Scotland’s west coast seas are a vitally important area for minke whales – with some of these spectacular but vulnerable marine mammals notching up Europe’s longest sighting histories of almost 30 years, research by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust shows.
The Crew of our sixteenth research expedition surveyed The Minch and Sound of Rasaay, encountering four species of cetacean in their week-long trip. Unfortunately, the trip was cut short due to a mechanical issue but not before the team were inundated with dolphins! Read all about their time on board Silurian
This September we set sail to Shieldaig and Gairloch to invite 4 schools, never before visited, aboard our research vessel and floating classroom, Silurian. Our Education and Sightings Officer, Sadie, shares the fun had by pupils, teachers and crew.
The crew of our fifteenth research expedition of the year left Mallaig and monitored water east of the Isle of Skye. Despite challenging weather, the fantastic team of citizen scientists who joined the crew onboard encountered six species of marine mammals across the seven days.
Silurian is not just a research vessel, she’s home to the hundreds of volunteers who join us each year and doubles up as a floating classroom, welcoming on board school children to be inspired by their local marine environment. Our First Mate Jake has been giving our hardworking vessel some TLC.
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
