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| Rare Bird Alert (RBA) Trip to Sula Sgeir Western Isles, May 2007. | | | | It was in November 2006 when we heard that RBA were organising trips to Sula Sgeir, a small islet some 40 miles north of the Butt of Lewis, in the hope that the Black-browed Albatross that had been seen in the gannetry would return for another year; we booked our places the following day.The cost of the trip was £300 each for a twin berth cabin, with private facilities. Our vessel on this occasion was to be the Professor Multanovskiy, an 1800 ton expedition ship holding 50 passengers and crew. Sailing from Ullapool and boarding at 9pm. |  | | | | We had taken the opportunity to do some birding in Speyside and the surrounding area, and as we were staying in Inverness the journey to Ullapool would be straightforward. On the morning of our departure the Mega Alert went off on our pager, the albatross was still present in the gannetry, the first trip was a success. We could hardly contain our excitement as we arrived at Ullapool to see the first trip returning. | | | | At 8.30pm the first of the Zodiacs arrived at the quayside to take us out to the ship, which was anchored some 150 yards out. We were then allocated our cabin, ours was on the fifth deck. The cabin was good, it had a large shower room with toilet and hand- basin, bunk beds, desk and seating, and plenty of storage space. After unpacking we made our way to the dining-room to join the others for our evening meal. We were welcomed on board by Dick Filby and introduced to the RBA team, and the mainly Russian crew. The food was excellent consisting of three courses. As we made our way back to our cabin, we became aware that we were leaving sheltered waters, and heading out into the North Atlantic. The sea wasn't rough, but there was quite a swell and we were finding it difficult to move around. We got into our bunks, and we settled down for the night. |  | | | | After a restless night we were up and about by 3.45, partly due to excitement and also the movement of the ship.We decided to head to the bar for coffee, then made our way to the deck and watched the dawn break as Sula Sgeir appeared in the distance. At 5am we were served more coffee and hot pastries, before we all made our way up to the top deck as we approached Sula Sgeir. | | |  | | | | As the Captain brought the ship in closer, we were searching the area that the albatross had been seen in just twenty four hours earlier, but nothing only Gannets. The Captain brought the ship around again, getting as close as possible but still nothing. After what seemed like an eternity someone shouted Black-browed Albatross on the water, it was Martin one of the RBA team. There was a period of frantic activity as everyone rushed over to Martins side of the ship, and until everyone was on the bird. The albatross then started to fly back and forth amongst the Gannets, and then it started to fly towards the ship. Unbelievable. | | |  | | |  | | | | What a bird. | | | | All too soon it was time to leave Sula Sgeir, as the Captain headed the short distance towards North Rona, before starting back towards Ullapool. | | | | |  | | |
| | |  | | | The view of Sula Sgeir in the distance with the sun on it. | Breakfast had been served in the dining-room, a buffet consisting of eggs, ham, cheese, assorted cereals, fruit juice and toast, with tea or coffee. After we had eaten we went back to our cabin to try and have some sleep, half an hour later we were out on deck again, because we were worried about missing something. | | Other sightings include; Pomerine SkuaLong-tailed Skua, Great Skua, Black Guillemot, Arctic Tern, Manx Shearwater, Puffin, and Basking Shark., | | | | Lunch was served about 1pm and once again the meal was excellent, consisting of three courses. We then spent the rest of the journey back to Ullapool on deck, arriving back at 5.30pm. | | | | Many thanks to the RBA team for a fantastic trip, our first pelagic. If anyone is considering the trip in 2008 we can highly recommend it. | | Jackie Moreton |
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