Surprise sighting during second winter survey!
The winter survey programme on board Silurian, our research vessel, has been running since 2019, aiming to understand more about the year-round presence of whales, dolphins and porpoises in Hebrides seas.
The winter surveys are important given that before the start of the programme, little data existed for the region during the winter months. Below, the team of citizen scientists - the term given to members of the public who gather data — describe the monitoring expedition…
DAY 1
A poor weather forecast and changing conditions meant the plans changed before we’d even left Tobermory! After a few hours of safety, data collection and boat housekeeping briefings, we donned our Fladen suits (aka ‘oilies’) and set sail for the Sound of Mull. At this point, the plan had changed from a night in Dunstaffnage to returning to Tobermory for the evening. We headed off into the Sound of Mull, with the team refreshed in survey protocols, the second winter survey commenced! Martin and Jane were straight onto visual observations at the mast, keeping an eye out for any marine mammal sightings, whilst Alice was watching out for birds and vessels, and Emily was down at the listening station below. After getting familiar with each of our roles, we were rewarded with hot and tasty mugs of vegetable soup to warm us during our watching. The soggy weather hadn’t dampened our spirits, but we were all pleased when the weather brightened, and the sea state improved. Excitingly, this meant we could head to Lochaline for the evening - an announcement that was met with a resounding cheer! As we travelled down the Sound of Mull, we heard snapping shrimp and vessel noise on the hydrophone, including one near pass from a boat dredge fishing nearby. As it got closer to darkness, we made our final transect into Lochaline, and some of the volunteers headed out to explore the local area in the fading light (and rain, which soon meant they returned to the warmth of Silurian!). The evening was spent eating spaghetti bolognaise whilst watching HWDT’s own Dr Lauren Hartny-Mills winter webinar about minke whales of the Hebrides. Would we see one of these minkes in the coming days?!..
Executive Telegram of the Days Events:
Destination Dunstaffnage. Destination Tobermory. Destination Lochaline. Destination dinner.
DAY 2
We awoke to the shipping forecast predicting Armageddon.
The anticipated challenging weather meant a number of pontoons were unwilling to have us. The decision was made to stay in Lochaline for the morning and explore the environs – we walked along the loch towards Ardtornish, enjoying some respite from the wind and a bit of warm sunshine. We returned to Silurian for extra tuition from Hannah on birds and boats. Sadly, the plan meant no second breakfast, but an early lunch instead.
We donned Fladen suits and multiple layers underneath, and left Lochaline after lunch with a plan to go southeast towards Dunstaffnage for our evening mooring. The violent hailstone shower was perfectly timed for our departure. Safety glasses were issued for those stationed on the mast. Once we left the relative calm of Lochaline we were hit by some seriously gusty winds and sea swell, that made moving around the boat quite interesting. But we still had hot drinks delivered to us at our stations by the excellent crew.
The highlight of the day, though, was our first proper sighting – four common dolphins spotted by Alice. They weren’t in the mood for bow riding and didn’t stay with Silurian very long. We reached the sanctuary of Dunstaffnage, and looked forward to a Mexican themed evening.
DAY 3
We awoke to a cold and fresh morning with ice on the decks and snow on the mountains. However, the sun was shining and the water of Dunstaffnage Bay was like glass.
After breakfast and a ‘Cha Cha Cha Chart Chat’, Silurian ventured out into the cold with all crew wrapped head to toe for warmth and sunglasses for glare. No sooner had we got underway, a lone grey seal popped his head up to wish us on our way. This was shortly followed up with the first fly-past of the day by a great northern diver.
Silurian gently motored round the south end of Lismore before turning to starboard and pointing her nose into the bitter northerly wind. At this point, the wind increased and the wind chill was hugely noticeable making the crew grateful for the warm layers, hot drinks and rolls with sausage. Silurian doggedly motored up Loch Linnhe against wind and tide to pass Glensanda Quarry to port, with a magnificent and snow-covered Ben Nevis providing an excellent course to steer.
Following a delicious soup for lunch, and about five miles short of a view up Glencoe, Silurian made a welcome U-turn, unfurled her genoa and made a glorious run back down Loch Linnhe with both wind and tide carrying her south back to Oban via the west side of Lismore. On approach to Oban Bay, the crew were treated to the final fly-past of the day in the form of a military aircraft circling around Oban. All in all, a cold but spectacular weather day with great views from Loch Linnhe, ending with a tremendous sunset over Kerrera and Mull.
DAY 4
We had an early start for our penultimate survey day to make the most of the daylight and calmer weather forecast. Filled with porridge we headed south through Kerrera Sound, counting creels and many birds, before making a sharp turn to the west as the Firth of Lorne opened up, with glorious views of the snow-covered hills of Mull. We hoisted the sails and turned Silurian to head us north. This was straight into the wind and weather, and for 10 minutes the safety specs were required to protect the mast watchers’ eyes. No sooner had the weather fallen away, and we had been warmed by second breakfast, there was a cry ‘SIGHTING’! Mast right! Dolphins ahead! We went ‘with whale’, and Hannah and Louise appeared with cameras and the hope of a positive photo identification. With a confirmed sighting of two dorsal fins all crew kept a vigilant watch and despite the wave crests and the dolphins’ reluctance to associate with Silurian, some successful photos were managed from a distance. But the jury was still out on identification.
Silurian continued her survey journey up the Sound of Mull enjoying brief encounters with harbour porpoise, and little by little the weather improved and with time left in the day, she turned to starboard and headed up Loch Sunart in excellent sighting conditions allowing the volunteers to practice their creel counting interspersed with some curious seals for company. Under a setting sun, Silurian then returned to Tobermory for everyone to enjoy a warm drink and catch up on the day’s events.
To help us identify the dolphins spotted within the Firth of Lorne, we sent the photos to four marine mammal experts around the globe, from Greenland to Hawaii to Antarctica, who with a unanimous vote all identified the dolphins as WHITE-BEAKED DOLPHINS!!!
DAY 5
The sun was rising on a peaceful Tobermory as we made an early start. With flat seas but a bitter chill in the air we left the pontoons, maneuvering past the work boats also beginning their day. Everyone was in high spirits for Hannah’s last day on effort as Science Officer and what a beautiful day to end a week full of laughter. It wasn’t long before we were calling out ‘SIGHTING!’ with seals and porpoise breaking through the water’s surface. Silurian was also sighted herself, being photographed one of our Trustees, Alexa, as we passed Rubha nan Gall Lighthouse. Heading towards the Ardnamurchan peninsula, Euan harnessed up and expertly climbed the mast to the crows nest where he was met with magnificent views and the thrill of being up high. As we sailed along we had lovely clear views of the small isles to the north, Coll to the west and the Treshnish Isles and Iona to the south.
With several more porpoise in view and plenty more being recorded by the hydrophone the weather started to pick up, at which point hot drinks and bacon and haggis rolls were very welcome! We turned around and began our last leg of the journey back into the Sound of Mull. Everyone was fantastic and persevered on their stations despite the weather with rain rolling in. A delicious lunch, more cups of tea and several creels later we were back alongside the pontoon in Tobermory where we had started our day. With one last chat around the table as a team we reminisced about our time aboard and listened to Hannah’s wonderful highlights of her time as Science Officer, wishing her luck as she moves on to pastures new. The perfect end to a fun-filled week.
Across the survey period, the group surveyed 144 nautical miles of Hebridean waters, recording five species of marine mammal across 24 sightings - an incredible effort for a winter survey!
WE’D ALSO LIKE TO THANK NATURE SCOT FOR FUNDING THE WINTER PROGRAMME OF SURVEY WORK, BUILDING A MORE COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF THE HEBRIDEAN MARINE ENVIRONMENT.