Wow - we’ve completed our twelfth survey of the season! Although the challenging weather keeps on coming, our latest bunch of intrepid sailors found an abundance of porpoise, seals and seabirds. Read on to hear about all that happened in between…

DAY 1

The morning started out with a massive thunderstorm at breakfast, catching some of us out as the rain poured down. After breakfast we all did some more training, looking at the different jobs, safety on deck and the acoustics training before getting kitted out with our oilies for the trip. Before setting off from Tobermory, we were treated to views of the French boat, the Belem, as we practised our distance estimations ready for when we started surveying. There were lots of boats on the water as we sailed down the Sound of Mull; from sailing yachts to a huge cruise ship. We passed Duart Castle and Lismore Lighthouse as we started getting to grips with the different roles and were treated to a warm soup of the day from Emma with broccoli, kale and Stilton. Sadly, we didn't see any cetaceans but we did see a white-tailed sea eagle as we passed one of the fish farms along the coast and a large number of seals hauled out near our anchorage for the night, just off Kerrera. During the evening, we had a lovely dinner of fajitas cooked by Kristin and Cat and were able to set foot on the island for an hour where Cat went for a swim (brave!) and some went for a walk. Back on the boat we were treated to a spectacular sunset looking back over to Mull as well as Helen's lovely greengage tarte, with pinhead oats.

DAY 2

After a hopeful but disappointing viewing of the early morning Northern Lights, a roughish weather warning led to us to sail to Craignure, taking in sightings of seals, porpoises and distant dolphins. Once anchored, we had a much-needed fry up lunch followed by training on Birds & Boats. Whilst at Craignure several people took the opportunity to go ashore - some for the luxury of a swim, sauna, or just a shower at the Isle of Mull Hotel, and all had a bit of free time. Dinner was an excellent mac and cheese (with the addition ketchup for some!). We set sail again in rough conditions to Loch Spelve passing Duart Castle, Lochdon and Grass Point. A short time of surveying, with terns, gannets, black guillemot, oystercatcher, seals, and a distant unidentified dolphin which was then heard on the hydrophone. Everyone made their way below deck as Emma & Lenny brought us safely into Loch Spelve for the night.

It waw also Eleanor's birthday which meant a custom-made card and cake to celebrate a happy birthday on board!

DAY 3

Our group had an especially early start this morning from Loch Spelve, pushing south toward Jura and Islay in an attempt to beat the weather. After a breakfast of overnight oats and blueberries we were "On Effort" at 8:00 am under mottled blue skies. Seals, shags, black guillemonts, kittiwakes, a storm petrel, gulls, razorbills, a jellyfish, and an otter were spotted throughout the survey, as well as a wooden tall ship near Islay. Late afternoon we doubled back to land off Jura, anchoring in Loch Tarbert. We wound down with a lovely bit of ginger cake on deck with coffee and tea in hand while a pair of common seals bottled off the bow and a haul out of three sunned on a wee island to the stern. With chores complete two adventurous folk took a swim in the chilly waters with others taking the zodiac ashore with our Skipper for a wander. Mussels in coconut and vegetable curry were on the menu for dinner.

DAY 4

We had a slightly later breakfast this morning with the tides and weather influencing our departure time from Loch Tarbet, allowing for an extra half an hour of sleep! French toast was on the menu cooked lovingly by Emma (skip) with berries and bananas which was a nice treat to start the day. Whilst we were having breakfast Cat spotted a juvenile White-Tailed Sea Eagle on the top of a rock on the hill above the boat, which Mike got a great photo of, allowing it to be identified as this year's fledgling. It was still raining heavily as we left the Loch and began "On Effort" with the weather starting to clear. Stags on Jura were spotted as well as Razorbills, Guillemots, a Manx Shearwater, a Storm Petrel and a Fulmar as we made our way through the Sound of Islay towards Gigha. We also had some short sightings of cetaceans along the way: a single dolphin, two sightings of porpoise, a potential minke whale and a couple of grey seals too. Lenny cooked us a lovely sausage and apple hot pot that went down a storm at lunch. The sun was out as we anchored off Gigha and the plan was to go onshore for an hour or two for a stretch of legs and an opportunity for a shower at the local hotel which most of us took. On the island there were some lovely views of the evening sun and we even met two Shetland ponies before we had a few drinks at a pub down by the pontoon to finish up. For dinner we had a lovely pasta dinner cooked by Emma before we all headed for an early night's sleep.

DAY 5

We woke up to breakfast as usual and we were "On Effort" by 8:30 am. The coastguard echoed on the radio as we pushed away from our cocoon on Gigha. As soon as we hit open water heavy wind and wave bombarded the boat. Our goal for the day was to zigzag the Straight of Jura to Loch Craignish. However, the conditions during the crossing slowed our progress and forced us to go "Off Effort" until calmer waters prevailed. A second breakfast of sausage rolls was masterfully prepared and delivered by Lenny during the trying crossing. By early afternoon we had past Skerviule Lighthouse, spotted several harbour porpoise and a motley crew of birds. We tied up alongside at Ardfern marina mid-afternoon. Some went ashore to shower, hike, and enjoy the local pub. Dinner was an Indian feast.

DAY 6

We woke up to breakfast as usual and took advantage of the nice facilities before beginning "On effort" at around 9:30 am. As we headed out from Ardfern along Loch Craignish, Cat spotted an Osprey along the back of the island, seeing it again – or another individual – further along the headland following a White-Tailed Sea Eagle. Heading up north we made our way through the tidal islands catching a glimpse of a porpoise as well as lots of Gannets and Guillemots. At around 12:20 pm, Antonine observed splashes heading towards us as we moved into the Sound of Mull. Eleanor started counting "1,2,3,4...". Emma (science officer) confirmed 50 common dolphins including some juveniles. Lenny kindly set the volunteers up on deck so everyone could admire them. The dolphins were happy to indulge us for a few minutes and we watched them leap around the Silurian. During the afternoon, we were able to admire the Lismore Lighthouse from a new angle and Stalker Castle from the sea, as well as seeing 30 seals hauled out on one of the small rock islands surrounding Lismore. We anchored up on the north side of Lismore to get out of the wind.