On our dolphin watch trips we also take you to see the Gannet colony on the RSPB island of Grassholm, home to the 2nd largest Gannet colony in the Northern hemisphere.
There are over 32,000 breeding pairs of Gannets.

whale and dolphin watch whale and dolphin trip2008  SIGHTINGSwhale and dolphin watch whale and dolphin trip

Its a little too early to go offshore but Greg our RSPB Warden on Ramsey Island made the following few observations:
January  -  A surprise on our return to the island after a spell of annual leave was the discovery of two new grey seal pups on Porth Lleuog, both around five days old. That brings the winter pup total to 3 so far. The pup born in late December was nearing 21 days when we left the island and was a good size. It was nowhere to be seen two weeks later, so is presumed to have weaned successfully.
February  -  Another grey seal pup was born on one of the beaches during the month, bringing the winter pup total to 4. Up to 55 adults were present at haul outs.
March  -  Grey seals reached a maximum of 177 spread over three haul sites by the month end.  Small resident  family of harbour porpoise in Ramsey Sound.
April  -  Sightings of porpoise through April are becoming more frequent, numbers between 5 to 10.
17th April  -  50+ common dolphins seen split in 2 pods, lots of very very young ones.    Stopped boat, females and young swam around  the boat splashing and playing then some males joined in.  One pod swam closely around the boat for about 15 to 20 minutes.  Thousands of gannets on Grassholm and plenty of Puffins around.
27th May  -  offshore a Pilot Whale jumped clear of the water 2 times just 30 metres away from the boat.  Everyone had a close-up, clear view but the whale just appeared in front of them and no-one got a photo, everyone was so amazed they didn't get a photo the second time the whale jumped up in front of them, again clearing the water.   lots of rafting Puffins, plenty of Shearwater activity, the Gannets were in full voice on Grassholm Island also saw a Storm Petrel.
27th May  - a Pilot Whale was breaching West of Ramsey Island, about 8 porpoise South of Ramsey.
29th May  - Good day for common dolphins, 100+.
30th May  - Couple of small pods of common dolphin, about 30-40 per pod.
1st June am  - 'WDCS Trip'.  Lots of diving gannets, plenty of Puffins, about 10 harbour porpoise.
1st June pm  - WDCS Trip'.   Pods of 20 to 30 dolphins popping up everywhere, couple of hundred in total.  2 x Orca swimming together, 1 large male the other possibly a juvenile, male jumped and cleared the water.  Boat couldn't get clear of the dolphins popping up everywhere.

Photo by:  Janet Baxter

Not yet confirmed but we think the male Orca is called 'John Coe'  he visits this area every year in June and the Hebrides every August.







3rd June  - plenty of pods of common dolphin and calves, puffin, gannets and atlantic grey seals