Posts in Silurian
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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Rare audio recordings of the West Coast Community shared with the British Library

There are only two known recordings of the vocalisations – or ‘voices’ - of the West Coast Community killer whales. Last week, these rare recordings were shared with the British Library to be placed in their archives and preserved for future generations alongside the sounds of extinct species and lost human languages.

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“I found my job… working on this boat!

From 24 - 28 April, our education team jumped aboard Silurian, our research vessel, to transform her into our popular floating classroom. Our Education and Sightings Officer, Sadie, shares the fun everyone had - not least the pupils visiting but the HWDT team on board Silurian.

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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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Monitoring the Hebrides for 20 Years!

To protect our marine environment, we must first understand it.  How do we deepen our understanding…data. HWDTs flagship, Silurian, celebrated a milestone in 2022 - marking 20 years of monitoring Hebridean seas. Read all about the 20th field season on board Silurian  

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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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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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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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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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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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John Coe and Aquarius encountered for second time this season during our fourteenth research expedition

Our fourteenth research expedition of 2022 left Tobermory for a seven-day survey monitoring Hebridean waters onboard Silurian - our research vessel. Treated to great weather and fantastic sightings, citizen scientists onboard encountered seven different species of marine megafauna. Hannah Lightley, Science Officer onboard, talks about the expedition…

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