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Wildlife observations from RV Meteor during cruise M58/1:
Offshore NW Africa between Dakar, Senegal and Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

April 15th - May 12th 2003

Dr Russell Wynn

Download this report with full sightings and co-ordinates

April 15th: Flight to Dakar, Senegal
Our journey starts with a spectacular flight over the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert on our way to join the RV Meteor in Dakar. We are going to embark on a four week cruise to survey the continental slope and outer shelf offshore Mauritania; an area which holds large numbers of seabirds during the winter months because of the abundance of food. In this region, ocean currents push cold, deep, nutrient-rich waters up onto the outer shelf and upper slope, leading to large concentrations of plankton and fish. Many species of seabirds that breed in northern Europe congregate here in large numbers between October and April, and hopefully we will see some of these birds on their passage back north to the breeding grounds.


View of the Saharan sand dunes from the plane

April 15th-21st: Dakar Harbour, Senegal
Unfortunately, logistical problems mean we are marooned in Dakar Harbour for several days. However, sightings from the stationary ship still produce good numbers of birds. Commonest species are Cormorant, Long-tailed Cormorant, Black Kite (of the race known as Yellow-billed Kite), Sandwich Tern, Royal Tern, Feral Pigeon and Pied Crow. Smaller numbers of dark morph Western Reef Egrets, Osprey, Laughing Dove, Pygmy Sunbird, Little Swift and House Sparrow are also noted. On one particular morning a scan of the Dakar skyline produces an impressive count of over 260 Black Kites.

Pied Crow

Pygmy Sunbird

Osprey

Black Kites


April 21st: Passage from Dakar Harbour to 15 km NW of Dakar
We’re moving at last! Good numbers of seabirds are noted in the shallow waters along the coast and inner shelf during the passage out of Dakar Harbour. Common, Arctic, Royal, Sandwich, Black, Little and Roseate Terns are all seen in good numbers, often being harried by the numerous Arctic Skuas. Other species noted in small numbers include Gannet, Cory’s Shearwater, Sabine’s Gull and Madeiran/Wilson's Storm-Petrel. A single turtle and small numbers of flying fish are also recorded.

Royal Tern

Royal Tern

Black Tern

April 22nd-23rd: 250 km offshore Mauritania (3000m water depth)
Only small numbers of birds are seen in deeper water offshore including 27 Black Terns, 18 Arctic Terns, eight Madeiran/Wilson's Storm-Petrels and four Grey Phalaropes. All of the terns are adults. On 23rd a single Racing Pigeon lands on the deck and a flock of 12 Bar-tailed Godwits fly north-east. Two flying fish and three squid are also seen.

April 24th: 90-110 km offshore Mauritania (1500-100m water depth)

An excellent day working on the upper slope and outer shelf produces large numbers of birds flying through on passage. The dominant species is Sabine’s Gull, with several hundred moving north in loose flocks, most in striking full summer plumage. Two Royal Terns also pass by as well as moderate numbers of Black, Common and Arctic Terns. Associated with this passage are one Great, one Arctic, eight Long-tailed and 20 Pomarine Skuas. All of the skuas and terns are adults. Other seabirds include 30 Gannets (mostly immatures), small numbers of Madeiran, Wilson's and European Storm-Petrels and two Sooty Shearwaters. A Swallow circles the ship in the morning and a large flock of over 200 Bar-tailed Godwits moves north across the sea.

Sabine's Gull

Pomarine Skua

April 25th-29th: 160-250 km offshore Mauritania (2500-3000m water depth)
A return to deeper water means it is a quieter period but sightings include a group of five Pomarine Skuas moving north, small numbers of Black and Arctic Terns, and two Grey Phalaropes (attracted to the ship’s lights at night). Small numbers of Madeiran Storm-Petrels are also noted, and a bonus find is a Leach’s Storm–Petrel found fluttering around inside a laboratory overnight, presumably also dazzled by the ship’s lights. It is kept in a box to recuperate before being photographed and successfully released during the morning. Another big surprise is a Painted Lady butterfly that is seen flying around the ship for a few minutes before heading on its way, while at least eight Turtle Doves are present on and around the ship for several hours.


Leach's Storm Petrel

Turtle Dove

April 30th-May 1st: 120 km offshore Mauritania (70-110m water depth)
Another visit to shallow water again produces good numbers of birds (mostly moving north) including two Great, 20 Arctic, 61 Long-tailed and 67 Pomarine Skuas, with the latter total including a flock of 18 birds. Three Sooty Shearwaters pass by and a loafing flock of at least 100 Cory’s Shearwaters is observed sitting on the sea. At least 400 Sabine’s Gulls are counted as well as about 35 Royal Terns and good numbers of Black, Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns (including several immatures). Other species noted in moderate numbers include Gannets (nearly all immatures) and Madeiran, Wilson’s and European Storm-Petrels. Small numbers of Lesser Black-backed and Yellow-legged Gulls are also seen. However, the biggest surprise is a female Nightjar seen flying around the ship before it departs northwards. The only other land birds noted are single Turtle and Collared Doves that arrive on deck.

Cory's Shearwater

Madeiran Storm Petrel

Collared Dove

May 3rd: 50 km offshore Mauritania (100m water depth)
A European Storm-Petrel is found behind a box in the main laboratory in the afternoon, presumably having crash-landed the previous night. It is photographed and successfully released. Other birds seen include a single Great Skua, two Gannets, three Cory’s Shearwaters and good numbers of Long-tailed, Pomarine and Arctic Skuas (including many immatures). Large numbers of Common, Arctic and Black Terns, Sabine’s Gulls, and Madeiran, Wilson's and European Storm-Petrels are also seen.

Adult Long-Tailed Skua (above) and immature
(left) chasing Arctic Tern


May 5th: 200 km offshore Mauritania (3100m water depth)
A tired immature male Kestrel arrives on deck early in the morning and remains until lunchtime. In the evening at least five European Storm-Petrels, one or two Grey Phalaropes, two Black and two Arctic Terns are seen in the ship’s lights.


Kestrel

May 6th: 50 km offshore Mauritania (800m water depth)
A Turnstone and a Turtle Dove are present on and around the ship in the early afternoon, the latter rather bizarrely being pursued by a dark phase Arctic Skua! Also seen are single Cory’s Shearwater and Pomarine Skua, seven Gannets, 20 Sabine’s Gulls, 30 Long-tailed Skuas and small numbers of Madeiran/Wilson's Storm-Petrels, Black, Common and Arctic Terns. A Portuguese Man-o-War jellyfish is the first of the cruise.

Turnstone

Gannet

May 6th-12th: Offshore Mauritania to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Wildlife observations tail off towards the end of the cruise as the geology takes precedence, but overall the trip has produced many interesting sightings and some nice photos. Most of the expected seabirds were recorded but sightings of Nightjar, Kestrel and Painted Lady were unexpected, as were close encounters of Leach’s and European Storm-Petrel ‘in-the-hand’!