Second Research Expedition Records 7 Species!
Our second research expedition of the summer field season was exceptional - recording a total of seven marine mammal species, including killer whales, John Coe and Aquarius of the West Coast Community! Hannah, our Science Officer on board who leads the data collection programme shares her experience below.
DAY 1
Jane, Del, Roger, Stewart, Alison and Ella bounced down the pontoon towards Silurian, excited to be part of the second expedition of the season. After settling into their new bunks and each introducing themselves to the group with a ‘fun fact’, tea was served by 4th crew Andy - a delicious bowl of veggie spag bol, a tradition for the first night! Science Officer, Hannah, concluded the evening with information about how we survey and species ID talk - people who had never been on board before were amazed at how many different marine mammal species we have recorded in the Hebrides. Filled with excitement, the crew rallied around the table to come up with a survey route for the week ahead, with the aim to push out to the Outer Hebrides if the weather allowed it!
DAY 2
The next day, after finishing our training for the morning and a quick refresh on what we learned the night before, we set off, leaving Tobermory behind, everyone excited and ready to go! Despite it being the first time on Silurian for many, everyone adjusted quickly and worked hard to gather data on any visual sightings, marine acoustics and environmental conditions. Whilst the weather remained overcast, the landscapes did not disappoint and the group saw plenty of sea birds including gannets and kittiwakes. Later in the day, Alison and Ella, who were at the mast, spotted several common dolphins! It was only for a second, they were gone in a flash, but exciting nonetheless! A brilliant start to the expedition.
We then passed Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly spot on the British mainland - tradition states that once you have rounded this point you may then show a strip of heather on your bow. Initially, the plan was to end the day in Croig, however, swell increased and it was decided instead to anchor in Loch Ceann Traigh, where golden sands back onto green trees and elevated landscapes. The group were able to head ashore for a chance to stretch our legs and enjoy the peaceful beaches, before coming back to a lovely dinner cooked by Jane and Del. A great start to the expedition with lots learned and the volunteers eager to develop their skills from each other and the knowledgeable crew.
DAY 3
Heading out of our anchorage and within half an hour of being ‘on effort’ Del at the mast spotted a pod of common dolphins! From afar we watched several of them foraging but they did not want to be disturbed. Fortunate to have seen something this early the team continued in high spirits. The weather and favourable conditions allowed a minke whale sighting shortly after, and with the weather brightening up it was warm enough to go on deck in just a jumper, and for some, warm enough to sunbathe on their break - we couldn't believe that this was April weather! As the day continued, Roger spotted some more common dolphins which swam next to the bow briefly followed by Hannah shouting ‘MINKE!!’, this time everyone was lucky enough to see the animal surfacing around the boat, with the crew managing to capture some good photos for photo-ID.
Throughout the day everyone on deck saw plenty of sea-fowl and those who were less familiar with seabirds were quickly picking up on the names and descriptions of different birds, and correctly recording sightings on the data clipboard. Plenty of puffins with colourful beaks were seen as well as several grey seals bottling!
Less than an hour away from our anchorage those on deck spotted several dolphins jumping and splashing toward us. Everyone got up on deck and marvelled at the common dolphin's bow riding with us for several minutes! There were at least 6 of them, including a juvenile, jumping alongside Silurian, a brilliant way to end the day on effort. Sun still shining, we made anchorage in Vatersay, which was followed by another shore visit in which we were able to walk to the beach on the other side and touch the Atlantic! Dinner was cooked by Rodger and Stewart which concluded another fantastic day onboard Silurian.
DAY 4
Our fourth day onboard Silurian brought huge excitement as a pair of bottlenose dolphins appeared within 15 minutes of leaving our anchorage at Vatersay. Spotted by Alison on the mast we immediately changed our course to be ‘with whale’ to try and get some dorsal fin pictures for photo-ID. Too busy foraging, the dolphins weren't in the mood for acrobatics or bow-riding so we watched from a distance, gathering crucial pictures to identify whether these bottlenose were part of the famous ‘Barra Boys’ community.
The weather stayed calm all day and we had a mixture of sun and cloud which created some good spotting conditions, with the water at times looking like rippling silk. This allowed for numerous grey seals bottling to be spotted as well as a number of harbour porpoises to pass by the boat, only a handful of metres away at some points. Easily identifiable by their triangular dorsal fins they caused a fair amount of excitement from crew and volunteers as they are a difficult spot! A little later in the morning, with a mixture of excitement and frustration, Jane spotted what we thought was a minke whale. Although something was seen by the crew, it was too far away for official identification and to be able to go ‘with whale’. Finally, as we anchored for the night in the shelter of North Uist’s Loch Uiskevagh, we all agreed that it had been a very successful day with cetaceans, pinnipeds and an abundance of various sea birds encountered.
Whilst Ella and Alison created a culinary marvel in the galley, a few of the team cruised around the shores of the loch in the little electric powered Zodiac with First Mate Bruce at the helm. A treat to be able to enjoy the beautiful nature in silence.
DAY 5
We awoke to drizzle and grey clouds, but a little bit of bad weather was not going to dampen our spirits. We set off with high hopes as the crew had got word of two famous killer whales, John Coe and Aquarius, spotted near Mull heading north so there was a chance we could see them! Second breakfast was truly spectacular with Bruce serving delicious bacon or egg rolls whilst the rain persisted. To pass time, singing games were played at the mast, and a fabulous rendition of “What Makes You Beautiful'' by One Direction summoned a grey seal. Shortly after, Ella spotted two harbour porpoises at the mast, the first fins of the day!
As we travelled up the west coast of Skye we were spoiled with a huge variety of sea birds. A great skua followed Silurian for some time and best of all, we passed puffin after puffin, easily identified by their colourful beak and orange feet. As we rounded Skye, the views became even more breath-taking. Basalt cliffs and snowy mountains made up for the overcast weather, we even passed a point that was used in the filming of Game of Thrones. We made anchorage in the beautiful Badachro where we were delighted to find there was a pub ashore; Jane cooked another cracking meal as those who wished headed to the pub before and afterwards! Hannah and Jane shared tales of their travels, while Del enjoyed planning his next trip to Mars.
DAY 6
Everyone was up bright and early, lathered in sun cream, ready for another busy day onboard Silurian. Friday was a porpoise party in a creel city, with those on data inputting sighting after sighting of creel pots on the computer, barely able to keep up. Heading past east Skye, we spotted The Storr, a mountain with rocky mounds and interesting slopes that Ella took a particular liking to. The weather remained fair all day, with the ease of spotting fluctuating between moderate and good as the sun popped in and out of the clouds causing some glare - but that didn't stop the team from spotting 31 individual harbour porpoises throughout the day!
We made anchorage in Plockton, where some visited the shore to find a sweet little village with amazing views of the bay whilst Skipper Stuart and Ella were brave enough to take a quick dip in the sea before tea. Plockton is also the home of Jan Storie, a brilliant volunteer for HWDT who conducts marine mammal surveys onboard local ferry routes in her spare time and was invited aboard for tea. With 2 extra guests, all 12 squeezed around the table enjoying a marvellous dinner cooked by Jane and Roger and spent the night talking about our favourite marine mammal encounters around the world.
DAY 7
We woke up to a soft sunrise and mirror-calm waters in the gorgeous little bay at Plockton. After breakfast, we set off southbound heading under the Skye Bridge and through the Kyle Rhea where we experienced some interesting tidal water that swirled around Silurian in wonderful watery patterns. Once we went ‘on effort’, the creel sightings went crackers with Jane inputting the data so fast her fingers were on fire. In the middle of all the creel craziness, the first shout of a sighting was heard with a harbour porpoise spotted by those at the mast. The morning was filled with seabird sightings including auks, shearwaters, fulmars, gannets and even a northern diver!
The sea conditions began to become slightly more challenging and after much discussion about the best route for science and comfort, the decision was made to head towards an anchorage off the Isle of Muck. Those on the mast got a fair old soaking and although the conditions were bumpy, everyone had a great time juggling the rolly conditions with Andy cracking jokes and lightening one-liners which made braving the weather in the hope of seeing those elusive fins nothing but fun.
Arriving at our anchorage we were greeted by 31 grey seals bottling in the bay as well as Ella’s goal seal, a common seal, perched like a banana on a nearby rock - result!! We quickly completed the boat chores to keep Silurian looking ‘ship-shape’ and settled down to a fantastic dinner cooked this time by Alison and Ella. After some hilarious games around the table and many snacks, we headed to our berths for an early night to be fully rested for our last morning ‘on effort’ before arriving back at Tobermory.
DAY 8
Easter Sunday. We left Muck to be ‘on effort’ by 9 o'clock and set off towards Tobermory. The sea was choppy and spotting conditions was moderate; those at the mast experienced some refreshing sea spray and cold hands. A few harbour porpoise were spotted in the distance and everyone began reminiscing on the brilliant memories of the week as we were due to come into Tobermory just after midday. The views were spectacular as Ardnamurchan Point came into view.
Suddenly, the communications radio delivered the message from a nearby vessel that 2 unidentified killer whales were spotted just 5 miles from where we were! Bruce quickly made contact, hoping to find out more information as the crew were expecting to hear they were heading in another direction and travelling at speed, but we were surprised to hear they had been foraging around the fishing vessel for a while. With no further ID on the killer whales, the decision was made to come off effort and to instead follow the tip-off to find out more. The red fishing boat could be seen on the horizon, heading towards it, everyone on deck, binoculars, and cameras at the ready. A mile away from the boat, the killer whale fins could be seen with the naked eye! As we came closer, air buzzing with excitement, the two fins were instantly identified, John Coe and Aquarius!! We could not believe our eyes. They were foraging and feeding, swimming around the boat, completely unbothered by our presence with those on deck shouting the name and bearing of each killer whale as they were spotted. The boys were, at times, no more than 20 meters from Silurian, majestic, beautiful, and absolutely ginormous!!!! We were gasping, screaming, Hannah was jumping up and down uncontrollably, this sighting was one in a billion and a dream come true for many onboard.
It took the rest of the journey back to Tobermory to fully take in what had happened and what we had experienced, we still couldn’t quite believe our luck and were so grateful for the fishing vessel to get in touch with Silurian for this once in a lifetime encounter! Arriving slightly later into Tobermory than planned, we began to clean the boat but still buzzing and bouncing around after our morning excitement this was quickly achieved. That evening before heading to a local restaurant for the last meal, we all sat around the table and exchanged our best moments whilst sipping a glass of champagne still in awe of the trip we just had!
Thank you so much to our volunteers Jane, Del, Roger, Stewart, Alison and Ella as well as our crew Stuart, Bruce, Hannah and Andy for an incredible April trip where we covered 565km across the Hebrides, gathered almost 50 hours of acoustic and visual data and managed to spot 7 different species of marine mammals!!
Track lines showing the the area surveyed during the expedition