At Sea, Bay of Biscay
Our journey began in the Baltic Sea, entered the English Channel and today we encountered the vast waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The Bay of Biscay has a reputation for harsh weather, but other than a gentle swell, we were fortunate today. Our course turned to the south and after an overcast start, the weather gradually improved throughout the day.
We passed numerous small fishing vessels, their presence reflecting the productive nature of these waters. Also present was a diverse range of seabirds, from the tiny and difficult to spot storm-petrels to the large and obvious gannets that skimmed the waves and rode the updraughts created around the ship to soar overhead.
In the water, several energetic groups of dolphins were seen around the vessel, coming in to bow-ride, taking advantage of the pressure wave ahead of the bow. This playful activity is always entertaining to watch although often over too soon as the animals head off for more productive business elsewhere.
It is a staff mantra that when looking for wildlife at sea we never know what is going to happen next. Today there was a genuine surprise. A small group of common dolphins approached the bow, among which was a strange looking grey animal. Photos of the animal show a combination of characteristics that do not fit any species with which we are familiar, and our suspicions are that the animal was a hybrid between a common and a striped dolphin. Images have been sent to specialists for their opinion – we await their response.
