The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is excited to announce a return to our partnership with Lindblad Expeditions in 2023, to support our work protecting whales and dolphins on Scotland’s west coast.
Christine Tansey, the Better Biodiversity Data (BBD) project Partnership Officer from the National Biodiversity Network Trust recently joined Silurian on a trip from Ullapool back home to Tobermory. With a background in terrestrial conservation and recording, this opportunity gave Christine an insight into the protocols used and challenges faced when collecting and processing cetacean sightings and acoustic data.
Hannah Mcvicar, who reports what sea creatures she’s spotted through Whale Track, shares some memorable sightings from this season, including an unexpected encounter with 8 basking sharks!
The long-term cetacean monitoring work undertaken by citizen scientists on board our research vessel, Silurian, has been shortlisted for the coveted RSPB Nature of Scotland Coasts and Waters Award. The project, ‘Silurian: A 20-year voyage to protect Hebridean whales’ celebrates the contribution over a thousand people have made to protecting our seas.
As the summer season draws to a close, we take a look at the incredible number of sighting reports that our dedicated Whale Track community have submitted between June and August
The crew of our fourteenth research expedition surveyed the Sea of the Hebrides, encountering four species of cetacean in their week-long trip. One the first afternoon the team were surprised to sight the West Coast Community killer whales travelling past Ardnamurchan Point. Read all about their time on board Silurian here…
The crew of our thirteenth research expedition of the year left Tobermory and monitored the waters of the Southern Hebrides. The fantastic team of citizen scientists who joined the crew on board encountered 5 species of marine mammal across 101 sightings during the nine-days.
From Tobermory to Iona, and now Lochmaddy, the immersive On Sonorous Seas has been exhibited at a number of Hebridean Whale Trail sites. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust was thrilled to be a partner in On Sonorous Seas and that other communities on the west coast will experience its impact.
The crew of our twelfth research expedition of the year left Tobermory and circumnavigated the Isles of Barra and Skye. The fantastic team of citizen scientists who joined the crew on board encountered nine species of marine animal across 12 days.
Each year HWDT’s core team is joined by a group of volunteers who help out with all things whale and dolphin over the summer. They are integral to the charity and are an invaluable part of the team. This year, our volunteers have come from a diverse range of backgrounds, all bringing different skills and aspirations to the charity, but what have been their highlights so far?
In this blog the teens from our second teen trip of the year recount their experience surveying Hebridean Seas and the fun times they had joining us onboard our research vessel, Silurian.
Rona Sinclair, Mobile Species Advisor for Nature Scot and funding manager for our cetacean monitoring project, joined us on board Silurian to learn about how data is collected.
HWDT are members of Scottish Environment LINK - a forum where organisations from a broad spectrum of environmental interests can contribute to a more sustainable society through combined advocacy. This week, members of LINK joined forces and issued an open letter to Scotland’s political leaders calling for increased action in the face of the growing biodiversity and climate crises.
Knobble - the famous minke whale - returns to the Hebrides, highlighting how important the region is for these animals, who migrate each year to feed in the rich waters off Scotland’s west coast
Every year, we offer dedicated teen research expeditions, providing young people with the skills, and experience of being a marine scientist on board a working research yacht. In this blog the teens recount their experience surveying Hebridean Seas.
The tale of the West Coast Community of killer whales will be told in a new film by Director, George Hoagy Morris. Over the coming weeks, George will take to the water, attempting to capture footage of the elusive West Coast Community. Inspired by the story of this unique population of killer whales, the film will share their tragic story with new audiences.
Our ninth team of citizen scientists left Tobermory to survey the Sea of the Hebrides, circumnavigating the Isles of Tiree and Mull. They sighted a total of 250 animals across 7 days. Read all about their experiences here
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.
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.
