Blizzard!

The PAM detected dolphins and sperm whales at the shelf break as we came over the Grand Banks at night. The visual survey didn't produce much yesterday morning as we steamed over the banks (120m deep only) despite the excellent visibility. Three dolphins were spotted briefly but not identified to species level (most likely white-beaked given that the water is only 1C!).

There were many auks (razorbill, poss. Brunnich's guillemot, little auk), fulmar, kittiwake, glaucous gull, lesser black-backed gull and a single eider heading south.

'The Narrows', St. John's, Newfoundland.

Cetacean and Seabird Team on the quayside at snowy St. John's: (left to right) Conor Ryan, Emily Wilson (birdyologist), Alessandro Pierini.

We picked up our pilot at around 1500 and sailed through 'The Narrows' into St. John's in a blizzard. It is an amazing harbour, very sheltered and dotted with wooden houses on steep cliffs. We hit the town for a few drinks but it was very quiet following the heavy snow and considering it was a Sunday night. Just packing our gear now to leave the ship. I'll post some pictures of St. John's later. We are flying home and will return on the 3 March to carry out the return leg from St. John's to Cork... hopefully the weather gods will be kinder on the way home.

Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America. As seen from Signal Hill, St. John's.