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During 2024, 11,039 sightings of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and other marine life were reported to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) by members of the public, or citizen scientists. Over 65,000 animals have been sighted in Scottish waters, from 17 different species.
Read MoreWhales and dolphins are long-lived and well-travelled, with some species crossing oceans on migration. Understanding these magnificent creatures and safeguarding their futures relies on long-term monitoring, offering us a deeper glimpse into their lives and challenges.
Read MoreThe team on our seventeenth survey encountered foraging minke whales, porpoises and sea birds on their seven-day survey out of Mallaig. Read all about their experiences here…
Read MoreAs reports of the wettest summer on record spread, the team aboard the 13th expedition this field season battled through to survey around the west of Mull, rewarded with dolphins and porpoises.
Read MoreThe team on our fifthteenth survey encountered foraging common dolphins, bow-riding harbour porpoises and numerous common seals on their seven-day survey out of Mallaig. They enjoyed the first of our autumnul expeditions with starry skies and bioluminescense. Read all about their experiences here…
Read More2023 saw the highest sighting rates and numbers of minke whales yet recorded in the Hebrides, but the lowest known for basking sharks.
Read MoreThe team on our fourteenth survey encountered minke whales, common dolphins, white-beaked dolphins and Atlantic blue-fin tuna on their nine day expedition out of Tobermory. Read all about their experiences here…
Read MoreOur expedition surveys on board our research vessel, Silurian, have been monitoring Scotland’s seas for over two decades. This long-term monitoring is critical, driving protections to restore marine biodiversity and championing healthy seas for nature and communities.
Read MoreAs reports of the wettest summer on record spread, the team aboard the 13th expedition this field season battled through to survey around the west of Mull, rewarded with dolphins and porpoises.
Read MoreWow - we’ve completed out twelfth survey of the season! Although the challenging weather keeps on coming, our latest bunch of intrepid sailors found an abundance of porpoise, seals and seabirds.
Read MoreThe second of our teen trips this year experienced some challenging conditions. However, off Scotland’s west coast there are many sounds (channels of water) and sea lochs to hide from the worst of the weather. During this expedition, we managed to survey some local sea lochs for the first time this ‘summer’ field season.
Read MoreThe teens from our first teen research trip this year recount their experience surveying Hebridean Seas and the fun times they had joining us onboard our research vessel, Silurian.
Read MoreThe team on our ninth survey encountered minke whales, common dolphins, basking shark and humpback whales on their nine day expedition out of Ullapool. Read all about their experiences here…
Read MoreThe team who joined our seventh expedition encountered minke whales and dolphin calves galore while battling through large swells in the Minch. Read all about their expedition here…
Read MoreThe team who joined our seventh expedition encountered minke whales and dolphin calves galore while battling through large swells in the Minch. Read all about their expedition here…
Read MoreThe team who joined the sixth expedition of the 2024 summer field season encountered ten minke whales while circumnavigating Islay and Jura.
Read MoreThe fifth expedition of the year presented some challenging weather conditions, but the hardy souls aboard Silurian provided equal measures of fun and laughter with food. A plankton party and pass the pigs providing a memorable week for all.
Read MoreThe team of the season's third expedition enjoyed sightings of whales, dolphins, and sunny weather! They recorded over 200 marine mammals in the week-long live-aboard expedition surveying the Hebridean seas.
Read MoreThe second survey of the season kicked off amidst April showers and strong winds. Our intrepid team of volunteers were trained in Silurian’s scientific protocols and battled the waves to collect valuable data. Read all about their experiences here…
Read MoreThe first expedition marked the start of the 2024 summer field season and despite some challenging weather - namely Storm Kathleen - the crew and team of citizen scientists monitored areas of the Southern Hebrides and recorded five species of marine mammal.
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