Thursday 15^th June, 2006

Anchorage Tobermory

Position: 56°37.200 N 006°03.700 W

Distance surveyed: 30nm

Up the west coast of Coll we went, passing 5 basking sharks (4 of them feeding in the same group), and a minke, not to mention a porpoise at Ardmore Point. Not bad for a last day! Then it was hello to Tobermory again after what seemed like a very long absence. We have truly seen some wonderful things in some wonderful places this week, and we do feel truly blessed!

Susie, Science Officer

Wednesday 14^th June, 2006

Anchorage: Chach Chuirr, Tiree

Position: 56° 32’.700 N 006°44’.0 W

Distance surveyed: 64 nm.

Today when we woke up, there was no wave, no wind, the sea was like a sheet of glass. As we left we looked for otters. Issac did not know Spanish for otter, so I said look for big cat in the water. Kristina was a hero today, she climbed into the crow's nest and stayed there for many hours and she saw 2 porpoises. We saw 1 seal and a small pod of common dolphins but they did not want to play with us. After seeing dolphins, we reached the Treshnish Isles, where we went ashore and were entertained by puffins – nature's favorite wind-up toy. We were able to get very close and watched them returning with bills filled with sandeels. On the isles, there were many sorts of spring flowers including bluebells, thrift and orchids.

We'd anchored for the night, but it was such a lovely evening, and the crew got ichy feet, so after supper we carried on to the north coast of Tiree, a journey of amazing colours in the sunset sky and calm waters.

It was a magical day for Helaine who loves puffins. Jen once more disappointed as we landed on island with lots of puffins but no doughnuts.

Helaine Clare

Earthwatch volunteer

Tuesday 13^th June, 2006

Anchorage: Loch Tarbert, Jura

Position: 55° 57’.600 N 005°54’.900W

Distance covered: 49 nm

We left Bunessan bright and early, heading for Staffa. The swells were quite frisky around the island, so we thought we wouldn't be able to go ashore. But while we were having a chat on the radio with the skipper of Iolaire of Iona, one of the tour boats, he really kindly offered to put us ashore, a pretty tricky manoeuvre, and a real bonus. The island was awesomely dramatic, with its columnar basalt rock formations.

From Staffa we headed south, past glorious Iona and Colonsay. As we passed through the Torron Rocks, the swells got quite impressive, and the simple task of making pasta and pesto for lunch turned into an epic mission, as various food and crockery items bounced around the galley for fun.

A few of the volunteers on observations were bouncing around the deck too, fortunately securely clipped on. Nothing like some good swells to make you glad to be alive.

But it all calmed down again, and we made our way majestically to Jura, the magnificent Loch Tarbert (the second most beautiful place in the world), a dinner of haggis (all you can eat, and so much more...), and a really grand walk on the pebbly beach at sunset (with a competition for the nicest pebble – won by Kristina for her stone that looked like South America...or was it a vulture?).

Helaine had the most eventful day of all – what with her on-deck acrobatics in the swelly seas and climbing up to the crow's nest (apparently the most frightening thing she'd done since she had to go in the septic tank), her wee dram of whiskey to finish the day was thoroughly well-deserved.

No animals, seen today, though. And no doughnut shop in Loch Tarbert. Well, you can't have everything.

The Earthwatch volunteers.

Monday 12^th June, 2006

Anchorage: Bunessan

Position: 56° 19’.200 N 006°14’.900W

Distance covered: 52 nm

OK , so it had to happen sooner or later, the weather got wetter and the sightings dried up! Not even a seal to report for today. We were experiencing real Hebridean weather.

We set off bright and early with every intention of reaching Jura by evening, but, as they say, best laid plans etc. and we were quickly experiencing gusts of force 8, information that was relayed to us by the Science Officer (Susie) as she handed us a welcome cup of tea, whilst being harnessed to the mast and getting soaked by the sea spray! I think the journey brought out the pioneer in all of us!?? The time to worry is only when the skipper and first mate look worried, so as I glanced over my shoulder, I could see that they looked perfectly happy at their posts, the skipper looking dashing in his designer woolly tea cosy, sorry hat??? and they had that knowing look, as in, “ we think you may get wet”

So with safety very much being at the heart of today, and our pioneer spirits dashed, we headed in and decided to skirt around Loch na Keal and Loch Scridain on the Isle of Mull before finally anchoring at Bunessan for the night.

Without exception everyone had a good old soaking, and definitely had withdrawal symptoms from not having our daily dose of dolphin sightings. Ah and it was all going so well!

These are the kind of days when the hydrophone really comes into its own, and Susie cheered us up when she confirmed that there had been 4 porpoise recordings picked up.

They are out there somewhere, and tomorrow will be another good day, whatever the weather!

Kristina Home
Earthwatch Volunteer

Sunday 11^th June, 2006

Anchorage: Soriby Bay, Ulva

Position: 56° 29’.200 N 006°10’.800W

Distance covered: 43 nm

Lovely sunny windy day. Left Arisaig 7.30ish. Saw no cetaceans all day, but one seal. And lots of seabirds. Part of the way we sailed, the boat heeled over beautifully, so it was great fun standing towards the bow observing, and no-one was seasick. Anchored in a beautiful bay in Ulva at about 5.30pm, and Sharon and Helaine did supper, including chocolate cake with lots of chocolate sauce. Hope there's some left for breakfast...

Jen Berry
Earthwatch volunteer.

Saturday 10^th June, 2006

Anchorage: Loch Nan ceall, Arisaig

Position: 56° 54’.400 N 005°51’.400W

Distance covered: 35 nm

After a slightly noisy night (anchor kept moving and banging against the side of the boat), we started the day with a lesson from Susie on acoustics and its value in monitoring cetaceans especially when sightings can be difficult.

Left Canna and set sail for Loch Moidart. After leaving the harbour and reaching open water we were able to start sailing, however not before getting a round of teas in. The deal made by Dave/Helaine, was Helaine would put the kettle on if we found her a puffin. Guess what - 5 minutes later we found her a puffin. Not too hard when you are near cliffs which make ideal nesting colonies for sea birds.

Shortly after this we were able to hoist the sails and start sailing. This would be our first real experience of observing under sail and coping with the tilt of the boat. Isaac and myself took the first hour of observation on the mast. Due to the tilt, thought I would chose the high side, which was okay for 5 minutes until Dave changed tack and the I was on the low side. The tilt was quite unnerving to start with (the water looked very close) and I did feel a bit insecure, even though I was attached by a harness, so chose to sit and wedge myself. However after about 20/30 minutes I got use to the tilt and it was exhilarating!

After about 3 hours the wind died and it was back to motoring. Also due to the direction of the wind, tacking had been the order of the day, so after 3 hours of sailing we had only gone 7 miles. Decision made to then head for a new destination being Loch Nan ceall, Arisaig.

A quiet day on the sighting side, only 2 porpoises sighted but at least it was something. On the bird sightings it seemed to be the day for guillemots, and sadly we also had a few rubbish sightings, including a black sack that initially had the appearance of a basking shark.

Arrived in at a reasonable time allowing time to give the boat a good clean and opportunity for Kristina and Khiem to climb up to the crows nest. Also had a treat tonight in that we went for dinner on shore!

Sharon Avis
Earthwatch volunteer

Friday, 9^th June, 2006

Anchorage: Canna

Position: 57°03.300 N 006°29.500 W

Distance surveyed: 30 nm

The day started at 00:01 am because we were waiting the beginning of the day; they were giving a toast for my birthday; it's a wonderful experience, I never imagined to be here and to celebrate out of Mexico and to start the celebration very early.

After a excellent sleep, we took breakfast at 8:00 am and to leave with the idea of to found many dolphins and whales.

After almost three hours, the first surprise happened, we saw some dolphins at the right of the boat after some minutes they disappeared. The waiting again, and nothing but we never thinking about the excellent day. Let me explained, after the dolphins we saw minke whales, later many dolphins swimming around of the boat, for me was impossible to see all them because some of them are swimming at right of the boat, others behind at the rest at the left.

We were thinking about the day finish but.... other surprise, basking sharks and whales in the same time, oh my god, it was the best present for me, let me show you what we saw today:

common dolphins: 37

harbour porpoise : 02

grey seal : 01

unidentified doplhins: 05

minke whale: 03

basking shark: 03

So I never imagine to celebrate this day with this kind of surprise.

When we stop in Canna, they gave me another present, I swam for some minutes in the waters of Hebrides Islands, and that was a lovely experience. At night we celebrate again, I blew out the candles of the cakes and we finish this wonderful day.

Isaac Torres
Earthwatch Volunteer.

Thursday 8^th June, 2006

Position: 57°04.000 N 007°17.000 W

Distance surveyed 27 nm

Had a lie in and started the day at 8am after having a good sleep after all our excitement from the previous day. Everyone slept like a log! Had to keep pinching myself to check that I really was on a boat in the Western Isles, sun was shining, yes I did say “SUN” and we had just seen 86 sightings the day before. At breakfast Susie did a quick reality check with us and warned the Team not to expect as much excitement today as we might be disappointed.

Unfortunately I have the sad duty of reporting that our ship's mascot the pipit didn't make it and was given a rather unconventional burial at sea (a rendition of 'The Birdie Song' – including actions). Dave our skipper will just have to find himself the traditional parrot to sit on his shoulder instead.

So activities started with a walk to stretch our legs where we had some close encounters with the local bird life including puffins and razorbills which was made a great deal easier after Susie's expert tuition on sea bird identification.

So well fed and watered we headed off to spot some more cetaceans with Susie's warnings ringing in our ears. But we needn't have worried as within 45 minutes of going On Effort, to our delight an obliging minke whale made a guest appearance, which was to be the start of six minke sightings of the day. A porpoise put in a brief appearance and one seal was thrown in for good measure. After which we headed in to anchor for the evening.

A brisk walk to the local pub followed, only to find it closed! Well it was 11.00 pm by the time we ventured down the road. We decided to have a walk on the beach instead. Entertainment was provided by the Skipper Dave who, having dared to wear his Superman T-shirt then failed to live up to his reputation, and was found lying in a heap in the local graveyard having tried to leap the fence.

Another day in paradise and it's “Cetaceans Galore” so far.

Kristina Home
Earthwatch Volunteer

Wednesday 7^th June, 2006

Position: 56°47.400 N 007°37.600 W

Distance surveyed: 102 nm

A blog is just a slice of life apparently. Which reminds me of cake, and the one I made today. Up until which time Jen and me were the only vols not feeling or being sick. Half an hour in the galley & I lurched up on deck to join the main group.

We had a really early start (even if we did have to go back for a lifejacket, left by someone who'll remain nameless), as we were bound for the hopefully biologically productive area of Stanton Banks to the southwest, which has really varied underwater topography. By 6am, we were seeing basking sharks, and as we entered the Stanton Banks area were treated to bowriding common and white-beaked dolphins and plenty of of minke whales, one of them really close up. We had an amazing day of flat water and 18 hours of sailing. We had the great fortune to see at total of:

basking sharks 7

harbour porpoise 11

minke 6

Risso's dolphin 2

common dolphins 21

white beaked dolphins 14

grey seal 21

unidentified dolphins 4

And that's not all. A tiny LBJ (little brown job), identified as a pipit was marooned at sea. After following us for some miles it eventually landed & flew down into the cabin, where Animal-Hospital-style, vast amounts of attention was lavished on it (a home in a Fruit n' Fibre box and a choice of pumpkin seeds and muesli to eat).

Helaine Clare
Earthwatch volunteer

Tuesday 6^th June, 2006

Anchorage: Gott Bay

Position: 56°30.800 N 006°48.150 W

Distance surveyed: 35 nm

Glorious start to the day, and after receiving our briefing sessions on the survey work we would be completing and a basic guide to the boat, we left Tobermory around midday and headed northwards toward Coll. Split into our rotas, we started to put into practice our newly-learnt surveying and data recording skills.

A slow start, but after we started to follow the east coast of Coll, halfway along the coast the sightings started with cries of 'shark!', our first basking shark of the day, and it was a good sighting with the shark coming very close to the boat and an opportunity to see it feeding. Though a late start, the afternoon went on to be quite successful with 9 sightings of basking sharks, 2 possibly 3 minke whale sightings and 2 harbour porpoises.

Due to the afternoon turning colder and the shock it was to two of volunteers from warmer climes (Isaac from Mexico and Khiem from Vietnam), Susie initiated an aerobics/cabaret session to keep warm with a performance of the Hokey Kokey.

We moored for the night in Gott Bay, Tiree.

Sharon Avis
Earthwatch volunteer

Monday 5^th June, 2006

Anchorage Tobermory

Position: 56°37.200 N 006°03.700 W

The start third Earthwatch trip of the season brought an amazing experience – fine weather. As the volunteers joined Silurian on Monday evening at Tobermory, the bay was mirror-calm, the sky blue and cloudless, and the sun beaming down. Marvellous! Our volunteers are Sharon, Kristina, Jen and Helaine from the UK, Isaac from Mexico and Khiem from Vietnam. We spent the evening getting to know each other, and basking in the glorious weather. Reports were coming in of a real increase in sightings around the area, with the start of the plankton bloom and flat seas. We all went to bed extremely excited. Bring it on!

Susie, Science Officer, UK