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January 24 2025 cruise out of Southampton to Hamburg and back (1 Viewer)

scodger

Well-known member
7 days , up to Hamburg then a couple or three stops on the way back to Southampton. Could be hit or miss but two full days at sea and the chance of coastal birds , so possibility of any winter seabirds I guess, B N dolphins off the Yorkshire coast very recently so maybe some cetaceans in the North Sea ? Anyone done this at all ?
Also looking for a local birder in Hamburg who could give me a few hours around the city on 26th Jan, gulls, waders etc ?

Thanks !
 
7 days , up to Hamburg then a couple or three stops on the way back to Southampton. Could be hit or miss but two full days at sea and the chance of coastal birds , so possibility of any winter seabirds I guess, B N dolphins off the Yorkshire coast very recently so maybe some cetaceans in the North Sea ? Anyone done this at all ?
Also looking for a local birder in Hamburg who could give me a few hours around the city on 26th Jan, gulls, waders etc ?

Thanks !
Not sure what is your itinerary but the North Sea can be variable, as I wrote on a previous post: ' I've often found the North Sea a bit hit and miss, sailing from Southampton, although on both cruises this year there was plenty to see on the first day traveling north and the last day sailing south. When it gets really rough and you're furthest from land the Fulmar always saves the day turning up when all other birds have been left far behind- closely followed by the good old Gannet.''
On one cruise a Peregrine Falcon landed on board for a brief spell in the North Sea
From my vacation forum report 'A 14 night Cruise from Southampton to Norway and Iceland, 22/6/23 to 6/7/23.':
''First two days at Sea: We spent the first two days heading towards Norway passing through the North Sea. It’s not unusual to find an avian stowaway on board, this voyage was no exception. A Blackbird had taken refuge and spent the next two days with us until it departed to start a new life in Norway.
The first day was the more productive of the two with regular sightings of Northern Gannet, Northern Fulmar, some Guillemot and a few Kittiwake. There were less birds around the second day, mainly Northern Gannet and Northern Fulmar. ''

I've submitted a report of cruising and birding generally, on the Vacation forum. It's near the top on the first page headed 'Cruising and birding'
 
Not sure what is your itinerary but the North Sea can be variable, as I wrote on a previous post: ' I've often found the North Sea a bit hit and miss, sailing from Southampton, although on both cruises this year there was plenty to see on the first day traveling north and the last day sailing south. When it gets really rough and you're furthest from land the Fulmar always saves the day turning up when all other birds have been left far behind- closely followed by the good old Gannet.''
On one cruise a Peregrine Falcon landed on board for a brief spell in the North Sea
From my vacation forum report 'A 14 night Cruise from Southampton to Norway and Iceland, 22/6/23 to 6/7/23.':
''First two days at Sea: We spent the first two days heading towards Norway passing through the North Sea. It’s not unusual to find an avian stowaway on board, this voyage was no exception. A Blackbird had taken refuge and spent the next two days with us until it departed to start a new life in Norway.
The first day was the more productive of the two with regular sightings of Northern Gannet, Northern Fulmar, some Guillemot and a few Kittiwake. There were less birds around the second day, mainly Northern Gannet and Northern Fulmar. ''

I've submitted a report of cruising and birding generally, on the Vacation forum. It's near the top on the first page headed 'Cruising and birding'

Hi

Thanks for your response. Yesterday was an at sea day. Nothing of real note though a grey seal 12 miles NE of Bruges was interesting but perhaps not unexpected. Gannets are flavour of the day, a mix of gulls , Herring, GBBG, BHG, plenty of Kittiwake, one Eider, guillemot and one productive area where there were quite a few puffins with auks and gannets .

Hamburg today, and another at sea tomorrow, maybe I’ll get lucky with a cetacean

Thanks

Dave
 
Hi

Thanks for your response. Yesterday was an at sea day. Nothing of real note though a grey seal 12 miles NE of Bruges was interesting but perhaps not unexpected. Gannets are flavour of the day, a mix of gulls , Herring, GBBG, BHG, plenty of Kittiwake, one Eider, guillemot and one productive area where there were quite a few puffins with auks and gannets .

Hamburg today, and another at sea tomorrow, maybe I’ll get lucky with a cetacean

Thanks

Dave
Thanks. Out of interest what ship are you on?
 

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