A Day on the Waves.

 Our Cliff recently celebrated his birthday and a very kind and generous skipper of Cartlet Lady fame gifted Cliff a boat trip. In turn Cliff in his generosity invited the new interns, myself, Lloyd and Carrie to join him. The morning was sunny and warm with a gentle breeze hardly disturbing the surface of the water. We left the Haven and headed NW to Grassholm but not too far out we encountered our first group of Commons. Only a small group but they came into the bow and gave the interns their first close up of these lovely cetaceans. We carried on to Grassholm to see the Gannet colony and thence out to The Smalls Lighthouse some 15 or so miles out. Beyond then to the deeps, reaching 27 miles out before turning back Eastward for the slow track home. During this time we came accross several more groups of Commons all fairly small and very quiet in terms of activity. (no breaches). Everyone enjoyed the day and a big thanks to Andy for making it possible and to Lloyd as crew for the day. 

Gannet shaking off the water after a dive.

Syncro pair.

Tha Smalls lighthouse

Lookouts on the flying Bridge. Carrie, Andy, Cliff, Ruth and Lloyd.

Carrie releasing a Manx Sheerwater that had stranded on shore the day before.

We spotted a small group of porpoise on our way back in about two miles out.

 

Carrie taking in the view as we entered the Haven on our way back.

Something a bit bigger than us was leaving as we returned.