Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

It’s been several weeks since my last blog as I have been keeping busy with work, birding, seawatching and rockpooling. It’s a tough life!

Over the last few weeks we have been experiencing some settled weather in Dumfries and Galloway and very calm sea conditions. This has allowed amazing views of Harbour Porpoise, Phocoena phocoena, around the Mull of Galloway where I currently work for the RSPB. Several weeks ago, I decided to visit Corsewell point at the North of the Rhins for a session of seawatching. After only 20 minutes I couldn't believe my eyes as I spotted a triangular fin breaking among the waves- it was a Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus)!! This was only the second time I have seen this species and I managed to watch this magnificent fish for several minutes before losing it in the waves. One of my wildlife highlights of the year!

Diagnostic two triangular fins of a Basking Shark (photo Brian Henderson)

On Tuesday 06.10.15, at around 3:30pm I was outside the RSPB visitor centre on the Mull of Galloway when I saw a break in the water. Grabbing my binoculars, a telescope and a camera- I started running to the edge of the cliff for some better views. Over the next hour, 30-40 Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) including 3 young calves, put on an amazing show- leaping out of the water and generally having a good time. What an amazing sight! 

Bottlenose Dolphins off Mull of Galloway 06.10.15 (photo Laura Shearer)

Bottlenose dolphin calf leaping out the water (photo Laura Shearer)