Sneezing
We’re on board the Kelly’s Hero out of Brixham when a loud sneeze echoes across the water. This Grey Seal has a …
Common Guillemots on the turn
This is a Common Guillemot in its non-breeding plumage. Some of them, however, are getting frisky. This one is in breeding plumage …
Blubber
The pontoons in Brixham harbour are the dry dock for up to forty Grey Seals, Halichoerus grypus, at the moment. They’re curious …
Cormorant in Brixham Harbour
The colours of Brixham boats reflected in the water of the harbour make a superb backdrop to the bird life here. Especially …
Balearic Shearwaters and Common Dolphins
We’re out on a wildlife cruise from Brixham, guided by Mike Langman and skippered by Dave Saunders on board the Kelly’s Hero. …
An open mouth
I find the shape of this gull’s open mouth fascinating. It’s rare to see the fully open mouth from the front so …
Ledge nesting
How do you land on a narrow ledge, high above the sea, in a stiff wind, which is already full of other …
Gloss
If this was an album cover, what would be the name of the band and LP? A group of three Shag in …
Waves
A life on the ocean wave. This Common Guillemot is bobbing up and down furiously, as am I, on this boat. It’s …
Common Guillemot take-off
Seeing the power of a Common Guillemot as it takes off is awe-inspiring. They have surprisingly short, narrow wings for a bird …
Grey Seal surfacing
A bull Grey Seal is a seriously large, impressive beast. Here’s one on a wildlife cruise out of Brixham: I’m glad I’m …
Kittiwake
It’s always a joy to see an elegant Kittiwake, especially when it catches a fish. Their population has been under significant pressure, …
Hanging wings on the washing line
This Shag is hanging its wings out to dry: So many years of evolution and they’re still not waterproof.
Common Dolphin off Brixham
We’re on a boat trip off the Devon coast and have a few sightings of Common Dolphins. Tantalising, aren’t they? I used …
Shag again
There are two species of Cormorant found in the UK, the Common Cormorant and the Shag. This is a Shag. If you’re …
Rock on concrete
There’s a Rock Pipit on Brixham Breakwater. I love seeing them here, as they skit along the top of the breakwater, looping …
Waiting for the change
I can’t wait to see some Mediterranean Gulls in breeding plumage. Until then, I’ll just have to appreciate how handsome they are …
Little mover
The scientific name for the Pied Wagtail is Motacilla alba. Motacilla means ‘Little mover’ and alba means white. This one certainly has …
Cuttlefish for breakfast
When I’ve visited Brixham harbour over the past few years and walked down the historic slipway near the breakwater I’ve often seen …
Sparrow
I love seeing Sparrows. They were my gateway drug into wildlife conservation. They were almost the only bird which visited our back …
A drip of water
There’s a drip of water on this Gannet’s beak. It’s just spotted a fish below, so it’ll shortly be completely submerged. This, …
Buoyed
I’m lying face down in fishy bird poo again and I’m swaying gently from side to side and up and down. No, …
The Crab and the Diver
A trip to Brixham breakwater was a welcome break from writing, and organising my life. I love the Great Northern Divers there. …
Grey seal
There’s a Grey Seal investigating me as I lie at sea-level on Brixham Breakwater. It’s as if they can’t quite believe that …
Great Northern Divers in Brixham again
Two words which go together perfectly are ‘great’ and ‘northern’. I hear there are Great Northern Divers in Brixham harbour again, so …
From Herrings to landfill and back
I love Herring Gulls. Amazingly their UK conservation status is red. That’s because their breeding population keeps declining, and so does their …
Guillemot
There’s a Common Guillemot on the waves. It’s having a little spruce up. Nesting in a colony is a great idea if …
Gannet flypast on Kelly’s Hero
Can you see this Gannet’s blinking its third eyelid, its nictitating membrane?
That reminds me, I must clean my glasses from all that sea spray.
Grey Heron on board a Brixham trawler
There’s a stowaway on board looking for an easy fish. Who can blame it?
The biggest gull in the world
The Great Black Backed Gull is the largest gull in the world. We’re aboard the Kelly’s Hero on a cruise out of …