Posts in Survey Summaries
Silurian Season Highlights: 2023 Achievements

Over 90 people joined an expedition during the 2023 field season. Trained in data collection and survey protocol, these citizen scientists joined a community of people - stretching back over 20 years - helping to improve the understanding of whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks off Scotland’s west coast and safeguard them for future generations.

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Dolphins galore on sixteenth survey of the year!

The Crew of our sixteenth research expedition surveyed The Minch and Sound of Rasaay, encountering four species of cetacean in their week-long trip. Unfortunately, the trip was cut short due to a mechanical issue but not before the team were inundated with dolphins! Read all about their time on board Silurian

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Whaley wet weather for the fifteenth research expedition!

The crew of our fifteenth research expedition of the year left Mallaig and monitored water east of the Isle of Skye. Despite challenging weather, the fantastic team of citizen scientists who joined the crew onboard encountered six species of marine mammals across the seven days.

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Killer whales kick-start fourteenth research expedition

The crew of our fourteenth research expedition surveyed the Sea of the Hebrides, encountering four species of cetacean in their week-long trip. One the first afternoon the team were surprised to sight the West Coast Community killer whales travelling past Ardnamurchan Point. Read all about their time on board Silurian here…

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Saving the best til last (day) on board our thirteenth research expedition

The crew of our thirteenth research expedition of the year left Tobermory and monitored the waters of the Southern Hebrides. The fantastic team of citizen scientists who joined the crew on board encountered 5 species of marine mammal across 101 sightings during the nine-days.

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Lunge-feeding minke whales wow the team during twelfth expedition

The crew of our twelfth research expedition of the year left Tobermory and circumnavigated the Isles of Barra and Skye. The fantastic team of citizen scientists who joined the crew on board encountered nine species of marine animal across 12 days.

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Dolphin whisperers and minke magnets on our second teen expedition

In this blog the teens from our second teen trip of the year recount their experience surveying Hebridean Seas and the fun times they had joining us onboard our research vessel, Silurian.

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How do we gather data? NatureScot join us to find out

Rona Sinclair, Mobile Species Advisor for Nature Scot and funding manager for our cetacean monitoring project, joined us on board Silurian to learn about how data is collected.

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Dips, dolphins and lots of creels on our first teen trip of 2023

Every year, we offer dedicated teen research expeditions, providing young people with the skills, and experience of being a marine scientist on board a working research yacht. In this blog the teens recount their experience surveying Hebridean Seas.

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250 animals logged during ninth research expedition

Our ninth team of citizen scientists left Tobermory to survey the Sea of the Hebrides, circumnavigating the Isles of Tiree and Mull. They sighted a total of 250 animals across 7 days. Read all about their experiences here

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Bottlenose dolphins at breakfast during eighth research expedition of 2023

The team joining our eighth research expedition left Tobermory to monitor Hebridean seas onboard our research vessel - Silurian. Six species of marine mammal were recorded across the seven fin-tastic days of survey.

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White-beaked dolphins recorded at the northern reach of study area

The team joining our seventh research expedition left Ullapool to monitor the waters off the west coast of Scotland. six species of marine mammal were recorded, as the team reached the most northern point of our research area.

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Paradise Found - Tales from Silurian

Vaughan, our Volunteer Outreach Assistant, reflects on his experiences during the twelve day monitoring expedition he joined on board our research vessel, Silurian.

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Sixth research expedition surveys as far west as the Flannan Isles

The team on our sixth research expedition circumnavigated the Isles of Harris and Lewis, recording 9 species of marine animal in the western part of our research area. They were treated to beautiful weather and the animals definitely turned out for them. Read all about their time on board here…

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White-beaked dolphins bring delight to all those onboard fifth research survey!

Our fifth research expedition of 2023 left Ullapool to monitor the waters off the west coast of Scotland on board our research vessel - Silurian. Five species of marine mammal were recorded and the team was treated to glorious sunshine. The volunteer team recount their expedition

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Students treated to dinky minke, bow riding commons and Hebridean sunshine

Every year, we welcome aboard teams of students from St Andrew’s University Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) to discover how we collect data on board our research vessel, Silurian. Over the course of 10 days, each team spent time travelling to different areas of the west coast, collecting vital visual and acoustic data on marine mammals.

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Fourth survey encounters basking sharks and minke whales!

Our fourth research expedition of 2023 left Tobermory for a twelve-day survey monitoring the waters off the west coast of Scotland on board Silurian, our research vessel. The team crossed the Minch twice, encountering five species of marine mammal and basking sharks! The volunteer team on board recount the expedition…

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The third survey of the year circumnavigates the Isle of Skye

Our third research expedition of 2023 left Tobermory for a seven-day survey monitoring the waters off the west coast of Scotland on board Silurian, our research vessel. The team circumnavigated the Isle of Skye, encountering five species of marine mammal. The volunteer team on board recount the expedition…

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Three species of marine mammal encountered during second research expedition of 2023

Our second research expedition of 2023 left Tobermory for a seven-day survey monitoring the Hebridean marine environment on board Silurian - our research vessel. Things got off to a rolly start but calm seas prevailed allowing the group to collect vital visual and acoustic data. The volunteer team on board recall their expedition…

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Silurian: from smuggling to science

Since 2002, our research vessel, Silurian, has been collecting information of international importance on marine life in the Hebrides.  A recognisable and familiar presence off Scotland’s west coast, Silurian and her teams of citizen scientists have worked hard, monitoring and protecting areas of critical habitat for whales and dolphins, but has she always undertaken such vital work?

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