National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2021
You are invited to take part in a national event and watch out for amazing marine life.
With your help we can gain a snapshot of the whales, dolphins, porpoises, and basking sharks present in the sea off the west coast of Scotland.
Between Saturday 24th July and Sunday 1st August all sightings you record on Whale Track will contribute to National Whale and Dolphin Watch, an annual event run by Sea Watch Foundation.
Join in and you can help document the amazing diversity of species seen along Scotland’s spectacular west coast.
Your records will showcase and represent the region, alongside the whole of the UK, generating vital evidence that is needed to better understand and protect these incredible animals.
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED;
Attend online training (info here) and learn how to carry out a dedicated survey on land or by boat and receive training in species identification and data collection (no experience necessary). There are some great prizes lined up for running watches.
When travelling via boat or ferry please use the ‘track your excursion’ mode on your Whale Track app to carry out your own survey using your phone.
Take a stroll along the coast and watch from land. Take a look at Hebridean Whale Trail for ideas on where to visit. Don’t forget to download Whale Track before you go to report animals as you spot them, or make a note and add them via the Whale Track website when you get home.
Meet other wildlife enthusiasts at organised watches across the area, for more information visit Sea Watch Foundation’s website.
Submit your photos - you can add these to your Whale Track sighting by logging into “My Sightings” on the website or emailing to sightings@hwdt.org (read our handy how to guide here). Your photos and videos can help identify individual animals and uncover their movements and life histories.
DID YOU KNOW?
Last year, you (the amazing Whale Track community) recorded over 1000 animals on the west coast of Scotland in the nine days of Sea Watch Foundation’s National Whale and Dolphin Watch survey.
Seven different species were recorded, including harbour porpoise, common dolphin, minke whale, bottlenose dolphin, basking shark, humpback whale and Risso’s dolphin. Explore the highlights here.
By collecting data over a long period of time we can begin to build a robust understanding of the whales, dolphins and porpoises that we see in the Hebrides. The contribution made by you, our Whale Track community, is fantastic and is vital to improving this knowledge. People drive conservation and you are all contributing, with every sighting, excursion, and photo you submit.
Thank you for your passion and dedication to protect marine life.
Whale Track is supported by the Co-Op Local Community Fund. Please help us to monitor whales and dolphins by raising vital funds for Whale Track whilst you shop. To help, click the link and select Whale Track as your cause.