In addition, 13 species of seabird were also recorded including Balearic Shearwater, Sabine’s Gull, Great Skua, and European Storm Petrel. 16 migratory bird species were also sighted heading south including Kingfisher, Goldcrest, Kestrel, Northern Wheatear, Reed Warbler and Garden Warbler.
There were several familiar faces on the trip as well as many new faces who we hope will become familiar in the future as our Themed Cruises are now attracting a regular following of keen sea-going naturalists. It is always such a privilege to be able to share in the exultation experienced by those on our Themed Cruises and, it has to be said, the enthusiastic reactions were just the same whether from a returnee or from a newcomer to this fantastic experience.
The weather conditions were not easy for some of the trip and this did make it difficult to sight cetaceans at times. The trip was busy, with some 150 passengers travelling and expectations were high as the BDRP team introduced themselves and welcomed people on board the Pride of Bilbao on the first evening.
The cruise program followed its tried and tested formula, with constant assisted watches on 11 deck from 11.00am on the first day and with guided visits to the monkey island deck (which acts as a wonderful viewing platform situated above the bridge) on the 20th and 21st. As ever these guided visits remained extremely popular. The first morning started with presentations on the whales, dolphins and seabirds that we could hope to see on the trip and some background to BDRP’s continuing marine conservation work in Biscay. On the last day there was a follow-up session on the trip’s sightings with the team.
Day 1
As we headed southbound into the Northern Bay, watching began in earnest just before lunchtime on the 20th after the early-morning presentation. Fortunately, weather conditions were initially good and a sea state of 3-4 aided sightings early sightings in the English Channel and continental shelf waters of Northern Biscay. Good groups of Harbour Porpoise was seen from the back deck with 27 individual animals sighted in total, One group of 5 Harbour Porpoise was sighted actively feeding under a small number of Gannets.
As is typical with the first day there was a little lull in activity through the early afternoon. But expectation grew as we came closer to the continental shelf edge. As this was a specific P&O / BDRP whale and dolphin theme cruise Clive asked the captain if it was possible to get to the continental shelf edge as quickly as possible. This allows us to spend the maximum amount of time available cruising along the best areas of the shelf break where we might encounter the most whale and dolphin activity. The continental shelf break was crossed at around 17.30 and we started to cross deeper water,
However, unfortunately weather conditions started to deteriorate and by the time we were over the deeper water the sea state had picked up to a 6 and the wind freshened from the east. This made it very difficult to pick out smaller animals in the waves and consequently very low numbers of dolphins were sighted.
One casualty of the wind was a little Reed Warbler which was found exhausted on the back deck. Sadly, despite our best efforts, this little migrant didn’t make it. An examination of the body showed missing tail feathers and a puncture wound on the chest and it is likely this bird was an escapee of a raptor – we did have a Kestrel on board also.Fin Whale and large Rorqual species started soon after we crossed into water over 1000 metres depth and a total of 4 definite Fin Whale and 5 large Rorqual Whale species were seen in the northern slope region throughout the early evening. Two animal offered good views passing close by the ship right at the end of the day as it was getting dark.
A good sighting of Long-finned Pilot Whale were seen off the port side of the ship offering good views of their bulbous rounded heads and broad-based, hooked dorsal fins. These large dolphins were accompanied by one lone Bottlenose Dolphin – an association we often see between these two species.
Dolphin encounters were unfortunately few and far between. This was partly due to the weather conditions, but also sign once again of the worrying and dramatic decline in dolphins numbers we are seeing in the Bay of Biscay at the moment. Late in the day we did have one good sighting of a mixed group of Common and Striped Dolphin coming into the wake wave of the ship.
Bird sightings were good. A high number of Sabine’s Gulls were recorded throughout the day as well as good numbers of Great Skua and Balearic Shearwater. Migrating terrestrial birds were in good supply and throughout the day we recorded Grey Heron, Robin, Goldcrest, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, House Martin, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Knot, Northern Wheatear, Spotted Flycatcher and Meadow Pipit. It is always amazing to see these small birds on their migration through the middle of the Bay of Biscay! We even had a few Large White butterflies and a Red Admiral making their migration across Northern Biscay!
Day 2
We arrived in Bilbao in the early morning of the 21st and everybody went ashore to enjoy the various activities laid on by P&O during their short stay. Some of us decided to stretch our legs with a saunter up Mount Serantes behind the ferry terminal and a good variety of birds, butterflies, insects and plant life were seen including Pied Flycatcher, Sardinian Warbler, Black Redstart, Griffon Vulture and Marsh Harrier. Butterfly sightings included Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Long-tailed Blue, Wall Brown and some Wall Lizards were sighted on the way down the hill.
By 1215 hrs ship’s time we were on our way once more northbound and we eagerly awaited the passage into the deeper water and across the Cap Breton Canyon – home to the sometimes elusive beaked whale species. We were not to be disappointed, with a close view of one Cuvier’s Beaked Whale over the canyons.
However, a Cleopatra butterfly was sighted flying across the back deck and up and over the Bridge just as we were slipping the berth. Two separate sightings of Ocean Sunfish were also had early on including one sunfish which breached out of the water giving everyone clear views of their bizarre shape. A small group of 7 Bottlenose Dolphin showed reasonably well coming close past the port side.
Excellent sightings of Sperm Whale were the highlight of the day and a close animal on the starboard side initially showed well until taking a quick dive to avoid the ship. He then resurfaced astern of the ship to carry on reoxygenating after a deep dive before fluking well behind the ship towards the horizon.
Another group of 6 Sperm Whale were sighted out towards the horizon. It is interesting to note that this time last year (almost to the day) we recorded very high numbers of Sperm Whale as the animals were passing through Biscay on their annual migration.
Soon after this we were not disappointed in our hunt for the elusive Cuvier’s Beaked Whale with 1 heavily scarred adult Bull surfacing ahead of the ship and offering good views as he moved close by on the port side. The animal’s teeth were clearly visible sticking up on the tip of the lower jaw further confirming that this was an adult Bull.
Photo by Anthony Shallcross
Dolphin sightings were again scarce, but a good sighting of 2 Common Dolphin racing in to bow-ride was had by those on Monkey Island. This was a mother/calf pairing and the tiny calf was really struggling to keep up with mum when she put the power down to race in to the bow!
Fin Whale and large Rorqual species continued throughout the afternoon and evening and in total 29 Large Rorqual Whale and 12 definite Fin Whale were sighted. One juvenile Fin Whale was seen very close down the starboard side and we adjusted the ship’s course to give this animal the space it needed as it rolled on its side to look up at us as we passed.
The best sighting of the day however was reserved for the end of the day. A low, forward-projected blow was spotted ahead of the ship and confirmed as a Sperm Whale. The animal remained on the surface until right beside the port bow and then offered awesome views as the big Bull took a dive and fluked less than 100 metres from the ship! Good photographs of the tail of this animal will be used to hopefully identify this individual and confirm his migratory route.
At the same time we were watching the Sperm Whale, a large Beaked Whale species was recorded breaching high out of the water once. However, this animal was not seen again and a positive identification could not be made.
Birds were much quieter on this leg of the journey although good views were had of Little Gull, as well as additional sightings of Yellow-Legged Gull. Migration was again in evidence with sightings of Kingfisher, White Wagtail, Common Sandpiper and a flock of 13 Common Scoter.
The day was rounded off with a stunning sunset, although the infamous green flash was not seen! Once again, everyone had a fantastic afternoon of whale watching in the Bay of Biscay.
Day 3
Well within the western Channel by morning, we steamed homewards as Clive gave a round up and debrief for the trip. As people came back on deck for the final few hours of the trip, Harbour Porpoise were sighted close by the ship. Unfortunately, there was no sign of the Humpback Whale which had been sighted 20 NNW of Guernsey on the previous Saturday despite many eyes searching hard for this unusual visitor.
All too soon we were passing the Nab Tower and an hour later secured our berth at Portsmouth.
So, the Bay of Biscay had come up trumps again and had supplied us with some wonderful memories of whales and dolphins. We really are lucky to have these charismatic cetaceans living such a relatively short journey away.
Everyone was delighted and we are looking forward to welcoming yet more familiar faces again on the theme cruises next year. Dates for these trips should be released shortly.
The BDRP Team
Clive, Emma, John, Adrian, Jo, Andrew, Suzie, Peter Russell & Mike
