Last week, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust sailed Silurian, their bespoke whale and dolphin research vessel, to the islands on the edge of the Atlantic, taking a break from surveying for a special education visit to the Isle of Lewis. Read on to find out how the week went.
Read MoreDuring the survey we encountered seven species of marine mammals, as well as several basking sharks. When crossing the sea of the Hebrideas we even sighted all seven species in ONE DAY, including over 200 common dolphins, a breaching white-beaked dolphin and some juvenile bottlenose dolphins!
Read MoreDuring the survey we covered the Sound of Sleat and surveyed around the Small Isles. In total we recorded six different species of marine megafauna, including an unexpected basking shark, some stealthy minke whales and over a hundred common dolphins.
Read MoreDuring the survey we recorded four different species of marine mammals, including some really special glimpses of harbour porpoises within meters of Silurian. We also had an unexpected encounter with a couple of common dolphins, who came over to bow ride as we surveyed up towards Fort William.
Read MoreEver wondered what it would be like to join HWDT as a volunteer on Silurian? Well know you can find out! Read our guest piece by dedicated volunteer Rod White, who has joined us seven times monitoring whales and dolphins along Scotland’s west coast.
Read MoreDuring the survey we recorded five different species of marine mammals, which included an incredible sighting of Risso’s dolphins with new calves in tow, as well as some very close encounters with some minke whales. We also had the opportunity to visit the island of Lunga, spending time with thousands of nesting puffins!
Read MoreDuring the survey, the team covered an impressive 475 miles of Hebridean seas looking and listening for marine wildlife. It was a truly fantastic survey with an incredible 234 sightings of seven species of marine mammals and basking sharks. The highlight was a minke whale encounter that was so special it bought tears to our eyes!
Read MoreDuring the survey we recorded six different species of marine mammals, which included an unbelievable encounter with nine killer whales! We also had our first basking shark sighting, bow riding common dolphins and a lunge feeding minke whale!
Read MoreTo celebrate Scotland's Year of Young People, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust are running three Teen Team research surveys this year, for the first time ever! These unique research expeditions place teenagers at the heart of the action, conducting pioneering research into whales and dolphins off Scotland’s west coast – helping collect valuable data to conserve marine mammals.
Read MoreDuring the survey we recorded six different species of marine mammals, which included an unbelievable encounter with nine killer whales! We also had our first basking shark sighting, bow riding common dolphins and a lunge feeding minke whale!
Read MoreDuring the survey we recorded seven different species of marine mammals, including ten different pods of white-beaked dolphins! Amazing weather conditions meant that we were able to travel to the Outer Hebrides, visiting white sandy beaches and the Callanish stones.
Read MoreDuring the survey we covered 205 nautical miles, spending over 27 hours looking for marine megafauna. We recorded four different species including an incredible encounter with the Inner Hebridean population of bottlenose dolphins, who are resident to our survey area.
Read MoreTomorrow, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s research yacht, Silurian, will set sail on an ambitious tour of Hebridean islands, making special visits to six local primary schools visiting some for the first time in a decade.
Read MoreOur second monitoring survey of the season 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 MoreOur first Silurian survey of the season kicked off last weekend with the arrival of our team of enthusiastic volunteer citizen scientists arriving in Tobermory from all over the UK (and one from Switzerland!).
Read MoreApril launches the start of our survey season as Silurian sets off in style!
Read MoreHebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has announced details of its 2018 surveys, in which volunteers and marine scientists will carry out pioneering research into the health of whales, dolphins and porpoises off Scotland’s west coast using photogrammetry – the science of making measurements from photographs.
Read MoreDespite the snowy skies and blustery winds, it’s not long now until Spring, and that can only mean one thing here at HWDT, and that’s the start of our survey season. We’re incredibly excited this year for our early season Joint Warrior survey, which has been successfully running since 2009.
Read MoreSightings of common dolphins across the Hebrides have reached a new record high according to research conducted by marine conservation charity, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust.
Read MoreTo celebrate British Science Week, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) are proudly hosting an exciting day of events in Tobermory on Saturday the 10th of March.
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