Familiar faces join Silurian as she surveys the Outer Isles

The third survey of the season explored the waters of the southern Outer Hebridean Islands, bringing the first basking shark sightings of the year on board Silurian! We also encountered hundreds of common dolphins, 10 minke whales, as well as harbour porpoise, common and grey seals.

Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudley4 June 2019Silurian, volunteer holidays, whales, dolphins, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, survey, Scotland, Hebrides, cetaceans

Wonderful whaley workshops for Oban pupils thanks to supporter donations

Providing top-quality, memorable hands-on learning experiences to school children in western Scotland has been a keystone of conservation efforts at the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) from the beginning. Read on to find our what Pippa, Rian and Michael from our Education Team have been up to, thanks to generous donations from our members and supporters.

Caroline Willis30 May 2019education, marine education, classroom learning

Spectacular minke whale sightings mark the start of Silurian’s summer survey season

We started the summer survey season in style on Silurian with our first minke whales of the year during the first standard survey expedition of 2019, and what spectacular sightings they were! We also saw bottlenose and common dolphins, harbour porpoise, grey seals and common seals.

Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudley27 May 2019Silurian, volunteer holidays, whales, dolphins, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, survey, Scotland, Hebrides, cetaceans

Marlow Ropes pledge their support as a Corporate Supporter

HWDT are delighted to acknowledge the support of Marlow Ropes

Guest User24 May 2019

Silurian receives some well-deserved TLC!

Thanks to the generous backing of our funders and supporters, our research vessel Silurian has undergone a transformation! She travels thousands of miles every year to monitor Hebridean marine life and we are delighted that we have been able to give her the TLC she deserves!

Silurian, Survey SummariesLauren Hartny-Mills23 May 2019Silurian, volunteer holidays, whales, dolphins, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, survey, Scotland, Hebrides, cetaceans

“Sighting!” Primary Pupils become Marine Scientists Aboard HWDT’s Floating Classroom

Last week, HWDT’s education team sailed to Dunstaffnage Marina to host pupils from local primary schools as part of the Hebridean Marine Explorer Programme. Volunteer Education Assistant Rian describes the week’s events and the excitement of teaching on Silurian.

SilurianCaroline Willis9 May 2019volunteer, volunteering, floating classroom, outdoor learning, silurian, open boat, oban, dunstaffnage, marine education, outdoor education, sighting

Sightings galore as Hannah starts her volunteer placement

A warm welcome to one of the new members of the team, Hannah, who is part of our 2019 volunteer team. Here Hannah gives an account of some of the activities she’s been involved with, including her first minke whale sighting!

Events & OutreachMorven Summers29 April 2019sightings, volunteer, volunteering, citizenscience, events on mull, glengorm, glengorm wildlife project, minke whale, things to do Mull, Things to do Scotland

Floating Classes for Oban Pupils on Whale Research Yacht, Silurian.

Tomorrow, HWDT’s research vessel Silurian will set course for Dunstaffnage Marina, in preparation for a busy education week on board the floating classroom, working with primary schools from in and around Oban. For those of you who are curious, the Trust are inviting people to come on board for a guided tour, which will run informally between 5pm and 7pm on Thursday 2nd May.

Events & Outreach, SilurianCaroline Willis27 April 2019Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, Scotland, education, floating classroom, open boat, outdoor education, outdoor learning

HWDT monitor Joint Warrior exercises in the Hebrides

Our last winter survey departed last week with a special volunteer on board. Andy Tait is one of our longest running and dedicated volunteers and has been working with the trust for 25 years! During the survey we saw harbour porpoise, grey and common seals and even a common dolphin!

Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudley24 April 2019Silurian, volunteer holidays, whales, dolphins, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, survey, Scotland, Hebrides, cetaceans

Discovery Centre Open

A trip to Tobermory is not complete without a visit to our Discovery Centre, now open for the season. Located on the iconic Main Street, there’s every reason to stop in and find out more about Hebridean whales, dolphins, porpoises and other local wildlife.

Events & OutreachMorven Summers23 April 2019HWDT Discovery CentreTobermory, Isle of Mull, things to do Mull, Things to do Tobermory, Discovery centre, learn about whales and dolphins, shop, eco friendly, ecoshop

Joint Warrior Underway in the Hebrides

With the massive military exercise, Joint Warrior, underway in the Hebrides, we are asking the public to be vigilant and report their sightings

Silurian, SightingsMorven Summers2 April 2019joint warrior, Joint Warrior, Military exercises, Ministry of Defense, survey, sightings, whale, whale track, dolphin, threats, porpoise, silurian

One of our longest running volunteers joins us for the March winter survey

Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudley1 April 2019Silurian, volunteer holidays, whales, dolphins, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, survey, Scotland, Hebrides, cetaceans

HWDT on Blue Planet UK

Feeling inspired by Blue Planet UK? Join us on board in 2019 and contribute directly to conservation. Conservation is driven by people and we need you.

SilurianMorven Summers26 March 2019ecotourism, volunteers, volunteer holidays, volunteer, volunteernow, silurian, expedition, teen team, teen research expedition, gain experience, monitoring expedition, survey, marine wildlife, marine conservation

HWDT Celebrates 25th Birthday!

Established on 15th March 1994, today marks the celebration of 25 years of HWDT

Lauren Hartny-Mills15 March 2019Hebridean Whale and Dolphin TrustHWDT, birthday, 25 years old, Tobermory, isle of mull, research, education, celebration

First all-female crew run February winter survey

An all-female crew have delivered a dedicated monitoring survey on Silurian for the first time! With the help of five volunteers, they scanned the waters around Mull during our second winter survey.

Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudley13 March 2019Silurian, volunteer holidays, whales, dolphins, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, survey, Scotland, Hebrides, cetaceans

John Coe and Aquarius are back in the Hebrides!

The familiar fins of John Coe and Aquarius were spotted by Aaron Mclean near Canna on Thursday! Last seen on the east coast in January, we are delighted John Coe has returned home to the west coast.

In the NewsLauren Hartny-Mills12 March 2019whales, dolphins, Hebridean Marine Mammal Atlas, Hotspot, basking sharks, porpoise, research, silurian

HWDT Celebrates World Book Day

In line with World Book Day, we are celebrating the publication of our own ‘book’ - the Hebridean Marine Mammal Atlas

In the NewsLauren Hartny-Mills7 March 2019whales, dolphins, Hebridean Marine Mammal Atlas, Hotspot, basking sharks, porpoise, research, silurian

Winter Survey Summary: January

Our first ever survey in January marked the launch of our new multiyear programme of dedicated monitoring surveys during the winter months, providing critical year-round data for the first time in our history.

Silurian, Survey SummariesRebecca Dudley18 February 2019Silurian, volunteer holidays, whales, dolphins, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, survey, Scotland, Hebrides, cetaceans

HWDT completes first winter survey in Hebridean seas

For the first time in HWDT’s history, Silurian, our research yacht has started conducting surveys during the winter months.

Cuvier’s beaked whale live strands on Mull

Read the latest updates from the Cuvier’s beaked whale stranding on Mull over Hogmanay.

Science & Research, SightingsMorven Summers25 January 2019stranding, cuviers, beaked whale, SMASS, BDMLR, HWDT

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