February
There are plenty of Seals around Ramsey Island as they go through their annual moult.
Harbour Porpoise can be seen in Ramsey Sound.
Fulmars on ledges and paired off, and we know that the Gannets are now their building nests on Grassholm.
March
Some of the migratory birds are beginning to return to inspect nesting sites
There is an increasing interest shown by Kittiwakes other Gulls and Auks (Guillemots and Razorbills) in holding territory.
Ravens – the earliest nesting Corvid hatch their chicks
April
We notice increased activity around the cliff nesting sites but no nesting yet.
Puffins have return to the area and we have sightings from the end April onwards.
May
The spring migration of birds, including more northerly nesting seabirds occurs. It would appear other sea birds such as Skuas spring migrate over land at night and there are rare daytime sightings.
Auks (Guillemots and Razorbills) etc now hold territories and move on to mating.
The Seabird colonies are now formed and egg laying is under way.
June
Common Dolphins sightings increased on last year with many newborn and young calves.
A large family group of Risso's Dolphin entertain, with 8 curious youngsters providing a ‘close escort' to the boat for several miles.
Sea bird colony chicks now hatching with rearing and fledging complete by the end of July except Gannets as their rearing activities continues into September
July
The autumn migration of early season nesting birds starts and will continue into November as different species pass through our waters.
Most often seen: Common Scoter, various Waders including Whimbrel, Turnstone, Godwits, Dunlin and Phalarope. Terns, such as Common, Arctic, sandwich, Little. Skuas such as Arctic , Great, Pomarine and Long tailed. Shearwaters such as Manx, Balearic and Sooty.
Large ‘rafts' of birds offshore feeding in ‘frenzies'.
By the end of July the Auks (Guillemots and Razorbills) have just about finished fledging their chicks.
So to have Chough and Buzzard
Cetacean sightings during the month are exceptionally good. We see Minkie Whale with young calves and a Sei Whale is sighted, as are the usual large pods of Common Dolphin as well as Risso's Dolphin, Basking Shark and a large pod of 10 Orca.
August
No Auks (Guillemots and Razorbills) left to fledge but now is the peak month for Gannet chicks to leave the colony on Grassholm.
Dolphin and Whale sightings continue, despite weather conditions curtailing the program of Offshore Voyages somewhat. However on a number of occasions pods of Common Dolphin come closer inshore around Ramsey.
September
An excellent month for seeing Shearwaters, Gannets, Cetaceans as well as southerly migrating sea birds on the Offshore Voyages
With the Atlantic Grey Seal numbers at their peak as the pupping season is in full swing and the Harbour Porpoise on the Ramsey Island Voyages are a regular sighting.
October
Viewing dominated by seals and seal pups, Harbour Porpoise and migrating birds.
November
Seal numbers are diminishing as the last few pups are born, and the adult's head out to sea.
Some good sighting of the Harbour Porpoise, and Risso's Dolphin close inshore around Ramsey Island .
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