Portsmouth To Bilbao Ferry 21st of August (1 Viewer)

[tjbirdofprey]

Hi, I was wondering if any birders would be taking the Portsmouth to Bilbao Ferry this year? Last year was fantastic with Birds such as Pom Skua, Great Skua, Sooty Shearwater, Manxie, Balearic Shearwater, Great Shearwater, Sabines Gull, Ortalan Bunting, Northern wheatear, Storm petrel and Grey pharalope seen. One thing I dont know about Is that its a different ferry from the Pride of Bilbao we went on last year. Same whale announcements? o

 

[Stevie babe]

Pride of Bilbao Portsmouth to Bilbaso and back has gone.

Only option know of is Brittania ferries service that runs from Santander alternately to Plymouth and Portsmouth. I don't know what their deck observation points are like.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

There are certainly experts on hand on several of the crossings during the autumn from different marine charities, I don't know if they are doing announcements though.

Stephen

 

[Delia]

I was looking at doing this. I think there is some funny set up the ferry leaves from either Portsmouth or Plymouth and sets sail to Bilbao but then returns to a different port on it's return, so its a bit of a problem if you park the car at the departure terminal you need to get to the other terminal on your return to pick up your car. There is a coach that goes between the two but is not pre-bookable.

 

[Gretchen]

Perhaps you've already read this thread: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=161237&highlight=portsmouth&page=3 - the last few entries could be useful?

 

[tjbirdofprey]

Cheers for the posts everyone. Im aware that Its a new boat and not the pride of Bilbao anymore. In fact we sailed on the last ever voyage of the boat last year. In my opinion, if its the same services as the old boat, it is very worth going. I guess you have to take the car though... as Im not sure where the boat returns.

Anyways I shall post a tally of what I see after the trip, although I wont be on the return as I live over in Spain. Also I have heard the boat is making a stop halfway but we wont be able to disembark... I am not sure what that is about but I guess I shall see. Hoping for Some good birds