Birding from Shetland ferry (1 Viewer)

[gambirder]

Hi chaps!

Anyone got any experience of birding whale-watching etc from the Aberdeen-Lerwick ferry? I've got a trip booked in early July and seems like it's gotta be worthwhile birding through most of the journey. Searched online for advice, reports etc, but not turned anything up. Anyone know what's likely, possible?

Cheers

 

[Mark Lew1s]

Shouldn't be asking too much to get minke whale - especially if the conditions are good - and you should get bottle nose dolphin on the way out of Aberdeen harbour. Make sure you're up in time to observe in the morning too as you approach Shetland - good chance of other cetaceans possible. Seabird wise, should be a few skuas and shearwaters kicking around as well as the usual gulls, terns auks etc.

 

[gambirder]

Thanks Mark. Poss of storm petrels in the wake??

 

[Mark Lew1s]

Well it's not impossible but I've never seen them from the ferry. There are better ways to get stormies when you're in shetland of course...

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

I have seen Storm Petrel from the boat in the past. Last year on the outward trip I had a Minke Whale and several smaller dolphin sp as well as Bottlenose. Conditions clearly can be a factor. Last Friday there was very little to see, a handful of Manxies and Common Scoter and the expected seabirds.

Stephen

 

[Mark Batten]

Good for Gannets.

 

[Ian Hay]

Last night a very good birder on the freight boat doing a whale and dolphin survey had a 99 sure adult Sabines Gull in the FairIsle channel. Also 2 Minke Whales.

In the past we have had cory and Great Shearwater, Humpback, Fin and Orca as well as lots of WB, AWD, Risso's as well as BND at Aberdeen Harbour.

Ian

 

[gambirder]

Wow! That's an impressive list Ian. Thanks! I'm drooling already 8-P

 

[TWM]

North of Rattray Head is the 'Buchan Deep' which is a 200metre deep trench, it is a good area for Petrels, Shearwaters, Seals, cetaceans.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

There were 3+ Orcas last night just north west of Fair Isle from the Northlink boat.

Stephen