Strumble Diary 07/04/2025

 Posted 8th April due to PM commitments on the day.

A beautiful morning and a 7am start with just enough light for camera work. Almost straight away there were Commons moving in from the NW. Only a small group but a good sign that despite the small tide there were cetaceans on the move. As the sun rose the light improved and when the tide race started flowing the porpoise started moving in also. Not big numbers but a steady flow of sightings mostly outside the tide race with a few closer in. It seemed the lines were drawn by mutual consent as the commons stayed mostly off the lighthouse and further west with the porpoise's mostly active just short of and around Pen Caer Point. Dolphin sightings continued right through the morning.That took me up to 10am when I finished my session at the lookout.

Now to the second part of my morning.

Channel 5 are producing a series based around the coast of the UK (unknown title at present) and had approached Sea Trust Wales to participate in one of the episodes. So today being the day for filming, Nadia, the survey team along with our two interns and other volunteers duly assembled on the high ground west of the top car park and set up the kit. With five tripods set up and three TV camera operators it must have been quite a spectacle for Strumble's day visitors. Nadia, interns Aneesha and Amy along with Carrie were the stars of the show and I think quite impressed presenter Jules Hudson of "Escape to the Country" fame. The survey was still taking place with us providing the backdrop for the overall event. It all seemed to go very well and the producer looked happy so fingers crossed not too much will be cut from the final edit. Images at the end of this blog post. I'd also like to say it was lovely to see one of our most ardent volunteers "Andy Wise" back at Strumble after major surgery on his knee after a cycling accident. Great to see you Andy and hopefully you'll be fully back on your feet soon.