Posts in Sightings
Europe’s largest military exercise underway in Scotland

Joint Warrior, Europe’s largest military exercise, is underway in Scotland. If you are on the west coast of Scotland, please be extra vigilant and contribute to our long-term monitoring efforts by reporting your excursions and sightings on Whale Track.

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*PRESS RELEASE* Famous fins make a welcome return to Hebridean seas

Knobble and Kasey return to the Hebrides this month, highlighting how important the region is for minke whales who migrate to feed in the rich waters off Scotland’s west coast during the summer months.

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*PRESS RELEASE* First killer whale match made between Scotland and Norway

What is believed to be the first match of killer whales between Scotland and Norway has been made after experts identified three individuals photographed in southern Norway this month as part of a ‘mystery pod’ seen off Scotland’s west coast in 2018.

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National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2021

You are invited to take part in a national event, to watch the water for our amazing marine life. We need your help to get a snapshot of whales, dolphins, porpoise and basking sharks across the west coast of Scotland.

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Killer whale update: John Coe and pal are spotted in the English Channel again

Well-known killer whale John Coe from the West Coast Community has been spotted of the English coast again, this time seen off Dover, in the English Channel. John Coe was seen with a second individual, likely to be Aquarius.

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Famous killer whales ‘John Coe’ and ‘Aquarius’ back in Hebridean seas after being spotted off the English coast for the first time!

Much loved killer whales John Coe and Aquarius from the West Coast Community have returned to the Hebrides 9 days after this famous pair were recorded off the English coast for the first time.

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Europe’s largest military exercise begins today in the Hebrides

Today Europe’s largest military exercise, Joint Warrior, begins in the Hebrides. HWDT have long-standing concerns about the impact of these activities on whales, dolphins and porpoises. Find out more about our concerns and what we are doing about it here.

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A Lockdown Sightings Summary

With a year in lockdown just passed, we look back at some of the most memorable encounters of whales and dolphins off Scotland’s west coast over this time.

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Humpback whale match! From Coll to the Firth of Forth

Thanks to the extraordinary effort of citizen scientists across Scotland, a humpback whale spotted last summer off the Scottish west coast has been spotted this week in the Firth of Forth on the east coast!

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Protected areas for whales, dolphins and sharks designated in Scottish waters

Today we welcome the Scottish Government announcement on the designation of four new Marine Protected Areas (MPA) for minke whale, basking shark and Risso’s dolphin in Scottish waters, which will protect areas of critical habitat for these species.

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Famous fins return to Hebridean seas!

Three of your most-loved minke whales have returned to the Hebrides this month, highlighting how important the region is for these wonderful whales who migrate to feed in the rich waters off Scotland’s west coast during the summer months.

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Top Tips for Great Wildlife Encounters

We are amazed by all the incredible sightings you folks have been having recently. See our 10 top tips for how to have the best marine wildlife encounters, whilst keeping the welfare of these amazing animals at the forefront of our minds.

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National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2020

You are invited to take part in a national event, to watch the water for our amazing marine life. We need your help to get a snapshot of whales, dolphins, porpoise and basking sharks across the west coast of Scotland.

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*PRESS RELEASE* Public urged to report whale and dolphin sightings in Hebrides

We are calling on members of the public to record their at-sea excursions and sightings of whales, dolphins, porpoises and endangered basking sharks off Scotland’s west coast to boost monitoring efforts and strengthen understanding of the coronavirus lockdown’s impact on these animals.

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John Coe and Aquarius surprise onlookers in Northern Ireland

John Coe and Aquarius were seen swimming into Strangford Lough, Co. Down in Northern Ireland on Friday. Every sighting of these individuals is crucial in advancing our understanding of the west coast community! If you’ve seen killer whales on the west coast, we’d love to hear about it.

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