Bottlenose sightings from the past few days.

 Whilst things at Strumble have been quiet for me of late, the North Breakwater in contrast has been delivering good Bottlenose sightings almost daily. The group of five animals that have seemingly adopted Fishguard Bay as their summer residence are favouring the dropping tide for their foraging efforts off the harbour entrance. Today again there were just four of the group when I arrived and I am still concerned about the one with the facial growth as mentioned in my previous posting. Still a bit soon to assume it won't return to the group but fingers crossed it will soon. The following images are a selection from the past couple of days.

 

Join our potential Whale watching survey trip with Sea Trust aboard the Cartlett Lady!

Potential Sea Trust/Cartlett Lady whale watching trip Friday July 24th. Sea Trust have been surveying our Pembrokeshire waters for more than two decades, as far away as the Smalls and beyond to the Celtic Deep and out into the outer Bristol Channel up to Lundy, recording cetaceans and seabirds. This is a 8+ hour survey trip and we have seven places available @ £110 cash per person, a saving of £15 on last year’s price thanks to some valuable sponsorship from Valero. Sea Trust survey trips are not just wildlife watching jollies. The data we have collected from these trips since 2003 have contributed over 90% of the verified offshore records of cetaceans (and other marine creatures) for West Wales which we have submitted to the West Wales Biodiversity Records Centre and the National Biodiversity Network. Basically, it’s conservation being funded by the public. Local people helping us to look after our marine wildlife! The Cartlett Lady is a privately owned sport fishing vessel (Lochin 42) skippered by Andrew Rickard. Both skipper and vessel are fully licenced for private charter. She has toilet facilities, indoor seating and is fully kitted out with safety equipment. Her powerful engines allow us to cruise out up to 30 nautical miles offshore and if necessary, get back home quickly. We meet at Neyland Marina normally at 09.30 for a 10.00 departure. If you are running late call me on the number below. We differ our routes but normally in the early season we will visit one or two of the islands to see the seabirds, Puffins etc. then go out in search of Cetaceans our main focus will be the Celtic Deep on the lookout for things such as Whales and other cetaceans, Leatherback Turtles, Sharks and Bluefin Tuna. Nothing is guaranteed, no two trips are alike, but most are amazing! If you are interested: Email me on: seatrustwales@gmail.com. To avoid complication and booking fees, please bring cash (£110pp). We only go out when the forecast is for calm weather as this gives the best spotting conditions. You need to bring food, drink and sun protection, as well as appropriate clothing. It can get chilly! if you want to book space /spaces please add mobile no. to your reply and full names and address Allthingsgood, cliff. Mob no: 07516454581

Strumble Disappoints but Breakwater Scores 16/07/2026

 A trip out to the breakwater at 10.30 am on the dropping tide didn't produce the Bottlenose I was hoping for so at 11.40 I made my way to Strumble to join the Thursday survey team. The sightings were distant and poor with around 15 Porpoise sighted up to the end of the watch at 13.00, but sadly no images. Not happy with the day so far I headed back to the breakwater and this time scored with four Bottlenose foraging quite lazily off the outside end of the breakwater. There was some play action as well with two of them chasing each other rolling over and playing with a bunch of seaweed. One notable absentee was the one with the deformity on it's face. This was the same group but I wonder where it was. I hope it's not come to any harm.

My grandson Sonny who is on a weeks work experience with Sea Trust, joined me for an hour or so and brought one of the trusts cameras with him. I have to say (perhaps with a bit of bias) that he did a great job of catching some dolphin action having had very little time to get  used to the camera kit. The first few images are the results of his efforts.

Well done Sonny.

Now for my images.

 

Strumble & Bottlenose 10-11/07/2026

So yesterday the 10th I connected with the Bottlenose briefly off the breakwater  and had ten minutes or so before they made their way off to the NW and out of sight. Today I headed to Strumble for 07.00 to catch the dropping tide. Much as Cliff experienced previously it was mostly dash and splash well out in the outer tide race. I had several sightings but in the choppy conditions it was impossible to get any images so just after 08.45 I decided to give the breakwater a go in hopes of catching the Bottlenose again. To harbour Village first to look over the bay and sure enough there were a few fins showing half way between the breakwater and the far side of the bay. 

When I arrived at the breakwater they had come closer so I spent a good hour or so getting as many shots as i could of the different dolphins. The salvage barge was leaving the inner harbour and the Bottles sped off to have some fun with it. The crew on the barge were getting some lovely close up views as they stayed along side it for several minutes before heading back to the breakwater. I saw them for another few minutes before they did  their vanishing trick of diving together and seemingly moving off unseen.

The animal with the deformity on its face is present again this year and it seems the deformity has grown. I also observed that it has changed in character somewhat and now has teeth showing on it's front view. A challenge I have set myself is to get some close up high res' images of it in order to study it better. Fingers crossed.