Tuesday's child was full of wonder.

By Jon Biddle.

Tuesday 5th August: Tuesday's trip was welcomely crewed by a very keen bunch of young wildlife enthusiasts and their parents. Even during the briefing and on our way to the boat it was apparent that these representatives of the new generation had a great interest and knowledge of marine wildlife and also lots of curiosity to learn and questions to ask. Out on the water it was fantastic to have so many keen spotters onboard and help find fleeting porpoise sightings to report to the Whale Track app.

Early rain cleared and the sea state for observing wildlife was pretty good, although as we headed out into the bay it was apparent by the relative lack of seabirds that the fishing must be elsewhere today for many species. However, we saw some grey seals hauled out, and an early sighting of some frisky foraging porpoise being uncharacterisically splashy, caused much excitement. It was great to have such enthusiasm shared for all of the porpoise sightings today, huray for the porpoise, often under rated, but truely fascinating creatures. 

Small rafts of guillemots and razorbills with fast growing chicks were looked keenly at, as were gannets, fulmars, shags, gulls as well as lion's mane, moon and purple jellyfish.

A little further on more and more puffins and the occasional pufflings were encountered.

"Go puffin go!"

As one comical puffin tried clumbsily to take off, the observation deck chanted out encouragement "GO PUFFIN GO! ".

We also saw some tight flocks of patrolling Manx shearwaters and fearless great and Arctic skuas.

More porpoise were seen and some more seals. Later we enjoyed fantastic views of a recently fledged white tailed sea eagle calmly observing the world, its parent also silhouetted on a far hilltop. The sheer size and majestic manner of these birds is always impressive. Some of us also saw a merlin fly swiftly between islands. But for me at least, the highlight was an enthusiastic young team of budding marine biologists and naturalists.

In case you wondering where today's blog title came from, it took its cue from an old poem called Monday's Child... 

Monday's Child

Monday's child is fair of face

Tuesday's child is full of grace,

Wednesday's child is full of woe,

Thursday's child has far to go,

Friday's child is loving and giving,

Saturday's child works hard for a living,

But the child who is born on the Sabbath Day

Is bonny and blithe and good and gay.

Please do come and join us this season - we will be out on the boat into October when the weather allows and there is still plenty of wildlife to be seen. Just check out the details on our website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram.