CORNWALL Wildlife Trust will again be hosting guided wildlife watching trips on board Scillonian III this spring and summer - with the chance to see some amazing sites.
Porpoises, minke whales and sunfish have all been seen from the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company ferry in recent years.
Naturalist Paul Semmens, who has worked with Cornwall Wildlife Trust for more than 20 years, will be your marine guide on these special trips, looking out for wildlife on the crossing.
Paul said: "
The sailings to the Isles of Scilly are running on one Saturday per month (except July and August) starting on April 20.
Special discount are being offered on these day trips.
"Springtime visitors may see puffins as well as the more common Manx shearwaters and storm petrels. Common and bottle-nose dolphins, sun fish and sea birds are regularly spotted from the ship.
"If the seas are warm and calm you may even spot basking sharks.
"It's great to be involved with Cornwall Wildlife Trust for another season onboard Scillonian III. Each season seems to be better than before and last year was particularly exciting with a record number of sightings.
"I always look forward to getting out on the sea as you never know what's out there. Sometimes I even spot dolphins before we leave our mooring!
"On windier days a good variety of seabirds are pushed into our waters and last year included great shearwater and long-tailed skua.
These special trips sail from Penzance and take in the Cornish coastline, quaint fishing coves, the world renowned open air Minack Theatre, and the Land's End peninsula.
As the ship heads out to Scilly, wildlife spotters can be treated to a huge variety of birds including; Manx shearwaters, razorbills, guillemots, puffin.
The coast between Mousehole and Gwennap Head is a hotspot for basking shark sightings as the sea warms up. A scan of Mousehole Island at low tide and you should guarantee a view of the grey seals resting on the rocks. Heading out past Land's End, schools of common dolphins are often encountered. Harbour porpoises, Risso's dolphins and orcas are also spotted, plus storm petrels and ocean sunfish.
Paul said: "I am really looking forward to finding out what is in store for 2013. Last year we had an increase in the numbers of basking sharks and I am hoping for even more this year as it has been a few years since hundreds of sharks were all around the coast. So a good year is rather overdue."
Jackie Hayman, marketing manager at the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, said: "It is our pleasure to once again support the fantastic work of the Wildlife Trusts both in Cornwall and on the Isles of Scilly.
"The survey work is vital and Paul's knowledge and keen eye are invaluable. Paul regularly points out fabulous sightings.
"To the untrained eye it would be a missed opportunity of seeing these magnificent creatures in their environment."
Dates of wildlife trips 2013
Day return
- Saturday 20th April, departing Penzance at 9.15am and departing St Mary's at 4.30pm
- Saturday 11th May, departing Penzance at 9.15am and departing St Mary's at 4.30pm
- Saturday 15th June, departing Penzance at 9.15am and departing St Mary's at 5pm
- Saturday 21st September, departing Penzance at 9am and departing St Mary's at 4.30pm
- Saturday 12th October, departing Penzance at 9.15am and departing St Mary's at 4.30pm
To book your ticket please call 0845 710 5555 and quote WL001 to qualify for a discounted day trip fare of £30 return (normally £35). Visit www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson for more information.
During 2013 anyone travelling on Skybus or Scillonian III staying on the island can benefit from a year's free membership to either Cornwall Wildlife Trust or The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.
