Captain Dave followed his instincts and ran east. Here the Condor Express found itself in some amazing masses of marine life. Various bird experts have been talking about the astonishing number of sooty and black-vented shearwaters in this area. One estimated flock was nearly 10,000 individuals sitting together on the glassy ocean surface. Shearwaters come to the Channel to moult and feed. Experts say the birds put on an additional 40% of their body weight here, as they prepare for their long flight to New Zealand for breeding in the Fall.
The shearwaters are indicators of high productivity and particularly large numbers of northern anchovies which they eat. Dolphins and many baleen whales also feed on these anchovy schools. So Captain Dave steered the Condor Express into bird and dolphin masses and today it paid off again. There were 4 humpback whales and 2 minke whales feeding in the area. Two of the humpback whales were a mother and her calf, and the two came very close to the boat for a friendly look at the humans.
More than 2,000 common dolphins were seen in total.
Conditions on the northeastern flats are fantastic, despite small craft warnings to the southwestern regions of the Channel.
Best regards Bob Perry Condor Express Odd Jobs and Vice President of Verbiage
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