Marine memories

Some days we create memories that last a lifetime. Today was one of those days.

It began with too little sleep and an early start…alarm at 4.30am and a drive to Padstow in the dark. 

Joining our volunteer boat survey crew at dawn proved a turning point.
0 Early morning start6 Awesome survey team

Amazingly globally rare grey seals were spotted at 13 different sites.

2 Seals on offshore rocks4 Seals on north Cornwall Beach 1

Nesting ledges and peregrine lookouts topped the bird highlights.

1 Guillemots on ledge3 Peregine

…and we shared six incredible encounters with common dolphins that were true marine spectacles!

_DSC02655 Common dolphin

…and the payback for our early start…learning how common dolphins effortlessly ride a bow wave, but bending their flukes down in front of the catamaran bulbs to create resistance against the pressure wave.

Thank you to Tesco Bags of Help Scheme and Patagonia for funding all our boat charters from Atlantic Diving in Newquay at heavily subsidised rates; to Chris Lowe for spotting the break in the conditions; Sarah Millward from Polzeath Marine Conservation Group for organising the survey and all our amazing volunteer surveyors and spotters! You did a great job! Fantastic team effort.

A day to remember forever!