Posts tagged wildlife experiences in Scotland
Tides of Change: Monitoring Hebridean Seas

Whales 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.

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Whales, porpoises and seabirds galore…

The 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…

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Seabirds, fin whales and Northern Lights delivered magic during the penultimate expedition of 2024

As 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.

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Dolphins, seals, stars and bioluminesence on fifteenth survey of the year!

The 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…

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Record high for minke whale sightings but record low for basking sharks, research in Hebrides finds

2023 saw the highest sighting rates and numbers of minke whales yet recorded in the Hebrides, but the lowest known for basking sharks.

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Dolphins and seals dominated fourteenth research survey…

The 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…

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The conservation impact of joining a HWDT Research Expedition

Our 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.

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Go west! Survey team 13 find their sense of adventure aboard Silurian

As 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.

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Porpoise, seals and seabirds outshone the high seas on our latest survey

Wow - 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.

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Wind and rain didn't dampen spirits during our second teen expedition

The 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.

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Plankton parties, sea dips, BBQ’s and minke whales on our first teen trip of the year

The 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.

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Minke madness, basking shark and humpback whales on our ninth survey...

The 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…

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A trio of whales in a day on our eight survey of the season!

The 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…

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Dolphin calves galore on HWDT 7…

The 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…

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Close encounters of the whale kind…

The team who joined the sixth expedition of the 2024 summer field season encountered ten minke whales while circumnavigating Islay and Jura.

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Plankton party, poems and …pigs during fifth expedition of the 'summer' season

The 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.

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Whales, dolphins and sunshine during third expedition

The 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.

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Second expedition encounters porpoises, dolphins...and strong winds

The 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…

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First expedition brings whales, dolphins, porpoises...and Storm Kathleen!

The 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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Telling the tale of the west coast killer whale

Killer whales hold a special wonder for many people and in recent years, John Coe and Aquarius of the West Coast Community have become local celebrities. Morven, our Communications Manager, has followed the story of the plight of these killer whales for many years. Here she shares what has been uncovered about the group since she began working at the Trust…

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