We made a trip out to the Celtic Deep, approximately 20 miles due SW of Skomer, as part of the Manx Shearwater research that continues to be done by Oxford University.
We were surprised by how soon we saw Storm Petrels: the first only c.3miles off Skomer; overall we saw around 15, which was a far higher count than on any previous pelagic trip that I have done (typically in August). A particular surprise to me was how distinct the white wing patches were.
One reason why the Stormies may have been so apparent was the near-complete lack of large gulls: we only saw 2 Herring Gulls in 5 hours. Work that the BTO is doing on Skokholm at the moment on Lesser Black-backs seems to show that these gulls spend much of their time feeding inland, perhaps hence posing less of a threat to Stormies at sea.
Other birds included 2 Great Skuas (one of which attacked a raft of Manxies), 2 Arctic Terns (one so grey I thought for one second it might be a Black Tern!), a Common Tern and 3 "Commics". Plus loads of Manxies, auks and Gannets.
Up to 5 species of cetaceans: loads of Common Dolphins, a small pod of Bottlenosed, and very close encounters with Minke Whales.
Overall, this trip shattered my preconception that pelagic trips are best timed for July-September: there is tons out there now. Sea Trust are organising a trip this coming Thursday on Cartlett Lady which I would have thought was a complete must-do.
