Main Cetacean Species
Cetaceans also found in our waters
Seals
Fish
Seabirds Commonly Seen
Seabirds Less Commonly Seen
Waders and Other Birds Seen

Atlantic Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus)

Found along the west and north coasts of Britain round as far as the Farne Islands. The British Isles is home to 1/2 to 2/3 of the world’s population. They are the largest seal to be found in British waters, and males can weigh over 300kg. We see them hauled out on the rocks at low tide or swimming and “bottling”. A real crowd-pleaser!

Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)

Our smallest cetacean, its typical length being only 1.3-1.8 metres. This is the most frequently seen cetacean on our trips, but even so it is shy and wary of boats. It is recognised by its rolling motion as it swims and its small triangular dorsal fin. Adult females will often be accompanied by calves. Very vulnerable to by-catch in fishing nets like gill and trammel nets.

Short-Beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)

These are often found in large groups as we get further offshore especially in late summer/early autumn, though they do sometimes come closer in. A medium-sized, streamlined dolphin with beautiful hourglass patterning on its flanks. Often very exuberant and playful and sometimes groups will bowride the boat.

Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Seen as two distinct types described as inshore and offshore pods (most sightings are of the inshore type). A large cetacean up to 4 metres though more frequently about 3 metres in length. Generally quite sociable and easy to spot/watch. Can be very playful! There is speculation that the ones we see in Cornwall are a breakaway group from the resident Cardigan Bay common bottlenose dolphins.

Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus)

A medium sized dolphin with distinctive pale colouring and scratched appearance as they age. Between 2.6-4 metres in length. Often spy hop but seldom bowrides - however in the summer of 2007 when we saw these often, the youngsters did often interact and socialise with the boat. Recognisable from their tall centrally placed dorsal fin. A real treat to see!

Northern Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

The smallest and most abundant of the rorqual family (relatives of blue, fin, sei and humpback whales). A baleen whale between 7-10 metres in length. Sightings are mostly of the whale diving although sometimes they can be curious about boats and will circle round the investigating for a while and even spyhop. Spectacular views can be seen of them lunge feeding at the surface.

Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus)

Basking Sharks visit our coastal waters in large numbers in the spring and early summer, although they can be sighted year round. 2006 and 2007 were record years for sightings and we regularly saw large numbers of sharks on trips right through the summer and into September. They are the second largest fish in the sea and it is believed they can grow up to 11 metres. Despite their size they are harmless plankton feeders with tiny teeth.

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

Bizarre looking circular summer visitors usually found in our waters from July to October, though in 2006 they were recorded in every month of the year. This is the world’s largest species of bony fish (sharks have cartilage skeletons) - it’s generally recognised at a distance by its fin waving as it basks on the water’s surface. Can grow enormously large, though the ones we see are usually a maximum of 1½ metres in diameter.

Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

The second largest animal ever to have lived (17-24m long, 30-80 tons) is a member of the rorqual family like the more common Northern Minke Whale. A long, slender shape with a small dorsal fin on the last third of its back, it resembles a torpedo. These have been spotted in the last few years in the English Channel between Lands End and the Lizard.

Long-Finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas)

Seen less often than the minke and only further out to sea. One of the “blackfish” family of whales and dolphins. Medium sized cetacean with a rounded head and very long, pointed flippers. Groups of thousands occur, and this species has been known to mass-strand.

Atlantic White-Sided Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus)

Usually found in the North Sea and round Scotland, but a few stray this far south. A medium-sized dolphin with a short beak and large dorsal fin. The back is black and the flanks have a white band, turning into an olive-yellow to orange stripe at the rear. Quite often mix with short-beaked common dolphins making ID-ing them tricky

White-Beaked Dolphin (Lagenorhychus albirostris)

Has a similar range to the white sided dolphin. A stocky dolphin with a characteristic white beak though colouration does vary. It has a black band with white swathes of its flanks. Can group together in hundreds and often swims with white sided dolphins, displaying some acrobatic and inquisitive behaviour

Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)

A beautiful, slender, delicately patterned dolphin generally occurring further south than 50°N, but is increasingly being seen in British waters. Distinct narrow black stripe running from head to tail. Typical exuberant dolphin behaviour on the surface with leaps and bow-riding of boats

Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)

Forget the great white shark - the Orca is the ocean’s top predator. Familiar black and white markings, tall centrally placed dorsal fin (the males’ 6 ft fin is the tallest of any animal in the sea). Varied diet according to geographical location, but in our waters they have been seen chasing groups of dolphins and would presumably feed on porpoises, seals and basking sharks.

Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis)

Rarely seen. The third longest (12-18m) of the roqual family behind the fin whale. In the past when it has been seen round Cornwall, it has been seen in the company of fin whales. Has a more upright dorsal fin than the fin whale.

Seabirds Commonly Seen

Gannet (Morus Bassanus)

Our largest seabird. Lives mainly on offshore islands like Grassholm in groups of thousands. Dazzling white plumage, black wingtips and a golden yellow head. Plunge dives from great heights onto groups of fish, often in large numbers. Groups of them will often lead us into areas where cetaceans or sharks are feeding.

Fulmar (Fulmarus Glacialis)

Superficially gull-like, but with a much stockier neck and body. Glides like an albatross on stiff, straight wings, and has dark eyes with a smudge of dark feathers behind. Often sits on the water in small groups, cackling to each other! Spits a foul-smelling oil when threatened. These birds mate for life.

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Carbo)

Lives inland and by the sea. A black, powerful birds the size of a large goose. Frequently stands with wings outstretched after diving and fishing to great depths. Can eat its own weight in fish every day!

Shag (Phalacrocorax Aristotelis)

Similar to the cormorant, only 2/3 the size with a smaller, more spindly beak. Is found round rocky coastlines rather than inland. During breeding season, plumage is glossy and greenish and they can a noticeable crest on their forehead. Juveniles are brown.

Herring Gull (Larus Argentatus)

Probably the least popular bird in Cornwall! Numerous, noisy, greedy and resourceful, herring gulls are the world’s commonest gull. Large and aggressive looking with white and grey plumage, yellow beak and eyes and pink feet. Will scavenge round ports and harbours and frequently steal food right out of your hand. Juveniles up until four years old have progressively paler mottled brown plumage. Its voice is a mournful mew or noisy, excitable screeching.

Greater Black Backed Gull (Larus Marinus)

The largest gull in the world, this is quite a scary bird. One third bigger than the herring gull, bulky and powerful-looking, with very dark brown feathers on back and wings. Hooked yellow beak with splash of red on the end. Will scavenge, eat fish, small mammals like rabbits, young birds, eggs and even adult puffins and guillemots.

Lesser Black Backed Gull (Larus Fuscus)

Much rarer round here than the greater black back. About the same size as the herring gull, but with dark brown plumage on its wings and back rather than grey.

Kittiwake (Rissa Tridactyla)

An elegant, gentle-looking gull with a small greenish-yellow bill, black feet and eyes and wingtips which look as though they have been dipped in black ink. Generally only stay round the coasts, nesting in large colonies between February and the end of the summer; however some are staying resident all year round in West Cornwall.

Black Headed Gull (Larus Ridibundus)

The smallest of the abundant gulls in the British Isles. Has slim, pointed wings with a dark stripe along the front. During late winter and spring, it has a dark brown cap on its head, which for the rest of the year is just a dark spot behind the eye. Dark red legs and harsh squawk for a call.

Sandwich Tern (Sterna Sandvicensis)

We see these in the spring as they move eastwards to breed, frequently standing together on the Runnel Stone marker buoy. The largest of the terns which breed in this country. Has a yellow tip to its beak and a scruffy cap of black feathers on its head.

Common Tern (Sterna Hirundo)

A distinctive floaty flight, with silver/grey wings (white when seen underneath), black cap, red beak and a forked tail. Often seen being chased by bigger birds like gulls and skuas. Has a rasping, scratchy call.

Guillemot (Urea Aalge)

Member of the auk family. Chocolate brown and white plumage, sometimes mottled in appearance. Like the razorbill, is seen in great numbers in the early spring. Has a pointed, spear-like bill with which it defends its nest. Much better at swimming underwater than in the air. Like the razorbill, this bird is very vulnerable to oil pollution.

Razorbill (Alca Torda)

A member of the auk family. Slightly smaller than the guillemot but stockier. Flaps past with fast, whirring wingbeats like a wind-up clockwork toy. Seen in large numbers round here in the early spring. Later in the summer, adult birds will often be seen followed by their chick learning to swim, cheeping piteously!

Puffin (Frateracula Arctica)

Seen much less often round here than the razorbill and guillemot - most of the Cornish puffins breed in the Scillies. Probably the nation’s best loved and most recognised seabird. Black and white plumage with a startlingly colourful, parrot-like bill. Diet primarily consists of sand-eels, so is very vulnerable to over-fishing and migrations of fish due to temperature change.

Storm Petrel (Hydrobates Pelagicus)

Often seen inshore after high winds out at sea. A tiny, sparrow-sized seabird which flits above the sea in a very bat-like fashion, scooping up plankton. Dusky black plumage, with white markings on tail, and spends most of its life out in the open ocean being buffeted by high winds.

Manx Shearwater (Puffinus Pufiinus)

The British Isles are home to almost all of the world’s Manx Shearwaters. Smaller than the herring gull, it has straight slim wings, on which it glides over the waves tilting from side to side after some rapid, stiff wingbeats. Seen in our waters in large numbers in the spring.

Cory’s Shearwater (Colonectris Diomedea)

Larger and more heavily-built than the Manx shearwater. The upperparts are brown and the underparts are very white with a neat rim of brown.

Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus Griseus)

Again, larger than the Manx shearwater, with very dark upperparts and a silvery sheen underneath.

Arctic Skua (Stercorarius Parasiticus)

A small skua with a fast, falcon-like flight. Has double tail streamers. Chases and harasses other seabirds until they drop their prey.

Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius Pomarinus)

Nearly as big as a herring gull. Adults have long, spoon-shaped tail streamers, and a yellow band around its neck. Will chase other birds until they drop their food and even sometimes force their victims into the sea to drown them.

Great Skua (Catharacta Skua)

Our largest skua, bulkier and heavier-looking than a herring gull. Shorter tail than other skuas and no streamers. This is the terrifying pirate of the seabirds - very aggressive and will chase birds as large as gannets, and even attack humans if they stray near to nesting sites. Kills birds such as puffins and sometimes species as large as geese.

Oyster Catcher (Haematopus Ostralegus)

A stocky, black and white wader with a large bright orange bill, which it uses to dig in mud and also to prise open shellfish, so is very adaptable. Easily recognisable from its marked plumage and the excitable, piping racket it makes.

Turnstone (Arenaria Interpres)

Appears on west Cornish coasts in the late summer and stay around for several months - some take up residence in Penzance harbour. A stocky little wader with colourful mottled plumage (browns, oranges, whites and blacks). Busily searches for food by turning over rocks, in tame little groups. Very cute!

Curlew (Numenius Arquata)

A large brownish-mottled wader with a very long downwards-curving beak, by which it is easy to identify. The other very distinctive characteristic is its bubbling evocative call. Found round coasts near estuaries and marshes round here.

Whimbrel (Numeneus Phaoepus)

About a third the size of the curlew with a shorter, straighter bill, but with very similar markings. Has a similar bubbling call.

Little Egret (Egretta Garzetta)

A recent immigrant to the British Isles. A graceful, pure white heron with a slender black beak, and long black legs. Mostly seen wading on its own or flying with its legs trailing behind. Sometimes comes into our area from nearby marshes and estuaries.

Great Northern Diver (Gavia Immer)

Large, heavy looking diver with a dagger like bill and a thick, dark neck around which there is a black and white striped ring. Sometimes seen in Mounts Bay.

Mute Swan (Cygnus Olor)

The British Isles’ year-round and most familiar swan, and one of our largest birds. Adults are white with an orange and black beak. Usually choose a lifelong partner. Often seen in and around the harbours at Penzance and Newlyn.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco Peregrinus)

The fastest creature in the world on land, sea or in the air. A large and powerful falcon with pointed wings and yellow talons. Numbers are increasing after years of persecution. Seeing one catch a pigeon is a memorable experience.

Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)

The chough is making a slow, but successful comeback in Cornwall after being wiped out. A beautiful glossy-black member of the crow family with a bright orange bill and legs and prominent “finger-like” primary feathers. Its call is a raucous, recognisable “cheeooww!” noise.

Raven (Corvus corax)

The largest member of the crow family and a quite magnificent bird. Recognisable from its sheer size (bigger than a buzzard), its broad wings with the primary feathers easily visible, and its deep, croaking call. Tumbles acrobatically round the sky.

Buzzard (Buteo Buteo)

One of our most common birds of prey. Often seen in twos and threes floating above clifftops, catching thermals on their broad rounded wings, which are brown and white viewed from underneath. Often the first sign of them will be the plaintive mew that seems to float down from the sky.