Strumble Diary 11/11/2026

With the wind having swung around to the NE today, things were decidedly cooler than of late. Next to no shelter in the lookout so layers and thermals were much needed and appreciated. I arrived at 10.20am as the tide was dropping and set up the camera. As soon as I looked out over the sea, there were Commons feeding out in the outer tide race that was quickly gathering momentum. More and more came through, and by the time Nadia arrived just after 11am with interns Emma, and Keira, my count was up to an estimate of 150-180 animals. 

We continued the survey as wave after wave of dolphin came through, some stopping to feed, whilst others sped through at good speed. Quite a few full breaches, much to the delight of my three companions, and myself of course. Always happy to capture flying dolphins. My estimated tally for the session finished on roughly 280-300 Common Dolphin, but sadly no Porpoise once again. I ended my session at 12.30pm and left the others to see out the final 30 minutes or so.

 

Strumble Diary 09/11/2026

 Much less wind than forecast as I arrived at Strumble this morning at 09.15am. The ESE'ly wind was cold none the less. As I was setting up my tripod with the camera still inside it's bag a stunning Red Kite flew past at eye level and about 80ft away. What a miss. It would have made a stunning image with the sea behind. After setting up, the sightings of Commons started building and as the tide race formed, they were coming in in big numbers. Not showing too well, and quite distant to start with. Wave after wave surging up against the tide and now getting closer. There were some that were breaching at this point so things were getting exciting, and my shutter finger was constantly on the button. Then around 10.35 it was if someone had flicked a switch and they all but vanished. 

Fran, along with the Monday survey team arrived just after 11am and were soon set up and keenly watching over the tide race and beyond. Things were quiet, as by this time the tide was well down and the dolphins were now showing well west of the lighthouse and out of camera range. Fran then spotted a small pod of Commons moving West in front of us and they were very active. Several of them were breaching high out of the water as they sped along at a rate of knots. That was it for me, and I headed home well happy with what I'd seen and captured, leaving the team to finish off their last half hour. Again, no Porpoise sighted by me, but Fran saw one distant beyond the lighthouse. 😢

 

Strumble Diary 07/11/2026

 My first trip out to Strumble for a while. A glorious morning with blue sky and calm seas. The tide race was starting to run off the point and I could see a good number of Commons at distance. Over my session, a total estimate of around 100 or so covering from directly in front of the lookout, to west beyond the lighthouse. None came close though. More concerning for me, was the fact that I didn't see a single Porpoise. This is my fifth time in a row of not seeing any, and it does make me wonder where are they. Shortly before I left the dolphins had moved off and all was quiet.

 

Strumble Diary 29/10/2026

 With a light southerly wind and good visibility, things looked good for today's survey. I arrived just after 10.am and as I parked up I could see Commons some 300mtrs out. I set up at the lookout and started my session. Two or three separate small groups were moving around the view in front of me, at varying distances. Just around 10.30, Andy arrived and we watched as group after group moved in, and by the time the Thursday survey team arrived with Dawn at the helm at around 11.20am, our count was already up to 200+. The action died down for a while but more were soon coming in. We were now up to around 300, so our interns and visitors alike were getting good views right through their session. Sharp eyed Dawn spotted a Sunfish moving toward Pen Caer point with Andy confirming the sighting. A very late sighting for this species for Strumble Hd. I ended my session at 12.30pm and left the team to catch the final action of their survey.

 

 

Strumble Diary 17/10/2026

 My session at Strumble today got off to a rather shocking start, in a nice way I might add. So, I'm rounding the final bend before the gates and cattle grid and on a post to the right of the gates is the most magnificent raptor I've seen in an open setting. I just stopped the car and looked at it. A few seconds later it took off revealing the most striking plumage. As I made my way along to the car park it was flying off to my right and then I realised it was a kept bird which had a jess and bell attached. I parked up and got the camera out and took some pics as it swept low over the lookout, then returned to the hand of it's keeper, who turned out to be a former Sea Trust volunteer (Sean). A lovely conversation and catch up followed before he headed home and I walked to the lookout for an afternoon session.

The sun was out but the NE wind was keeping things cool and there was a moderate swell with the tide race just starting to form.  Not a strong tide today and things were very quiet  for the first hour or so. Off to the north at distance I spotted a small pod (12 or so) of Common Dolphin heading in toward me. They didn't come any closer than 300mtrs or so beyond the tide race and in the swells were not showing particularly well. Sadly no Porpoise sighted which is starting to get quite concerning considering this is the fourth session in a week or so that I've had a Porpoise blank. 

                                                    This magnificent bird is a Harris Hawk