Tuesday 26^th September, 2006

Anchorage: Isleornsay, Isle of Skye

Position: 57° 08’.900 N 005°47’.700W

Distance surveyed: 51 nm

Early morning of the last Tuesday of the 2006 season began with an exceedingly cold and hence highly refreshing swim in Arcairseid Mor, Eriskay, for four of the five volunteers on this week's research project. Once underway, the first few hours of the day came and went with no sightings, but shortly before midday, a flock of gannets was spotted circling a small area of the sea some distance from Silurian. Then many were spotted diving into the sea in quick succession, leading us to believe that the shoal of fish which had attracted the gannets in the first place, may also have attracted cetaceans. On reaching the area, halfway between Eriskay and Canna, a large group of common dolphins was spotted feeding. On approach to the pod, blows were also seen in the distance by some of the team, leading us to believe that a large baleen whale might also be feeding with the dolphins. Unfortunately, however, the whale itself was not sighted. The next sighting was made in the Sound of Canna, some four hours after the first, when several seals were spotted close to the coast of Canna. Despite the sightability continuing to change in our favour, no sightings were made until Silurian entered the Sound of Sleat. From entering until mooring the boat at Isleornsay, four harbour porpoises were sighted along with several more seals. Having the longest day of the research project been as successful as it was, the team had a well earned drink in the hotel which looks over the bay, followed by a traditional Scottish dinner of haggis, neaps and tatties. One member of the team however, had slight reservations about the meal as he had never eaten haggis before, but in the end he was surprised about how much he enjoyed this most traditional of Scottish cuisine. However, the highlight of tonight's meal was the battle between two resident Scots in the team who took second helpings twice the size of their firsts. Despite the arrival of the food sweats, both finished and, unsurprisingly, were immobile for most of the rest of the evening.

Andy, Volunteer.

# posted by HWDT @ 9:30 PM