Our first 2025 survey on the Isles of Scilly route (Penzance to St Mary's) is in the bag, and has whet our appetites for what is to come over the next few months! The Scillonian III maintained its reputation for hosting diverse and amazing surveys; with common dolphins, harbour porpoises and a Minke whale sighted and diligently recorded by the ORCA Marine Mammal Surveyor team.
Although there was some mist, visibility remained good throughout. Thanks to the high pressure system parked over the UK, the sea state was beautifully calm and recorded as a sea state 1 for most of both legs of the survey. Our ferry surveys are undertaken on the Scillonian III vessel twice a month during our surveying season from March to November on this route. Each survey consists of a return crossing.
There were also plenty of birds to be sighted, including Manx shearwaters, gannets, razorbills and guillemots, and even some puffins amongst the other auks.
In 2024, the ferry route between Penzance and St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly was once again named the highest diversity crossing for wildlife spotting in UK waters. ORCA survey teams on board the Scillonian III vessel recorded 347 animals from seven different marine species during the 2024 season, including common dolphins, Risso's dolphins, minke whales and sunfish.
ORCA Marine Mammal Surveyors conducted 15 surveys on the route between March and November 2024 covering a distance of 1,868 km (1,160 miles).
Common dolphins were the species recorded most frequently, with 262 animals seen throughout the year and recorded on almost every survey.
THIS SATURDAY (5th April) is your last chance to sign up to become a Marine Mammal Surveyor and have the chance to apply for our ferry surveys in 2025. Find out more and sign up for Saturday's course at orca.org.uk/train