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Dolphins appear for marine wildlife survey
13
May
2011
More than 80 dolphins were spotted off the Cornish coast this week from the Scillonian III. Marine Expert Paul Semmens, who has worked with Cornwall Wildlife Trust for more than 20 years, was lucky to witness and photograph the dolphins whilst recording for an ongoing survey of what occurs in Cornish and Scillonian waters.
The trip started with a calm crossing to the islands with just a single dolphin seen. However, the return leg saw a very different scene. Between the Isles of Scilly and the mainland, a large congregation of feeding seabirds were spotted 2 miles ahead of the boat�s course. Paul knew with that number of birds there must be dolphins present, and as they approached, he eventually spotted some common dolphins feeding beneath the diving gannets.
Paul says,
�These dolphins started to leap out of the water as they came towards us to ride our bow wave. Over the next few minutes, group after group of dolphins came towards the ship, swerving in under our bow and then playing in our wake.�
�Passengers rushed to the railings to experience a wonderful wildlife spectacle. I estimated that there were at least 70 common dolphins including some young ones. To round off an amazing day the local group of about 10 bottlenose dolphins greeted us on our return to Penzance harbour.�
Other sightings recently include the first of the season's basking sharks, harbour porpoises and a large risso's dolphin that breached several times.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust is the county�s leading wildlife conservation charity. The Trust has 14,000 members and over 80 Business Members, including Isles of Scilly Travel, and works to protect wildlife on land and in our seas.
As well as continuing the long term survey work for the Trust, throughout the summer season Paul will be working with both Cornwall Wildlife Trust and The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust onboard Scillonian III one Saturday every month. The Trusts are working with Isles of Scilly Travel to offer a special discount on their ever-popular wildlife watching trips.
Dates of wildlife trips 2011
Day return (Departing from Penzance at 9.15am, returning from Isles of Scilly at 4.30pm)
� Saturday 14th May
� Saturday 11th June
� Saturday 9th July
� Saturday 6th August *
� Saturday 24th September
� Saturday 15th October
(* 6th August trip will be part of National Marine Week and Whale and Dolphin week, departing from Penzance at 10.30am and returning from Isles of Scilly at 3pm)
To book your ticket please call 0845 710 5555 and quote WL001 to qualify for the discounted price of �30 return. Visit www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson for more information.
ENDS
Contacts:
Paul Semmens, Marine Wildlife Guide and Surveyor, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, 07899 872985, [email protected]
Photographs:
Dolphins seen in Cornish waters, photo by Paul Semmens
Common dolphins spotted on wildlife survey, photo by Paul Semmens
Larger versions available on request
Editor�s Notes:
Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Cornwall Wildlife Trust is the county�s leading environmental voluntary body, with 14,000 members including 2,500 junior members and 85 Business Supporters.
The charity manages 55 nature reserves all over the county, including a range of habitats such as woodlands, meadows, wetlands and heaths.
The Trust runs a number of marine and terrestrial based conservation projects, including education work in schools.
The Trust hosts the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS).
The Trust relies on charitable donations, grants and the generous support of its members and the general public to raise more than �1.7 million every year. Money raised is spent maintaining our work for wildlife conservation and education in Cornwall, for present and future generations.
The Trust is one of 47 in the UK. Together, they make up the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust has Local and Specialist Groups based around the county. All play an important role in the Trust�s work and are always looking for more volunteers.
To find out more about Cornwall Wildlife Trust�s work, events and news visit cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Press contacts at the Trust:
Serena Pettigrew-Jolly, (01872) 273939 ext 205, [email protected],
Jasmin Appleby, (01872) 273939 ext 251, [email protected].
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