Posts in Silurian
"Best school day ever!"

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.

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Survey Summary: HWDT 10

During 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!

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Survey Summary: Teen Research Expedition 2

During 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.

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Survey Summary: Teen Research Expedition 1

During 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.

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Ever wondered what life on board a HWDT research survey is like?

Ever 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.

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Survey Summary: HWDT 7

During 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!

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Survey Summary: HWDT 6

During 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!

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Teenage marine research expeditions in Hebrides to boost whale and dolphin conservation

To 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.

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Survey Summary: HWDT 4

During 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.

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Survey Summary: HWDT 3

During 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.

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Floating Classroom visits Island Primary Schools for the first time in 10 years!

Tomorrow, 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.

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*PRESS RELEASE* Expeditions to study health of whales in Hebrides using pioneering laser photography

Hebridean 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.

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We Need You: a call for volunteers aboard Silurian's Joint Warrior Survey

Despite 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.

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*PRESS RELEASE* Record numbers of common dolphin sightings off Scotland’s west coast

Sightings 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.

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