My second Pelagic trip from Falmouth.

 Saturday 22^nd August 2026.

One of the many Common Dolphins we saw today.

This weekend, I travelled to Falmouth with Emma and Matt Parkes for another pelagic trip with AK Wildlife Cruises aboard Spirit of Our Seas, hoping to see cetaceans and seabirds. Led by Captain Keith Leeves and his crew, our eight-hour trip produced an excellent list of seabirds and dolphins, which Emma had booked for us earlier in the year. This time, she had also arranged a two-night Airbnb near Falmouth, so Matt did not have to drive home immediately after a long day at sea.

To round off our trip to Cornwall, on Sunday morning, we stopped off at both Idless Woods, some two miles north of Truro and then to the village of Lostwithiel in search for Dippers. Sadly, none were seen. After the mammoth 7hr journey down to Falmouth Friday afternoon due to the closure of the A31 through the New Forest due to the van fire, it was a lot easier on the back as the A31 had been re-opened. Phew!

The weather was looking good for the whole of the weekend although an easterly wind blowing through the English Channel didn’t produce the many birds we were after; but the Captain Keith did try and I did see one ‘Lifer’ when we out at sea.

 

 The Falmouth Pelagic:

A large gathering of Shags were on the rocks as we left Falmouth Harbour.

We had to be at the marina in Falmouth by at least 10am, and though we were running a little late, we soon parked up and joined the 9 other guys present to go onboard the boat. It was a long walk along the boardwalk, but the water was so clear that we could easily see the fish fry and even several Mullet swimming in the water below us. After a few security and safety checks we were away by 10.45am and headed off down harbour and out into the English Channel for some serious sea watching! I did take long with me my fleece and a wet coat just in case, though I never needed the coat in the end.

Above, Dodman Point and below, adult and immature Shags on the rocky shoreline.

As we exited the harbour, good numbers of Shags were on the rocks, buoys or even on the sea while both Herring and Black-headed Gulls flew overhead. A Whimbrel flew out in front of us and headed southbound and a few Swallows were flying low over the harbour. Our first notable seabird didn’t take long to materialise when a flock of six Gannets flew west over the sea and many more were seen throughout the day including good numbers of juveniles. The tell-tale sign of diving Gannets was evident which meant there were fish around to attract the seabirds and the captain kept us fully informed should he see a feeding flock of birds or the splashing of Tuna.

Above, Matt, Emma and myself ready for our Pelagic. Below, a flock of six Gannets flying east offshore.

Shortly after the flock of Gannets flew past, we were soon on to our first Manx Shearwater of the trip, which was a ‘year-tick’ for me. Many more were seen throughout our trip, but it was late into the afternoon when bigger flocks were seen as we were making our way back to the harbour. Sadly, I could not find any other Shearwaters although one did look good for a Sooty Shearwater but was hard to tell on the rocking boat.

Above, a Bonxie greeted us on our way back to shore. Photo by Emma Parkes. Below, a juvenile Herring Gull with an Oystercatcher on the rocks as we made our way out of the harbour.

Our trip took us close to the coastline and up to Dodman Point where we had sightings of Ravens, Kestrels and a lone Common Buzzard and also sightings of Small White, Painted Lady and even a Clouded Yellow butterfly! By the time we got to Dodman Point, we then headed off ten miles offshore to hopefully join some Trawlers way offshore. The captain told us that because of the recent heatwaves, it has seriously affected the temperature of the sea and therefore the seabirds that feed on the fish have become scarcer. A good number of Wilson’s Petrels have been seen on recent boat trips, but the big Shearwaters have been lacking due to the easterly winds.

Above, a Common Dolphin breaching the sea and below, a White-beaked Dolphin breaking the surface. Both photos by Emma Parkes.

Above, another photo of the White-beaked Dolphins and below, this Common Dolphin swam close to the boat.

Above, Risso's Dolphins and below, film footage of the Common Dolphins swimming by the boat. Film footage by Matt Parkes.

Nevertheless, we continued well out to sea in the hope of finding interesting birds and cetaceans. In the end, it was the cetaceans—especially the dolphins—that stole the show. Several pods of Common Dolphins appeared, with some staying alongside the boat for a while and giving fantastic views, just as they had on my previous trip. Even better were the sightings of three Risso’s Dolphins, including a calf, and the rarer White-beaked Dolphin. I am no dolphin expert, and without Keith’s keen eye and knowledge of the species, I would probably have dismissed it as a Risso’s. However, this animal showed a white ring around the eye, a white beak, and was much larger than a Common Dolphin. It was a lifer for all of us, and the captain shared some fascinating details about the species, including that it has the thickest blubber of any dolphin and is usually found much farther north in UK waters.

Above, the only half decent photo I got of the Storm Petrel and below, a Manx Shearwater gliding over the sea.

Another species that climbed onboard my year list was the Storm Petrel. At least 8 birds were reported, and all were quite distant, hence my poor photo of one. Trust me, it was damn difficult at times to get any photos as the boat listed and rocked so heavily at times, it was dangerous not to hold onto one of the rails while photographing! One of the Petrels I saw didn’t look quite right for a Storm Petrel and leaned towards a Wilson’s Petrel, but it was too quick to be 100% sure and then easily lost below the waves.

Above, Manx Shearwaters over the sea and below, a sub-adult Gannet heading east over the sea.

As we were travelling out to sea, the shout went up ‘SKUA’ from the captain and we all clambered over to the starboard side to view a Great Skua flying away from us. Fortunately, another was seen on the way back as we neared the harbour and Emma managed to grab a few good photos of the bird. Another species added to my year list. When travelling some ten miles offshore, we saw a few Tuna splashes an even put out a line of fish oil to attract more Petrels, but we drew a blank and so though we saw many more Manx Shearwaters, time was against us and so slowly made our way back to Falmouth harbour.

Above, another photo of the sub-adult Gannet passing by the boat and below, an adult Gannet on the sea.

Above, my first Guillemot of the year and below, several flocks of Herring Gulls were making their way southbound over the sea.

Many more Manx Shearwaters were seen and flocks of Herring Gulls flying south out to sea. A Mediterranean Gull was seen along with at least two Kittiwakes and a Sandwich Tern, but little else. As we were watching another pod of Common Dolphins, the shout went up there was a Guillemot close to the boat. This was my fourth species added to my year list as I struggled to get a decent phot of the bird, which rounded off an enjoyable trip out at sea off Falmouth.

Above, and adult and calf Common Dolphin not too far from the harbour entrance and below, the harbour entrance with St. Anthony Lighthouse on the left.

The captain could only apologise about the lack of bigger Shearwaters, but as Emma and Matt agreed, nothing is ever guaranteed on these Pelagic trips out at sea and we are at the mercy of the winds, tide and the supply of fish offshore. Yes, it was a bit cold at times and the rocking about on the sea can be a bit frustrating at times, but watching seabirds and the Dolphins so close to the boat is simply fantastic and well worth the money and time to do. Should you be reading this, please go on the AK Wildlife Cruises website and see for yourself some of the sightings they have had of late, and it can only get better too. Though I will say, take something soft to sit on, because my bum was sore afterwards!