Cetaceans on the Frontier 5 (1 Viewer)

Hi all,

A two week research expedition along the edge of the continental shelf off western Ireland will begin on Monday 20th January 2014 from on board the R.V. Celtic Explorer.

This will be the fifth such multidisciplinary survey (known as 'Cetaceans on the Frontier') to be undertaken since 2009 with staff on board studying offshore bottlenose dolphins & other cetaceans, acoustics, seabirds, plankton, jellyfish & micro plastics.

A project blog has been created so those of you on dry land can keep up to speed with our progress. The blog will be updated daily with cetacean/seabird sightings & pics and feature guest blogs from different staff members from time to time relating to specific areas of their research.

http://cotf5.blogspot.ie/

All the best,
Niall

Sounds a fantastic project and will no doubt throw up a few surprises. Looking forward to reading the blog.
Was it on one of the project trips that this amazing dark morph Fulmar was photographed: http://birdingfrontiers.com/2011/06/17/atlantic-and-pacific-blue-fulmar/. What a bird!!

Mark

That one was photographed from a naval vessel by Ronan McLaughlin. A real shocker seeing one of those on a seawatch I'd say!

We had a few birds offshore last year like this

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QPTftJKTNgY/UQ2TtbxKguI/AAAAAAAAAic/PFCp-z63iLg/s1600/IMG_6419.JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p6YilHBloxk/UQ2U30HXhyI/AAAAAAAAAik/3ST9NittrOU/s1600/IMG_6421.JPG

All the best,
Niall

First blog post now up.

Common Dolphins, a Glaucous Gull & a 'Blue' Fulmar to start us off.

http://cotf5.blogspot.com.es/2014/01/day-1-slight-change-of-plan.html

Niall

Quite a few updates & pics now on the Cetaceans on the Frontier 5 blog: www.cotf5.blogspot.ie

We've been surveying in the Celtic Sea off the south coast of Ireland for the past few days in a bid to escape 'unfavourable' weather out in the Atlantic!

Common Dolphins have been plentiful and we've also recorded some Harbour Porpoise and a probable Fin Whale. A total of 13 species of seabird have been seen so far with highlights including Glaucous Gulls, Manx Shearwaters, Bonxies & 'Blue' Fulmars.

All the best,
Niall

Hi all,

We've had to admit defeat at the hands of the relentless stream of Atlantic low pressures battering the West coast but not before we got out to the Porcupine Seabight today for one last bash at some surveying over the shelf edge.

9 Long-finned Pilot Whales, 3 Glaucous Gulls, 6 Blue Fulmars & a Bonxie made for a very enjoyable day on some impressive high seas!

Latest blog post from today with pics: http://cotf5.blogspot.com.es/2014/01/day-7-porcupine-seabight.html

All the best,
Niall