Tales from the Trail: National Whale and Dolphin Watch
JOIN US FOR OUR WEEKLY BLOG AS WE SHARE EXPERIENCES FROM SITES ALONG THE HEBRIDEAN WHALE TRAIL - THIS WEEK WE DIVE INTO NATIONAL WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCH
Every year our good friends at Sea Watch Foundation organise National Whale and Dolphin Watch, an event that gets everyone out all around the UK to survey our seas and create a ‘snapshot’ of whale and dolphin distribution and abundance around the UK this summer.
Starting tomorrow, the 27th July, and running through to Sunday 4th August this is the 18th National Whale and Dolphin Watch - and every year sees more incredible sightings! Members of the public are invited to take part in dolphin, whale and porpoise surveys around the UK and the data collected will help in developing a snapshot of the distribution of dolphins, whales and porpoises around the UK. This is another great opportunity for everyone to get involved in the research which goes into understanding and protecting these magnificent creatures.
“Every year in late July the Sea Watch Foundation organizes National Whale and Dolphin Watch, a citizen science project now in its 18th year, involving the general public, wildlife enthusiasts, and researchers alike in watches (land and boat-based) hoping to catch a glimpse of whales, dolphins and porpoises visiting the seas around the British Isles. Without reports from the public on these magnificent animals we cannot compile data which is used for their protection. ”
As regional coordinators for Sea Watch love taking part in this event and will be running some watches at several sites along the Hebridean Whale Trail. You can help! Join one of the watches or get out and run your own. It’s easy and fun to take part - you can find out how to carry out your own Sea Watch here.
It would be great to get the Hebrides well represented in this national survey, especially with the amazing sightings we have had recently! Did you see the amazing footage of the fin whales in the Minch (see the video below)? Or the Risso’s dolphins spotted by Milo and Tierney at Ardnamurchan? The sightings map on Whale Track at the moment is choc-full of incredible encounters along Scotland’s west coast… what might you spot?
Here at HWDT we will be running several public watches (details below) as well as sending in all our data from Whale Track and from our Silurian survey during the event. So if you spot something while out and about, and not during a dedicated Sea Watch, you can still submit your sighting on Whale Track and contribute to this important piece of research. With more eyes on the water, the better we will understand the whales and dolphins in our seas. Dedicated Sea Watches provide crucial data… even if you don’t see any whales or dolphins!
National Whale and Dolphin Watch is a perfect reason to get out along our coast, spend some time gazing out to sea and, if you are lucky, maybe spot a wondrous creature!