cetaceans at Strumble

Bottlenose dolphins are frequently seen in Fishguard and Newport Bays during the summer but are hardly ever recorded at Strumble (only a couple of miles away).

 In the Moray Firth and Cardigan Bay Bottlenoses have been seen to kill porpoises and according to Rod Penrose of the Marine Strandings Agency, a significant amount of porpoises found dead have been killed by Bottlenose Dolphins. The demarcation of species is an interesting and slightly puzzling local phenomena that our surveys might one day shed some light on.

Other species of dolphin such as common and Risso’s, though by no means common turn up annually. In the case of common dolphins, sightings have  only occurred in the past decade from Strumble and have increased. This may have something to do with observer time expanding but we think not entirely. A single striped dolphin was recorded with commons but is the only record I am aware of.

Risso’s have been recorded from June through to January with a handful of sightings most years. Occasionally we have had the mind-blowing experience of watching mothers with very young calves pass close by, a really exquisite experience.

Orcas, Minke’s and larger Rorquals have also been recorded but only a handful.

Offshore: ‘Cartlett Lady’ and Ferry Surveys

Since being invited to help Chris Pierpoint in an audio-visual survey of porpoises in 2000, aboard the ‘Cartlett Lady’, I began to think there was a lot that could be learnt about the cetaceans and other sea life beyond our coastline. Chris spoke of magical encounters with Minke Whales beyond the Smalls and big pods of common dolphins. A couple of pelagic birding trips brought encounters with common dolphins, not to mention things like Great Shearwaters and Wilson’s Petrels.

I began to get groups of birdwatchers and cetacean enthusiasts to come along and share the cost of the boat and we began recording what we saw. Brian and Andy Rickards the owner and skipper were really enthusiastic and it soon became clear there were a lot of dolphins out there.

With funding from Environment Wales (A Welsh Assembly initiative) and the Countryside Council for Wales we will be conducting surveys from the ‘Cartlett Lady’ and also from the Ferries that ply the St Georges Channel.

This area was recently identified in the JNCC publication, “Atlas of Cetacean distribution in north west European waters” (Ried, Evans & Northridge20003) as being one of the most prolific sea areas for Common Dolphins. The ferry surveys will take place over a three year period using The Stena line ‘Europe’ out to Rosslaire and the Irish Ferries ‘Isle of Innishmore’ back to Pembroke Dock. (Many thanks to both companies for their generous help in this project) We are also proud to be working with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group who are already conducting similar surveys.

Our main objective will be to look at seasonality and social structure of common dolphins in the area and hopefully record other cetacean species and sea life encountered.

“Cartlett Lady” surveys

Photo: L. Lomax

We are also proud and grateful to have the support of Brian and Andy Rickards, owner and skipper of the “Cartlett Lady” in our exciting Photo ID and Video Surveys. That will run alongside and enhance the ferry surveys. The main objective of these surveys will be to gain photographic and video data that will enable us to estimate group make up and size and also try and identify individuals. It is ground (sea?) breaking stuff that we hope will provide valuable insights into lives of the common dolphins found off the coast of Pembrokeshire. Wildlife trust members are welcome to join us when space is available.

 A £40.00 donation towards the costs is appreciated. For those who would like to become more involved in the work, a training programme is in the process of being constructed, further details will appear on the website a.s.a.p.