What a Week! HWDT welcomes new volunteers as season launches
From left to right: Freddy Davies, Danny Miranda, Alex Wilkins and Sophie Crouch
It’s been a busy week here at HWDT, and not only because today marks the start of the season with the re-opening of our Discovery Centre (and not to forget the 14 day countdown to our first Silurian survey)! Our four new Research and Outreach Volunteers have now completed their first week of training to prepare them for the season ahead, and we are delighted to welcome Alex, Danny, Freddy and Sophie to the HWDT team.
Diving straight in, the volunteers have had a jam-packed week full of training and activities, including a headland watch with Glengorm Wildlife Ranger Kerry Froud, working with our Science Team to create a news article advertising Whale Track, and experiencing a glimpse of life on board Silurian with a guided tour.
“With my years of sailing experience, I’m bursting with excitement to get out on the water and see the vast range of incredible wildlife that we have here locally!”
Our volunteers on their headland watch, with Whale Trail Officer Siobhan Moran (pictured) and Glengorm Wildlife Ranger, Kerry Froud
“After reading so much about the region as part of my Master’s project, it’s so awesome that I’m actually going to get the opportunity to see and talk about the wildlife I have heard so much about! Can’t wait to see my first Minke, hoping to see Knobble!”
What a time to join us, with the first few seasonal visiting minke whales spotted around the Hebrides, I'm sure Alex will get his wish soon!
“I’m so excited to be here in Tobermory to start volunteering at HWDT! Having spent most of my life reading about and watching programmes on whales and dolphins, I can’t wait to get out on the water, engage with the public and see the amazing diversity of species found here in the Hebrides!”
The volunteers with our boat team, Emma and Simon, and our new Marine Biodiversity Officer, Becky
“Since I moved here two years ago, I am amazed by the scottish marine wildlife, from the shy otters to the impressive basking sharks, I can’t wait to meet the small pod of killer whales living here!”
They can't wait to meet you too guys!
We hope you all have a fantastic experience with us this year, and we look forward to the season ahead!
The Trust offer a number of seasonal volunteer placements each year. Our volunteers are vital to ensuring the smooth delivery of both our boat-based data collection programme, community outreach activities, and the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre.
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE TEAM IN 2019... We will be recruiting for 2019 field season placements soon. Details will be posted on our our vacancies page shared via social media. For student project enquiries or to express interest in an internshi, please contact the relevant team manager.