After weeks of cold water at the Atlantic coasts of France, Spain and northern Portugal, the Algarve, with its nearly mediteranien climate, invites to snorkeling and diving.
Tag Archives: Wildlife
Fishing Harbor Seagulls
Sesimbra and Sines, busy fishing harbors south of Lisbon on the way to the Algarve. Never before did we see so many seagulls in one place. Luckily, the gulls did not fight our drone.
Cormorants
Cormorants (Kormorane) are fish-eaters and excellent divers, some have been found to dive as deep as 45 metres. They have relatively short wings due to their need for economical movement underwater, and consequently have the highest flight costs of any flying bird. These were observed at the Islands of Cies, National Park Galicia, but they range around the world, except for the central Pacific islands. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormorant)
Hunting for Fish
When crossing the Channel and sailing in Britanny, quite often we encountered the northern gannet (Basstölpel, Morus bassanus) far away from land. It is native to the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean and breeding in Western Europe. They search for food during the day, generally by diving at high speed into the sea. Birds that are feeding young have been recorded searching for food up to 320 km from their nest. They dive for fish from between 11 and 60 m. (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_gannet)
The common tern (Fluseeschwalbe, Sterna hirundo) we observed at the river Odet at Marina Benodet, South Brittany. They fed by plunge-diving for fish in the river. When seeking fish, they flied head-down. They circled or hoverd before diving.
Playful Bottlenose Dolphins
A school of maybe twenty bottlenose dolphins (großer Tümmler) in the Channel between England and France near the coast of the Normandy. The family with young and old animals enjoys swimming with the boat. 
Diving and Snorkeling
Diving and snorkeling is not so easy on the Cape Verdian Islands. You have to overcome vicious shore breaks and currents. Wet suits are recommended.
Underwater, however, you may enjoy coral reefs, 639 species of fish including Mantas, sharks and turtles. (Which we did not see, unluckily). More Information: Stewart, Murray. Cape Verde (Bradt Travel Guides)
A School of Twenty
Pilot whales are highly social and swim in groups of twenty and more if there is enough squid or fish. Most dives are to a depth of 30–60 m, but they may dive 600 meters. The whitish calfs nurses for three years. The “playful” clapping of the caudal fin, is it to scare prey?
More than 17 species of whale and dolphin, including the humpback whale, which breeds here, may be watched in Cape Verde.
Delfine und Wale als Wegbegleiter
Pilot Whales
