Scotland’s west coast seas are a vitally important area for minke whales – with some of these spectacular but vulnerable marine mammals notching up Europe’s longest sighting histories of almost 30 years, research by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust shows.
Read MoreOrca Watch is running this week, a ten-day event coordinated by the Seawatch Foundation. With land based watches taking place all around Caithness, North Sutherland, Orkney and Shetland, enthusiastic citizen scientists will be keen to catch a glimpse of these apex predators. But it’s not all black and white when it comes to killer whale populations in Scottish seas
Read MoreCheck out what’s been reported over the winter by our wonderful Whale Track community. Recording whale, dolphin and porpoise movements over winter months is crucial to building a year-round understanding of how these creatures use our waters and document any changes over time. A huge thank you to all our Whale Track reporters for helping undertake this vital work!
Read MoreCOP26 started this week in Glasgow, where world leaders are meeting to discuss how best to tackle climate issues. Our Science Officer Becky explores what climate change means for our oceans, and what impacts in could be having to the whales, dolphins, and porpoises in our waters….
Read MoreSilurian battled through strong winds and heavy showers on our latest acoustic expedition. In total, we surveyed over 330 nautical miles, collecting over 60 hours of acoustic recordings.
Read MoreOn our latest expedition onboard our research vessel Silurian, we went went, surveying the waters around the Outer Hebrides and reaching some of the most remote areas of the Scottish west coast.
Read MoreAfter volunteering three years ago, Bruce joined us on board Silurian as First Mate for our latest acoustic expedition. Bruce talks to our Science Officer Becky about that three year journey and why that first survey made such an impact…
Read MoreOur latest expedition on board our research vessel Silurian was action packed! Not only did we have some incredible wildlife encounters, but we even managed to join James Armour for some of his incredible Selkie race.
Read MoreThanks to contributions from members of the public Silurian continues to monitor Hebridean waters, in the company of some very friendly minkes whales.
Read MoreDue to the amazing generosity of our supporters in our recent Big Give Green Match Fund campaign, our research vessel set out to monitor Joint Warrior, Europe’s largest military exercise, to help us understand the impact it may have on cetaceans in the Hebrides.
Read MoreIt is a vital time for marine life in Scotland as the sun begins to shine with increasing ferocity and our seas begin to warm. Seabirds have returned to breed after a long winter at sea, wildflowers have begun to bloom and whales have been spotted back in our waters!
Read MoreLast year with the help of contributions from members of the public, we were able to survey OVER 4,100 km of Hebridean seas, helping us to continue to protect cetaceans in the Hebrides in the midst of a global pandemic.
Read MoreWith a year in lockdown just passed, we look back at some of the most memorable encounters of whales and dolphins off Scotland’s west coast over this time.
Read MoreThe final acoustic survey of the season monitored Joint warrior, Europe’s largest military exercise, to help us understand the impact these activities have on cetaceans in the Hebrides.
Read MoreFive different species of cetaceans were recorded on our third acoustic survey in some spectacular encounters!
Read MoreCommon dolphins were out in force as Silurian completed the second acoustic survey, with 1024 individuals recorded over 41 sightings!
Read MoreSilurian is back on the water collecting acoustic data on the whales, dolphins, and porpoises in our seas. On the first survey we covered an impressive 637 nautical miles and collected over 105 hours of acoustic recordings!
Read MoreWhat an end to the 2019 summer season on board Silurian: amazing encounters, fantastic team, great conditions and, to top it all off, an encounter with the famous bull killer whales, John Coe and Aquarius!
Read MoreOur latest survey was scheduled to coincide with the biannual Joint Warrior exercise to help understand the impact that these activities may have on cetaceans across the Hebrides.
Read MoreIt was a truely epic experience for our last Kyle of Localsh survey of the year, with seven species of marine mammals encountered including: common dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, harbour porpoise, grey and common seals.
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