T2606 - Islands and Coastlines of Scotland at Easter
- pmh0606617
- Apr 11
- 6 min read
Most of the images used in this blog were taken during the cruise. Click on the images to view them at full size.
Whilst some of the OWE had been able to participate in the Antarctic and South America voyage, those who had other commitments were able to join the MS Bolette in Liverpool for the first of several UK based cruises. Paul, Julia, Christine and Lorraine met up on 31st March for T2606: Islands and Coastline of Scotland at Easter.
The OWE Team for T2606 (from left to right: Paul, Lorraine, Christine and Julia.
As the MS Bolette left Liverpool, we took up position on Deck 6 and started to look for wildlife in the mouth of the Mersey. Unfortunately, we were restricted to seabirds in the form of larger gulls and the occasional wader. The usual Grey Seals that haul out on the sandbanks were nowhere to be seen. As we headed back to our cabins as dusk approached, Christine and Lorraine managed to see a Marsh Harrier flying alongside the ship!
Day 1 - 1st April – Belfast
Our first full day was spent in Belfast; the OWE team headed for the RSPB’s “Window on Wildlife" Visitor Centre at Belfast Lough, a fifteen-minute walk from the boat. From the comfort of the visitor centre we were able to watch the several hundred Black-headed Gulls as they started their nesting attempts on the islands. Close scrutiny revealed four larger Mediterranean Gulls; these too were settling down to breed. Waders present included some very obliging Black-tailed Godwits feeding in front of the centre, many beginning to acquire their brick red breeding colours. Wildfowl included Mallard, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck and two Red-breasted Merganser. Walking round to the hides we added several species of passerine to our lists, including Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap. Reaching the Lough, we saw other summer migrants, including four Common Tern and two Sandwich Tern. Other birds seen on the Lough included Great Crested Grebe, Black Guillemot and Common Guillemot (the latter two also seen from the MS Bolette).
In the afternoon, as we watched from the MS Bolette, six Grey Seal hauled out on the banks of the harbour, probably including two we had seen close to the MS Bolette earlier in the day.
Day 2 - 2nd April – Sea of Hebrides
Our first full sea day and we were fortunate with the weather, as we headed north through the Sea of Hebrides. Hopes were high for dolphins or even a Minke Whale. A feeding group of Kittiwakes, Fulmars and Manx Shearwaters had attracted the attention of a small group of Common Dolphin which passed down the port side of the ship, much to the delight of the passengers on Deck 6 with us. The day was filled with seabirds; including around 500 each of Kittiwake and Fulmar, smaller numbers of Razorbill and Guillemot, a couple of Puffin and four Great Skua. A single Grey Plover flew over whilst a Meadow Pipit and three Linnet joined the ship briefly!
Day 3 - 3rd April – Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Hebrides
Another Port Day and a chance to explore the Stornoway area of the Isle of Lewis. Disembarking the shuttle bus, we were greeted by two White-tailed Eagles (an adult closely followed by a juvenile). Unfortunately, we were also greeted by the first of several showers, so a retreat to a café for liquid refreshments was called for! Returning to the harbour and fish docks, Paul and Julia were soon photographing Black and Common Guillemots, Shags and Grey Seals within the harbour, before walking round to the Lewis Castle, where a Grey Heron was feeding in the stream and Grey Wagtails posed on the rocks. The harbour also held several Hooded Crows, some of which showed characters of hybridisation with Carrion Crow – although they are now both considered to be one specie. If the crows aren’t fussy about mating just with their own colour variants, who are we to determine if they are two different species or just one?
After lunch the OWE team reconvened on Deck 3 (out of the rain) and watched Black Guillemots and a single Red-throated Diver.
We were back on Deck 3 for the sail away from Isle of Lewis as we headed for Kirkwall on Orkney. Heading into a Force 5, Deck 6 was closed and we all had our fingers crossed for dolphins. A single White-tailed Eagle flew out to sea as we left the Cruise Terminal and we were soon watching Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Manx Shearwaters, Guillemot and Razorbills as we left Lewis behind us. Lorraine picked up a Common Dolphin heading towards the ship, soon to be joined by nine more, as they jumped in the wake briefly, before continuing their journeys. The light was now beginning to vanish and the sea-state increasing, so we called it a day and headed for a meal, the log call and eventually our beds.
Day 4 - 4th April - Kirkwall, Orkney
The day dawned with a calm sea and bright skies as we reached the Cruise Terminal at Kirkwall. However as soon as we reached Kirkwall and got off the shuttle bus, the heavens opened and snow hampered our observations of the Peedie Sea. Undeterred we found a café and sat out the rain and snow before returning to the Peedie Sea. This small boating lake in Kirkwall held several species of duck including ten Long-tailed Duck and twenty or more each of Wigeon and Tufted Duck. Rooks, Hooded Crows and Jackdaws fed around the water’s edge. On the sea and within the harbour walls, several Red-breasted Merganser fed along with a few Eider.
Day 5 - 5th April – Cruising by the Small Isles
As with most sea-days, the OWE Team were on deck at first light, but no-one had told the dolphins!! Not to worry though as the snow-capped mountains of the Hebrides and the Isle of Skye glowed as the sun rose. The westerly Force 6 wind, gusting to Force 8 and choppy seas, made the search for cetaceans a bit challenging. The usual selection of seabirds was seen – Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwake and small numbers of Guillemot. Three Great Skuas also made it on to the list of birds seen. The main emphasis of the day was a slow cruise, taking in the scenery of the Small Isles. Cruising by Rum and Mull, eyes were to the skies for White-tailed Eagles; we were not disappointed with three individuals seen, plus a Buzzard. Several Red Deer were seen on shores of Rum, Soay Sheep were seen on the hillsides.
Cetaceans were thin on the ground (or in the water); a single Harbour Porpoise was seen during the day, and three Common Dolphins joined us briefly.
Day 6 - 6th April – Scenic Cruising round Ailsa Craig and Irish Sea
Our final day of the cruise. The morning started with three Common Dolphin briefly in the wake before breakfast. The wind had eased to a Force 4 by the end of the day, and sea was slightly calmer than yesterday. As we approached Ailsa Craig, a Meadow Pipit flew off Deck 9 and headed for the island. Gannets began to dominate the seas; Ailsa Craig, managed by the RSPB, is home to over 30,000 Gannet, the MS Bolette did a full circuit of the island, but as many Gannets had yet to return to their breeding ledges, we only saw around 1,000 on the ledges.
Fulmar, Kittiwake, Guillemot and Razorbill were all seen and a small number of Puffin were seen by a few passengers. A Harbour Porpoise briefly surfaced for some passengers on Deck 3. Those on Deck 6 with a little more height could make out 60 or so Grey Seals hauled out by the lighthouse on Ailsa Crag. A single dolphin defied identification as it briefly swam through the waves before we had our lunch break.
Gannets continued to dominate the bird watching, with around 50 Manx Shearwater seen and 30 Fulmar during the afternoon, and a single dolphin defied identification as it briefly swam through the waves.
One lucky passenger managed to video three Common Dolphin in the wake of the ship at the end of the day – we’d had Dolphins to start the day and to end the day!
During the course of the cruise, we’d seen a total of 22 Common Dolphin; 6 unidentified dolphin and 2 Harbour Porpoise. Grey Seal also featured during the week with around 100 seen. Star birds were probably the massive White-tailed Eagles.
Acknowledgements
The Ocean Wildlife Encounters team would like to thank Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the Captain and crew of MS Bolette for their support and looking after us so well.
Most of all we would like to thank all those old and new friends who took the time to share the incredible wildlife that helped make for such a memorable cruise.
Your Ocean Wildlife Encounters team – Christine, Julia, Lorraine and Paul.
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