Posts in Silurian
First Research Expedition of 2022 Kicks Off!
First Research Expedition of 2022 Kicks Off!

We’re off!! The summer field season (April - October) on board our research vessel, Silurian, has started. Despite battling challenging conditions, the team on board remained steadfast. Hannah, our scientist who led the data collection on board, shares the expedition update

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Survey Summaries, SilurianMorven Summersresearch trip, research, marine conservation, marine wildlife, what do we know about Scottish whales, winter sightings, winter survey, scotland, Hebridean wildlife, hebrides, west cost, data collection, data, acoustics, acoustic survey, acoustic monitoring, visual data, visual monitoring, efforts to better understand, whale, dolphin, dolphins, ocean protection
Exploring the new Whale Track app and website
Exploring the new Whale Track app and website

Just 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.

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Silurian, Science & ResearchSadie Gorvettsilurian, Silurian, research trip, research, research expedition, research vessel, whale research in Scotland, dolphin, dolphin sounds, whale and dolphin research, scotlnd, hebrides, Hebridean wildlife, scottish wildlife, sealife, ocean protection, monitoring, conservation, conservation holidays, marine wildlife, marine tourism, how can i help, protect the ocean, protect whales, save the whale, how can I get involved in whale research, acoustics, acoustic monitoring, soundscape, marine noise, underwaternoise, NatureScot, nature restoration fund, nature, restoration, Scot Gov
Last Survey of the Winter Field Season
Last Survey of the Winter Field Season

Our winter survey programme on board Silurian has been running since 2019, learning more about the year-round presence of marine mammals and basking sharks in Hebridean seas. These surveys are important given that prior to the start of the programme, little winter data existed for the region. Science Officer, Jenny, gives an update on the last winter survey of this year…

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Survey Summaries, SilurianJenny Hampsonresearch trip, research, marine conservation, marine wildlife, what do we know about Scottish whales, winter sightings, winter survey, scotland, Hebridean wildlife, hebrides, west cost, data collection, data, acoustics, acoustic survey, acoustic monitoring, visual data, visual monitoring, efforts to better understand, whale, dolphin, dolphins, ocean protection
Exciting Upgrades Boost Conservation
Exciting Upgrades Boost Conservation

Adventure 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.

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Silurian, Science & ResearchMorven Summerssilurian, Silurian, research trip, research, research expedition, research vessel, whale research in Scotland, dolphin, dolphin sounds, whale and dolphin research, scotlnd, hebrides, Hebridean wildlife, scottish wildlife, sealife, ocean protection, monitoring, conservation, conservation holidays, marine wildlife, marine tourism, how can i help, protect the ocean, protect whales, save the whale, how can I get involved in whale research, acoustics, acoustic monitoring, soundscape, marine noise, underwaternoise, NatureScot, nature restoration fund, nature, restoration, Scot Gov
'Seasonal Visitors' Encountered on the First Winter Expedition of the Season
'Seasonal Visitors' Encountered on the First Winter Expedition of the Season

Craig Mackie gives us an update on the first winter expedition of 2021, where a couple of ‘summer visitors’ were recorded. The winter survey programme, funded by Nature Scot, is helping us improve our year-round understanding of Hebridean marine environment

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Survey Summaries, SilurianRebecca Dudleyresearch trip, research, whales, whale research in Scotland, hebridean whales, Hebrides, Hebridean wildlife, Whales, whales in the wild, see whales in the wild UK, dolphin, dolphins in the wild, what dolphins can I see, scottish dolphins, common dolphin, acoustics, acoustic monitoring, dolphin sounds, dolphin whistles, research vessel, research expedition, data collection, data, scotland, Scotland wildlife, what do we know about Scottish whales, who is studying Scottish dolphins, who studies whales UK
Silurian battles through storms on our latest acoustic expedition
Silurian battles through storms on our latest acoustic expedition

Silurian battled through strong winds and heavy showers on our latest acoustic expedition. In total, we surveyed over 330 nautical miles, collecting over 60 hours of acoustic recordings.

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Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudleycitizenscience, citizen science, silurian, Silurian, Siluiran, monitoring, monitoring expedition, common dolphin, killer whale, UKs killer whale population, UK orca populations, orca, busta the killer whale, razor the killer whale, hebrides, outer hebrides, western isles, marineconservation, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine wildlife, sustainability, sustainable marine tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, eco tourism, biological recording, data collection, scottish orca, scottish whales, scottish dolphins, volunteering, volunteer, volunteer now, volunteer holidays, get involved, volunteernow, volunteers, gain experience, bottlenose dolphins, underwaternoise, whale, dolphin
Circumnavigating the Outer Hebrides on our latest expedition
Circumnavigating the Outer Hebrides on our latest expedition

On our latest expedition onboard our research vessel Silurian, we went went, surveying the waters around the Outer Hebrides and reaching some of the most remote areas of the Scottish west coast.

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Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudleycitizenscience, citizen science, silurian, Silurian, Siluiran, monitoring, monitoring expedition, common dolphin, killer whale, UKs killer whale population, UK orca populations, orca, busta the killer whale, razor the killer whale, hebrides, outer hebrides, western isles, marineconservation, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine wildlife, sustainability, sustainable marine tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, eco tourism, biological recording, data collection, scottish orca, scottish whales, scottish dolphins, volunteering, volunteer, volunteer now, volunteer holidays, get involved, volunteernow, volunteers, gain experience, bottlenose dolphins, underwaternoise, whale, dolphin
From volunteer to First Mate: Bruce’s journey
From volunteer to First Mate: Bruce’s journey

After volunteering three years ago, Bruce joined us on board Silurian as First Mate for our latest acoustic expedition. Bruce talks to our Science Officer Becky about that three year journey and why that first survey made such an impact…

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Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudleycitizenscience, citizen science, silurian, Silurian, Siluiran, monitoring, monitoring expedition, common dolphin, killer whale, UKs killer whale population, UK orca populations, orca, busta the killer whale, razor the killer whale, hebrides, outer hebrides, western isles, marineconservation, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine wildlife, sustainability, sustainable marine tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, eco tourism, biological recording, data collection, scottish orca, scottish whales, scottish dolphins, volunteering, volunteer, volunteer now, volunteer holidays, get involved, volunteernow, volunteers, gain experience, bottlenose dolphins, underwaternoise, whale, dolphin
Bow riding bottlenose, Lunge feeding minkes, and a selkie
Bow riding bottlenose, Lunge feeding minkes, and a selkie

Our latest expedition on board our research vessel Silurian was action packed! Not only did we have some incredible wildlife encounters, but we even managed to join James Armour for some of his incredible Selkie race.

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Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudleycitizenscience, citizen science, silurian, Silurian, Siluiran, monitoring, monitoring expedition, common dolphin, killer whale, UKs killer whale population, UK orca populations, orca, busta the killer whale, razor the killer whale, hebrides, outer hebrides, western isles, marineconservation, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine wildlife, sustainability, sustainable marine tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, eco tourism, biological recording, data collection, scottish orca, scottish whales, scottish dolphins, volunteering, volunteer, volunteer now, volunteer holidays, get involved, volunteernow, volunteers, gain experience, bottlenose dolphins, underwaternoise, whale, dolphin
It was minke magic on our latest expedition
It was minke magic on our latest expedition

Thanks to contributions from members of the public Silurian continues to monitor Hebridean waters, in the company of some very friendly minkes whales.

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Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudleycitizenscience, citizen science, silurian, Silurian, Siluiran, monitoring, monitoring expedition, common dolphin, killer whale, UKs killer whale population, UK orca populations, orca, busta the killer whale, razor the killer whale, hebrides, outer hebrides, western isles, marineconservation, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine wildlife, sustainability, sustainable marine tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, eco tourism, biological recording, data collection, scottish orca, scottish whales, scottish dolphins, volunteering, volunteer, volunteer now, volunteer holidays, get involved, volunteernow, volunteers, gain experience, bottlenose dolphins, underwaternoise, whale, dolphin
Silurian monitors Joint Warrior, Europe’s largest military exercise
Silurian monitors Joint Warrior, Europe’s largest military exercise

Due to the amazing generosity of our supporters in our recent Big Give Green Match Fund campaign, our research vessel set out to monitor Joint Warrior, Europe’s largest military exercise, to help us understand the impact it may have on cetaceans in the Hebrides.

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Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudleycitizenscience, citizen science, silurian, Silurian, Siluiran, monitoring, monitoring expedition, common dolphin, killer whale, UKs killer whale population, UK orca populations, orca, busta the killer whale, razor the killer whale, hebrides, outer hebrides, western isles, marineconservation, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine wildlife, sustainability, sustainable marine tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, eco tourism, biological recording, data collection, scottish orca, scottish whales, scottish dolphins, volunteering, volunteer, volunteer now, volunteer holidays, get involved, volunteernow, volunteers, gain experience, bottlenose dolphins, underwaternoise, whale, dolphin
Longer days bring whales to our waters
Longer days bring whales to our waters

It is a vital time for marine life in Scotland as the sun begins to shine with increasing ferocity and our seas begin to warm. Seabirds have returned to breed after a long winter at sea, wildflowers have begun to bloom and whales have been spotted back in our waters!

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Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudleycitizenscience, citizen science, silurian, Silurian, Siluiran, monitoring, monitoring expedition, common dolphin, killer whale, UKs killer whale population, UK orca populations, orca, busta the killer whale, razor the killer whale, hebrides, outer hebrides, western isles, marineconservation, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine wildlife, sustainability, sustainable marine tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, eco tourism, biological recording, data collection, scottish orca, scottish whales, scottish dolphins, volunteering, volunteer, volunteer now, volunteer holidays, get involved, volunteernow, volunteers, gain experience, bottlenose dolphins, underwaternoise, whale, dolphin
Protecting cetaceans in a pandemic
Protecting cetaceans in a pandemic

Last year with the help of contributions from members of the public, we were able to survey OVER 4,100 km of Hebridean seas, helping us to continue to protect cetaceans in the Hebrides in the midst of a global pandemic.

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Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudleycitizenscience, citizen science, silurian, Silurian, Siluiran, monitoring, monitoring expedition, common dolphin, killer whale, UKs killer whale population, UK orca populations, orca, busta the killer whale, razor the killer whale, hebrides, outer hebrides, western isles, marineconservation, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine wildlife, sustainability, sustainable marine tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, eco tourism, biological recording, data collection, scottish orca, scottish whales, scottish dolphins, volunteering, volunteer, volunteer now, volunteer holidays, get involved, volunteernow, volunteers, gain experience, bottlenose dolphins, underwaternoise, whale, dolphin
Silurian monitors Joint Warrior on our latest acoustic survey
Silurian monitors Joint Warrior on our latest acoustic survey

The final acoustic survey of the season monitored Joint warrior, Europe’s largest military exercise, to help us understand the impact these activities have on cetaceans in the Hebrides.

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Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudleycitizenscience, citizen science, silurian, Silurian, Siluiran, monitoring, monitoring expedition, common dolphin, killer whale, UKs killer whale population, UK orca populations, orca, busta the killer whale, razor the killer whale, hebrides, outer hebrides, western isles, marineconservation, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine wildlife, sustainability, sustainable marine tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, eco tourism, biological recording, data collection, scottish orca, scottish whales, scottish dolphins, volunteering, volunteer, volunteer now, volunteer holidays, get involved, volunteernow, volunteers, gain experience, bottlenose dolphins, underwaternoise, whale, dolphin
Incredible biodiversity showcased on our latest acoustic survey
Incredible biodiversity showcased on our latest acoustic survey

Five different species of cetaceans were recorded on our third acoustic survey in some spectacular encounters!

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Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudleycitizenscience, citizen science, silurian, Silurian, Siluiran, monitoring, monitoring expedition, common dolphin, killer whale, UKs killer whale population, UK orca populations, orca, busta the killer whale, razor the killer whale, hebrides, outer hebrides, western isles, marineconservation, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine wildlife, sustainability, sustainable marine tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, eco tourism, biological recording, data collection, scottish orca, scottish whales, scottish dolphins, volunteering, volunteer, volunteer now, volunteer holidays, get involved, volunteernow, volunteers, gain experience, bottlenose dolphins, underwaternoise, whale, dolphin
Over 1000 common dolphins recorded on our latest acoustic survey!
Over 1000 common dolphins recorded on our latest acoustic survey!

Common dolphins were out in force as Silurian completed the second acoustic survey, with 1024 individuals recorded over 41 sightings!

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Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudleycitizenscience, citizen science, silurian, Silurian, Siluiran, monitoring, monitoring expedition, common dolphin, killer whale, UKs killer whale population, UK orca populations, orca, busta the killer whale, razor the killer whale, hebrides, outer hebrides, western isles, marineconservation, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine wildlife, sustainability, sustainable marine tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, eco tourism, biological recording, data collection, scottish orca, scottish whales, scottish dolphins, volunteering, volunteer, volunteer now, volunteer holidays, get involved, volunteernow, volunteers, gain experience, bottlenose dolphins, underwaternoise, whale, dolphin
Silurian surveys the Hebridean seas once more!
Silurian surveys the Hebridean seas once more!

Silurian is back on the water collecting acoustic data on the whales, dolphins, and porpoises in our seas. On the first survey we covered an impressive 637 nautical miles and collected over 105 hours of acoustic recordings!

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Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudleycitizenscience, citizen science, silurian, Silurian, Siluiran, monitoring, monitoring expedition, common dolphin, killer whale, UKs killer whale population, UK orca populations, orca, busta the killer whale, razor the killer whale, hebrides, outer hebrides, western isles, marineconservation, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine wildlife, sustainability, sustainable marine tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, eco tourism, biological recording, data collection, scottish orca, scottish whales, scottish dolphins, volunteering, volunteer, volunteer now, volunteer holidays, get involved, volunteernow, volunteers, gain experience, bottlenose dolphins, underwaternoise, whale, dolphin