Sunset and Storms

Its taken a long time, but on Tuesday and Thursday evening during our sunset cruises, we had the best sunsets of the year and to top that off we had flat calm seas, good company and we watched the last of the jumplings take that leap of faith. I didn't want to go home as I was enjoying myself so much, but when I looked at some of my guests, I realized they were starting to get really cold so I had to go back home.

We have also had some great storms and one storm caught me out as I was not expecting it at all.

The forecast said it was going to rain but it was blue skies and flat calm seas, so a little bit of rain was not going to put this skipper off and they never get the forecast right anyway... Bugger the second I left the harbour the heavens opened and it started to chase us as we headed out to the islands. 

We did get caught in a few showers but overall we were very lucky as they past us by, but what we did see was some amazing lightning bolts over Bamburgh Castle and other areas up and down the Northumberland coastline. Yes its not the best place to be during a lightning storm as we are a total conductor but it was good to see.

Yes we made it back in one piece.

During the sunset cruise on Thursday I looked out of my window and saw a puffin fly past and I thought it was flying really funny. I took a second look and it was not until then that I realized it was a Storm Petrel. I run outside to tell my guests, but I think in my excitement the word "storm petrel" came out all wrong and it sounded like "straw man" What a prat eh. No wonder people were asking what I had seen.

Never mind it made people giggle and made me look like a right plonker but to be honest I was still chuffed to see it no matter what I was.

Anyway I have waffled on enough so here are the pictures of the sunsets, storms and the petrel, and remember we sail every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7pm to 9pm, and as the weeks move on it will become quicker so its always good to ask if you are booking.

Guillemots Gone

Well it will not be long before all the seabirds are gone and that will be it until next year. At the moment the Guillemots are the ones that have gone first and I don't think it will be long before the other seabirds will follow.

When you look at some of the cliff faces its totally bare and you think to yourself where has it gone. It was not long ago when I blogged about them arriving and all of a sudden I'm saying goodbye. It has not been the best of years for all the seabirds, but it's not been the best of years full stop. Fingers crossed its not all bad news and some of the seabirds have had a good year.

Judging on what we have been seeing this season I think the Razorbills have had a good year but as for the other seabirds I just don't know. I have never known a year like it really and we have struggled but the seabirds have not had the best time either.

We have seen a good few purple sandpipers lately and people have told me that they are none breeders that's why they are here so quick. It makes you think that it must be the same everywhere, but I suppose I can't really say anything until the final count is in.

Until then all I can say is that the guillemots have now gone and hopefully the other seabirds will hang around for a little while longer.

Kittiwakes

It will not be long now until the end of the breeding season but for now we are enjoying the chicks grow and leave the islands until they return.

I love watching the Kittiwake chicks grow to big for their nests and sometimes its just to much for the parents and the chicks to be on the same nest but they manage to do it.

When you are passing the same place day in and day out you notice some really silly things, but this year it seems to be the seabirds which is a crying shame. I'm not sure just yet as the wardens have not told me the final numbers, but I'm convinced the Kittiwakes are down. I look at what I call "my little areas" and I can see that they have either failed or they have just never bothered at all. I do hope I'm wrong and I would love to think I was wrong but I just have a feeling.

Hopefully it just goes in circles and next year will be a bumper year, but its still nice watching the young grow up and then take their first flight.

I have taken some pictures to show you how they are growing up really quickly. 

Bottlenose Dolphins Videos

I have put together a couple of Bottlenose Dolphins clips that myself and Andy was fortunate enough to capture a few weeks ago.

The dolphins were just outside the harbour and slowly moving south towards Beadnell, so we had an hour before we had to pick our first guests. The second to left the harbour we were greeted by them and they were in a playful mood. At first they wanted to bow ride but then some fish arrived on the scene and they were off for a feed. When they came back we never moved the boat, as we wanted to see if they would hang around and play with the boat or were they more interested in the boat if it was moving. We never really learned anything as they enjoyed both but when the fish turned up on the scene they went of feeding once again.

To be honest myself and Andy just enjoyed them around the boat and we had them all to ourselves which was a bonus. I used a GoPro and my mobile to film them but I found the gopro picked up some unbelievable sounds and was far better quality which you will hear in the videos.

Anyway I hope you enjoy the short clips and thanks once again for reading my blog.

  Part One

 

Part Two