images-naturally!: #btocornwall #looeisland#looe

Sunday, 17 July 2022

July CSGRT seal survey on Looe Island. 15th July 2022.

Protective Herring Gull parent

Another great survey with the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust (CSGRT) on St.George's island at Looe this week.

Super fine weather so shorts, shirt & sandals were the attire for the day and plenty of Factor 30 sunscreen.

There were 5 Grey seals in the bay at high tide when we arrived and we totaled 7 during our low tide count hauled out on the rocks.

Many of the seabirds had fledged their young including Cormorants, Shags & Oystercatchers. Only the Gulls still had chicks of varying sizes all along the cliff edges.

Compass Jellyfish were all around the jetty on arrival and we also recorded what we think is a Crystal Jellyfish washed up on the seaweed.

Here are a few images from the survey in no particular order.....

Grey Seal

Compass Jellyfish washed up on beach

Trapped

"Between a rock and a hard place"

Toothed Topshell

Ichneumon Wasp

Ringlet Butterfly

Mayweed or a Chamomile....unsure!

Crystal Jellyfish

Herring Gull chicks

Juvenile Wren

Artichoke

Juvenile Oystercatchers, 1 with a damaged wing

Hydrofoils

Compass Jellyfish

Gull chick, suspect Greater black backed.

Thursday, 19 May 2022

Looe island monthly seal survey with CSGRT. 18th May 2022.


Herring Gull on its nest

A brisk south easterly greeted us on arrival at Looe harbour for our monthly visit to St.George's island or Looe island as it's more commonly known. That is usually one of the worst wind directions for this trip as it blows directly into the harbour. We'd already had the survey postponed from the previous day due to the weather but fortunately boatman Dave Butters was confident he could get us out there & back safely if a bit damp!

We were met at the jetty by Jon & Claire and their new "summer help" Lucas & Megan so a full welcoming committee!

These surveys don't merely focus on seals but also birds, insects, flora & human disturbance & interaction so we are always kept busy.

The birds were well into their annual breeding cycle with birds on eggs, feeding young & even some with free flying offspring.

Almost all of my photographs were taken from a distance with a 500mm lens so as not to cause any disturbance.

The seals were photographed from a really long distance and also when they were hauled out at low tide. This way our data processors can compare markings on the individual seals so as to try to get ID's on them.

Unfortunately rain started to come in at mid afternoon and it was quite persistent by the time the boat came to collect us so we ended up a bit damp by the time we made our way back to our cars.

Here are a few of my images from the day.