Monday 15th June

Didn’t I say yesterday that dull windy conditions are usually way better for wildlife spotting than a sunny warm day when the wind is blowing from the east? We had two Ocean Discovery tours today and that statement was completely vindicated by fab sightings on both. This morning we had a great encounter with another ocean sunfish who stared up at us while basking on its side. The birds too were great with large numbers of gannets and shearwaters spotted, both rafted up on the water and actively feeding. Heading back inshore we were passed by a pod of 6-8 adult Risso’s dolphins who were a little furtive, and then some grey seals hauled out on the rocks at low tide.

This afternoon we picked up some Risso’s again almost straightaway, but this time they were two mothers and two calves. One of the calves was very young indeed, and stayed very close to mum. We gave them extra space and watched from a distance. But then we saw a series of repeated breaches from one individual!  Then on the island we watched several seals as the tide lapped higher, including a very fast asleep male and a small juvenile. One female stuck her head under the water from her rock, had a very long considered look around before sliding off in a very leisurely fashion. They don’t like to get in quick! Sailing south then we picked up one pod of common dolphins, then another….then two more. They gave us a really wonderful encounter, maybe the best so far this year, and escorted us as we sailed for nearly the whole of the remaining time out there. It was a really special trip.