Dolphins, seals, stars and bioluminesence on fifteenth survey of the year!

The team on the fifteenth research expedition of the season encountered foraging common dolphins, bowriding harbour porpoise and beautiful skies on their seven day trip from Mallaig. Read all about their experiences here…

DAY 1

The first day of our expedition commenced with all of the volunteers and HWDT crew signing onto Silurian in Mallaig. The excitement for the adventure ahead was palpable, particularly after our introductory briefings which left us with dreams of the phenomenal wildlife that we may encounter on the trip.

DAY 2

We set sail earlier than originally planned due to northerly winds which were set to increase throughout the day in order to safely commence our journey out of Mallaig harbour and harness the better weather conditions. This gave us a chance to undertake some training during our transit through the southern South of Sleat to a sheltered spot just outside of Mallaig. The sun shone and we saw a white tailed Eagle, porpoises, seals and a sailed under a series of rainbows as the skies shifted and the weather conditions altered.

 After a day of survey and training, we sheltered into Sandaig, Loch Hourne where we took the tender ashore to explore the local beach and admire the sunset sunset the saturated the land with golden light. On returning to Silurian we enjoyed Mexican food together as we revelled in the days sightings before undertaking birds and boats training as dusk turned turned night. Before bed we spent time on the deck watching the inky night sky which was littered with truly magnificent stars. The sea twinkled much like the sky as it was rich with bioluminescence.

 Everyone was feeling positive after a great first day of survey and sightings including getting used to how to record the data and with many people having their first experience of being able to listen to the hydrophones where dolphin vocalisations were heard - Magic!

DAY 3

The start of our day was more leisurely despite an earlier start due to wanting to transit north through the Sound of Sleat, starting our survey operations after a hearty breakfast prior to reaching the Skye Bridge along the northern extents of the Sound of Sleat.

 The mornings sightings were dense with common seals with more porpoise sighted throughout the late morning, increasing as the day went on. The swell had increased marginally with a long lazy swell dominating the sea conditions for the day with meteorological conditions comprised of intermittent showers, sunshine and even more rainbows!

 As the day went on we started to make our way along the coast west of Skye, east of the Isle of Raasay. Our first common dolphin vocalisations were experienced north of Loch Sligachen before they were witnessed visually off of the coast of Portree. As we made our way further north through the Sound of Raasay we saw more common dolphins, harbour porpoise and common seals finally completing our surveying for the day at the Isle of Rona.

 After a quick run ashore it was time for a tasty dinner and to have an early sleep.

DAY 4

Off to an early start to catch the tide and pass under the Skye Bridge. Passed through channel Kyle Rona with very fresh breeze from the northeast.  Conditions were more settled past Kyle of Lochash and Kylerea with sighting of incredible bow-riding porpoises off Crolinn Islands.

Anchored for restful lunch break at Balamacara to wait for the tide again. Quiet afternoon passage to anchor in Loch Nevis with few sightings common seals in water and on land.

In our anchorage, we spotted a white-tailed eagle and juvenile. We ended the day in the most remote pub in Scoltand, The Old Forge, in Inverie, Knoydart and returned to the boat  for a delicious thai curry.

DAY 5

Today comprised of some fantastic surveying around the breathtakingly beautiful lochs of the Sound of Sleat, with a backdrop of towering cliffs to mystical Glens shrouded in mist, dappled in autumnal sunlight or illuminated by vibrant rainbows.

 Conditions were much more favourable for surveying in these waters due to the north westerlies which made for some fun but quite wild surveying across the Sound of Sleat towards the Point of Sleat.

 We found this entire area to be rich in wildlife experiencing both harbour porpoise and Common seals residing in the lochs of Nevis and Hourn.

 Our day finished with a short survey across the southern Sound of Sleat from near to Mallaig to the Isle Orrnsay on the Isle of Skye where we were alerted to a pod of Common dolphins from the hydrophone before seeing them leaping from the waves in the afternoon sunlight.

DAY 6

We headed south in flat conditions down the Sound of Sleat for the final time. Fleeting dolphins, but lots of whistling on the hydrophone, indicated there were animals in the area. As we passed the Point of Sleat, we saw large numbers of gannets diving, large groups of porpoises foraging and two members of our crew saw a distant minke whale. There was a feeling of anticipation that so much foraging was happening in this area - there had to be something there!

We had incredible close encounters with harbour porpoise as we turned back to head in to Mallaig. We drank tea together and shared our experiences of the trip, before cleaning Silurian and heading for a much-needed shower!

Across the week, the group surveyed nautical 302 km of Hebridean seas, recording five species of marine mammals, and generating 23 hours of acoustic recordings!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR TEAM OF CITIZEN SCIENTISTS WHO JOINED THIS EXPEDITION: HAYLEY, SHELLEY, SONIA, PRASAD and SACHIN.

Anyone can join a research expedition. This vital data collection programme is made possible by you participating - over 2 decades more than 1,000 people have joined, gathering a colossal amount of data, used to better understand and protect these awesome creatures in our waters.