Killer Whale Mums Mean Business

On Mother’s Day, we’re taking a dive into the maternal instincts of whales, exploring how dedicated killer whale Mums are when it comes to raising young

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Rocking, rolling and really great harbour porpoise on the second winter survey of 2023

Our second Winter Research Expedition of 2023 left Tobermory for a four-day survey monitoring the marine environment off the west coast of Scotland. Wild weather created some challenges for those on board Silurian - our research vessel - but the team was rewarded with an epic final day. Hannah Lightley, Science Officer on board, recalls the expedition

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Have your say on Highly Protected Marine Areas

The Scottish Government are currently running a public consultation to seek your views on Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). HWDT will be responding to the consultation and we hope that all stakeholders will take the opportunity to voice their views, so that the best possible outcome can be reached for whales, dolphins, porpoises and people.

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Dolphin Detective Work Identifies Individual

A lone bottlenose dolphin was reported off the coast of Appin, sparking investigation into who the individual may be. Thanks to the efforts of all involved, the dolphin was identified, deepening the understanding of this individual’s life story and shedding light on the movements of bottlenose dolphins around our coasts.

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Epic day of data collection onboard the first winter survey of 2023!

Our first winter research expedition of 2023 left Tobermory for a five-day survey monitoring Hebridean waters to understand the year-round presence of marine mammals and basking sharks. Here Hannah Lightley, Science Officer on board, recalls the trip…

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Collaboration is key to reducing whale entanglements in Scotland

Research published last month shows the extent of whale entanglements in fishing gear around Scotland and has identified potential solutions to reduce entanglements in the future.

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Bumper year for John Coe and Aquarius

It’s been an exciting year for sightings across the west coast of Scotland. It’s been a particularly busy year for sightings of the West Coast Community members, John Coe and Aquarius. Between February and October 2022, the famous pair have been Photo ID’d across a total of 33 days, with their location ranging from the Hebrides, Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Photo credit: EmmaJane-HebridesCruises

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Autumn antics from some of our favourite species

Thanks to everyone still watching for whales and dolphins over autumn and winter and reporting what they’ve spotted - it’s fantastic to see the awesome encounters coming through Whale Track. From our favourite killer whale celebrities, John Coe and Aquarius, to the 100th humpback whale being added to the Scottish Humpback Whale ID Catalogue, it’s been an exciting couple of months for marine life in Scottish seas

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100th Humpback Recorded in Scottish Waters

Although rare, humpback whales are now being sighted with increasing regularity in Scottish waters - with the 100th whale documented this year. They are known to migrate through Scottish waters between their feeding and breeding grounds. Find out how citizen scientists are deepening the understanding of these awesome creatures

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Final expedition of 2022 finishes on a high!

The final research expedition of the 2022 summer field season has ended on a high, with fair weather (makes a wonderful change for the 2022 field season), fantastic encounters and memorable moments. Here Craig Mckie, Science Officer on board, recalls the highlights.

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HWDT welcomes new Fieldwork Research Manager

Meet Jenny - our new Fieldwork Research Manager, but she’s no stranger to Silurian or HWDT. Jenny has been part of the team for a while, most recently as our Exhibitions Officer in our Discovery Centre, while providing relief cover for the Science Officer on board Silurian.

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Bottlenose dolphins bring delight to all those onboard during the sixteenth expedition of the season

Our sixteenth research expedition of 2022 left Tobermory for a 12-day survey monitoring the marine environment of the Hebrides onboard Silurian - our research vessel. Tricky weather persisted throughout the trip but our determined bunch of volunteers continued to survey in all weather conditions to try and spot some marine mammals. Here, Hannah Lightley, Science Officer onboard recalls the expedition.

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Gaels and whales: exploring the connection

This week the Royal National Mòd is underway; a wonderful celebration of the Gaelic culture here in Scotland. Below, Coinneach MacFhraing explores the connection between the Gaels and the sea creatures which inhabit our waters, by sharing his knowledge of the place names associated with whales and dolphins.

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'The Whale Song' Origin Story

Ronnie Mackie and his band ‘Quarrel Brae’ have released a lovely tune - ‘The Whale Song’ - to help raise funds for a number of charities, HWDT included! The song was inspired by a conversation that Ronnie had with a whale while sailing across the Atlantic. Read Ronnie’s story of how he came to write the song

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Morven Summers
Feeding frenzies to the west of Mull mark the fifteenth expedition

Our fifteenth research expedition of 2022 left Tobermory for a week long survey to monitor the waters off the west coast of Scotland. A changeable week of weather created some challenges for those on board Silurian - our research vessel - but the team was rewarded with some memorable encounters. Here Craig Mackie, Science Officer on board, recalls the expedition

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'Whale Song' by Rachel Horsburgh

In October 2018, Rachel Horsburgh joined a research expedition, this inspired her to write ‘Whale Song’. ‘Whale Song’ has recently been showcased as part of The Nature Library exhibition of writings at the Ullapool Ferry Terminal last weekend, curated by Christina Riley, as part of the Climate Fringe Festival.

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