Since April, Sea Trust volunteers have been involved in a number of events surveys and events.

 

The ongoing shore based Porpoise Survey at Strumble head (Pembrokeshire) continues in its evolved form which shows continued and dynamic use of the tidal currents around the headland. This week new born calves have been recorded and filmed

 Emily Dicks of Marine Awareness North Wales came along and helped with some survey work and filming and it was great to hear of her experiences with Porpoises at Point Linas Anglesey.

 

Our two other Sea Based surveys have also been recording cetaceans in the Celtic/Irish Sea's/St Georges Channel.

 

Common dolphins have been the main target of our Cartlett Lady and Stena Europe  surveys  with relatively small groups contacted in the northern sectors although some anecdotal reports of larger numbers seen around the northern Pembrokeshire Islands It would seem from these reports that they are not consistently in that area in numbers.

Photo: J.Baxter

 

Further south larger numbers have been recorded with some interesting individuals seen and photographed/filmed. we hope that these animals will act as markers within pods so that we can get some idea of their movements

 

Apart from Porpoises and Common Dolphins we have also encountered Minke Whales and Risso's Dolphins from both vessels.

 

Stena Line has been unstinting in their support of our new surveys aboard "The Stena Europe" providing Sea Trust volunteers with tickets and accommodation aboard the ship   Travel and Freight Manager, Carl Milne, the Captains and crew of the vessel and office staff,  have welcomed us aboard showing a keen interest in our work. The sharp eyed officers and men on the bridge, often contribute sightings and records. We hope to repay some of this generosity by giving Stena some interpretative  boards for the "Stena Europe" and providing some commentary and talks about cetaceans for passengers on a regular basis throughout the coming months.

 

Our first trip of the season  on the "Cartlett Lady" in early May encountered Risso's just out side Milford Haven which was an unexpected pleasure. Engine problems on th "CL"  saw us  chartering the Nick o Sullivans excellent "Celtic Seacat". Caroline Wier  drove all the way from Devon to join us. Also  Fernando Ugarte and Malene Simon from New Quay added to the impressive array of cetacean expertise onboard. Sadly despite the top bod's and the efforts of Nick, our only cetacean sightings were of Porpoises. This month (June) after Andy did some major works, "CL" is back in action as are the dolphins. We have encountered, photographed and videoed several Common Dolphins that should be recognisable should we encounter them again.

Photo: C.Benson

 

Janet Baxter who has been our main photographic expert armed with her latest digital camera has been proving its worth with some truly astounding images of  the animals we have encountered. My film with the video camera shows that the camera is very good and virtually idiot proof.

Photo: C.Benson

 

Thanks to volunteers and everyone else that are contributing to our work. Please realise that I sometimes get a bit lost in all this and If I don't get in touch with people when I have promised to, email or ring me and give me a reminder, Cliff.