Wildlife Sightings 2009

February
A decent spell of weather over the half term gives us a chance to run a few trip
Good numbers of seals adults and juveniles around the island
Excellent porpoise sightings and quite a few early returning and migratory birds about already.

March
A later start to this season but we have been seeing larger numbers of seals around Ramsey Islands beaches for their moult and there are lots of porpoise in Ramsey Sound.
Early nesting birds such as chough, ravens, peregrine falcons and the auks showing lots of interest around their nesting sites.

April
Perfect weather and sea conditions through the month mean lots of trips.
Lots of seals and porpoise. Lots of bird activity around the islands nesting sites.

May
The puffins have returned to their burrows on the north bishops and increased in number significantly. Wardens on Ramsey have installed 150 plastic decoy puffins on the Northern headland of Ramsey in a bid to lure back the real thing. All other birds on their nests, seal numbers around the 200 mark.
The first offshore trips heading out and seeing lots of activity from the gannets on Grassholm, puffins and shearwaters rafting further out and good sightings of common dolphin.

June
The first chicks have appeared on some of the nests. In Ramsey sound the first newborn porpoise calf has been sighted and good numbers of seals still in residence around the island.
Offshore voyages in full swing with daily sightings of common dolphin, often in large numbers and are usually very playful and interactive. Also sightings of Rissos dolphin, Minkie whale, Orca (killer whale) and Basking shark.

July
Lots of Bird activity on Ramsey and lots of chicks on the nests and ledges. Had reports that the Plastic Puffin Project has attracted two pairs of Puffin back to the Island which is great news. Still plenty of seals around the island for the time of year and good numbers of porpoise in the sound daily. Common dolphin also sighted on a couple of occasions in Ramsey sound.
Unfortunately due to poor weather offshore trips have been hard to run, but on the good days that we have been able to run them we have been seeing good numbers of common dolphin and on one occasion a huge basking shark.

August
Another rubbish month as far as weather goes!
Many of the guillemots, razorbills and puffins are beginning to move on as the chicks leave the nests. Seal numbers starting to increase as the breading season approaches, seal pups also starting to appear on the beaches around Ramsey. Sunfish spotted on a few occasions in the sound. Offshore plenty of common dolphin with a lot of young in tow. A few sightings of Rissos dolphin and some Minkie whale sighting.
As the month draws to a close the weather improves and the offshore trips provide lots of good sightings of Whale and Dolphin and also Risso's Dolphin
Seal numbers are increasing daily and lots of pups starting to appear

September
The continuation of the good weather allows for lots of trips offshore and dolphin with their young sightings every day. Some really good sightings of Minkie Whale and plenty of porpoise about too.
Seal numbers increasing as the peak of the breeding season approaches with lots of pups on all beaches.
As the end of the month approaches the weather deteriorates again and we are forced to curtail our offshore voyages after one of our most successful seasons - roll on 2010

October
Ramsey Island voyages only from now on as the weather starts to turn more autumnal but lots of seals and porpoise about to enjoy.

November
Winter has arrived with a vengeance and as the gales roll in we are unable to run any trips at all...

Wildlife Sighting 2009 - Click Here
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Wildlife Sighting 2006 - Click Here
Wildlife Sighting 2005 - Click Here
Wildlife Sighting 2004 - Click Here