Thursday 6th August

Another day with masses of wildlife. This morning’s Discovery Voyage passengers had great encounters with loads of common dolphins and some close up views of some really massive breaching bluefin tuna. They were all feeding again under hundreds possibly thousands of gannets, and underneath the gannets there were Manx shearwaters and lots of screaming gulls and even a few tiny storm petrels. We also had great views of harbour porpoises and grey seals.

On the afternoon Ocean Discovery we went back to look at the seals though unfortunately a couple of snorkellers went in really close and the panicked seals quickly got off the rocks and into the water. You don’t have to be on a boat to give seals space. Heading out offshore a vast cloud of seabirds was spotted through binoculars showing us again where the tuna and common dolphins were. These were the best seabird views I’ve had for years, and it’s encouraging to see so many gannets in immature plumage. They have been quite resilient after the scourge of avian influenza swept through four years ago. There’s something so primal about a gannet feeding frenzy – the sight, the absolute racket and the sweet smell of the fish oil. Nature in the raw!

It was Sam’s last day today. Thanks for your hard work Sam and for all the fab photos. Good luck!