In modern times, everyone appreciates the importance and application of data. The digital revolution over the past couple of decades has been driven by it. However, documenting and recording information about the natural world is a well known concept that has been happening for centuries, if not millennia. In this blog find out how HWDT utilise the data gathered by you - our fantastic citizen scientists
Read MoreWARNING: This blog contains graphic images.
Have you ever come across someone cutting up a dead whale or dolphin and wondered 'what on earth are they doing?' We discuss the importance of learning from the dead and who you should report any dead whales or dolphins to if you come across them.
Read MoreWhat have our Whale Track community been seeing this Spring?
We look at some of the sighting reports we’ve been receiving this Spring, including long finned pilot whales, basking sharks and even a fin whale!
Read MoreWhen reporting your sighting, we ask you to identify the behaviours displayed by the animal you’re watching. But why is this important?
We've broken down what behaviours you may see and why it is so important to record them.
Citizen science plays a key role in deepening our understanding of whales, dolphins and porpoise. The ‘mystery’ killer whale pod is a great example of the impact citizen science can have. Discover the story of this mystery pod and how citizen scientists are helping to add more pieces to their puzzle.
Read MoreJust in time for Spring, as spotting conditions improve and the wildlife begins to arrive in larger numbers around local shores, we have released a new and improved Whale Track app. Here we explore five new features of Whale Track.
Read MoreThe Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) are calling on members of the public to get involved with efforts to protect Scottish whales and dolphins by reporting what they’ve spotted and carrying out surveys from both land and sea. The appeal comes as the conservation charity launches its new and improved Whale Track community sightings app and website.
Read MoreAdventure beckons as the summer field season on board our research vessel, Silurian, kicks off this weekend. But before we raise the anchor and set sail, we’d love to share some of the exciting developments we’ve made over the winter with support from the NatureScot Nature Restoration Fund.
Read MoreHWDT is delighted to restart our Winter Webinar series, with a fantastic programme of guest speakers lined up for 2022! Streaming directly to your sofa from the home of the whales in the heart of the Hebrides.
Read MoreThe Scottish Entanglement Alliance have issued a report on the threat of entanglement to marine animals in Scottish waters. This cross-sector partnership has come together to better understand the scale, extent and impact. Only by working together can we tackle the issue effectively.
Read MoreJoint Warrior, Europe’s largest military exercise, is underway in Scotland. If you are on the west coast of Scotland, please be extra vigilant and contribute to our long-term monitoring efforts by reporting your excursions and sightings on Whale Track.
Read MoreKnobble and Kasey return to the Hebrides this month, highlighting how important the region is for minke whales who migrate to feed in the rich waters off Scotland’s west coast during the summer months.
Read MoreWhat is believed to be the first match of killer whales between Scotland and Norway has been made after experts identified three individuals photographed in southern Norway this month as part of a ‘mystery pod’ seen off Scotland’s west coast in 2018.
Read MoreWell-known killer whale John Coe from the West Coast Community has been spotted of the English coast again, this time seen off Dover, in the English Channel. John Coe was seen with a second individual, likely to be Aquarius.
Read MoreThe Scottish Government is currently running a public consultation and is seeking your views on a new UK Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy. The strategy aims to support the conservation of nine of the most commonly seen cetaceans in UK waters, and now includes minke whales.
Read MoreMuch loved killer whales John Coe and Aquarius from the West Coast Community have returned to the Hebrides 9 days after this famous pair were recorded off the English coast for the first time.
Read MoreToday Europe’s largest military exercise, Joint Warrior, begins in the Hebrides. HWDT have long-standing concerns about the impact of these activities on whales, dolphins and porpoises. Find out more about our concerns and what we are doing about it here.
Read MoreYou can help us to conduct research by taking part in the Big Give campaign! Every pound that you donate will be DOUBLED by the Big Give Green Match Fund, helping us to collect crucial data on the whales and dolphins in our waters!
Read MoreWe are delighted to introduce Katherine, our new boat manager, to the HWDT team. Read all about why she is so excited about joining the team and setting sail onboard Silurian…
Read MoreToday we welcome the Scottish Government announcement on the designation of four new Marine Protected Areas (MPA) for minke whale, basking shark and Risso’s dolphin in Scottish waters, which will protect areas of critical habitat for these species.
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