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A zoologist was joined by more than a dozen local volunteers to survey Bailiwick dolphin populations this summer.
Zuzanna Soltysiak, who is studying for a master’s degree in island biodiversity and conservation, undertook 24 boat surveys over the last two months as well as several land surveys. The surveys accounted for over 600 hours of volunteer time.
“It's been an incredible two months and I've been really lucky and grateful to have received all the help and support that I have during this time," said Miss Soltysiak.
"It's always great seeing people getting involved with local conservation projects and hopefully this will encourage many more people to get involved in the future.” 
Pictured: A pod of dolphins spotted on one of the surveys. (Credit: Kay Martin)
The boat surveys were carried out from the Herm Island Travel Trident.
“The Travel Trident very generously allowed us to survey off their boat once a week. During some of the final boat trips we managed to capture some amazing footage of our bottlenose dolphins which will be featuring in a local documentary on Guernsey marine life called 'Wild Islands: The Blue',” said Miss Soltysiak.
“The documentary, which is due to come out later this year, is being made by three local filmmakers and friends, Pierre, Anthony and Matt, who were also volunteers for this project. I would like to say a huge thank you to them and the other volunteers, Kay, Paul, Sam, Callum, Jo, Matt K, Will, Sean, Dan, Amy, Bella and Sophie for all the time they dedicated towards the project."
Pictured: Miss Soltysiak with a volunteer, Pierre, looking for dolphins on a boat survey.
Miss Soltysiak continued: “I owe a lot of thanks most importantly to Nicky Harris [Coordinater of the DolFin Project] and Elizabeth Sweet [Guernsey Biological Records Centre manager]. I am also grateful to Ross of Skywave Photography for coming along on some surveys and assisting with his drone to try and capture footage of the dolphins from the air.”
Miss Soltysiak said that the project was only possible thanks to a bursary from Jersey International Centre of Advanced Studies. She also received a Strategy of Nature Fund provided by the States of Guernsey.
Pictured top: Dolphin, credit: Kay Martin.
Pictured: Zoologist, Zuzanna Soltysiak, spent two months conducting boat and land surveys with local volunteers.
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