Research in the Dutch North Sea

Gulls on deck

Oyster catcher

Lesser black-backed gull with ring Lesser black-backed gull

Northern Gannet

Northern fulmar with fishing gear
Common gull
Black-headed gull (immature)
Leaving Norway

Feeding frenzy

During the late summer months of 2010 we were in the Dutch North Sea in an area known as the Klaver Bank. We sailed from Bergen in Norway. Marine mammals were scarce apart from a few minke whales that we saw foraging on schools of herring at the start of our survey. Seabirds however, were very much entertaining throughout the trip!

Research off Angola

Luanda, Angola

Sperm whale with a small calf (left)

Striped dolphins

Between January and March 2010, I have been carrying out research on marine wildlife in the Tropical West African waters off Angola. Little is known about the exact distribution or abundance of much of the marine wildlife in this part of the south-eastern Atlantic. Our research area is hugely influenced by the Congo River (the second largest river in the world) which forces a rapid outflow of river water toward the ocean. The plume of Congo water can be detected as far as 800 km offshore. The main species observed during the study period were sperm whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins and striped dolphins. In addition, we saw hammerhead sharks and tuna!

Research in the Gulf of Guinea

Atlantic spotted dolphin with young

Rough-toothed dolphins

Bottlenose dolphins

During May and June 2009 we are studying the marine life off West Africa within the Gulf of Guinea. The Gulf of Guinea boasts a wide variety of marine species, ecosystems and habitats. The coastal waters here are used as a breeding and nursery area by humpback whales. In addition, there are large seasonal aggregations of oceanic dolphins, manta rays and sharks. There are also five species of marine turtles that are found in the Gulf of Guinea. We have encountered a high diversity of wildlife including Risso's dolphin, Sperm whale, Bryde's whale, Common dolphin, pilot whale, humpback whale, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Clymene dolphins and rough-toothed dolphins. The latter two were a new species for me and the rough-toothed dolphins were performing all types of acrobatics-have a look!

Fin whales off the Scilly Isles

We are currently working off Cornwall (UK) as part of my PhD conducting research on porpoises, dolphins and whales. In the last weeks we have been seeing fin whales, quite a rare and unusual sight within 2 miles from the coast!

For more info regarding our survey: http://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/surveys.htm