Wildlife Sightings 2006

February
Large numbers of Atlantic Grey Seals are on Ramsey now for the annual moult. Other than the breeding season in October/November this is the time of year which sees the highest numbers of seals on the beaches.

Our resident sea birds have been joined by the Fulmars who have returned to their ledges ready to breed.

March
The first battles for territory are happening as the Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes start arriving on the Ramsey. These birds are loyal to their breeding sites but as they are joined each year by a new generation a fair amount of bickering for position occurs. Prime nesting sites (or patches of ledge) are in the centre of the group and these positions usually go to the more experienced and established breeding pairs.

The resident pod of Harbour Porpoise have been spotted on several occasions feeding in the South end of Ramsey Sound.

April
The first trips offshore picked up with a large pod of about 100 Common Dolphin in St Brides Bay. They were keen to play in our bow wave and stayed with the boat for some time.

There are plenty of seals around the Ramsey as well as porpoise in the sound. Sea bird numbers are still increasing rapidly with good sightings of the Puffin checking out possible burrows on North Bishop.

May
The breeding season is upon us and many of the Common Dolphin pods have young with them and we have seen groups of well over 100 individuals. The occasional Rissos Dolphin has been seen generally around the Hats and Barrels.

Gannets in huge numbers are well into their nest building and breeding rituals. No major territory battles have been seen but there is some concern over the huge amount of netting, rope and rubbish they are using for building material.

Offshore we are also seeing feeding Manx Shearwaters and Storm Petrels along with other Auks and Gulls.

June
The main talk has been about the large pod of Dolphin which filled St Brides Bay in the middle of the month. We had a full two hours of entertainment with over 200 animals sporting and fishing around the boats.

Manx Shearwater have led us to a few Minke Whale sightings and the first of the young Porpoise have been seen with their mums.

Ramseys Chough are in the middle of their nesting period with the occasional chick being spotted in one of the gullys.

July
The Gannets chicks can bee seen on the ledges around Grassholm, still small balls of white fluff. Huge rafts of thousands of Manx Shearwaters and other birds offshore along with the Auks. Beautiful sightings of Puffin with their beaks full of Sand Eels as well as some of the more unusual visitors who are passing through.

One lovely sighting of a Great Suka chasing and feeding from the Gulls.

Many feeding frenzies involving Gulls, Gannets, and Common Dolphin who are being seen on nearly every trip out.

At least one confirmed sighting of an Orca and a couple of tall dark fins spotted at a distance. Also sightings of a group pf Pilot Whale as well as regular Minke Whale.

On Ramsey many of the Razorbill, Guillimot and Kittiwake chicks are fledging. The Auks are quickly taking their youngsters offshore and away from the Greater Black Back Gulls who seem to be predating very heavily on them this year. One of our skippers took pity on a Kittiwake chick and rescued it from the water where it was being attacked by the Gulls. It was safely released back to the island the following evening much happier for a good rest and plenty to eat.

Regular sightings of Ramseys Peregrine Falcons are also being made this month.

August
Groups of 7/8 Basking Shark are being seen regularly around the Smalls lighthouse feeding. Also spotted offshore have been Pilot and Minke Whales as well as Common and Rissos Dolphin.

A pod of around 20 Bottlenose Dolphin came right through Ramsey Sound. More are seen later that week at the back of the island.

Lots of talk in the National Press about unusual sights of whale on dolphin of our coast – it seems to have been a “secret” that we have kept for years but only now the press have found out !! However with almost every offshore sailing having excellent sights of dolphin and a good number of whale it does seem a good year. Orca possibly a touch down on previous years.

Juvenile Auks can be seen rafted up and we have picked up with Black Headed Gulls, Storm Petrels and various Shearwater.

Towards the end of the month the first of the Atlantic Grey Seal pups have been born on the Ramsey. The Bull Seals have taken up their territories and the rest of the adults are making their way in for the breeding season.

September
Common Dolphin with their young and Minke Whale regularly being sighted off shore. Lots of the Gannet chicks have left the nest but many of them are still too fat to fly so they are just bobbing around on the water.

Ramsey Island is a hive of activity with the Seal breeding in full swing. Pups on nearly every beach all in their fuzzy white coats.

We witnessed several seal mums giving their young swimming lessons. Defiantly not natural born swimmers! The colony seems to be doing really well with the usual silly games and squabbles going on at the Bachelor Pad.

Quiet on the bird front at this time of year although the Shag fledglings are still around and can be seen having adventures in ones or twos around the island. They don’t seem too keen on going too far away from land. There are still some Fullmar chicks on the nests as well as the resident birds.

October
The offshore trips are over but Ramsey still has much to offer with plenty of seal pups still on the beaches, adults playing or sleeping in the water and the resident pod of Harbour Porpoise to be seen.

November
The last of the seasons Seal pups are moulting through to their adult coats and venturing into the water. The Bachelor pad is still active with all the juvenile females and bulls of all ages who were not involved in the breeding season this year. Many of the breeding adults have headed offshore to feed themselves up after their months of starvation.

Some lovely sightings of the Peregrine Falcon who enjoy the crisp still winters days when the Island is quiet.

Wildlife Sighting 2007 - Click Here
Wildlife Sighting 2005 - Click Here
Wildlife Sighting 2004 - Click Here