All species checked off ID guide during Ullapool survey!

The seventh expedition of the summer season concentrated on the northern and western reaches of our survey area, with ten species of marine mega-fauna encountered, including: basking shark, bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin, Risso’s dolphin, white-beaked dolphin, minke whales, harbour porpoise, grey and common seals.

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*PRESS RELEASE* Mystery killer whale pod investigated off Scotland’s west coast

The identity of a group of nine killer whales off Scotland’s west coast, encountered during the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s annual marine research expeditions last year, remains a mystery, despite extensive research and a flurry of sightings of killer whales in the Hebrides over recent weeks.

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Spa days for Silurian

Our much loved research vessel, Silurian, received some mid-season maintenance, Bruce Crawford who joined the team to lend a helping hand tells us what they’ve been up to on board…

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Alison Lomax
*PRESS RELEASE* New Hebridean Whale Trail launches on Scotland's spectacular west coast

Celebrating the launch of the spectacular Hebridean Whale Trail: showcasing Scotland’s west coast as a world-class destination for spotting cetaceans from land and promoting sustainable, low-impact marine wildlife watching from land, to benefit local communities and champion conservation of the Hebrides’ globally important marine wildlife and environment.

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Silurian volunteers have an unforgettable morning surrounded by basking sharks

Our latest research expedition concentrated on surveying the wild and remote northern reaches of our survey area, and saw Silurian sail up to Cape Wrath, the most north-westerly point of the UK mainland. It was a great trip with an unforgettable morning with basking sharks and plenty of other wildlife along the way too, and the evenings were spent enjoying spectacular sunsets and exploring uninhabited islands.

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Species galore as Silurian surveys the southern reaches of our survey area

The fourth survey of the summer season concentrated on the southern reaches of our survey area, with eight species of marine megafauna encountered, inlcuding: basking sharks, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, minke whales, harbour porpoise, grey and common seals.

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Public consultation opens on Marine Protected Areas for whales, dolphins and sharks

Today the Scottish Government has opened a public consultation seeking views on proposals for four new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). HWDT will be responding to the consultation and hope that all stakeholders will take the opportunity to voice their views, so that the best possible outcome can be reached for whales, dolphins, sharks and for coastal communities.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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“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

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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.

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