Reports received of Marine Creatures sighted, stranded or landed during 2003
A list compiled by Raymond Dennis

6/1/03 At least 5 Harbour Porpoises were close in below the Gwennap Head Lookout SW365217 feeding with Gannets at 1100hrs. There appeared to be 3 adults and 2 juveniles one of which was very small.
7/1/03  3 Porpoises were seen entering the estuary off Stepper Point SW915784
8/1/03  3 Harbour Porpoises were seen through binoculars off Duckpool SS200115
9/1/03 A Grey Seal bull swam west just offshore off Charlestown SX042514
9/1/03 2 pods of dolphins were seen in Whitesand Bay SW3526
10/1/03 A Bottlenose Dolphin was seen swimming back and forth off Charlestown SX043512 in rough seas, others may have been present but unsure due to sea conditions
10/1/03 There were 4 Harbour Porpoises close in below the Gwennap Head Lookout SW365217 feeding at 1045hrs.
11/1/03 A Grey Seal was seen swimming off Stepper Point SW914785
11/1/03 A report came from the Polperro fishing boat 'Girl Jane' that a large pod of dolphins, in the hundreds, was seen at 1300hrs about 8 miles off Looe SW2640, while at the same time boats long lining near The Eddystone Light 50º 10'N.  04º 16'W reported large numbers of dolphin. It was thought that there were some porpoises in the pod and that they were following and feeding off shoals of Mackerel but these have consisted of mostly specimens too small to be commercially landed this year.
11/1/03 A pod of 5 adult Bottlenose Dolphins was seen heading west off Carn Guthensbras SW363217 at 0935hrs
11/1/03 There was a pod of about 10 Bottlenose Dolphins off Sennen  SW3526 swimming in circles with a lot of tail splashing at 1445 hrs
12/1/03 A pod of about 8 dolphins were seen heading slowly westward, possibly feeding in a calm sea about ½ mile south east of St. Michaels Mount SW525297 at 1020hrs.
13/1/03 A pod of 6 or 7 Bottlenose Dolphins were reported by the Mount Harbour Office to be about ½ mile off the Mount SW515299 at 1150hrs.
13/1/03 A pod of 3 or 4 Bottlenose Dolphin was seen about ½ a mile off Chyandour SW479310 at 1350 hrs. Jet Skiers were in the area but behaving sensibly and not harassing the dolphins. Two of the dolphins jumped clear of the water together.
13/1/03 There were at least 5 Bottlenose Dolphins off the end of the Pier at Penzance SW476303 at 1515hrs
13/1/03 Common Dolphins were seen in an area SE of The Manacles in position 50º02.9N  04º49.0W at 1100 hrs  in slight seas , wind 5 – 6 and overcast. There was a group of 5 and another group of about 10.
14/1/03 A Porpoise was seen off Stepper Point SW908779
14/1/03 2 Grey Seals were seen off Butterhole SW907779
16/1/03 A Harbour Porpoise was seen ¾ mile south of Rospletha Head SW 384217 in rough seas at 1130hrs.
17/1/03 A huge pod of dolphins and porpoises were again seen from the Polperro fishing boat "Girl Jane" whilst shooting nets 20 miles off Rame Head SX419481 and the trawler "Cazadora" 3 miles away at the same time also reported dolphins. In both cases the numbers reported was hundreds. Also today Plymouth Mackerel boats off Eddystone Reef stopped fishing because they were catching dolphins rather than fish.
19/1/03 A female Grey Seal  appeared to be fishing for a while off Porthpean SX032506 but soon headed eastward. There were also 2 Bottlenose Dolphins fishing in the area
22/1/03 Benty's pod of 5 Bottlenose Dolphins was in Sennen Cove SW344254 in the morning
23/1/03 About 50 to 60 Common Dolphins came into the cove at Polperro SW700115 at 1030hrs following a shoal of fish and stayed for about an hour
23/1/03 7 Bottlenose Dolphin were close in below the lookout at Cape Cornwall SW352317
27/1/03 3 dolphins were in Fowey Harbour SX123514 during the day
28/1/03 3 dolphins, 2 adult and one juvenile, were seen heading westward off Cadgwith Cove SW722142 at midday
29/1/03 A mixed group of male, female and juvenile Grey Seals were sheltering from the gales in Mother Ivey's Bay SW8676 at 1500 hrs. There were up to 10 animals.
30/1/03 A pod of about 8 Bottlenose dolphin was seen off Porthleven SW631252  heading toward Marazion , Mount's Bay at 1400hrs.
30/1/03 A very large pod of cetaceans, thought to be Common Dolphins and possibly some Harbour Porpoises headed eastward past Polperro SX209509 between 1500 and 1630. They were leaping from the water from about ½ mile offshore to the horizon and spread over an area of about 4 miles . The observer considered there were over a thousand in the pod.
31/1/03 Cetacean carcasses turned up on Cornish shores in distressing numbers during January. 78 were found, with many more in Devon and hundreds in France. 44 of the Cornish strandings were Common Dolphin 2 were Striped Dolphin, 1 White Sided Dolphin and 9 Harbour Porpoises, 22 others were unidentified. A Grey Seal and a Turtle were also found. Other items cast up were dead birds, 9 Guillemots, 8 Razorbills, and a Fulmar, also 3 Grey Triggerfish, a coconut, a Nickar Nut, White Moon Flower Seeds, a Horse Eye Bean and many little hydroids Velella velella or By-the-wind-Sailors. A few jellyfish were found and 2 Violet Sea Snails. Cast up too were the cuttle bones of the three species Common Cuttle, Sepia orbignyana and Sepia elegans and also the shells of a relative of the Cuttlefish which lives in deep water well offshore, Spirula spirula.
2/2/03 A Grey Seal was seen at Penberth Cove SW404226 with Gannets overhead, and appeared to be waiting to snatch an anglers catch from his line.
2/2/03 13 Grey seals were lying on the beach in the cove just south of Buckator at SX117932 at 1400 hrs. 11 were in a group with 2 others just a short distance away.
3/2/03 Benty's pod of 8 or more Bottlenose Dolphins were in Sennen Cove SW355254 for an hour in the early afternoon.
3/2/03 A small cetacean carcass was found on the beach at porth Nanven SW355309
4/2/03 The carcass of a Harbour Porpoise was found near Seaton SX3054
4/2/03 A pod of 6 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen heading east from Porthmeor Beach SW516410 at 0930 sighted from the Coastwatch hut.
4/2/03 Benty's pod of 5 or more Bottlenose dolphins were heading east off Godrevy Point SW580434 on the eastern side of the island at about 1300hrs.
4/2/03 2 Harbour Porpoises were ¼ mile east of The Runnelstone  SW369200 at 1530 hrs
5/2/03 2 Harbour Porpoises were  1 mile SE of Lizard Point SW694115 at 1330 hrs
5/2/03 5 or more Bottlenose Dolphins were in Porthcurno Bay SW387222 at 1400hrs.
6/2/03 A female Grey seal was seen bottling offshore at Porthpean SX. She was small and well marked  and is a regular in the area. Later headed eastward
7/2/03 6 Bottlenose Dolphins travelled north close in below the lookout at Cape Cornwall SW352317
8/2/03 A pod of about 10 dolphins was seen heading westward beneath seabirds off Falmouth SW808316 between 1530 and 1600 hrs.
9/2/03 A pod of about 7 dolphins including one juvenile, spent 25mins from 0920 to 0945 hrs in the cove just east of the mount at Marazion in position SW526303 . The adults were about 8ft long so were probably Bottlenose dolphin. Sea conditions was about force 4 and choppy.
9/2/03 A pod of at least three dolphins was about 300 yards off the beach at Marazion Station SW506313 at 1500 hrs. They were there for about ½ hour with windsurfers near by.
10/2/03 A dolphin carcass was found on Longsands Whitsands Bay SX371531
10/2/03 A pod of 4 or more Bottlenose Dolphins travelled south close in below the lookout at Cape Cornwall SW352317 at 1225 hrs and a single one passed south below the lookout at 1307
11/2/03 2 Grey Seals were seen in the bay just west of Rumps Point SW930810
12/2/03 A single dolphins was seen off Rumps Point SW931812 at 1300hrs
12/2/03 A large Grey Seal was basking on the slipway of the Royal Marine Boat Section at Turnchapel SX490531 today but apparently it was often seen there during November 2002
12/2/03 At least 4 Harbour porpoises were ¼ mile south of The Minack Theatre SW387220 at1230 hrs and 2 were near The Runnelstone SW369200 at 1430 hrs.
13/2/03 2 Harbour Porpoises were ¼ mile east of The Runnelstone SW369200 travelling east at 1430 hrs.
13/2/03 A pod of about 100 dolphins were seen by fishermen about 3 miles off Newquay SW815620 and was reported on BBC Ceefax Page 169. They were thought to be Common Dolphins and were leaping playfully around the fishing boat "The Mistress" as they headed eastwards.
13/2/03 A pod of about 8 dolphins were watched for an hour off Hayle SW551382 as they headed westwards stopping for a while to surf in the waves off the estuary and then continuing westwards past Carbis Bay SW528387
15/2/03 A Grey Seal was seen off the beach near Zone Point SW850309
15/2/03 6 Grey Seals were off Guglane, Rumps Point SW932811 bottling, diving and swimming. They were watched for ½ hour from 1500 to 1530hrs and one of them appeared to like lying on its back and then submerging by tilting its head back.
15/2/03 A Turtle carcass was found at Nanquidno SW357294
17/2/03 The carcass of a dolphin was found at porthpean SX032507
17/2/03 A Harbour Porpoise carcass was found at Pentewan SX021468
18/2/03 The carcass of a Harbour porpoise was found at Swanpool SW802312
18/2/03 Probably the same 6 Grey Seals that were seen on the 15th.Feb were in the same place and behaving as previously watched, again between 1500 and 1530 hrs.
18/2/03 The carcass of a Common Dolphin was found at Gyllyingvase Beach SW808316
19/2/03 A Common Dolphin carcass was founs east of Looe at Plaidy Beach SX266538
20/2/03 A small cetacean carcass was found at Kingsand SX435505 and a Common Dolphin carcass at Mousehole SW470263
21/2/03 A Common Dolphin carcass was found at Bar Beach Helford Estuary and 2 more at Sunny Cove SW800303 near Maenporth
22/2/03 A dolphin carcass was found at Top Tieb beach Marazion SW520305
23/2/03 The carcass of a Common Dolphin was found at Longrock SW498308 and another dolphin carcass at Pendower SW900381
24/2/03 Small cetacean carcasses were found at Trefusis Quay Fal Estuary SW814336, Kennack Sands SW739166 and at Par SX0853
25/2/03 Common Dolphin carcasses were found at Marazion SW519300 and on St. Martin’s Isles of Scilly and a Harbour Porpoise carcass at Hannaford Beach SX258523 near Looe
26/2/03 A small cetacean carcass was found at Pentewan SX021468 and a Common Dolphin carcass at Cadgwith SW722142
27/2/03 A small cetacean carcass was found  at Porthbean Beach Gerrans Bay SW882367 where 5 Gannet carcasses were also stranded
28/2/03 A small cetacean carcass was found  at Par SX0853 and Common Dolphin carcasses were stranded on other beaches , 2 at Pendower SW900381, one at Battery Rocks Penzance SW477297 and one at Portholland Veryan Bay SW960412
28/2/03 A young  female Common Dolphin carcass was washed up on Praa Sands Beach SW5728
2/3/03 A pod of 4 cetaceans, possibly Harbour Porpoises was seen about 300 yards south of Lowland Point SW802195
2/3/03 A pod of about 6 large dolphins was seen heading south off Coverack SW783182 in the afternoon, and a little later a single fin was seen heading in the same direction.
3/3/03 There were another 32 strandings of dead cetaceans on Cornish shores during February, bringing the total to 120 up to today. 14 of these were Common Dolphin, 14 were unidentified small dolphin and 4 were Harbour Porpoises. 2 Grey Seals and a Turtle were found and dead sea birds were 6 Gannets, 2 Guillemots, and a Puffin. Other items found were Violet Sea Snails, Nickar Nuts, and Horse Eye Beans.
5/3/03 A pod of 7 Bottlenose dolphins were seen heading NE a mile off Black Head SW779162 at 1525 hrs.
7/3/03 The carcass of a dolphins was reported to be near the slip at Marazion  SW519300
7/3/03 At least 2 Harbour Porpoises were feeding near shore at Carlyon Bay SX055518. Onshore winds and rough sea made accurate estimate of numbers impossible but Gannets were present suggesting that fish shoals were in the Bay.
8/3/03 Thounands of dolphins were reported off The Eddystone 50º10N  04º16W from the trawler “Storm Child”.
10/3/03 The skipper of fishing vessel Cazadora reported being unable to sleep below decks off The Eddystone 50º10N  04º16W because of the noise of hundreds of dolphins surrounding the boat.
11/3/03 The usual female Grey Seal was fishing near shore at Poethpean SX033507
13/3/03 A diver reported seeing what he thought was a sealion, described as being not like a Grey Seal, Grey, with a big head and fat but Black and very stream-lined like the sort seen at the zoo. Seen while diving just west of Dodman Point SX000392
14/3/03 2 dolphins were swimming together just 25yds off the west side of Dodman Point SX000392 at 1200 hrs. Watched for about 10 minutes in choppy seas.
15/3/03 A pod of dolphins was seen in choppy seas off Porthcurno SW387222. It was too choppy to count the number or identify the species.
19/3/03 A pod of 25 to 30 Common Dolphin were moving South West about 2 mile NE of The Manacles SW8120 at 1230hrs but turned NE to follow a boat in a 2 ft swell and light easterly winds.
20/3/03 A pod of Dolphins was seen heading north East off St Ives SW 5241
21/3/03 A pod of dolphins was seen heading east off Falmouth SW8132
21/3/03 A pod of 50 to 60 Common Dolphin with many juveniles were circling and possibly chasing and feeding on Mackerel about 1 mile south off Plymouth Breakwater SW464505 between 1000 and 1200 hrs.
22/3/03 A Rootmouth Jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus was found and photographed on the strandline in the Camel Estuary SW9277
24/3/03 A pod of about 6 Common Dolphins was seen just off Pentire Head Newquay SW780615
25/3/03 The usual small well marked female Grey Seal was bottling offshore at Porthpean SX035505
25/3/03 A pod of 5 or 6 dolphins was seen heading east off Cadgwith SW722142 and another pod of 5 or 6 was seen off Porthoustock  SW807218
26/3/03 A pod of 6 to 8 dolphins was seen off Trebetherick Point SW925779 at 0730 hrs
26/3/03 A pod of 5 to 7 dolphins with possibly 2 juveniles was seen heading west off Portreath SW655454 watched from 1530 to 1600 hrs.
26/3/03 A small pod of 3 to 5 Common Dolphins was seen from the Plymouth to Santander Ferry at 1400 hrs in position 49º54N  04º32W
26/3/03 A pod of 8 to 10 large dolphins was seen off Fowey  probably Bottlenose Dolphins.
27/3/03 Many more dolphins were reported today from fishing boats Cazadorra, Storm Child and Girl Jane 10 miles off Polperro SX209509. One fisherman reported
 “more than I have seen for over 30 years”  An independent film crew will be going out with one of the boats next week to film the phenomenon
28/3/03 A pod of  7 to 9 Common Dolphins was seen from the Plymouth to Santander Ferry at 1600 hrs in position 49º56N  04º22W
28/3/03 A pod of 7 to 14 Common Dolphins was seen from the Plymouth to Santander Ferry at 1615 hrs in position 50º06N  04º16W
28/3/03 A pod of 6 to 8 Common Dolphins was seen from the Plymouth to Santander Ferry at 1630 hrs in position 50º10N  04º14W and 2 minutes later another pod of 7 to 14 Common Dolphins was seen in the same position.
29/3/03 A single Harbour Porpoise was seen fishing offshore at Porthpean SX035505 for about ¼ hour in the afternoon
29/3/03 A pod of about 10 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen heading west off Trevaunance Cove SW721516 at 0900 hrs. Benty was not seen in the pod.
30/3/03 A pod of about 100 Harbour Porpoises were seen between Polkerris SX092520 and the Manacles SW8120 during the morning and again south east of Gerrans Bay SW9037 in the afternoon.
31/3/03 A fisherman out of Plymouth has reported seeing hundreds of Common Dolphins every day for the last few weeks, one day some were inside the Breakwater
31/3/03 About 20 dolphin were seen heading north east across the bay about 1 mile off Coverack SW785182 at 1600 hrs. They were small with dark backs and grey underneath and jumping out of the water as they sped on.  2 Harbour Porpoises were seen heading south east a few minutes earlier.
31/3/03 There were another 47 strandings of small cetaceans on the shores of Cornwall during March.  21 were Common Dolphin, 1 a Striped Dolphin and 3 Harbour Porpoises, the other 22 were unidentified.
31/3/03 6 Common Dolphin were seen heading south herding a shoal of fish which was being preyed upon by gulls and Gannets 2 miles east of Porthoustock SW807218
1/4/03 A pod of about 20 dolphin was seen about 4 miles south of Salcombe SX7338
2/4/03 A Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish was watched being stranded on the shore at Daymer Bay SW9277. This is a few days earlier in the year than previous records of strandings of this species.
3/5/03 2 dolphins were swimming between the hulls of a catamaran off Stepper Point SW916788
4/4/03 A pod of 8 or 9 dolphins was seen off St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411
5/4/03 A pod of 6 Common Dolphins was seen heading north from MV Scillonian III when north of the Wolf Rock Lighthouse SW270120 at 1800 hrs.
5/4/03 A small pod of 4 to 6 dolphin was seen close inshore at Portwrinkle SX353537 and Downderry SX315538
5/4/03 A large pod of Common Dolphins numbering in the hundreds was seen about 8 miles off Rame Head SX419481. Several came to ride the bow wave of a small fishing vessel. There were also about 50 in Whitsand Bay SX4051
5/4/03 A pod of 6 or 7 dolphins, dark above, pale below, about 6 to 7 ft long was seen heading west about 10 to 12 miles south of Plymouth. There were no birds in the area and they did not bow ride.
6/4/03 Up to 12 Bottlenose Dolphins were in Whitsand Bay in the Queener Point area SX415489 at 1200 hrs. They moved on to Polhawn Cove SX420494 by 1400 hrs and came into shallow water no more than 2M depth. Several Jet Skis were in the area and the dolphins seemed to be attracted to them and surrounded one when it came to a halt. They circled the Jet Ski then made off toward the east.
6/4/03 A whale was seen about 3 miles northwest of Mawgan Porth SW8467. It was grey in colour but mainly the tail flukes was seen and they were 3 metres across
6/4/03 8 dolphins, 5 adults and 3 juveniles, followed a catamaran out of Fowey SX120509 at 0945 and stayed with the catamaran until 1430 hrs, these were probably Bottlenose. Later 2 other dolphins were seen off Whitsand Bay
6/4/03 A pod of 8 or 9 dolphins were off St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411
6/4/03 7 adult Bottlenose Dolphin were inside the Plymouth Breakwater just south of Drake’s Island SX470528 at 1630. Seen from a pleasure boat they were playing in the wake of a small boat
8/4/03 A Basking Shark was watch as it fed close inshore off Kemyl Crease SW457248 from 1330 to 1415 hrs. It was heading southwest This is the first report of a Basking Shark off Cornwall this year.
10/4/03 A pod of 8 to 10 Bottlenose Dolphins was in the Camel Estuary between Rock and Padstow from 1700 to 1800hrs. There were 3 or 4 juveniles in the pod which was being quite playful. On had an enormous growth on its head which came half way down its beak. Digital photos were take for ID purposes
12/4/03 A pod of about 8 Bottlenose Dolphin moved slowly west close inshore at Downderry SX315538 at 0830 hrs. There was much splashing , heavy rolling and frequent breaching with bouts of calm progression toward Looe
15/4/03 A small pod of about 5 Bottlenose Dolphins were off Penzance Harbour SW476303 at 1100 hrs and then moved toward Newlyn Harbour SW467285
15/4/03 A pod of about 30 Common Dolphins was seen travelling south pass Hope’s Nose SX950637. They were spread out from Flat Rock into Lyme Bay and seemed to be chasing fish.
15/4/03 A 16ft Basking Shark was seen off The Manacles SW8120
16/4/03 8 to 10 Bottlenose Dolphins were in Newquay Bay SW8262 late afternoon. Most boats kept clear but some younger boaters appeared to be harassing to some extent.
16/4/03 A pod of 6 to 8 Bottlenose Dolphins moved slowly across the Bay off Mawgan Porth SW8467 at 0800 hrs. They were close to shore leaping in pairs heading north east.
16/4/03 10 unidentified dolphins were milling around in the vicinity of cuttlefish pots east of Labrador Bay SX9370 near Teignmouth at 1500 hrs. Sea was calm, weather hot and sunny.
16/4/03 A 25ft Basking Shark was seen in Mounts Bay  in position 50º6’45N  5º29’4W at 1710 hrs and 2 Harbour Porpoises were in the area with diving Gannets.
17/4/03 A 12ft Basking Shark was seen in Mounts Bay between Penzance Harbour and St. Michaels Mount
17/4/03 A pod of 10 to 12 Bottlenose Dolphins was in the centre of the Bay off Torquay SX9163. They were probably feeding as many gulls were present.
20/4/03 A Rootmouth Jellyfish 70cm diameter was washed up on Trebarwith Strand SS047864 at 1530 hrs. It had parallel scratch marks across a blue dome which indicates that it was a male, females are usually cream or brown. . This is the third of this species to be stranded this year and judging from their size so early in the year possibly survivors from last years huge incursion.
21/4/03 There have been 187 strandings of cetaceans on the shores of Cornwall so far this year making the total for Devon and Cornwall 251.
22/4/03 Two small cetaceans were seen jumping clear of the water between Fowey Harbour entrance SX120509 and Lantic Bay SX1450 ¼ mile offshore at 1700hrs.
22/4/04 A small pod of about 6 Common dolphin was seen from MV Scillonian III in location 1km south of Land’s End at about 1830. They were heading south west.
23/4/03 A dead Common Dolphin was washed up at Helford Passage SW763269 and a Harbour Porpoise on the Carne Beach SW9038 Veryan Bay, bringing the Cornish cetaceans strandings for 2003 to 189
24/4/03  A 15ft Basking Shark was seen off Enys Head SW728149
24/4/03 A Basking Shark about 30ft long with a V shaped notch in its tail fin was moving north within 100M of shore off Kilcobben Cove SW715126 near The Lizard.
28/4/03 The number of cetacean carcasses which have become washed up onto Cornish beaches this year has reached 189 which is 3 more than the total number for last year 2002, and is the largest total ever recorded. Devon had 32 in 2002 and already 78 this year making a shocking total of 267 so far this year for the two counties.
30/4/03 There were about 20 Rootmouth Jellyfish, Rhizostoma octopus stranded between Daymer Bay SW9277 and Rock SW932757.
4/5/03 8 Bottlenose Dolphins, 6 adults and 2 juveniles, were off Sennen SW3526 following and cavorting around the lifeboat which was on exercise in the area. They were present on and off throughout the day.  Three more dead and untagged dolphins were also reported today.
4/5/03 A large male Grey Seal was seen in about 3 metres of water near Mylor Yacht Harbour SW823352 at 1150hrs.
5/5/03 A Grey Seal was watched for 25 minutes about 500yards off Greatwoods in the Carrack Roads SW8334 at 1335 hrs.
5/5/03 4 or 5 Bottlenose Dolphins were reported off the St Ives Island lookout SW5241 at 0700hrs. Later when an observer went to look for them he could only see two.
6/5/03 About a dozen dolphins were watched feeding in Newquay Bay SW8162 at 1630 hrs by delighted guests of a local Guest House
7/5/03 A Grey Seal was seen near the water taxi at Mylor Yacht Club SW823352 at 1020 hrs and another was seen near the outer end of the harbour at 1050 hrs.
8/5/03 A Basking Shark about 12ft long was seen heading west off Lamorna SW451241 at 1830hrs.
10/5/03 There was a pod of about 7 Bottlenose Dolphins including 2 juveniles off Hayle SW549391 They were watched from 2000 to 2130 hrs as they moved slowly eastward for about 2 miles feeding on a shoal of fish then turned and made off in the opposite direction.
10/5/03 15 Common Dolphins were close inshore between Cadgwith SW722142 and the Lifeboat Station SW716125 during the day.
10/5/03 5 Bottlenose Dolphins came close inshore at Carbis Bay at 2000 moved across the Bay to Gwithian SW580416 where they stayed for a while before returning back across the Bay toward Carbis Bay breaching and playing as they went. Last seen about 2200 hrs
11/5/03 4 dolphins were seen in Newquay Bay SW8262 about 100yards off Newquay Harbour at noon.
14/5/03 A pod of about 8 Bottlenose Dolphins moved west close inshore off Downderry SX315538 at 1710 hrs. Some were jumping but generally a steady rolling progression
14/5/03 A boat just north of St. Agnes Isles of Scilly SV882090 was surrounded by a 100 or more leaping Common Dolphins. It was mirror calm and the dolphins could be heard blowing as they surfaced when the engine was switched off.
14/5/03 A pod of 6 or more Bottlenose Dolphins were in Sennen Bay SW3526 in the morning and there was a Basking Shark much further out in the bay.
15/5/03 A pod of 10 to 12 Common Dolphins was seen 2 miles off St. Anthony Head SW846311 at 1300 hrs. There was some social behaviour in windy conditions
16/5/03 A dead seal was found on the beach at Par SX0853
18/5/03 A 10ft Basking Shark was seen feeding off Enys Head SW729149 at 1445hrs.
18/5/03 A 15ft Basking Shark was in St. Ives Harbour SW520407 at 2030hrs.
18/5/03 At least 3 dolphins, believed to be Bottlenose Dolphins were seen off Rosemullion Head SW797209 during the afternoon. They were heading north east toward Falmouth.
18/5/03 A bull Grey Seal was seen off Cape Cornwall SW352371. He appeared to be playing in a rough upwelling patch of water and looked like he was in a jacuzzi
18/5/03 3 dolphins, thought to be Bottlenose, were seen close to shore off Rosemullion Head  SW797209 in very choppy water. Moving across the mouth of the Helford River they appeared to join a larger group.
19/5/03 A Basking Shark, 20ft or more, was seen by a fisherman at 1 mile rock off Coverack SW783182. It headed toward Lowland Point SW804196
20/5/03 A large number of By-the-wind-sailors Velella velella  were washed up onto the beach at Sennen Cove spread along the tide line for 200yards or more. They were very small, probably less than 1cm diameter.
20/5/03 A Basking Shark was seen heading north off Sandinway Beach SW821935 at 1400 hrs and 2 Grey seals were seen just offshore bottling and diving
21/5/03 A report arrived from the Isles of Scilly that many By-the-wind-Sailors Velella velella  have been washed up including many tiny specimens
21/5/03 20 to 25 By-the-wind-Sailors Velella velella  were spotted sailing off Salcombe SX7338 during the morning.  Sizes ranged from 1cm to 3cm diameter.
21/5/03 There are reports of strandings of many Velella velella By-the-wind-Sailors from the west side of Lizard Point SW694115 and in Porthleven Harbour SW6225
21/5/03 There were an estimated ½ million By-the-wind-sailors Velella velella stranded at Soapy Cove near the Lizard SW694115
21/5/03 3 Bottlenose dolphins were in Sennen Bay SW3526 during the day
21/5/03 The regular Grey Seal was off Jupiter Point SX415568 in the River Lyhner at 1900 hrs.
22/5/03 6 Bottlenose Dolphins went westward past Pendeen SW383358 at 1730 hrs
22/5/03 A pod of possibly 5 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen off the St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411 at 1427 hrs
22/5/03 A Basking Shark was seen heading west close inshore off Cadgwith SW722142
23/5/03 Millions of By-the-wind-sailors, Velella velella were off Cadgwith SW722142 and a large Octopus weighing 10 to 12 lbs with 18” tentacles and a bucket sized body was caught in the area.
23/5/03 A pod of at least 5 Bottlenose Dolphins was off the St.Ives Island Lookout SW521411 during the morning
23/5/03 There were About 8 Bottlenose Dolphin immediately off the harbour at Porthleven SW626255 at 0830 hrs and stayed in the area feeding until about 0930 then headed NW toward Rinsey Head.
23/5/03 A large bull Grey Seal came ashore briefly at Porthgwarra Cove SW371216 at 1530hrs but seemed worried about persons at the top of the boat ramp and left within a couple of minutes.
23/5/03 A Whale was seen between Longrock SW498308 and the shore at 1400 hrs It headed NW toward he shore then turned and headed toward the Gear Pole It was seen to blow once and was between 15 and 30 ft long with falcate dorsal well back on body , possibly a Minke or young Fin Whale.  It later was seen stranded on the Longrock by birdwatchers who phoned the police who in turn phoned British Divers Marine Life Rescue Team who quickly turned up. They were still trying to free the whale at 2100 hrs when it was beginning to get dark in a downpour of rain. It was successfully refloated later in evening.
23/5/03 A dead dolphin was found on Constantine Beackh SW8574
23/5/03 4 dolphins spent most of the day around Plymouth Sound SX4750
24/5/03 At least three dolphins were seen in Fowey Harbour SX1252  during the day
24/5/03 Many thousand Velella velella By-the-Wind-Sailors were found stranded on Porthcothan  BeachSW8572 scattered all over the foreshore from the ebb line to the low water mark. Sizes ranged from 1mm to 6.2cm. There were also several Pelagia noctiluca jellyfish up to 4cm diameter. Also seen over the past two weeks have been scores of Cyanea lamarckii  jellyfish stranded on beaches on the north coast from Sennen SW351263 to Porthcothan SW8572
24/5/03 By-the-wind-sailors, Velella velella  were stranded in large numbers on Portreath Beach SW6545. They were mainly the smaller sizes.
24/5/03 A pod of about 6 dolphins was at the entrance of  Fowey Harbour SX120509 at 1400 hrs.
24/5/03 14 Dolphins were off Falmouth SW819327 during the day.
25/5/03 By-the-wind-sailors Velella velella Have been stranded by the millions on all beaches from Watergate SW8464 to Booby’s Bay SW8575 ranging in size from 1mm to 6cm. These were all freshly stranded. It was observed that the Velella on beaches nearest Newquay, where the gulls are well fed on the visitors detritus at this time of year leave the Velella alone, but from Treyarnon SW856740 eastwards (not a chip shop in sight) the gulls eat them and eventuallyclean them out There was also a dead seal on the beach at Constantine SW8574
25/5/03 A pd of about 15 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen on the north west side of St. Michael’s Mount SW515301 at 1300hrs.
25/5/03 A pod of  4 or 5 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen at the mouth of the River Exe South Devon
25/5/03 6 dolphins were in the entrance to Fowey harbour SX120509 at about 1300 hrs.
25/5/03 2 Grey Seals were seen basking off the Lizard Lighthouse SW704114 at 1530 hrs
26/5/03 4 bottlenose Dolphins were about ¼ mile east of The Gear Pole SW479293 from 1130 to 1230 hrs
26/5/03 A pod of about 5 Bottlenose Dolphins was off Chyandour SW479310 from 1000hrs to 1130 hrs. There was a Gannet diving in the area so probably herring in the Bay and the dolphins feeding., but there was some harassment by divers in a small inflatable boat. One of the dolphins had a dorsal fin bent over to the left, so not Benty who’s fin is to the right.
26/5/03 3 Bottlenose Dolphins were just outside Penzance Harbour as the Scillonian left for the Isles at 0945 hrs.
26/5/03 3 Bottlenose Dolphins were playing around local trip boats just off Polperro SX209509 during the day.
26/5/03 A pod of at least 14 dolphins including one or more juveniles were playing around a boat for ½ hour about 1½ mile off St. Anthony Head SW846311. Most were about 10 ft long
26/5/03 A pod of 10 to 12 Bottlenose Dolphins were playing around and following a sailing boat off the Manacles SW8120 and there was a 15ft Basking Shark with a V shaped notch in its tail in the area
26/5/03 A pod of Dolphins was seen off Godrevy SW576435
26/5/03 3 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen from MV Scillonian III when she left Penzance at about 0900 hrs
26/5/03 A Basking Shark was seen off the Manacles SW8120
27/5/03 A boat returning from Brittany passed through mile after mile of large quantities of By-the-wind-sailors, Velella velella varying in size from 1cm to 4cm.
27/5/03 Thousands of By-the-wind-sailors, Velella velella  have been seen in the area of The Manacles SW8120 over the past three days.
27/5/03 Bottlenose Dolphins were sen off Carbis Bay SW626255 during the afternoon
27/5/03 3 Bottlenose Dolphins were in Sennen Bay SW3526 during the morning
27/5/03 4 dolphins spent most of the day around Plymouth Sound SX4750
27/5/03 5 Bottlenose Dolphins were off the Salcombe Estuary SX7338 at 1610 hrs.
28/5/03 A pod of 4 or 5 Bottlenose Dolphins was at the mouth of the Salcombe Estuary SX7337 at 1030 hrs.
28/5/03 An unusual Basking Shark was seen near The Eddystone Lighthouse 50º10N  04º16W at 1000 hrs. The shark was about 18ft long swimming with mouth closed and the outer 6” of the snout, dorsal fin and tail were White. It was seen well for it came within 3ft of a drifting boat.
28/5/03 4 Bottlenose Dolphins were in Sennen Cove SW5326 at 1630The sea was calm at high tide.
28/5/03 A boat sailed through a large fleet of By-the-wind-sailors Velella velella on the eastern side of Fal bay SW8431
28/5/03 A number of By-the-wind-sailors Velella velella were stranded at Nansudwell
29/5/03 8  Basking Sharks were seen by divers returning to Sennen Cove SW5326 from a dive at the Longships Reef SW320253 at 1700 hrs.
29/5/03 A Basking Shark was off Kennack Sands SW739166 at 2000 hrs.
29/5/03 4 dolphins and 2 Harbour Porpoise were seen between Mousehole SW470263 and Penlee Point SW473268 at about 1600 hrs.
29/5/03 3 or 4 dolphins and a Basking Shark was seen off St. Ives SW5241 during the day
29/5/03 A 12ft Basking Shark was seen off Penlle Point, Plymouth SX443487 heading north. Many jellyfish were in the area and there was a large shoal of Mackerel in the river Tamar.
29/5/03 The crew of a helicopter reported seeing a freshly dead Bottlenose Dolphin about 8ft long floating a mile off cadgwith SW722142 with 2 live dolphins close by.
29/5/03 2 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen off Carbis Bay SW529389 swimming around and one jumped over a small boat in the bay.
30/5/03 A 23ft Basking Shark was just south of the Plymouth Breakwater SX464504 at 2000 hrs
30/5/03 A 20ft Basking Shark was in Wembury Bay SX5147 at 1900 hrs It had a dark line on the dorsal fin. (Photos available)
30/5/03 A Basking Shark was feeding up and down 500m off Downderry SX315538. Size about 15 to 20ft.
30/5/03 A Basking Shark was off Kennack Sands SW739166 during the morning.
30/5/03 A large but scattered aggregation of Cyanea lamarckii Jellyfish was seen floating about 1km south of St. Anthony Head SW846311
30/5/03 A very large Shark breached off Cape Cornwall SW352317 at 2015 hrs. It was estimated to be about 20ft longand it had a white belly, possibly a Great White
31/5/03 There were at least 7 Basking Sharks off Lizard Point SW694115 at 1330 hrs. They were scattered over a wide area. The closest to shore was about 800m out and the furthest was at a distance of about 2500m. They were watch for ½ hour and during that time another type of shark breached, it was about 15ft long and had a white belly, possibly a Great White. There were also 5 Grey Seals on the rocks off the point, thought to be 3 females and 2 males.
31/5/03 At least 2 Basking Sharks were in Sennen Bay SW3526 during the afternoon
31/5/03 Dolphins were seen from the Charlestown Coastwatch Lookout SX046516 during the morning and three dolphins were in the bay during the afternoon
31/5/03 2 Basking Sharks were off Penberth SW404226 at about 1600 hrs
31/5/03 A pod of 20 to 30 Common Dolphin was seen playing around MV Scillonian III at 0820 as she left St. Marys, Isles of Scilly for Penzance
31/5/03 4 Basking Sharks were feeding in the bay off Kennack Sands SW739166 from 1930 to 2130 hrs. They were feeding at the edge of a different colour water stream  with a flock of birds present.
31/5/03 There were 5 Basking Sharks off Logan Rock SW396219 at 1140 hrs It was overcast and calm and there appeared to be a shoal of Mackerel around the sharks. There were also two inflatable boats following the sharks much too close.
31/5/03 Several Hundred By-the-wind-sailors Velella velella  were seen on a glassy calm sea about 2 mils off Lizard Point SW694115 at 1800 hrs. They were mainly in one concentration around a large clump of seaweed drifting eastward on the tide but with many more scattered about. There were various sizes large and small.
31/5/03 3 Basking Sharks were seen about 2 miles off St Agnes SW697515 following each other nose to tail. They were 16 to 20ft long and one had a big patch of white along the back between the dorsal and tail fins.  There were also 4 dolphins about 1 mile offshore
31/5/03 7 dolphins were in the bay off Par SX0752 jumping and playing for most of the afternoon
31/5/03 A Basking Shark was seen about 2 miles off Porthallow SW797232 circling and feeding at 1400 hrs.
31/5/03 8 Bottlenose Dolphin were off carlyon Bay SX057522 during the afternoon
31/5/03 11 Basking Sharks were off Porthleven and 2 whales, possible Minke were also seen.
31/5/03 24 Basking Sharks were between The Manacles SW8120 and Black Head SW779162 at 1800 hrs watched for a period of 3 hours.
31/5/03 Basking Sharks were seen about 10 miles off Plymouth at 1000hrs. There were at least 2 and possibly 4 in the area.
1/6/03 Three Basking Sharks were off Logan Rock SW396219 and about a dozen were off Black Rock, Kennack Sands SW728154 and three more off Church Cove Gunwalloe SW661204 during the day anmd 5 or 6 dolphins were reported to be in the Helford River. SW7726
1/6/03 Thousands of By-the-wind-sailors  Velella velella were found on Vault or Bow Beach SX005400.  There were between 100 and 200 per linear metre of various sizes. On the following day numbers were much reduced due to scavengers. It was observed that Sandhoppers were in feeding frenzies.
1/6/03 3 dolphins were following the St Mawes Ferry Between St. Mawes SW8432 and Castle Buoy
1/6/03 About 10 Cyanea lamarckii Jellyfish were in the surf off Summer Beach St.Mawes SW8432and others washed up on the beach.
1/6/03 4 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen west of Black Rock SW833317 in the mouth of the Fal estuary
1/6/03 16 Basking Sharks were seen between The Lizard SW694115 and The Manacles SW8120
1/6/03 A Basking Shark was seen from MV. Scillonian when off Kemyel Crease SW457248  at about 1010 hrs. I was about half way between boat and shore.
2/6/03 2 Basking Sharks were off Carrack Luz SW756164 between 1400 and 1630 hrs They were between 7 and 10 metres long
2/6/03 A Basking Shark 18 to 20ft long was off Black Head SW778160 at 1700 hrs. A launch and snorkelers were in attendance and probably much too close because the shark dived for a while.
2/6/03 A 6ft Basking Shark was seen off Porthcurno SW387222
2/6/03 A Basking Shark was seen ¼ mile off Gwennap Head SW365217 at 1220 hrs and 2 more were seen ¼ mile offshore at 1731 hrs.
3/6/03 2 Basking Sharks were 100 metres off Gwennap head SW365217 at 1318 hrs and 1 was very close in at 1649 hrs
3/6/03 2 large Basking Sharks were off Cadgwith SW722142 and hundreds of By-the-wind-sailors, Velella velella were in the area.
3/6/03 7 Bottlenose Dolphins were off St Ives Harbour at 2100 hrs in a group of 5 and another pair.
3/6/03 A large number of By-the-wind-sailors Velella velella were found washed up on Readymoney Cove SX118510 early in the morning. They were fresh so probably washed up overnight.
03/6/03 5 Bottlenose Dolphins came close inshore at Carbis Bay SW528389 at 2000 hrs, moved across the bay to Gwithian SW580416 and after staying a while there returned across the bay to Carbis Bay at 2200 breaching and playing as they went
3/6/03 A grey Seal was seen off the Holiday Park at Gwithian SW579411
3/6/03 8 to 10 Basking Sharks were off Porthleven pier SW626255 from 0430 to 0645 when they moved away from the little reef toward Loe Bar SW6424
3/6/03 2 Grey Seals were seen in Sevensouls Cove SW934814 at 1230 hrs bottling and diving.
3/6/03 3 basking Sharks were off Logan Rock SW395220 at 1800 hrs They were about 12 to 15ft long and feeding and following each other nose to tail.
3/6/03 4 Grey Seals were off Guglane, Rumps Point SW932811 at 1200 hrs.
3/6/03  8 Basking Shark were in the Gunwalloe area SW661204 between 0600 and 0700 hrs
3//6/03 3 Basking Sharks were off The Great Mewstone SX910493 between 1040 hrs and 1050 hrs.
3/6/03 2 Basking Sharks were in Looe Bay SX2652 at 1240 hrs.
3/6/03 3 dolphins were swimming with a catamaran off Stepper Point SW916788
4/6/03 5 Bottlenose Dolphins were in Sennen Bay during the morning and they were seen again leaping clear of the water in calm seas at 1800hrs.
4/6/03 A boat sailing from France to Falmouth encountered huge numbers of By-the-wind-sailors, Velella velella about 30 miles off Falmouth.
5/6/03 A Basking Shark was seen about 4 miles off Murraytown SX284545
5/6/03 A mass stranding of By-the-wind-sailors, Velella velella has arrived at Polperro SX209509. There are millions on the beach , it is estimated that there are between 5000 and 8000 per square Metre, all of which are very small at about 1.5cm whereas the adult size would be about 7cm to 10cm.
5/6/03 A Basking Shark was off Porthleven Harbour SW626255 at 1730 hrs. It came within 150M of the beach.
5/6/03 There was a pod of about 9 Bottlenose Dolphins exhibiting very playful behaviour , leaping out of the water, back flips, and surfing on the waves toward the beach at Porthcurno SW387222. they were in the bay for about 6 hours and an adult seal watching with a youngster from the surf on the beach seemed cautious about the dolphins and swam away toward Logan Rock  SW396219
6/6/03 Helicopter crews from RNAS Culdrose reported seeing a very large school of Basking Sharks between St. Michael’s Mount SW504289 and Cudden Point SW548275 during the morning
6/6/03 By-the-wind-sailors, Velella velella have stranded in mass numbers at Talland Bay SX2251, Hannafore Point cSX258523 and East Looe SX256530
6/6/03 There were about a dozen Basking Sharks off Porthleven Harbour SW626255 for most of the afternoon
6/6/03 A whale was reported to be breaching off Praa Sands SW5728 during the afternoon. Described as Black and White so probably an Orca or Killer Whale.
6/6/03 The carcass of a female Bottlenose Dolphin was found at Prisk Cove SW795278 the first Bottlenose carcass to be found for a number of years. There were also many Velella velella on the beach
7/6/03 20 Basking Sharks were seen from a helicopter a few hundred metres off Loe Bar SW6424 at 1000 hrs
7/6/03 A whale was seen to breach off Porthleven SW626255 at 1500 hrs
7/6/03 Up to 20 Basking Sharks were off Porthleven SW626255 for at least 4 hours
7/6/03 Specimens of the blue jellyfish Cyanea lamarckii were found and photographed at Godrevy.SW581426
7/6/03 A large Basking Shark was seen off Halzephron Cliff SW6521 and 24 more were seen close inshore during a walk along the coast from Poldhu SW664199 and Porthleven SW626255. 6 of the sharks were just off Porthleven Harbour. Also seen during the walk were several whales, possibly Minke, that were breaching well offshore. 41 ramblers enjoyed these wonderful sights.
7/6/03 A badly decomposed dead Grey Seal was found on the beach near Marazion Station SW5031
7/6/03 2 Grey Seals were seen 20metres from the shore at Porth Ledden SW352320 upright in the water with only head and neck showing both facing the sun as if sunbathing
7/6/03 11 Basking Sharks and 2 whales, possibly Minke, were seen off Porthleven SW626255. It was also reported that 4 Basking Sharks had been seen off Porthleven most days during the past week.
7/6/03 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphins arrived with MV Scillonian III at Penzance Harbour SW476303 during the evening
8/6/03 2 Basking Sharks were off Carn Gloose SW353313 during the day.
8/6/03 A pod of at least 5 Bottlenose Dolphins were off Penzance Harbour about midday. A small boat was present, still in the water but a Jet Skier was moving much too fast and too close to the dolphins.
8/6/03 20 to 30 Aurelia aurita jellyfish were found scattered from low tide line to high water mark at Godrevy beach SW587424 at 1800 hrs. There were also a wide scattering of smashed bits of others over the beach. . Only one was found alive in a little pool between some rocks.
8/6/03 2 Bottlenose Dolphins were circling a boat 2 miles off Kennack Bay SW739166
8/6/03 A Basking Shark was off Cadgwith SW722142 from 1600 to 1900 hrs.
8/6/03 2 Baskind Sharks were circling and feeding off The Brisons Rocks SW340301
8/6/03 4 Grey Seals were resting at Black Rock Falmouth SW833317 at 1140 hrs
9/6/03 A Grey Seal was among the moorings atMylor Yacht Club SW823352 at 1520 hrs
9/6/03 5 Dolphins were seen near MV Scillonian III at Penzance Harbour SW476303 at 0900 hrs.
9/6/03 One of the theatre staff rang to say that there were 9 Basking Sharks off the Minack Theatre SW387220 at 1245 hrs.
9/6/03 4 Bottlenose Dolphins were just east of Penzance Harbour SW476303 today and they were also reported to have been in the area yesterday
10/6/03 2 Basking Sharks were off Gwennap Head SW367215, also seen were 2 Great Skuas and 330 Manx Shearwaters.
10/6/03 4 Basking Sharks were seen about 300m off kemyel Crease SW458239 at 1400 hrs
10/6/03 A solitary dolphin was reported to be in the Helford River between Helford Passage and the Shipwright Inn SW7626
10/6/03 A Basking Shark caught in a net was brought into Falmouth and released. It beached itself, and lying upside down, was declared dead – but recovered and went back to sea..
10/6/03 A Grey seal was seen bottling off Porthmeor Beach SW518408 from the Tate Gallery St. Ives
10/6/03 Three Basking Shark were just outside Plymouth Sound near Shag Rock SX487487
10/6/03 3 Basking Sharks were off Porthcurno Beach SW387222 at 1100 hrs.
11/6/03 4 or 5 Basking Sharks were seen off Bolt Tail SX667397
11/6/03 Pelagia noctiluca jellyfish were seen in large numbers off Lundy Island SS1345
11/6/03 A Basking Shark was seen at the entrance to Plymouth Sound
11/6/03 A halibut, commoner in northern waters, was caught 6 miles off Cadgwith
12/6/03 3 Cyanea lamarckii jellyfish were seen in good condition off Rame Head SX415480. SW722142. They were from 10 to 15cm diameter.
13/6/03 MV Scillonian III passed through a group of 5 Basking Shark at about 1900 when off Mousehole SW470263
13/6/03 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphin were off Penzance Harbour SW476303 at 0900 hrs.
13/6/03 2 Grey Seals were seen resting at Black Rock Falmouth SW833317 from 1100 to 1200 hrs
13/6/03 2 Harbour Porpoises and a Basking Shark were seen off The Manacles SW8120 at 1100 hrs
13/6/03 15 Basking Sharks and 2 Harbour Porpoises were seen off Pendeen Watch SW377358 during the afternoon
14/6/03 A Basking Shark was off Pendeen Watch SW377358 at 1600 hrs
14/6/03 A basking Shark was 100 metres offshore at Gwennap Head SW365217 at 1400 hrs.
14/6/03 A Basking Shark was 100 metres off Dodman Point SX000392 at 1200 hrs
14/6/03 A Minke Whale had died after its tail had become twisted in a pot rope 2 miles off Cadgwith SW722142. It sank when the rope was removed but it may become beached later .
14/6/03 An exceptionally large Basking Shark has been in Cadgwith Bay SW7214 for several days. It is estimated to be 15ft from the dorsal fin to the tail so probably over 25ft long.
14/6/03 A shoal of Ocean Sunfish was seen from a helicopter between The Isles of Scilly and Lands End. No count was made there were constant sightings of groups of up to 6 at a time. Sizes appeared to be from 1 to 2 metres across, diamond shaped , dark with irregular light patches and undulating movements near the surface. A Basking Shark was also seen.
14/6/03 14 Basking sharks were seen on a plankton front 2 miles off Porthcurno SW387222
14/6/03 2 Basking Sharks were in the east side of Kennack Bay SW739166 with a third smaller one (9ft)  closer inshore
14/6/03 A whale jumped clear of the water just 50metres from a small boat in Falmouth Bay SW8028. It was about 8M long with a tail 3M across, Black in bright sunlight , heading south
14/6/03 A Basking Shark was seen off Cadgwith  SW722142 from a Gig
14/6/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen about a mile south west of Renney Rocks SX490487  It was about 2ft across.
15/6/03 A large Baskin Shark was in its favourite spot between the rocks in kennack Bay SW739166
15/6/03 There were 2 Basking Sharks off Lizard Point SW694115 at 1430 hrs. 6 Grey Seals were also off the point and Choughs were putting on a nice display overhead.
15/6/03 A large Basking Shark was sighted from the St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411 during the afternoon. It headed north east toward Godrevy
15/6/03 A large Basking Shark was in Cadgwith Cove SW722142 at 1300 hrs. It moved away around the headland when a snorkeller approached  but returned later and was unperturbed when a small boat came by but kept a reasonable distance.
15/6/03 A Basking Shark was off Kennack Sands SW739166 during the day.
15/6/03 A pod of 6 to 8 Bottlenose Dolphins was off Penzance Harbour mouts SW476303 from 1830 to 1900. There was a lot of aerial antics and close association, and fin rubbing. Several were seen swimming belly up on the surface whilst in fin contact with others underwater. They were also seen off Battery Rocks SW477297 during the day.
15/6/03 6 Basking Sharks were seen between Gwennap Head SW367215 and Penberth Cove SW404226
15/6/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen SSE of the Manacles Buoy SW8120 in calm seas. There were also lots of small fish and planktonic larvae in the area.
15/6/03 2 Basking sharks were off Black Head SW779162 during the day.
15/6/03 There were 2 Basking Sharks off Lizard Point SW694115 at 1430 hrs. 6 Grey Seals were also off the Point and Choughs were overhead.
15/6/03 A large Basking Shark was sighted off the St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411 during the afternoon. It moved off northeast toward Godrevy
15/6/03 A large Basking Shark was in Cadgwith Cove SW722142 at 1300 hrs. I moved around the headland when a snorkeller approached but returned later and was unperturbed by a small boat which came but kept its distance.
15/6/03 7 Bottlenose Dolphins were off the pier at Porthleven SW626255
15/6/03 A Basking Shark, 18ft or more long was seen heading east off Dodman Poi nt SX000392
15/6/03 8 or 9 dolphins, probably Bottlenose, were in the Camel Estuary seen from daymer Bay SW9277 from 1900 to 2000 then moved off toward Trevose head
16/6/03 6 dolphins, probably Bottlenose were seen in the Camel Estuary from Daymer Bay SW9277 at 1100 hrs.
16/6/03 2 Basking Sharks were in Kennack Bay SW739166 during the morning.
16/6/03 15 Basking Sharks were seen from the Scillonian III when off porthcurno SW387222. 2 were seen first then a group of 13.
16/6/03 As about this date last year there has been a large shark jumping clear of the water in Sennen Bay SW3526. Definitely not a Basking Shark, probably a Porbeagle.
16/6/03 There were many Compass Jellyfish in Ladram Bay
16/6/03 2 Bottlenose Dolphin were were seen in Plymouth Sound heading toward the shipping channel from Jennycliff SX490520
16/6/03 2 Basking Sharks were about 3 miles off at Gwennap Head SW365217 at 1225 hrs
17/6/03 There were at least 2 Basking Sharks off The Rumps SW933811 in the morning.
17/6/03 2 Basking Sharks were seen heading west between Newland and Pentire Head SW918805
18/6/02 A large Basking Shark was in St. Ives Bay SW5241. Measured against nearby boats it was about 25ft long
19/6/03 A report came in today that a Porbeagle Shark was seen to breach in Plymouth Sound SX4651 at the past weekend June 14th/15th
20/6/03 An Ocean Sunfish 3ft long was in St Ives Bay SW5241, the first seen from the lookout this year.
20/6/03 Cyanea lamarckii, Compass, Moon and one other unidentified jellyfish were found stranded at Woolacombe Sands SS450420
20/6/03 2 Ocean Sunfish, Mola mola, were seen about 2 miles off Cadgwith SW722142
20/6/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen about¼ mile south east of Udder Rock SX177496
20/6/03 8 or 9 Basking Sharks were seen 1 mile west south west of the Brisons SW340301
20/6/03 2 Ocean Sunfish were seen 2 miles off Cadgwith SW722142 at 0930 hrs.
20/6/03 8 or 9 dolphins, probably Bottlenose, came into the Camel Estuary with the incoming tide at 2000 hrs then moved off in the diraction of Trevose Head.
21/6/03 2 Basking Sharks were about 3 miles off at Gwennap Head SW365217 at 1415 hrs.
21/6/03 12 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen off Port Gaverne SX0080 during the afternoon. Several were leaping out of the water.
21/6/03 4 dolphins were seen heading up river between Pentire Point SW923805 and Brea  Hill
22/6/03 3 Dolphins were seen off Devil’s Pit Plymouth Sound SX4651 at noon
22/6/03 11 basking Sharks were seen off Cape Cornwall SW352317 during the morning
22/6/03 A Basking Shark was seen off Gwennap Head SW367215 during the morning
22/6/03 There were two pairs of dolphins, probably Commons, 1 Km east of Lowland Point SW802195 at 1820 hrs. An Ocean Sunfish was also seen in the area earlier at 1300 hrs.
23/6/03 There was a mass stranding of at least 500 Pelagia noctiluca Jellyfish at Porthcothan SW8527  and on the strandline a peanut plant had taken root.
23/6/03 3 Baskin Sharks were feeding off Sennen SW3526. Two wre close to each other at 800yds offshore the other was about 1500 yds out watched from 1830 to 190 hrs.
23/6/03 Cyanea lamarckii jellyfish were found in some numbers on the strandline at Bantham SX668437
23/6/03 Lifeguards at Praa Sands SW5728 reported seeing 20 to 30 Bottlenose Dolphins at 1720 hrs
23/6/03 There was a pod of at least 4 dolphins in St. Mary’s Bay  SX9355 at noon
23/6/03 A pod of 9 Bottlenose Dolphins seemed to be playing between Battery Rocks Penzance SW480295 and The Gear Pole and there was no evidence of fish shoals
24/6/03 Bottlenose Dolphins were reported off St. Michaels Mount SW515301 Mounts Bay at 0940 hrs.
24/6/03 A pod of about a dozen Bottlenose Dolphins was off Longrock SW498308 at 1945 moving toward Penzance and were seen off Battery Rocks SW477297 at 2030 hrs  At 2100 hrs they were off Newlyn Harbour SW4628 and at 2130 hrs they were near The Gear Pole SW479293. While being watched through binoculars from Newlyn when they were near The Gear Pole a whale spout was seen further across the bay toward Eastern Green SW480311.
24/6/03 A single dolphins was off Polruan SX1251 at 1030 hrs
24/6/03 There was a pod of at least 10 dolphins or porpoises seen swimming and jumping in a very purposeful way about a mile off Rosemullion Head SW797209 at 2030 hrs. As there were reported to be jumping the were more likely to be Bottlenose Dolphins.
24/6/03 A pod of 10 to 12 dolphins was seen near August Rock SW795270 at 2000hrs
25/6/03 7 or 8 Bottlenose Dolphins, Benty ’s pod, were watched crossing St. Ives Bay from St. Ives toward Godrevy at 1630 hrs. They were followed by 2 boats out of St. Ives, one stayed a small distance away from the edge of the pod but the other encircled them at close range and was observed going directly through the middle of the pod while taking photographs, the flash from the camera could be seen from shore. Drivers of both boats were identified and advised not to become involved in such activities again
25/6/03 2 Basking Sharks were about 100yds off the rocks at Bossiny Haven SX066894 during the afternoon
25/6/03 At least 7 Bottlenose Dolphins, probably more, were in Whitesand Bay Sennen SW3526 from 1045 to 1130 hrs.
25/6/03 A Thresher Shark was trawled up near The Wolf Rock SW270120 and landed at market. It weighed 224 kilos and was 14’6” long
25/6/03 There was a pod of at least 4 dolphins in the middle of Torbay SX9058 today
25/6/03 Two Basking Sharks were seen off Rocky Valley SX072898 at 1830 hrs
25/6/03 A whale was watched for about ½ hour from 2030 to 2100 hrs from Praa Sands SW5728. The large horizontal tail was seen repeatedly as it made its way south eastward about ½ mile offshore
26/6/03 8 or more Bottlenose Dolphin including one juvenile were off Towan Beach Newquay SW810621 feeding and breaching, swimming in pairs and threes gently around the bay staying in a close group, tail flicking out of the water with the occasional jump. However a boat sped quickly around them causing the pod to break up and swim off toward Watergate Bay, the boat following them.
26/6/03 Abut 10 Basking Sharks were off Ladies Window Cliff SX078906 singly or in pairs. The closest individual was about 15ft long circling within 50ft of the cliff for at least an hour.
27703 A Basking Shark was seen feeding back and forth over about a 200 metre stretch off Com Head SW941805 near some fishing floats.
27/6/03 8 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen in the surf with surfers at Porthtowan SW690482 at 1900 hrs.
28/6/03 A large pod of Bottlenose Dolphins, estimated at between 20 and 30, was seen off the Rumps SW933811 at 1930 hrs. Probably the pod which has moved around Land’s End from Praa Sands on the 23rd , Mounts Bay on the 24th, St. Ives on the 25th  and Newquay on the 26th.
28/6/03 A pod of 15 or more Bottlenose Dolphins moved rapidly south past Goodrington Sands SX8959 toward Broad Sands SX896585 where they stopped to feed
29/6/03 A pod of at least 8 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen off The Carracks Rocks SW467409 during the day
29/6/03 There were 6 dolphins between Gurnards Head SW432387 and Pendeen Light SW377358 at 1650 hrs and 10 minutes later there were 12 in the area
29/6/03 A whale, possibly a Pilot Whale was seen 1 km off Crackington Haven SX142968 at 1630 hrs
29/6/03 A very large splash, thought to be made by a Humpbach whale was seen about 3 miles off Botallack SW361338
29/6/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Black Head , Mevagissey SX040479
30/6/03 A Grey Seal was seen travelling north off Loggans Beach Gwithian Towans SW579411 in clear water and a little surf.
30/6/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen moving west in St. Ives Bay SW5241
2/7/03 A pod of 10 to 15 Bottlenose Dolphins including a juvenile was spotted by lifeguards at Towans Beach Hayle SW5349 between 0930 and 1000 hrs.
2/7/03 A Grey Seal , possibly one known as Alfie was seen close inshore at Porthgwidden Beach St. Ives SW521410 for an hour during the afternoon.
2/7/03 A lively young Grey Seal was watched at Stackhouse Cove SW548283
2/7/03 8 Harbour porpoises including one juvenile were seen off Botallack SW361338
2/7/03 6 Basking Sharks were saeen of St. Ives Head SW5241
2/7/03 A pod of 10 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen off Botallack Head SW361338
3/7/03 2 Basking Sharks were seen off Gower Rock SX085909 at 1700 hrs and 5 more were seen of the mouth of Boscastle Harbour SX092915 a little later
4/7/03 2 Ocean Sunfish  were seen off St. Ives Coastwatch hut SW521411
4/7/03 60 or more unidentified dolphins were seen a mile off Berry Head SX948567 and 2 Ocean Sunfish were seen off the head
4/7/03 A pod of dolphins was being harassed off Porth Kidney sands SW5438 but before the observer could phone the police wildlife officer the dolphins moved offshore.
4/7/03 A Harbour Porpoise and 2 Ocean Sunfish were seen near The Runnelstone SW369200 at 1115 hrs
4/7/03 A pod of about 10 Common Dolphins including 2 juveniles appeared to be feeding in position 50º13.6N  04º31.09W at 0815 hrs
4/7/03 A pod of at least 20 Common Dolphins including some juveniles appeared to be having fun in line 200 yards ahead of a boat in position 50º15.24N  04º32.34W at 0945 hrs.
4/7/03 A very large Grey Seal with black blotches was 300 metres north of the Messacks Buoy in the Carrick Roads Falmouth SW8435 at 1905 hrs
5/7/03 2 Basking Sharks were seen off Fishcombe Cove SX917572
5/7/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen about ½ mile off Porthcothan SW8572 at 1400hrs
5/7/03 A 12 to 15ft Basking Shark was seen well out in Mount’s Bay during the afternoon
5/7/03 A pod of 30 to 40 Common Dolphins were in a feeding frenzy heading south off Black Head Coverack SW779162 at 1700 hrs
5/7/03 A Basking Shark was seen about 1 mile off Brixham swimming pool SX9256
5/7/03 4 Harbour Porpoises including one very small juvenile were seen off Botallack Head SW361338
5/7/03 There were 4 Basking Sharks off Stepper Point SW913783 the NCI lookout, they were 2 miles off at 355º at 1434 hrs. Later at 1608 hrs there were 2 in the area at 002º
6/7/03 A Minke Whale was seen off Carn Gloose SW353313 at 1115 hrs
6/7/03 8 Harbour Porpoises and 3 Ocean Sunfish were seen off Botallack Head SW361338
6/7/03 Members of the staff of the Minack Cliff Theatre SW387220 saw a very big splash off the theatre. It was thought to be made by a Humpback Whale breaching
6/7/03 3 Grey Seals were at Black Rock Falmouth SW833317, 2 hauled out and the third in the water at 1530 hrs. Later a large Grey Seal was seen swimming out of the Carrack Roads SW8334
6/7/03 10 dolphins were in Porthcothan Bay  SW8572 at 1700 hrs then left heading north toward Trevose Head SW850766 and at 1900 two Basking Sharks were in the bay , one left early but the other was still there at 2030 hrs.
6/7/03 A Basking Shark was seen feeding off Fishcombe Cove SX917572 and then it left in the direction of Elberry Cove SX904570. There were lots of boats in the area at the time.
6/7/03 A Minke Whale went past Cape Cornwall at 1115 hrs.
6/7/03 A pod of 6 or 7 dolphins were playing around the rocks at the east end of the beach at Polzeath SW9378 at 1800 hrs . After ½ hour they moved off toward the west
6/7/03 Three Ocean Sunfish were seen off Botallack SW361338 during the afternoon
6/7/03 3 Basking Sharks, 2 adults and one juvenile were seen travelling west off Rumps Point SW936814
6/7/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Black Head near Mevagissey SX040479
6/7/03 2 Grey Seal were seen near Lizard Point SW694115
6/7/03 A pod of 15 or more Common Dolphins was 1 to 2 miles offshore from Baggy Point SS419406 they first swam south to Bideford Bay SS4333 then north to Croyde Bay SS4339
6/7/03 2 or 3 Basking Sharks were north of Rumps Point SW930825 between 1200 and 1400 hrs. They were working an area ¾ to 1 mile off the head.
7/7/03 2 pods of dolphins, one of 2 the other of 6, all adults, both pods travelling west within a mile of each other were seen off Black Head SW779162
7/7/03 At least 17 Grey Seals resting on the rocks or playing in the water off Godrevy Lighthouse SW576435 between 1500 and 1600 hrs.
7/7/03 Four Grey Seals were seen off Pendeen Lighthouse SW377358 during the afternoon
7/7/03 A dead shark, about 6 ft long, was found on the shore of a small cove between Gower Rock and Short Island SX083907
7/7/03 A Basking Shark 6 to 10ft long was spotted about a mile off Berry Head SX948567 at 1630 hrs. Watched feeding for several minutes before it moved out of view. There have been sightings of Basking Sharks in the area over the past 4 days.
7/7/03 On a pelagic trip from the Isles of Scilly A Fin Whale was seen, also a Blue Shark and 2 Harbour Porpoises as well as 15 Storm Petrels and a Great Skua.
8/7/03 2 Ocean Sunfish were seen off the St. Ives Coastwatch Hut SW521411
8/7/03 A pod of about 8 Bottlenose Dolphins was a few hundred metres outside Penzance Harbour SW476303 at 1214 hrs.
8/7/03 8 Harbour Porpoises and 3 Ocean Sunfish were seen off Botallack Head SW361338
9/7/03 The carcass of a headless Grey Seal was seen floating about 100metres  off the north side of the Coastwatch hut at Cape Cornwall SW349318
9/7/03 A Basking Shark, 9 to 12ft long, was seen travelling east 2 miles due east of Start Point SX830370
9/7/03 A Grey Seal was seen off Lushington, Porthleven SW6225 at 1845 hrs.
9/7/03 A Coaster reported seeing about 40 Basking Sharks between St. Ives SW520407 and Pendeen SW377358 about 6 mile off the coast.
9/7/03 At least 2 Harbour Porpoises were about a mile off Pendeen Watch SW377358 between 0930 and 1200 hrs.
9/7/03 A large Grey Seal was watched for 2 minutes off Loe Beach Falmouth SW826381 at 1400 hrs
10/7/03 A Basking shark was seen heading slowly west in Penlee Cove SX442488. The large shark was only seen for about a minute before it dived, probably due to a small amount of boat activity.
10/7/03 A pod of about 60 Bottlenose dolphins was seen on a pelagic trip from the Isles of Scilly . Also seen was an Arctic Skua, 4 Manx Shearwaters and 15 Storm Petrels.
11/7/03 3 Ocean Sunfish were seen off The St. Ives Coastwatch Hut SW521411, 2 moved westward at 1210 hrs and the third followed at 1214 hrs. 5 more were seen later
11/7/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen just east of Hells Mouth SW603429 accompanied by an adult gull.
11/7/03 A Grey Seal was seen in 8 metres of water off the visitors pontoon at Salcombe Harbour SX7338 at 1320 hrs
11/7/03 2 Dolphins were seen heading east off Fowey SX120509
13/7/03 2 Common Dolphin were seen off maenporth Beach SW790296 at 1300 hrs. Some social behaviour was watched for 45 minutes.
13/7/03 A large Grey Seal was at rest at the entrance of Mylor Harbour SW8235 at 1200 hrs. It had beige markings around the neck
13/7/03 There were at least 30 Basking Sharks about 6 to 8 miles off St. Ives SW521411 and an Ocean Sunfish was also in the area
14/7/03 2 carcasses were found in a cave at Watergate Bay SW8464 one was a Grey Seal the other a dolphin, probably a Common Dolphin.
14/7/03 An Ocean Sunfish 3ft across was seen off Hartland Point SS230279
15/7/03 3 Ocean Sunfish were seen from the St. Ives Coastwatch Lookout SW521411
15/7/03 A 5ft carcass of a Harbour Porpoise was found at roskilly SW472272. Its tail had been cut off
15/7/03 2 Grey seals were seen in the water off Godrevy Island  SW576435
15/7/03 A pod of 20 to 30 Common Dolphin were playing around a boat sailing at 6 knots for 20 minutes in position 49º59N 05º46W. Probably feeding also for gannets were diving in their wake.
16/7/03 2 Bottlenose Dolphins moved across Torbay SX9058 at 0830 hrs
17/7/03 An account in the Western Morning News today said that a Bottlenose Dolphin carcass was found on Blackpool Sands SX856479 which had a rope around its tail.
17/7/03 A pod of at least 30 Bottlenose Dolphins were in St. Ives bay during the day and it is reported that they have been in the area for the past week but leave the bay when the pleasure boats come out
17/7/03 A pod of about 8 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen in St. Ives Bay SW5241 at 1500 hrs
17/7/03 3 Grey seals were seen bottling and swimming in Barley bay SS233277 near Hartland Point. The sea was calm and the seals appeared to be in good condition. On left in the direction of Hartland Point at 1340 hrs
18/7/03 6 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen following a vessel in St. Ives Bay SW5241 and it was reported that the dolphins have been present at some time of the day in the bay for the past 2 or 3 weeks.  19 Ocean Sunfish were seen heading westward on the ebb tide during the morning
18/7/03 6 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen heading westward off Godrevy Island  SW576435 at 1630 hrs
18/7/03 A pod of 3 or 4 dolphins was seen 100yards offshore at Pentire Point SW923804. They were feeding and following a fishing trawler at 1130 hrs
20/7/03 5 Grey Seals were seen static in the bay at Porth Ledden SW353321 They appeared to be one large male an adult female and 3 juveniles. One of which was smaller than the other 2 and paler in colour, beige/light grey. The sea was calm and all seals were bottling and looked in good condition.
21/7/03 A large Ocean Sunfish was seen off Stepper Point Coastwatch SW915784 this morning. It was estimated to be about 6ft across.
21/7/03 A pod of over 50 Common Dolphins was seen  feeding southwest of Lizard Point and later seen south of the point heading  south east
21/7/03 A pod of dolphins followed a sailing boat at 3 to 5 knots in St Austell Bay off Par SX0853, they were bow riding and playing around the boat for some time until a motor boat disturbed the peace and the dolphins left.
21/7/03 A Risso’s Dolphin was seen off Porthgwarra SW371216 at 1045 hrs and an Ocean Sunfish was seen during the morning
22/7/03 3 Harbour Porpoises were off Pendeen Watch SW377358 from 2000 to 2100 hrs.
22/7/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen about 40 to 50 yards off Carnweather Point SW950803 The 2ft to 2ft6” fish was lying on the surface most of the time but dived for about a minute travelling westward.
22/7/03 A pod of about 8 Bottlenose Dolphins was off Longrock SW498308 at 1100, last seen heading toward Penzance
22/7/03 At least 4 dolphins passed west close in off The Minack Cliff Theatre SW387220. Probably Bottlenose.
23/7/03 A pod of 6 to 8 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen travelling east in St. Ives Bay SW5241
23/7/03 3 or more Ocean Sunfish were off Pendeen Watch SW377358 from 1445 to 1645 hrs
24/7/03 a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were off St. Ives SW5241at about 1600hrs but were harassed by boats and left the bay heading westward.
24/7/03 9 Ocean Sunfish were seen to pass close to the rocks westward between The Mouls SW935812 and The Rumps
25/7/02 10 basking Sharks were circling to the west of the Mouls SW935812 gradually moving westward and in the space of one hour 29 Ocean Sunfish were counted as they moved westward close to the rocks between The Mouls and The Rumps.
25/7/03 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphin was seen in St. Ives Bay SW5241 at 0700 hrs and were last seen heading toward Hayle.
25/7/03 5 Ocean Sunfish and 12 Common Dolphins were seen in St.Ives Bay from the Coastwatch Station on the Island at St. Ives SW521411
25/7/03 6 Bottlenose Dolphins were off Porthleven SW654455 at 1430 heading west.
25/7/03 4 Basking Shark were 1 mile north east of Pendeen watch SW377358 at 1030 hrs
26/7/03 An Ocean Sunfish was off Porthgwarra SW371216 from 1500 to 1730 hrs
26/7/03 A pod of 6 to 8 dolphins appeared to e playing, and circling in position 50º08.18N  05º02.18W at 1340 hrs
27/7/03 A white coated 1.2metre long seal pup carcass was found on the beach near the Beachside Holiday Park Hayle SW563395. The front of its jaw was broken and exposed.
27/7/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen from a dive boat off the Roseland Peninsula in position 50º10.39N  04º54.51W at about 1315hrs.
27/7/03 The carcass of a young grey seal 1.5M long was found at Porth Joke SW7760. It had a Seal Sanctuary tag on it and the sanctuary were informed. Another dead seal was found at Polurrian Cove SW6618.
28/7/03 The decomposing mass of a dead whale was found stranded at Polzeath SW9278. Photographs were taken and two ribs were extracted in the hope of identifying the species.
28/7/03 A 90cm diameter Rootmouth Jellyfish was found washed up at Polperro SX209509 and on the same beach a dead mature Gannet. The jellyfish was removed by the next tide.
28/7/03 A Grey Triggerfish, Balistes capriscus  was hauled up in a pot by a fisherman  off Boscastle in position 50º43N  04º39W
28/7/03 A pod of about 20 Common Dolphins was seen about 1½ miles south west of Kynance Cove SW685132 from 1300 to 1330 hrs.
30/7/03 An Ocean Sunfish was about 50 metres offshore at Pendeen Watch SW377358 at 0900 hrs.
31/7/03 2 juvenile Common Dolphins were in the inner Harbour at Brixham SX9256 at 0815 hrs. They seemed to be disorientated so an eye is being kept on them.
31/7/03 3 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen in the Camel Estuary off Rock SW9375 during the morning
31/7/03 3 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen moving south off Booby’s Bay SW8575 between 1645 and 1700 hrs.
1/8/03 The 2 juvenile Common Dolphins in Brixham Inner Harbour seemed to be distressed after 36 hours of being in the shallow water of the harbour so they were gradually shepherded toward the ramp and captured. They were examined by a vet and given the all clear and later released in deep water in Torbay.
1/8/03 A shark fitting the description of a Thresher was seen off St. Ives Island SW521411
1/8/03 4 Harbour porpoises were seen off Pendeen Watch SW377358between 1630 and 1800 hrs
2/8/03 A pod of at least 20 Common Dolphins was off Carn Gloose SW353313 at 0945 hrs
2/8/03 There was a report in today’s Western Morning News, with good photographs, of another Slipper Lobster being caught by a Looe fisherman just off the Eddystone Lighthouse 50º10N  04º16W. There have been a scattering of records over the last century with an increase of reports in the past few years
2/8/03 A yachtsman in Falmouth Bay reported to Falmouth Coastguard that he had about 50 dolphins in the vicinity of his yacht which was about 6 to 8 miles offshore. The dolphins were heading westward toward the Manacles.
2/8/03 A Basking Shark was seen off St. Loy Cove SW424230
2/8/03 A Basking Shark was seen off Kennack Sands SW739166
2/8/03 A pod of 7 or 8 Common Dolphin was sighted about a mile south of Pendennis Castle SW824317at around 1100 hrs They were watched for 20 minutes as they jumped, s[lashed and swam on the surface and came within 20 metres of a boat before moving slowly away.
3/8/03 A Grey seal was sen at Lizard Point SW694115 and two more very large seals were watched from 1430 to 1530 hrs at Polpeor Cove SW699115
3/8/03 A Long Finned Pilot Whale was seen for 5 minutes off Pendeen SW377358 at 1330 hrs. Also seen were 2 Common Dolphin and a Harbour Porpoise
3/8/03 4 Basking Sharks were seen from a boat trip out of Padstow SW9277. They were all about 20ft long and heading north. Photos were taken.
3/8/03 A very decomposed carcass was photographed on the shore at Northwetheral Isles of Scilly SV8916
3/8/03 The Black Fin and Tail of a Basking Shark was seen ½ mile off Lowland Point SW802195
4/8/03 4 dolphins were seen off Rock SW932757
4/8/03 7 dolphins including one juvenile were playing around a dredger in the Camel Estuary SW97 at 0939 hrs but were then harassed by four boats and they quickly headed out to sea in a north westerly direction, however they were back by 1145hrs and being harassed by even more boats.
4/8/03 A Grey Seal was seen just outside  Penzance Harbour SW476303 in the afternoon
4/8/03 An angler float fishing for mackerel off Doyden Point SW967806 landed an Ocean Sunfish weighing 15 to 20 lbs. The fish was returned to the sea unharmed.
5/8/03 2 adult Otters were seen on the rocks and in the rock pools at Clodgy Point SW507414
5/8/03 7 Ocean Sunfish were seen off St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411 in two groups of 4 and 3.
6/8/03 Many Compass Jellyfish Chrysaora  hysoscella  and a few blue jellyfish Cyanea lamarckii were seen in Porthcurnick Cove SW879359 today and yesterday
6/8/03 An Ocean Sunfish came within 6 ft of a boat at anchor fishing a mile offshore between Gara Point SXSX522469 and Stoke Point SX560458. It was travelling eastward on the tide and was about 1 metre across.
7/8/03 2 Harbour Porpoises and an Ocean Sunfish were seen off Porthgwarra SW371216
8/8/03 A pod of about 20 dolphins, thought to be Common Dolphins were seen 1 to 2 mile off Porthoustock SW807218 heading south east. All were about 1.5 metres long. Photos taken. Also seen  a bit closer in were 2 Ocean Sunfish about ½ metre across
8/8/03 A Grey Seal was seen at Godrevy SW581428 and 2 more at Navax Point SW592436 during the afternoon.
8/8/03 A Basking Shark was seen in Falmouth bay SW8128 feeding and heading south. Only about 2 metres long
9/8/03 A pod of about 10 Bottlenose Dolphin were off Sennen SW3526 during the day
9/8/03 Divers at a wreck site near Porthcurno SW837222 saw three Ocean Sunfish lying on the surface before the dive, they were about 2ft across, and later when at a depth of about 20metres in water visibility of about 20 to 30 ft an Ocean Sunfish of similar size swam between the divers who were about 6ft apart and then circled the divers each in turn a few times. One diver stopped breathing for a while to prevent bubbles from disturbing the fish and it came within touching distance to make a close examination.
10/8/03 There were many Compass Jellyfish Chrysaora hysoscella at Prussa Cove SW556279 which were about 8” diameter. There had been smaller ones in the area during the previous few days.
10/8/03 A pod of at least 6 Bottlenose Dolphins were in the Bay off Sennen SW3526, during the morning up to 1230 hrs, but Benty was not seen
10/8/03 A pod of 6 Bottlenose Dolphins went south past Cape Cornwall SW352317 at 0945 hrs
11/8/03 Six or more Harbour Porpoises including 3 babies were about 1 mile north of Pendeen Watch SW377358 at 0900 hrs
11/8/03 A pod of 4 or 5 Common Dolphins were playing about 3 miles east of Chynhalls Point SW787174 at 1500 hrs
12/8/03 2 Grey Seals, presumably mother and pup, were resting on the rock at Black Rock Falmouth SW833317 at 1240 hrs
12/8/03 3 Common Dolphin were seen 3 km north of Hartland Point SS230279
14/8/03 8 to 10 dolphins, probably Bottlenose,rounded Gwennap Head SW367215 heading east during the day
14/8/03 A 40ft Whale surfaced close to a yacht well out in Mounts Bay SW4723 early this morning causing the yacht to change course. This was probably a Fin Whale.
14/8/03 A pod of 8 Bottlenose Dolphins moved eastward past Porthgwarra SW371218 in the early afternoon..
15/8/03 A fisherman bottom hauling for John Dory 7 miles west of Bishop Rock Lighthouse SV808066 winched up a 15ft 4” Shark The shark regurgitated a spinal column and was released alive. It had Green eyes and was thought to be a 6 Gilled Shark.
16/8/03 A Grey Seal was seen bottling at Nanjizal Sw3523 in a calm sea.
16/8/03 2 Ocean Sunfish were sighted off Gowla Point SW698512 from 1800 to 1830 hrs. They were heading north around St. Agnes head.
16/8/03 Lifeguards noticed a carcass floating off Gulland Rock SW8778
16/8/03 An Orca, or Killer Whale was spotted off the south Coast of Cornwall at 0900 hrs. It was about 5 miles off Portscatho SW877354 and was breaching with sideways flips
17/8/03 A large Grey Seal came within 5 metres of snorkelers off Branscombe SY1988 and appeared to be very curious.
17/8/03 A large Grey Sea was seen in Polpeor Cove SW700115 at midday. It dived not to be seen again when a boat approached
17/8/03 A small Basking Shark, about 12ft long  breached up to 15 times about 100 yards offshore at Coverack SW783182 during the evening
17/8/03 A Basking Shark was off Botallack SW361338 at 1200 hrs
18/8/03 A pod of dolphins, two large and 4 half grown, were seen heading westward off Navax Point SW592436 at 1845 hrs.  They were later seen bow riding the lifeboat near Hayle Bar SW549391 at 1900 hrs and St Ives Harbour at 2000 hrs before heading westward again
18/8/03 3 or 4 Bottlenose Dolphins were playing and jumping in the surf with surfers on boards and did not appear to be bothered by the lifeguard on a jetski at Perranporth SW756544
20/8/03 A pod of between 60 and 80 Harbour porpoises, about 3 ft long, were playing around a boat working at the Wolf Rock Lighthouse SW270120 when a large Thresher Shark jumped high out of the water.
20/8/03 A 30ft Minke Whale surfaced 3 times about 4 miles east of Black Head SW779162 heading eastward in a flat calm sea
20/8/03 A pod of about 12 dolphins was reported heading westward across St. Ives Bay SW5241 during the afternoon
20/8/03 A pod of 6 to 8 Common Dolphins including 2 babies was watched feeding ½ to ¾ mile NNW of Pendeen Watch SW377358 from 1030 to 1100
21/8/03 3 Risso’s Dolphins were seen off Porthgwarra SW371216 during the morning
21/8/03 A Basking Shark was seen feeding 1 mile south of Pendennis Point SW826314 at 1630 hrs.
22/8/03 A Basking Shark was seen off North Bank Carrack Roads SW8334 at 1745 hrs.
22/8/03 A pod of 5 or 6 dolphins was off St Ives Island SW521411 late afternoon
22/8/03 A pod of about 10 Bottlenose Dolphins were just outside Newlyn Harbour mouth SW467285 at 0600 hrs. they made their way to the gear Pole SW479293 where they stayed for a while before diving and disappearing
23/8/03 Three Risso’s Dolphins, 2 adults and 1 juvenile, was seen about 1 mile off St. Loy Cove SW424230 at 1130 hrs. There was a shoal of Mullet swimming at the surface and Horse Mackerel in the area
23/8/03 2 Ocean Sunfish were seen off Porthgwarra SW371216 between 0800 and 1400, also seen were 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 4 balearic and 15 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Bonxies, 5 Storm Petrels and a Marsh Harrier flying overhead
23/8/03 Pleasure boat “Dolly Pentreath” out of St. Ives was heading back to the harbour from Seal Island SW467409 at about 1630 and was followed by a pod of about 20 dolphins and 2 large Basking Sharks, about 30ft long were in the bay at the same time
23/8/03 Two Grey Seals were seen off Lizard Point SW694115 at 2030 hrs and in failing light two whales, possibly Minke, were close to the rocks below the lighthouse. They were watch for 20minutes before they moved off heading east at 2100 hrs.
23/8/03 3 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen heading eastward 2 miles off Tater du SW440230 at midday. They were each about 10ft long and one had a large area of white on its left flank
23/8/03 4 Anglers on a 17ft boat about ½ mile off Portholland SW960412 at 1100 hrs heard a suck of air close to the boat and one of their rods disappeared. A few minutes later a large black mass 20 or more ft long was seen in the water about 100yds away. They believed it was a whale.
24/8/03 6 Bottlenose Dolphins were playing in the surf at Sennen Cove SW3526 at 1945 hrs
24/8/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen near the Brisons SW340301 and a small one was jumping clear of the water in Sennen Bay SW3526
24/8/03 8 Bottlenose Dolphin were in St. Ives Bay aSW5241 at 0800 hrs and at 0845 3 Basking Sharks were in the Bay. By 0920 11 Basking Sharks were present and later at 1050 hrs more than could easily be counted were at the outer edge of the bay moving eastward
24/8/03  An Otter was seen on the rocks at the shore at Clodgy Point SW507414 at 1330 hrs
24/8/03 Six dolphins were close to the shore breaching and moving west off Peter’s Point SW577411 at 1815 hrs
24/8/03 A 22” Ocean Sunfish was seen about a mile off Clodgy Point SW507414 with a seabird picking it and the fish seemed unconcerned
24/8/03 An Ocean  Sunfish and a pod of dolphins were seen by people on a fishing trip out of Porthleven SW6225 during the morning and a Grey Seal was seen at Porthleven at 1100 hrs.
24/8/03 Two pods of dolphins, one of 3 the other 4, appeared to be chasing fish beneath a large flock of birds heading west across Fal Bay SW8026
24/8/03 A dead Common Dolphins was washed up near Clovelly  Harbour SS319249
25/8/03 A Grey Seal was briefly seen in Newlyn Harbour SW4628 close to fishing boats which were open to the public at the Fish Festival.
25/8/03 A Basking Shark and an Ocean Sunfish with gulls pecking at its back were seen of Godrevy SW581428 at 1600 hrs
26/8/03 An Ocean Sunfish was watched for 5 minutes off the Lizard SW694115 at noon
26/8/03 A Grey Seal was seen feeding on fish in the surf with surfers 100metres off the beach at Watergate Bay SW8464
26/8/03 2 Bottlenose Dolphins and 8 Common Dolphins were in a single pod off Berry Head SX948567
26/8/03 Three Common Dolphins were seen from Scillonian III  when off Land’s End SW3425 on the way to the Isles and 2 or 3 were seen from time to time all the way across until close to the Isles either the same animals or others.
26/8/03 A Common Dolphis was seen heading northeast off Westward Ho SS4329 with 20 to 30 sea birds on the surface. Photos were taken.
26/8/03 A dolphin was seen just beyond the surf at Westward Ho SS4329
26/8/03 A pod of about 10 dolphins were following a boat heading 186º about 50 miles north of Land’s End SW341252. They were described as grey striped dolphins.
27/8/03 15 Bottlenose Dolphins were off the harbour entrance at Portreath SW655455 and 2 Basking Sharks were in the area at 1334 hrs.
27/8/03 A cetacean carcass found at Longrock SW495312 had had its tail cleanly severed diagonally
27/8/03 A decomposing carcass found at Prisk Cove SW479527 was measured, photographed and tagged.
27/8/03 A dead Grey Seal was seen floating off The Irish Lady Lands End SW347261
27/8/03 A Risso’s Dolphins and about 6 Harbour Porpoises were about 1 mile off Pendeen Watch SW377358 between 0845 and 0915 hrs
28/8/03 Varying numbers of Bottlenose Dolphins have been seen in St. Ives Bay SW5241 every day since the 23rd August
28/6/03 A Grey Seal was spotted heading east off Pendennis Point SW826315 in the early afternoon
28/8/03 A dolphin was seen breaching off Pentire Head E.Cornwall SW923804 at 1415 hrs
28/8/03 An Ocean Sunfish 600mm long, was in the channel between Bryher and Tresco, Isles of Scilly SV884155 at 1700. It was vertically at the surface with dorsal fin flapping out of the water being carried south by the current and it made no attempt to escape as a boat approached very close.
29/8/03 5 or 6 Basking Sharks were seen off the Camel Estuary SW9277 from a boat offshore
30/8/03 A Grey Seal was seen off Lizard Point SW694115 at 1100 hrs and 2 more were sighted from 1400 to 1500. At 1600 four distinctive sprays were seen quite a distance out to sea these were considered to be the spouts of a Fin Whale heading west
30/8/03 4 Ocean Sunfish were seen near the Carracks Rocks SW467409 over the weekend 28th to 30th August. The smallest was about 2ft long but the biggest was 10ft long. Gulls were pecking parasites off the fish, but when the fish had had enough of this they squirted water at the gulls.
31/8/03 A Grey seal was seen off Pendeen Lighthouse SW377358
31/8/03 6 Grey Seals were watched from 1100 to 1200 hrs at Lizard Point SW694115 and 2 of them remained in sight until 1630 and appeared to be very interested in some Kayakers that passed at 1615 hrs.
31/8/03 The carcass of a Basking Shark was seen floating northward on the tide a mile off Porthcothan SW8572.It was completely white with guts ripped open, 15 to 20 ft long
31/8/03 A pod of 6 Bottlenose Dolphins was in St Ives Bay SW5241 at 0800 hrs
31/8/03 6 Bottlenose Dolphins were watched passing eastward through the Godrevy Island channel SW576434 at 1330 hrs and the pod was seen returning westward through the channel at 1700 to 1720 hrs.
31/8/03 A pod of  20 or more Common Dolphins was seen about 8 miles south of Gwennap Head SW365217 at 1320 hrs and a similar size pod was seen about 10 miles west of St Agnes Head SW697515 at 1800 hrs
31/8/03 3 female Grey Seals were observed bottling around Lizard Point SW694115 at 1615 hrs with some Gannet activity offshore
31/8/03 7 or 8 Bottlenose Dolphin were just outside St. Ives Harbour mouth at 2030 and then they moved off westward
31/8/03 A pod of 10 to 14 Bottlenose Dolphins followed a boat towing a POD, an instrument set to detect porpoises, across St. Ives Bay SW5241 at 1930 hrs. They stayed with the boat travelling at 15km/h for nearly 20 mins and were not shaken off by a burst of 22km/h. They were very interested in the towing rig and stayed around the POD rather than the boat, surfacing in rows abreast at times looking magnificent at that high speed with spray flying from them like the wild things they are.there were a couple of smaller animals in the pod but no very small ones and there were a lot of mackerel in the bay at the time. Although the POD was set to detect porpoises  only it did log some clicks from the dolphins
31/8/03 A Risso’s Dolphin was off Pendeen Watch SW377358 at 0900 hrs
31/8/03 A pod of about a dozen Common Dolphin were seen about 20 miles south of Mousehole in position 49º56N  05º32W at 1215 hrs many gannets were diving and numerous sightings were made between Wolf Rock SW270120  and The Isles of Scilly and all appeared to be chasing fish.
1/9/03 A pod of about 6 dolphins was seen off Coverack SW883182 at 1500 hrs. They were too far off to identify species.
1/9/03 A skipper of a fishing boat reported being surrounded by a huge pod of Harbour Porpoises about 10 miles west of Land’s End at 1800 hrs. His estimate was of at least 500 animals with shoals of fish in the area.
2/9/03 During August the Redruth Sea Angling Association recorded members catches of a Spanish Mackerel Scomber japonica of 1lb 0oz 6dms and Giltheads Breams Sparus auratus  of 3lb 10oz 4dms and 3lb 12oz 6dms
2/9/03 A pod of 5 dolphins, possibly Bottlenose, were in Torbay SW9058 off Scrabbacombe at 1130 hrs,  Berry Head Hotel at 1215 hrs and the centre of Torbay at 1245 , last seen heading eastward.
2/9/03 A dustbin lid sized turtle was watched swimming in circles with one flipper raised in St. Ives Bay SW5241 at 2000 hrs. It dived when approached by the boat and the observer had the impression that it was sick or injured and considered that it was a Loggerhead Turtle.
2/9/03 2 harbour Porpoises were about 500metres off Lizard Point SW694115 at 1130 hrs
2/9/03 5 dolphins, probably Bottlenose, were seen between St Just SW8435 and St. Mawes SW841327 in the Carrack Roads
3/9/03 A Harbour Porpoise jumped clear of the water near The Runnelstone SW369200 at 1030 hrs
3/9/03 A Pilot Whale was seen 1½ miles south west of Black Head SW779162 at 1845 hrs
3/9/03 A 25 to 30ft Minke Whale was seen heading west off Gwennap Head SW367215 in a calm sea and 4 Harbour Porpoises were seen heading in the opposite direction a few minutes before the whale was spotted.
3/9/03 A pod of at least 6 Risso’s Dolphin was seen heading south west beyond  The Brisons SW340301 from Cape Cornwall SW349318 where an Ocean Sunfish and 2 Grey seals were seen.
3/9/03 A Minke Whale was seen feeding at the surface about 56 miles south of Plymouth SW4750
3/9/03 About 40 Pilot Whales was seen spread out in a line of small groups about 30 miles south of Plymouth
4/9/03 An Ocean Sunfish with a fin span of 5-6 ft lay on the surface for a minute flapping fins about 15M from base of cliff at Gunver Head SW896773 then dived out of sight.
4/9/03 An Ocean Sunfish was soliciting an immature gull about 400 metres off Pendeen SW383358
4/9/03 A dead and decomposing seal was found at Port Issac SW9980
5/9/03 A pod of 5 or 6 Risso’s Dolphins were in the tide race just south of The Brisons SW340301 they then travelled slowly north from 1100 to 1115 hrs. They were all very pale and about the same size. Also near the Brisons were a Harbour Porpoise with a small baby and another adult in the area, and also an Ocean Sunfish.
5/9/03 5 Risso’s Dolphins, including one juvenile, were seen heading north off Botallack SW361339 at noon, ½ a mile offshore.
5/9/03 2 pods of Bottlenose dolphins were seen off Roundham Head  SX878600 with 8 or more in each pod. They were playing around boats and ferries. Benty was not seen in the pods.
5/9/03 For the past 5 days around 8 Basking Sharks have been spotted each day about 6 miles off Padstow SW919754. One shark had a large piece taken out of the rear edge of the dorsal fin. A pod of Common Dolphins was also seen
5/9/03 A Risso’s Dolphin was seen about 200 metres north of Round Island I.o.S. SV902179 at 0700. It was watched for 2 minutes breaching in 70M of water. Probably young for only 1.5M long.
5/9/03 A pod of 15 to 20 Common Dolphin was watched for 10 minutes feeding in position 49º58N  06º07W at 0810 hrs
5/9/03 5 Risso’s Dolphin were seen heading north off Botallack SW361338
5/9/03 2 Bottlenose Dolphins were watched feeding off Gwennap Head SW367215in calm seas, both large adults
5/9/03 2 or 3 Harbour Porpoises were moving around in different directions off pendeen SW383358. there were 2 separate sightings but probably the same individuals
5/9/03 A pod of between 50 and 100 Common Dolphin including several young ones leaping out of the water was seen heading west off Gwennap head SW367215. The hour glass pattern on their side could be clearly seen through a telescope.
5/9/03 3 Harbour porpoises were seen off cape Cornwall SW349318 .
6/9/03 A dolphin was seen heading east off Lankidden Cove SW756166 at 1530 hrs but was too far off to identify the species.
6/9/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Mousehole SW470263 at 1130 hrs
7/9/03 A pod of 8 or more Bottlenose Dolphins was seen off Goodrington SX8959 at 0930 hrs and in the bay between Torquay and Brixham at 1230 hrs.
8/9/03 A pod of 7 or 8 Dolphins was seen off the Devil’s Point SX456532 in Plymouth Sound at 1000 hrs
9/9/03 6 or 7 dolphins were seen off Polruan SX122508 during the afternoon and a similar number, probably the same animals were seen off Polperro SX209509 earlier in the day.
10/9/03 2 pairs of Grey Seals were seen close inshore at Godrevy SW581428 at high tide about 1830 hrs
11/9/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen behind the Cowloe Rock Sennen  SW348266 at 0900 hrs
12/9/03 A pod of 10 or more dolphins, probably Common Dolphins,was feeding beneath Gannets about 3 miles south west of Carn Gloose SW353313 at 1130 hrs in hazy conditions.
12/9/03 2 Orcas seen side by side were probably mother and juvenile for one was much smaller than the other, one was breaching, possibly a third Orca about 1½ offshore between Mousehole SW470263 and Lamorna SW451241 at 1045 hrs. seen from a passing vessel Scillonian III . On the same Passage to the Isles an Ocean Sunfish was seen half way across
12/9/03 2 Grey Seals were seen in St. Ives Harbour SW520407
13/9/03 An Ocean Sunfish 2-3 ft long and 3-4 ft between fins was travelling north toward Loe Beach near Castle Buoy off St Mawes Castle SW841327 The top of its fin was missing and it dive when approached
13/9/03 2 Ocean Sunfish were 200 yards NW of St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411 at 0920, judged to be 3 ft across by the size of the gulls in attendance.
13/9/03 A young Grey Seal was seen hauled out sunbathing on the rocks at Sennen SW350263 in the afternoon
13/9/03 At least 7 White-Beaked Dolphins were swimming alongside a dive boat at 20knts and accelerating away, both to and from the dive site 3 to 5 miles off Rame Head SX419481 One breached next to the boat and were last seen heading west.
13/9/03 An extensively mottled Grey Seal was seen heading west off Polpry Cove SW356300 and 10 minutes later was seen hauled out on a rock below the cliff
14/9/03 At least 5 Grey Seals were just off the beach at Mutton Cove SW584433 at 1945 hrs
14/9/03 5 Grey Seals including 1 juvenile were in Portheras Cove SW389357. Two were close in ampng people with 5 to 6ft waves breaking onto the beach. The other 2 seals were further out.
14/9/03 A Grey Seal was seen in the Camel Estuary just north of Padstow SW922760 at 1015 hrs. Gannets were seen further out in the estuary.
14/9/03 5 dolphins, probably Bottlenose were playing among yachts heading south in Bideford Bay SS4333. 2 of the dolphins were jumping, also a Harbour Porpoise was seen 1 mile south of the dolphins. Off Clovelly SS319249 an Ocean Sunfish was seen moving parallel to the shore
15/9/03 A pair of Grey Seals were cavorting just offshore at Mutton Cove SW584433 at 2000 hrs. There was lots of jaw locking, entwined bodies, synchronized diving and generally splashing about and the large male did a passable impression of a porpoise for 100metres.
15/9/03 An Ocean Sunfish was soliciting an immature gull 100 metres off Pendeen SW383358
16/9/03 On a trip to the isles of Scilly on MV Scillonian III a Harbour Porpoise was seen just outside Penzance Harbour SW476303 at 0930 hrs and another was seen when approaching St. Mary’s I.o.S at 1145 hrs.During the return trip 20 Harbour Porpoises were seen, the largest group being 6 in number and 6 Common Dolphin were seen near The Runnelstone SW369200 at 1845 hrs.
16/9/03 A fisherman reported watching about 50 Bottlenose Dolphins for one hour feeding offshore north off Port Issac SW9981 from 1100 hrs
16/9/03 5 Grey Seals including one juvenile which was not white coated, were in the water at Godrevy SW587424. at 1630 hrs. The juvenile was heading west with 2 adults staying close inshore, the other 2 seals were further out.
16/9/03 A pod of 8 or 9 Common Dolphins was seen circling in St Ives Bay SW5241 during the afternoon
16/9/03 A whale, possibly a Pilot Whale, was seen by fishermen about 20 to 25 miles SE of Plymouth.
16/9/03 A pod of dolphins was seen off St. Ives Harbour SW520407 at 1305. The most seen at the surface at one time was 7 but the pod size was probably 12 to 15. Two individuals jumped clear of the water showing a robust body, dark grey upper surface and fin with lighter underside and showing a yellow flash from mid-body toward the fluke so they were probably Atlantic White Sided Dolphin
17/9/03 3 Ocean Sunfish were seen on a pelagic trip from the Isles of Scilly to 9 miles south west of the Islands. Also seen were 11 Leach’s Petrel, 15 Storm Petrel, 7 Sooty Shearwater and 3 Great Skua.
17/9/03 A very young Common Dolphin stranded itself at Gwithian SW579411 and appeared to be ill and despite efforts to save it the young dolphin died.
18/9/03 A young Common Dolphins became stranded at Gwithian SW579411 and was examined and treated by a vet but died. It was taken to Polwhele and sent on to the Institute of Zoology London for post mortem.
18/9/03 A pod of 6 dolphins including one juvenile, probably Bottlenose, was feeding off the mouth of the Red River SW582422 from 0855 to 0915 hrs then headed west toward St. Ives.
19/9/03 A pod of 15 Common Dolphin was seen on a pelagic trip from the Isles of Scilly to 9 miles South West of the Isles. Also seen were 6 Sabine’s Gulls, 3 Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skua, Great Skua, 50 Storm Petrel, 3 Arctic Tern and Manx Shearwater.
19/9/03 A white coated dead seal pup was found on Summerlease Beach Bude SS203065
20/9/03 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphins was in the surf with surfers at Sennen Cove SW3526 during the early evening.
23/9/03 5 or more Whitebeaked Dolphin were seen between Dodman Point SX000392 and Rame Head SX419481 at 1300 hrs.
25/9/03 A pod of 8 to 10 Bottlenose Dolphins were moving around a stationary trawler about 200yds off the mouth of Newlyn Harbour SW467285 at 1830 hrs, occasionally breaking surface but no jumping.
25/9/03 8 or more Bottlenose Dolphins were feeding and playing around the reef at Porthleven SW626255 at 1030 hrs
25/9/03 A pod of at least 4 Common Dolphins were seen heading east off Trewavas Head SW596264 just before 1900 hrs.
25/9/03 A pod of about 20 Common Dolphins was seen a mile off Lizard Point SW694115
25/9/03 A large male Grey Seal was seen in Mylor Yacht Harbour SW823352 at 0810 hrs
26/9/03 A Killer Whale was seen from M.V. Scillonian III on her way to the Isles of Scilly this morning. Also seen were 2 Balearic Shearwater.
26/9/03 Various marine creatures were sighted from MV Scillonian III on her trip to the Isles of Scilly and back. A female Orca or Killer Whale 12 miles off Lands End,  4 Common Dolphin 8 miles off the Isles and 3 Harbour Porpoises 1 mile off St. Mary’s I.o.s.  On the return journey there was a Minke Whale 4 mile out of St. Mary’s a metre long Ocean Sunfish about a mile off Lands End and 8 Common Dolphin came alongside the boat off Lamorna Cove SW451241. Also seen during the trip were Balearic,  Sooty and Manx Shearwaters, Leach’s and Storm Petrels, lots of Gannets, both adult and juvenile, a Little Egret in Penzance Harbour and a Marsh Harrier flying over the sea toward Samson Isles of Scilly.
27/9/03 A pod of at least 10 Bottlenose Dolphins were playing with lots of acrobatics and high jumping and maybe hunting around a boat off Porthcurno Beach SW387222 from 1100 hrs to 1200 hrs and then made off toward the west They all appeared to be large healthy adults.
27903 A pod of more than 100 Common Dolphins all moving at speed , were jumping breaching and bow riding a boat about a ½ mile off Tater du SW440230 at 1500 hrs There were quite a number of babies in the pod.
27/9/03 A female Orca, or Killer whale, surfaced twice heading north off Kenidjack SW355326 then it turned south surfaced once more and disappeared.
27/9/03 A pod of 4 dolphin,3 adults and 1 juvenile, were seen heading south in position 50º15.63N 04º18.18W They had white marking down their sides and on their beaks so probably White Beaked Dolphins
27/9/03 A Minke Whale was seen about 3 miles south west of Land’s End
28/9/03 A 3ft carcass of a Harbour Porpoise was found decomposing on Summerleaze Beach, Bude SS2006 late in the day
28/9/03 A pod of 8 to 10 dolphins, probably Bottlenose, was circling, probably feeding, off Penzance Harbour SW476303. there was some harassment by a dive boat.
29/9/03 3 Common Dolphins were bow riding and swimming around a crabber about 6 miles west of Lands End. One had a couple of 1” diameter sucker marks, could these have been caused by Remoras, or Lampreys or even a tussle with a large Squid ?
30/9/03 A pod of 12 to 13 Bottlenose Dolphins was in Porthcurno Bay SW387222 at 1700 hrs
30/9/03 23 Atlantic Grey Seals were seen at Mutton Cove SW584433 at 1400 hrs. 12 were on the shore, 6 on a little island just offshore and 7 in the water. One of the large bulls had a sizeable rounded wound on his upper chest but it was not possible with binoculars to determine how recent the trauma was or if it was infected. Also seen at 1600 hrs was a female Snow Bunting at Godrevy Point SW581433
2/10/03 A pod of 6 or 7 Bottlenose Dolphins was in Falmouth Bay SW2880 at 1600 hrs.
3/10/03 A pod of at least 9 Bottlenose Dolphins followed a boat from the western entrance to Plymouth Sound off Fort Picklecombe SX455515 to Drake’s Island SX470528 from 1145 to 1210 hrs. One of the dolphins was recognized as one seen last winter because of a damaged beak. Seen from M.V. Bovisand.
3/10/03 6 or more Bottlenose Dolphins were seen from a small dinghy off Picklecombe Point SX455515 at 1420 hrs
3/10/03 A pod of at least 8, possibly 20, best estimate 15 Bottlenose Dolphins were in Plymouth Sound SX4650 between Drake’s Island and The Breakwater at 1330 hrs They were circling as if feeding on a shoal of fish.
3/10/03 A single dolphin spun out of the surface in Plymouth Sound SX4650 at 1045 hrs and was soon joined by 1 or 2 more. Later another small pod of 2 or 3 surfaced near by and joined the first pod. They then went bow riding any large vessel moving fast in the Sound until 1245 hrs.
3/10/03 At least 7 large Risso,s Dolphins were in the Runnelstone area SW369200 keeping apart from each other and a pod of at least 5 accompanied by very small juveniles They were mostly , except one, very dark animals so not the same pod seen on September 5th which were all very pale, white even, on head and upper body. They milled around for a while near fishermen’s pot markers and then headed slowly westward.
4/10/03 A dead but still warm large seal was found at Harlyn Beach SW8775. Photos were taken to show entrance and exit holes of what are thought to be gun shot wounds.
4/10/03 A pod of at least 6 dolphins was seen heading east off Downderry SX315538 at 1815 hrs. Some cheek patterning was observed so thought to be Common Dolphins
4/10/03 A Grey Seal was seen off Mylor Yacht Harbour at 1530 hrs.
5/10/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen a few metres off the rocks at Rumps Point SW9381
5/10/03 A pod of at least 8 dolphins, thought to be Bottlenose, were playing around yachts at the start of a race just inside the eastern end of Plymouth Sound Breakwater SX4750 from 0945 to 1045 hrs.
7/10/03 A pod of 7 to 10 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen playing in Torbay. They were watch for 15 minutes playing on the Torquay side of the Bay
7/10/03 An Ocean Sunfish was seen about 300 metres off Pendeen Watch SW377358 at
1300 hrs
8/10/03 A single Bottlenose Dolphin was seen heading westward off St Loy SW424230 at 0955 hrs
9/10/03 3 adult Grey Seals were on the rocks of Godrevy Lighthouse SW576435 with 2 others in the water at 1330 hrs and just east of this at Mutton Cove SW584433
27 seals were hauled out on the beach with 2 others in the water at 1430 hrs. One of the seals on the beach had an orange tag on its rear flipper. The Gweek sanctuary was informed in case it was one of theirs. It was later learned that a male Grey Seal pup was released from Jersey in April 2002 with an orange tag on its left rear flipper after it had been treated at the RSPCA centre at Norfolk . As far as is known it was not seen again in Jersey
9/10/03  An adult Grey Seal was seen in the sea off Portheras Cove SW388358 mid morning.
9/10/03 Two whales were watched for 20 minutes blowing and tail slapping south of Berry Head SX948567 at noon.
10/10/03 2 harbour Porpoises were watched for an hour by birdwatchers off Berry Head SX948567 at 0830 hrs. They reported that there was a large square nick on the largest porpoise’s fin.
10/10/03 Birdwatchers reported seeing a pod of 5 or 6 Bottlenose Dolphins off Dawlish Warren SX985785 at 1100 hrs.
10/10/03 Small waves in the water off Beachside Holiday Park, Hayle SW563392 attracted the attention of an observer with binoculars who discovered that they were caused by 4 Rays travelling west. Each had a span of about 1 metre. The observer was unable to determine the species of Ray.
11/10/03 A pod of 12 Common Dolphin was off Porthgwarra SW371216 at 1100 hrs.
11/10/03 A pod of about 6 Bottlenose Dolphin was seen heading into the bay from Haldon Pier Torquay SX9163 at 1019 hrs. They all appeared to be healthy in a calm sea on a sunny day.
11/10/03 A small pod of 4 to 6 dolphins was seen accompanying a yacht near the Runnelstone SW369200  at 0944 hrs
12/10/03 15 Common Dolphin, 6 Harbour Porpoises  and a Minke Whale were seen in the English Channel off Plymouth from the Santander Ferry. Larger pods of Common Dolphin were seen on the other side of the channel on the return journey.
13/10/03 An Atlantic Grey Seal was seen in the Camel Estuary SW9277
13/10/03 7 Risso’s Dolphins, 5 adults, 2 certainly with babies were 1 mile off Pendeen Watch early in the morning
14/10/03 Two Orcas or Killer Whales were seen off Botallack Head SW361338 at 1500 hrs
16/10/03 There was one Grey Seal in the water off Godrevy Point SW851433 at 1630 hrs and 17 more on the tide line in Mutton Cove SW5843433 including at lease one juvenile. The National Trust car park attendant said that a man had tried to get down to the seals in the cove earlier in the day scaring them into the water. The man had said that he wanted to see how fast they could go.
17/10/03 8 Common Dolphins were seen from MV Scillonian III when about half way to the Isles of Scilly.
19/10/03 A Grey Seal was seen heading north off Booby’s Bay SW855756
20/10/03 There were 21 Grey Seals at Mutton Cove SW584433 at 0915 hrs. 17 were resting on the beach including at least one juvenile and the other 4 were playing in the waves a few metres from the main group
20/10/03 8 dolphins, probably Bottlenose, were nosing in the sand in 1 or 2 metres of water in Polhawn Cove SX420494 and were probably looking for Sandeels.
20/10/03 A pod of 15 to 20 dolphins was seen travelling east off Polperro SX 209509
21/10/03 There was a pod of at least 50 Common Dolphins about 1 mile off Lizard Point SW694115 at 1400 hrs.
21/10/03 A pod of over 100 Common Dolphins was off Porthcressa Cove, St. Mary’s, Isles of Scilly SV9009 at 0926 hrs.
21/10/03 A pod of 2 or 3 Killer Whales was seen off Botallack SW361338
25/10/03 Thousands of Sea Hares, Aplysia punctata were on the rocks and around Arch Rock at Porthcothan SW8572 at low tide. They varied in size from very small up to 2 or 3” long . They can grow to 5½” long
27/10/03 A single dolphin, thought to be a Risso’s was seen from the cliffs at Porthcurno SW387222 in the late morning
27/10/03 A Grey Seal was seen at Godrevy SW581433 and two more were playing in the surf at Mutton Cove SW584433 watched by many spectators on the cliff top.
27/10/03 4 Risso’s Dolphins and 3 Harbour Porpoises were seen off Botallack Head SW261338 between 1555 and 1630 hrs.
30/10/03 A pod of about 20 Bottlenose Dolphins were off Torre Abbey Sands SX910637 Torbay. They travelled South West splitting into 3 groups and proceeded around the shores of Torbay. Fish were shoaling near the surface so the dolphins were probably feeding with much jumping and tail flicking.
30/10/03 A small pod of about 4 dolphins was seen heading north east off Labrador Beach SX913700
4/11/03 There were about 50 Grey Seals at Mutton Cove SW584433 either hauled out on the beach or in the water.
5/11/03 About 40 Grey Seals were at Mutton Cove SW584433 lying on the beach or in the water.
8/11/03 A Common Dolphin Dolphin carcass was fond at Towan Beach SW869328 Roseland peninsula and a Harbour Porpoise carcass at Prisk Cove SW795278 Helford estuary
9/11/03 The carcass of a Common Dolphin was found at Kennack Sands SW739166 and a Harbour Porpoise carcass at at Porth Saxon SW780271 Helford River.
9/11/03 A pod of 5 to 7 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen off Clodgy Point SW507414 at about 1630. Later they headed westward.
10/11/03 A bird watcher at Porthgwarra SW371216 saw a Minke Whale. Also seen were 3 Balearic Shearwaters, 2 Little Gulls, an Arctic Skua and a Great Northern Diver.
10/11/03 A Minke Whale, about 30ft long, surfaced twice about ½ mile south of Porthgwarra SW371216 at about 1100 hrs. There were many fishing boats in the area.
10/11/03 A Harbour Porpoise was seen from the Gwennap Head Lookout SW365217 early in the morning.
11/11/03 6 very playful dolphins were off Rosemullion Head SW 797278 today.
11/11/03 A Harbour Porpoise carcass was found at Marazion SW5131 Mounts Bay
12/11/03 25 Grey Seals including one white-coated pup, were at Godrevy SW581428. Most were on the beach or on the rocks but a few were in the water.
12/11/03 A Harbour Porpoise was seen from the Gwennap Head Lookout SW365217 at noon.
13/11/03 A pod of about 70 Common Dolphin was reported to be south of Plymouth in position 50º03N 04º09W
14/11/03 A Harbour Porpoise carcass was found at Porthcurnick  SW879359 near Porthscatho
15/11/03 There were at least 8 Risso’s Dolphins including one juvenile which jumped clear of the water about 2 miles north west of Botallack Head SW361338 between 1230 and 1345 hrs. The sea was quite rough and Gannets were diving in the area.
15/11/03 A Risso’s Dolphin was seen from Gwennap Head SW365217 at 1030 hrs.
15/11/03 A Risso’s Dolphin was seen from Carn Gloose SW353313 in the afternoon.
15/11/03 39 Grey Seals were seen just north of Godrevy Point SW581433 at noon. 2 were in the water and the rest on the beach.
16/11/03 6 Bottlenose Dolphin were off Penlee Point SX443487 heading north east into Plymouth Sound at 1525 hrs
20/11/03 An adult Grey seal was seen 100m offshore At Porth Nanven, Cot Valley, SW355308 at 1100 hrs.
21/11/03 Ten playful dolphins, probably Bottlenose, were off Portscatho SW877354 at 1100 hrs.
21/11/03 6 Bottlenose Dolphins, including one juvenile, were in the Brixham area of Torbay SX9257 from 0910 to 1430 hrs feeding an playing, then left the bay in a north easterly direction.
21/11/03 There was a pod of White-beaked Dolphins about 8 miles off Dartmouth, south Devon at midday.
21/11/03 A total of about 15 Harbour Porpoises were seen in the tide race 1 to 1½ miles offshore at Pendeen Watch SW377358 between 1030 and 1245 hrs. There were 2 groups of 5 or 6, and the others in ones and twos with some juveniles present.
22/11/03 There were 6 Harbour Porpoises, groups of 4 and 2 about ¾ mile south west of Gwennap Head SW365217 in very calm seas at 1030 hrs and 4 very large and pale Risso’s Dolphin headed west just outside the Runnelstone SW369200 at 1215 hrs.
24/11/03 Two Harbour Porpoises were seen heading north just outside the Brisons Rocks SW340301 at 1245 hrs
24/11/03 A pod of at least 5 Risso’s Dolphins, 3 adults and 2 juveniles very close behind, were generally heading east off Pendeen Watch SW377358 and came within ¼ mile of shore at 1130 hrs.  One had a conspicuous white spot near the tip of its dorsal and another was spy hopping.
25/11/03 A dead seal pup was found on Gwithian Beach SW579411
26/11/03 At least 6 dolphins were seen off Lizard Point SW694115 heading toward Land’s End SW341252
26/11/03 Two Harbour Porpoises were seen feeding just off Berry Head SX948567 from 0900 hrs onwards
26/11/03 There have bee ten dead stranded cetaceans found on Cornish beaches so far this month, 5 dolphins and 5 porpoises including one decomposing dolphin carcass at Holywell Bay SW7659 reported today.
30/11/03 At least 3 Bottlenose Dolphins were leaping and playing just outside Newlyn Harbour SW467285 between 1100 and 1200 hrs. They followed a boat which left the harbour for a while then departed heading east.
30/11/03 A large Minke Whale was seen from the car park at the Minack Theatre SW387220. It was moving slowly east ¼ mile offshore surfacing 7 times in 2 sequences but no spout was seen.
30/11/03 A pod of at least a dozen Bottlenose Dolphins including a juvenile were jumping and playing just outside Penzance Harbour SW476303 at 0930 hrs. They were still in the area at 1230 hrs.
1/12/03 There have been 5 cetacean strandings on the Devon coast during the past week or so, a Pilot Whale at Salcombe SX7338, 3 Common Dolphins between Thurlstone SX674414 and Bigbury SX650444 and oone as yet unidentified dolphins at Bovisand X490506
1/12/03 A Grey Seal was seen resting on rocks at Polpeor Cove SW700115 at 1545
3/12/03 There were 6 very playful dolphins off the Polruan Coastwatch Lookout for a while today and then moved off toward Gribben Head SX098494
4/12/03 A Bottlenose Whale became stranded on rocks in shallow water off Bovisand  SX490506. Coastguards were alerted and were surprised to find it still alive when they arrived. Before they were able to do anything to help, the whale struggled free and swam off with minor scratches leaving some blood in the water.
7/12/03 Martin Ellis, a local fisherman, has angered conservationists with his catches, landed at Newlyn Market, of over 130 Porbeagle Sharks resulting from three fishing trips in the past week.
10/12/03 A pod of about 30 Common Dolphins were reported to be in Watergate Bay SW8464 and many fish were in the area
16/12/03 3 adult Harbour Porpoises were seen off Berry Head SX948567 at 1415 hrs.
18/12/03 There were an estimated 1000 dolphins off Nare Head SW916370 today at 1240 hrs today. Photographs were taken..
18/12/03 3 Common Dolphins were seen off St Ives Island SW52141, heading west when first seen but then turned east and headed into the bay toward Carbis Bay.
22/12/03 A very large pod of dolphins, witnesses say in the thousands, were spotted about 2½ miles off Nare Head SW916370 on the south coast of Cornwall.
22/12/03 4 Common Dolphins were in Sennen Cove SW3526 today, and also present was a Little Egret.
27/12/03 12 Grey Seals were seen during a walk from Polzeath SW9378 to The Rumps SW933811 and back
27/12/03 A dolphin carcass, without head, tail or dorsal fin was found at Stem Point end of Watergate Bay SW842660. It measured 5 to 6 ft.  3 Triggerfish were also found washed up, one at Watergate SW8464, one at Treyarnon SW856740 and the third at Constantine SW857747
30/12/03 A large pod of between 500 and 750 Common Dolphins was seen heading toward The Lizard SW694115 in Falmouth Bay SW8028 from 1130 hrs to 1400 hrs
30/12/03 A large dead harbour Porpoise was recovered for post mortem from thick mud by the river at Penryn SW7834 after being measured, photographed and tagged.
31/12/03 There were another 24 dead cetaceans stranded on the Cornish coast during December bringing the total for the year to 252.

Vince Smith's One-List/Cornish Wildlife
Seaquest SW (Cornwall Wildlife Trust web pages)
 
 

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