This is a RSS news feed for the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/ http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=573 The fourth Cetacean Research Survey of the 2017 field season commenced on the 5th and ended on the 13th of June. Unlike all the previous surveys so far in 2017, this trip would depart from Kyle of Lochalsh - where the bridge from Skye meets the Scottish mainland - rather than Tobermory, enabling Silurian to venture further north than previously. As usual the first night saw the citizen scientists and crew getting to know one another as well as going through some of the science, how to identify species and how to survey. On the first morning of the trip, everyone was up early eagerly anticipating the days surveying ahead. With some strong winds Silurian left behind the dark clouds over Kyle and sailed under the bridge to start the survey. Before long the first sighting was seen, in the Sound of Raasay, but with some choppy seas the dolphin was lost amongst the swell before ID could be completed. While motoring up the channel, the waves and swell increased, as did the rain, making looking for species more than a little testing. Despite the tricky conditions and just one sighting all day, Silurian took shelter in Loch Ainort, a first for vessel anchorage in her 20 years surveying. Overnight was spent in Fladday harbour and with Silurian all anchored up, all thought the excitement was done for the day. However, whilst having dinner, excitement struck up once more in the form of a small boat drifting past Silurian’s port side. This lead to the Skipper and Science Officer leaping in to the dingy to recover and return the little vessel to its mooring, which it had broken. The following day saw the weather improve (despite the forecast) and so the ever dynamic plan that Silurian has once again was amended and the aim was to anchor in the beautiful surroundings of the summer Isles. Throughout the day, serval sightings of harbour porpoises were made as well as grey seals with the first sighting of common dolphins of the trip recorded near Greenstone Point. That night, some of the team took advantage of the stunning scenery and went ashore to admire the views as the sun began to set. The next day saw some better conditions once again and with this a plan was made to cross the Minch before sailing down past Lewis, anchoring in Loch Mariveg (Witches Pool), Isle of Lewis. While crossing the Minch, several seals were seen alongside the day’s first cetacean sighting - an unidentified dolphin. Midway across the Minch, two minke whales were spotted, but even with the team’s best efforts they proved too elusive to spot again. As Silurian neared Tiumpan Head, a lot of bird activity was spotted and shortly after this two minke’s were sighted and the dorsal fins photographed. Having returned to survey effort, all on board were in for an enthralling display of acrobatics a short while later from several white-beaked dolphins. This captivated all on board and still more sightings came in the form of numerous harbour porpoises and seals before Silurian was anchored up for the night. Once again the stunning anchorage was enjoyed by those on board taking a short trip ashore to stretch their legs and admire the beauty of the Hebrides, topping off with some fleeting glimpses of a pair of golden eagles soaring overhead. The following morning saw some favourable winds which enabled Silurian to sail from Lewis back across the Minch heading to Skye via the Shiant Islands. With lots of sun and a few seal and porpoise sightings, Silurian arrived at the Shiants, greeted by whole rafts of puffin, guillemots, black guillemots (tysties) and numerous other bird species. On rounding the Shiants, one more surprise was in store for those on board - Beluga II, Greenpeace's research vessel, which is in the Hebrides conduct sea surface sampling to try to quantify marine micro plastic. Just after leaving the Shiants behind, a solitary common dolphin was spotted and some interesting whistles and clicks where heard from the hydrophone. That evening the anchorage was Loch Pooltiel, Skye, where a plankton party was held with lots of microscopic organisms making an appearance. The following days saw Silurian survey the loch’s around the north of Skye with the first day anchoring in Aros Bay and the penultimate in Portree Harbour before the final night being spent back in Kyle of Lochalsh. These days once again saw sightings of harbour porpoise, seals, golden eagle, white tailed sea eagles and common dolphins. The most impressive of these being when Silurian exited Portree on the morning of the final day, with at least 60 common dolphin taking no notice of the Silurian or those on board as they were to focused on feeding.Over the course of the survey Silurian travelled a total of 292 nautical miles and recorded a total of 48 sightings. As well as this a total 276 GB of recordings using the hydrophone and had 210 harbour porpoise detections. Another great survey with interesting and useful data recorded once again. A big thank you to our citizen scientists who made the trip possible. A fantastic job as ever by all those on board! Matt Clements, Silurian Support Volunteer If you are interested in joining us aboard (there are only a couple of berths avaialble for the 2017 field season!), please click here . You can follow Silurian via AIStracking by clicking here . You can follow the on board Silurian blog by clicking here . Fri, 23 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=571 There are only a couple of berths available to join us aboard to monitor for whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks in the Hebrides. Have the experience of a lifetime; live aboard with our crew, exploring the Hebrides whilst contributing to a fuller understanding of this diverse marine environment. Absolutely no experience is required to join us aboard as full training is provided. There is only one standard surveys (for those aged 18 or older) with availability: 14th – 25th August: £1,395 (Only 1 berth available) - Tobermory rendezvous To find out more about our Standard Surveys, please click here . “ My trips on Silurian have been inspirational. It's a privilege to encounter wildlife in such a beautiful marine environment but to feel that you, as a team member, are contributing to the understanding of the cetaceans in these waters is very special indeed, it's something that will stay with you for ever. Every day is different and every encounter significant .” Jan Storie (Silurian volunteer five times!) There is also availability on our dedicated Joint Warrior Survey - running 1st - 12th October - scheduled to coincide with the massive NATOmilitary exercise held in the Hebrides twice a year. The Trust believe that it is incredibly important to monitor cetacean presence during these exercises. We are the only organisation collecting long term monitoring data in this area and are therefore best placed to monitor the potential effect of naval activities. To find out more about our Joint Warrior Survey, please click here . We also have one berth available on our dedicated Teen Team Survey (for those aged 16 or 17) - the final berth must go to a male in accordance with our Child Protection Policy where cabins must be shared by those of the same gender. This survey provides a fantastic opportunity to sail the Hebrides and collect data on whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans), as well as sea birds, litter, environmental variables, marine noise and creel buoys (as part of our Minke Whale Entanglement Project). To find out about our Teen Team Expeditions, please click here . Wed, 7 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=570 We spent the last day of May making the most of the beautiful weather and scenery around Kintra on the Ross of Mull. Teaming up with the Mull and Iona Ranger Service, we delivered an interactive session in the morning for the P5 pupils from Bunessan Primary School, and a community headland watch in the afternoon. Our session started in the classroom, introducing pupils to different Hebridean habitats, and exploring OS maps, marine charts and sightings maps to discover more about our local marine environment. The pupils then learnt how to use and adjust our new binoculars, kindly provided by Opticron. Eagerly, we then headed out to the headland at Kintra to take our learning outdoors! Pupils studied the local environment and weather conditions, and learnt how these could help or hinder whale, dolphin or porpoise sightings. We surveyed for seabirds and were lucky enough to see gannets dive-bombing into the sea for fish! This was exciting, especially as feeding gannets can sometimes act as an indicator for dolphins, as they like to catch the same fish. Everyone had fun using our new big eye binoculars, which we purchased last winter with the support of the MESS project, managed by the Mull and Iona Community Trust. Unfortunately, over the morning, we didn’t spot any dolphins, or other cetaceans, but we left the watch knowing more about the local wildlife seen in and around Kintra, and some handy tips on what to watch for. The community sea watching event in the afternoon also went really well. We had 11 attendees who got to spend a couple of lovely hours in the sun with us, getting lots of advice for whale watching, and learning about the local flora and fauna with Emily the Ranger. We also had the chance to measure out each of the cetaceans we were scanning for, and worked out how big they are in relation to ourselves. Our session finished with a quick introduction to our new sightings app, which will revolutionise the way in which we report our sightings, and will be available to download later this summer. Thanks to Emily and Kate from the Ranger Service, Bunessan Primary School and everyone who came along to make the day such a success! We would also like to thank players of the People’s Postcode Lottery for raising funds through Postcode Local Trust to support our outdoor education projects this year. Fri, 2 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=569 The third standard Cetacean Research Survey of the 2017 season started on the 11th May and finished on the 17th May. With lots of reports of minke whales from our Community Sightings Network around Rum, Eigg and Muck as well as Coll, the aim was to survey this area to try to quantify these sightings. Silurian set sail from Tobermory Bay on the 12th May and sailed round the north of Coll before anchoring for the night at Breachacha. The next day was an early start to make the crossing from Coll to Barra. In these first few days of the survey there were some excellent sightings of basking sharks as well as minke whales. The minkes were so close to the boats at times that both the crew and the team of citizen scientists could even smell their stinky minke breath! After the long passage to Barra Silurian anchored in Vatersay Bay for the night. On the 14th May the weather began to turn for the worse with larger waves making surveying more difficult. That evening Silurian sheltered in Gallananach Bay, Muck, and on the approach 98 seals were counted, hauled out on the rocky outcrops. Once anchored the opportunity was taken to go ashore to look at the stunning views and for a couple of the citizen scientist to befriend some of the local chickens. That night all crew and citizen scientists were back on board for dinner before enjoying the beautiful sunset going down over Rum. Next morning it was clear the weather had not improved from the day before and once again the citizen scientists and crew had a tough day ahead to try to survey in some difficult and testing conditions. Everyone rose to the challenge, taking the adverse conditions in their stride. That night was spent in Loch Ceann, Traigh where everyone took part in a plankton party. The samples included some sea gooseberry (Pleurobrachia bachei) who were in full party spirit with their iridescences causing a very entertaining light show rivalling any disco. The final day saw Silurian heading back home to Tobermory. Once again rough seas were prevalent throughout the day and once coming around the headland at Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, Silurian’s biggest test of the trip was faced. With surveying impossible all on board sheltered in the saloon - although some on board were enjoying the rough weather and being jostled by the waves. Even though the weather was too bad to survey at times, those onboard Silurian were still able to collect a vast amount of acoustic data as well as the sightings earlier in the monitoring expedition. In total 193 GB of acoustic data was recorded with lots of harbour porpoise detections. Over the course of the whole survey a total of 192.9 nautical miles was covered, with a total of 89 sightings, or 103 individual animals, recorded. As well as our marine mega-fauna sightings, the team also counted an amazing 1,430 birds. Guillemots were the most frequently seen species, making up 36% of the birds they counted. They also saw some large flocks of shearwaters, encountered some great skuas that were very interested in the team and saw lots of fulmars and razorbills too. All in all a great trip with lots of interesting data! A huge thanks to the citizen scientists on board, without your support our surveys would not be possible. Thu, 25 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=568 During a recent marine mammal monitoring expedition, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust ventured offshore, recording an abundance of marine life in the waters far to the west of the Inner Hebrides. The Trust’s specialised research vessel, Silurian , took advantage of the rare, extended calm weather in the first week of May to make passage to Stanton Banks; a shallow rocky reef 40 nautical miles southwest of the Isle of Tiree. This rocky underwater landscape of granite ridges up to 160 metres tall protruding from the seabed, criss-crossed by deep gullies filled with coarse shell sand. The strong currents, created by this oceanographic feature, support many species including whales and dolphins. Over the course of the day: minke whale, common dolphin, common and grey seals, harbour porpoise and a plethora of seabirds were recorded. Two basking sharks – the first reported in the Hebrides for 2017 - were also recorded during the survey transect. The Trust has long known that the inshore waters of the Hebrides are a fantastic area for marine wildlife, however there is growing evidence that certain offshore waters offer productive habitats for cetaceans – Stanton Banks highlighted as one such area of importance. Dr Frazer Coomber, Biodiversity Officer at the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, said, “It’s vital to, when possible, survey these offshore areas which the Trust have started to identify as significant to whales, dolphins and other marine life. Only with continued data collection, can we build a fuller understanding of these areas and the biodiversity present”. Over the 15 years Silurian has been surveying Hebridean waters, HWDT has managed to visit Stanton Banks on three occasions, including the recent venture on 4th May. The last opportunity was in 2009, when during the passage, five different species of cetacean were recorded including a humpback whale. Alison Lomax, the Trust’s Deputy Director, adds “Despite the limited coverage of Stanton Banks, this recent survey by HWDT has demonstrated once again that the area is a hot-spot for cetaceans - especially minke whales. However, the Banks are an area which lie outside of any existing, candidate or proposed Hebridean marine protected area for whales and dolphins.” The monitoring expeditions undertaken by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust would not be possible without the citizen scientists who join us aboard. These paying volunteers are involved in all aspects of the survey and are trained in how to collect coherent visual and acoustic data. The Trust’s 2017 survey season started in April, to date Silurian has recorded harbour porpoise, common dolphin, minke whale, common and grey seals and, during the Stanton Banks passage, basking shark. In the coming weeks, Silurian will surpass a total distance surveyed since the monitoring expeditions began in 2002 of 100,000km – the equivalent of sailing around the world 2.5 times! Western Scotland’s seas are one of Europe’s most important cetacean habitats. With a long, complex coastline, strong ocean currents and a variety of habitats, the Hebrides is one of the UK’s most biologically productive areas. So far 24 of the world’s estimated 92 cetacean species have been recorded in the region – many being national and international conservation priority species.Yet marine ecosystems are fragile, and cetaceans face increasing stress from human activities – including climate change, entanglement, pollution, underwater noise and habitat degradation. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has been monitoring marine mega fauna in the Hebrides since 1994, and from Silurian since 2002. Its surveys are partly funded by a generous grant from Scottish Natural Heritage, which supports the training of future mammal scientists. The charity is the only organisation collecting long-term data on such a large scale on Scotland’s west coast, and its volunteers and scientists have now recorded more than 12,000 cetaceans. To find out more about joining us aboard, please click here . There are only a couple of berths available for the 2017 field season! Sat, 13 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=567 The second standard Cetacean Research Survey of the season started last week and finished today. Due to the sunny weather and favourably forecasted south easterly winds, the aim for this trip was to try to survey Stanton Banks; a large shallow rocky area about 35 nautical miles south of Mingulay and 35 nautical miles south west of Tiree. Silurian departed Tobermory Bay on 3rd May, taking the crew and team of citizen scientists to the Isle of Tiree, anchoring in Balephuil Bay. With sunshine and light winds, the sailing was enjoyable but the sighting of three minke whales - two of which were identifiable by the photos taken - made the day even better. To top it all off several seals and harbour porpoises were also sighted throughout the 42 nautical miles covered during the passage. The following day, the passage to Stanton Banks required a very early start - with the crew hoisting the anchor at 5am in the morning under a beautiful sky. This early start was rewarded with the first sightings of minke whale, harbour porpoise, basking shark and common dolphin all reported before breakfast. Around 7 o'clock our citizen scientists were woken and enjoyed first breakfast with bow-riding common dolphins. As the day progressed more and more common dolphins were spotted on route. By the time Silurian dropped anchor back in Balephuil Bay, Tiree at 8pm a total distance of 85 nautical miles had been travelled and an array of species recorded: minke whales spotted, common dolphins, basking sharks, seals and harbour porpoise and a plethora of marine birds. This huge diversity of species at Stanton Banks was even more exciting with the first two basking sharks of the 2017 season recorded. This was exciting as basking sharks are more commonly seen later in the year, around July and August. A truly stunning day of the Hebrides displaying its wildlife and proving it can still shock even the most experienced seafarers. The 6th May was another sunny day with light winds making a great day for sailing. The seas were calm across the Minch as Silurian headed for the small Isles, enabling several of the citizen scientist crew to make it up the crow’s nest to witness the spectacular view across Rum with the Cullins of Skye in the background. Another pod of common dolphins came to bow ride alongside Silurian once more and several hurries of birds as she passed Hyskeir. At the days end, Silurian had surveyed another 53 nautical miles before anchoring for the night in Pean Meanach, mainland Scotland. A big thank to our volunteer citizen scientists on this trip: Anne, Ben, Jean, Linda, Sophie and Zoe. A fantastic group of people and without their hard work and fantastic teamwork we won’t be able to survey this diverse and unique part of the Hebrides. A total of 255.4 nautical miles surveyed, with 5 different species recorded, totalling 527 individuals. Photo: One of the two Basking Shark sighted onboard Silurian during the survey. The First recorded in 2017 in the Hebrides. There are only a few berths avaliable to join us on our live-aboard monitoring expeditions. Please click here for more information. Mon, 8 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=566 All berths aboard the research survey running 31st August - 8th September have now been fully booked. On remaining expeditions, we only have one berth available! Book now for the ultimate eco-tourism experience. Considering a holiday with a difference (or that makes a difference!) in 2017...why not join us aboard our research yacht; monitoring whales, dolphins and porpoise (alongside recording many other species such as basking shark, seals and seabirds). Have the experience of a lifetime; live aboard with our crew, exploring the Hebrides whilst contributing to a fuller understanding of this diverse marine environment. Absolutely no experience is required to join us aboard as full training is provided. There are only three standard surveys (for those aged 18 or older) with availability: 5th – 13th June: £1,175 (Only 1 berth available) - Kyle of Lochalsh rendezvous 28th June – 9th July: £1,395 (Only 1 Berth Available) - Tobermory rendezvous 14th – 25th August: £1,395 (Only 1 berth available) - Tobermory rendezvous “ My trips on Silurian have been inspirational. It's a privilege to encounter wildlife in such a beautiful marine environment but to feel that you, as a team member, are contributing to the understanding of the cetaceans in these waters is very special indeed, it's something that will stay with you for ever. Every day is different and every encounter significant .” Jan Storie (Silurian volunteer five times!) For more information on expedition dates and availability, please click here . Sat, 6 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=565 Last week, Silurian travelled around Skye inviting local primary schools on board for floating classroom sessions. Despite the occasional flurry of snow, pupils and the HWDT team had a wonderful week. Summing up her visit on board Mairi, a pupil from Broadford Primary said: “Today I enjoyed everything, learning about the boat and meeting everyone. I loved it here and when I am sixteen I hopefully will be here for a while. Thank you for sharing this great experience.” Supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and the Robertson Trust, the floating classroom aims to inspire students, spark interest in the marine environment and, inform the decision-makers of the future. Over the week, 159 pupils, from 10 different primary schools across Skye, Raasay and Kyle of Lochalsh joined the team on board, getting a glimpse into the life of marine scientists. The interactive workshops on board Silurian involved activities and learning, covering a variety of topics for a wide range of ages. One teacher from Kyle Primary School described the visit as “A great opportunity for the children, with well-pitched activities – both listening and practical activities”. This floating classroom provided an excellent opportunity for local pupils to discover more about the rich marine environment around them, and to take their education outside the classroom. Whilst on board, pupils learnt about the importance of both visual and acoustic surveys. Tabitha, a pupil from Raasay Primary said “I thought the best bit was learning about what sounds whales and dolphins make”. Up on deck, pupils practiced carrying out visual surveys for cetaceans and using binoculars whilst also learning how to identify common species found locally. One P6 pupil from Kyleakin Primary said ‘I enjoyed finding out about the whales and dolphins in our seas around Skye’. Based in a global hotspot for cetaceans, the team heard first hand from pupils, about the incredible sightings that they had witnessed. Cementing the importance of these sessions for encouraging interaction with our marine environment and fostering a sense of stewardship. Alongside our marine mammal education, the workshops provided an insight into life on board a research vessel. Whilst aboard pupils explored the yacht; tried out the bunks, searched for chocolate biscuits in the galley, hoisted the sails and had a go at the helm. One P3 from Kyleakin Primary said his favourite part was pretending to be the captain! Children were not the only people who got to visit Silurian during the week. Whilst based in Armadale, Kyle of Lochalsh and Portree, we opened our doors (hatch!) to the public, hosting three well attended Open Boat events. The Open Boats aim to engage local communities with their marine environment and develop active participation in marine science. The Open Boat in Armadale was supported by Sleat Community Trust, and despite a cold wait on the pier for a space on the RIB the turnout was impressive. Over these three events over 130 visitors came along to explore the deck, the living quarters for both the crew and volunteers, and talk to Trust employees. Many people went away with membership leaflets and we hope they choose to become part of the HWDT family. On Saturday we were joined by RSPB’s Skyelarks for a morning of activities exploring Silurian. With 8 children, along with their parents this was a lovely event to round off our Hebridean Marine Explorers Week. Thanks to all the schools and communities involved during the week, to our funders and to the dedicated team of staff and volunteers that helped make the week such a success. Thu, 4 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=564 A member of the small West Coast of Scotland group of killer whales – found dead and stranded on the Isle of Tiree in the Hebrides, Scotland, last year – had one of the highest levels of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) pollution ever recorded in the species, said the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme today. The adult killer whale – identified by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust as a well-known animal named ‘Lulu’ – died from becoming entangled in creel rope in January 2016, but subsequent analysis undertaken over the past year has shed further light on her case. Analysis of Lulu’s blubber revealed PCB concentrations 80 times higher than the accepted PCB toxicity threshold for marine mammals. High PCB levels are linked to poor health, impaired immune function, increased susceptibility to cancers and infertility. Work, undertaken in collaboration with the University of Aberdeen, found that Lulu was at least 20 years old. Based on analysis of the ovaries, it appears that she never reproduced, despite being much older than the average age for maturity in killer whales. These findings do not bode well for Lulu’s small pod. This small group is usually seen off the west coast of Scotland, and numbers only eight individuals. These individuals never interact with other groups of killer whale, nor has a calf been recorded within the group in the 23 years it has been monitored. Commenting on these results, Dr Andrew Brownlow, head of the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme and veterinary pathologist at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) said: “Previous studies have shown that killer whale populations can have very high PCB burdens, but the levels in this case are some of the highest we’ve ever seen. We know ‘Lulu’ died from becoming entangled, but, given what is known about the toxic effects of PCBs, we have to consider that such a high contaminant burden could have been affecting her health and reproductive fitness. Lulu’s apparent infertility is an ominous finding for the long-term survivability of this group; with no new animals being born, it is now looking increasingly likely that this small group will eventually go extinct. One of the factors in this groups’ apparent failure to reproduce could be their high burden of organic pollutants.” “Once PCBs get into the marine environment, they are difficult if not impossible to remove. They accumulate through food webs and persist over time. Killer whales, which can live for many decades and feed right at the top of the food chain, are particularly susceptible to their effects. Animals from groups such as Lulu’s, which are known to feed on marine mammals, would also probably have concentrations higher than those killer whales which are predominantly fish eaters. Following the ban on PCBs in the mid-1980s, levels in most marine mammals decreased. In some regions however, including Europe and the Arctic, this initial decline appears to have plateaued. There are still many PCB stockpiles in Europe, and it is absolutely essential that these toxic reserves do not reach the marine environment. PCBs are difficult pollutants to mitigate: they were produced in significant volume, used in a wide range of materials, exhibit long-term environmental persistence and toxicity and are remarkably difficult to render safe. Gaining a better understanding of the pathways by which these pollutants reach the marine environment is important, as is addressing other threats to these susceptible populations. This is particularly evident in the west coast population, which exhibit impacts from both chemical pollution and entanglement.” There is a growing concern amongst many cetacean scientists that, unless a much more proactive approach is taken to assessing and decontaminating PCB-contaminated sites to stop these pollutants leaching into the marine environment, then the effects we’re seeing with this small group of killer whales on the west of Scotland could become evident in many more of our iconic marine mammal species. Dr Lauren Hartny-Mills, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s Science Officer, said: “Monitoring the West Coast Community of killer whales is a concerted effort, with sightings reports and photographs from the public, wildlife operators and fishermen helping us better understand the group’s movements, range and social interactions. Anyone can help and if you are lucky enough to encounter a killer whale (or indeed any whale, dolphin or porpoise) please report it to us HERE Other background data : A total PCB concentration of 11 mg/kg lipid wt. has been reported as a threshold level above which there are health effects in mammals (Kannan et al. 2000). Work undertaken by Cefas as part of ongoing screening of samples from stranded cetaceans for persistent organic pollutants, including PCBs, found the total amount of PCB congeners in a sample of Lulu’s blubber exceeded 950 parts per million (mg/kg lipid). This is one of the highest levels ever recorded in a marine mammal and confirms that this species is especially vulnerable to these legacy pollutants. PCBs are very fat soluble so most of her contaminant burden would have been ‘locked away’ in her blubber, possibly explaining why cetaceans seem to survive carrying incredibly high levels of these pollutants. If the animal begins to mobilise blubber reserves, for example when food supplies are low, stored PCBs are released into the circulation where they can do much more physiological damage. These pollutants can also be passed from mother to calf, meaning the contaminant profile found in Lulu is a result of pollutant exposure not just over her lifetime, but also that of her maternal ancestors. Because Lulu had never been pregnant or lactated, this important “excretion” route would not apply, and concentrations in her blubber could progressively increase with time from dietary sources Preliminary results from genetic analysis carried out by researchers at University College Cork support the hypothesis that Lulu belongs to a very small group comprising a limited number of individuals. These preliminary results, as well as historical observation of these killer whales dating back to the 1980's collated by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, suggest it is unlikely that this iconic West Coast Population has a recent history of breeding with geographically proximate pods and is likely to be critically endangered (Beck et al. 2014). Genetic analysis of other samples from Lulu’s community could provide a more complete insight into the status of this population. Recent pan-European collaborative research on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) - led by the UK cetacean strandings network - shows that Europe still has a major problem with persistent PCBs (Jepson et al. 2016) This study found that several cetacean species in Europe have very high mean blubber PCB concentrations likely to cause population declines and suppress population recovery. In a large pan-European meta-analysis of stranded (n=929) or biopsied (n=152) cetaceans, bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins and killer whales, had mean PCB levels that markedly exceeded all known marine mammal PCB toxicity thresholds. Some locations (e.g. western Mediterranean Sea, south-west Iberian Peninsula) are global PCB “hotspots” for marine mammals. Blubber PCB concentrations have now plateaued in some cetaceans in the NE Atlantic where concentrations in harbour porpoise are below the estimated threshold for effects. However, some small or declining populations of bottlenose dolphins and killer whales in the NE Atlantic were associated with low recruitment, consistent with PCB-induced reproductive toxicity. In a global review of marine apex predators, the killer whale remains one of the most PCB-contaminated mammalian species and is likely to be impacted throughout their entire global range (Jepson and Law 2016). Other species considered under potential or serious threat from PCBs include false killer whales; ringed seals in the Baltic Sea; all marine mammal species in the Mediterranean and Black Seas; belugas in the Saint Lawrence River, Canada and polar bears in the Arctic. Despite EU regulations and mitigation measures to reduce PCB pollution in Europe, their legacy in marine food webs continues to be of concern with, two of the remaining killer whale populations in the NE Atlantic – the Strait of Gibraltar population and the west of Scotland/Ireland population – being most acutely threatened. All dead strandings in Scotland should be reported to the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme ( www.strandings.org ). The strandings project was set up in 1992, led by SRUC, funded by Marine Scotland and DEFRA. The project aims to collate, analyse and report data for all marine mammals (cetacean and seals), marine turtle and basking shark strandings. Lulu’s skeleton is preserved at National Museums Scotland For more information please contact Andrew Brownlow (01463 243030 [email protected]) Press release issued by Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme Image:© John Bowler, RSPB Scotland, Lulu, stranded on Tiree in January 2016 Tue, 2 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=563 At the beginning of April, Silurian – the Trust’s research yacht – departed Tobermory Bay to monitor the massive NATO Joint Warrior Military Exercise. The crew were joined aboard by a team of dedicated citizen scientists to conduct visual and acoustic surveys; trying to determine any potential impacts on marine mammal presence and behaviour during the exercise. Joint Warrior is a UK led exercise conducted annually in the Spring and the Autumn in the waters off the west coast of Scotland. Military sonar, used during the exercises, emits intense noise that can disturb and harm whales and dolphins, because they rely on sound for navigation, foraging and communication. While weather conditions weren’t conducive to surveying, some interesting observations were made during the monitoring expedition. A small group of common dolphins were observed in the Sound of Sleat which came as a nice surprise to all involved as common dolphins are thought to be seasonal visitors and it is considered quite early to see these animals in the Hebrides. At first glance they appeared to be feeding as they were continually changing direction and had little or no interest in the vessel. However, no clicks or whistles were recorded during the encounter and they didn’t appear to be vocalising - which is quite unusual behaviour for this social species. Two NATO vessels were observed shortly after this encounter, emitting a loud single tone whistle that was recorded for several hours. During the first few days, over 100 harbour porpoises were detected via the hydrophone (underwater microphone), indicating that despite adverse sea conditions important data can still be collected. During and after the anthropogenic whistle referenced above, the number of harbour porpoise detections dropped significantly, and there was only one sighting of these small cetaceans despite sailing through a known hotspot. Given the presence of military sounds, low porpoise numbers in a known hotspot and the seemingly unusual behaviour of the common dolphins may indicate to a potential impact from the Joint Warrior military activity. Although currently, the observations are speculative and no conclusions can be drawn. HWDT aims to continue collecting data throughout 2017, and the second NATO joint warrior exercise to monitor the long-term impacts of underwater noise of cetaceans and other marine mammals. These observations demonstrate the need to monitor these large-scale military exercises where active sonar is deployed. The Hebrides is of national importance to many cetacean species, made evident by the recent designation of the Harbour Porpoise Special Area of Conservation (SAC) , which spans much of the area. The Trust must endeavour to fully understand the impacts these activities have on cetacean species present. If you’d like to be part of the citizen science team for the October Joint Warrior monitoring expedition, please click here for more details. Wed, 26 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=562 Fresh back from the Easter break, local primary schools on the Isle of Skye will be taking learning outdoors this week, with pupils joining the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) on board their specialised research yacht, Silurian . Throughout the week, Silurian will become a floating classroom, hosting primary schools from across Skye, Raasay and Kyle of Lochalsh. Pupils will have the chance to actively explore the yacht, learn about marine mammals, and discover what life is like on board as a marine scientist. Sessions have been designed to inspire students, spark interest in the marine environment and help inform the decision-makers of the future. Pippa Garrard, the Trust’s Community Engagement Officer, says, “We are very excited to be revisiting Skye (our last floating classroom trip was in 2009). It’s vital to connect local children with their marine environment, whilst raising awareness of the opportunities available for those with an interest in marine conservation. Particularly when these children are growing up in the heart of the Hebrides, with so many species of whales and dolphins seen right on their doorstep.” HWDT is dedicated to the conservation of Scotland’s whales, dolphins and porpoises, and the unique Hebridean marine environment. Thanks to players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, the Trust received £20,000 this year from People’s Local Trust, to fund their new engagement project - Hebridean Marine Explorers. This project aims to provide schools across the west coast with new, immersive outdoor learning experiences, bringing the marine environment to life, and offering unique opportunities such as floating classrooms. Following their visit to Skye, Silurian will return to sail the Hebrides, undertaking visual and acoustic research on whales, dolphins and porpoises. This is part of HWDT’s unique long-term citizen science project, with data collected on board informing local and national conservation efforts. These annual surveys depend on paying volunteers, trained by the team to monitor and become marine mammal scientists for the duration on their trip. While the yacht is alongside at Kyle of Lochalsh and Portree this week, the Trust are inviting local people to come on board and explore. There will be a chance to meet the team and gain an insight into life on board; the volunteer experience and the Trust’s latest research findings. Tours of the boat will run informally between 4pm and 6pm on Tuesday 25th April and Thursday 27th April respectively. Siobhan Moran, HWDTs Engagement Volunteer, adds “If you’ve seen Silurian passing and wondered what we do, join us aboard during one of our Open Boats to say hello and find out more”. By visiting local communities and encouraging an active participation in marine science, the Trust hopes to connect people with their marine environment, encouraging environmental stewardship for the future. Thu, 20 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=561 Following the interesting data recorded on our first survey of the season ( Joint Warrior ) the eagerly anticipated first standard survey had arrived. The survey spanned from the 10th to the 16th of April and covered a total of 306 nautical miles during the monitoring expedition. Silurian left Tobermory on the 11th of April and stopped over in Loch Spelve (Mull) for the first night. From here, Silurian headed south to West Loch Tarbert (Jura) to spend the night of the 12th, before heading north back to Mull stopping at Bunessan. For the penultimate day of surveying Silurian headed north to Loch Scresort on Rum before the final day of surveying through the Small Isles, back to Tobermory. Throughout the course of the survey: 6 grey seals, 2 common seals and 1 unidentified seal were visually recorded as well as 125 creels. However, cetaceans sightings were low, with only a lone harbour porpoise recorded over the course of the voyage. Using the hydrophone, there were a total of 65 harbour porpoise detections and 425GB of underwater sound recordings to add to the database. Finally a big thank you from all of us here at HWDT to all our volunteers on board the first standard survey of the season. Despite some bitterly cold conditions you were always in good spirits and without people such as yourselves we wouldn’t be able to collect all the valuable data we do. A great first standard survey of the season and hoping the rest of season continues in such high spirits. We still have a few berths available for 2017 monitoring expeditions, please click here for more information. Tue, 18 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=560 We only have a limited number of berths available to join us aboard Silurian this field season, on most expeditions, we only have one or two berths available! Book now for the ultimate eco-tourism experience. Considering a holiday with a difference (or that makes a difference!) in 2017...why not join us aboard our research yacht; monitoring whales, dolphins and porpoise (alongside recording many other species such as basking shark). Have the experience of a lifetime; live aboard with our crew, explore the Hebrides whilst helping us to better understand this diverse marine environment. Absolutely no experience is required to join us aboard as full training is provided. “ My trips on Silurian have been inspirational. It's a privilege to encounter wildlife in such a beautiful marine environment but to feel that you, as a team member, are contributing to the understanding of the cetaceans in these waters is very special indeed, it's something that will stay with you for ever. Every day is different and every encounter significant .” Jan Storie (Silurian volunteer five times!) For more information on expedition dates and availability, please click here . Mon, 10 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=559 Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre opens TODAY! 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) occupying 28 Main Street, Tobermory. Over this time, the space has changed significantly; from a Bakery to office spaces, from grass-roots interpretation to an interactive centre, championing the conservation of our whales and dolphins. The Centre is now an integral part of the Main Street landscape and offers not only a fantastic experience for visiting tourists, but also an opportunity for interested locals to connect with our regular events. The Centre has certainly come a long way, and is proud - in its 20th year - to offer a whole host of events and activities for the local community. From After School Clubs throughout the winter, to our up and coming evening Science Talks which start on May 18th. Our evening talks are a great chance to learn about the wildlife of our Island every Thursday throughout the summer, as we welcome a new guest speaker each week. Daily activities such as our Whale Watch Workshops and exciting Bones Box are a great way for families to bond and learn about the amazing whales, dolphins and porpoises that live on our doorstep. The perfect activity to set you up for an adventure in the great outdoors. HWDT has been advancing the understanding of local whale, dolphin and porpoise populations for nearly 25 years. The Trust collects visual and acoustic data from aboard our research vessel Silurian, surveying the length and breadth of the Hebrides during monitoring expeditions lasting 7 – 12 days. HWDT is not a campaigning organisation, rather we analyse our data and disseminate the results to the wider public. HWDT encourages members of the public to report their sightings, contributing to the base line data now held on cetacean occurrence in the area. If you spot a whale, dolphin, porpoise or basking shark, please report it to the Trust, either online HERE or by popping into the Centre. Another core activity is outreach and engagement; encouraging stewardship of the local environment and providing opportunities for children and adults to learn and develop their skills. During two weeks of the field season, Silurian becomes a floating classroom and welcomes aboard school children to participate in a range of fun activities – this April, the Trust is visiting island schools on Skye. Classroom visits are also undertaken, with our Engagement team visiting locations all over the west coast. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre is the perfect place to find out more; there are interactive displays, you can find information about the different species seen and what HWDT has learned about the specific populations. Come along to join in on our Evening Science Talks, Summer Youth Clubs and more. From the start of April, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre will be open 7 days a week from 10:30am - 4:30pm. Entry into both the Centre and evening events are on a donation basis. We’d like to welcome everyone living and working on Mull to pop in for a chat about the Trust and what we do. Details of the events planned for the season will be made available through our website, social media and posters displayed on the island. Mon, 3 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=558 Silurian – the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) research vessel – will set sail on the 2nd April to survey for marine mammals during the NATO Joint Warrior Military Exercise. This monitoring expedition marks the start of the 2017 field season aboard Silurian . The crew will be joined aboard by a team of citizen scientists from the UK and USA to conduct visual and acoustic surveys; the data collected will be used to determine any effects on the behaviour and occurrence of marine megafauna during the bi-annual exercise. Joint Warrior is a massive UK led exercise conducted annually in the Spring and the Autumn in the waters off the west coast of Scotland. Military sonar, used during the exercises, emits intense noise that can disturb and harm whales and dolphins, because they rely on sound for navigation, foraging and communication. Naval sonar, more commonly linked to mass stranding events of deep diving whales, has also been associated with minke whale strandings in the Bahamas and in North Carolina. Lauren Hartny-Mills, HWDTs Science Officer, says “ During previous surveys, which have coincided with the Joint Warrior exercises, HWDT has observed minke whales moving at high speed and leaping clear of the water, at the same time as military sonar was detected on the hydrophone (an underwater microphone). This behaviour is unusual here and is rarely seen in undisturbed whales. The long term impact of such disturbances or exposure to sonar are largely unknown .” On the west coast of the US, close to Seattle, similar rapid fleeing behaviour in response to sonar has been observed in killer whales and dolphins. During the exercise, the Trust is asking people in the area to be vigilant and report any sightings of marine mammals in the area. You can report sightings on the HWDT website (www.hwdt.org) HERE or call the office on 01688 302620. Pippa Garrard, HWDTs Community Engagement Officer, adds, “ Hebridean communities play a vital role in increasing our understanding of marine mammals on the west coast of Scotland. With such a large survey area, HWDT depends on the public to report their encounters. Please take the time to report your sightings, and let us know of any behaviours observed. We will also be monitoring sightings reports, for any indications of stress, in order to prevent mass-strandings or injury to cetaceans in the area. If you see an animal in distress, please contact BDMLR on 01825 765546. ” If you are keen to participate in the Autumn Joint Warrior Survey and contribute to this vital monitoring project, please CLICK HERE . You can track Silurian live HERE using AIS. Follow her as she undertakes marine mammal surveys in the waters off the west coast of Scotland. Image of two common dolphins and warships taken during Oct 2016 Joint Warrior Survey Sat, 1 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=557 We were delighted with the recent coverage of our press release about our findings from the 2016 field season aboard Silurian – Surveys Record Highest Number of Dolphins. The coverage included radio interviews and television appearances, and one of the highlights was our Science Officer – Dr Lauren Hartny-Mills – on the BBC Breakfast Sofa! <br> We hope that the widespread, national coverage will promote the Hebrides as a top destination in the UK for whale and dolphin watching – be it land or boat-based. Pippa Garrard, HWDT's Engagement Officer, says, “The waters off western Scotland support such an abundance of life and are a vital, global hotspot for whales, dolphins and porpoises. There are so many opportunities to encounter these fantastic species here in the Hebrides. Why not join a specialised boat trip with knowledgeable guides, or take a ferry crossing on a calm day, or even stroll along a headland out to one of the many lighthouses. We encourage everyone around the coast to actively lookout for whales and dolphins, as they often turn up when you least expect it. Don't forget to report your sightings at HWDT.org!" If you are interested in visiting the area to join a wildlife watching boat trip, we would always recommend that you join a tour operator that has undergone WiSe training. WiSe provides training on how to act responsibly within the vicinity of marine mega-fauna. The Trust helps to facilitate WiSe training courses throughout the Hebrides and encourages boat operators to enrol in the scheme. For details of companies who have been WiSe trained, please CLICK HERE . If you would like more information about participating in a Cetacean Research Survey, please CLICK HERE. Thu, 16 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=553 Record numbers of three dolphin species off Scotland’s west coast were recorded by conservation charity Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust in its marine research expeditions in 2016. From the trust’s specialized research yacht Silurian, volunteers and scientists recorded 2,303 individual common dolphins, 42 bottlenose dolphins and 94 Risso’s dolphins – the figures for all three species being the highest ever recorded in its annual survey seasons. Average annual figures documented over the previous 14 years were 463 individual common dolphins, 14 bottlenose dolphins and 12 Risso’s dolphins. For common dolphins, these records range from 0 individuals encountered in a couple of the earlier field seasons to 1,862 during the 2007 season. Dr. Lauren Hartny-Mills, Science Officer of Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, said: “The reasons for the high number of sightings of these charismatic dolphin species – and the broader effects on the marine environment and other species – remain unclear. But the intriguing findings highlight the importance of on-going monitoring and research – to strengthen our understanding of what is taking place in Hebridean waters, and to ensure well-informed conservation action.” The latest findings were made in a research season lasting from May to October 2016, as part of the trust’s unique long-term citizen science project monitoring whales, dolphins and porpoises – collectively known as cetaceans – as well as basking sharks in the Hebrides. These annual research surveys depend on paying volunteers, with 71 welcomed aboard in 2016 – working with marine scientists on visual surveys and acoustic monitoring with underwater microphones or hydrophones, and identifying individual cetaceans through photography. The Isle of Mull-based organisation now holds data from more than 95,000km of survey effort. It aims to pass the 100,000km milestone during 2017, and it is currently recruiting volunteers to support this by working as citizen scientists onboard Silurian for periods of almost two weeks from April to September. Alison Lomax, Director of Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, said: “The impressive range of species documented in our at-sea surveys last year is a powerful reminder that Scotland’s west coast ocean environment is home to remarkable marine life. Long-term scientific studies of this globally-important habitat and its inhabitants are crucial if we are to ensure a secure future for the Hebrides’ spectacular cetaceans.” During 2016, Silurian – previously used in filming of the BBC’s The Blue Planet series – covered more than 5,000 nautical miles, compared to an average of almost 4,000 miles annually over the previous 14 years. Its crew documented more than 1,300 cetaceans and basking sharks, and recorded almost 700 hours of underwater detections of cetaceans using specialist listening equipment. Notable highlights included a wonderful encounter with a humpback whale in the northern Minch – an hour was spent with the massive creature lunge feeding, tail slapping and swimming under Silurian, alongside a large group of common dolphins. 2016 also saw Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s first expeditions running out of Ullapool, allowing for surveys in the more northern and western parts of the charity’s study area. Western Scotland’s seas are one of Europe’s most important cetacean habitats. With a long, complex coastline, strong ocean currents and a variety of habitats, the Hebrides is one of the UK’s most biologically productive areas. So far 24 of the world’s estimated 92 cetacean species have been recorded in the region – many being national and international conservation priority species. Yet marine ecosystems are fragile, and cetaceans face increasing stress from human activities – including climate change, entanglement, pollution, underwater noise and habitat degradation. Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has been monitoring marine mega fauna in the Hebrides since 1994, and from Silurian since 2002. Its surveys are partly funded by a generous grant from Scottish Natural Heritage, which supports the training of future mammal scientists.The charity is the only organisation collecting long-term data on such a large scale on Scotland’s west coast, and its volunteers and scientists have now recorded more than 12,000 cetaceans. For more information about our scheduled 2017 Cetacean Research Surveys, please CLICKHERE . Fri, 10 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=552 All berths aboard the research surveys running 15th - 23rd June and 12th - 20th July have now been fully booked. On other expeditions, particularly early season surveys, we only have a couple of berths available! Book now to avoid disappointment and join us for the ultimate eco-tourism experience Considering a holiday with a difference (or that makes a difference!) in 2017...why not join us aboard our research yacht, Silurian , monitoring whales, dolphins and porpoise (alongside recording many other species such as basking shark). Have the experience of a lifetime; live aboard with our crew, explore the Hebrides whilst contributing to a fuller understanding of this diverse marine environment. Absolutely no experience is required to join us aboard as full training is provided. “ My trips on Silurian have been inspirational. It's a privilege to encounter wildlife in such a beautiful marine environment but to feel that you, as a team member, are contributing to the understanding of the cetaceans in these waters is very special indeed, it's something that will stay with you for ever. Every day is different and every encounter significant .” Jan Storie (Silurian volunteer five times!) For more information on expedition dates and availability, please click here . Thu, 9 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=556 Do you want to get involved with the Trust? We are currently RECRUITING for our final 2017 volunteer placement - in Media and Events. If you have creative flare and want to begin a career in conservation, why not apply now? Find out more information here: Events and Media Volunteer Placement Deadline for applications: 15th February. Thu, 9 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=555 On March 16th, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre will be hosting a talk from Colin Speedie, on his upcoming book 'A Sea Monsters Tale, in search of the Basking Shark'. Colin is a Yatch Skipper, renowned for his work with sharks, turtles and a host of other fascinating marine animals in the Hebrides and further afield. From 1999-2007, he was director of the Wildlife Trusts Basking Shark Project and from 2002-2007 was Principal Investigator on the Earthwatch Institute (Europe) project “Britain’s Basking Sharks”. He is currently the founder and director of the UK's ecotourism marine accreditation WiSe scheme. His upcoming book is a brilliant insight into the world of one of the Hebrides' most mysterious marine giants. The talk starts at 18.45 and we will be accepting donations for attendance to raise funds for our charity, refreshments will be provided on the door. Call 01688 302 620 or email [email protected] to book on. We look forward to seeing you there! Wed, 8 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=548 Less than a week remains to claim your early bird booking discount to join us aboard our research yacht, Silurian , in 2017; monitoring whale, dolphin and porpoise populations, whilst exploring the breath-takingly beautiful Hebrides. Our live-aboard working holidays are a truly unique eco-tourism experience, with our dedicated volunteers directly contributing to our long term data collection programme. The data collected, over the past 14 years of survey effort, has allowed the Trust to monitor the species found in our study area. The data has also contributed significantly to marine management strategies - such as the Inner Hebrides and Minches Special Area of Conservation for the harbour porpoise (designated in 2016). Participants effectively become marine mammal field biologists for the duration; living and working aboard Silurian, spotting whale, dolphin, porpoise, basking shark, seals, eagles...the tick-list for wildlife enthusiasts is extensive! No experience is required as full training will be provided by our excellent field staff. " The last 10 days have been truly inspiring. I have learned so much about whales and dolphins, birds, boats, sailing, ropes and cooking. I have loved living at sea and exploring the beautiful Hebrides and I have made some fantastic friends. I feel privalaged to have been part of this and have seen some amazing things. Best week of my life and I would love to do it again !", Victoria Curley, 2016 Volunteer. " You get to see parts of the Hebrides that you would be unlikely to visit by any other 'ordinary' holiday .", Helen Meredith, 2016 Volunteer " If you want an active adventure holiday, you can do no better" , Rod White, 2016 Volunteer " Enjoyable, informative, character building, confidence building, an unforgettable experience ", Sarah Burgon, 2016 Volunteer Sign-up before 5pm on the 15th January and receive a 5% discount off the cost of particpating. To find out more, please CLICKHERE . Mon, 9 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=551 Happy Hogmany from the team at the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust! We would like to thank all our volunteers, supporters, funders and followers for their support over 2016 - a fantastic year as you can see from our infographic. In 2016 we... welcomed 71 volunteers aboard Silurian , helping us to collect data on whale, dolphin and porpoise occurrence in Hebridean waters. We ran 13 expeditions, recording 12 different species of cetacean and 4,357 individual animals. If you would like to join us aboard in 2017, please click here . hosted 4 residential volunteer placements here in Tobermory - thanks to Jenny, Izzy, Lynsey and Sam for all your help, we couldn't have delivered our outcomes without your help! If you are keen to join the team in 2017, please click here . visited 28 schools, engaging with 1,068 pupils. We also attended 50 community events and ran two floating classrooms aboard Silurian, where we managed to visit 8 different communities. had 15,409 visitors to our newly renovated Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre - if you are visiting Tobermory in 2017, please pop in for a visit! Again, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped us delivery our activities in 2016 - we simply couldn't have done it without your help and support. 2017 is shaping up to be another busy year at the Trust, we hope it's as successful as 2016! Sat, 31 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=549 Just over a week until the deadline for volunteer 2017 applications - if you are interested in joining our dynamic team in Tobermory, apply now! The Trust are offering a range of placement opportunities; from Photo Identification to Community Engagement. All the placements will provide time aboard our research vessel, Silurian , experience delivering activities in the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre and provision for project work. The placements provide an excellent opportunity to develop new skills and experience; building confidence in delivering activities and providing a platform for personal growth. Please follow each link for a comprehensive placement brief. Community Engagement Placement – keen to pass on your passion for the marine environment and help enthuse the next generation? Do you like sharing information with the public? This is the placement for you. Events and Media Placement – do you have an interest in media production and promotion of events? Do you like engaging with the public? This is the placement for you. Community Sightings Placement – interested in gaining experience in delivering a citizen science programme? Do you want to develop our sightings records and understanding of local cetacean populations? This is the placement for you. Photo Identification Placement – if you wish to gain experience in a fundamental cetacean research tool, this is the placement for you. Analyse images throughout the 2017 season; identify new individuals and record re-sightings of animals already in our catalogue. Research Vessel Support Placement – eager to learn what it takes to run a boat-based research programme? This placement is for you. We operate a unique citizen science programme aboard Silurian, get involved and help deliver a fantastic season! Closing date is 8th January at noon. If you are interested in applying for more than one placement please indicate which you’d like to apply for in your cover letter, ranking the positions in order of preference. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a Skype interview in the week commencing 16th January. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Morven Russell, HWDTs Volunteer Coordinator on [email protected] or 01688 302620. Fri, 30 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=550 A very Merry Christmas from a blustery Tobermory! The HWDTteam would like to wish their supporters, volunteers and funders a very merry Christmas - we really appreciate all you do to help us release our achievements. We hope you have a wonderful day and are lucky enough to spend it with the ones you love. Very best wishes! Sun, 25 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=547 Sponsor a cetacean this Christmas and give a gift that makes a difference. By sponsoring a minke whale or the West Coast Pod of killer whales, you will help the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust to continue to monitor and subsequently better understand the various species of whale, dolphin and porpoise found in the Hebrides. We have three individuals minke whales available for sponsorship: Nick, Knobble and Kasey. We also offer sponsorship of the whole West Coast Pod - a globaly unique and highly vulnerable population of killer whales found in the Hebrides. From only £4 per month, or £48 per year, you can help the Trust safeguard these wonderful creatures for future generations. You will receive: Personalised A4 sponsorship certificate Colour photograph of your chosen whale or dolphin Species factsheet and individual cetacean factsheet Annual personalised sightings updates for your animal, delivered in the spring Hebridean whale and dolphin ID guide HWDT pen, car sticker and DVD A copy of HWDT’s online magazine, Wave (twice a year) 10% discount on Silurian expeditions Optional gift; either the HWDT produced 'Sea Kingdom of Argyll' book or a small cuddly toy Please click here to sponsor a cetacean today! Wed, 7 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=546 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is recruiting five volunteers to assist with the delivery of the 2017 season. Based in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, all the placements will provide time aboard our research vessel, Silurian, experience delivering activities in the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre and provision for project work in the office. We are recruiting for a variety of positions, each with the opportunity to develop new skills and gain valuable experience. Please follow each link for a comprehensive placement brief. Community Engagement Placement – keen to pass on your passion for the marine environment and help enthuse the next generation? Do you like sharing information with the public? This is the placement for you. Events and Media Placement – do you have an interest in media production and promotion of events? Do you like engaging with the public? This is the placement for you. Community Sightings Placement – interested in gaining experience in delivering a citizen science programme? Do you want to develop our sightings records and understanding of local cetacean populations? This is the placement for you. Photo Identification Placement – if you wish to gain experience in a fundamental cetacean research tool, this is the placement for you. Analyse images throughout the 2017 season; identify new individuals and record re-sightings of animals already in our catalogue. Research Vessel Support Placement – eager to learn what it takes to run a boat-based research programme? This placement is for you. We operate a unique citizen science programme aboard Silurian, get involved and help deliver a fantastic season! Information on how to apply can be found in the specific briefs above. Closing date is 8th January at noon. If you are interested in applying for more than one placement please indicate which you’d like to apply for in your cover letter, ranking the positions in order of preference. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a Skype interview in the week commencing 16th January. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Morven Russell, HWDTs Volunteer Coordinator on [email protected] or 01688 302620. Tue, 29 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=453 Ever thought about a wildlife holiday with a difference...why not join us aboard our research yacht Silurian for an unforgettable experience. Explore the wild, rugged landscape of the Hebrides (the islands found off the west coast of Scotland), encounter the very best of UK wildlife, all the while contributing to a valuable, well-established monitoring programme...the ultimate in eco-tourism! Silurian has been undertaking expeditions - lasting between 7-12 days - since 2002. Over that time, we have welcomed aboard hundreds of volunteers and surveyed thousands of nautical miles through-out the Hebrides. Participants will, in effect, become marine mammal scientists for the duration, being trained in species identification (both cetacean and sea bird) and survey techniques (both visual and acoustic). No experience is required as full training will be provided by our experienced crew. All aboard are expected to participate in every aspect of the expedition, including domestic duties. Without the contribution of volunteers, HWDT would not be able to undertake the research work we do; uncovering information about local populations and contributing to more efficient marine management strategies. 2017 Survey Dates: 10th – 16th April: Tobermory rendezvous, £845 (Limited Availability) 2nd – 8th May: Tobermory rendezvous, £895 11th – 17th May: Tobermory rendezvous, £895 5th – 13th June: Kyle of Lochalsh rendezvous, £1,175 15th – 23rd June: Kyle of Lochalsh rendezvous, £1,185 28th June – 9th July: Tobermory rendezvous, £1,395 (Limited Availability) 12th – 20th July: Tobermory rendezvous, £1,195 14th – 25th August: Tobermory rendezvous, £1,395 31st – 8th September: Ullapool rendezvous, £1,185 18th – 29th September: Ullapool rendezvous, £1,295 Teen Teams (for those aged between 16 and 17): 25th - 31st July: Tobermory rendezvous, £950 5th - 11th Aug: Tobermory rendezvous, £950 (Limited Availability) To read about how particpating in a Teen Team kick-started Alistair's career in marine biology, please click here. Joint Warrior Military Exercise Surveys: 1st - 7th April; Tobermory rendezvous, £950 1st - 12th October; Ullapool rendezvous, £1,295 To find out more please contact Morven Russell, our Volunteer Coordinator, on [email protected] or call 01688 302620. Moreover, if you are interested in participating in a specific survey, please complete an online form and Morven will be in touch with a more detailed survey brief. To sign-up for our free E-newsletter, please click here . Photo © Alistair Taylor (past Silurian volunteer) Wed, 16 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=545 A massive THANK YOU to all our volunteers that joined us during the 2016 season, both in Tobermory (HWDT HQ) and aboard Silurian . Without the help of our dedicated volunteers, the Trust simply couldn’t deliver the range of activities that we do. Between April and October, the HWDT team was joined by four enthusiastic volunteers who made a significant difference to Trusts operational capacity. Morven Russell, HWDT Volunteer Coordinator, says, “ The hard work and commitment from our volunteer placements in 2016 is inspirational, without the dedication from Jenny, Lynsey, Sam and Izzy, we could never have undertaken such an ambitious schedule. Massive thanks to each and every one! ”. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre featured heavily in the volunteer’s workload; helping prepare and deliver activities and being the public face of the Trust to visitors and locals alike. Our volunteers also assisted the crew during Cetacean Research Surveys, attended events, helped deliver floating classrooms aboard Silurian and helped HWDT engage with supporters. Details of the 2017 land based volunteer placements will be available over the coming weeks, if you are interested to receive the information once released, please sign-up to our free monthly e-newsletter. Thanks also to our long-term ‘Mull based’ volunteers: Jane, Steve, Linda and Juliet – we are extremely grateful for your continued support and look forward to developing tasks and outcomes over the coming months as we look ahead. Huge thanks are also extended to the 71 paying volunteers who joined us aboard Silurian to undertake Cetacean Research Surveys – without your contribution, we would not be able to sustain our long term monitoring programme in the Hebrides. Long term monitoring is vital when drawing conclusions on the health of the various species of cetacean population found in the Hebrides. It is only through time that we can identify trends as opposed to natural fluctuations in abundance and distribution. The national importance of the data collected aboard Silurian was made prevalent this year when it was used to set the boundary limits of the harbour porpoise Special Area of Conservation (SAC) – the largest in Europe for the species! Some of the surveys had stand-out encounters – such as the humpback whale in one of the June expeditions – while others had to battle fierce weather conditions (particularly the group aboard the early August expedition!). The Trust greatly appreciates all the effort contributed by Silurian volunteers and hope the experience was memorable for those who joined us aboard. For more information about the 2017 Cetacean Research Surveys, please click here . We feel very fortunate at the Trust to have the support of such a broad group of enthusiastic, invested people. We look forward to 2017 and the new relationships we’ve yet to create, whilst developing the existing contacts we have made to date. Pictured: Our 2016 Land Based Volunteers - (from top left) Lynsey, Izzy, Sam and Jenny - massive thanks to you all! Tue, 15 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=544 In 1977, a large male killer whale affectionately nick named Dopey Dick wowed the people of Derry when he swam into Lough Foyle and remained there for 2 days. He became a local celebrity and the city is set to celebrate the orca this Halloween. A life size replica covered in patchwork quilts has been made and they plan to float this down the river on the 31st October - please see here for the full story. Thanks to social media, Dopey Dock was identified as Comet earlier in 2016 - a member of the vulnerable West Coast Community. This brought to light the growing concern that many of the unique group of 8 individuals are very old. Comet was identified as an adult male in 1977 which makes this individual at least 58 years old! Photographs are extremely valuable resource in monitoring cetaceans and most of what we know about the West Coast Community has come from information and photographs submitted by members of the public. If you are lucky enough to encounter cetaceans and get photos, then please do report it to us. Wed, 26 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=543 This October, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) are running two Youth Trips on board their dedicated research vessel and floating classroom, Silurian . These trips, unlike typical research surveys, are specifically designed for young carers, aged 15 to 17 years. A young carer is someone under 18 who helps look after a family member, or a friend, who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs or alcohol. In the UK, there are about 700,000 young carers – equating to approximately one in 12 secondary aged pupils ( Carers Trust ). Pippa Garrard, HWDT’s Community Engagement Officer, says: “These unique three-day residential trips are designed to facilitate young people’s personal development by providing a safe and fun environment for them to share new experiences, overcome challenges and develop confidence, all whilst learning new skills. An equally important aim of the trip is to provide young carers with a welcome break from their caring responsibilities.” HWDT hopes to tackle social exclusion by offering the young carers and their leader a chance to join the team on board, free of charge, and become valued members of the crew. Over the course of the trip, the young people learn about the whales and dolphins of the Hebrides and are actively involved in every aspect of day-to-day life on the boat. This includes; working as a team to survey for cetaceans, hoisting and lowering the sails, steering the yacht, learning navigation skills, helping with the cooking, climbing the crow’s nest, and exploring Hebridean Islands during shore visits. The first of the two trips, departed Tobermory on the 7th October, with two young carers and their leader, Mags Todd, joining the Trust from Crossroads Young Carers Cowal & Bute . The trip was a great success with both girls really enjoying the expedition, going away with new skills and experiences. The highlight of the trip, was an incredible encounter with four minke whales, lunge feeding amongst frenzied gulls and kittiwakes off the Cairns of Coll. Whilst out sailing, the group enjoyed being out on the water, taking in the fresh sea air, the distinctive landscapes, and the rich variety of species from cetaceans to sea birds and seals. HWDT will shortly be departing on the second of this year’s Youth Trips, on the 21st October, during which a group of four young carers and their leaders from South Ayrshire Carers Centre will be joining the crew. HWDT will also be running a Youth Trip in 2017 and encourages group leaders to get in touch if they have a group interested, by e-mailing Pippa Garrard, [email protected]. This programme is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage and supported by the Coastal Communities Fund. Tue, 18 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=542 Silurian – the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) research vessel – has set sail to survey for marine mammals during the NATO Joint Warrior Military Exercise. The crew, joined by a team of volunteer observers, will be conducting visual and acoustic surveys and the data collected will be used to determine any effects on the behaviour and occurrence of marine megafauna during the two-week exercise. Joint Warrior is a UK led exercise conducted annually in the Spring and the Autumn in the waters off the west coast of Scotland. According to the Ministry of Defence; 5,700 military personnel from armed forces around the world will be involved, alongside 31 warships and submarines, as well as 67 aircraft. Military sonar, used during the exercises, emits intense noise that can disturb and harm whales and dolphins, because they rely on sound for navigation, foraging and communication. Naval sonar, more commonly linked to mass stranding events of deep diving whales, has also been associated with minke whale strandings in the Bahamas and in North Carolina. Lauren Hartny-Mills, HWDTs Science Officer, says “ During previous surveys, which have coincided with the Joint Warrior exercises, HWDT has observed minke whales moving at high speed and leaping clear of the water, at the same time as military sonar was detected on the hydrophone (an underwater microphone). This behaviour is unusual here and is rarely seen in undisturbed whales. The long term impact of such disturbances or exposure to sonar are largely unknown .” On the west coast of the US, close to Seattle, similar rapid fleeing behaviour in response to sonar has been observed in killer whales and dolphins. During the exercise, the Trust is asking people in the area to be vigilant and report any sightings of marine mammals in the area. You can report sightings on the HWDT website (www.hwdt.org) HERE or call the office on 01688 302620. Pippa Garrard, HWDTs Community Engagement Officer, adds, “ Hebridean communities play a vital role in increasing our understanding of marine mammals on the west coast of Scotland. With such a large survey area, HWDT depends on the public to report their encounters. Please take the time to report your sightings, and let us know of any behaviours observed. We will also be monitoring sightings reports, for any indications of stress, in order to prevent mass-strandings or injury to cetaceans in the area. If you see an animal in distress, please contact BDMLR on 01825 765546 .” In 2017, HWDT has scheduled two further surveys to monitor the Joint Warrior Exercises in April and October. If you are keen to participate and contribute to this vital monitoring project, please CLICKHERE . You can track Silurian live HERE using AIS. Follow her as she undertakes marine mammal surveys in the waters off the west coast of Scotland. Thu, 13 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=541 Huge congratulations to Nick Williams for creating a lovely wee documentary about thewhales and dolphins found off Scotland's west coast and the people working to protect them. Thank you for including the work that HWDTsEngagement Officer, Pippa Garrard, undertakes; helping raise awareness of the species found in the Hebrides and encouraging people to get involved by reporting their sightings and images for Photo ID analysis. We are all delighted Pippa did catch up with John Coe! The feature includes some lovelyanecdotes from Richard Fairbairns, founder of the Mull Cetacean Project (and of Sea Life Surveys!) - which led to the establishment of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. Video © Nick Williams The West Coast Community (WCC) are a truly unique population of orca. This small group - now numbering only eight - have been sighted in the Hebrides for decades. Ever elusive, sightings are few and far between, but they do happen throughout the year. The WCC are also reported off Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the east coast of Scotland. HWDT recently discovered that the lone orca, who swam up the River Foyle in Derry-Londonderry almost 40 years ago, was Comet (affectionately known as 'Dopey Dick' in 1977) making him close to 60! Click here to read the full story. It is thought that their diet consists of other marine mammals - there have been a couple of documented attacks on porpoise and, in 2008, when a stranded individual was examined, minke whale baleen was found in the stomach contents. If you'd like to get involved further with the work of the Trust, there are a number of different opportunities to do so: Help survey the Hebridean seas in 2017 on our live-aboard research yacht, Silurian . Join us aboard for the ultimate eco-tourism experience; collecting vital data, capturing images for Photo-ID analysis and exploring the beautiful wilds of the west coast. Please click here for more info. Report your sightings - spotted anything? We'd be delighted to hear about it. Become a member and help support our various research and education activities. Help us build on our understanding of the various species in the Hebrides by sponsoring a cetacean - including the West Coast Community. Join our land-based volunteer programme - details to be announced soon! Wed, 12 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=540 The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust’s (HWDT) research vessel and floating classroom, Silurian , spent September operating from Ullapool as part of the North West Highlands Living Seas Project, coordinated by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. This initiative is supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Heritage Lottery Fund, Ullapool Harbour Trust, Ullapool Rotary and St Martin’s Lodge. Silurian - usually based in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull - hosted local school children to learn about their marine environment, local enthusiasts to learn about the Trust’s research work and paying volunteers to assist with monitoring surveys of marine mammals. Following from a week spent in the classroom, HWDTs Education Team welcomed aboard primary school kids from Ullapool, Badcaul, Scoraig, Lochinver and Achiltiebuie. The Trust were very impressed with the level of knowledge the children demonstrated about their local marine environment. Noel Hawkins, NW Highlands Living Seas Project Officer, says, “ The Living Seas Project intends to get people engaged and hands on with our sea, coast and marine life. The opportunity to do this aboard a real research and survey boat adds a special element to the experience and understanding of our local pupils. We hope all those who got the chance to attend both school and boat based classes took something quite special away from their time and look forward to building on this further in the future working in partnership with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust again. ” The Open Boat events - hosted in Ullapool and Lochinver - welcomed almost 100 visitors, with Silurian crew available to guide people around the vessel and answer any questions posed. The two Cetacean Research Surveys which ran from Ullapool allowed Silurian to monitor the more remote parts of HWDTs study area. During the Ullapool expeditions; approximately 730 nautical miles were surveyed, 7 different species of marine mammal were sighted and just over 500 individuals recorded. The Trust would like to extend warm thanks to everyone who helped make the Ullapool operations a success, particularly Noel Hawkins of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Ullapool Harbour Trust and the fishermen who gifted the crew mackerel, lobsters and crabs! Edd Hewett, Silurian Boat Manager, adds. “ Ullapool was a fantastic base for our activities during September. The locals were very helpful and friendly, plus the facilities are great. We’re looking forward to doing more in 2017 ”. The research forms part of the trust’s unique long-term monitoring of whales, dolphins and porpoises – collectively known as cetaceans – in the Hebrides. Western Scotland’s seas are one of Europe’s most important habitats for cetaceans and one of the UK’s most biologically productive areas. So far 24 of the world’s 83 cetacean species have been recorded in the region, many being national and international conservation priority species. The trust is recruiting volunteers for its 2017 surveys, to live and work as citizen scientists aboard Silurian for expeditions of one to two weeks from April to September. Participation costs cover boat expenses, support the trust’s research programme and include accommodation, training, food and insurance. For details, please click here . Huge thanks to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Coastal Communities Fund for supporting our research aboard Silurian . Photo: ©HWDT, Primary school children enjoy learning about what it takes to become a marine mammal scientist. Tue, 4 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=536 Ever thought about a wildlife holiday with a difference...why not join us aboard our research yacht Silurian for an unforgettable experience. Explore the wild, rugged landscape of the Hebrides (the islands found off the west coast of Scotland), encounter the very best of UK wildlife, all the while contributing to a valuable, well-established monitoring programme...the ultimate in eco-tourism! Silurian has been undertaking expeditions - lasting between 7-12 days - since 2002. Over that time, we have welcomed aboard hundreds of volunteers and surveyed thousands of nautical miles through-out the Hebrides. Participants will, in effect, become marine mammal scientists for the duration, being trained in species identification (both cetacean and sea bird) and survey techniques (both visual and acoustic). No experience is required as full training will be provided by our experienced crew. All aboard are expected to participate in every aspect of the expedition, including domestic duties. Without the contribution of volunteers, HWDT would not be able to undertake the research work we do; uncovering information about local populations and contributing to more efficient marine management strategies. The data collected aboard Silurian has enabled HWDT to quantify the local populations of bottlenose dolphin, minke whale and orca. We have also documented the fine-scale habitat preference of the harbour porpoise – the most commonly encountered cetacean. HWDT, alongside other researchers, have brought to light the plight of the small resident orca population found off the west coast. HWDT are part of a project looking at the impact of creel fishing on minke whale entanglement in the area. We looked at the effect of acoustic deterrent devices (used in aquaculture) on porpoise behaviour. They are also many other research findings which will be illustrated during the expedition. For more information about the 2017 survey dates, including rendezvous and cost, please click HERE . Sat, 1 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=539 A Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for the harbour porpoise in UKwaters has been designated in the Hebrides - giving increased protection to the UKs smallest cetacean. The Hebrides has been highlighted as a really important area for porpoises, this is reflected in the size of the site – the largest for this species in Europe. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) was intrinsically involved in the designation process; providing the data collected from aboard our research yacht Silurian to aid the process and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of porpoise abundance and distribution within the Hebrides. Alison Lomax, HWDT Director, comments, “ Our dedicated survey work, carried out every year over the last decade, has demonstrated that the Hebrides as a whole is an exceptionally important area for harbour porpoises. We are delighted that this has been recognised by the Scottish Government and that Scotland’s first Special Area of Conservation (SAC) has been created in the Inner Hebrides and Minches. A well-managed SAC in the west of Scotland has a key role to play in harbour porpoise conservation. ” The designation of the Harbour Porpoise SAC will fulfil the Scottish Governments commitment to the European Habitats Directive to deliver conservation areas for specific species that need increased protection. The site – termed the Inner Hebrides and Minches SAC – covers an area of 13,801.99 km² and is located in the heart of HWDTs study area. Dr Lauren Hartney-Mills, adds, “ It is fantastic news that the importance of the Hebrides for harbour porpoise has been recognised by having the largest SAC in Europe designated here .” Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) ran a consultation period for the designation between March and May 2016, with HWDT encouraging participation from its supporters and followers. The next stage of the process will be to develop a species conservation strategy, engaging with stakeholders to develop appropriate management recommendations. HWDT has undertaken dedicated research into harbour porpoise in the Hebrides, highlighting habitat preference. HWDT has also contributed our data to the study of the impacts of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) – widely used by the aquaculture industry – on the species. HWDT welcome paying volunteers aboard every field season to join their dedicated surveys on Silurian , providing the opportunity for people to contribute to the research by assisting with fundamental data collection. Morven Russell, Volunteer Coordinator, says, “ Without the contribution of our volunteers, we simply couldn’t maintain our long-established dataset. Thank you to all who have joined us aboard and contributed to the designation of the Inner Hebrides and Minches SAC .” To find out more about joining HWDT aboard in the 2017 field season, please click here . Mon, 26 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=538 The Hebrides is home to a unique pod of killer whales; The West Coast Community. With a total of 8 individuals, this pod is unlike any other Atlantic population. Arguably, the most distinctive individual of this pod is John Coe; a male killer whale with a large notch at the base of his two-meter-high dorsal fin, which makes him easily identifiable. John Coe was seen this weekend (17th September) by local fishermen, Gordon Mackinnon and Ritchie Simpson, off Canna and the West of Skye. This is the 10th confirmed sighting HWDT has received of John Coe this year. Interestingly, all other confirmed reports of John Coe in 2016 have been of him alone, whereas Gordon’s photos clearly show him with another male. The West Coast Community consists of four males and four females, and they are not known to interact with any other orca populations in the north-east Atlantic. Each animal has individual markings and can be identified by these, using the technique: Photo-Identification. This is a non-invasive research technique, and provides a way in which we can harness the power of citizen science, as anyone with a camera can help contribute to the research. Since the beginning of the year, the Trust has received 33 reports of killer whales through the Community Sightings Network, as well as from local boat operators and other cetacean research groups. Of these 33 reports, 16 of these encounters had photos and 10 of these were identified as John Coe. The West Coast Community feed on marine mammals such as porpoises, whereas other local populations predominantly feed on fish. They also look different, with downward sloping eye patches, compared to horizontal eye patches, and the animals are also bigger than the other Atlantic killer whales. These animals are wide ranging and have been seen of the West Coast of Ireland, as well as down in Wales and on the East Coast of Scotland. John Coe was first photographed and identified by HWDT in 1992 and since studies began, none of these individuals have ever successfully reproduced. The majority of our understanding of this unique pod, is a result of the Community Sightings Network, which provides a channel for the public to report their sightings to HWDT and share their photographs, enabling us to identify individuals and track their movements. If you are lucky enough to encounter a killer whale in Scottish Waters, please let us know, by reporting your sighting here . HWDT would like to thank everyone who has submitted their killer whale sightings this year, including the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Sea Trust, Hebrides Whale Cruises and Sea Life Surveys. Wed, 21 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=537 What a successful fortnight the Education Team have had in Ullapool. Following on from our school based visits it was the children’s turn to come to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. Silurian , the Trust’s research vessel, had just arrived from a twelve day research trip and was ready for over one hundred school children to come on-board. Silurian’s Floating Classroom lessons are always extremely popular with the schools we visit. This year, all children attending the sessions were presented with a HWDT official ‘ Silurian Scientist’ certificate, showing they had completed training for visual surveying, acoustic surveying and photo ID techniques. Ullapool Primary were the first school to come on-board. Over the course of three days 52 students in P5-7 attended. All Trust members were very impressed by the standard the children worked to and loved answering the many questions they had. Poppy, a P6/7 student said “I enjoyed the trip because it was very inspiring and I really want to volunteer when I’m older.” The entirely of Badcaul and Scoraig Primaries came to visit next. Not too difficult a feat considering there are only 7 and 5 students in each school respectively! We joined the schools together and had a session for the younger student and a separate session for the older ones. Noel Hawkins from Scottish Wildlife Trust really helped us out by taking the children that were not on Silurian crabbing on the pontoons. Mrs. McSweeney said “The quality of the teaching, resources and activities really engaged the children, who have not stopped talking about their experience. It has added a real life element to our topic on Sea and Coasts. Thank you.” From there the crew sailed to Lochinver Harbour to deliver sessions for Lochinver Primary and Achiltiebiue Primary. The P4-7s attended from both schools, 31 students from Lochinver and just 9 from Achiltiebuie. Ella, P5 from Lochinver, enjoyed listening to the whale and dolphins. Her classmate, Lexie P4, found everything inspiring. It seems the teachers enjoyed the visits as much as the children did, as they all thanked us for a wonderful experience, one we are only too happy to provide. Children were not the only people who got to visit Silurian this Education Trip. We hosted an Open Boat in both Ullapool and Lochinver on the Monday and Thursday respectively. Both were extremely successful with plenty of interest from locals and visitors alike. In Ullapool we had 68 visitors over the course of two and a half hours, a substantial amount when you consider the boat only takes 10 people out on survey at a time. Lochinver was just as busy with 30 people over two hours. While on board visitors could explore the deck, the living quarters for both the crew and volunteers, and talk to Trust employees. Many people went away with membership leaflets and we hope they choose to become part of the HWDT family. HWDT would like to thank everyone who made this years visit to Ullapool and the surrounding area so successful. The trip was made much better by the support of the Scottish Wildlife Trust and funders included the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Coigach-Assynt Living Landscape project supported by Heritage Lottery Fund, Ullapool Harbour Trust, Ullapool Rotary and St Martin’s Lodge. Tue, 20 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=535 August saw an array of fantastic science talks take place in our centre - all focusing on different vital conservation work currently in action. We were delighted to see a packed audience of keen naturalists for every one of our talks and would like to thank our speakers for sharing their fascinating insight into such a wide range of interesting conservation areas. The month was kicked off by Rachel French, who in celebration of 'National Hen Harrier Day' delivered to a packed crowd, a fantastic speech on the rare raptors' behaviour, habitat and threats - both on the Island of Mull and nationally. Next, we were lucky enough to have Jane Stevens, director of Mull Otter Group pay us a visit and teach us about the work that Mull Otter Group do to protect our Islands treasured mustelids. This ranges from beach cleans and burn clearing, to installation of signs and road reflectors - to warn the otters of approaching cars. The work Mull Otter Group do is vital in protecting one of our most enigmatic species and made for a fascinating talk! Finally, as the summer months drew to a close, our very own science officer - Lauren Hartny-Mills took to the stage to bring us up to date with some current research being conducted at the Trust. She described how photography is the preferred modern method used to identify individual whales and dolphins and how using these methods, we are able to build a rich tapestry of movements and behaviours for different species. This was a fantastic insight into the work currently underway in our science department. Further to our science talks, we were lucky enough to be invited aboard visiting cruise ship Lord of the Glens by charters NatGeo and Lindblad, to provide their guests with an introduction to the whales and dolphins of the Hebrides. We also delivered our popular bones workshops with rare teeth and artefacts, collected by the trust over the years. Our cross-Atlantic visitors were amazed to hear about the diversity of cetaceans found in these waters! Finally, Porpoise Awareness Day (18th August) provided a great opportunity for young families to learn more about our most prevalent small cetacean species. Talks took place throughout the day, looking at the species ecology and a range of beautiful porpoise masks were made by visiting children. We also showcased rare footage of porpoises in their natural habitat, highlighting how illusive they can be, whilst emphasising the importance of the Hebrides for these animals. Thank you to everyone who has attended our events to date, and to those making a trip to Mull, keep your eyes on our Facebook page to hear about new upcoming talks and events! Fri, 16 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=531 HWDT operates a vital cetacean monitoring programme in the Scottish Hebrides, conducting research into the distribution, abundance and habitat use of whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks. Our research programme is well established, running for over 20 years . This is a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic individual, keen to gain experience in supporter engagement and scheme development. HWDT is based in the colourful and picturesque harbour town of Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull; where we have our office, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre and the mooring for our research vessel Silurian. During the placement you will work with our Volunteer Coordinator and Engagement Officer to engage with our current supporter base and deliver updates. You will also be involved in reviewing and developing the current schemes. We are offering a 3-month volunteer placement running from Monday 3rd October 2016 – Friday 23rd December 2016, with a possibility of a short extension at the discretion of HWDT. The successful candidate will work between 3 - 4 days a week and must be able to commit to the full placement length. Working hours can be flexible. Please click here for the placement brief and details of how to apply. Tue, 13 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=530 Sunday night saw two members of The Trust’s education team arrive in Ullapool after two ferries, several hundreds miles driving and a short (accidental) detour through Inverness. Zoe and Jenny are in Ullapool for a fortnight as part of Highland Cetacean Week, organised by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. This week, Zoe and Jenny visited five primary schools; Ullapool, Lochinver, Alichitbuie, Badcaul and Scoraig. The session delivered focused on common cetacean identification, the habitats they live in and how the Hebridean whales and dolphins feed. All the children were very excited not only to learn about teeth and baleen but to actually get the change to touch some real samples of them HWDT has for educational purposes. The end of the sessions also explained a little about Silurian , HWDT’s research vessel, which will be returning to Ullapool at the end of its current research trip. Zoe and Jenny were thrilled by the student’s current knowledge of Hebridean cetaceans and were glad that the children are as excited about their visit to Silurian as they are. Next week, the school children visited this week will come on-board Silurian for one of our popular Floating Classroom sessions where they will be trained up to be a ‘ Silurian Scientist’. Not only that, but other members of the community can get involved next week too. Silurian will be open to all members of the public on Monday 12th 5.30-8.00 pm in Ullapool and on Thursday 15th 4.30-6.30 in Lochinver Harbour. There are also public talks in Ullapool by world renowned photographer Charlie Phillips and a team from British Divers Marine Life Rescue on the Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. If you are in the Ullapool or Lochinver area, why not come along and get involved? The Highland Cetacean Week has been supported by a number of organisations including the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Heritage Lottery Fund, Ullapool Harbour Trust, Ullapool Rotary and St Martin’s Lodge, hopes are this could be the start of a new annual event celebrating the Scotland’s marine wildlife. Thu, 8 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=527 Join the HWDTteam this winter to participate in our Photo Identification Volunteer Placement - applications are now welcome! HWDT operates a vital cetacean monitoring programme in the Scottish Hebrides, conducting research into the distribution, abundance and habitat use of whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks. Our research programme is well established, running for over 20 years. This is a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic individual, keen to gain experience in photo-identification research techniques, to join our team. HWDT is based in the colourful and picturesque harbour town of Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull; where we have our office, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre and the mooring for our research vessel Silurian. During the placement you will work with our science team to analyse images taken during minke whale encounters (over the 2016 field season) and attempt to match them to our minke whale photo-ID catalogue. You will also be tasked with managing the standardisation of historic encounters through-out the database and developing HWDT ID catalogues for dolphin species. The placement runs from the start of October 2016 until the end of March 2017. For more information about the placement, including application guidelines - please click here . Mon, 29 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=526 As part of Mull Aquarium’s Marine Week, members of our education team put on a very special event to give members of the public the opportunity to experience what it is like aboard our research vessel, Silurian, while she is out surveying the whales and dolphins of the Hebrides. Our trainee science officers were welcomed in to the cinema room inside Mull Aquarium, where they donned lifejackets before being allowed to board Silurian Junior, our RIB, for the trip. Everyone learned how to identify the different species found in the Hebrides before embarking on our journey from the THA. There were eruptions of ‘SIGHTING’ as different species appeared on the screen in front of us. Visitors were afforded a truly immersive experience while on survey and may have even got a little wet as the sea became choppier. It was brilliant to see peoples’ reactions to the footage of bow-riding dolphins, a common sight while out on survey. The event was sold out and we raised over £100 for the trust, so thank you to everyone that came along to support us, to Mull Aquarium for hosting the event and to Phil Sidall for allowing us to borrow his boat. Tue, 16 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=525 All berths aboard 2016 Cetacean Research Surveys are now full. However...we will soon be releasing details of our planned 2017 monitoring expeditions. Our Cetacean Research Surveys are the ultimate eco-tourism experience. Participants effectively become marine mammal field scientists for the duration; living aboard our research yacht, Silurian , whilst being trained in species identification and data collection methods. To find out more about our fantastic live-aboard experience, please click here . To receive details of our 2017 Cetacean Research Surveys once finalised, please sign-up to our FREE monthly e-newsletter. Mon, 15 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=524 Despite the fact that many part of the Hebrides are remote and tricky to get to, the Trust does its best to visit as many places as frequently as possible. This past weekend we got the opportunity to visit the isle of Tiree and be a part of their Regatta celebrations. We organised two days of events for locals and visitors to attend if they were interested, focused around raising awareness of whales and dolphins in the Hebrides and how the Trust was working to study and protect them. Straight off the ferry the team was keen to get started. Friday had a full line-up of talks and workshops including our popular “Bones Box” and finishing up with a headland watch. Over the course of the day attendees learnt how to ID the most common species of cetacean found in the Hebrides and why exactly it was such an important ecosystem for these animals. Finally, participants got to put their newly acquired ID skills into practice in a survey simulator and headland watch. Although our headland watch didn’t reveal any cetaceans, we did spot 15 basking sharks in Gunna Sound. An amazing sight for everyone involved, especially when reports of basking sharks have only been coming in for about a week before hand. With the arrival of the sharks, many feel summer has well and truly arrived. The next day we set up a stall on Gott Bay, where the Regatta itself was happening. The wind was perfect for the sailing races, although not so helpful at keeping the ID guides on our table! Despite the challenges of a few strong gusts of wind the stall was busy the whole day. Young children (and their parents) were curious about the bones we had on display and many people who visited us let us know about cetaceans or sharks they had seen recently. We talked to as many people as possible about our Community Sightings Network and hopefully the next time they see something of interest in the ocean around Tiree or the Hebrides, they’ll remember to report it to us online. Friday finished up with an open boat at the ferry pier. Silurian , HWDT’s research vessel, was on her last night of a survey and managed to appear at the agreed time. We were kept busy transporting keen visitors to and from the boat for nearly two hours. Our poor skipper didn’t even have a chance to drink his traditional after dinner cup of tea! It was great to welcome so many people on board Silurian and show them exactly what she did when she was out on surveys. Some people were so inspired by the visit that they decided to start saving for a berth during next year’s survey season! The next day was as sunny as the previous two, with a slight covering of cloud; perfect spotting conditions. The HWDT team were at the front of the ferry as they left Tiree, scanning the sea for anything they might be able to see. Just before Coll their dedication was rewarded with a mikne whale off the port bow. Like most minke whales, it was there for an instant and then gone, but some passengers managed to catch a glimpse of it, thanks to the teams excited (but professional) squeals of delight. It was the perfect end to a wonderful weekend on Tiree. Many thanks to the Tiree Ranger Service for inviting us over and being so hospitable. Wed, 3 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=522 Over the coming months, a series of informative talks will be lead from the new Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre on Tobermory’s iconic Main Street; focusing on local species and conservation efforts. The centre was opened by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) earlier this year and, it’s hoped, will be a major attraction for locals and visitors, including families and children. Every Thursday evening a different guest speaker will be invited to share their knowledge and answer any questions. To date, the centre has hosted speakers from HWDT, the RSPB and respected naturalists from across the island. Details of the talks will be made available HERE , through social media and posters distributed around the island. The evening events are not just an opportunity to absorb some current scientific knowledge, but also a great social events; with complimentary glasses of wine and the chance to have a good chat about wildlife. Ella Potts, Visitor Centre Assistant, adds, “ Wildlife and wine have proved to be exactly what Tobermory ordered; with our ‘Science Talks’ evenings heaving with guests ever since their launch in June. Subjects have varied from whales, dolphins, eagles, otters, coastal invertebrates and more! ”. The Science Talks are charitable fund raising events, with all monies donated allowing HWDT to better understand local whale, dolphin and porpoise (collectively known as cetaceans) populations and continue the long-term conservation of Hebridean species. Western Scotland’s seas are one of Europe’s most important habitats for cetaceans and one of the UK’s most biologically productive areas. So far 24 of the world’s 83 cetacean species have been recorded in the region, many being national and international conservation priority species. Details of specific talks are as follows: July 28th - Charlotte Findlay and Hayden Ripple; Keep it down, down there! CAAD devices and marine acoustics August 4th - Rachel French; HEN HARRIERS... Is Mull really a harrier haven? August 18th - Ella Potts (Trust representative); Porpicide! The darker side of animal behaviour.... August 25th - Jane Stevens (Mull Otter Group); title TBC September 1st - Lauren Hartny-Mills (Trust Science Officer); title TBC September 8th - Elly Rowland; Marine Noise and Minke Whales September 15th - Lorna Hall (Whale Dolphin Conservation Education Officer); East Coast Bottlenose Dolphins Entry if free (although donations are very welcome!), however spaces are limited so please book by calling 01688 302816 or email Ella Potts , HWDTVisitor Centre Assistant. Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=519 Wildlife and wine have proved to be exactly what Tobermory ordered; with our "Science Talks" evenings heaving with guests ever since their launch in June. Subjects have varied from controversial new behaviours observed in Dolphins (still currently in research) to Eagles, Otters, coastal invertebrates and more. The evenings - part of our new events and activities programme - allow us to welcome a new eminent guest speaker each week. To date, we have been lucky to host speakers from the Trust, the RSPB as well as respected naturalists from across the island. Make sure to keep an eye on our website to see who we will have booked in the future! The evening events are not just an opportunity to absorb some current scientific knowledge and enjoy a good bit of culture, but also a great social events, with complimentary glasses of wine and the chance to have a good chat about wildlife! The Science Talks have been designed as a charitable fund raising event - and have so far been fantastically successful in raising money for cetacean conservation! Sat, 16 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=518 Our first kids club of the summer kicked off learning about the mysterious minke whales of the Hebrides. Although all in attendance were very knowledgeable about these small baleen whales, we were still able to shock them with some unusual facts; for example, that some minkes have been heard to ‘quack’ when communicating. We also discussed that no one is certain where these small rorquals are migrating from or to and had some really interesting suggestions from the kids. The session finished off with everyone learning about individual minke whales in our ID catalogue, that have been sighted throughout the Hebrides on multiple occasions. Knobble is arguably the most famous minke whale in the whole of Scotland as he has an easily identifiable dorsal fin and has been seen every year for the past 13 years. Lynsey, HWDT’s Research Assistant, was fortunate to see him back in May while on a trip out with Sea Life Surveys. We listened to the ‘Knobble Song’ while everyone chose an individual minke whale from the catalogue and then made our origami minkes, each with their own characteristic dorsal fin. I hope everyone enjoyed the session as much as I did, and we’ll see you next week to learn all about the killer whales! Jenny, Education Assistant Fri, 15 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=517 This June HWDT’s research vessel Silurian , invited volunteers to take part in two cetacean surveys from Kyle of Lochalsh. The teams worked through mixed weather and observed six different species of whales and dolphins. Arguably the most notable were the sightings of humpback whales - Megaptera novaeangliae - off the Isle of Lewis. Humpback whales are widely distributed throughout all oceans of the world, and are highly migratory. They travel thousands of miles from warm-water breeding grounds in the tropics to the cold-water feeding grounds in the polar regions. They favour inshore waters and continental shelf areas, but will travel through open water during their migration. Humpback whales are occasionally encountered in the Hebrides travelling between breeding grounds off Africa to feeding grounds around Iceland and Norway; there are one or two sightings in the Hebrides each year. Sea-bed mounted hydrophones (underwater microphones) have also recorded humpback whale presence in UK waters. The volunteers and crew of Silurian travelling across the Minch, from Cape Wrath to Broad Bay, when a large blow was sighted from two and a half miles away by repeat volunteer, Bill. The team of volunteers switched to ‘with whale’ survey effort and helped skipper, Edd, keep eyes on the whale while heading towards Tolsta Head. Silurian First Mate, Charlotte Bainbridge said; “ It was clear that the whale was travelling, and then we saw the large area of splashing with gannets diving overhead so we began to approach .” The iconic sighting of a tail descending confirmed that the whale was a humpback, a species that is infrequently sighted in Hebridean waters. Upon arrival at the point the whale was last seen, the team spread around the boat to look out for where it would surface next. Dr Frazer Coomber, HWDT’s Marine Biodiversity Officer, stood on Silurian’s bowsprit and spotted white pectoral fins passing under the bow. Identification photographs of the underside of the tail were taken in order to record the individual’s presence in the Hebrides. The whale stayed around Silurian lunge feeding for an hour and a half. Silurian left the whale still feeding in order to reach her anchorage in Broad Bay. Jenny Hampson, HWDT’s Volunteer Education Assistant said; “ It was such a brilliant spot from a distance so we had time to get excited before arriving at the bait ball. The thunder of gannets hitting the water really added to the atmosphere and it was amazing to be able to get all of the recordings out of the way and enjoy watching the whale lunge feed for over an hour. What an awesome experience! ” To find out more about joining us aboard Silurian, to participate in a Cetacean Research Survey, please click here . Thu, 14 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=516 A new smartphone app allowing whale-watch operators and other seafarers to record sightings of whales, dolphins and porpoises is to be launched next year by Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, thanks to an award of more than £79,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The innovative project will allow wildlife tour operators and enthusiasts to systematically record the locations of marine mammals using technology available in their pocket. The app will work at sea without phone reception as it will rely on GPS only, uploading data once internet coverage is available. Alongside the app development, a programme of free training events and workshops for the public will be held throughout the west of Scotland to train volunteers how to identify and record marine wildlife. Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s Dr Lauren Hartny-Mills said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident the project will deliver much needed long-term monitoring data, as well as engaging local mariners with the amazing wildlife that the west of Scotland has to offer.” Community engagement work by the trust has shown that data collected by members of remote coastal communities can transform our understanding of marine mammals in the Hebrides – including which places are important to them and when, declines and recoveries in numbers, and emerging threats. The trust’s Crowd Sourcing for Marine Mammal Conservation project will engage boat users with the unique marine wildlife in their area. The project has already received support from local tour operators, but the trust also welcomes new partnerships and encourages any operators interested in the app to come forward. Wildlife guide and future user of the app, Vivi Bolin from Hebrides Cruises, said: “As a scientist and a guide, collecting effort-based sightings data and contributing to research on the wonderful Scottish marine life adds value to what we do. The app will simplify data collection on board and also benefit us and our guests by providing a visual tool for displaying our sightings and the routes we have taken. The app will enhance the guest experience and our collaboration with Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust on this project is important to us.” Contributors will be able to use an online mapping system to explore the data that they collect, to better understand seasonal trends in their area. Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust hopes to resolve some long-held mysteries, such as establishing when minke whales return to Scotland after their migration. The trust has been working with remote coastal communities for 21 years, to protect marine mammals and promote sustainable whale-watching. The whale-watching sector was recently estimated to be worth £1.7 million, attracting 15,700 tourists to the west of Scotland in 2015. To protect this valuable resource, we need to better understand how whales, dolphins and porpoises use their environment, and nobody is better placed to help with this than whale-watch operators and other marine users. Simon Pepper, committee member for HLF Scotland, said: “I’m sure that anyone who has been privileged enough to have seen one of these majestic creatures in the wild will agree that they are a unique part of Scotland’s coastal heritage. Thanks to National Lottery players, this important project will fulfil a much-needed role and help us to better understand and protect these animals for the future.” Pictured (left-right): Alison Lomax (Director, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust), Simon Pepper (committee member for HLF Scotland) and Dr Lauren Hartny-Mills (Science and Policy Officer, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust) onboard the trust’s specialised research yacht Silurian. Fri, 8 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=515 Individuals from the West Coast Community of orca have been true to their name - with sightings reported off the west coast of Scotland, Ireland and Wales in recent days; highlighting the huge range of these apex predators. John Coe – a large male with a very distinctive notch in his dorsal fin - was reported on Monday off the Blasket Islands, County Kerry, Ireland. A second male from the West Coast Community has also been sighted, this time off the west coast of Wales, between Holyhead and Dublin. This individual was thought to be Comet – whom HWDT revealed in April as Dopey Dick, the killer whale who swam up the River Foyle in 197 7. Mondays sighting of John Coe in Ireland, follows an encounter with local whale watching operator Sea Life Surveys, around the Isle of Coll, Scotland on 18th June, with a distance between the two sightings of over 600 km or 324 nautical miles. Lynsey Bland, HWDTs Research Assistant, was aboard Sea Life Survey's vessel that day and said the following, " To see my first ever orca in the Hebrides was pretty special, but for that orca to be the instantly recognised John Coe made the encounter truly unforgettable. Seeing that huge unique dorsal fin loom out of the water really does take your breath away, truly a day to remember ! The majority of sightings of this highly mobile population are made off the west coast of Scotland, with HWDT first photographing and identifying John Coe in 1992. In recent years, through collaboration with other organisations, we have begun to better understand the group and their movements. Their range extents to Ireland, Pembrokeshire and we even have confirmed sightings off the north east coast of Scotland. The West Coast Community are extremely unique in the north eastern Atlantic. The four males and four females are not known to interact with other orca populations in the north-east Atlantic, and since studies began, have never successfully reproduced. Sadly, in January this year, one of the females – Lulu – perished and was found stranded on the Isle of Tiree . The West Coast Community are thought to prey exclusively on other cetaceans (porpoise, minke whale) as opposed to the more varied diet of other Atlantic populations. They also look different to the Atlantic populations, with eye patches that slope downwards, compared to horizontal. The discovery that Dopey Dick was in fact Comet is significant because it confirms suspicions that some of the whales in the endangered West Coast Community are very old. They have not produced any calves since records began. Fears for their survival are heightened following recent discoveries that other killer whales in the region have very high pollutant burdens that can cause toxic effects, including infertility. Researchers are able to monitor cetacean populations through a technique known as Photo Identification (Photo ID). Photo ID uses distinct markings on the animals body (usually dorsal fins when it comes to cetaceans) to distinguish the individual. With this information we can start to quantify populations, examine range and social interactions between individuals. ‘ This unique pod is very hard to study, as the likelihood of encountering them is so small with only eight animals presumed alive. Thanks to the community, visitors and boat operators we are able to piece together information from other peoples encounters to increase our understanding of these animals. This shows the importance and the power of our Community Sighting Network for the study of rarer cetacean species .’ Pippa Garrard, Community Engagement Officer. HWDT rely heavily on citizen scientists to report encounters of whales, dolphins and porpoises and encourage people to report their sightings from across the Hebrides here. Sightings reports with accompanying images are more than welcome as we can attempt to Photo ID the individuals. HWDT would like to thank those who reported the killer whale sightings to us recently, including Sea Life Surveys, Sea Trust and Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. We also run a scheme which allows you to sponsor John Coe, if you’d like to find our more, please click here. Photo © Pippa Garrard, taken aboard Sea Life Survey vessel on the 18th June 2016 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=514 This June, HWDT’s Community Engagement Officer (Pippa Garrard) and Education Volunteer (Izzy Hassall) travelled across to Lochmaddy on North Uist, to take part in the inaugural St Kilda Challenge. This international yacht race from Lochmaddy to St Kilda was organised by Comann na Mara (The North Uist Society of the Sea) and featured a race, a cruise in company and also a land based festival. In total, 27 yachts participated in the 100 nautical mile loop of St Kilda, 12 of these racing to win the title, with the other 15 cruising as a flotilla, stopping off at St Kilda to experience the UNESCO double World Heritage Site. HWDT’s land based team arrived early in Lochmaddy on Wednesday 8th, in time to visit the three local primary schools based on North Uist; Caranish, Paible and Lochmaddy Primary School. These three schools are destined to close in the coming weeks, as a brand new centralised school has been built for the Island. Although it was a busy time for the schools, HWDT’s workshops were well received and pupils had the opportunity to develop their knowledge on Hebridean cetaceans and habitats, building upon our previous land based and floating classroom workshops in 2015. Pippa Garrard, HWDT's Community Engagement Officer said; ‘ It was really great to see the pupils again, and it was very encouraging and rewarding to hear students recall facts and other information that we covered last May and September. I am delighted we were able to visit each school for a last time, before they merge, as our experiences with each school have been different, and this trip enabled us to bring all of the students up to the same level in a fun and engaging way.’ In addition to school workshops, HWDT’s land based team were invited to be part of the three-day festival in Lochmaddy. The festival celebrated local produce with art and food stalls, as well as showcasing bands, plays, books and films. The atmosphere ashore was brilliant and HWDT spent the weekend talking to local people, visitors and competitors about cetaceans, helping to interpret wildlife sightings and identify animals, all whilst promoting the Outer Hebrides as a top UK destination, which supports diverse populations of cetaceans. ‘It was a real pleasure, speaking with the crews of the yachts, that took part in the St Kilda Challenge. We were really delighted when participants came back, waving notes with lat. and long. positions, calling out ‘we saw a whale’’ said Izzy Hassall, HWDT Education Volunteer. Across the weekend, multiple sighting reports were submitted to HWDT, including small groups of porpoises, bow riding common dolphins, inquisitive white beaked dolphins and solitary minke whales half way out to St Kilda. On the Saturday evening just before the celebrations started, HWDT delivered a talk on Whales and Dolphins of the Hebrides, to which local people and visitors came, learning more about the research and conservation efforts of the Trust. Delivering talks such as this provide a brilliant opportunity for people to reach out to us from their local community and find out more about how they can get involved with the Trust. Silurian also put in an appearance in Lochmaddy, and the volunteers came ashore the night before the race, to meet our land based team and experience the buzz of the event. Everyone was excited, recalling the highlight of the day which had been encountering common dolphins feeding whilst surrounded by diving gannets. On the day of the race, the crew were up very early, heading out to the start line to watch all the yachts off. They then continued on their survey route, heading for the Monarch Isles off the West Coast of North Uist, during which they encountered their first minke whale of the trip, in addition to white beaked dolphins, porpoises and many seals. During the road trip to and from North Uist, HWDT were also able to visit Sleat Primary School and complement their topic on the sea and the shore, as well as deliver a talk in Mallaig. ‘This road show has been a brilliant success, and reflects one of HWDT’s core values; supporting local communities. Attending these events is really important as it allows us to continue to foster relationships, which were originally formed as part of the early Sea Change Roadshows. I am excited to see how our links with these coastal communities will continue to develop into the future, helping us to achieve a Hebrides where whales, dolphins and porpoises are protected and valued throughout’ said Pippa Garrard. This project is possible thanks to funding from the Coastal Communities Fund. Tue, 21 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=513 A new marine wildlife visitor centre has been launched in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull by conservation charity Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust – to strengthen conservation action for whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and to develop the Hebrides’ appeal as a wildlife tourism hotspot. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre on Tobermory’s picturesque harbour front was formally opened this month, and will be a learning, training and volunteering hub, as well as providing a major attraction for visitors, including families and children. The building’s transformation has been funded as part of a grant of almost £220,000 from the UK Government’s Coastal Communities Fund. The fully renovated and extended centre features information on sightings of cetaceans – the collective name for whales, dolphins and porpoises – interactive exhibitions, displays and a gift shop. “ Our new centre aims to put Mull and the Hebrides even more firmly on the map as a key destination to enjoy and discover world-class marine biodiversity – which in turn will boost conservation, and could bring significant economic and social benefits to the region ,” said Alison Lomax, Director of Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. The centre was recently launched with a celebratory event attended by dozens of guests from across the UK, including conservationists, scientists, volunteers and local businesses. The trust’s previous shop and visitor centre attracted 26,000 people in 2015 – a figure that Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust hopes will now rise significantly. With Western Scotland’s seas being one of Europe’s most important cetacean habitats, the charity believes that developing sustainable marine wildlife eco-tourism is a major opportunity, as demonstrated by the benefits of white-tailed eagles to the local economies of Mull and Skye. So far 24 of the world’s estimated 92 cetacean species – including many national and international conservation priority species – have been recorded in the region, and fascinating new discoveries about these populations are constantly being discovered. The Coastal Communities Fund has also enabled the trust to carry out an innovative Sea Change project across the Hebrides over the past two years, to strengthen people’s connections to the sea in remote island communities. This has involved engagement with thousands of people, through roadshows, community visits, liaison with wildlife tourism businesses, and dozens of events. Responsible whale watching, WiSe (Wildlife Safe) accredited, training has been provided for 23 tour boat operators, while local people have been able to develop skills through the trust’s Community Sightings Network – through which people can report sightings of cetaceans, helping to map their distribution. Sea Change has been carried out on Mull, Coll and Tiree, Islay and Jura, Colonsay, Barra, Small Isles (Eigg, Muck, Rum, Canna), Mallaig and Arisaig, North and South Uist, Harris, Lewis, Gairloch and Skye. The Coastal Communities Fund has also funded a refurbishment of the trust’s research yacht, Silurian , aboard which marine scientists and volunteers conduct surveys monitoring cetaceans each year. More than 90,000km of Hebridean seas have been surveyed and over 18,000 individual cetaceans recorded so far – significantly extending scientists’ knowledge and understanding, and informing long-term conservation initiatives. Paying volunteers are being recruited for the trust’s 2016 expeditions onboard Silurian , working alongside marine scientists. For details, please click here . The Coastal Communities Fund was created to direct regeneration investment to seaside towns and villages to help rebalance local economies, reduce unemployment and create work opportunities for local young people. Thu, 16 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=512 For my work experience placement at school this year, I spent the week working here at the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust. During this placement, I have gained a greater understanding of the work done by the trust and this experience has allowed me to learn more about the cetaceans around Mull and the Hebrides. On Monday, I was introduced to everyone and I began the week by helping out around the office, doing small, general tasks. I finished everything I needed to and left feeling good about all the work I had done. During my time on Tuesday, I helped make up packs of posters and then took them across the north of Mull to promote new events. On Wednesday and Thursday, I worked in the centre and I was able to learn so much about marine mammals whilst I was there. I was also able to learn more about the way the shop worked and how everything ran. Finally, today on Friday I learnt about photo ID in more detail and how helpful it can be in keeping track of the cetaceans and their movements around the Hebrides. I have also been able to use the photo IDs of the West Coast Community killer whales to identify them in old photos of the pod. This work placement has been a brilliant opportunity for me and I have learned so much more about the marine life that is around the area. I came into this with a slight bit of knowledge of cetaceans and I am happy that I had this time to learn more. I really enjoyed this experience and I hope that I can be more involved with the Trust in the future. Written by Izzy Willis Fri, 10 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=511 HWDT teamed up with the Ranger Service for Mull and Iona and Turus Mara for an evening trip to the Isle of Staffa. After the earlier dense fog, the sun shone and we made our way out to Staffa. The passage yielded views of many feeding gannets but sadly no cetacean sightings. We approached the Island and we were greeted by rafts of puffins on the water, delightful! All on board were treated to spectacular views of the basalt columns in Fingal’s Cave. Once ashore we split into groups with some of us enjoying a picnic with the puffins and another group setting out for a land based cetacean watch. The puffins entertained all and happily we were able to point out a pod of up to 10 acrobatic bottlenose dolphins! A great evening was had by all, topped off by a glorious sunset on the return journey. Many thanks to all involved and if you would like to join us there is another trip running Wednesday 15th June. Feel free to contact us for more information or call 01681 700659 or 07717581405 Thu, 9 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=510 There are now no berths available on the Cetacean Research Survey scheduled to monitor the effects of the massive NATOJoint Warrior military exercise. The Joint Warrior exercise occurs twice a year in coastal and offshore waters of the west of Scotland. Member states of NATO send vessels to participate in sea, air and land activities. Sonar, gunnery and high speed manoeuvres are used, which all have the potential to affect marine mammals due to the associated underwater noise. Recent mass strandings in the UK have been linked, by expert marine mammal pathologists, to military sonar use (e.g. in Cornwall, 2008) and bomb denotations ( e.g. in Sutherland, 2012 ) subsequent to Joint Warrior exercises. A common factor in mass-strandings associated with military exercises, is the presence of offshore species in coastal waters (e.g. common dolphins in Cornwall and long-finned pilot whales in Sutherland. HWDT is committed to surveying for cetaceans near the Joint Warrior exercises and reporting any sightings through appropriate channels, in order to prevent mass-strandings or injury to cetaceans in the area. We will conduct our standard visual and acoustic surveys in the same general area as the naval vessel fleet between 10 and 17 October. The HWDT team has additional equipment on board this year in order to document any unusual behaviour consistent with strong avoidance (e.g. fleeing an area at speed). This video range tracking (VRT) kit allows the team to track whales benignly using a calibrated video camera and binoculars mounted together with a stills camera which records angles. Using trigonometry, the distance, direction of swim and speed of the animals can be estimated, in order to reconstruct their movements without the need for tags. Thanks to Russell Leaper for providing the VRT kit and for advice. We are also monitoring the locations of vessels where possible using AIS (you can track Silurian here ). HWDT continues to engage with representatives from the Ministry of Defense regarding Joint Warrior activities, with a view to improving impact assessment and noise mitigation measures. Tue, 7 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=508 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust have recorded their first sighting of a new-born bottlenose dolphin calf in 2016! Spotted off the coast of Jura at the end of April, we have just been able to ID some of the dolphins in the group. They are 5017, 5018 and 5019. They can be found in our online photo ID catalogue. So far we have not been able to match the mother to our catalogue.The mother and calf pair were spotted in a group of about 10 individuals, including a few juvenile dolphins. The new-born was easy to spot due to the presence of white vertical strips along its side. These stripes are known as foetal folds and are marks left on the blubber from when the calf was tightly folded within its mother’s womb. These folds start to fade around 3 months and are normally gone within the first year of the animal’s life. The dolphins in the group playfully interacted with Silurian, bow riding and swimming alongside the vessel, giving us plenty of time to take ID shots and observe them at our leisure. At four meters long fully grown, Scottish bottlenose dolphins are an impressive sight, and it’s wonderful to watch them swimming and interacting with each other. We will keep an eye out for the new arrival in any future encounters and hopefully will be able to watch it grow up, giving new insight to the population of bottlenose dolphins that live around the Hebrides. Mon, 6 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=506 Alistair Walker first joined HWDT back in 2013 to participate in a Teen Team Research Expedition, he has since returned in May 2016 as a student of marine biology at the ScottishAssociation of Marine Science University in Oban. Here, Alistair shares his story: "I first became aware of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust in 2013 whilst I was still at school. I very much enjoy the outdoor life and am interested in wildlife watching and photography. I was looking for opportunities to volunteer to get some experience in marine conservation, as I was particularly interested in marine creatures and was thinking that maybe in the longer term I could have a career in marine conservation. I live in Braemar in the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland and had already taken up a number of different opportunities to be a conservation volunteer in my local area, but it is a long way from the sea! What particularly appealed about HWDT was that they undertake student volunteer trips. Most organisations require you to be at least 18, so I could go with HWDT whilst I was still at school. I had a great time on board and saw lots of amazing sea life including basking sharks, dolphins and minke whales. There was lots of marine and coastal birdlife too. It was a huge opportunity to see and take part in the work scientists do at sea. I did acoustic sampling, visual and photographic identification and recording of individual / pods of whales, dolphins, porpoise and basking sharks and their behaviour. I also conducted marine and coastal bird identification and counts. My trip with HWDT inspired me to do further volunteering and led to trips to Greenland, Arctic Canada, Alaska and the British Virgin Islands. In terms of career plans, I am now at the end of my first year studying Marine Science at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), part of the University of the Highlands and Islands in Oban. I joined HWDT again on a voyage in 2016, this time on an adult trip. It was a great way to re-energise a few days after university exams! Yet again it was a fantastic trip." If you're ambition is to pursue a career marine biology and you're interested in joining us aboard to participate in a Teen Team, please complete an online form or contact Morven , HWDTs Volunteer Coordinator, for more info. Photo: Alistair during the May monitoring expedition Wed, 1 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=505 It’s not every day that you see dolphins from your office window, but then again it’s not every day that bottlenose dolphins visit Tobermory Bay. Thursday started off like any normal day, arrive in the office, check your emails, do a tea round, discuss upcoming events. Then we started getting reports of bottlenose dolphins in the area. First, a fisherman called the office to say that they had some bow-riding and playing around their boat around where the Firth of Lorne meets the Sound of Mull. Then a few hours later our science officer phone on his way to the ferry at Craignure to say he had seen a pod making their way up the Sound towards Tobermory. We knew the dolphins had been around Mull for the past week or so, our community sightings network had helped with that, but to have two reports of them heading our direction on the same day? We hoped luck would be with us and they would want to come and visit Tobermory, even though we knew there was every chance they would swim straight by and not even pop in for a quick hello. The day carried on, and now late in the afternoon we had all but given up hope of seeing the dolphins that day. We assumed they had passed us by on their way to where ever they were heading. Then all of a sudden a shout went out, “There! Dolphin!” We all scrambled to the window, and sure enough, there was the tell-tale sickle shaped dorsal fin on the grey back. There’s no mistaking bottlenose dolphins when they’re only a few hundred meters away. At four meters long fully grown, Scottish bottlenose dolphins are the largest in the world. Their chunky beaks and bodies are anything from almost black to a light grey and they move through the water with surprising grace. The day was flat-calm and sunny, these dolphins were in no hurry to get anywhere. We left our desks, closed the Visitor Centre with a sign that read “closed due to bottlenose in the bay” and settled down to watch at the end of the ferry pier. Bottlenose dolphins are a coastal species of cetacean, often seen from the land during headland watches, or casual strolls. Seeing them right in the bay where you work is something else entirely, and as this pod played in the area for almost two hours, it gave everyone plenty of time to appreciate not only their beauty, but also their size and power. The dolphins started off in two separate groups, milling around near the entrance of the bay. They were probably feeding, and their slow movements and distance between the groups let us count around 8 individuals. There were no calves a far as we could see. After a while the dolphins started to get more energetic, or perhaps they had noticed the humans watching them and wanted to put on a show. Regardless, we watched and whooped as dolphins leapt from the water, returning with large splashes before popping up again where you were least expecting them. Never truly off duty we talked to people who were interested, and asked anyone who had photos we might be able to photo-ID the dolphins from to send them in to us. The dolphins continued to play, working their way around the whole of the bay. It was almost as if they wanted everyone to get a good look at them. They must have been having a great time socialising with each other, as they all ignored the boats entering and leaving the pontoons. Eventually it became obvious play time was over. Jumps got lower and less frequent and we noticed a few individuals must have snuck off at some point as there was now only four or five in the pod. At a leisurely pace the dolphins turned their beaks for the entrance of the bay and swam off, their blows still visible each time they surfaced. As the last dolphin disappeared around the headland those watching too headed back to where they had come from; offices, the Visitor Centre, the weekly shop. What a wonderful reminder of why we work so hard to protect the environment around the Hebrides, and right on our front doorstep! Mon, 30 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=500 The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust (HWDT) have opened the doors to its new Visitor Centre - on Tobermory’s Main Street - and would like to invite everyone to pop in to explore the new space. The completed renovations, thanks to a grant from the Coastal Communities Fund, have transformed the premises into an informative hub, highlighting the different species of whale, dolphin and porpoise (collectively known as cetaceans) found in the Hebrides and the conservation work of the Trust. Pauline Massey, the Visitor Centre Manager, says, “ The centre is generating a lot of interest and visitors are complimenting us on our new and improved look. The ‘underwater’ room is proving to be especially popular with our younger visitors .” The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Centre will provide locals and visitors with the opportunity to learn more about Hebridean cetaceans – with some fascinating insights into local populations. The space will also be used to explain the conservation work the Trust does aboard their research yacht, Silurian – with a large touchscreen, allowing people to interact with the data collected and understand its application. There is also a dedicated kids room, with games and puzzles for younger ones to enjoy. Through-out the season, HWDT staff and volunteers will run a series of programmes and events from the centre, again encouraging both locals and visitors to get involved. We will be running daily porpoise spotting tours, teaching participants how to scan and survey from land. Daily talks will be taking place at 15:30 - all age groups will be welcome. There will be workshops running throughout the day, based in the centre and even on the beach in good weather – again, all ages welcome. Finally, special events with guest speakers will be taking place on Thursday evening’s throughout the summer. To find out more about our summer schedule of events, email us or, if you're in Tobermory, pop into the centre. Ella Potts, the new Visitor Centre Assistant, adds, “ This is such a fantastic space in which to learn about our local cetaceans – I think people will be amazed to learn about the diversity of species we have here through our free talks and workshops. We even have real bone, teeth and baleen samples to play with! ” The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Centre will be open seven days a week (during the season), from 10:30am – 4:30pm and entry is free, although donations are more than welcome. There may be a small charge for specific events held, this will be made clear on any promotional materials. Tue, 24 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=499 The Cetacean Research Survey running 7th - 15th June is now fully booked! We only have a couple of berths available to participate in our live-aboard experience during the 2016 field season. Join us aboard our fullyequipped research yacht; exploring the beautiful, wild Hebrides whilst contributing to a monitoring programme which has collected visual and acoustic data on cetacean species in the area for over a decade. By joining us aboard you will be directly contributing to the better understanding of Hebridean whales, dolphins and porpoises. The expedition will provide the opportunity to witness the best of Scottish marine wildlife whilst exploring her remotest reaches. Species encountered include the minke whale, porpoise, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, killer whale, white beaked dolphin, basking shark and more! Not to mention the thousands of nesting seabirds which descend on the islands to breed. No experience is required to join us aboard, full training will be provided by our professional and friendly crew. Volunteers will eat, sleep and work aboard Silurian for the duration, with the opportunity to venture ashore in the evening to explore one of the hundreds of islands off Scotland's west coast. A fantastic way to explore one of the most beautiful, rugged and wild areas found on the edge of the Atlantic. For more information about the surveys and availability for the 2016 season, please click here . Mon, 23 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=492 We are open! After what has been a long winter of renovations and setbacks our new Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre is now open. The freshly painted whale and dolphin look striking against the dark blue front and our new resident rope porpoise, Penny, sits perfectly in the window. We opened the doors on Saturday 30th April and our first visitors immediately made good use of the animal sounds game in the kids’ room and admired the new, and stunning mural. The day continued in a steady manner and we gratefully received a number of generous donations. The centre now boasts our new Marine Observatory. This interactive resource is hosted on our giant touchscreen and can also be accessed from home by clicking here . There you can explore our virtual seas, sail through the Hebrides and learn what animals likely to see in different locations. I really enjoy exploring our sightings, looking at the thousands of miles that Silurian has travelled in the past 14 years and comparing the species hot spots. If you pop in, make sure to chat to our seasonal volunteers and make use of the huge map in the back room. We have had lots of interest in our collection of cetacean bones and our newest addition, a porpoise jigsaw. We will have lots of extra games and activities for the kids throughout the summer school holidays. The recent sighting board is already full and exciting so as the season progresses please come and pay us a visit to learn more about the amazing diversity of animals that can be seen off our shores! Mon, 16 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=493 We were fortunate to have Matt and Catherine from the Marine Conservation Society come along to our Mull’s Marine Life event last week. Their time here kicked off with four school visits around Mull where our education team gave the brand new Hebridean Marine Explorer workshop with the help of our life-size assistants; Duncan the bottlenose dolphin and Paddy the harbour porpoise. MCS equally brought along Steven the ginormous leatherback turtle and their interactive sand pit full of exciting specimens that can be found on the seashore. We really enjoyed teaching children about the species we are lucky enough to have in the Hebrides and the different habitats and feeding techniques of all the species. The students were very knowledgeable and loved inspecting our real bones, teeth and baleen. Catherine and Matt gave a brilliant workshop about the journey of the leatherback turtles to our shores and how they are affected by marine litter. These visits led into the visitor centre events at the weekend that celebrated all the different ways that the public can get involved and contribute to marine research and protecting our oceans. Our visitor centre held its first round of workshops and talks since it has been renovated, which started off with a presentation on the cetaceans found in the Hebrides, what to look out for and where best to see them. The Marine Conservation Society discussed how people can report their turtle and jellyfish sightings and how this helps inform marine policy, and how the public can reduce their impact on the sea by recycling and reducing their use of microplastics. The discussion was continued by Mull Aquarium who provided a hands on experience of microplastics in our local waters and the use of the beat the bead app. Our volunteer research assistant, Lynsey, also promoted the Great Eggcase Hunt on behalf of the Shark Trust. We learned what to look for along the strand line and how the identification of these eggcases helps us to discover what species of sharks, skates and rays are found in Scottish waters. As the weather was so gorgeous, the day ended with an impromptu ‘Bones on the Beach’ session where we also discussed what to do if you come across a stranding. The following day was packed with exciting outdoor events in the beautiful surroundings of Duart Castle. We were lucky enough to be given permission to look for eggcases on the Maclean private family beach. Although we were unsuccessful in finding eggcases, we discovered lots of interesting crab species and artefacts from the shoreline. Our Picnic with a Porpoise was exactly as it sounded. We looked out into the Sound and saw two porpoises in front of the lighthouse while sharing some snacks around. It was great to be able to talk to the visitors of Duart about the role of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and what identifying features to look out for. The biggest turn out of the day was to the beach clean run by MCS, where we gathered up all the rubbish from Duart Bay including an oil drum, tyres and lots of rope and plastic. We recorded all the rubbish that was collected and weighed it for MCS to use the data in their campaign to reduce marine litter. Everyone’s enthusiasm to help was wonderful and fun was had by all while learning about the species found along the shore as well. Thank you to all those that came along to the events, and especially to Catherine and Matt from the Marine Conservation Society for putting on some brilliant workshops and events, and Duart Castle for letting us use their grounds. If you would like more information about any of the ways you can help, please check out the following links: Report a whale, dolphin or porpoise sighting Report a turtle or jellyfish sighting Great Eggcase Hunt Beat the bead Mon, 16 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=491 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) was delighted to learn that the Scottish Government is honouring its commitment to provide habitat protection for the harbour porpoise. The Government announced that a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for Scotland’s smallest cetacean, the harbour porpoise, will be designated in the west of Scotland, following an 8-week period of public consultation - this consultation will close in one week, on 18th May. HWDT has engaged with the SAC designation process over many years, providing scientific evidence to support site selection, and we are encouraged that it is finally progressing. Our dedicated survey work, carried out every year over the last decade, has demonstrated that the Hebrides as a whole is an exceptionally important area for this species on both national and European scales. We support both the scale and location of the proposed SAC and hope that all stakeholders will take the opportunity to respond to this consultation to voice their views, so that the best possible outcome can be reached for both harbour porpoises and for coastal communities. Please click here to respond to the consultation. A well-managed SAC in the west of Scotland has a key role to play in harbour porpoise conservation. It is important that this regional protection will be supplemented by wider measures at a national scale, including reduction of underwater noise pollution and bycatch. HWDT will continue to conduct long-term monitoring of Hebridean waters from our research vessel Silurian with a view to better understand the distribution of this special and under-appreciated marine mammal, ensuring their long-term survival. Volunteers who have joined our research expeditions over the past 14 years have contributed to building the understanding of harbour porpoises in the west coast of Scotland which led to this designation and we continue to be grateful for and dependent on their time and commitment. For more information about joining us aboard Silurian , please click here . Wed, 11 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=490 The volunteer crew have just disembarked from our first survey of the season. It was a wild one with gusty winds and rolling seas. “Surveying up front felt like a mini rollercoaster!” Taking shelter in the evenings the team moored in secluded spots sharing meals together to beautiful back drops of eagles and rainbows. The cetaceans were hiding amongst the waves for most of the week but were definitely there. “We were surrounded by Porpoises at one point (according to the hydrophone data)!” The team soldiered on, enjoying their wild adventure, clipped on and sailing through the rolling seas. Travelling 190nm around the inner isles of the southern Hebrides. With one day left on the survey the highlight was still to come.The wind dropped, the seas calmed the sun shone and even three minke whales showed up during the trip back to Tobermory. Read the full trip log written by our volunteer crew while onboard. The next trip leaves in a few days (11th May). You can track Silurian live as she surveys from our website . Sat, 7 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=489 Electronic navigation safety technology is to be used to study the potential impacts of marine traffic on whale, dolphin and porpoise species off western Scotland in a new season of research expeditions launched by Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust this week. For the first time, scientists and trained volunteers onboard the conservation charity’s specialized research yacht Silurian will use an Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder to collect detailed data on other vessels’ movements. This will be combined with sightings and underwater acoustic monitoring of cetaceans – the collective name for whales, dolphins and porpoises – to gain new insights into how species are affected by ships’ movements and noise. AIS – an automatic tracking system that electronically identifies and locates nearby vessels, continuously transmitting details of their identity, position, speed and course – is more commonly used in navigation safety, allowing ships to ‘see’ each other in all conditions. With marine traffic from a large range of industries growing, known threats or pressures for cetaceans from shipping include ship-strikes – in which vessels accidentally hit whales – and noise pollution from poorly designed or poorly maintained vessels, which can mask out whale sounds used for communication and navigation. Dr Conor Ryan, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust Science Officer, said: “This innovative approach provides us with an opportunity to enhance our long-term research, which is providing unprecedented insights into the distribution and range of cetaceans in Scotland’s seas, as well as the challenges they face – including the unintentional consequences of human activities. “The Hebrides may seem like a wilderness, but human impacts on the marine environment are significant – and likely to increase with expansions in marine industries, such as aquaculture and renewable installations. Strengthening scientific understanding is crucial if we are to help industries ensure that their impacts on Scotland’s remarkable whales, dolphins and porpoise populations are minimal.” The new AIS transponder on Silurian will also allow closer public engagement with the trust’s research expeditions. By using the research vessel’s unique Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number 232004280, people will be able to follow Silurian’s progress around Scotland’s west coast in real-time via www.hwdt.org. Equipping Silurian with AIS technology has been made possible by a grant of £94,000 from the UK Government’s Coastal Communities Fund. This grant has also funded a major refurbishment of the yacht, including an environmentally friendly and long-lasting copper coating for the hull that will ensure the vessel remains seaworthy for the next decade, alongside other activities. Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust – based in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull – is recruiting paying volunteers for its surveys. Between May and October, there will be 12 separate expeditions, each lasting between one and two weeks. This includes two ‘Teen Teams’ reserved for 16-17 year olds. These volunteers will work and sleep on Silurian , receiving specialist training and working with scientists – conducting visual surveys, acoustic monitoring, and cetacean identification through dorsal fin photography. They will also be able to develop sailing and navigation skills as they visit some of Britain’s most remote and wild corners. Silurian has been the platform for Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s unique research programme since 2002, welcoming aboard over 60 volunteers annually, surveying tens of thousands of nautical miles and logging every cetacean encounter made. This year, the yacht will welcome her 800th volunteer aboard. The yacht is also used as a floating classroom for marine conservation education for schoolchildren and students. Western Scotland’s seas are one of Europe’s most important habitats for cetaceans with 24 of the world’s estimated 92 cetacean species recorded in the region to date. Many of these are national and international conservation priority species. As well as strengthening knowledge about cetaceans and contributing to recommendations to safeguard them, the trust’s surveys are important because cetaceans are apex predators at the top of the marine food web, and so can act as indicators of the marine environment’s overall health. The 2016 surveys depart from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, Kyle of Lochalsh or Ullapool. The new addition of Ullapool as a rendezvous point will allow the trust to carry out more surveys in the remoter corners of its study area. Areas covered depend on the weather but will range from Mull of Kintyre in the south, Cape Wrath in the north and St Kilda in the west. Participation costs cover boat expenses, accommodation, training, food and insurance, and support the charity’s research. For details, please click here . Follow Silurian live here Image: Volunteers and scientists aboardSilurian, © Mike Hutcheson/HWDT Wed, 4 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=488 We are excited to welcome the Marine Conservation Society, Mull Aquarium and Project Seagrass to come along and help us thank all of the citizen scientists that are so important to marine research. Come along to our weekend of interactive talks and hands-on activities, and find ways that you never knew about that you can get involved in marine science locally and nationally! Learn about the journey of leatherback turtles to our shores, the underwater meadows that increase Mull's biodiversity and hear about the best spots to look for whales and dolphins in the Hebrides. Even learn how to make a hand scrub free of microplastics! Mull's Marine Life weekend will be a brilliant chance to learn more about the creatures in our local waters. There is no need to book onto this free event, just meet us at the site of each session (see poster key). We look forward to seeing you there! Mon, 2 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=487 Not only is Silurian a fantastic research vessel, but she also doubles as an incredible platform from which HWDT can reach isolated coastal communities. Last week HWDT’s Education Team sailed to Islay and Jura, where they welcomed pupils from local schools on board the floating classroom. Based alongside the newly renovated pontoons at Port Ellen Marina, Silurian was in a perfect spot to accommodate all the students from Port Ellen primary school. The team had great fun, supporting the pupils to explore the boat, showing them how to hoist the sail and allowing the children to take turns at the helm. In addition to exploring and learning more about sailing, the children were encouraged to imagine what life is like on board for the volunteers that survey with us each year. Many appeared to feel quite at home on board, as they tested out the new mattresses and learnt where the biscuits are kept. Over the week we had a real mixture of ages and personalities on board. The team were incredibly impressed with all the pupils’ knowledge and were delighted to hear the stories about bottlenose dolphin sightings around Islay. The primary one and two class had a lot of fun using our new magnifying glasses to investigate the various bones and teeth, and were shocked to see just how big the Scottish bottlenose dolphins are, when we got the tape measure out. The older children each wrote us a sentence for our Silurian blog, which are available to read below. One or two of the pupils even found it difficult to pin point their favourite part of the visit, with some blog posts reading simply ‘my favourite thing was the whole day because it was so fun’ (Evie). It was clear from the blogs however, that the cetacean sounds were received brilliantly; ‘I enjoyed listening to all the sounds whales and dolphins make’ (Ellie Mackie). During this part of the workshop, pupils listened to the different sounds and learnt how cetaceans use sound, as well as discovering how HWDT records sounds using the hydrophone. By the end of the workshops, Port Ellen pupils were experts in identifying different species of cetacean, and all children had a turn at surveying from the mast and shouting ‘Sighting’ loudly, alerting the crew to paddy the porpoise who was sneaking past on the pontoon (thanks Zoë). On Tuesday evening, Silurian opened her doors to the public and the team were delighted to welcome on board between 25 and 30 people from the surrounding communities. The evening was a huge success and we were delighted to show people around the yacht, giving visitors an insight into Silurian surveys, the volunteer experience and the vital data that we collect. It was fantastic to see one of the students from earlier in the day, confidently show one of his parents around the boat, as well as meeting children from neighbouring villages, keen to learn more about cetaceans and how we study them. The whole evening was incredibly enjoyable and the team are really grateful to all the people who came out to meet us and kindly support the Trust through donations and merchandise purchases. Hopefully it won’t be too long until we see some of you again on board. Another highlight of the trip was welcoming students from Islay High School on board. For this visit the team adapted the session to cover survey techniques, species and cetacean communication in more depth and students had the chance to use the hydrophone. The team also looked at the classification of whales and dolphins, introducing the difference between odontocetes (toothed whales) and mysticetes (baleen whales) with the use of props. It was brilliant to have the High School pupils on board and provided a unique opportunity for the students to see marine science applied in the wider world. Our final stop on the education trip was the Isle of Jura on Thursday. The weather was definitely against us for this visit and all morning the team were storm bound at anchor on Silurian, with no hope of reaching land or the school. Luckily however, there was a break in the wind and we made a dash for it, reaching the school during the eye of the storm. At the Small Isles Primary School, we were greeted by all of the children from Jura, before delivering an interactive presentation introducing cetaceans, feeding techniques and marine habitats. We also looked at adaptations to aquatic life, with a bones and teeth handling session to finish. The visit was wonderful and we were pleased to be joined by the Pre-5 pupils, who loved paddy the inflatable porpoise and our new cuddly West Coast Community killer whale replicas, handmade and donated to the Trust by Orca Originals. Unfortunately, due to bad weather, we were unable to make it to our final school of the trip – Gigha Primary, as the wind was against us, making it impossible to anchor safely. This was a real disappointment to the team, who were really looking forward to this visit, but we will be looking at alternative ways to reach Gigha in the near future. The perfect finish, to an incredible trip occurred on the Friday afternoon, whilst the team were sailing back to Mull. Just past Ling, an unmistakable large grey fin cut through the water as a pod of bottlenose dolphins sped right towards Silurians bow. Edd, the Skipper was the first to spot them and was up in a second alerting the team. What a reward! It was incredible to see the size of these animals as they swam powerfully alongside us, bow riding and leaping energetically into the air. After spending a week teaching children all about these animals, it was fantastic to have such an amazing encounter with them on the journey home. Not only were there large adults - their blow holes as large as your fist; but they were also joined with a few juveniles and also a calf - still sporting its stripes, otherwise known as foetal folds – which remain after being curled tightly in its mother’s womb. The team all snapped photo ID shots and video, and then as quickly as it had happened – the dolphins were gone, swimming away with the tide. The whole week has been a brilliant success and HWDT would like to thank our funders; The Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation, Coastal Communities Fund, The Robertson Trust and The Ernest Cook Trust for supporting our Silurian Education Trips and enabling us to run them. The team are really looking forward to this September, for our second floating classroom trip, during which we will be visiting primary schools in and around Ullapool. Please continue reading to hear about the trip from all the pupils’ perspectives; Port Ellen Primary 25/04/2016 Group 1 P3-4 I learnt a blue whale – Alexander I learnt about a blue whale – Rhuraidh I liked when we had to search for things. I also liked hearing the noises. – Aaron My favourite part was when we listened to the animal sounds. – Rhys I liked the sounds. – Aiden My favourite thing was the whole day because it was so fun and a good day. – Evie I liked seeing the killer whale picture. – Freya My favourite was the boat and the spotting. – Aiden I enjoyed when we listened to the sound of the dolphin and whales. – Caitidh I liked the sounds of the dolphins and whales. They were fun - Ellen I enjoyed listening to the different noises. It was really cool. – Jack I liked it when we learnt about the killer whale. – Morgan I learnt what noises the dolphins, whales. I enjoyed everything. – Charlie Group 2 P3-4 I enjoyed learning about the computer and recording stuff. – no name I lied the bit where you can listen to the sounds of the killer whale! – Kyra I enjoyed the finding things. – Donald I learnt about a minke whale. – Braden I learnt about all the different dolphins and species. – Dearbhla I enjoyed finding everything. – Harmoni I enjoyed listening to the sounds of the dolphins/whales. – Drew I enjoyed the sounds and I liked the dolphins and whales and what they look like. – Orla My most favourite part was the sightseeing and the sounds. - no name I thought everything was good and they knew a lot of things. – Charlet Rose I learnt about the minke whale. – Mike I had fun and I learnt about dolphins. – Scott I learnt a minke whale. – Mara 26/04 Group 1 P5-7 What I enjoyed most was the treasure hunt. – Kaya I enjoyed hearing the whale and dolphin sounds on the computer. – Katie I will remember that left is port and right is starboard and when you see something you say “sighting!” – Murray Neil Campbell What I enjoyed was when I went outside and played with the steering wheel *accompanied by pictures* - Rowan I enjoyed learning about all the mammals and fish. I never knew we had them in Scotland. Learning about how you can volunteer is really interesting and cool. Being outside looking for sea life is cool. “sighting.” I really did enjoy it and if you ever come back I hope I can go again. I bet all the other children will love it. Ps. I will be on the look out for all the different mammals you said about. – Eva Katie MacIntyre Munro I will remember left is port and right is starboard. – Ronan Kevin Campbell I liked the treasure hunt. – Struan I enjoyed looking around the boat trying to find the things. – Sophie I enjoyed looking around the boat. – Darren I really enjoyed learning about all the different species of animals. – Natalie I learnt all the different types of dolphins. - Rebecca Morris Group 2. P5-7 I really enjoyed learning what the crew and volunteers do all day. I learnt how to tell the difference between the different species of dolphins. I liked finding out what to do if you see a cetacean. – Bronagh Today made me laugh when we heard the sounds the whales, dolphin, porpoise, minke (cetaceans). – Sarah MacLennan I enjoyed listening to all the sounds whales and dolphins make. – Ellie Mackie It was so funny when we shouted sighting but no one heard us. LOL - Joseph Dyllan Hamilton I enjoyed looking at the teeth and sounds. – Taylor I have enjoyed hearing all the different sounds and what you can see around Scotland. – Ross I enjoyed looking around the boat and it is very different to at home. I learnt about the most common different types of dolphins, whales and porpoise. – Kaitlyn Clarke I enjoyed exploring the Silurian. I liked seeing how sea animals communicate. – Matthew I really liked listening to the animals and touring the boat and would like to do this when I’m older. – Mirren I enjoyed exploring and investigating the boat. I also liked learning about whales and dolphins. – Ruaraibh MacDonald I enjoyed exploring the boat and learning about the dolphins and whales. – Jasmine I enjoyed it when we got to see and feel the big tooth and felt the baleen – Abi Logan Sat, 30 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=485 The whole team at HWDT is proud to announce that last Tuesday (26 April), Frazer Coomber successfully defended his doctoral thesis entitled“The ecological impacts of shipping traffic on Cuvier’s beaked whales ( Ziphius cavirostris ) in the northern Pelagos Sanctuary: an environmental impact assessment”. Frazer's PhD was based at the University of Genoa in Italy, where he worked on the world's deepest diving air breathing animal, which also occurs in Scottish waters: the enigmatic Cuvier's beaked whale. A huge congratulations Dr Coomber! Thu, 28 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=484 Last week (21 - 22 April) Silurian was the choice platform for 6 students and their lecturer from University of Highlands and Islands, who are studying for a BA(Hons) Marine & Coastal Tourism. A crew of 10 set off from Tobermory on board Silurian and visited several key tourism sites in the Inner Hebrides, in search of cetaceans, seals, seabirds and more. We visited the Cairns of Coll, landed at Lunga, anchored off Gometra and visited Fingal's Cave off Staffa. There was a stiff northerly breeze which made for great sailing conditions, but challenging marine mammal spotting conditions. Nonetheless, the students got to grips with using hydrophones to detect porpoises, using a plankton net to explore the building powerhouses of this marine ecosystem (namely phytoplankton and copepods). The students learned from HWDT Science Officer, Conor Ryan and their lecturer Myles Farnbank about responsible marine eco-tourism, conservation challenges in the area, and the unique for of eco-tourism that HWDT uses to conduct its important long term monitoring from Silurian, which relies on volunteers. We hope that this might become a regular field trip for UHI students. Tue, 26 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=483 We are delighted to announce that our team has expanded, with the arrival of three land-based volunteers to support our education, outreach and research projects. Sam, Jenny and Lynsey (from left to right) have all recently relocated to Mull for six months to join the team and they are all very excited about the upcoming season and getting stuck in. Jenny will be supporting our engagement team this summer and has already started planning exciting new events for our brand new visitor centre. Sam and Lynsey are working alongside our research team, working with data collected through the Community Sightings Network as well as number other tasks. All three of them will also be based in our visitor centre, drawing upon the knowledge they gain from their individual projects to interpret the work of HWDT, our recent research findings and conservation efforts to visitors in a fun and engaging way. To find out more information about members of the HWDT team, please visit our staff page. Continue reading to discover Sam, Jenny and Lynsey’s first impressions of Mull in their joint blog below; We arrived in Tobermory on a wet day, after only a few minor mishaps, to Morven’s smiling face. After a whistle-stop tour of the town and local points of interest, we settled into our new home and admired the view down the Sound. We promptly went to the pub. After the wash out of the previous day we were delighted to wake up to glorious blue skies. Keen to get stuck in, we spotted our first sea eagle from the kitchen window and were immediately convinced that we had each made the right choice in making the move to the island. Our first day was full of introductions, being shown around the office and getting used to the quirks of island life (internet malfunction). The rest of the week continued in a similar fashion, meeting people, tours of the visitor centre and Silurian and discussing our roles for the next six months. We were fortunate to catch sight of three porpoises on our first (fourth for Lynsey) trip to Silurian. The last couple of days were spent in the visitor centre, helping to complete the renovation work that will transform the centre into a wonderful, new and exciting place for visitors. Having seen the artist’s designs, we are all looking forward to seeing it finished and welcoming everyone to share in the work of the Trust. We are all excited to see how this season progresses, get started on our individual projects with the Trust and of course get out onto Silurian in the hope of seeing some whales, dolphins and porpoises and assist in the valuable research work conducted by HWDT. Thu, 14 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=482 The true identity of a famous killer whale known as ‘Dopey Dick’ – who sparked widespread attention when he swam into Derry-Londonderry almost 40 years ago – has at last been identified, thanks to photographs published on social media. The orca attracted headlines in November 1977, when he made his way up the River Foyle and into the city, apparently in pursuit of salmon, before remaining five kilometres upriver of Loch Foyle for two days. Incredulous at the sight and confused about the whale’s behaviour, locals dubbed him ‘Dopey Dick’ – presumably after Herman Melville’s fictitious Moby Dick. Nearly four decades later, it has been revealed that Dopey Dick is in fact the killer whale known more affectionately as Comet – a member of the highly vulnerable West Coast Community of killer whales, the United Kingdom’s only known resident population of killer whales which is at risk of imminent extinction. Dopey Dick’s true identity was discovered when old photographs were uploaded onto a Facebook page. Killer whale expert Andy Foote and Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust Science Officer Dr Conor Ryan recognised the whale in the images as Comet, last recorded by the Trust off Dunvegan, Isle of Skye in September 2014. Comet has been photographed many times in both Scotland and Ireland by researchers and members of the public, enabling scientists to track his movements. Dr Andy Foote said: “When I saw the photos on Facebook, I noticed that the white eye patch of Dopey Dick sloped backwards in a really distinctive fashion. This is a trait we see in all the West Coast Community whales, but it’s not that common in other killer whale populations. The photographs were all quite grainy, but it was still possible to see some of the distinctive features unique to Comet. I couldn’t believe it – he was already a full grown male back in 1977, when I was just five-years old!” Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust Science Officer, Dr Conor Ryan said: “Most of what we know about this precariously small and isolated population of killer whales comes from photographs submitted to us by members of the public. The population is too small to study in a targeted way, so the public has a big role to play.” Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust has been documenting the West Coast Community’s behaviour since 1994. The four males and four females are not known to interact with other orca populations in the north-east Atlantic, and since studies began, have never successfully reproduced. Sadly in January this year, one of the females – Lulu – perished after being stranded on the Isle of Tiree. The discovery that Dopey Dick was in fact Comet is significant because it confirms suspicions that some of the whales in the endangered West Coast Community are very old. They have not produced any calves since records began. Fears for their survival are heightened following recent discoveries that other killer whales in the region have very high pollutant burdens that can cause toxic effects, including infertility. Photographs are extremely valuable when researching whales and dolphins as they allow scientists to identify individuals through unique markings. Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust encourages people to report their sightings using an online form available at www.hwdt.org. Comet has a distinctive dorsal fin about 1.8 m in height, which leans to the right and has a notch near the top. Photographs confirm that he was an adult male, at least 19 years old, in 1977 – making him at least 58 years old today. The latest match was made possible thanks to the Scottish Orca Facebook page, which shares excellent images of killer whales in Scottish waters. Sightings Officer of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group Pádraig Whooley said: “This match places Comet very much at the upper limits of the typical life expectancy of male killer whales. Adult males generally live to around 30 years, but with an upper range of 50-60 years. So clearly time is not only running out for this individual whale – it is equally running out for whale biologists, who may not have much time left to gather information on this unique local population of killer whales that have made the waters of the British Isles their home.” The discovery of Dopey Dick’s identity features here on the BBC Scotland news website. Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group are charities in the west of Scotland and Ireland respectively. Both seek reports from the general public of whale, dolphin and porpoise sightings via their websites: www.hwdt.org (west of Scotland) and www.iwdg.ie (Ireland). For the opportunity to witness the West Coast Community of killer whales, why not consider joining us aboard our research yacht to participate in a monitoring expedition? For more details, please click here . Conditions regarding the use of images: Photographs accompanying this press release remain the sole property of HWDT and the photographers. Single use of these images is permitted to accompany articles based solely on this press release. Copyright (as per file name) must be clearly printed with the photographs. Fri, 1 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=480 During British Science Week (14-18 March 2016) HWDT visited schools in Oban to deliver our brand new Hebridean Marine Explorer Workshops . Arriving at each school with our life sized inflatable porpoise, named ‘Paddy’, our team were greeted by cries of ‘whoa look at that whale’ and from the younger children shouts of ‘Shark! Shark!’. Each Hebridean Marine Explorer Workshop introduced the common cetacean species found in the Hebrides and the reasons why our local marine environment is home to so many of different types. We played games to categorise different whales and dolphins and teams competed to win our ‘Match that Habitat’ activity. During each session we explored real whale bones, teeth and baleen to discover more about cetacean anatomy. “The workshop was very well pitched for the age and ability of my class. It was very visual and fast paced which kept the children very engaged and interested. They thoroughly enjoyed it and learned loads! Fantastic! Thank you.” St. Columba's Primary School. Other highlights from the week included our team taking part in a filmed interview about how to become a marine biologist at Easdale Primary, spending a warm sunny afternoon in the playground measuring whale sizes at Kilchrenan Primary and learning that the meaning of ‘Mada-chuain’ (the Gaelic for Orca) is 'sea wolf' with pupils at Rockfield Primary! Our team will be delivering our Marine Explorer workshops for schools across the Hebrides in 2016. If you would like HWDT to visit your school contact us at [email protected] or call 01688 302620 to chat to one of the team. Wed, 30 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=481 Two of HWDT’s research staff Conor Ryan and Fraser Coomber attended the annual conference of the European Cetacean Society on the island of Madeira from the 11 – 17 March. This is the largest conference on marine mammals in Europe. It is a fantastic forum for cetacean researchers and conservationists to share their latest findings, and put their research under scrutiny among their peers, to ensure that their work is of a high standard. The HWDT staff presented a range of research from their work within HWDT as well as other work arising from international collaborations. One poster presentation by MSc. student Jessica Rayner quantified the areas of persistently high risk of creel entanglement for minke whales in the Hebrides, using data collected by HWDT from Silurian . Another poster looked at the knowledge gaps about minke whales, which hinder our ability to afford them necessary protection in Hebridean waters. Frazer presented fascinating results from his PhD about the effects of ship-noise on Cuvier’s beaked whales in the Pelagos Sanctuary in the Mediterranean Sea (pictured). The HWDT team also attended four workshops run by international experts on a range of topics from collecting data from cargo ships and ferries, to best practice in measuring and interpreting behavioural responses by marine mammals to anthropogenic sounds (Chaired by HWDT Trustee Jonathan Gordon). Although the conference was hosted abroad, the best represented country was the UK, and so many of the amazing new research findings were about marine mammals in the UK. If you are interested to learn more about these new findings, do check out our tweets from @HWDT_org using #2016ecs. Wed, 30 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=479 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is delighted to learn that the Scottish Government is honouring its commitment to provide habitat protection for the harbour porpoise. Last week, on 23 March, the Scottish Government announced that a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for Scotland’s smallest cetacean, the harbour porpoise, will be designated in the west of Scotland, following an 8-week period of public consultation. HWDT has engaged with the SAC designation process over many years, providing scientific evidence to support site selection, and we are encouraged that it is finally progressing. Our dedicated survey work, carried out every year over the last decade, has demonstrated that the Hebrides as a whole is an exceptionally important area for this species on both national and European scales. We support both the scale and location of the proposed SAC and hope that all stakeholders will take the opportunity to respond to this consultation to voice their views ( click here ), so that the best possible outcome can be reached for both harbour porpoises and for coastal communities. We will continue to actively engage through the consultation period and contribute to the anticipated monitoring programme thereafter. A well-managed SAC in the west of Scotland has a key role to play in harbour porpoise conservation. It is important that this regional protection will be supplemented by wider measures at a national scale, including reduction of underwater noise pollution and bycatch. HWDT will continue to conduct long-term monitoring of Hebridean waters from our research vessel Silurian with a view to better understand the distribution of this special and under-appreciated marine mammal, ensuring their long-term survival. Volunteers who have joined our research expeditions over the past 14 years have contributed to building the understanding of harbour porpoises in the west coast of Scotland which led to this designation and we continue to be grateful for and dependent on their time and commitment. Tue, 29 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=477 With just over a month to go until the first Silurian survey of the season (and only a couple of weeks until our new Visitor Centre opens its door!), it’s all action here at the HWDT office in Tobermory as we get prepared (and excited) for the season ahead. The first Silurian surveys begin in May - a fantastic time to be on the water! Sightings of minke whale and common dolphin increase, the arrival of thousands of nesting seabirds and generally more settled weather are all reasons May is a wonderful time to join us aboard! Plus, no midges when you venture ashore to explore in the evening! This season, we have scheduled two expeditions this spring: 1st - 7th May (FULLYBOOKED) and 11th - 19th May - spaces are limited so you’d best be quick to book onto your adventure of a lifetime! To entice you on to our May survey, here is some information about what was reported via our community sightings network last year. In May 2015, the season was well under way with 47 encounters reported, totalling 378 individuals. One of our seasonal visitors - the minke whale - had begun to arrive in the Hebrides, with a total of 5 encounters reported. During the 2015 field season we recorded an increase in the number of young minkes from aboard Silurian . This year we have already started to receive reports of minke whale in the area - in fact, we received reports of minkes through-out winter, albeit only a couple of individuals. Both the bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins were very active in May 2015 with a couple of reports of common dolphins in groups numbering over 50 individuals. Through the data collected aboard Silurian , we have highlighted an increase in the number of common dolphin encounters in the Hebrides - despite their name, the common dolphin was anything but common in the early 2000's. In total we received 10 sightings of bottlenose dolphins in May 2015, many off the coast of Mull and surrounding seas. We also received reports of Risso's dolphins and killer whale during May 2015. The West Coast Community of killer whale are a highly vulnerable group, numbering only eight individuals, there has never been a calf recorded since HWDT was established. The group are likely to go extinct in our lifetime - hopefully we can discover the reasons why they haven't reproduced, with this information helping other orca populations. In January this year, one of the group's females, Lulu, was found dead on a beach on the Isle of Tiree, please click here to read the news story. 2016 has started off well in terms of sightings reported to HWDT via our Community Sightings Network; to date there have been seven different species of cetacean reported to HWDT (and the field season hasn't even started!). Included are a couple of sightings of humpback whale! By joining us aboard you will be directly contributing to the better understanding of Hebridean whales, dolphins and porpoises. The live-aboard expedition will provide the opportunity to witness the best of Scottish marine wildlife whilst exploring her remotest reaches. Species encountered include the minke whale, porpoise, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, killer whale, white beaked dolphin, basking shark and more! Not to mention the thousands of nesting seabirds which descend on the islands to breed. No experience is required to join us aboard, full training will be provided by our professional and friendly crew. Volunteers will eat, sleep and work aboard Silurian for the duration, with the opportunity to venture ashore in the evening to explore one of the hundreds of islands off Scotland's west coast. A fantastic way to explore one of the most beautiful, rugged and wild areas found on the edge of the Atlantic. For more information about the expeditions scheduled for 2016, please click here . So now that we’ve reminded you what a fantastic time of year May can be for both weather and sightings, get in touch for more information about survey availability. Join us aboard and have the trip of a lifetime! Pictured: a young minke whale alongside Silurian in 2015 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=476 If you cast your mind back to December 2014 , you may recall a fascinating story: the arrival of the lone bottlenose dolphin known as Clet to the Hebrides and Corran. This male dolphin seems to attract attention wherever he ends up, given his apparent curiosity about boats and surfboards. Given that he is so conspicuous and well-marked (heavily scarred), he is easily recognised. His movements provide a unique opportunity to track a bottlenose dolphin moving between 6 countries (from France in the south to Scotland in the North). Now you can follow his unprecidented movements using this interactive map . We do not know if Clet is an anomoly or whether the kinds of regular extensive movements that he makes are also carried out by other wild bottlenose dolphins in this region. Image Copyright of Nic Davies. Tue, 22 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=475 Own a piece of Silurian history by purchasing a jacket, used during the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust field seasons: 2013 - 2015. This Gill OS2 (designed for serious offshore and coastal sailing) jackets have protected HWDT volunteers from the elements for three field seasons in a row, so have a fair bit of wear and tear evident. Also, the waterproof coating is wearing thin so will need re-conditioned. We have a selection of small, medium and large available. Please click here to view the listings on Ebay. Tue, 15 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=474 Places aboard our 2016 Cetacean Research Surveys are filling up quickly so book now if you are eager to join us aboard! Considering a trip with a difference (or that makes a difference!) in 2016...why not join us aboard our research yacht, Silurian , monitoring whales, dolphins and porpoise (alongside recording many other species such as basking shark) in the Hebrides. Have the experience of a lifetime; exploring the Hebrides whilst contributing to a fuller understanding of this diverse marine environment. Absolutely no experience is required to join us aboard as full training is provided. The expedition is a live-aboard venture, you will be joined by our knowledgeable crew and other volunteers. “My trips on Silurian have been inspirational. It's a privilege to encounter wildlife in such a beautiful marine environment but to feel that you, as a team member, are contributing to the understanding of the cetaceans in these waters is very special indeed, it's something that will stay with you for ever. Every day is different and every encounter significant.” Jan Storie (Silurian volunteer five times!) For more information about the expeditions, please click here . For more information on expedition dates and availability, please click here . Tue, 8 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=473 Yesterday HWDT received a report from Bruce Taylor, a local birder and wildlife enthusiast, of a stranded humpback whale on the Isle of Barra. The whale was a juvenile male judging by the length (about 8 metres). They grow to 14 – 16 m when fully mature. Humpback whale strandings are incredibly rare in Scotland and the species seems to have struggled to recover since they were hunted almost to local extinction during commercial whaling times (ending in the Western Isles in the 1950s). Humpback whales feed on small schooling fish like sprat and herring and also feed on zooplankton such as krill. Most whales will be on their breeding grounds during winter and spring (in Cape Verde and West Indies), however immature whales are likely to over-winter at higher latitudes, perhaps that is why this whale was in the area. Although the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMASS) where unable to go out to Barra to conduct a full necropsy of this animal, thanks to help from people on site, their veterinary pathologist determined the likely cause of death was entanglement. On social media SMASS have stated “The animal showed the classic entanglement mark on the tail fluke and around the tail flock, lesions that are commonly observed in minke whales". The last time a humpback whale was stranded on the west coast was in the Sound of Mull in July 2014 when a similar sized young whale became entangled in a salmon farm pen and drowned. There is still much we don’t know about the scale of entanglement risk in Hebridean waters, making it a challenging issue to address. Pictured: Humpback found stranded on Barra ©Bruce Taylor. Wed, 2 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=452 There is one berth remaining for a male volunteer on the expedition running 1st - 7th July - book now to avoid disappointment!The Teen Team running 26th July - 1st August is now fully booked. Are you aged between 16 and 17 and want to pursue a career in marine biology or oceanography? This survey provides a fantastic opportunity to sail the Hebrides and collect data on whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans), as well as sea birds, litter, environmental variables, marine noise and creel buoys (as part of our Minke Whale Entanglement Project). Full training will be provided so no experience is necessary; the only requirements are good eyesight, hearing and balance and loads of enthusiasm! “ I’m interested in marine biology, especially cetaceans, and this was an opportunity to experience what it was like to work in this field. It’s impossible to choose (the most enjoyable part), I loved all of it ”, Eilidh O’Brien, Teen Team Participant 2015 Participants will sleep, eat and work aboard HWDTs fully-equipped research yacht, Silurian . Volunteers will be involved in all aspects of the expedition, contributing to the domestic duties as well as the serious science – basically you become a marine mammal field scientist for the duration. Alongside collecting visual and acoustic data, presentations on local species and the application of the data collected in research results will be given by HWDTs on board experts. Each day will be spent monitoring a different area of the Hebrides, each night anchoring in a different location. Monitoring work will fill most of the day; however, there will be opportunities to venture ashore in the evening to explore some wild, remote places. The dates for the 2016 Teen Teams are as follows: • 1st – 7th July (ONLY ONE BERTH LEFT) • 26th July – 1st Aug (FULLYBOOKED) Participation costs £950 per person, covering the programme aboard Silurian and allowing HWDT to operate a sustainable monitoring programme, ensuring continued data collection in a most precious area for cetaceans. There are a maximum of six berths available on each survey, alongside other participants the teens will be joined by a Skipper, First Mate, Science Officer and Education Officer. Participating in a Cetacean Research Survey will provide fantastic experience if you are thinking about a future studying in the marine conservation sector. If you are interested in joining HWDT aboard, please complete an online form and Morven, the Volunteer Coordinator, will be in touch with more information. If you'd like to receive our FREE monthly e-newletter, Ripple, packed full of news, sightings and events, please sign-up here . Fri, 26 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=472 Since 1996, it has been known that bottlenose dolphins occasionally attack and kill harbour porpoises. This behaviour was first documented in the Moray Firth where 63% of all stranded harbour porpoises had been killed by bottlenose dolphins. This figure seems very high, but the Moray Firth contains the highest density of bottlenose dolphins in the UK. Here in the west of Scotland, where harbour porpoises are very abundant, but bottlenose dolphins comparatively rare, fatal interactions were not seen until recently. Did we miss these fatalities or was this behaviour not occurring here in the west? It is difficult to know for sure, but most likely the latter, given that we have a dedicated team of experts systematically examining many strandings; the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMASS). The first case that we know of in the Hebrides came to HWDT in July 2014 when a visitor to our Visitor Centre showed us the most incredible footage of 10 bottlenose dolphins attacking and killing an unfortunate harbour porpoise in the Firth of Lorne. A month later and about 20 miles up the coast, a different harbour porpoise was found stranded dead at Fishnish on the Isle of Mull with tell-tale signs of a bottlenose dolphin kill. The dolphins tend to “rake” the porpoises with their teeth, leaving parallel scars and also ram the porpoises side-on, leading to broken ribs and lots of internal haemorrhaging. They have also been seen to submerge porpoises, preventing them from breathing. The reasons behind these interactions, which to us seem quite disturbing, are unclear. The latest confirmed case was in Carsaig, Isle of Mull in early February. This is a place where bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen and it is only 10 miles from where two other propoise-kills were discovered. The HWDT Sightings and Strandings Officer and local volunteers visited Carsaig to collect samples to help SMASS. This case brings to four the number of known fatal interactions on the west coast since 2014. Is this behaviour on the increase, and why has only appeared in recent years? Perhaps time will tell. The underlying causes for these violent interactions also elude us, but several theories have been proposed: competition for food, sexual aggression, practice-infanticide (preparing for real infanticide, where a male dolphin will kill calves to increase its chanced of mating). The behaviour has been termed ‘porpicide’ and has also been documented in elsewhere such as France, Ireland and California. Thanks so much to Juliet Vines for reporting the stranding to us and for helping with the sampling. If you encounter a dead marine mammal please contact SMASS (www.strandings.org). Mon, 22 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=471 We are looking for a seasonal Education Officer to work with our Community Engagement Team. The post holder will co-ordinate and deliver HWDT’s interactive education programme, helping to raise public awareness of the great diversity of cetaceans in the Hebrides. Responsible for engaging with local schools and communities leading educational activities to target the younger generation, including: floating classrooms aboard Silurian, field courses, school workshops and outreach events. Closing Date: Friday 11th March 2016. Viewthe job description here. Fri, 19 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=470 HWDT is offering primary schools in Oban and Lorn free Hebridean Marine Explorer classroom workshops, led by expert marine biologists, during British Science Week (14-18 March 2016). The one hour workshop consists of an interactive presentation introducing Hebridean whales and dolphins, their biology and behaviour, followed by an object handling session. Our handling kit contains real whale bones, teeth, baleen and skulls for the students to explore. “The group was very engaged and the pace of the activities was just right. I would be very happy to organise more events with the Trust!” Balivanch Primary School (P6) Teachers are invited to book a free workshop.contact Alison Lomax for bookings and enquires at [email protected] or 01688 302620. Download the poster here. Tue, 16 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=469 All berths aboard the research survey running 5th - 13th August have now been fully booked. On other expeditions, we only have one or two berths available! Book now for the ultimate eco-tourism experience. Considering a holiday with a difference (or that makes a difference!) in 2016...why not join us aboard our research yacht, monitoring whales, dolphins and porpoise (alongside recording many other species such as basking shark). Have the experience of a lifetime; live aboard with our crew, exploring the Hebrides whilst contributing to a fuller understanding of this diverse marine environment. Absolutely no experience is required to join us aboard as full training is provided. “My trips on Silurian have been inspirational. It's a privilege to encounter wildlife in such a beautiful marine environment but to feel that you, as a team member, are contributing to the understanding of the cetaceans in these waters is very special indeed, it's something that will stay with you for ever. Every day is different and every encounter significant.” Jan Storie ( Silurian volunteer five times!) For more information on expedition dates and availability, please click here . Mon, 15 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=468 The Cetacean Research Survey running 11th - 22nd July is now fully booked! Furthermore, we only have one berth remaining on the expedition running 5th - 13th August! Book now to avoid disappointment. Join us aboard and help build a better understanding of the cetacean populations found in the Hebrides - one of the most significant locations in Europe for these enigmatic creatures. Over the past decade of survey work aboard we have collected a wealth of data and revealed significant findings of the species present and the threats they face. However, there are still wide knowledge gaps to fill and we need YOUto help fill them! During a research survey you will travel from island to island, recording visual observations and acoustic detections of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoise). Other species encountered include the basking shark, common and grey seal and the thousands of seabirds that nest in the Hebrides each summer. The occasional sunfish and leatherback turtle is also encountered. You will enjoy evening excursions ashore, exploring the many islands in the area - relaxing in the wild landscape. All this while contributing directly to conservation efforts - the ultimate in eco-tourism! For more information about joining us aboard Silurian during the 2016 field season, please click here . Wed, 27 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=467 Considering a holiday with a difference (or that makes a difference!) in 2016...why not join us aboard our research yacht, monitoring whales, dolphins and porpoise (alongside recording many other species such as basking shark). Have the experience of a lifetime; live aboard with our crew, exploring the Hebrides whilst contributing to a fuller understanding of this diverse marine environment. Absolutely no experience is required to join us aboard as full training is provided. “Volunteering aboard the Silurian is something you can do on different levels. It can be a holiday with a difference; it can be an educational opportunity; it can be the first fleeting step towards a fully-fledged career in conservation. First and foremost, though, it is a contribution. One can wax lyrical about the transformative experience, the beauty of the scenery and the deep emotional impact of encountering a three tonne whale at barely an arm’s length, but these things are extras: they’re really not the substance of what we’re doing here. Come and do this ….if you want to contribute in a small but lasting way to something that is real, concrete and tangible” Sept 2015 Volunteer The following Cetacean Research Surveys have limited availability: 1st - 7th May; Tobermory rendezvous; £895 11th - 19th May; Tobermory rendezvous; £1,075 7th - 15th June; Kyle of Lochalsh rendezvous; £1,175 11th - 22nd July; Tobermory rendezvous; £1,395 2nd - 10th Sept; Ullapool; £1,075 If you'd like to know more about the experience and how to join us aboard, please click here . Fri, 8 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=466 A killer whale found dead, stranded on Tiree on 3 January has been identified as ‘Lulu’, a member of the West Coast Community of orcas. This small and well-known group is Britain and Ireland’s only known resident population of killer whales and is feared to be at risk of extinction. They are unique in this region in that their diet primarily comprises other marine mammals. A second type of killer whales are occasionally seen in these waters, but these feed primarily on fishes and seals and are far more wide-ranging, e.g. between the Hebrides and Iceland. The identity of the animal was confirmed this week by Dr Andy Foote, an orca specialist and Dr Conor Ryan of Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. Using photos from the Trust’s photo ID catalogue the pair were able to identify Lulu from the distinctive eye and saddle patches which are unique to each individual. Photos taken of the stranded orca by John Bowler, RSPB Scotland Tiree Officer were crucial to allow HWDT to identify the animal. Dr Conor Ryan, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s Sighting and Stranding Officer commented: “It is particularly sad to know that another one of these killer whales, unique to the British and Irish Isles, has died. There may be as few as eight individuals remaining in this population, which has not produced calves since studies began.” Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has been studying orca in the Hebrides using photo ID, since 1992. Lulu was last photographed by the charity from its specialised research yacht Silurian off Waternish, Isle of Skye in July 2014. During this encounter she was seen with a large male, John Coe and another female named Moneypenny. The Trust encourages members of the public to join them aboard Silurian to help monitor cetacean species found in the Hebrides – recognised as one of the most diverse marine environments in Europe. Dr Andy Foote added “it is very sad to lose a member of this unique group. There are lots of potential contributing factors, many of them man-made. It may also be part of a very natural process. By making this link between a stranded animal and its source population it makes it possible to investigate these factors. It highlights the importance of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme and the members of the public that help by providing sightings, photographs and reporting strandings.” The Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme are hoping to conduct an examination of the animal in the next few days which might shed light on the cause of death. For press enquires contact: Dr Conor Ryan, Sightings & Strandings Officer on 01688 302620. Pictured: Lulu found stranded on Tiree ©John Bowler, RSPB Scotland. Tue, 5 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=465 All the team at the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! 2015 has been a fantastic year for HWDT, with many achievements accomplished - please click here to find out more. We couldn't have done it without the help and contributions of our amazing volunteers - both aboard Silurian and on the land. Thanks to our land-based volunteers who have helped us deliver our coreactivities: Andy Simpson, Jane Putsey, Steve and Linda Littlewood, Laura Shirra, and Juliet Vines - we all greatly appreciate you giving your time to help the Trust. Thanksto everyone who has joined us aboardduring the 2015 season to participate in a CetaceanResearch Survey - withoutyour contributions we couldn't sustain ourvital monitoring programme. A massive thank you to all our supporters, funders and volunteers - without you, HWDT would not be able to maintain and expand our important research and education activities within the Hebrides. All the best for 2016 -it's shaping up to be a busy one at the Trust with a Silurian refit and a new Visitor Centre in Tobermory to complete before the fieldseason even starts! Fri, 25 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=464 2015 has been a busy year for HWDT. We have travelled further and spoken with more people than in recent years, to champion the Hebrides as an important environment for whales and dolphins. Our cetacean monitoring programme, carried out on board our dedicated research vessel, Silurian welcomed 69 volunteers to assist with our work in 2015. In total our teams travelled 4,800 nautical miles , equivalent to crossing the Minch more than 120 times! Our volunteers clocked up 818 hours of visual observations and recorded 625 hours of underwater detections, equivalent to 26 continuous days of animal calls . Six of the most common species were sighted; harbour porpoise, minke whale, bottlenose, common, white-beaked and Risso’s dolphin plus basking sharks, sunfish, seals and otters. Our monitoring work this year recorded 966 sightings of 2,254 individual animals and highlighted two initial trends of interest. Firstly, higher than usual sightings of young minke whales, indicating a possible baby boom and secondly the highest number of common dolphin sightings since expeditions began. The common dolphin was once uncommon in the Hebrides, but Silurian’s encounter rate with the species has more than doubled over the past 12 years, for reasons that remain unclear. To complement our boat based monitoring surveys we ask the public to submit incidental sightings through our Community Sightings Network . This often picks up rarer species and provides an important overview of animal presence, particularly in waters close to shore. The database currently holds 7,091 sightings of 46,437 individual animals. So far in 2015 1,280 sightings have been reported, documenting 7,639 individual animals from 15 species and counting…species recorded this year include humpback whale, pilot whale, northern bottlenose whale, Atlantic white-sided dolphin and Orca. But collecting data is just the start. The next step towards protecting these amazing animals is engaging with communities and telling people the results of our research. In 2015 we visited schools, communities and local businesses throughout the Hebrides. We carried out education workshops for 1,171 pupils from 28 schools and delivered 28 events for approximately 1,320 people including presentations, headland whale watches and family friendly stranding workshops. We also delivered responsible whale watching training for local wildlife boat operators (WiSe accreditation) and carried out a survey into the economic value of whale watching in Scotland; the results of which will be published in the new year. The full 2015 Annual Report will be available in early 2016 for details of all of the Trust’s activities this year. HWDT would like to say a big thank you to all of the funders, members and volunteers who have generously supported us in 2015 and enabled us to continue our vital work. Wed, 16 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=463 The whole team here at HWDT are busy putting together a brand new exhibition in our Visitor Centre on Main Street in Tobermory. The current shop will close today (11 Dec) to allow for the works to be carried out over the next 3 months. When we open the doors again in March 2016 it will be for the grand opening of the new Centre! We are working with design company MacDonald Orr Design, artist Chris Mitchell and local printers KFT to produce informative and beautiful interpretive installations to promote the special diversity of whales, dolphins and porpoises present in the Scottish Hebrides. One of the installations to be produced is a large wall mural of the most commonly seen Scottish whales and dolphins, which will be the first thing people will see as they step in through the door. The picture here of the first sketch gives you a sneaky preview of what this mural will look like... if this is just a sketch we are already very excited to see the final result. Other installations that visitors can expect include: a large touchscreen on which visitors can explore cetacean sightings collected by the Trust; a large map of the Hebrides showing oceanographic features which affect animal distribution; and a timeline which tells the exciting history of whaling, whale watching and the Trust. The Underwater Explorer Room will be dedicated to our younger visitors; where children can listen to sounds of whales, dolphins and underwater noise on the interactive audio panel or play with a large jigsaw of a porpoise which gives fun facts about the anatomy of cetaceans. Exciting bones and teeth of all the most commonly seen species will also be on display, including a full skeleton of a Cuvier’s beaked whale and a minke whale jaw bone. Come and check if you can fit into a minke whales mouth! We will post regular updates of our progress in the Centre so make sure you like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@hwdt_org) to get updates on the development, the opening and upcoming events. This project is made possible through the generous support of Coastal Communities Fund and WWF. Fri, 11 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=462 There's still time to sponsor a cetacean - a wonderful Christmas gift for anyone who loves whales, dolphins and porpoises! HWDT run a sponsorship scheme, giving you the chance to adopt a minke whale or orca (killer whale). You can choose to sponsor: John Coe (pictured): John Coe, a large male orca, was first photographed in 1992 and has been regularly seen ever since. Due to a large, distinctive notch in his dorsal fin, he is easily identified and is one of the most well known killer whale in the HWDT catalogue. Floppy Fin: Floppy Fin, another male orca, was first photographed in 1992 off Mull and has also been regularly sighted. True to his name, his dorsal fin 'flops' over to the left, again making him instantly Nick: Nick the minke whale was first photographed in 1992 and is one of the most frequently re-sighted whales in our catalogue. Nick has a small triangular notch at the base of its dorsal fin and a long scar along its body making him relatively easy to identify. Kasey: Kasey, another minke, was first photographed in 2000 and he has been seen every year since then. Kasey has a very distinctive dorsal fin with three triangle-shaped nicks along the edge of the dorsal fin making him easy to recognise. Knobble: Knobble, the minke whale, was first photographed in 2002 and has been seen in the Hebrides every year since then. Knobble has a very distinctive dorsal fin which looks like it has been 'nibbled' at the edges making him instantly recognisable for the research team. Sponsors will receive: Personalised A4 sponsorship certificate Glossy 8’’ x 6’’ colour photograph of your chosen whale or dolphin High quality species factsheet and individual cetacean factsheet, both including the most recent information and photograph ID guide HWDT pen, car sticker and DVD Access to the latest edition of HWDT’s newsletter - Wave (or for juniors Wavelet) Optional gift; either the HWDT produced 'Sea Kingdom of Argyll' book or a small cuddly toy Additional gifts: shark holographic ruler anddriftwood fish key ring !! The additional gifts will be available to sponsors until the 31st December. Last orders for Christmas sponsorship packs will be midday on Monday 21st December, any subscribers after that time will not receive their packs in time for Christmas. Please click here to sponsor a minke whale or orca. As a small charity we rely greatly on our supporters, so please sponsor a cetacean today and support the conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Wed, 9 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=461 Ever thought about a wildlife holiday with a difference...why not join us aboard our research yacht Silurian for an unforgettable experience. Explore the wild, rugged landscape of the Hebrides (the islands found off the west coast of Scotland), encounter the very best of UK wildlife, all the while contributing to a valuable, well-established monitoring programme...the ultimate in eco-tourism! Silurian has been undertaking expeditions - lasting between 7-12 days - since 2002. Over that time, we have welcomed aboard hundreds of volunteers and surveyed thousands of nautical miles through-out the Hebrides. Participants will, in effect, become marine mammal scientists for the duration, being trained in species identification (both cetacean and sea bird) and survey techniques (both visual and acoustic). No experience is required as full training will be provided by our experienced crew. All aboard are expected to participate in every aspect of the expedition, including domestic duties. Without the contribution of volunteers, HWDT would not be able to undertake the research work we do; uncovering information about local populations and contributing to more efficient marine management strategies. 5% early bird booking discount offered until 14th December 2016 Standard Survey Details: 1st - 7th May; Tobermory Rendezvous; £895 11th - 19th May; Tobermory Rendezvous; £1,075 (LIMITED SPACE) 7th - 15th June; Kyle of Lochalsh Rendezvous; £1,175 16th - 27th June; Kyle of Lochalsh Rendezvous; £1,395 11th - 22nd July; Tobermory Rendezvous; £1,395 5th - 13th August; Tobermory Rendezvous; £1,175 17th - 28th August; Tobermory Rendezvous; £1,395 2nd - 10th Sept; Ullapool Rendezvous; £1,075 (LIMITED SPACE) 18th - 29th Sept; Ullapool Rendezvous; £1,295 Teen Teams (for those aged between 16 and 17): 1st – 7th July; Tobermory Rendezvous; £950 26th July – 1st Aug; Tobermory Rendezvous; £950 Joint Warrior Military Exercise Surveys: 3rd - 11th April; Tobermory Rendezvous; £895 4th - 12th October; Tobermory Rendezvous; £895 To find out more please contact Morven Russell, our Volunteer Coordinator, on [email protected] or call 01688 302620. Moreover, if you are interested in participating in a specific survey, please complete an online form and Morven will be in touch with a more detailed survey brief. To sign-up for our free E-newsletter, please click here . Mon, 30 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=460 Be part of a whale and dolphin conservation programme, in the heart of the UK's most celebrated and diverse marine environment; the Scottish Hebrides! HWDT operates a vital cetacean monitoring programme in the Scottish Hebrides, conducting research into the distribution, abundance and habitat use of whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks. The programme is well established, running for over 20 years. About the Placements: We have 4 volunteer placements available in 2016 for passionate and outgoing individuals to support our research and education programme. Applications are currently open for 2 Research Assistants and 2 Education Assistants. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our lively team based in the colourful and picturesque harbour town of Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull; where we have our office, Visitor Centre and the mooring for our research vessel Silurian. During the placement you will work with our Research and Education Departments assisting with relevant activities, and in our busy Visitor Centre to support the delivery of our conservation programme. The role requires some time at sea; living and working as a member of the crew on our dedicated cetacean monitoring vessel, Silurian (a minimum of 12 days). This is a 6 month volunteer placement running from Monday 21st March - Friday 30th September 2016. Volunteers will work 5 days a week (3 days a week in the Visitor Centre), including weekends. Accommodation can be arranged for you through our team; typically, accommodation in a shared house in Tobermory will cost £80 per week. Please note you must be able to commit to the full placement length to be accepted on to the programme. " As a volunteer for the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust I got a real 'behind the scenes' look at what it takes to run a conservation NGO. Being a small charity, everyone is able to get involved in all aspects of the charities work, creating an ideal setting for skills development. There's pretty much no area you won't be involved in somehow! I organised events and talks within the local community, created interpretative materials, worked in the Visitor Centre, wrote articles for magazines and even assisted the science officer onboard HWDT's research vessel Silurian. The placement was a really rewarding experience which led to my first paid job in marine conservation! " Kerry Froud, Volunteer Research Assistant 2013 For more information download the full role description below or visit our vacancy section. Volunteer Education Assistant Role Description Volunteer Research Assistant Role Description Sat, 21 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=459 With Christmas only 5 weeks away, have you started buying your presents yet? There are a few ways in which you can support HWDT this Christmas and help us continue our important research and education programmes. If you shop via Amazon, why not consider shopping through this link , by doing so Amazon will donate to HWDT when you have completed a purchase - at no extra cost to you! In fact, why not save the link as a bookmark and every time you shop, HWDT will benefit. HWDT are also part of the Give As You Live Scheme, a price comparison website that makes charitable donations. Again, donations are secured - at no cost to you - through purchases made when you signup and select HWDT as your chosen charity . All major retailers are part of the scheme so please take a few moments to sign up and help support the conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoises in the Hebrides. To support HWDT this Christmas more directly, why not consider a membership pack or sponsor a minke whale, orca or bottlenose dolphin as a gift for someone special who loves cetaceans. Fri, 20 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=458 Bottlenose dolphins never cease to surprise; they are cunning, adaptable, bold and downright fascinating. They still hold many secrets which are slowly being unravelled. A recent study published by Gema Hernandez-Milian from University College Cork, Ireland investigated the stomach contents of dead bottlenose dolphins that stranded on the coast. The study revealed that these dolphins eat a vast variety of fish: over 37 species! By weight hake and then conger eel were the most dominant prey eaten by bottlenose dolphins in Ireland. The dolphins off the west coast of Scotland are probably feeding on similar prey, because we know that some of the same individual dolphins occur in both locations (we have tracked them using photo-identification). Bearing this new information in mind, an encounter with bottlenose dolphins in the Sound of Sleat, Isle of Skye on 18 and 19 August this year has us stumped! HWDT Trustee and Science Committee member Dr Jonathan Gordon was doing fieldwork for a Scottish Government funded project to track marine mammals in the vicinity of tidal turbines (with the Sea Mammal Research Unit at University of St. Andrews), when the team encountered a large group of bottlenose dolphins. There were probably more than 20 dolphins in the group, including some calves and juveniles. While enjoying the spectacle and collecting great dorsal fin images, the team noticed something odd: the dolphins had left behind two big conger eels at the surface. The eels had classic bottlenose dolphin �rake marks� � parallel scars evenly spaced which are bite-marks from the dolphins. The team picked up the fish for a closer inspection and got great pictures. But here is the puzzling bit: if bottlenose dolphins like to eat conger, how come they left this food behind? Maybe they had their fill; maybe they were practicing their hunting techniques; maybe it was a generous offering to the marine biologists who were also working hard on the water that day?! Who knows�. Photographs courtesy of Jonathan Gordon and Arthur Lee Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=457 At the start of November HWDT�s Education Officer, Pippa Garrard, travelled to Mallaig to take part in a very special school event, Marine Magic. This collaborative event, organised by RSPB, brings together experts from organisations including; RSPB, HWDT, MCS and the Countryside Rangers. This event aimed to raise awareness of our marine environment through a range of fun, educational activities. Over the course of the day the marine magic team ran eight different workshops covering topics such as marine pollution, marine mammals, fish, sea eagles, sea birds, fishing and songs and stories. Pupils from four local primary schools attended the day, with each class participating in four workshops. This type of collaborative event is really important as it enables children to learn from specialists in their field, in the context of the whole ecosystem. HWDT�s workshop involved introducing the children to our inflatable porpoise, Paddy and our bottlenose dolphin, Duncan. After discussing the differences between porpoises and dolphins, we moved on to learn about diversity of cetaceans in Scottish waters and how important the Hebrides is for so many species. Focusing on the more regularly sighted species, we then watched videos and learnt how to identify animals. During the workshop the pupils had the chance to handle bones and artefacts, whilst learning more about cetacean biology and similarities to us. Finally, we paced out the lengths of commonly seen cetaceans, from a porpoise to a minke whale to give a sense of scale. All of the workshops ran really smoothly and it was really great to see the pupils interacting and engaging with the activities. Photograph taken by Andy Law, RSPB. Mon, 16 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=456 We have only 2 berths available on our Cetacean Research Survey running 11th - 19th May 2016 so make enquiries now to avoid disappointment. Join us aboard and have the experience of a lifetime; monitoring the numerous species of cetacean (whales, dolphins and porpoises) found in Hebridean waters. May is a fantastic time of year to explore the Hebrides with the arrival of seasonal cetacean species such as the minke whale and common dolphin - although we do receive occasional sightings of these species through the winter months so can we really class them as 'seasonal visitors'? The 2015 field season saw a large number of both common dolphin and young minke whale, please click here to read our update. Spring also heralds the arrival of thousands of nesting seabirds; notably puffins, shearwaters, terns and kittiwakes. By joining us aboard our research yacht Silurian , you will be directly contributing to the better understanding of the sublime marine environment we are fortunate enough to live alongside. Did you know that the Hebrides is recognised by the EU as one of the last 'wild' coastal environments and one of the best examples of Atlantic maritime coast in Europe? Well...now you have a unique opportunity to explore the wilderness, venturing to some of the remotest parts of the area; all the while collecting valuable acoustic and visual data which will feed into conservation strategies, ensuring the biodiversity is safeguarded for generations to come. To find out more about our Cetacean Research Surveys, please click here . We have scheduled a number of expeditions in 2016 between April and October, durations ranging between 7 - 12 days. We have also timetabled 2 surveys exclusively for 16 and 17 year olds who wish to gain valuable field experience in data collection methods and species identification. Fri, 13 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=455 Sightings of juvenile minke whales off Scotland’s west coast increased in 2015 to the highest ever recorded within a survey season, during marine research expeditions carried out by Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust – indicating either a significant increase in actual numbers or an influx of minke whales from elsewhere. The charity’s 2015 research season also recorded the highest annual number of common dolphin sightings since its expeditions began, with 723 individuals observed over 63 encounters. The common dolphin was once uncommon in the Hebrides, but the trust’s encounter rate with the species has more than doubled over the past 12 years, also for reasons that remain unclear. To read the full article, please click here . Image © Kerry Froud (HWDT Biodiversity Officer) Thu, 5 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=454 October is usually a quiet month as far as sighting reports are concerned. However October 2015 was exceptional, with 126 sightings of an incredible 10 cetacean species reported (also basking shark and leatherback turtle). This is the highest diversity of cetacean species documented in our study area for many years, and demonstrates what incredible species diversity exists in our area. The high diversity last month was probably as a result of the change in the seasons: migratory species such as northern bottlenose, minke and humpback whales move south during the autumn, migrations which take some whales through the waters of the Hebrides. The most exciting record from October was of a pair of northern bottlenose whales near Loch Eishort on the southwest coast of Skye. The pair may have been a mother and calf. They remained within sight of the coast for 2-3 days before apparently leaving without any issues. Sightings of deep-diving species (e.g. northern bottlenose whale) in coastal waters always have us on edge, as they are prone to stranding alive. Thankfully this pair seemed to make it out to sea, unlike the pair that stranded and died on Skye last year. A humpback whale was again seen in the Clyde which begs the question: was it the same whale spending the whole summer and autumn there, or are several humpbacks paying a visit? As we have come to expect for autumn time, we had some reports of large groups of harbour porpoises. The largest group was of an estimated 60 individuals in the Inner Sound of Raasay and upwards of 30 in a single group off Eigg. Bottlenose dolphin sightings were confined to the southern half of the Hebrides. Common dolphin sightings were evenly spread throughout the region, but Risso's dolphin recrods were confinded to the Lewis coast; a known important location for this species. The north coast of Skye stands out as a place where the species diversity and number of individual animals was high. The most unusual records both occurred here: that of a single leatherback turtle and a lone killer whale. Basking sharks were recorded many times in the Clyde, with sharks feeding around moorings and close to shore in the Kyles of Bute, enjoyed by many onlookers. This will be the last monthly report until Spring 2016. We will do a winter summary, but please do keep your sightings coming... every winter sighting record (even of a lone harbour porpoise!) is important to us, as we still know very little about cetacean distribution during this period. Community sightings data can help us challenge current knowledge or assumptions about where these animals go during the winter. A map of sightings from 1 to 31 October can be viewed here. To subscribe to HWDTs free e-newsletter, please click here . Image: Northern bottlenose whales in the Hebrides, © Wilko Bute Mon, 2 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=451 A pair of northern bottlenose whales has been seen since Friday in Loch Slapin: a sea loch on the southwestern coast of Skye. Highland Council Countryside Ranger Ellie MacLennan spotted and identified the whales while walking last Friday 16 October. Ellie reported the whales to HWDT and British Divers Marine Life Rescue (as there is always the risk that deep-diving whales in shallow waters are at risk of stranding alive). To date, it seems as though the pair of whales (possibly a mother and calf/juvenile) are doing well despite concern that they are in shallow waters. They were last seen heading towards deeper water on Sunday 18 October. Northern bottlenose whales are a deep-diving species belonging to the poorly known family of beaked whales that usually inhabit offshore waters. This particular species occasionally turns up in inshore waters particularly during the autumn months. Of all the beaked whales, northern bottlenose whales are the most likely to occur inshore and may spend days or even weeks close to the coast before moving on (e.g. Broadford Bay in 1998... BBC video ). Although the migration routes taken by species are still poorly understood, it is believed that they migrate between colder waters (where they spend summer) to the north of here, and warmer waters to the south. The peak in sightings and strandings in the west of Scotland between August and October each year fits with an inshore southbound route, where some enter the Minches and even the Inner Sound / Sound of Raasay around Skye. A big thanks to Ellie MacLennan for the images and sighting reports Mon, 19 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=450 Come to the official launch of Wild Mull, learning something you didn't know about our precious wildlife and join the conversation about what we could do together for the benefit of Mull and it's unique natural world. HWDT will be giving a presentation about cetaceans around Mull. The event kicks off at 10:00 am, it is free and it promises to be varied and very interesting. Hope to see you there! Sun, 18 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=449 Thanks to a generous grant from the Coastal Communities Fund HWDT's visitor centre in Tobermory is undergoing a well needed renovation. Creating a brand new Visitor Centre which will focus on telling the story of whales, dolphins and porpoises in the Hebrides. Interactive exhibits will encourage hands-on exploration of the west coast�s remarkable marine biodiversity. The new Centre will serve as a venue for talks and presentations, school visits and lots more marine themed activities. The current shop space will be reduced to make way for the new exhibits which will help local people and visitors alike learn about the amazing diversity of whales and dolphins found in the Hebrides. Two new staff members have been employed to realise this new development - Pauline Massey will manage the development of the retail element while Vivi Bolin will oversee the vision for the Visitor Centre. We currently have a sale on with some great savings in the run up to Christmas. Local shop owners have also been invited to consider any stock that they might take for their own - please drop in to have a look or call us at the office on 01688 302620 to find out more. We will also be open for the late-night Christmas shopping event on 27th November with even more offers so drop in and pick up Christmas gifts for a bargain! Finally, watch this space for announcements of the upcoming grand opening of the new Centre, which is due for Spring 2016. Fri, 16 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=448 Silurian and her crew took a week off from monitoring marine mammals in September to visit primary schools in the Outer Hebrides.Our Education Team welcomed aboard over 100 local children from 5 schools to find out more about life on board Silurian and the research the Trust carries out. �Today I learned about the names of the parts of the boat and different names of whales and dolphins, I learned about an animal I didn�t know about the harbour porpoise.� Eilidh. Island hopping each day from Barra at the beginning of the week, north to Lochboisdale, Kallin, Lochmaddy, and finally Leverburgh. The team were welcomed each day by a new group of excited pupils eager to explore this unique research vessel. Exploring both above and below deck, imagining what it would be like to live on board for 2 weeks at a time while out at sea. Discovering why the cooker swings back and forward and where the crew sleep, eat and wash. Next students learnt all about the research carried out on board as well as finding out more about local populations of whales and dolphins. Starting off out on deck the pupils became dolphin researchers with our team, learning all about how we watch for whales and dolphins and what we do when we see one! Trying out our survey simulation the deck was full of calls of �sighting� as everything from birds, boats and inflatable dolphins were spotted by the new teams. Then it was time for a trip below deck to the science station where the students discovered more about underwater sound and the acoustic research HWDT carries out on board. Investigating specialist equipment and listening to whale and dolphin clicks, whistles and rumbles; learning to tell different species apart. �I learnt a lot about whales and my favourite thing I learned was about the hydrophone.� Cameron �I enjoyed learning about the ocean and finding out the noises they made.� Nicole. Each evening as we waved goodbye to our visitors and sailed to the next harbour we scanned the seas for whales, dolphins and porpoises. Thanks to a week of mostly calm seas and some well-practiced spotters we recorded 70 harbour porpoises, 68 common dolphins, 1 minke whale and 1 basking shark on the trip to add to the cetacean sightings collected this summer. Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=447 In spring 2015, HWDT hosted WiSe Scheme courses accrediting 15 wildlife operators/staff in the Hebrides. Due to the high demand, we are running two more courses in spring 2016. The WiSe (Wildlife Safe) Scheme is the UK standard for commercial marine wildlife watching. It aims to promote responsible wildlife watching through training, accreditation and awareness-raising.The course also provides crew and skippers with the opportunity to learn about the latest research findings regarding marine mammals in the west of Scotland. Next March and April we will be hosting two courses: Oban on 26 March 2016 (10:00 - 15:00 at the Oban Bay Hotel*) *special overnight rates are available for course participants on request Stornoway on 2 April 2016 (10:00 - 15:00 at An Lanntair) Course includes: - Instruction in how best to responsibly watch wildlife whilst minimising potential disturbance - Handling craft around wild animals - Full WiSe Membership - WiSe accreditation - Eligibility to attend the WiSe Master Course - Four to five hours of classroom-based interactive training - Course material, boat sticker and flag - Use of WiSe logo on promotional brochure / website - Become listed on the WiSe Accredited operators website For bookings contact Conor Ryan: 01688 302620, [email protected]. More information about WiSe, please check out the WiSe website . Supported by the Coastal Communities Fund under the Sea Change Project Mon, 12 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=446 The Joint Warrior exercise occurs twice a year in coastal and offshore waters of the west of Scotland. Member states of NATO send vessels to participate in sea, air and land activities. Sonar, gunnery and high speed manoeuvres are used, which all have the potential to affect marine mammals due to the associated underwater noise. Recent mass strandings in the UK have been linked, by expert marine mammal pathologists, to military sonar use (e.g. in Cornwall, 2008 ) and bomb denotations ( e.g. in Sutherland, 2012 ) subsequent to Joint Warrior exercises. A common factor in mass-strandings associated with military exercises, is the presence of offshore species in coastal waters (e.g. common dolphins in Cornwall and long-finned pilot whales in Sutherland. HWDT is committed to surveying for cetaceans near the Joint Warrior exercises and reporting any sightings through appropriate channels, in order to prevent mass-strandings or injury to cetaceans in the area. We will conduct our standard visual and acoustic surveys in the same general area as the naval vessel fleet between 6 and 15 October. The HWDT team has additional equipment on board this year in order to document any unusual behaviour consistent with strong avoidance (e.g. fleeing an area at speed). This video range tracking (VRT) kit allows the team to track whales benignly using a calibrated video camera and binoculars mounted together with a stills camera which records angles. Using trigonometry, the distance, direction of swim and speed of the animals can be estimated, in order to reconstruct their movements without the need for tags. Thanks to Russell Leaper for providing the VRT kit and for advice. We are also monitoring the locations of vessels where possible using AIS (you can track Silurian here ). Below is a brief video of our movements and the movement of the fleet during Joint Warrior October 2014. HWDT continues to engage with representatives from the Ministry of Defense regarding Joint Warrior activities, with a view to improving impact assessment and noise mitigation measures. Thanks to Michael Stalker for the image of the Joint Warrior fleet in the Clyde in October 2015 Interested in joining us aboard in 2016 to monitor the Joint Warrior Exercise? Please click here for more details. Tue, 6 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=445 Ever thought about a wildlife holiday with a difference...why not join us aboard our research yacht Silurian for an unforgettable experience. Explore the wild, rugged landscape of the Hebrides (the islands found off the west coast of Scotland), encounter the very best of UK wildlife, all the while contributing to a valuable, well-established monitoring programme...the ultimate in eco-tourism! Silurian has been undertaking expeditions - lasting between 7-12 days - since 2002. Over that time, we have welcomed aboard hundreds of volunteers and surveyed thousands of nautical miles through-out the Hebrides. Participants will, in effect, become marine mammal scientists for the duration, being trained in species identification (both cetacean and sea bird) and survey techniques (both visual and acoustic). No experience is required as full training will be provided by our experienced crew. All aboard are expected to participate in every aspect of the expedition, including domestic duties. Without the contribution of volunteers, HWDT would not be able to undertake the research work we do; uncovering information about local populations and contributing to more efficient marine management strategies. 2016 Survey Dates: • 1st - 7th May; Tobermory Rendezvous; £895 • 11th - 19th May; Tobermory Rendezvous; £1,075 • 7th - 15th June; Kyle of Lochalsh Rendezvous; £1,175 • 16th - 27th June; Kyle of Lochalsh Rendezvous; £1,395 • 11th - 22nd July; Tobermory Rendezvous; £1,395 • 5th - 13th August; Tobermory Rendezvous; £1,175 • 17th - 28th August; Tobermory Rendezvous; £1,395 • 2nd - 10th Sept; Ullapool Rendezvous; £1,075 • 18th - 29th Sept; Ullapool Rendezvous; £1,295 Joint Warrior Military Exercise Surveys: • 3rd - 11th April; £895 • 4th - 12th October; £895 The data collected aboard Silurian have enabled HWDT to quantify the local populations of bottlenose dolphin, minke whale and orca. We have also documented the fine-scale habitat preference of the harbour porpoise – the most commonly encountered cetacean. HWDT, alongside other researchers, have brought to light the plight of the small resident orca population found off the west coast. HWDT are part of a project looking at the impact of creel fishing on minke whale entanglement in the area. We looked at the effect of acoustic deterrent devices (used in aquaculture) on porpoise behaviour. They are also many other research findings which will be illustrated during the expedition. To find out more please contact Morven Russell, our Volunteer Coordinator, on [email protected] or call 01688 302620. Moreover, if you are interested in participating in a specific survey, please complete an online form and Morven will be in touch with a more detailed survey brief. Fri, 2 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=444 On 24 September, HWDT's dedicated Education Officer Pippa Garrard was presented with an award at the Argyll and Bute Youth Achievement Awards ceremony at Oban. Pippa was nominated for an award under the Environment category in recognition of her tireless voluntary work at HWDT, often beyond the call of duty, to ensure that our education and outreach work is funded and carried out effectively and in a professional manner. The award was sponsored by the Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust and was presented by Gordon Buchanan. All the staff at HWDT are very proud of Pippa and delighted that her hard work has been appropriately recognised Fri, 25 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=443 In April of this year, HWDT researchers presented findings at the European Cetacean Society annual conference in Malta, suggesting that common dolphins are moving further north through Scottish waters. Now one has turned up in Tromso, Norway: 350 km north of the Arctic Circle. This is the latest of a number of warmer-water species to turn up in the region. In September 2013 for example, mackerel were found for the first time off Svalbard, Northern Norway, expanding the known range for this species northward by 5 degrees of latitude. Now fished commercially in the arctic seas (leading to international conflict regarding catch quotas), it was only recently that mackerel were considered a very rare exotic at these latitudes, as indeed are common dolphins today. This latest sighting in Tromso is one of the most northerly records ever for a short-beaked common dolphin. Although this common dolphin sighting is an isolated event, the stark effects of climate change to the north of us are undeniable. In order to understand such changes in Scottish waters, HWDT's longterm cetacean monitoring on board Silurian is an increasingly vital project. You can learn more about monitoring trends of common dolphins in Scottish waters and about Silurian surveys here You can watch the video of the common dolphin in Tromso here Sun, 20 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=442 HWDT’s Director, Gemma Paterson, was recently invited to the Lundsbergs Skola in Sweden to give presentations to the students there, and make plans for an exciting scholarship through the school’s Nature Trust to facilitate the placement of several students onboard Silurian in 2016. Here is her account of her visit: I arrived in sunny Stockholm on Thursday 10th September to a warm greeting from Göran Westerberg, a previous student at Lundsbergs Skola and the founder of The Nature Trust in 2014. During our drive from the airport to the school, Göran talked passionately about the school, as well as his personal interests in sailing and Scotland. Founded in 1896, the boarding school currently has about 140 students aged 14-19 years. We arrived at dinner time and were welcomed to one of the student houses for a traditional Swedish meal. A tour of some of the extensive campus before bedtime, and I was overwhelmed at how polite, well-behaved and mature the students were. On Friday morning, after a rousing chorus of the school ‘anthem’ in the church, I worked with English classes and introduced them to the concept of photo-identification (one of the research tools we use at HWDT) with a presentation and card matching activity. The students’ English was exceptionally good and they had many questions to keep me on my toes! After lunch, taken outside in the warm sunshine, I met with two students who are interested in writing about cetaceans for their final year project. One of them won The Nature Trust prize this year and will travel to Mull next year to participate in a research survey onboard Silurian . Next, an interview for the school website, which can be seen HERE . The day was rounded off with a meal with some of the staff, hosted by the science teacher and new friend, Helén Burman, who had helped me to plan my visit. Traditional food, good company and even a music quiz was Swedish hospitality at its best! On Saturday morning, I gave a presentation to the entire school about the work of HWDT and the cetaceans of west Scotland in a very grand hall, using photos, sounds and videos to engage the large audience. Afterwards, I received several mementos to take back to Scotland, each emblazoned with the school logo. One final lunch at a different student house and it was time to embark on my journey home. It was my absolute pleasure to visit this remarkable institution of Swedish academia. The pride that everyone has for their school is clear and, coupled with the respect between students and staff, makes for a positive and inspiring atmosphere. I am very much looking forward to returning the hospitality and receiving students onboard Silurian next year. I hope that this is the beginning of an enduring relationship between Lundsbergs Skola and HWDT. My sincere thanks to Göran and Helén (and everyone else of course!) who helped to facilitate this opportunity, and I hope that we all have the chance to meet again soon. Tue, 15 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=441 What's the difference between a porpoise and a dolphin? This is one of the most common questions people ask us. In appearance, the main difference is in the dorsal fin and the 'beak' (jaws). Most dolphins have a back-swept dorsal fin and a long beak whereas a porpoise has a relatively blunt head and a triangular dorsal fin with little or no curve on the trailing edge. The video below shows these differences very well. This incredibly unusual footage (not ever recorded before, to our knowledge) shows a harbour porpoise swimming alongside a common dolphin. The harbour porpoise is generally a shy and retiring species, common in inshore waters of Scotland, but rarely (if ever) associating with other marine mammals. In fact, underwater footage of wild harbour porpoises is incredibly rare in itself, so to see such great footage of one exhibiting such unusual behaviour has got us stumped! This particular common dolphin is unusual in that it is solitary and resides in a relatively confined body of water in Loch Fyne. HWDT has been monitoring its movements with the help of locals from the Otter Ferry area. Common dolphins usually inhabit deeper waters around headlands and open bays, and are not typically seen inside sea lochs. Thanks to Greig, Murdo and Jane MacLeod for sharing this wonderful footage with us, which they recorded using a GoPro from their boat. If you see any cetaceans in your area, please report them to us on our website . Or if you are interested in seeing cetaceans and contributing to important research, do check out and participate in our Cetacean Research Surveys. Mon, 24 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=440 Nobody will deny that the weather has been colder than usual in Scotland and Ireland this summer. It is tempting to think that the cold conditions might account for a rare arctic visitor which appeared off the Co. Antrim coast yesterday 30 July. Gareth Watson from Ballycastle submitted a sighting record and a video to HWDT this afternoon, showing what is undoubtedly a beluga whale, swimming along close to shore near Dunseverick, Co. Antrim. Although we have no experts on beluga whales in HWDT, it looks as though the whale was in good condition and was swimming strongly. According to Peter Evans (Sea Watch Foundation and Trustee of HWDT) "Besides the two sightings from Mayo and Cork, there have been 14 previous confirmed records in the British Isles since 1950, ten in the last 30 years, the most recent being a stranded animal found in East Scotland last year." We believe it is the first for Northern Ireland and it is the third record for the island of Ireland since the 1980s. Incredibly, on the same day only 50 km to the northeast, a killer whale was recorded (near Gigha) and closer still, a humpback was observed off Southend, the Mull of Kintyre. A busy day for sightings of rarely seen and iconic whale species! Photograph courtesy of Gareth Watson Fri, 31 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=438 Great footage and images of the humpback whale can be viewed here !, many thanks to Elise Rankin for sharing An adult humpback whale, possibly greater than 12 metres in length, has been sighted in the Firth of Clyde this week – the fifth such whale to be seen off western Scotland in the past month, compared with a usual total of just one or two per year. The whale was sighted off Tighnabruaich in the Kyles of Bute on 6 July. On 8 July it surfaced alongside the Scottish Ocean Youth Trust’s yacht, spouting and swimmingly strongly in a northward direction into Loch Fyne. The whale was observed breaching out of the water and lob-tailing – a dramatic manoeuvre in which the animal throws its massive tail, up to five metres across, out of the water, creating a huge splash visible for miles. This behaviour could be used for communication, display or perhaps to ward off other animals. Humpback whales were once hunted to the brink of extinction in Scottish waters, but in recent years Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has noticed an increase in the number of sightings reported to its online sightings database (www.hwdt.org). It is unknown whether this represents a genuine increase in population size, a range shift into Scottish waters, or more vigilant reporting from members of the public. Researchers in Ireland believe that humpback whales there are increasing in numbers. Over the past month, there have been at least five different humpback whales documented off Scotland’s west coast, from the Isle of Lewis to the Firth of Clyde. “Usually we expect just one or two sightings of humpback whales per year, so to have five in a month is very encouraging and exciting”, said Dr Conor Ryan, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s Sightings and Strandings Officer. “Although humpbacks can put on a spectacular show and are humbling to watch, we appeal to people not to stress the whale by approaching in boats. This individual is not in its typical environment and may be lost in the sea loch. Besides, there are strict laws in place to protect this species from harassment”. The trust encourages members of the public to become citizen scientists – both by reporting sightings of cetaceans and basking sharks online and by joining a research expedition aboard its sailing vessel Silurian. Participants are trained in scientific methods and assist in data collection to better understand the distribution of whales, dolphins and porpoises around the Hebrides. Information on entanglement risk in ropes and lines is also collected. Morven Russell, Volunteer Coordinator, said: “By joining us aboard, volunteers will have the opportunity to witness first-hand the wealth of the Hebridean marine environment, whilst contributing to a better understanding and consequently more effective management of cetacean populations off Scotland’s west coast.” This week’s sighting is the third confirmed humpback whale in the Firth of Clyde in recent years. On previous occasions, the whales apparently navigated their way out to the open sea. However, this is the first time that Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has documented a humpback so far north in the Clyde. Humpback whales are at high risk of entanglement in ropes and lines in the water and there have been at least two fatal entanglements in Scotland in the past 12 months. Humpback whales have the largest forelimbs in the animal kingdom – leading to their scientific name Megaptera, meaning “giant winged”. They have 6m long flippers which make them prone to snagging ropes. Given that they cannot swim backwards, a simple entanglement can be fatal or lead to prolonged suffering. Image © Elise Rankin Fri, 10 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=437 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust seeks a part-time Deputy Director and an Education Officer to join our team in Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull. Deputy Director Working with HWDT’s Director, the successful candidate will help to steer the Trust towards a more financially resilient future and explore exciting and innovative opportunities for its development. With proven experience in project management, fundraising and leadership, there will be opportunities for personal and career development in this challenging yet rewarding role. This post is generously funded by The John Ellerman Foundation. For more information, and to download the Job Description, click HERE Education Officer The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of delivering educational activities to a wide variety of people, either in a formal education environment or within the field of outdoor or environmental education. We seek someone with a sound understanding of the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland as well as knowledge of Scottish cetaceans. Excellent interpersonal, presentational and communication skills are crucial, as is the ability to work in a team. This post is generously part-funded by The Robertson Trust. For more information, and to download the Job Description, click HERE Closing Date: Friday 17th July 2015 Interviews: w/c 27 July 2015 Visitor Centre & Shop Manager An exciting opportunity to join our team as the Visitor Centre and Shop Manager in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. The successful candidate will have experience of managing a retail outlet and/or managing a visitor centre. We seek someone with excellent communication and organisational skills and the ability to work independently. This post is generously funded by the Coastal Communities Fund. For more information, and to download the Job Description, click HERE Closing Date: Friday 24th July 2015 Interviews: w/c 27 July - 3 August Thu, 25 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=436 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is delighted to have been awarded £10,000 in the Clydesdale Bank 'Spirit of the Community' Awards in the environment category at a presentation ceremony last night in Glasgow. Twelve community groups across Scotland were selected to share funding of £75,000 to make a real difference in their local areas. An overall winning group was selected in each category to secure £10,000 of funding, along with three winners each receiving £5,000. Now in its third year, the awards programme aims to recognise charities and not-for-profit organisations for the invaluable contributions they make to their local communities. Gemma Paterson, HWDT's Director, said: “The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is delighted to accept this award. The award funding will enable us to visit the most remote and isolated parts of western Scotland with our floating classroom, Silurian , to deliver innovative, hands-on workshops for groups of children in the heart of their own communities to learn about marine biodiversity and conservation. “A series of land-based school visits, community talks and open boat events has also been made possible by this award.” Debbie Crosbie, Chair of Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation, said: “Clydesdale Bank’s Spirit of the Community Awards recognise and support the important role that voluntary and charitable organisations play in their local communities. It has been inspiring to see the great work that is being done at grass roots level across Scotland. “The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust on the Isle of Mull is an extremely deserving winner and has been recognised for its community spirit with this award from Clydesdale Bank.” Pictured L-R Debbie Crosbie Chair of Yorkshire & Clydesdale Bank Foundation, Gemma Paterson & Pippa Garrard of HWDT, David Duffy CEO of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks For further information about Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation’s Spirit of the Community Awards, please visit www.cbonline.co.uk/foundation Wed, 10 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=433 Early this morning (Tuesday 2 June), a mass stranding of pilot whales occurred near Staffin on Isle of Skye. British Divers Marine Life Rescue is coordinating rescue attempts today after assessing the body condition of each whale. The stranding follows developments yesterday afternoon, when Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust received a sighting report from Martin Perry of about 20 long-finned pilot whales exhibiting distressed behaviour close to shore off the northeast coast of Skye. Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust immediately contacted British Divers Marine Life Rescue who responded by travelling to the area with whale rescue equipment and personnel. Pilot whales are a deep-water species, more at home to the west of the Outer Hebrides and north of the Minch. Pilot whales are prone to stranding alive in large numbers when they end up in shallow coastal waters. “Assistance on site by trained or qualified marine mammal medics would be much appreciated – but if members of the public do wish to attend, they are asked to please think firstly about their own safety as the area is remote and weather conditions are very challenging. Furthermore, a live stranded whale is usually in distress and crowds of people may only exacerbate the problem. We all have our fingers crossed for a successful refloat,” said Conor Ryan, Sightings and Strandings Officer of Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has a wide-ranging Community Sightings and Strandings Network and relies on members of the public to report sightings of whales, dolphins, porpoise and basking sharks through its website www.hwdt.org. The trust asks members of the public to report their sightings of whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks to it via its website. If you wish to keep informed about the rescue attempts, please follow BDMLR on their Facebook page or on their website . Photographer: © Martin Perry Tue, 2 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=434 Are you passionate about the wildlife of Mull? Do you enjoy talking to people? The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust is looking for a PART-TIME SEASONAL ASSISTANT to work in our shop and visitor centre in Tobermory. Beginning immediately, the contract will run until the end of September. Hours worked will vary but will usually be between 4 and 16 hours a week. This will include evenings, weekends and bank holidays. The ideal candidate will be flexible and available to work at short notice. With a friendly disposition, you should have some experience of retail or a similar public facing role, as well as knowledge of the Isle of Mull and surrounding areas, particularly the wildlife. Cash handling experience is highly desirable. To apply please send or hand in a CV with short covering letter to: HWDT 28 Main Street Tobermory Isle of Mull PA75 6NU Or email to [email protected] Closing date: 19th June Mon, 1 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=432 Did you manage to catch HWDT on BBC Breakfast last week? If not, you can watch the clip aired by clicking here . We also appeared on Newsround - much to our delight as education, particularly amongst children, is central to HWDT core aims. The BBC were interested in the rise (almost double since HWDT began monitoring) of encounter rate of common dolphins - a species not that common in the Hebrides a decade ago. To read the article we issued about the increase, please click here . The volunteers on board this survey got more than they expected when the BBC film crew hopped on board in Tobermory. The feature will highlighted the important work carried out each year from our survey vessel, Silurian , and showed how volunteers can become involved in our research. If you are inspired to get involved, there are still some berths available this season - in fact HWDT are offering some fantastic offers to fill the remaining berths on forthcoming surveys. Find out more HERE of get in touch with Morven , HWDT's Volunteer Coordinator. Wed, 27 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=431 Silurian, HWDTs research yacht (pictured) has nearly completed her second Cetacean Research Survey of the 2015 field season, already clocking up more than 300 nautical miles of coverage. The Cetacean Research Surveys are the platform for HWDTs long-term data collection programme and, over the past 13 years, we have built a comprehensive database that has enabled HWDT to better understand local populations, contribute to a wider international understanding and inform policy makers to develop more effective conservation strategies. During the first expedition, we welcomed aboard six participants from all over the UK; Geoff, John and Alison (father and daughter), Douglas, Sarah and Jess (who is developing her MSc thesis using HWDT data). Following initial briefings and training in Tobermory (HWDT HQ), Silurian set off, heading south down the Sound of Mull, for 9 days of survey effort. Despite the wild weather, sightings of minke whale and porpoise were recorded, alongside a variety of seabirds. A selection of images from the first expedition are available on HWDTs Facebook page - become a 'friend' and have a look. HWDT would like to thank everyone who joined us aboard to help with the valuable data collection – without your contribution we couldn’t undertake the research work we do. ‘ I couldn’t have asked for a more incredible experience! Couldn’t have asked for a better crew! They were all so friendly and fun, and had my full respect and trust in terms of safety and what we were doing. The crew really made this trip incredible! ’ Jess Rayner, HWDT 1 Silurian is just about to complete her second survey – again with six enthusiasts aboard; Jenna, Stewart, Sarah, Stuart, Meret and Eva. This team has a high volume of students studying marine biology aboard which is great – providing fantastic field experience and helping develop skills. This expedition ventured north, up to Plockton and has since anchored in Rum and Tiree. Silurian will return prematurely to Tobermory tomorrow and collect a BBC reporter who will be joining us aboard to film a piece about the research surveys – set to air at the end of May (watch this space!). To find out more about our Cetacean Research Surveys and how you can join us aboard, please click here . To read the blog that participants upload during the expedition, please click here . You can also track Silurian in real-time by clicking here . Image © Alison Hosker Wed, 20 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=430 A small team from The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is currently in Gairloch, en route to the Outer Hebrides for community engagement activities as part of SeaChange. This is an education, outreach and research project which aims to promote whales, dolphins and porpoises as an important part of the natural heritage of the Hebrides. We aim to meet with all those interested in marine mammals, and those who are employed in the whale-watch tourism sector. Similar road-shows were carried out last year throughout the Inner Hebrides including the Small Isles. On this occasion, we will again be visiting schools along our route to deliver educational talks and workshops to primary and secondary school students. This morning we had a great workshop with 88 very enthusiastic students at Gairloch Primary School. We will be delivering illustrated presentations about the natural history of whales and dolphins of the Hebrides and recent research findings by at six locations (see below) . These are free events and all are welcome to join! Booking not essential. 09/05/2015 Gairloch, 19:30 Gairloch Community Hall 12/05/2015 Harris, 19:30 Tarbert Community Hall 13/05/2015 North Uist, 19:30 Claddach-Kirkibost Centre 16/05/2015 South Uist, 19:30 Talla Chidhe 19/05/2015 Barra, 19:30 Castlebay Community Hall 25/05/2015 Canna, 19:30 The Chapel Fri, 8 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=429 All at HWDT are saddened to hear of the passing of the renowned Scottish conservationist Dick Balharry at the age of 77. Dick was Patron and former Chairman at HWDT for a number of years. His death, following a battle with cancer, came just days after he was honoured by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) for his services to conservation. Richard Balharry was, until 1997, Area Manager of Scottish Natural Heritage and held a number of positions with its predecessor bodies. He was closely involved in the establishment and development of Craig Meagaidh as a National Nature Reserve. He was also on the committee for Nature Conservation & Countryside, the National Trust for Scotland and was Chairman of the John Muir Trust. He was awarded an honorary degree from Aberdeen University in 1995, and an MBE in 1996, both for services to Nature Conservation. Our sincere condolences to his family, many friends and collegues. Thu, 23 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=428 Summer is definitely in the air (or under the water!) here at HWDT, with reports received of the first minke whales in the area. Basking sharks and common dolphins - our other common seasonal visitors - are also arriving in the Hebrides! Our friends at Sea Life Surveys had their first encounter with minke whale this year, with 3 whales spotted during their whale watching trip on the 18th April. Minke whales frequent Hebridean waters over the season - April to October - to take advantage of the increased food stocks available. Minkes are generally solitary animals, although can be see feeding in groups. Using Photo Identification , HWDT has documented over 120individuals in the Hebrides and holds one of the largest ID catalogues in Europe of the species. However, we still know very little about the species - in fact, we don't know for definite where they go when the season ends! Other seasonal visitors - common dolphins and basking sharks - have also been reported throughout April. Common dolphin numbers are increasing in the Hebrides and we even had reports of two large groups (60 and 100) in February! A couple of basking shark reports have been received in April, both of which in the waters off Coll and Tiree - a basking shark hotspot in the Hebrides. HWDTs research vessel, Silurian, is set to embark on her survey season in less than two weeks and we eagerly await the encounters we'll have from aboard. We are still recruiting for the final couple of berths for the May expeditions and have reduced the costs of participating substantially - please click here for more details . By joining HWDT aboard you will have the experience of a lifetime! Wed, 22 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=427 Aurora Borealis were seen last night by our marine biodiversity officer Kerry Froud at Glengorm on the isle of Mull. The Aurora Borealis, or Northern lights, are a natural phenomenon, providing an often spectacular light show in high latitudes. Collisions between electrically charged particles that are released from the sun, enter our atmosphere and collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen. Though we love summer for the almost endless hours of sunlight, we love spring as there are still plenty of hours of darkness for stargazing and possible aurora spotting! Spaces are still available on our discounted May surveys if you are interested in cetaceans and stargazing. Follow the link for more prices and information on how you can join a survey- www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/get-involved-join-us-onboard.asp Photos- Kerry Froud Fri, 17 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=424 A substantial increase in common dolphin encounters off western Scotland is to be studied by Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust in a new season of marine research expeditions beginning next month. HWDT’s encounter rate with common dolphins has more than doubled over the past 12 years. The findings – recently presented to the European Cetacean Society – have emerged from the charity’s unique long-term monitoring of whales, dolphins and porpoises in the Hebrides. The causes – and broader effects on the marine environment and other species – are still unclear. HWDT is now recruiting volunteers to work alongside marine scientists in its annual summer surveys, which it hopes will shed further light on the dramatic changes. “ An increase in common dolphins means that those wishing to encounter dolphins in the wild are in luck – but further research is needed to explain why this is happening, the extent to which this has been caused by human activity, and the implications for other cetacean species, ” said Dr Conor Ryan, Sightings Officer at HWDT. Common dolphins come to the Hebrides each spring to take advantage of seasonal food stocks. They are gregarious, often approaching boats to bow-ride and play in the wake, and are smaller than the region’s resident bottlenose dolphins. The species also travels in large groups – sometimes forming super-pods of thousands of individuals. Despite their name, common dolphins – known in Gaelic as leumadair or ‘jumper’ – were once only occasionally seen in the Hebrides, preferring more southern waters generally warmer than 10°C. With climate change causing sea surface temperatures in the Hebrides to rise at a rate of 0.5°C per decade, it appears that such warmer water species are starting to colonise new areas in the north or closer to shore. Yet even as this shift potentially creates new opportunities for common dolphins, it may be generating competition for food with other dolphin species or seabirds. One predicted consequence of warming seas is colder-water species such as the white beaked dolphin being forced to retreat further north. So far HWDT has found no evidence of displacement of the white beaked dolphin – but continued monitoring is needed to establish whether or not the influx of common dolphins is having a negative effect on such species. The trust has now been collecting data on cetaceans – the collective name for whales, dolphins and porpoises – from its specialized research yacht Silurian for 12 years. The new findings underline the importance of this research, not least as cetaceans – being apex predators at the top of the marine food web – can act as indicators of the marine environment’s overall health. “ Dedicated volunteers onboard Silurian have enabled us to build up a unique and valuable database, enabling researchers to examine changes in cetacean populations – and providing vital data for protecting these species and their habitats, including in the recent designation of Scottish Marine Protected Areas ,” said Kerry Froud, the Trust’s Biodiversity Officer. “ Our research expeditions depend on volunteers. In return, they offer the opportunity of a lifetime to contribute to a better understanding of cetaceans and basking sharks, whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery of Scotland’s west coast and experiencing exhilarating sailing .” For more details about the research surveys please click here . Wed, 15 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=426 Check out this video to get a feel for our survey trips, funded in part by the volunteers onboard, who in turn assume the role of marine biologists by undergoing lots of training during the trip. Then get in touch to book your place! Wed, 15 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=425 Find out more about what has been going on at HWDT in the last few months, including; NEW short film about volunteering on Silurian Silurian survey dates - it's not too late to join us onboard in 2015! SeaChange roadshow planned for May 2015 Out and About - Kerry Froud reviews Whalefest and ECS New Faces - meet our new Skipper and First Mate and much more! Click the link here to read Ripple! Tue, 14 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=423 There are two new faces on board Silurian this year. Introducing Edd Hewitt, who takes the helm as our main skipper, and Jon Biddle, who joins us as first mate. If you are joining us on a survey in 2015, you may well meet these two new members of the team! Here's a little more about them: Edd Hewett After qualifying as a Yachtmaster in 2009, Edd took up the opportunity to sail on Song of the Whale for the first time. Continuing his involvement with Song of the Whale , Edd went on his first survey in 2010, during which he saw his first whale! Since then Edd has continued to work on and off for Song of the Whale and also qualified as an instructor during this time. At age 20, Edd landed his first job as a skipper and was mainly involved in yacht deliveries. He has also worked with St Andrews University and worked on the expedition yacht Pelagic Australis in the Southern Ocean in 2012. During this time he visited a number of exciting places, but decided to go back to Song of the Whale after finding he missed the research aspect of the work. Edd's jobs and hobbies have taken him all over the world, often under sail. He has sailed about 70,000nm and most of this was on research vessels! In 2014 Edd worked on board Silurian for the first time, since then he has completed his WiSe Scheme Skippers course and after loving the work, the yacht and the area, has decided to come back for more! This year Edd will be our main skipper on Silurian . When Edd is not at sea he is normally working doing boat maintenance or on holiday either scuba diving, surfing, rock climbing, snowboarding or mountaineering. Jonathan Biddle A lover of wildlife, nature & the outdoors (since childhood), Jonathan's weakness for chips has earnt him the international nickname of "Jon Papas"! The blessing of a close encounter with a bottlenose dolphin whilst sea kayaking as a teenager was the beginning of the gift of many sightings over the years, (all of which bring a happy smile and joy to his heart). Seabirds are also something he's always scanning the horizon for (when sailing the oceans or walking the cliff tops) and he hopes to make an increasing contribution to marine wildlife surveying, conservation and environmental education (especially with children). Jonathan has worked extensively overseas, in various roles which include; a canyoning guide in the Pyrenees, a climbing instructor, a surf instructor, TEFL English teacher and a sailor, amongst other things. The search for fresh rocks to climb and waves to surf in wild places has taken him to "meccas" such as the big walls of Yosemite & the "longest left wave" at Chicama, arriving there by sailing to Brazil then a boat trip up the Amazon. In love with the Azores islands and sailing, the wind recently carried him from there to the Galapagos aboard old traditional ships. Jonathan has recently attended the WiSe Scheme Skippers Course and is looking forward to beginning his first season on Silurian as our new First Mate. Tue, 7 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=422 With Spring finally making an appearence, HWDT are now gearing up for the season ahead. The winter has been a long, stormy one here on the Isle of Mull but things are on the turn. Despite the weather, HWDT has still recieved a good number of sightings over the winter months. Five different cetacean species were reported, most of the reports were of porpoise and bottlenose dolphin - resident species in the Hebrides. We are still eagerly awaiting the first reports of our seasonal visitors: minke whale and basking shark. Hopefully we won't be waiting too long! Please click here to read the winter report. Wed, 25 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=421 Bowhead whales are a High Arctic species which live at the edge of the pack-ice in the Arctic Ocean. To see one in UK waters was considered, until last week, to be nigh impossible! A young bowhead whale (estimated to be about 7 to 8m long) appeared in shallow waters near the island of St. Martin's in the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall on 20 February. For an Arctic species, it is somewhat ironic that is turned up in the most southerly point of the UK!The whale was reported to Sea Watch Foundation and by Anna Cawthray. The species identification was confirmed by Dr Peter Evans (Sea Watch Foundation and HWDT Director) and a range of international experts who studied photos of the whale which appeared just metres from the shore. This is the most southerly record for the species in the eastern North Atlantic. Bowheads were seen alive in Cape Cod Bay during spring 2012 and 2014 and there were two strandings in Newfoundland in 1998 and 2005. Have recent dramatic changes in the sea ice coverage in the Arctic Ocean (the bowhead whale's natural habitat) resulted in this increased vagrancy in bowheads? Only time will tell. For more information, please read the SWF article here . Image © Faye Page Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=419 HWDT are looking to recruit a number of land based volunteers to help deliver key activities throughout the field season - running from May until September. Tasks will be land based and focus on public outreach and assisting HWDT to ensure a full programme of events is met. For more information about the opportunity and details of how to apply, please click here . Mon, 9 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=418 The WiSe ( Wildlife Safe ) Scheme is the UK standard for commercial marine wildlife watching. It aims to promote responsible wild-life watching through training, accreditation and awareness-raising Course includes: - Instruction in how best to responsibly watch wildlife whilst minimising potential disturbance - Handling craft around wild animals - Full WiSe Membership - WiSe accreditation - Eligibility to attend the WiSe Master Course - Four to five hours of classroom-based interactive training - Course material, boat sticker and flag - Use of WiSe logo on promotional brochure / website - Become listed on the WiSe Accredited operators website For bookings contact Conor Ryan: 01688 302620, [email protected]. More information please check out the WiSe website Supported by the Coastal Communities Fund under the Sea Change Project Fri, 6 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=416 Harbour porpoise sightings off Scotland's west coast increased by 25 per cent in 2014 compared to the previous year while sightings of basking sharks unexpectedly fell by 33 per cent, during marine research expeditions carried out by Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. The charity's extensive research also revealed dramatic evidence of a shark attack on a member of an endangered group of killer whales thought to be the UK�s only resident population of orca. The latest studies were carried out in a research season lasting from May to October last year, and form part of the trust's unique long-term monitoring of whales, dolphins and porpoises � collectively known as cetaceans � in the Hebrides. The surveys also collect data on basking sharks. Kerry Froud, Biodiversity Officer at Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, said: "Our findings add to knowledge about cetacean distribution, abundance and habitat use in Scotland's western seas � and allow us to make informed recommendations to protect these remarkable species." "This pioneering research is vital for effectively conserving the world-class biodiversity of these waters � and for securing the long-term future of spectacular cetaceans and iconic basking sharks." The trust's teams of marine scientists and volunteers encountered 574 groups of harbour porpoises during 2014 � a 25 per cent increase in the rate of sightings compared to 2013. Reasons for this increased sighting rate � of up to eight groups per 100 kilometres surveyed � may include conducive weather and calm seas, making the unobtrusive porpoise easier to detect. Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has previously discovered that the Hebrides hosts one of Europe's highest densities of the harbour porpoise, the UK's smallest cetacean � but Scotland still has no protected area for this species as required under European Union directives. Basking shark sightings fell by 33 per cent from the previous year to 16 encounters � showing a trend of decreasing sightings of the world's second biggest fish in the area over recent years. This does not necessarily indicate a reduction in population size � as possible explanations include a shift further offshore in the distribution of plankton, the sharks' favourite food. The distribution of plankton within the water column will also dictate where basking sharks are feeding � which means they may still be present, but not feeding at the surface. Notable highlights during 2014 included two separate encounters with what is believed to be the UK�s only known resident population of killer whales � five males and four females known as the West Coast Community. This small, isolated population of orca has never produced offspring since studies began, raising fears that it faces imminent extinction. Evidence of drama emerged when one of the group's males � known as John Coe � was observed with a large area of his tail fluke missing. Consultations with experts suggest that this was almost certainly the result of a shark attack. Another outstanding close encounter featured minke whales riding in the bow-wave of the trust�s research yacht Silurian. This was unexpected as minkes are usually elusive and shy of boats. In July, an individual minke approached Silurian with what appeared to be blue plastic strapping wrapped round and embedded in the front of its head � a stark reminder of people's impact on the marine environment. The crew was unable to disentangle the whale. Cetacean entanglement in fishing gear and litter can cause mobility problems, injury and even slow and agonising death. Other human activities causing increasing stress on cetaceans and basking sharks include fisheries bycatch, climate change, pollution, underwater noise and habitat damage. Silurian - previously used in the filming of the BBC's The Blue Planet series - covered more than 4,500 nautical miles during 2014, equivalent to crossing the North Atlantic three times. It surveyed to the Saint Kilda archipelago - the remotest inhabited part of the British Isles - twice, rounded the Mull of Kintyre to the south and reached Cape Wrath, mainland Britain's most north westerly point. In total, the surveys recorded more than 1,400 encounters with cetaceans and basking sharks, and recorded almost 600 hours of underwater acoustic detections of cetaceans. Good weather conditions for surveying allowed twice as many photo identification opportunities than in 2013. This technique allows individual cetaceans or basking sharks to be identified by their distinctive markings, often shedding new light on population sizes and social dynamics, and whether individuals interact with other populations. The latest results are currently being analysed. The annual surveys depend on paying volunteers. In 2014, 65 volunteers clocked up 760 survey hours - working with scientists on visual surveys and acoustic monitoring with underwater microphones or hydrophones, and identifying individual cetaceans through photography. Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust - based in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull - is recruiting volunteers for its 2015 surveys, to live and work as citizen scientists onboard Silurian for periods of almost two weeks from April to September. Participation costs cover boat expenses, accommodation, training, food and insurance, and support the trust�s research. For details and to learn about early bird special offers, contact Morven Russell at [email protected], call 01688 302620, or visit www.hwdt.org. Western Scotland's seas are one of Europe's most important habitats for cetaceans and one of the UK�s most biologically productive areas. So far 24 of the world's 83 cetacean species have been recorded in the region, many being national and international conservation priority species. Ends Wed, 28 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=417 HWDT are extending the 'early bird booking' reduction off the cost of participating in a research survey this season. Sign up before the 15th February and recieve a 5% discount. Join HWDT aboard their research yacht Silurian this field season; help monitor the cetacean species found off the west coast of Scotland whilst having a truly memorable experience; explore the remotest parts of the British Isles whilst contributing to the long-term study of marine mega fauna in the Hebrides. To find out more, please click here . Mon, 26 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=411 Over the past fortnight, HWDT has received many reports from members the public of stranded cetaceans. Five of these were of Cuvier's beaked whales, a species that is rarely seen due to its offshore distribution. Despite being rarely seen however, they are native to Scotland, preferring offshore deep-water canyons and seamounts where they hunt for squid. This species is the current world-record holder for the longest and deepest dive for a mammal: down to 2992 m for a staggering two hours and 17 minutes! The pressure at this depth is 300 kg per square centimetre. Read the full paper here Across the water in Ireland, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group have recorded similarly high numbers of Cuvier's beaked whales. In December 2014, five were found dead along the west and north coast which accounts for almost 10% of all the records of this species since records began. This brings to 10 the number of dead Cuvier's beaked whales found in Scotland and Ireland since December. Many more will go undetected as the carcasses may sink or end up in very remote locations. There are no obvious clues as to what is causing such a sudden increase in strandings of this species. While the very intense storms of mid-December may be partly to blame, this does not explain why we are finding just one deep-diving species in such high numbers. A similar peak in strandings during 2008 comprised a mix of species (including Sowerby's beaked whales and pilot whales) but the underlying cause of this unusual mortality event (of 57 whales) was never determined. You can find a published paper here about these strandings here If you encounter any dead cetaceans, please do send on any information and pictures to SMASS ([email protected]) or to ourselves. Strandings provide a rare an unique insight into the lives of these poorly understood animals, and may help us to establish more effective conservation measures towards their protection. Mon, 5 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=410 A solitary bottlenose dolphin that has appeared in Scotland�s Sound of Mull this week is an internationally famous individual known as Clet � who after becoming a celebrity in France and Ireland has now been recorded in Scotland for the first time.The rare sighting of a lone bottlenose dolphin following a ferry between Oban and the Isle of Mull on Tuesday 2 December triggered some rapid detective work. Bottlenose dolphins are not unusual in the Hebrides, even during winter � but the normally social species usually occurs in small groups, with individuals rarely seen alone. By using photo identification techniques we have identified the animal as a renowned individual that made international headlines through its unusual behaviour when last seen in September � in Galway in Ireland, some 600 kilometres away from the Sound of Mull.To our knowledge, this is the first time that Clet has been recorded in Scotland, and in fact this is the furthest north he has been recorded to date. Bottlenose dolphins are usually considered to be resident to certain areas, so long-distance international movements such as this challenge our understanding of this species, and also challenge our ability to protect them using Marine Protected Areas or Special Areas of Conservation alone. The male dolphin was named by locals from Cap Sizun, Brittany in France, where he used to follow fishing boats between 2008 and 2010. He then travelled to Cornwall, Devon and Wales before appearing in West Cork in Ireland, where he spent several weeks interacting with boats. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group then recorded his movements along Ireland�s west coast to Valentia, County Kerry.The last recorded sighting of Clet was on 28 September 2014 at Inis �irr off Galway Bay. Although not confirmed, he was thought to be responsible for a dolphin attack on a group of swimmers in Salthill, Galway. The RNLI ensured that the swimmers were able to get to shore without harm, but unfortunately the incident resulted in some sensational news headlines. P�draig Whooley, Sightings Officer for the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, said: We think it�s remarkable that Clet�s movements can be tracked to the Irish south and west coasts from France via English and Welsh waters, using images from the general public. The addition of Scotland after a two month interval brings his known tally of passport stamps to five countries and counting, and shows the need for international collaboration when trying to monitor these highly mobile marine mammals. Solitary dolphins such as Clet do not pose a threat to people in boats, but can be aggressive towards swimmers. The biggest danger to solitary dolphins is injury from boats, as the animals appear to seek out vessels to interact with. The deep gash on Clet�s dorsal fin may be from coming to close to boat propellers. Wildlife photographer Nic Davies, who recorded Clet close to shore from Craignure on the Isle of Mull this week, was out photographing otters when he heard a loud blow sound just out from the shore. He spotted the dolphin heading at speed towards a departing ferry (see Nic's photo above). Clet may remain in the Sound of Mull area for weeks or even months, as he has done in other areas. we are asking boat owners to be respectful and to give Clet the space he needs, and hopes that the dolphin will continue to enthrall onlookers from the shore and from the ferries, which he has been bow riding in the Sound of Mull. Are you interested in seeing whales and dolphins in Scottish waters? HWDT is looking for volunteers to join the trust�s research expeditions on its specialized yacht Silurian next summer, working alongside marine scientists.Please Click here to find our more about the Cetacean Research Surveys and how to join us aboard. Fri, 5 Dec 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=408 Give a gift that counts this Christmas by sponsoring a Hebridean bottlenose dolphin, minke whale or orca (pictured is John Coe). Sponsor a whale or dolphin and help us continue our important education and research programmes. Each sponsor will recieve: Personalised A4 sponsorship certificate Glossy 6’’ x 4’’ colour photograph of your chosen whale or dolphin High quality species factsheet and individual cetacean factsheet HWDT pen, car sticker, DVD and Hebridean cetacean ID guide Sightings updates of the sponsored animal Access to the latest edition of HWDT’s newsletter - Wave Optional gift; either the HWDT produced 'Sea Kingdom of Argyll' book or a cuddly toy By sponsoring a cetacean you will be directly contributing to our efforts to better understand the cetaceans found off our coasts. We value all the support we get from our members and sponsors and would like to take the opportunity to thank them all. Please click here to find out more about sponsoring a cetacean. Please note, all sponsorships recieved after Friday 19th may not be processed in time for Christmas. Wed, 3 Dec 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=407 HWDT are pleased to announce the dates for the Cetacean Research Surveys running over the 2015 season. Sail with HWDT and contribute directly to conservation efforts, all the while having the holiday of a lifetime exploring the remotest parts of the British Isles. During the Cetacean Research Surveys, participants will, effectively, become marine mammal scientists for the duration; living aboard the research yacht and trained in species ID and fundamental survey techniques. Whale, dolphin and porpoise are the target species, however basking shark, seals and a myriad of seabirds are encountered. HWDT rely on enthusiastic volunteers to undertake our research programme - you can be assured, without your contribution we couldn't conduct our monitoring activities. "Join us aboard Silurian and you will not be dissapointed: fantastic wildlife, breath-taking encounters and awesome landscapes - what's not to like!" Morven Russell, Volunteer Coordinator Please Click here to find our more about the Cetacean Research Surveys and how to join us aboard. Mon, 24 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=406 Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Why not pay a visit to our webshop? We’ve added loads of new exciting products with great gift ideas for children and adults alike! And, for a limited time only, all online purchases will receive a copy of our book The Sea Kingdom of Coll and Tiree absolutely FREE ! So whether you're looking for a book, a toy, ID guides or a cuddly dolphin, we're sure you'll find something you like. And don't forget, all purchases will directly contribute to our research and education programmes. You can visit our online shop by clicking here . Happy shopping! Fri, 21 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=405 A humpback whale has been seen in the Sound of Raasay since 22 October. This whale has delighted onlookers which have had stunning views from the shore near Camastianavaig of the whale fluking (lifting its tail above the water) and on one occasion breaching (jumping clear of the sea). The whale appears to be busily feeding at depth, as it has extensive 'scuff-marks' on its tail and dorsal fin from scraping off the sea bed. The whale may be feeding on sprat, which congregates near the sea bed to spawn during autumn. Unfortunately we have received reports of people chasing the whale in boats. We would ask people to be very mindful that this whale is at a critical stage in the year where it needs to build up sufficient fat reserves to make the long migration, some 2500 km south to the tropical breeding grounds. We would like people to give the whale sufficient space to feed unimpeded. If you do wish to go out in the boat, please familiarise yourself with the law surrounding disturbance of this protected species. SNH provide guidelines on how to behave responsibly here , while the WiSe Scheme has a succinct overview here . Briefly, you should not spend longer than 15 minutes with the whale if there is more than one boat in the vicinity, and maintain a distance of at least 100m, unless the whale chooses to approach your vessel (in which case you should idle your engine). HWDT hopes that the humpback will stay in the area so that responsible boaters and those on the shore can continue to enjoy this incredible spectacle! Thanks to all those who have submitted sightings to date, and please do keep them coming via our on-line sightings form . Mon, 10 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=404 With Christmas only 7 weeks away, have you started buying your presents yet? There are a few ways in which you can support HWDT this Christmas and help us continue our important research and education programmes. If you shop via Amazon, why not consider shopping through this link , by doing so Amazon will donate to HWDT when you have completed a purchase - at no extra cost to you! In fact, why not save the link as a bookmark and every time you shop, HWDT will benefit. HWDT are also part of the Give As You Live Scheme, a price comparison website that makes charitable donations. Again, donations are secured - at no cost to you - through purchases made when you signup and select HWDT as your chosen charity . All major retailers are part of the scheme so please take a few moments to sign up and help support the conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoises in the Hebrides. To support HWDT this Christmas more directly, why not browse our online shop or consider a membership or sponsorship pack as a gift for a loved one who loves cetaceans. Thu, 6 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=403 The European Commission last Thursday issued a letter to the UK with a notice of infringement on the Habitats Directive due to lack of designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for harbour porpoises. The European Commission has given the UK two months to respond to the letter or face a potential referral to the European Court of Justice. Quote from the European Commission press release : “The Commission has repeatedly urged the UK to fulfill its key obligations for this species, but no further designations of sites have been proposed. Today's action follows a letter of formal notice sent to the UK government in June 2013. If the UK fails to reply within two months, the Commission may refer the case to the EU Court of Justice.” Currently, the only UK SAC for harbour porpoises is in Northern Ireland. The Inner Hebrides, along with other areas in the UK, such as the Dogger Bank, are some of the most important areas in Europe for harbour porpoises. Tue, 21 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=402 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust will conduct a unique monitoring survey onboard our research vessel, Silurian , from 8th to 16th October 2014 to coincide with Exercise Joint Warrior. A team of volunteers and scientists will conduct visual and acoustic surveys for cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) during this UK-led multinational (NATO) training exercise involving around 85 aircraft, 22 ships and three submarines. HWDT’s main concern during this exercise is the use of military sonar. Military sonar emits intense sound that can disturb and harm cetaceans, which rely on their sensitive hearing to navigate, find food and communicate. HWDT believe that it is incredibly important to monitor cetacean presence during this exercise. As the only organisation collecting long term monitoring data throughout the exercise area, we are best placed to monitor the potential effect of these naval activities. During previous Joint Warrior exercises, HWDT has documented very rare behaviours not usually recorded in the area, such as minke whales ‘porpoising’ (swimming rapidly like a dolphin). In 2010, HWDT and WDC (Whale and Dolphin Conservation), called for an Environmental Impact Assessment to be conducted by the Ministry of Defence for the exercise. HWDT have worked with the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy in 2014 in the lead-up to October’s exercise but still have ongoing environmental concerns regarding these exercises. Where military sonar is used, HWDT would like to see evidence that mitigation measures have been undertaken to reduce the impacts on cetaceans and ask how much of a reduction in risk these measures can be expected to achieve. Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=401 The SeaChange team is back on Mull after a month of travelling to extraordinary places and meeting extraordinary people. We visited 10 coastal communities (Colonsay, Islay, Coll, Tiree, Easdale, Arisaig, Rum, Eigg, Elgol and Dunvegan) with only one location being dropped (Canna) due to the team being storm bound on Rum. Canna: we will see you next year instead. In each location we gave a public talk and visited the local school. In total we had 164 people attending our talks and 229 school children are now experts on their local marine megafauna. One of the main objectives of the SeaChange project was to engage with local boat operators and conduct research into the whale watching industry. We met with 14 boat operators who all helped us in our research by completing questionnaires on the challenges facing the industry. Many thanks to everyone who came to our talks and to the community trusts who hosted us in the village halls. Many thanks to all the schools and the students for their enthusiasm � it has given us great hope for the future. Also big thanks to everyone who helped with advertising and to our new local contact points. Next year the SeaChange project continues with HWDT visiting the Outer Islands, Ullapool and Canna. We are already looking forward to it! For pictures from the tour � see the 'SeaChange album' on Facebook Tue, 7 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=400 Contents include: - Map of amazing sightings from Silurian as well as those reported by our Community Sightings Network - Summary of strandings HWDT was asked to help with over the past 3 months - Summer events HWDT attended - Seasonal job vacancy at HWDT on Mull You can read Ripple by clicking 'here' This photo of a female orca from the West Coast Community was taken from Silurian in June Mon, 25 Aug 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=399 HWDT has been shortlisted for the 2014 Nature of Scotland Awards in the Marine Conservation category These awards are designed to recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement in Scottish nature conservation. The shortlist for this year�s Awards was announced on 12 August at the Scottish Parliament, at an evening reception hosted by Claire Baker MSP and sponsored by The Crown Estate. You can see which projects made it to the next stage, if you go to the RSPB website: http://www.rspb.org.uk/thingstodo/natureofscotland/previous/shortlist.aspx The winners will be announced at the award ceremony at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh, on 20 November 2014. Over 300 guests are expected to attend the presentation dinner, hosted by naturalist, author and TV presenter Chris Packham. We are so excited and want to thank everyone who worked with us to achieve this. Keep your fingers crossed for us and keep supporting our work; if we win it, it'll be a joint recognition for all of us! Fri, 22 Aug 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=398 The Sea Change project is funded by the Coastal Communities Fund and aims to engage fifteen remote coastal communities in learning, training and volunteering that will strengthen their connection with, and investment in the sustainability of, their natural marine resources. Naturally, the trust's emphasis will be on cetaceans. During September and October 2014, the sightings officer (Conor Ryan) and sightings intern (Vivi Bolin) will visit 11 of the 15 communities; delivering public talks in schools and community halls. We are using this opportunity to meet with boat operators to discuss the whale-watching industry, and to learn how we can make biological recording more accessible and convenient to boat users. If you are living in any of the areas that we are visiting, or happen to be in the area, please do come along to one of our talks. The talks will be on the natural history of whales and dolphins in the Hebrides, and on recent research results from the area. These events are free of charge and booking is not necessary: Colonsay 4th - 6th Sept: Public talk, 4th September at 7:00 pm at the Community Hall Islay 7th - 8th Sept: Public talk, 8th September at 7:00 pm at the ICCI Columba Centre Coll 9th - 10th Sept: Public talk, 10th September at 7:30 pm at 'An Cridhe' Tiree 11th - 14th Sept: Public talk, 11th September at 7:30 pm at 'An Talla' Easdale & Seil 14th - 15th Sept: Public talk, 15th September at 7:45 pm at Easdale Community Hall Arisaig & Mallaig 22nd - 23rd Sept: Public talk, 22nd September 7:00 pm 'Land, Sea and Islands Centre' in Arisaig. Rum 24th - 25th Sept: : Public talk, 24th September at 7:00 pm at the Village Hall Canna 26th - 27th Sept: Public talk, 26th September at 7:00 pm at The Chapel Eigg 27th - 29th Sept: Public talk, 27th September at 3:00 pm at the Community Hall Elgol 30th Sept. - 1st Oct: Public talk, 30th September at 7:00 pm at the Community Hall Dunvegan 1st - 2nd Oct: Public talk, 1st October at 7:00 pm at the Village Hall Thu, 21 Aug 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=397 It's National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week, coordinated by the Sea Watch Foundation. Find out from their website how you can get involved in different parts of the UK,by clicking 'here' HWDT will be hosting a land-based whale watch session as well. Join Conor of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and become one of the most westerly people of mainland Britain looking out for whales, dolphins and porpoises! Date: Friday 1st August Location: Ardnamurchan Point Lighthouse (at the fog horn) Start time: 11:00 End time: 16:00 Contact person: Conor Ryan [email protected] / 07850250156 All welcome! Photo: Kerry Froud Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=396 The Scottish Government announced today to more than double the size of an emerging network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). In a bold move, Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead gave the go-ahead for 30 new MPAs to protect a further 12% of Scotland�s seas, as well as paving the way for urgent new measures to protect struggling populations of seabirds, whales and dolphins. Many of these MPAs are in the Hebrides; areas covered by HWDT research. Scottish Environmental LINK press release and the Government�s announcement can be read here: 'New Marine Protected Areas in Scotland' Thu, 24 Jul 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=395 July has been an incredible month so far for killer whales. The infamous West Coast Community killer whales, of which there are only nine remaining, were recorded in some of their favourite haunts such as Neist Point on Skye and Stoer Head and Gairloch in Sutherland. But things really kicked-off on 7 July when whale-watch operator Sea Life Surveys found three whales travelling north at speed to the east of Coll. Photographs show that this was John Coe and two females. Then, just 30 hours later, Christian Latham found the very same whales between Scalpay and the Shiants to the east of Harris. That�s a minimum of 80 nautical miles in just 30 hours! But it didn�t stop there � the third sighting of John Coe and co. in a week was recorded by Paul and Zena Williams on 13 July off Staffin to the east of Skye. This time they were accompanied by another two whales, bringing the total to five. Finally, our very own sailing vessel Silurian crossed paths with this group that same day, to the west of Skye. They had an incredible encounter and managed to secure some magnificent photos in very good sea conditions (see on the side). So how did we manage to track these whales over such a large area? With the power of a very enthusiastic community sightings network! Thanks to those involved for sending us dorsal fin images which we used to track these distinctive individuals throughout the region using a technique called �photo-identification�. Please send us any images you may have from the west of Scotland of killer whales, bottlenose or Risso�s dolphins or minke whales to support this fascinating research. Tue, 22 Jul 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=394 Scotland�s first full post mortem of a humpback whale � found dead at Fishnish on the Isle of Mull last week � was carried out on June 26th by veterinary pathologists with the assistance of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. The seven-metre, eight-ton animal � believed to be the first humpback whale ever to strand on Mull � was discovered floating close to shore on Wednesday 25 June, and was craned out of the sea the following evening. The male calf had not recently been feeding and was probably still dependent on its mother. Our Sightings and Strandings Officer Dr Conor Ryan, who is an expert on humpback whales, assisted with a post mortem examination with veterinary pathologist Andrew Brownlow of Scottish Rural University College to establish the cause of death. Preliminary results from the examination were consistent with drowning, although the cause is unclear. To read the full news release, click here Mon, 30 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=393 With over 250 people getting involved in the activities throughout the week, we think we achieved our aim and had a lot of fun in the process. We hope that through Whale Week, HWDT increased awareness of the magnificent cetaceans that live in the Hebrides, as well as highlight common threats they face, prompting people to think about what we can do as individuals to protect them in the future. HWDT would like to thank all the guest speakers for their informative talks, as well as the Tobermory Marine Exhibition for hosting the events. In addition, we would like to thank all those who got involved and helped make Whale Week such a success! A summary and some photos can be viewed here: 'Whale Week Summary' Thu, 26 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=392 It's World Oceans Day today. The United Nations recognized June 8th officially as World Oceans Day in 2008. Thousands of people around the planet celebrate and honour the ocean today, which links us all and is the source of life. This year�s World Oceans Day theme: �Together we have the power to protect the ocean.� Join in the hundreds of events, be a part of this growing global celebration! More events of World Oceans Day can be found: Here HWDT's Whale Week starts on this day with an Opening talk:"Whales and dolphins of the Hebrides; 20 years of research and education" delivered by our team. time: 17:00 venue: Tobermory Harbour Association (THA) upstairs meeting room For more information come and talk to us during the week in our shop on the Tobermory main street or at the HWDT Whale Week gazebo in Ledaig car park. A detailed schedule of Whale Week events can be viewed here: 'Whale Week' Sun, 8 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=390 Whale Week is approaching fast and our press release early this week generated strong media interest. You can read a nice article on For Argyll: Click Here The press release is available on our Media site: Here A detailed schedule of events can be viewed here: 'Whale Week' Tue, 3 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=389 hosted by Phoenix Cinema Oban, in association with HWDT and SAMS from 17:30-21:00, screening at 18:00 sharp, followed by talks and a roundtable discussion with speakers from HWDT and SAMS About the film: Planet Ocean (U) Dir. Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Michael Pitiot Running Time: 94 min Country: France Year: 2012 Award winning photographers and directors Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot present a remarkably beautiful 90-minute documentary that serves not only as a prime example of Earth�s beauty, but as an illustration of the dangers that threaten our ocean and our entire planet. Planet Ocean�s goal is very clear: to change the way people look at the oceans and encourage them to imagine conservation as a globally-shared responsibility. This collaborative film aims to explain some of the planet�s greatest natural mysteries and highlights how essential it is that mankind learns to live in harmony with our oceans. Planet Ocean serves as a reminder of the bond between humans and nature, and the duty that exists to protect and respect our planet. To book tickets, visit www.obanphoenix.com A detailed schedule of Whale Week events can be viewed here: 'Whale Week' Tue, 20 May 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=387 hosted by HWDT A "swarm" event to create buzz around cetaceans in the Hebrides. Be part of this conservation movement by visiting us during Whale Week! Celebrate the 20th anniversary of HWDT Step onboard survey boats from around the Hebrides Evening talks by HWDT and other experts Displays available all week A detailed schedule of events can be viewed here: 'Whale Week' Fri, 9 May 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=386 Check out this article published about HWDT survey trips, based on our press release yesterday, with emphasis on the West Coast Community of orca: Click Here Thu, 8 May 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=385 Silurian sailed out with 5 brave volunteers on board yesterday. This is our first survey trip in the season, it lasts 9 days and promises to be a really exciting one. Many species have already been seen around in the Hebridean waters, so we hope to team will come back with lots of data and photos. If you are interested, please, read more about the launch of our 2014 survey season in our recent press release: "Hebridean expeditions to study killer whales, May 2014" http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/about-media.asp Photo: Mark Whitaker, HWDT Wed, 7 May 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=382 Our winter 2013/2014 sighting report is now online, please follow the link: Monthly Sightings Reports Photo: Copyright of Mark Womble Fri, 11 Apr 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=381 On Monday 7th April, Silurian traveled from the Caledonian Canal back home to Tobermory, ready for the fast approaching survey season. Read more about her journey on the Silurian blog: Silurian Blog Thu, 10 Apr 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=380 Check out this BBC article featuring HWDT. In a Scottish first, maps have been produced to show ocean front boundaries, phytoplankton blooms and plumes of sediment off the coast. Satellite imagery of microscopic life in the seas around Scotland could boost our understanding of the world's second largest fish, the basking shark, which we know follow these plankton blooms. For the full article, please Click Here Fri, 4 Apr 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=379 With just one month to go until the first Silurian survey of the season, it�s all action here at the HWDT office in Tobermory as we get prepared (and excited) for the season ahead. The first Silurian surveys begin in May, and this is a fantastic time to be on the water. The spring sunshine is rearing its head and providing the Hebrides with some much needed warmth after the long and wet winter. Daffodils have sprung, lambs are leaping, and our seasonal visitors are arriving! This year, the only Silurian survey in May that still has spaces available is from 17th-28th, so you�d best be quick to book onto your adventure of a lifetime! To entice you on to our May survey, here is some information about what was seen from our community sightings network in May of last year. In May 2013 the season was well under way with a total of 58 sighting reports throughout the islands. Our seasonal visitors, the minke whales, had begun to arrive in the Hebrides, with a total of 12 sightings, mainly from the west coast of Lewis and the waters around the Isle of Skye. This year we have already started to receive our first reports of minke whales in the area, could our seasonal visitors be arriving earlier? Both the bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins were very active in May with most people reporting them actively chasing fish, tail slapping, breaching multiple times and spending time bow riding and associating with boats. One common dolphin calf was reported as �jumping clear of the water and landing on its side�. In total we received 11 sightings of bottlenose dolphins, ranging from South Uist to the Firth of Clyde and from Ullapool to Corryvreckan, and we had six sightings of common dolphins mostly from the waters around the Isle of Skye. May saw the year�s first sightings of Risso�s dolphins, basking sharks and a pilot whale. The Risso�s dolphin, which is normally found in much deeper water, was spotted from land as it passed 1km to the east of Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde and the lone pilot whale, which is normally a very sociable animal and is typically seen in association with other pilot whales, was seen from a motor boat at Bo Fascadale Pinnacle, near Ardnamuchan. Last May, a grand total of 8 killer whales were spotted from the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides and 6 Atlantic white-sided dolphins were seen off of the west of Skye. The basking sharks also started to arrive in the Hebrides last May. The first basking sharks of the year were seen in large numbers on the west side of Lewis and at Achiltibuie on the 29th of May. Basking sharks are the second largest fish in the world (after the whale shark) and can measure 11 metres in length when fully grown. They have a huge mouth, which is kept wide open as they swim so that they can filter plankton out of the water. They can filter the equivalent of a 50 metre Olympic sized swimming pool in one hour. Harbour porpoise were the most commonly reported species last May with 17 reports comprising of 52 animals in total; the majority of porpoise sightings came from the waters around the Isles of Mull, Skye and Harris. So now that we�ve reminded you what a fantastic time of year May can be for both weather and sightings, we hope to see you onboard Silurian! 'Join us Onboard' Wed, 2 Apr 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=378 Here at HWDT we are extremely excited to announce that we have a NEW newsletter called 'RIPPLE' that is available from today! RIPPLE will give you little updates throughout the year whereas our BIG, all inclusive newsletter WAVE goes out to our supporters later in the year. We'll soon give you details as to how you can join our mailing list, however in the meantime, we hope you enjoy issue ONE of RIPPLE! Click Here for Issue ONE of RIPPLE Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=377 Take a look at the article written by our Marine Biodiversity Officer on the Scuba Crowd website: 'Scuba Crowd' Tue, 25 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=376 Marine engagement boost for Hebrides communities as Sea Change project wins funding! The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is celebrating today�s announcement that we have been awarded a grant through the UK Government�s Coastal Communities Fund � enabling us to launch an innovative project to strengthen people�s connections to the sea in 15 remote island communities across the Hebrides, including by creating sustainable eco-tourism employment opportunities. Our ambitious Sea Change project will strengthen conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoises � collectively known as cetaceans � and develop the region�s appeal as a major destination for wildlife tourism. The Sea Change project will directly create two new jobs, and potentially safeguard and indirectly create many more employment opportunities in the region. 'Job Vacancies' Please visit this link for more details of this fantastic new opportunity for HWDT 'Sea Change' Fri, 7 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=375 With only one week and 2 days to go, are you as excited about WhaleFest as we are? On the 15th and 16th March, Brighton will be home to the worlds Biggest festival all about whales, dolphins, porpoises and other Marine Life. WhaleFest 2014 is a family friendly event that appeals to everyone with an enthusiasm for whales and dolphins and the marine environment, and this year The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust will also be there! The TV Presenter Gok Wan will be opening this years event, and the BBC's 'One Show' host, Miranda Krestovnikoff will be closing the event, with plenty more celebrities making an appearance and giving insightful talks. Come see the festival for yourself and find our stand, where for two days we will be offering information on the whales, dolphins, porpoises and other marine life that can be found in Hebridean waters. There will be activities for you to try, whale and dolphin ear bones, baleen and teeth for you to look at. Our knowledgeable team will offer a wealth of information about the threats facing these animals, what can be done about it, what we are doing about it, and how YOU can help. Come ready with your questions and fire away! Don't forget our Marine Biodiversity Officer Kerry Froud will be giving a talk at 11am on the Sunday, celebrating HWDT's 20 year anniversary. Come to 'Spouting Off' to hear more. Then if that is not enough... at 4.30pm each day, Kerry will join a panel of experts to offer career advice to budding biologists at 'Career Speed Dating.' ...Phew... Hope to see you all there! Wed, 5 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=374 HWDT are pleased to announce that our summer internships are now open for application. We are offering two internships this year, one 'Education' internship and one 'sightings and strandings' internship. Please visit our vacancies page for full details VACANCIES Wed, 26 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=373 HWDT's Joint Warrior Survey in the News On Monday 24th February, HWDT featured in two Scottish newspapers 'The Scotsman' and 'Herald Scotland' . The articles that were written by the independent journalist, Moira Kerr, discussed the Joint warrior survey that will be taking place again this October. HWDT believe that it is incredibly important to monitor cetacean presence during these exercises. We are the only organisation collecting long term monitoring data in this area and are therefore best placed to monitor the potential effect of naval activities. Exercise JOINT WARRIOR (JW) is a UK led exercise conducted in the Spring and the Autumn of each year. It is assessed that JW is the largest tactically focused exercise in Europe. At-sea operations are conducted for two weeks and up to 85 aircraft, 22 ships and 3 submarines can operate during this massive international exercise. Military sonar, used during the exercises, emits intense loud noise that can disturb and harm whales and dolphins, which rely on their sensitive hearing to navigate, find food and communicate. Naval sonar, more commonly linked to mass strandings events of deep diving whales, has also been associated with minke whale strandings in the Bahamas and in North Carolina. On the west coast of US, close to Seattle, similar rapid fleeing behaviour has been observed from killer whales and dolphins in response to sonar. For more information about HWDT's Joint Warrior survey, please Click Here. Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=372 We are pleased to inform you that HWDT�s 2013 annual report is now available, you can find the document on our 'publications page.' click here We look forward to continuing our education, research and community work in 2014, to help conserve Scotland�s cetaceans and marine environment. HWDT would like to thank you all for your continued support. Thu, 20 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=371 Introduction and practical courses in Passive Acoustic Monitoring Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) is a key survey and mitigation tool in cetacean research. PAMTech (pamtech.eu) is offering introduction and practical courses in PAM, teaching the use of acoustic hardware and the leading research and industry software, PAMGuard (pamguard.org). We are a small UK-based company made up of PAMGuard developers and experienced field acousticians who can enable you to get the most out of PAM applications. A high tutor-to-student ratio on our courses ensures participants can get individual assistance with their training requirements. PamTech's next courses are running on: 02/05/2014 Introduction to PAMGuard. This one-day classroom-based course provides the essentials you need to get going with PAMGuard. Cost: �200 To book go to: http://pamguardintroduction.eventzilla.net/ 03/05/2014 and 04/05/2014 Practical PAM. This course spends the first day in the classroom building on your PAM knowledge, and the second day at sea applying practical PAM survey techniques including the deployment, use and troubleshooting of acoustic hardware and software. Cost: �400 To book go to: http://practicalpam.eventzilla.net/ If you would like to do both courses (3 days), the cost is �500 To book go to: http://pamintroductionpractical.eventzilla.net/ Courses will be run in Tobermory, Isle of Mull, on the west coast of Scotland, UK, and will use the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust�s (hwdt.org) specialist research vessel, Silurian, as the at-sea teaching platform. It is not compulsory for participants on the Practical PAM course to have done the introduction course, but an equivalent level of knowledge will be assumed. At the end of the Practical PAM course, there will be an informal Meet-the-Developers session where you can discuss your particular PAMGuard requirements. Participants need to bring their own laptops running Windows XP or above (see pamtech.eu for more information on specifications etc). Course costs do not include accommodation, travel or food. For more information about travel to the Isle of Mull see calmac.co.uk To find out more, contact: [email protected] Thu, 13 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=370 TEEN TEAM ONBOARD SILURIAN The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust designate one survey during each research season as a 'teen team'. However this year, due to a very high demand, we have squeezed in a SECOND teen team trip! From the 11th-16th August, Teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 can board our research vessel, Silurian, to participate in a 6 day survey monitoring marine mammals and basking sharks across the west coast of Scotland. The survey will provide teenagers with a unique opportunity to gain experience aboard a working research vessel, assist with valuable data collection, learn about the local marine environment and biodiversity, consider an alternative career, work as part of a team, gain scientific and sailing skills and travel to remote and beautiful areas of the Hebrides (with time ashore). Those interested in this amazing opportunity are asked to contact HWDT as soon as possible, as THE TRIP WILL ONLY GO AHEAD IF WE RECEIVE ENOUGH INTEREST. click here for more information. Please complete the online form and clearly state 'TEEN TEAM' in the 'Where did you first hear about volunteering with HWDT?' box. We will then be in touch via email. Once you have expressed interest in this survey, you will be contacted by email with details of the full application procedure. For more information about the surveys please contact our volunteer coordinator Mark at [email protected] o If you are a local business or organisation interested in sponsoring this project we would love to hear from you too. Wed, 12 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=369 HWDT at WhaleFest 2014 If you are heading to Brighton's WhaleFest, 14th-16th March, be sure to come and visit us at the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust stand. We'll have heaps of information on the whales and dolphins you'll find in the Hebrides, along with whale bones, teeth, baleen and activities for you to try. Our Marine Biodiversity Officer Kerry Froud will be presenting a talk in the 'Spouting Off' area on Sunday, and offering advice at the 'Career Speed Dating' event. It looks set to be a fantastic weekend and we hope to see you there! For more information about the event, please visit WhaleFest. Mon, 10 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=368 HWDT's Prof Denis Mollison Presents Talk at Scottish Environment LINK event On Wednesday this week, HWDT's chairman Prof Denis Mollison delivered a fascinating talk at an event organized by the Scottish Environment LINK during the Scottish Environment week. In an event highlighting the Scottish contribution to environmental science (Sponsoring MSP � Claudia Beamish MSP), the presentation was about a man named John Murray, a relatively unknown Scot who was an important father figure in the invention of Oceanography. The event celebrated the contributions of Scots, over the centuries, to the development of the environmental sciences and drew attention to their enormous contributions. Fri, 7 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=367 Teen Team Survey Now Fully Booked! . Every year HWDT welcome onboard enthusiastic volunteers who are willing to contribute directly to our research work. Volunteers in effect become marine mammal scientists for the duration of the survey, living and working onboard the vessel, assisting with day-to-day running, as well as working together as a team to carry out cetacean surveys. Find out more at Join Us Onboard As a volunteer onboard Silurian, you will have the opportunity to see at first hand the amazing variety of marine wildlife Britain has to offer including whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sharks and seabirds. You will explore some of the remotest, wildest parts of the British Isles, usually anchoring for the night in a secluded bay off one of the many islands and venturing ashore to explore. The opportunity to gain sailing experience is also available, although no certificates are issued. Hope to see you this summer! 2014 Survey Dates: 5th - 13th May - Spaces Available 17th - 28th May - Spaces Available 14th - 23rd June* - Spaces Available 24th June - 5th July* - FULL NEW DATES: 8th July - 19th July - Spaces Available 21st - 27th July (Teen Team Survey, participants must be aged between 15 - 17) - FULL 29th July - 9th August - Spaces Available 18th - 29th August - Spaces Available 1st - 12th September - Spaces Available 22nd - 30th September - Spaces Available 8th - 16th October ** - Spaces Available ** Joint Warrior military exercise off western Scotland. Wed, 29 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=366 Photos from the first three Silurian surveys in 2013 are now on our facebook page . Take a look to get an idea of what life is like aboard our cetacean research vessel Silurian. If you can see yourself setting sail around the remote and stunning Hebridean islands, conducting valuable scientific research which helps in the conservation of whales and dolphins, then take a look here for details of how you can join a survey in 2014! Silurian survey 1: 17th - 28th May 2013 Facebook Silurian Survey 1 Silurian survey 2: 12th- 23rd June 2013- Biosphere Facebook Silurian Survey 2 Silurian Survey 3: 25th June-6th July- Biosphere Facebook Silurian Survey 3 Fri, 24 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=364 Please take a look at the BBC article for a summary of HWDT's findings for 2013 at BBC News . For a more detailed summary from HWDT please go to Silurian Findings 2013 Fri, 20 Dec 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=363 Four killer whales seen early yesterday morning in Dunvegan Loch, Skye, including 'John Coe' of the West Coast Community (WCC) of killer whales. This male was first catalogued in 1992 and has been seen regularly in the Hebrides ever since. A large, distinctive notch in his dorsal fin makes him easy to identify, despite being so far away in the photo. Thank you to Robbie and Ian for reporting your sighting Tue, 17 Dec 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=362 Christmas shopping online? By downloading the app 'Give as You Live' thousands of shops will donate to HWDT when you shop online! Simply visit www.giveasyoulive.com and select HWDT as your chosen charity. Thank you all! Thu, 12 Dec 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=361 Interested in joining a Silurian research survey in 2014? Visit our Join Us Onboard page for more information Wed, 11 Dec 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=360 The HWDT monthly sighting report for November can be found here: http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/sightings-monthly-sightings-reports.asp Thanks to all of our reporters who submitted sightings during November. Please continue to submit your sighting reports to us. The winter is just as an important time to record data on whales, dolphins and porpoises. It allows us to monitor our resident species presence and the arrival and departure of our seasonal species. With stormy winter weather there is also the chance that stranded animals may wash ashore. HWDT also monitor the number of strandings that occur on the west coast of Scotland. If you find a stranded marine mammal you should contact HWDT on 01688 302620 or email [email protected] Fri, 6 Dec 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=359 Due to popular demand and limited availability on our June/July surveys we have squeezed in another 12 day survey: the dates are the 8th � 19th July, book now to avoid disappointment! This is a unique opportunity to get involved with an incredibly important monitoring scheme; surveying cetaceans around the Hebrides and safeguarding their future in these waters for years to come. You�ll experience an amazing variety of marine wildlife including whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sharks and seabirds. Sunfish and turtle species have also been seen on rare occasions! You will explore some of the remotest, wildest parts of the British Isles, anchoring each night in a different secluded bay off one of the many Hebridean islands, venturing ashore to explore. Complete our online form to register your interest and we will then send you a briefing document giving you more details about the survey. Tue, 26 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=357 This autumn/winter edition of Wave includes all the latest news, research, sightings and education updates from HWDT. Also featured is an article by Philip Doherty from the University of Exeter, explaining his current research project which involves attaching satellite transmitters to basking sharks. Friends of HWDT can access the newsletter via the " Friends of HWDT " link on our website. If you would like to receive our newsletter then sign up to become a "Friend of HWDT" for just £20 per year. You'll also receive the following: - HWDT pen and car sticker - HWDT's Sea Kingdom of Argyll book - Hebridean cetacean species identification guide. This excellent double-sided waterproof identification card will help you enjoy and identify all species sighted regularly off the west coast - Access to the exclusive supporters area where regular news updates about cetacean conservation are listed Above all, being a "Friend of HWDT" gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to the conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoises and sustaining the work of HWDT. Fri, 8 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=355 On Friday 1st November staff at HWDT delivered Silurian to the Caledonian canal where she will be rested for the winter. It was a beautiful Autumn day and the sail down the Sound of Mull and up Loch Linnhe was fabulous. To see more photos of the delivery visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hebridean-Whale-and-Dolphin-Trust/143062472433 Mon, 4 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=356 The HWDT monthly sighting report for October can be found here: http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/sightings-monthly-sightings-reports.asp Thanks to all of our reporters who submitted sightings during October. Please continue to submit your sighting reports to us. The winter is just as an important time to record data on whales, dolphins and porpoises. It allows us to monitor our resident species presence and the arrival and departure of our seasonal species. With Autumnal stormy weather there is also the chance that stranded animals may wash ashore. HWDT also monitor the number of strandings that occur on the west coast of Scotland. If you find a stranded marine mammal you should contact HWDT on 01688 302620 or email [email protected] Mon, 4 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=354 Our Volunteer Coordinator, Morven Russell, has now gone on maternity leave. Morven started her maternity leave a little earlier than she had planned with her baby girl Jeanie Russell arriving on the 25th October. Gemma Paterson, our Education Officer, began her maternity leave in September and Katie Paterson arrived into the world on 30th September. All the team at HWDT wish both Gemma and Morven all the very best in the forthcoming months. If you have any questions that you would have previously sent to Gemma or Morven please direct to [email protected] or call 01688 302620 Tue, 29 Oct 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=353 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust wishes to appoint a Marine Biodiversity Officer, based in Tobermory, Isle of Mull. Working as a member of the Trust�s small, dynamic research team, the Marine Biodiversity Officer is primarily responsible for maintaining HWDT�s Science Programme. HWDT�s Marine Biodiversity Officer will work on its boat and land based projects and will undertake the running of the Science Programme. A substantial part of the job involves being the main monitoring officer onboard �Silurian�: conducting a variety of marine mammal surveys. He/she will work with and supervise volunteers on most projects. The appointee must be a qualified marine biologist with appropriate field and analytical experience. This is a full time salaried post at �18,000 per year. This is based on 37 hours per week. The term of contract will be from December 2013 until December 2014. If you have any questions please contact the HWDT office on 01688 302 620 or email [email protected]. If you wish to apply for the position send a CV and Covering Letter with the names of two referees by e-mail to [email protected] or post to: HWDT, Clydesdale Bank Buildings, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, PA75 6NU For more information and the full job description please click here . Tue, 1 Oct 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=352 The Cetacean Research Survey dates for 2014 have been finalised and HWDT would like to invite participants to join us aboard to contribute to the long-term monitoring of cetaceans in the Hebrides. Every season, HWDT's research yacht Silurian welcomes aboard participants to assist our scientist and crew with collection of valuable visual and acoustic data. No experience is required as all training will be provided during the first few days of the survey. We're now entering the 12th year of surveying from aboard Silurian and would like to thank everyone who has participated - without whom we couldn't have collected the data gathered over the years. Please click here for more information about the surveys scheduled for 2014. We offer a unique live-aboard experience here at HWDT; encountering some of Scotland's most iconic species, travelling through some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery and all the while contributing directly to a better understanding of our marine environment. Morven Russell, HWDT's Volunteer Coordinator, comments " The Cetacean Research Surveys are a fantastic way to get involved in a research programme while having the experience of a lifetime; the Hebrides are a truly beautiful part of the world and the best way to experience the fantastic wildlife and hundreds of islands found here is from the sea ". With the west coast of Scotland facing future development, it's imperative that we continue to collect coherent baseline data. Without the contribution of volunteers, in terms of both time and financial support, HWDT could not continue surveying the waters of the Hebrides. Fri, 27 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=351 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, based in Tobermory on the isle of Mull, is dedicated to the understanding and conservation of cetaceans off Scotland`s west coast. We wish to appoint an interim manager to further the sound development of the Trust and ensure a sustainable future. We need a strategic thinker with good communication skills, financial awareness and experience of managing and funding in the charity sector. An understanding of conservation and of the Hebrides would be an advantage, as would a degree level education. Initially this is a one year appointment with a salary of £25-28K depending on experience. For more info please click here . Sat, 21 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=350 During the 2nd week of September the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trusts (HWDT) vessel Silurian set sail around Mull, welcoming aboard island children to learn about their local marine environment through activities aboard. The aim was to inspire a level of enthusiasm and appreciation within the young audience in order to help protect it for generations to come. HWDT believe that a combination of both education and research programmes allow for effective conservation and endeavour to undertake both. The school visits were made possible by a grant from Argyll & Bute Council 3rd Sector Grants, HWDT would like to say a huge thank you for supporting this valuable work. Georgina Reeve, HWDTs Education Assistant, helped deliver the activities aboard and witnessed first-hand the excitement of the children to be aboard Silurian. Georgina comments, “I t was really great to see how enthusiastic and eager the local school children were to learn about their marine environment and the diversity of wildlife it supports; they particularly enjoyed seeing and handling some of our touch tank marine creatures, kindly donated by local fishermen. Participating in HWDT's education trip was an amazing and very rewarding experience for me ”. HWDT managed to visit four primary schools; Salen, Tobermory, Dervaig and Ulva Ferry. Georgina added, “ We were also keen to visit Iona, Bunessan and Lochdon but the local MOD meant that many schools were busy later in the week. We would hope to include these schools during our next island-wide tour ”. HWDT, over the years, has also visited schools in other island locations and on the mainland, delivering fun-based educational activities to a range of primary school ages. HWDT would like to thank Andrew Simpson, Eryn Hooper, the Tobermory Harbour Visitor Centre, Steve Paterson and Iain Ogg for helping stock the touch tanks and Salen Pier for allowing us to come alongside. The children thoroughly enjoyed their visit. Activities were well structured and a good balance between active tasks and listening” Tobermory Primary School Fri, 20 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=349 HWDT have been collaborating with a number of scientists over the years to find out more about the unique population of killer whales that reside in west Scottish waters. In this paperwe show that the populationappears to be in a slight decline and that thedemography of the population is highly skewed towards older individuals and has an unusually high ratio of adult males. We recommend that this population be managed as a separate conservation unit from neighbouring killer whale populations. Just last month members of this group were spotted off the east coast of Scotland, click here to find out more. A copy of the paper will be uploaded shortly. Photo: © Steve Rosser, taken from aboard Silurian in 2012. Tue, 10 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=348 Our Education Officer, Gemma Paterson, has now gone on maternity leave. All the team at HWDT wish her all the very best in the forthcoming months and can't wait to here the news when the baby arrives! If you have any questions that you would have previously sent to Gemma, please direct to [email protected] or call 01688 302620. Tue, 3 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=347 There has been a confirmed sighting of the West Coast Community of killer whales off Peterhead – the first time members of this small and highly unique population have been reported off the east coast of Scotland . The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) have been monitoring the movements of this group since the early 1990’s, with sightings recorded predominantly in the Hebrides but also off Ireland and Wales. However, HWDT can now expand the range of these apex predators with a confirmed sighting of at least three individuals off eastern Scotland. The video footage, captured by local man Ian Nash, clearly shows the male John Coe - who has a very distinctive notch in his dorsal fin – along with one other male and at least one female present. This distinctive notch allowed Sanna Kuningas, of the Sea Mammal Research Unit, to recognise the male as part of the West Coast Community and alerted HWDT and Dr Andy Foote, who has extensively studied orca populations in the north east Atlantic as part of the North Atlantic Killer Whale ID (NAKID) project . The West Coast Community are a unique group of orca in the north east Atlantic. The entire population is comprised of just 5 males and 4 females and no calves have ever been recorded in the two decades HWDT have been monitoring the group. Following research conducted by Dr Andy Foote, it was confirmed that the West Coast Community never interact with other populations of the north east Atlantic and are actually morphologically different; having different eye patch orientation to other populations found in the north east Atlantic. The West Coast Community are thought to be the only resident population of orca in the British Isles. It is also suspected that this small population prey exclusively on other cetaceans such as porpoise and minke whale. All these variables lead to a distinct and therefore highly vulnerable population of killer whales. HWDT rely greatly on members of the public to report their sightings of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoise) and basking sharks, this enables a better understanding of the marine environment, both locally and in an international context. Mark Hosford, HWDTs Sightings Officer, adds, “ The West Coast Community of orca have a range which includes a large portion of the western coast of the British Isles. This, combined with the small number of individuals within the group, means that sightings of the West Coast Community can be few and far between. The HWDT research vessel Silurian has a large area to cover and can only be in one place at a time, so having a community-based sightings network allows HWDT to gather much more information on the orca than we could on our own. ” If you encounter a cetacean or basking shark, you can contribute to our community sightings network by reporting your sighting . Photo: © Nienke Van Geel, taken from aboard Silurian off Barra. Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=344 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust will be hosting an event as part of Sea Watch Foundations 12th National Whale & Dolphin Watch, if you're in the area why not join us to help spot cetaceans. Ardnamrchan Lighthouse Thursday 1st August 12:30 - 14:30 HWDT would also like to invite members of the public to take part in dolphin, whale and porpoise surveys around the UK as part of National Whale and Dolphin Watch. The data collected during the event will help in developing a snapshot of the distribution of dolphins, whales and porpoises around the UK. This is an opportunity for everyone to become involved in the research which goes into understanding and protecting these magnificent creatures. For more information on how to get involved visit the NWDW website . Mon, 29 Jul 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=343 There are just 2 days left to vote for Silurian : the floating classroom in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2013. Voting closes at midnight on Wednesday 24th July so, if you haven't done it yet, please follow the link and vote for marine education in Scotland. VOTE HERE! For the past decade volunteers, youth groups and school pupils have been helping to monitor and gaining knowledge about the spectacular marine environment off the west coast of Scotland on surveys aboard the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s flagship vessel, Silurian . Now, the education work onboard has been recognised by the National Lottery Good Causes Awards, being shortlisted as a finalist in the Education category. But, the winner will be based on votes cast so HWDT needs you to vote to have any chance of winning. Education Officer Gemma Paterson said: “We’re honoured to be the only Scottish project in the running for Best Education Project at the National Lottery Awards. The funding we received from the National Lottery has allowed us to enthuse and educate people of all ages, instilling a sense of environmental responsibility and commitment to the protection of the marine environment in the Hebrides.” To vote for Silurian : the Floating Classroom, please click here or telephone 0844 836 9677. “We hope as many people as possible will vote for us. It would be fantastic for everyone who is, and has been, involved with Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust to be recognised with a national award.” Purchased with help from the National Lottery and nicknamed ‘the floating classroom’, Silurian is a dedicated research and education vessel. She’s fully equipped with a crow’s nest for observations, computer systems and hydrophones for detecting cetacean vocalisations - all used in her previous life during filming of the BBC’s 'The Blue Planet'. The spectacular wildlife of the west coast has recently been showcased in the Ewan McGregor narrated BBC documentary series 'Hebrides: Islands of the Edge'. Gemma, continues: “Overall, the funding that we have received from the National Lottery has allowed us to enthuse and educate the decision-makers of the future; instilling a sense of environmental responsibility and commitment to the protection of the marine environment in the people of the Hebrides.” In 10 years of operation, Silurian has welcomed onboard 1,962 school students, 810 adult volunteers and 19 youth participants. First Mate, Tom (19), is a prime example of how Silurian can make an impact on an individual. He participated in an educational visit at primary school which inspired him to pursue a career combining his interest in marine wildlife and the ocean and his passion for mechanics. After finishing school Tom became First Mate onboard Silurian. He’s responsible for the day-to-day running of the research vessel and floating classroom, assisting science staff with the monitoring programme and teaching volunteers about the local marine heritage. Mon, 22 Jul 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=342 HWDT are happy to report this year’s first confirmed sighting of members of the West Coast Community (WCC) of killer whales (orca) within Hebridean waters. A group of four killer whales were spotted by Sarah Harris from Neist Point on the west coast of Skye, on Sunday 16th of June. Photographs of two of the animals were recently submitted to HWDT and, upon comparison to our killer whale photo-ID catalogue , we were able to positively identify one of them as “John Coe” (001), an adult male first catalogued in 1992; the other was most probably “Comet” (005), also an adult male known to HWDT since 1998. Later the same day a second sighting of killer whales was reported to HWDT; three animals (including one large male) were spotted from a yacht five miles north of Canna. Regrettably there were no photos from this encounter and so we cannot say for certain if this was the same group seen from Neist Point. However, given that both sightings occurred on the same day and in such close proximity it could be assumed that they were the same group of animals. While this is the first confirmed sighting of WCC killer whales in Hebridean waters this year, other members of the community were spotted in Irish waters earlier that week. On the 11th and 12th of June the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group ( IWDG ) received reports of a pair of adult killer whales moving from Mizen Head, Co. Cork to Slea Head, Co. Kerry on the SW coast of Ireland. Photographs of the animals were sent to HWDT and photo-ID analysis revealed that the animals were probably “Puffin” (009), a female first catalogued in 2000 and “Aquarius” (008), a male first catalogued in 2004. IWDG received a further sighting report of a pair of killer whales seen from a fishing vessel off the coast of Donegal on 18th of June. Unfortunately, due to a lack of sufficient photographic evidence it was not possible to confirm if these were the same animals seen in Cork and Kerry earlier that week. Photograph courtesy of Sarah Harris ©2013 Thu, 4 Jul 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=341 Scotland is internationally renowned for its stunning wildlife and wild places. The Nature of Scotland Awards aim to recognise national projects and local heroes, working hard to protect and enhance the nation’s natural heritage. This year the awards programme has unearthed remarkable projects from the length and breadth of the country. The finalists were announced at an event hosted by Claire Baker MSP and sponsored by The Crown Estate. The shortlist represents a cross section of businesses, charities, the public sector and individuals working toward conserving the country’s unique wildlife and natural environment. After tough deliberations the judges have identified a shortlist of entries, which will now be in the running to take home one of eight top prizes. Winners across the eight categories will be announced at a special award ceremony at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Edinburgh on 30 October this year. HWDT is nominated for the Marine Award for the project Silurian : the Floating Classroom. Over the last ten years, Silurian has provided the platform for delivering engaging outdoor learning opportunities in the most remote of communities throughout the west coast of Scotland. The last decade has welcomed 1,962 school students, 810 adult volunteers and 19 youth participants onboard for inspiring educational workshop and hands-on, practical training. Gemma Paterson, Education Officer at HWDT, comments "It is a great honour to be nominated for the RSPB Nature of Scotland Marine Award. HWDT are very proud of the work that we conduct from our flagship Silurian , enthusing and educating the decision-makers of the future and instilling a sense of environmental responsibility and commitment to the protection of the marine environment in the people of the Hebrides." Stuart Housden, Chair of the Judging Panel and Director of RSPB Scotland, said: “We had high hopes that the 2013 Year of Natural Scotland would allow us to recognise and reward some truly inspirational projects, and we were not disappointed. Once again, we were overwhelmed by the volume and calibre of entries. We applaud all our entrants for their commitment and efforts to conserve and protect species and habitats throughout Scotland. My fellow judges and I are very much looking forward to meeting all the shortlisted nominees at the award ceremony later this year.” Ian Jardine, Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage, and Judge of Nature of Scotland Awards, said: “There are many examples around the country of hard work and initiative that individuals, groups and organisations are doing for the benefit of the natural environment. The shortlist for the Nature of Scotland Awards demonstrates this. Scotland's natural environment is the country's greatest asset. It is crucial to our personal health and well-being, our social interactions and of course to the economy.” For further information about the Nature of Scotland Awards please visit: http://www.rspb.org.uk/natureofscotland Marine Award shortlist: · Guy and Juliet Grieve, The Ethical Shellfish Company, Mull · Nick Riddiford, Fair Isle Marine Environment & Tourism Initiative · Silurian – The Floating Classroom · Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network (SSACN) · The Restoration of the Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/347901-conservation-heroes-make-nature-award-shortlist Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=340 The Alasdair Downes Memorial Fund was been established by his family in his memory. It provides small flexible grants to help young people carry out projects and activities in the general field of Marine Conservation, a cause about which Alasdair was particularly passionate. Alasdair grew up on the Fife coast in north east Scotland. He had an instinctive interest in natural history, was a qualified advanced open water diver and loved marine life. To read more about Alasdair please click here . This year, 6 projects have been awarded funding through the Alasdair Downes Memorial Fund: Daniel Copeland for a project with the Indonesian Manta Ray Trust working on photo ID data, running workshops and investigating social factors around manta tourism. Richard Easton for a project on groupers and sharks in the Caymen Islands with Marine Conservation International. Roseanne Graham and John Mellor (joint award) for a project aiming to collect baseline data which can contribute to a larger study investigating the impacts of the Atlantic Array windfarm on cetaceans (mainly harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphins) in Lundy Island, Devon. Chiara Guidi working for the Sea Watch foundations National Whale and Dolphin Watch in Wales. Jen Lewis for work on population genetics of lantern sharks in the Azores , linking this to the structure of populations globally. Natasha Phillips to work with the Manx Basking Shark watch deploying satellite tags and collating shark passports and movement data. You will be able to follow the progress of each through the project blogs which will be updated by the candidates when the links become available. If you would like to help fundraise for the Alasdair Downes Memorial Fund or would like to find out more info about applying for funding in 2014, please click here . Thu, 27 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=339 For the past decade volunteers, youth groups and school pupils have been monitoring and gaining knowledge about the spectacular marine environment off the west coast of Scotland on expeditions aboard the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s (HWDT) flagship vessel Silurian . Now, the education work onboard has been recognised by the National Lottery Good Causes Awards, being shortlisted as a finalist in the Education category. But, the winner will be based on votes cast so HWDT needs you to vote to have any chance of winning. Education Officer Gemma Paterson said: “ We’re honoured to be the only Scottish project in the running for Best Education Project at the National Lottery Awards. The funding we received from the National Lottery has allowed us to enthuse and educate people of all ages, instilling a sense of environmental responsibility and commitment to the protection of the marine environment in the Hebrides. ” To vote for Silurian – the Floating Classroom, please click here or telephone 0844 836 9677. “ We hope as many people as possible will vote for us. It would be fantastic for everyone who is, and has been, involved with Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust to be recognised with a national award. ” Purchased with help from the National Lottery and nicknamed ‘the floating classroom’, Silurian is a dedicated research and education vessel. She’s fully equipped with a crow’s nest for observations, computer systems and hydrophones for detecting cetacean vocalisations - all used in her previous life during filming of the BBC’s 'The Blue Planet'. The spectacular wildlife of the west coast has recently been showcased in the Ewan McGregor narrated BBC documentary series 'Hebrides: Islands of the Edge'. Gemma, continues: “ Overall, the funding that we have received from the National Lottery has allowed us to enthuse and educate the decision-makers of the future; instilling a sense of environmental responsibility and commitment to the protection of the marine environment in the people of the Hebrides. ” In 10 years of operation, Silurian has welcomed onboard 1,962 school students, 810 adult volunteers and 19 youth participants. First Mate, Tom (19), is a prime example of how Silurian can make an impact on an individual. He participated in an educational visit at primary school which inspired him to pursue a career combining his interest in marine wildlife and the ocean and his passion for mechanics. After finishing school Tom became First Mate onboard Silurian . He’s responsible for the day-to-day running of the research vessel and floating classroom, assisting science staff with the monitoring programme and teaching volunteers about the local marine heritage. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=337 May has been a good month for cetacean sightings with a total of 58 sighting reports, more than double the amount that we received last month. May saw an increase in the number of reports of our most commonly sighted species, reports of bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise, minke whale and common dolphin are all up on last month. Harbour porpoise were the most commonly reported species in May with 17 reports comprising of 52 animals in total; the majority of porpoise sightings came from the waters around the Isles of Mull, Skye and Harris. The next most commonly sighted species was the minke whale with a total of 12 sightings, mainly from the west coast of Lewis and the waters around the Isle of Skye. Both the bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins were very active this May with most people reporting them actively chasing fish, tail slapping, breaching multiple times and spending time bow riding and associating with boats. One common dolphin calf was reported as “jumping clear of the water and landing on its side”. In total we received 11 sightings of bottlenose dolphins, ranging from South Uist to the Firth of Clyde and from Ullapool to Corryvreckan, and we had six sightings of common dolphins mostly from the waters around the Isle of Skye. The month of May was very much a month for firsts, with the year’s first sightings of Risso’s dolphin (pictured), pilot whale and basking shark. May also saw the HWDT research vessel, Silurian head out to sea for her first cetacean survey of the year. The Risso’s dolphin, which is normally found in much deeper water, was spotted from land as it passed 1km to the east of Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde and the lone pilot whale, which is normally a very sociable animal and is typically seen in association with other pilot whales, was seen from a motor boat at Bo Fascadale Pinnacle, near Ardnamuchan. The basking shark is probably the most interesting of the non-cetacean species that are reported to the HWDT, the first basking sharks of the year were seen in large numbers on the west side of Lewis and at Achiltibuie on the 29th of May. Basking sharks are the second largest fish in the world (after the whale shark) and can measure 11 metres in length when fully grown. They have a huge mouth, which is kept wide open as they swim so that they can filter plankton out of the water. They can filter the equivalent of a 50 metre Olympic sized swimming pool in one hour. As mentioned the HWDT research vessel Silurian set out on her first survey of the year on the 17th of May. As Silurian surveyed the waters around the Isle of Mull, the volunteer crew spotted large numbers of seals, porpoises, seabirds and even some common dolphins and a minke whale. Please continue to report your sightings to HWDT. The information you provide contributes to our understanding of where and when particular species occur and can be used to identify important areas and monitor changes in species distribution over time. Wed, 5 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=335 The first minke whale of 2013 has been reported to HWDT by the crew of the MPV Minna via our Community Sightings Network. Nick McKeown reported the solitary whaleusing our online sightings form whenit was encountered east of the Shiant Islands in the Minch on Saturday 13th April. In 2012, the first minke whale sighting was reported to HWDT on the 14th of April, so this individual is a day earlier than the firstone spotted last year. Minke whales are a migratory species, usually arriving into Hebridean waters in the Spring to take advantage of increased feeding opportunities. Minke whales feed mostly on sand eels and small schooling fish. This arrival hopefully heraldsrising sea water temperatures, plankton blooms and the arrival of other seasonal visiting species, such as common dolphins and basking sharks. Read the news story about the first minke whale arrival of 2012 HERE . HWDT would like to thank Nick for reporting this sighting and encourage everyone to submit theirsightingsto help build on our understanding of whales, dolphins and porpoises in west Scottish waters. If you take a photograph of your sighting, you can email that to [email protected] where our Science Team will attempt to identify the individual using a technique known as photo-identification (photo-ID). If you discover a stranded animal (dead or alive), please contact HWDT immediately by phoning 01688 302620. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=334 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust have designated one survey during the 2013 research season as a 'teen team'. Teenagers between the ages of 16 and 17 can board our research vessel, Silurian , to participate in a 7 day survey monitoring marine mammals and basking sharks across the west coast of Scotland. Places will be given to teenagers who can demonstrate a genuine interest in marine monitoring and conservation, or those looking to establish a career in this field. HWDT are hoping to subsidise the cost of this trip using donations from local businesses. The cost of the survey per person is £765. HWDT can alsogive advice toparticipants with fundraising ideas to meet these costs. The survey will provide teenagers with a unique opportunity to gain experience aboard a working research vessel, assist with valuable data collection, learn about the local marine environment and biodiversity, consider an alternative career, work as part of a team, gain scientific and sailing skills and travel to remote and beautiful areas of the Hebrides (with time ashore). Those interested in this amazing opportunity are asked to lodge an 'expression of interest' with HWDT as soon as possible, as demand for this survey is expected to be significant. To express yourinterest, please complete the online form and clearly state 'TEEN TEAM' in the 'Where did you first hear about volunteering with HWDT?' box. We will then be in touch via email. *UPDATE* Once you have expressed interest in this survey, you will be contacted by email with details of the full application procedure. Eachinterested teenwill be asked to submit an essay or film application (or application in another media, agreed with HWDT). The closing date for these applications is Friday 7th June 2013 at 5pm. For more information about the surveysplease contact our Education Officer Gemma Patersonon 01688 302620 or [email protected] If you are a local business or organisation interested in sponsoring this project we would love to hear from you too. Thu, 4 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=333 We would like to bring your attention to a new marine conservation project-funding opportunity. The Alasdair Downes Marine Conservation Fund will be awarding several small project grants to support younger researchers/educationalists to carry out projects that contribute to marine conservation as well as contributing to their career and personal development. The deadline for applications is 19th May 2013. Full details can be found at the Fund’s web site: http://www.alasdair-downes-fund.info/ Read the blogs of previous grant receipients HERE to get a flavour of the projects already supported. Wed, 3 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=332 We have been reliably informed that the sperm whale that has been in Oban bay for the past week has finally moved on. Apparently, the whale has swum out of the north entrance between Kerrera and the mainland. HWDT would like to thank everyone who has provided sightings updates, photos, videos and called the office with concerns. We are appealing for everyone in the area to keep a close eye on the coastlines so that we might know for sure which way it has headed. There is a fear that it could head up Loch Linnhe, and it might still strand, so please do let us know if you see or hear anything. Hopefully, he is on his way deeper waters. Following sightings of a sperm whale in Oban Bay over the past few days, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is concerned that the animal may be sick or confused – and is urging boat users to stay away from the whale in order to avoid causing it needless distress. The charity first received reports of the sperm whale – the largest predator on the planet – in Oban Bay early on Saturday morning (30 March) but believe the animal may have arrived the previous evening. Olivia Harries, HWDT Biodiversity Officer, said: “ This is a spectacular animal but we are urging boat users to stay away from the whale wherever possible so as not to cause it distress .” “While it’s exciting to see an animal of this size so close to shore, sperm whales usually inhabit very deep waters – so we are concerned that the sperm whale may be sick. Cetaceans have a tendency to come closer to shore when ill and can eventually strand. However, this individual may simply be confused and if so it will hopefully navigate to deeper waters eventually.” The Coastguard has issued a warning to all boats in the areaof the presence of a large, live whale in the bay and advised that they proceed with caution. Wildlife operator Chalice Charters, based in Oban, managed to take some impressive images of the sperm whale from their vessel Highland Tiger, showing the animal’s characteristic tail fluke as it dives. Chris Jackson, of Chalice Charters, is an experienced wildlife guide and said of the sighting: “ We watched while the whale ranged north/south in the harbour keeping to deeper water - the maximum depth here is only about 40m. The ferries did proceed with caution and there was little boat traffic about. At first I thought it was a humpback whale, but it certainly is a sperm whale - the first I've ever seen so very exciting .” Sightings of sperm whales are rare in the Hebrides but not unheard of; the last reported sighting to HWDT was a group of five individuals in the Sound of Raasay in February. Although, we've now had reports of sperm whales off north Skye during the past month. Sperm whales are the largest predator on the planet, with males reaching lengths of 18 metres. They are found globally, although it is thought that only males frequent sub-polar regions. They famously dive to incredible depths to hunt a variety prey, including the giant squid. HWDT contacted the British Marine Divers Rescue (BDMLR) to advise them of the whale’s presence. BDMLR are the organisation concerned with assisting stranded marine mammals round the UK coast and are on standby in case the whale comes ashore. Image © Chris Jackson, Highland Tiger 2013 Tue, 2 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=331 Snow leopards are critically endangered throughout their range. Threatened by poaching, retaliatory killings and habitat loss, there are only a few thousand left in the wild! Biosphere Expeditions are dedicated to the survival of this species and with your helpwe canall help protect them and help the project to win a snow leopard conservation grant from EOCA (European Outdoor Conservation Association) through an online vote. With the help of this grantBiosphere Expeditionswill be able to give snow leopard conservation a powerful boost through research, community involvement and education, and by generating local income through nature-based tourism. Click to vote for snow leopards: http://www.outdoorconservation.eu/project-voting-category.cfm?catid=3#snowleopard The more votes received, the more likelysnow leopards willwin the conservation grant, so please share this message across your social networks and tell your friends to vote for snow leopards too. The Altai's snow leopards need all our help. Please vote now! http://www.outdoorconservation.eu/project-voting-category.cfm?catid=3#snowleopard Mon, 1 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=329 More than 300 primary school pupils from Skye and Lochalsh are expected to take part in two special Marine Education Days being hosted at the Aros Centre in Portree on the 12th and 13th March. The education days are being run by a partnership led by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Highland Council Countryside Rangers. The events are also being supported by West Highland College, the Marine Conservation Society, and the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, and the Scottish Association for Marine Science, along with other specialists brought in for their expertise. Dr Alison MacLennan, the RSPB’s conservation officer for Skye said, “Most of us live close to the sea, yet few of us know much about it. Skye and Lochalsh has a long and varied coastline, ranging from sheltered sea lochs to exposed rocky shores, but few of us venture further than the depth of our wellies to see what is lurking beneath the waves and fewer still appreciate the importance of the vast bodies of water that make up our oceans beyond. We probably recognise food species such as crab and prawn, and the huge basking sharks that skulk past our coastline each year, but most of the estimated 8,000 species that live in Scotland’s seas remain a mystery to us”. “The Marine Education Days will enable each pupil to take part in four out of eight workshops run throughout each day, covering a variety of topics. I’m sure they will have a great time and learn a lot about the amazing environment they live so close to.” The workshops will include: marine mammals; white-tailed sea eagles, seabirds and the science used to study them; the effects of pollution; how we use the sea; traditional fishing skills; and how our seas influence our climate as well as how they have inspired art, stories and song. Through attending this event, pupils will gain an insight into this marine ecosystem, and its effects on us as well as our impacts upon it. Highland Council Countryside Ranger, Jenny Grant said, “This is such a rare opportunity for so many marine specialists to be available locally for pupils in Skye and Lochalsh. We’re really looking forward to exploring what lies beneath the surface with the children.” In addition to the partners’ contribution to this event, the Marine Education Days are funded by the RSPB SEEVIEWS Project (HLF and the Highland LEADER 2007-13 Programme), Sea-Changers, Skye & Lochalsh Environment Forum and the Aros Centre. Mon, 4 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=328 Biosphere Expeditions is offering free placements to conservation enthusiasts and early career scientists to take part in studying basking sharks, whales, dolphins and other cetaceans around the Hebridean Islands of Scotland (see www.biosphere-expeditions.org/scotland ). The placements will be given to applicants who can demonstrate a genuine interest in marine monitoring and conservation or those looking to establish a career in this field. Successful applicants will then take part in one rotation of the expedition with dates as specified on www.biosphere-expeditions.org/scotland , depending on availability. The expedition will provide applicants with a unique opportunity to gain experience aboard a working research vessel, assist with valuable data collection, learn about the local marine environment and biodiversity, consider an alternative career, work as part of a team, gain scientific and sailing skills and travel to remote and beautiful areas of the Hebrides (with time ashore). The successful applicant(s) will use their experience to the benefit of Scotland’s marine biodiversity; championing the sustainable management and conservation of fragile coastal environments and encouraging local people to consider their actions and responsibilities in relation to the environment ultimately taking ownership of its management. Requirements • Over 18 years of age; • Fluent English; • A genuine interest in marine monitoring and conservation or a career in this field; • After the expedition, the successful applicant will hold two talks or events about his or her experience on the expedition, one to his peer group and one to the general public, and • Preference will be given to residents of Scotland. Application process Your application can take many forms; it can be a letter, poem, drawing, video or any other medium that conveys your interest. With your application you should include the following details: who you are, where you are from, why we should consider your application, what the experience would mean for you and how you are going to use it. The application should also describe how you plan to fulfil the requirement of holding two talks or events as described above. Please send your application to Olivia Harries at [email protected] . The application must be in English. The application deadline is13 May 2013. Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=326 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust are now recruiting Interns for the 2013 season. Successful candidates will be involved in, predominantly, sightings and strandings orientated tasks, however, candidates will also be expected to assist with other tasks as they arise. This internship will allow candidates to gain experience and an understanding of working within a small NGO. Marine mammal science is a competative field so gaining experience for a successful career is vital. More information can be found on our dedicated Sightings and Strandings Internship and Education Internship webpage. Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=325 HWDT have recentlyteamed up with the multi-award winning not-for-profit wildlife organisation Biosphere Expeditions. Biosphere Expeditions are dedicated to protecting and improving the environment; supporting scientific researchers around the globe, and ensuring the best possible experience for volunteers. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is the most recent addition to the Biosphere Expedition’s portfolio. We look forward to working with Biosphere Expeditions over the next few years. To find out more about Biosphere Expeditions and how you can get involved visit the website www.biosphere-expeditions.org . Information about HWDT’s involvement with this organisation can be found at www.biosphere-expeditions.org/scotland Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=324 Footage of west coast killer whales filmed by BBC's The One Show film crew will air this week Back in July 2012, a film crew from BBC’s The One Show travelled to the west coast of Scotland to filma visiting group of killer whales normally at home on the north coast. As is often the case with wildlife, that group of killer whales had moved on just before they arrived, but thanks to HWDT’s Community Sightings Network , the Trust was able to pass on details of another sighting to the film crew. The remarkable footage they captured that day will be shown on BBC’s The One Show this week. The film, presented by Mike Dilger, will be aired as part of a series of films on BBC One onThe One Showfrom7pmon Monday 7th, Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th January 2013. The group they filmed were part of the west coast community of killer whales, a small population consisting of just nine individuals, which can be seen along the coasts of western Scotland, Ireland and even occasionally Wales. These individuals are well known by HWDT thanks to years of research and collaborative work with Dr Andy Foote, who will also feature in the show. More information about Andy's work can be found HERE . HWDT’s Biodiversity Officer Olivia Harries comments: ‘We have discovered that this population is isolated from other populations of killer whales in the northeast Atlantic, the group demographics are highly skewed to older individuals and there is an unusually high ratio of adult males. Recruitment is therefore unlikely and the females are probably post-reproductive. This means that these killer whales are due to go extinct in our lifetime.’ It is largely down to HWDT’s Community Sightings Network, whereby anyone can submit their sightings of whales, dolphins and porpoises, that so much is known about these magnificent animals. Very often photos accompany the sighting report, allowing scientists to identify individuals by the size, shape and distinctive nicks in the dorsal fins, a technique known as photo-identification . After viewing the images, HWDT and Andy Foote are fairly confident that the animal present in this encounter were males Comet (W05) and Aquarius (W08), and females Puffin (W09) and Lulu (W06). The pairings of Comet and Puffin, and Aquarius and Lula, are not unexpected as these individuals are often seen together. View the entire west coast killer whale photo-ID catalogue . We’ll not put any ‘spoilers’ in here, just sit back and enjoy the shows this week. We’d love to hear what you thought of the films and the footage of the west coast community of killer whales, so please share your thoughts on our Facebook page. Please remember to report any sightings of whales, dolphins and porpoises (and basking sharks too!) from the west coast of Scotland to HWDT via our online sightings form on the website. These records are vital to our understanding of cetaceans in Scottish waters. Mon, 7 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=323 We have now announced our Cetacean Research Survey dates for the 2013 field season. We're now entering the 11th year of Silurian surveys and would like to thank everyone who has participated - without whom we couldn't have collected the valuable data gathered from onboard. Please click here for more information about the surveys scheduled for 2013. We offer a unique live aboard experience here at HWDT; encounters with some of Scotland's most iconic species, travel through some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery and all the while contributing directly to a better understanding of our marine environment. With the west coast of Scotland facing future development, it's imperative that we continue to collect coherent baseline data. Without the contribution of volunteers, in terms of both time and financial support, HWDT could not continue surveying the waters of the Hebrides. Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=322 Please support HWDT this Christmas by checking out our updated online shop . All profits from the shop are used to continue the education and research programmes HWDT run. Morven Russell, HWDTs Volunteer Coordinator, says " The shop is an extremely valuable source of funds for HWDT, especially over the winter months when Silurian is not out on surveying duties. Please help support HWDT by checking out our newly updated online shop ". You can also support HWDT when you shop at thousands of online shops this Christmas. Give As You Live is an initiative that gives to charities without costing you a penny! All you need to do is select HWDT as your chosen charity then download the app. From every purchase made at participating stores, the company will donate a percentage to HWDT. This provides us with much needed funds without costing you a penny! Click here for more information. HWDT will also be participating in the late night shopping event on Friday 30th on Tobermory Main Street. The village lights are getting switched on and all shop are staying open til late. HWDT will be offering festive nibbles and 20% off all sales that night. Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=321 The Nature of Scotland Awards recognizes and rewards those who are making a real difference to the conservation of Scotland’s beautiful landscapes and unique wildlife. The 2013 awards are open for entries on the 14th November 2012 and close on the 15th March 2013 . There are eight categories to enter, each identifying a different area of nature conservation: Marine Conservation Sustainable Development Politician of the Year Innovation Outstanding Contribution RSPB Species Champion Community Initiative Education The awards ceremony will be a black tie event held in Edinburgh in October 2013. This event promises to be a night full of entertainment, and provides an exciting opportunity to network with 300 fellow supporters of Scottish conservation. It is free to enter and nominate those who you believe should be rewarded for their conservation efforts. We look forward to receiving your nominations! Deadline for submission 15th March 2013 . For more information on how to enter, please visit www.rspb.org.uk/natureofscotland Thu, 22 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=320 Silurian – 10 years of surveying success and research results This year the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s (HWDT) research vessel Silurian completed her tenth survey season. Over the years Silurian has travelled a distance of over 61,000km surveying waters throughout the Hebrides and visiting the local schools when she is transformed into the “floating classroom”. In the last 10 years, HWDT have found that 55 bottlenose dolphins live in Hebridean waters; the smallest resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the UK. We have also discovered that the Hebrides hosts one of the highest densities of harbour porpoise in Europe. Through our photo identification work we have 1) catalogued 125 minke whales - some animals are thought to stay in Hebridean waters all year round, 2) found that the Hebrides supports the only resident population of killer whales in the UK, consisting of just nine individuals - their conservation status is thought to be critical and 3) we have helped to catalogue over 10,000 basking sharks. Through this work two basking shark hotspots where feeding and breeding occurs have been identified. Silurian has surveyed 61,953km of west coast waters and 810 volunteers have been trained in the acoustic and visual field survey techniques we use onboard. Through the education programme we have engaged 1,962 school pupils in outdoor learning onboard the floating classroom and given 19 youths and teens the opportunity to join a short survey; Think of what we could achieve in the next 10 years… Cally Fleming, HWDT Project Director added “ We are extremely grateful to all of our supporters who have helped us in many ways over the years. This support has contributed to a greater understanding of marine mammals in the Hebrides and has helped HWDT become one of the most established cetacean research and education organisations in Scotland .” To celebrate Silurian’s 10th birthday, HWDT are offering one lucky winner the chance to name their very own minke whale! To enter, simply answer the following question: how many minke whales are in HWDT’s minke whale photo-identification catalogue? All entries must be emailed to [email protected] with your answer, name and contact details listed. The winner will be announced in at the end of November and a pack delivered to the winner thereafter. If you are not the winner, you can still name one of the remaining minke whales for £150 for yourself or even the perfect gift for someone special. Or if you would like to just simply make a £10 donation to help HWDT continue their work for the next 10 years text ‘HWDT12 £10’ to 70070 and see your name appear on our website ‘roll of honour’ page, our way of thanking you for your contribution. Terms and Conditions for the minke whale naming competition: Only one entry per person. Employees of HWDT and their families are not eligible to enter. The closing date for entries is Friday 30th November 2012. There will be one winner chosen at random from all entries received by midnight on the closing date. The prize will consist of the opportunity to name one of the unnamed minke whales in the HWDT minke whale photo-identification catalogue. The winner will receive a naming pack and the new name will appear on the HWDT website. The cash value of this prize is £150. Thu, 25 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=319 Since 2001 Phil has been a keen supporter of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, and this year completed his tenth survey onboard its research vessel Silurian. Phil has spent more than 100 days onboard Silurian and over 500 hours at the mast scanning for whales, dolphins, porpoises and other marine species. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust would like to thank Phil for all of his support over the last 12 years. Olivia Harries (current Science Officer at HWDT) says: �Phil always shows a huge amount of effort, enthusiasm and eagerness when he is onboard, his dedication to our research is immeasurable, but above all, he is great company to sail with�. His friends, Chris and Irene, who accompanied Phil onboard in 2012, add, �Phil is focused on making a difference in the world and gets involved in many projects and research activities. The planet is of vital importance to Phil and he will continue to strive to make it a better place!� Susie Calderan, HWDT Science Officer from 2006 to 2008, was also very appreciative of Phil�s support and company onboard Silurian: �Phil did his first survey with us in 2006, which was also my first year onboard. From the outset, he was always really committed to our work, and has been a good friend to the Trust over the years.� Nienke van Geel (Science Officer 2009-2010) adds: "Not only his dedicated effort onboard is valued very much, but also the numerous sightings he has submitted online when being out on the west coast are very much appreciated. They enable us to increase our knowledge of the west coast species beyond what can be collected from Silurian�. Phil Cheek runs a HR consulting business in Macclesfield and in his spare time volunteers for a number of wildlife charities. Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=318 On Sunday 3rd June, Silurian had a wonderful encounter with a small group of bottlenose dolphins in Loch na Keal, off the coast of the Isle of Mull. Olivia Harries, HWDT's Science Officer, was able to take photos of the animals in this group and by looking closely at the nicks, marks, shape and size of the dorsal fins, she was able to identify several of the individuals, including '5032' (pictured right). This dolphin has been seen regularly around Mull for a number of years since 2005. That set us thinking that each of the animals in HWDT's bottlenose dolphinphoto-identification catalogue should have a name rather than an impersonal number code. So we have decided to launch our very first Facebook competition! HWDT is on Facebook and we already have 1038 'Likes' but we want even more people to know what's going on at HWDT. Once we reach 1500 'Likes', we will drawone winnerat random from all those 1500 people, who will receive a naming pack and the unique opportunity to name '5032'. Get sharing our Facebook page with your friends, and you could be the lucky winner! It couldn't be easier to enter, and everyone whocurrently follows us on Facebook is already entered! Follow us on Facebook by clicking the blue 'f' button on any page of our website and then click 'Like' on our profile page. Share our page with your contacts to spread the word about HWDT and get us to 1500 'Likes'. Can't wait to name one of the dolphins?! Click HERE to find out how to name a bottlenose dolphin orminke whale now, or you could sponsor a cetacean instead. Either makes a unique and fantastic gift and your money contributes to the monitoring work conducted by HWDT. Mon, 22 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=317 HWDT are auctioning off their Gill OS2 Jackets on ebay The yellow Gill OS2 jackets were worn onboard Silurian for just over 2 seasons and have this year been replaced. To raise money for HWDT we are auctioning off various sizes of these jackets and invite all of you who’s ever worn one of these jackets or who would just like to own a HWDT jacket to place a bid and purchase one of these jackets. 2 x Extra Large: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321004072778?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321004071467?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649 2 x Large: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321004072778?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321004073543?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649 2 x Medium: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321004074448?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321004074801?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649 The photo shows Phil, our longest serving Silurian volunteer, and his colleague on the mast Kira, modelling the jackets beautifully! They could be an item of great sentimental value to those who were onboard during 2010, 2011 and the start of the 2012 season when you reminisce and think of those wet and windy days on the mast. Grab yourself a bargain, they still have plenty of wear left and help us raise some money. All of the funds raised from the auction will go to getting Silurian ready for next year’s 11th year of surveying! Happy bidding! Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=316 On the 18th August our Education Officer, Gemma Cave, married Mull man John Paterson. The wedding took place at Salen beach, and in true Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust style the bride arrived by boat! With Mrs Gemma Paterson now settling into married life we turn to the marriage of our Volunteer Coordinator, Morven Summers. Morven is marrying Ricci Russell on the 3rd November, just a few weeks away. We all wish both Gemma and Morven all the happiness for the future. Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=314 Most years the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) receive a couple of reports of unusual marine mammal encounters, 2012 has been no exception. During a recent research survey, staff and volunteers stumbled across a perished seal on the shore of Loch Nevis, near Mallaig. This seal had unusual colouration; a blue-grey coloured back with whitish lower sides and belly. Eryn Hooper, HWDTs research assistant, said, “A volunteer had just gone for an evening walk along the beach when she stumbled across it. As we first approached the small seal on the beach we weren’t sure if it was just abandoned or dead. It was a surprise to all of us that it wasn’t one of the usual seal pups found in Scottish waters”. Samples were taken and sent to the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) for further analysis where scientists confirmed it as a hooded seal. Hooded seals are an ice breeding seal typically found off Newfoundland, Canada and in the east Greenland Sea, however outside of the breeding season they are ocean going and range widely. Hooded seal males are particularly recognisable; they can inflate their nasal septum into a reddish ‘balloon’ to attract females and to display hostility to other competing males. However, this seal was a juvenile: the colouration is typical of hooded seals until their first or second annual moult so HWDT can estimate that this individual was, at maximum, 2 years old. Adult hooded seals can live up to 35 years in the wild. Tagged hooded seals from the Greenland Sea have previously been found in the Hebrides during winter months. Also, in December 2011 a hooded seal was spotted on a beach in Chapel St. Leonards, Lincolnshire. Juveniles have been known to turn up as far south as Portugal, Florida, and even California in the Pacific. HWDT staff collected samples and looked at the stomach contents of the perished animal to find out what it had been eating. The individual only appeared to have recently consumed seaweed; there were no signs of otoliths or beaks, which would indicate that the individual had been feeding on its normal diet of fish, crustaceans or octopus. The blubber samples were sent to SAC for further analysis and hopefully further insight into how this individual ended up on Inverie beach. HWDT relies greatly on people reporting their sightings to add to our growing understanding of the local marine environment. If you have spotted a cetacean (whale, dolphin or porpoise), basking shark or anything else exciting in the marine environment, please let HWDT know via the online sightings form, found at www.hwdt.org or calling 01688 302859. HWDT also asks that members of the public show caution when approaching seal pups on the beach. Grey seal pupping season is fast approaching and pups are quite often found on the beach, waiting on their mother to return. If you approach, the mother may not return. Morven Summers, HWDTs Volunteer Coordinator, adds, “People sometimes misinterpret pups being left ashore while the mother feeds – which can be for some time – with pups being abandoned.” So what should you do if you see a seal on the beach? - Stay at a good distance. If the seal reacts to your presence, you’re too close. - Ask other people to stay away, and keep dogs at a safe distance. - Observe the animal from a distance, note it’s size, weight, markings, body condition, and whether or not there are any wounds. If you have a camera or camera phone, take a photo. - Note your location and any significant landmarks nearby. - Call the authorized stranding network organisation, in the case of the UK, that’s the British Divers Marine Life Rescue - 01825 765546. Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=313 This morning a group of four volunteers took to the beach at Tobermory lighthouse as part of Beachwatch, a coastal environmental initiative aimed at getting local individuals, groups and communities together to care for their local shoreline. Some of our best-loved marine wildlife is under threat from the waste and litter in our seas, with hundreds of species accidentally eating or becoming entangled in litter. Litter on our beaches is also hazardous to people so we all have a part to play in turning the tide on litter. A total of 10 bin bags were filled with litter, with the majority collected consisting of plastic bottles, plastic straps and fishing gear. An assortment of larger items, including an umbrella and a buoy, were also retrieved and have been taken away for safe disposal. Thanks to Ann and Rose for all their help in collecting the litter. Also, thanks go to Eug and Tomo for collecting the rubbish from the lighthouse and taking it to Tobermory on their RIB. Mon, 10 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=312 Sightings of a northern bottlenose whale in Loch Long have raised concerns over its wellbeing. This animal, whose species usually occurs in more northerly, offshore and deeper waters, was first reported to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) on the 3rd September 2012; however it’s believed that the animal has been there for some time. Reports of this animal eliciting behaviour such as tail slapping have been reported and HWDT are concerned that this behaviour may be associated with distress. Someone has posted a video of the whale breaching , while another has uploaded a video of the animal tail slapping . Northern bottlenose whales are deep diving species that require large depths to hunt squid, which make up a large part of their diet. They appear to migrate southwards around northwest Scotland in the autumn but can sometimes go off-course and enter more inshore waters. Some animals stay in these coastal waters for a time before continuing their migration, however others are not so successful and get trapped in these shallower waters. In 2006, a northern bottlenose whale famously entered the River Thames and swam up into central London in the opposite direction of the open sea. Locally, northern bottlenose whales have been sighted in Loch Scridain on the Isle of Mull. In this case an adult and juvenile were seen remarkably close to the shore prompting concerns but seemed to navigate their way out to deeper water. Another individual was recorded for nearly three weeks in Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil in October 2008, sadly this individual did not find its way back out of the loch and perished. Morven Summers, HWDTs Volunteer Coordinator, says, “We receive reports of northern bottlenose whales, mostly in the autumn months. More study needs to be undertaken to determine why some animals take ‘wrong turns’ and find themselves in difficulty.” The welfare of the whale in Loch Long is the main priority at this time and all that can be done is to mitigate any distress to the animal. The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) has been informed of the situation but HWDT would ask members of the public to remain vigilant and report any strandings immediately. Please report live strandings to BDMLR on 01825 765 564 and strandings of dead animals in Scotland should be reported to the Scottish agricultural college on 01463 243 030. Please do not approach the animal on the shore if it’s still alive, you will only stress the animal out further. Eryn, HWDT Volunteer Fri, 7 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=310 We have now opened up an education centre at the back of our on shop in Tobermory. Come on in and explore the incredible underwater world found around the Hebridean islands. • Learn about cetaceans and their ocean habitats • Listen to the sounds of the ocean with our interactive learning • Get your hands on our collection of real whale teeth and bones • Have a close encounter with our whale and dolphin skeletons and inflatable harbor porpoise! Our visitor centre and shop are located on Tobermory's Main Street on the Isle of Mull. All profits from the shop will go directly back into the charity. Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=311 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and its associated partners are hosting a 'Practical PAM' (Passive Acoustic Monitoring) field training courses in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, Scotland. Attendees will be taught how to use PAMGUARD effectively in the field by experienced PAM operators and developers through a series of classroom sessions and boat-based workshops onboard the HWDT research vessel Silurian The course should appeal to those looking for the practical experience necessary to become a PAM operator or those with a research interest in this field. Course content will include software and hardware troubleshooting, involving practical scenarios and discussions, and offline analysis of data collected. The 3 day courses will be delivered between the 30th September and 2nd October 2012 . The cost of the course will be £295 . To reserve a place, please email Gemma Cave at [email protected] for further information and instructions. More information is also available HERE . Course numbers are limited and will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis, so contact HWDT now to avoid disappointment. Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=309 Tobermory’s annual Lifeboat Open Day thankfully attracted good weather resulting in a busy day at the stall for the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT). Many were keen to learn some interesting facts about our artefacts on display; from our fin whale ear bone and sperm whale teeth to the inflatable life size bottlenose dolphin. As a fundraising event the Trust raised £114.44 – thanks to all who donated or purchased goods, all profits will go to the continuation of HWDTs education and research programmes. Visitors and islanders enjoyed a wide variety of activities ashore and afloat, including stalls, a barbecue and boat trips around the bay, as well as an opportunity to go aboard the Severn Class lifeboat and meet the volunteer crew. Highlights of the afternoon included a services raft race during which the Tobermory RNLI crew managed to avenge last year's defeat by the local Fire Brigade, as well as the main raft race which saw rafts of all shapes and sizes compete across the bay. There was a tinge of disappointment as the helicopter exercise had to be cancelled as the Royal Navy's search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 177 was called away on a 'shout'. However, this was quickly forgotten as the Tobermory lifeboat 'rescued' two of its crew members from a Liferaft in the bay - having soaked them with a fire hose first. The day also marked the first time that the new "touch tank" was used in the newly launched Tobermory Harbour Association Harbour Visitor Centre. The Harbour Visitor Centre contains various items of interest and interaction of the activities and life, in, on and around Tobermory Bay and the Sound of Mull. This includes information about local history, RNLI, Coastguard, Fishing, Fish-farming, Navigation, a Virtual Dive in Loch Sunart, Safety at Sea and many other informative displays. HWDT will be leading touch tank sessions within the newly launched centre, allowing children (and adults!) an up close and personal experience with various species. As ever we always remain grateful for peoples support and enthusiasm for a cause that promotes a sustainable future for our marine life through continual monitoring and education. Jason MacKay, HWDT Volunteer Image ©: Sam Jones, RNLI Press Officer Tue, 21 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=308 An exciting project which scientists hope will reveal the secret life of large sharks visiting Scottish waters has started in seas around Coll, Tiree and Hyskeir. Marine biologists from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the University of Exeter have attached satellite tracking tags to 20 basking sharks in the seas around the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland. Now fitted, the tags allow people to track the movements of the sharks on the SNH website in close-to-real time. The tags will provide information on the location and behaviour of the sharks during the summer when they can be seen feeding in large numbers at the surface. They will also track the sharks for several months afterwards, helping scientists understand if the sharks travel to deeper water around Scotland and further afield over the winter. The tagging work will take place in the waters around Coll and Tiree, and the small island of Hyskeir, near Canna. Research has shown these areas are hotspots for basking sharks, with consistently large numbers sighted there during the summer months. Even though basking sharks are seen in many places round Scotland, displays of social and courtship behaviour, such as breaching and following each other nose-to-tail, have only been observed in these areas, suggesting they are important for key stages in the life cycle of the sharks. Dr Suz Henderson from SNH, who is managing the basking shark tagging project said: “ We’re really lucky to have the world’s second largest fish visit our waters every summer but we know very little about their movements throughout the rest of the year. We want to know how the sharks use the waters between Skye and Mull and how long they remain in the area. We’d also like to find out how important this area is in the life cycle of the sharks, and if some areas are used more than others. The results from this project will help to answer these questions. " The tags, which are attached to the sharks using titanium darts and darting poles, will record information on the movement of the sharks, including depth and water temperature. The tags will detach from the sharks after several months. “ The tags might be washed up on beaches after being released from the sharks and if we are able to retrieve them they will provide us with additional information” added Suz. “We’ll be asking the public to keep an eye open for them and help us recover as many as we can. ” Dr Matthew Witt of the University of Exeter said: “ Although they have captured the public imagination, we actually know relatively little about how basking sharks live. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to find out more about the movements and lifestyles of these fascinating creatures. " “ This project will use some of newest animal tracking technology available for marine species that allows us to know where the sharks are with near GPS accuracy. This is a hugely challenging project – not least because we are at the mercy of the weather and sea conditions – but the results will provide invaluable in our quest to uncover the secrets of these giants of the sea and help to protect them .” To track the basking sharks online after they are tagged, click here . While HWDT aren't involved in this research we will be interested to follow the tagged sharks movements. HWDT encourages people who have encountered sharks to report their sightings online. Moreover, if you have images of the dorsal fin, please send them to [email protected]. All reports received will be forwarded to the Shark Trust for their records. Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=307 The end of last week was rich in events for the Trust – not at sea for once, but on land! Indeed, last Thursday saw the annual Tobermory Highland Games and the Agricultural Show taking place in Kilchoan on Friday. The Games are a much-awaited yearly event where contestants not only from the Isle of Mull, but also the whole world (some athletes came from as far as Poland), of all ages from wee children to senior runners, face each other in a fierce but friendly competition of traditional sports and dancing. For those who have never seen it, it is very impressive to see for the first time the strong men of Scotland toss cabers, or teenage girls and women execute perfectly synchronized dances. An impressive number of people followed the parade around Tobermory, and even more enjoyed the constant live music throughout the day. It was a perfect opportunity for the Trust’s staff to take a stall and be available to the public wishing to know more about whales and dolphins. Our two friends, Duncan and Porpy, the inflatable bottlenose dolphin and harbour porpoise, elicited much interest and joy on the part of smaller children, and raised their awareness of the fascinating particularities of cetaceans. The dolphin teeth on display started numerous discussions about their feeding habits and the whale ear bone on display, as big as two adult fists, made everyone realize the sheer size of the giants of the sea. The same enthusiasm was met the following day at the Kilchoan Agricultural Show which also features traditional games, along with baking, horticulture, sheep and poultry competitions. It also makes for a wonderful day outdoors for families, as showed the crowds of children running about. All in all, two very successful days where the Trust was eager to meet and chat with the public. Thank you for coming, and we hope to see you again for next events! Lionel Davoust, HWDT Volunteer Tobermory Pipe Band © L. Davoust Tue, 24 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=306 On Friday, the 6th of July, HWDT organized a lighthouse watch at Ardnamurchan Lighthouse. Five staff and volunteers went out to search for whales and dolphins, and to talk to lighthouse visitors about their sightings. We showed whale teeth and baleen to interested and clever kids, and had a lot of wee chats with people who were very supportive in our efforts to spy the whales. Right at the beginning of our watch we spotted three common dolphins and two minke whales in the Sea of the Hebrides! In the afternoon we received a message about three killer whales travelling along the Isle of Coll, and were hoping for them to come over to our lookout. However, as much as we wished to see them, they did not turn up, for wild whales, and especially killer whales are mostly unpredictable in their travel directions and speed. It is believed that our “Scottish” killer whales feed exclusively on marine mammals, but even the presence of a few fat Grey Seals on the shoreline did not attract them this afternoon. But we still had a great day with lots of seabird encounters and a clear view of the ocean. Many thanks to all the people who helped us spotting sea life on this windy, but warm and wonderful day! We hope to see you and many more out again for the National Whale and Dolphin Watch on the 27th of July! Marie, HWDT Volunteer Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=305 Since 2010, players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised over £254,000 to support WWF’s crucial work in Scotland, helping to protect the precious marine life around our shores. Now, they're jointly offering you a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to help with vital dolphin and whale survey work off the Scottish coast. For a chance to win this great prize, just fill in the entry form before midnight on 15 July 2012. No purchase is required to enter. Our exclusive dolphin-spotting prize includes: • A full day trip for you and three friends, surveying with the crew of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s research boat, Silurian • All meals onboard the boat, including snacks • Overnight accommodation onboard Silurian (on the evening of the trip) • Training in scientific survey techniques • £300 towards travel to and from Tobermory, where Silurian berths, and any other accommodation needs • A thrilling chance to see dolphins and whales in the wild! Enter for free now - and good luck! Hopefully see you onboard Silurian soon! Tue, 3 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=304 Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust staff, Gemma Cave and Cally Fleming and two of the Trust’s summer volunteers, Andrew Johnson, Shaun Bryan and Andrew Livingstone, joined a group of pupils, parents and staff from Ulva Community School Association for a beach clean on Monday at Black Sands beach, Kilninian, on the Isle of Mull. Locals and those from further afield all joined in, with litter-pickers. Some 50 refuse sacks were collected which completely filled the farm trailer, once the beach clean was finished. Somerset Charrington from Treshnish Farm offered his tractor and trailor to take the rubbish on to the land fill site at Tobermory. The beach had been the victim of the currents and geography of the surrounding headlands and islands that channelled vast quantities of waste onto the narrow shore. The waste included large amounts of plastic debris, some of the worst offending items where cetaceans are concerned: plastic, ropes and other plastics that can become entangled around all manner of wildlife. The group was able to clear away the majority of this non-biodegradable waste. The dire need to clean up this beach was the perfect opportunity for Gemma, the Education Officer, to teach the pupils (and the adults too, for that matter!) about how important it is to look out for their local marine wildlife, and how they can help to do so. The kids loved being able to show off their already well-informed knowledge base and getting stuck in with the teamwork. Everyone will now be ableto enjoy the clean parts of the shore, the rock pools, curious highland cattle and the rest of the natural beauty that the beach has to offer. Andrew Johnson, one of the volunteers with the trust said “ It was surprising to see just how much plastic could wash up on one single, small beach. ” And Shaun, the other volunteer present, added “ After such a daunting prospect, it was great to see how much difference we were able to make, and how much the kids seemed to get out of it, too ”. Beach cleans are vital to the protection of our coastal ecosystems, and therefore for the conservation of all of our native marine wildlife, including whales, dolphins and porpoises. If you would like to get involved in cleaning up a beach near you, check out the Marine Conservation Society’s Beachwatch programme for the times, dates and locations of beach cleans, and even the option to sign up to lead a new one yourself! Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=303 Awards for All Scotland have awarded HWDT £10,000 to support our education programme. The generous grant will be used to deliver two education trips onboard the floating classroom, Silurian , as well as a youth trip. Young people from the Oban Youth Cafe were the first to benefit from the grant, embarking ona three dayyouth trip in April. Sailing from Tobermory, the group landed on Lunga, visited Staffa and spent the night at Gometra, gaining skills in monitoring andsailing along the way. School children from Portree werenext to participate in the project, joining us for a week of marine environmental education at the end of April. The second education trip is scheduled for September. HWDT is extremely grateful to Awards for All Scotland for this grant, which has helped us to deliver the core activities of our education programme, and will engage with many young people from across the west coast of Scotland. Mon, 4 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=302 Over the 2012 season, film makers are attempting to film the best of Hebridean wildlife; one for BBC Scotland and the other as an independent project. We’re asking members of the public and wildlife tour operators to let us know if there’s been a spate of sightings in a particular area. This way we can inform the cameramen and they can mobilise, hopefully before the animals move on. John Aitchinson, an experienced film maker who recently worked on Frozen Planet, is making a series (four, hour-long programs) about the wildlife of the Hebrides for BBC Scotland, to be aired next March. John has already filmed basking sharks, chough, barnacle geese and whooper swans on Islay, the Corryvreckan whirlpool in full flow and many of the islands' other wonders but this summer he is really hoping to film common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins or minke whales feeding. John adds, “ People who use Twitter can find my on-going Tweets (@johnaitchison1) about filming the series at #Hebrides .” Pete Barsden is residing on the Isle of Mull for most of the year, hoping to capture some magical wildlife moments. Pete is working on a program for the Discovery Channel, however he also plans on making his own independent film alongside. If there has been a spate of sightings in an area or you have the capacity to report sightings in real-time, please contact HWDT on 01688 302620 and we’ll pass on the information. This is a great opportunity to help showcase the wealth of wildlife found off Scotland’s west coast so please get involved. Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=293 The lovely sunshine we’ve been experiencing over the past few days has heralded the arrival of another seasonal visitor, the basking shark. The first reported sighting was made yesterday, 3rd May, at the mouth of Loch Cuin (on the north coast of Mull) by Roger Craven. Basking sharks are the second largest fish in the oceans, growing to an amazing 11 metres in length. Basking sharks, like the largest - the whale shark - feed exclusively on plankton, specifically zooplankton such as copepods. They feed by meandering through plankton-rich waters with their massive mouths open, able to filter up to 2,000 tonnes of water in the space of an hour. The Basking Shark may be unique, as the only plankton feeding shark that feeds entirely passively by swimming through water with its mouth open, rather than actively sucking in water for filtering. It was previously thought that basking sharks hibernated through the winter months, however we now know that sharks continue to be active over the winter, just feeding lower in the water column (as deep as 1,200 metres) on deep water plankton communities. Basking sharks are highly migratory; one tagged in 2008 off the Isle of Man was tracked all the way to Newfoundland. Basking sharks were once commercially hunted in the UK; an old shark station can still be seen on the Isle of Soay, south of Skye. The sharks were hunted for their large livers which account for a staggering 25% of their body weight (which can be up to 4.5 tonnes!) – the shark’s liver is full of rich oil and had many commercial applications. The last shark was caught commercially in Scotland in the Clyde in the 1960s. If you spot a basking shark, or indeed a cetacean, please report it to HWDT . All basking shark sightings reported to HWDT are forwarded to the Shark Trust . Moreover, if you manage to take images of the dorsal fin please send to [email protected]. Thu, 3 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=292 As part of the Scottish Association of Marine Science’s (SAMS) Festival of the Sea, HWDT have teamed up with Sam Jones, of Islandscape Photography , to offer an exciting experience onboard Silurian . You’ll have the opportunity to learn about the photo identification of cetaceans and how to take good photo-ID images. Photo-ID allows researchers to monitor the movements of whales and dolphins, learn about their social structure and estimate the number of animals in a population. Sam will also be on hand to give tips and advice on how to capture remarkable landscape shots, taking advantage of the changeable light found in the area. Thursday 24th May: 9.30am – 1.30pm, meet at the top of the pontoons. Cost is £55 per person. Friday 25th May: 9.30am – 5.30pm, meet at the top of the pontoons. Cost is £95 per person. If you’re interested in joining us onboard, please contact 01688 302620 or email [email protected]. For more information about Festival of the Sea, please click here . Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=291 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) was delighted to offersix places onboard its research vessel, Silurian , for young people and leaders from the Oban Youth Café to participate in a three-day youth trip. The group joined staff and crew for the sailing voyage off the west coast of Scotland from 10th to 12th April 2012 as part of a project funded by Awards for All Scotland . Leaving from Tobermory, Silurian sailed around the west coast of the Isle of Mull to the island of Gometra, taking in the breath-taking scenery of the Mull coastline and the Small Isles. An afternoon land visit to Lunga allowed the group chance to take a walk in the sunshine to look for seabirds, before sailing close to the majestic Fingal’s Cave. An overnight stop spent at a calm anchorage off Gometra provided an opportunity to take a peaceful walk to watch the sunset and enjoy a bit off fishing. On the return sail to Tobermory, the boys were challenged to climb the crow’s nest and ride the waves and swell from the bowsprit; both tasks were met with great enthusiasm. Kenny McCorquodale, one of the group leaders, commented ‘I had a great time. The staff were brilliant and really made the trip. I would highly recommend the experience.’ HWDT’s Education Officer, Gemma Cave, added ‘We were thrilled to receive this grant from Awards for All as it made it possible for this group of young people to re-connect with their natural heritage in this truly memorable experience. I hope we will be able to offer more of these opportunities.’ The voyage encountered harbour porpoises, grey and common seals, and a wide variety of seabirds, which were recorded in the HWDT research database. Joshua Straub, one of the young participants said ‘I had an amazing time; the food was great, the crew are lovely, and I’m sad to leave.’ Later this year, this Awards for All Scotland funded project will also deliver two week-long education trips for schools in remote coastal communities in the Hebrides. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=290 HWDT have received the first reports of the year of minke whale and common dolphin off Scotland’s west coast. While some species, such as the harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin are resident year round, other species migrate to the area, usually arriving in the Spring, to take advantage of the increased food stocks available. The first common dolphins of the season were sighted in the Sound of Raasay on the 13th April. The following day, Susannah Calderan and Russell Leaper, who sit on HWDTs Scientific Committee, reported the first minke whale sighting of the season and a group of common dolphins (pictured right), off the Isle of Canna. Susannah commented, “ It was great to see our first common dolphins of the season. The group was at least 100-strong, and the animals were bow-riding our yacht for over half an hour. To see a minke whale too really made our day. It's good to know our summer visitors are back again ." If you spot a whale, dolphin or porpoise (cetacean), HWDT would be very keen to hear of the sighting. Moreover, if you manage to take photographs of the animal’s dorsal fin researchers can attempt to identify the individual from image profiles in HWDTs catalogues of bottlenose dolphin, minke whale, killer whale, white-beaked dolphin and Risso’s dolphin. This technique is known as Photo Identification and allows HWDT to better understand population dynamics and the home range of the species present off the west coast of Scotland. HWDT encourage people who have spotted cetaceans (and basking sharks too) to report their sighting online . HWDT are also keen to learn of any stranded animals, please contact the office directly if you come across an animal on the shore by contacting 01688 302620. By getting involved you’ll be helping build a better picture of the local marine environment and our understanding of particular species distribution. HWDTs Biodiversity Officer, Olivia Harries says, “ By getting members of the public to report their sightings, HWDT can build up an extensive spatial and temporal data set that is invaluable to the management of the diverse range of species that inhabit Scottish waters. Without our supporters we would know a lot less about these animals .” These sightings coincide with the NATO exercise Joint Warrior, which occurs bi-annually in the waters off western Scotland. HWDT raised concerns, in particular on the effects of sonar on cetaceans, following an unusual encounter with a minke whale in 2009. HWDT asks that the public be extra vigilant during this time and report any unusual behaviour. Image © Russell Leaper Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=289 The Alasdair Downes Memorial Fund (ADMCF) has been established by his family in his memory. It provides small flexible grants to help young people carry out projects and activities in the general field of Marine Conservation, a cause about which Alasdair was particularly passionate. Alasdair grew up on the Fife coast in north east Scotland. He had an instinctive interest in natural history. He was a qualified advanced open water diver and loved marine life. Read more about Alasdair here. Applying for a Grant ADMCF intends to fund one or more bursaries for Marine Conservation Research in 2012. Closing data for applications is 21st of May 2012. For more inforamton and to apply for a grant click here . Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=288 Caroline McKay, started her Run Around Mull this morning, ahead of her is an epic 127 miles in drizzly, cold conditions. There's still time to show your support/admiration for Caroline by donating through her website, click here to help Caroline reach her target. The run will help protect Scotland’s spectacular marine environment and wildlife, by raising money for the vital local work of charities RSPB Scotland and us, HWDT! The project is inspired by and in memory of Caroline’s mother, Alice Lambert, who was a dedicated environmentalist and marine scientist, and lived on Mull. Starting today, the intention is to finish by Sunday. The route will follow the road as far as it goes around the 300 mile coastline of Mull, and also feature a challenging interlude up Ben More and an off-road stretch where the road ends at the cliffs of Carsaig. The plan will be to complete at least 50 miles on days 1 and 2, leaving less mileage to cover on the final day given it will include Ben More. Friends and family will be running and supporting Caroline throughout. RUNNERS OR CYCLISTS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN CAROLINE FOR PART OR ALL OF THE CHALLENGE. For more information on Run Around Mull, please click here . Fri, 6 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=287 HWDT's research season is well-underway with students from the University of St Andrews joining Silurian for the first monitoring trip of 2012. The season beginswith three short trips, each departing from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. There have already been somevisual and acoustic detections of harbour porpoises, and everyone onboard is being treated to some stunning Spring weather. Follow the Silurian blog for up-to-date news about the latest sightings and adventures. There will also be regular updates and photos postedonHWDT's Facebook and Twitter profiles. It's not too late to join a monitoring team this year; details can be found HERE , or you can contact Morven for more information. Tue, 3 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=286 Over the next week more than 500 marine mammal biologists from all over the world will be meeting in Salthill, Galway. The 26th European Cetacean Society conference will be the biggest ever held with more participants and presentations than in the previous 25 years. The conference is hosted by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) and the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) and includes two days of workshops in GMIT as well as the main conference over three days in Salthill. During the conference there will 70 presentations ranging from exploring reasons for whale strandings to killer whale communication and to the use of smart phones in collecting data and Whale FM – a novel approach to enabling the public to match whale vocalizations. Researchers from GMIT will be presenting results from their recent work surveying whales and dolphins in offshore Irish waters and in developing acoustic techniques for monitoring dolphins and porpoise. The theme of the conference is Communication: Information and Ideas Worth Sharing. HWDTs Biodiversity Officer, Olivia Harries, will be presenting as part of the Marine Protected Area and Conservation category. Our Sightings Officer, Sandra Koetter, will be involved with the North Atlantic killer whale workshop and will also present a poster titled ‘Importance of community sightings in bottlenose dolphin research’. Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=285 HWDT has gratefully received numerous reports in 2011 of animals spotted off the Scottish west coast. Without the help of the public, we'd not be able to build a better understanding of cetacean ecology in the Hebrides. Please click here to read the report Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=283 Every season, since 2004, HWDT have been conducting research surveys from our research yacht Silurian, welcoming on board volunteers who effectively become marine mammal field scientists for the duration of the expedition. The Hebrides is home to some of the most spectacular, rugged landscapes in the UK, playing host to some very special wildlife. You can be assured that if you join a cetacean research survey, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime. Participants will live on board Silurian, travelling hundreds of nautical miles while conducting visual and acoustic surveys, each night anchoring in a secluded bay with the opportunity to venture ashore remote and beautiful islands. Full training in cetacean and seabird identification will be provided as well as training in fundamental monitoring techniques. 2012 survey dates: 7th - 13th May - £850 participation 16th - 23nd May - £850 participation 27th May - 5th June - £1,000 participation 10th - 18th June* - £1,100 participation 8th - 14th July - £900 participation 31st Aug - 8th Sept - £1,000 participation Most expeditions will rendezvous in Tobermory, HWDTs base on the Isle of Mull, however one survey* will rendezvous in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. The funds generated aren’t designed to create profit, rather fund the research programme and allow it to continue year after year. You can be assured that, by joining HWDT on board, you are directly contributing to conservation efforts and generating an extremely valuable dataset of the survey area. 2011 was a fantastic (if not a little wet) season, with a huge increase in minke whale numbers and, with more survey dedicated to the more northern and western parts of our survey area, a better understanding of a rare dolphin species - the white beaked dolphin. I have added some of the 2011 season photographs to our Facebook page which you can access by 'liking' our page. In 2012, we hope to continue surveying further north and our Science Officer, Olivia Harries, is developing acoustic software that will detect white beak dolphins through the hydrophone, providing a much clearer picture of their distribution. White beaked dolphins are a colder water species only found in the northern reaches of the Hebrides. Being a cold water species they are more susceptible to disruption through climate change and therefore a better understanding of the species is crucial. Without the contribution of our volunteers we wouldn’t be able to continue our research programme so please be assured that, if you do decide to join us onboard, you are directly contributing to a vital British conservation programme. For more information please click here . If you are interested in joining HWDT on board, please complete an online form or contact the volunteer coordinator , Morven Summers, for more information. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=282 Over the Easter weekend of 2012, Caroline McKay will go for a 127 mile run around Mull’s coastline. The run aims to raise £5,000 for the conservation of Scotland’s spectacular marine environment and wildlife, by funding the work of charities The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and RSPB Scotland . The project is inspired by and in memory of Caroline’s mother, Alice Lambert, who was a dedicated environmentalist and marine scientist, and lived on Mull. Starting on Friday 6th April, the intention is to finish by Sunday 8th. The route will follow the road as far as it goes around the 300 mile coastline of Mull, and also feature a challenging interlude up Ben More and an off-road stretch where the road ends at the cliffs of Carsaig. The plan will be to complete at least 50 miles on days 1 and 2, leaving less mileage to cover on the final day given it will include Ben More. Friends and family will be running and supporting Caroline throughout. Please click here for more information about Run Around Mull. Please click here to support Caroline in her run. RUNNERS OR CYCLISTS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN CAROLINE FOR PART OR ALL OF THE CHALLENGE. Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=281 HWDT would like to hear about your winter sightings of whales, dolphins and porpoises Winter is always a slow time of year for sightings, what with the rougher seas making it harder to spot cetaceans and the cold, dark weather making it less enjoyable to be out with a pair of binoculars. Some of the species that are seen off the west coast of Scotland in the summer months have now moved out of the area for the winter. However other species, such as harbour porpoises, bottlenose dolphins and killer whales stay in Scottish waters all year round. Sightings reports at this time of year are therefore particularly useful to enable HWDT to monitor these seasonal differences. You can report your sightings via HWDT's online sightings form . If you would prefer, you can email your records to the Sightings Officer , taking note of the date, time and location of the sighting, the species observed and how many animals were present. HWDT also encourage you to take photos of the dorsal fin of the animals in order to confirm the species and attempt to identify known individuals. HWDTare particularly interested to hear of sightings from anyone travelling by ferry, especially onboard the CalMac MV Lord of the Isles on her one-off delivery cruise from Oban to Ardrossan on Tuesday 3rd January 2012. Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=280 In 2012, the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust (HWDT), will launch its most comprehensive volunteer programme to date, allowing select candidates to experience many aspects of cetacean conservation management off Scotland’s west coast. HWDT believes that the basis of effective conservation is a combination of research and education; our volunteers will experience both of these aspects whilst working with HWDT. The volunteer will support the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s Biodiversity Officer on board our research vessel Silurian during one of its monitoring surveys and will also support the Trust through interpretation, education and promotion when based at the Tobermory headquarters. For further information about the programme and detail of how to apply please click here . Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=279 A report by the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme ( CSIP ) has revealed that almost 3,500 whales, dolphins and porpoises have stranded on UK coastlines in the last six years. The study, co-ordinated by The Zoological Society of London ( ZSL ), details the investigation of cetaceans, as well as marine turtles and basking sharks, found stranded around the UK coast between 2005 and 2010. Seventeen different cetacean species were found and many had died of disease or starvation. Overall it recorded a fall in the number of strandings but said that some still weren't being reported. The study includes data from the Scottish west coast and islands provided by HWDT. Between 2005 and 2010, members of the public reported 44 stranded animals via HWDT’s Community Sightings (and Strandings) Network. These records comprise 13 different species; possibly more as several individuals could not be identified. Most notably, these include three minke whales that had become entangled in fishing gear, a harbour porpoise that had been attacked by killer whales and a mass stranding of deep-diving whale species in 2008. In addition, HWDT also holds records of two stranded basking sharks and several seals for the same period. As part of the project, funded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ( DEFRA ), the Scottish Government and Welsh Government, more than 750 necropsy examinations were carried out to establish the most common causes of death. The study found a decline in the number of reported strandings of harbour porpoises and common dolphins on UK shores, but recorded a small increase in strandings of some species like the humpback whale. Of the harbour porpoises examined, around half had died either from starvation or infectious disease. Others had become entangled in fishing nets or showed signs of physical damage inflicted by bottlenose dolphins. In total 3,430 stranded cetaceans were recorded, but that is down around 22% on the preceding five year period (2001-2005). The greatest number of reports was received in England (1,650), with fewer in Scotland (996), Wales (709) and Northern Ireland (46). DEFRA and the devolved administrations have recently agreed to additional funding for a further three years study into UK strandings. ZSL and CSIP have now launched a campaign to encourage the public to tell them when they find stranded marine mammals. HWDT would also like to encourage people to report any dead stranded animals within western Scotland to us by emailing [email protected] or by calling us on 01688 302620. Your records will continue to be shared with the CSIP/ZSL research to build a better understanding of cetacean strandings in the UK. You can report sightings of cetaceans via our online sightings form, but if you do find a live stranded animal we urge you to contact the SSPCA , BDMLR and HWDT for assistance. British Diver’s Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) have just announced a series of Marine Mammal Medic training courses to be held throughout Scotland in 2012. Find out more HERE . The report can be viewed in full HERE . Image © Nienke van Geel/SAMS Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=278 HWDT and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) are encouraging Scottish residents to join a BDMLR training course to learn fundamental techniques to assist in marine mammal strandings. BDMLR are coordinating a number of courses across Scotland, training people in how to assist with stranded marine mammals. BDMLR is a UK based international marine animal rescue organisation that has bases all over the UK and a network of over 2500 active Marine Mammal Medics. The BDMLR Marine mammal medic course has been developed to train members of the public on how to safely rescue stranded whales, dolphins and seals. The course consists of a morning of lectures with a water based practical session in the afternoon using life sized, water filled model whale, dolphin and seal. Course dates and locations are as follows: 4th February, Stornoway 4th March, Portree 24th March, Eriskay 1st April, Durness 14th April, Thurso 5th May, Oban 16th June, Ullapool You do not need to be a diver to become a BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic! This is a full days course and the fee is £90, for which you will receive membership to BDMLR for 1 yr, 1yrs 3rd party medic insurance, Cloth medic badge and car stickers, a completion certificate and a copy of our internationally accredited Marine Mammal Medic Handbook. Please book via the BDMLR website or call 01825 765546 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) . BDMLR are particularly keen to have more trained medics in the more remote, isolated areas of Scotland’s west coast. Response time is critical when dealing with stranded marine mammals so the wider the network, the more effective it will be. Morven Summers, HWDTs Volunteer Coordinator comments, " The pilot whale stranding at Kyle of Durness and the potential mass stranding on South Uist highlights the need, and effectiveness of trained medics. The need for a wider network of trained individuals is clear, particularly within island communities where ferry timetables and weather can hamper the efforts of those travelling from the mainland ." Please join a course and become a trained marine mammal medic, able to assist if an animal strands near you! Image © BDMLR: Participants train in refloating cetaceans using realistic inflatables. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=277 Help raise much needed funds this festive season without costing you a penny! We rely massively on donations from the public to continue our valuable work and now you can help. All I Want For Christmas...is a scheme created by Give As You Live that allows people to shop online as normal, however a small donation from the sale will be donated by the company to your selected charity. So far, over £2,000,000 has been donated to charities from companies through the scheme. Please follow this link to sign-up, it's very easy and should only take a minute. Once registered you can either download the app (which allows you to shop online as normal and indicates when the company will donate) or search through the thousands of stores in the online directory. Please sign up today, by doing so you will be helping us continue our vital research and education programmes. Please help HWDT raise crucial funds this Christmas - you're support is greatly appreciated! If you'd like to help further by displaying a poster at your work or sending an email to those on your mailing list, please contact me for materials. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=276 Give a gift that supports vital conservation of British cetaceans this Christmas. Sponsor a whale or dolphin and help us continue our important education and research programmes. We have a choice of orca (John Coe is pictured), minke whales and bottlenose dolphins to adopt - somethin to suit all! Each sponsor will recieve: Personalised A4 sponsorship certificate Glossy 6’’ x 4’’ colour photograph of your chosen whale or dolphin High quality species factsheet and individual cetacean factsheet, both including the most recent information and photograph Sightings updates of the sponsored animal ID guide HWDT pen, badge, sticker and DVD Access to the latest edition of HWDT’s newsletter - Wave (or for juniors Wavelet) Optional gift; either the HWDT produced 'Sea Kingdom of Argyll' book or a cuddly toy By sponsoring a cetacean you are directly helping our efforts to better understand the cetaceans found off our coasts. We value all the support we get from our members and sponsors and would like to take the opportunity to thank them all. Click here to find out more about sponsoring a cetacean. As a special Christmas treat, HWDT are offering a 10% discount on all sponsorships in the run up to Christmas - simply process the payment and we'll refund you the 10%!! Please note that sponsorships recieved after the 20th December may not arrive in time for Christmas - the sooner you order, the better! Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=275 Tell us all about your experiences onboard Silurian by writing a review on thePlanet Whale website. We would love to read all about your most memorable moments, be ityour favouritesighting,bestshore leave visit, oryummiestmeal! Your thoughts help us to improve our trips each year, and also give an insight into life onboard Silurian for thosethinking aboutjoining us next season. All you need to do is visit the Planet Whale website , sign up if you haven't already (it's free!) and post a review. Thanks for taking the time to share your highlights with us and Planet Whale - we hope to see you onboard in 2012! Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=274 On Sunday night, HWDT received a report of a seal pup on the beach in Tobermory. Local wildlife photographer Nic Davies raced to the scene to find a live grey seal pup was indeed on the beach. Keeping a safe distance, Nic checked the health of the animal, noting that it had clear eyes, no visible injuries and that it didn't appear to be in any distress. Most importantly, he observed that the seal seemed to be of a healthy weight and had already moulted its lanugo coat for its adult pelage. Nic monitored the animal overnight and, although it was still on the beach at 7am, it had made its way back out to sea by the time HWDT staff arrived on Monday morning. Grey seals are common around the coast of Mull. In fact, just under half of the global population of grey seals live around the UK. The breeding colonies in the Hebrides are among the largest in the UK and, with November being the height of the grey seal pupping season, it is not unusual to see pups along the coastline. Whilst common seals are able to enter the water within days of being born, grey seals spend their first 3 to 4 weeks onshore putting on weight before shedding their fluffy white fur in favour of a waterproof coat. Seal pups are left alone for short periods when their mothers head out to sea to feed. If you discover a seal pup, please do not approach it, but watch from a safe distance. Seals are wild animals and are capable of sudden aggressive behaviour. You should never touch a seal pup as your scent will be transfered to its fur and a returning mother will reject it. If you are concerned about a seal, the best action you can take is to report it to either the BDMLR , RSPCA , SSPCA or your local seal sanctuary. They will be able to assess the health of the animal and provide care if necessary. Learn more about grey seals HERE . Thank you to Michael, Kate and Rebecca for reporting the seal, and to Nic for monitoring it and for providing photos. Photo © Nic Davies Tue, 8 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=273 A pygmy sperm whale, a very rarely sighted cetacean in UK waters, has stranded near Ellenabeich on the Isle of Seil, south of Oban, prompting scientists from the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) to investigate. Pygmy sperm whales are rarely sighted and identified alive at sea, and therefore studying the carcass allows scientists to find out more about this elusive species. Since the Natural History Museum started keeping records of stranded cetaceans in 1913, only ten pygmy sperm whales are known to have stranded in the UK previously; three of which were in Scotland, the first reported in 1999. The stranding was spotted on 6th October by Brien and Liz Dickey, who informed John Gordon, a deep-sea fish biologist who is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Scottish Association of Marine Sciences (SAMS) in Oban. He in turn contacted Nienke van Geel, a PhD student at SAMS studying cetaceans on the west coast, who next day made the positive identification and contacted SAC. “ We were all astonished, that what at first was reported as a porpoise or dolphin, turned out to be such a rare specimen ”. With help from staff from the local Seafari boat operator the whale was removed from the beach ready for collection by SAC. Easdale ferryman, Alan MacFadyen, added, “ For my part it was a sad sight to see and thankfully rare. It looked beat up, with surface wounds but no major wounds. It attracted quite a crowd. Seems to have been a few whales spotted about the west coast lately .” A necropsy, an animal autopsy, was conducted by Andrew Brownlow at SAC’s base in Inverness and preliminary results suggest that the whale, a sub-adult male, was in healthy condition; the blubber layer seemed to be of good thickness; there were hardly any parasites found in the stomach and lung, in fact the whale had been eating shortly before being beached as there was still an undigested squid in the stomach. Results from the necropsy indicated that the animal would have stranded alive. Nienke, who attended the necropsy, said, “ It is unknown what caused the animal to strand. Although we are still waiting on histology results, all signs point to a healthy individual .” Pygmy sperm whales share some common traits with their cousin, the sperm whales; they too have a spermaceti organ in their heads, allowing for echolocation and aiding deep dives to hunt. The main difference is the size; while sperm whales can reach lengths of 18 metres, pygmy sperm whales will reach a maximum of 3.5 metres. Olivia Harries, Biodiversity Officer at HWDT (The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust), commented, “ To put the size of the pygmy sperm whale in context; the individual that stranded on Seil weighed about 150kg, the heart of the fin whale that stranded in South Uist weighed about 130kg. ”Pygmy sperm whales favour continental shelf and slope regions and deep water so it’s rare to find this species in inshore waters. Their range stretches as far south as New Zealand, whilst Scottish waters represent the most northerly limit of its distribution. Image © Nienke van Geel/SAMS Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=272 A report of a rare sighting prompted an investigation after a tuna was spotted on the shore of Laggan Sands, Isle of Mull. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) were notified of by the unusual find and set off for Lochbuie. Morven Summers, Volunteer Coordinator at HWDT, said, “ We were a wee bit dubious at first and thought that the reporter may have mistaken a porpoise, however when we arrived at Laggan Sands we were shocked to see the huge fish on the shore .” It’s believed that the fish is a bluefin tuna; a large, torpedo-shaped fish that can travel at speeds of up to 43 miles per hour and weighs, on average, 550 lbs, although much larger specimens are not uncommon. The Mull tuna measured 1.8 metres long. Brain Swinbanks, Chairman of the Tobermory Harbour Association, added, “ Seeing the fish up close was fantastic, I would guess that the ’mull tuna’ weighed about 150 lbs .” Atlantic bluefin tuna spawn in the Mediterranean Sea, however they are highly migratory and tagged individuals have been tracked swimming from North American to European waters several times a year. Although not many consider the waters off the west coast of Scotland to play host to such a fish, historically tuna did frequent these waters. Dr. Clive Fox, from the Scottish Association of Marine Science in Oban, explains, “ Bluefin tuna are rare in our waters but not unprecedented, indeed there used to be a commercial and sport fishery for them before the war .” In fact, evidence of bluefin tuna making an annual migration to UK waters goes back a few hundred years. Brain Swinbanks added, “ The British rod and line record for Blue Fin Tuna is 851lbs caught in the North Sea in 1933 by Mr Mitchell-Henry fishing from a ship’s rowing boat 50 miles off shore and alongside the Herring Fleet. A decline in the stocks of herring resulted in a decline in migratory Tuna which originally came from the Mediterranean migrating all round the west coast of Scotland. ” In September 1989, a 400lbs tuna was reported to have been caught close to the Isle of Lewis. Unfortunately the tuna carcass was too decomposed for full analysis, however the fish’s otoliths (ear bones) will be recovered and from these the age of the fish can be determined. If you find a stranded animal, HWDT would be very interested to learn about it. If researchers reach the carcass in good time then we can learn many things about the animal and why it may have perished. Please contact HWDT on 01688 302620 or email our Sightings Officer if you find anything on the shore. Image © Roddy Wyness Wed, 5 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=271 HWDT have finalised the cetacean research survey dates for 2012 and invite anyone interested in contributing to the conservation of local cetacean species to join us on board. Every season, since 2004, HWDT have been conducting research surveys from our research yacht Silurian, welcoming on board volunteers who effectively become marine mammal field scientists for the duration of the expedition. Participants will live on board Silurian, travelling many nautical miles while conducting visual and acoustic surveys, each night anchoring in a secluded bay with the opportunity to venture ashore remote and beautiful islands. Full training in cetacean and seabird identification will be provided as well as training in fundamental monitoring techniques. Survey dates for 2012 are as follows: 7th - 13th May 17th - 23rd May 27th May - 5th June 11th - 20th June* 31st Aug - 8th Sept Most expeditions will rendezvous in Tobermory, HWDTs base on the Isle of Mull, however one survey* will rendezvous in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. The cost of participating ranges between £850 and £1,200 – the funds generated aren’t designed to create profit, rather fund the research programme and allow it to continue year after year. You can be assured that, by joining HWDT on board, you are directly contributing to conservation efforts and generating an extremely valuable dataset of the survey area. The Hebrides is home to some of the most spectacular, rugged landscapes in the UK, playing host to some very special wildlife. You can be assured that if you join a cetacean research survey, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime. For more information please click here . If you are interested in joining HWDT on board, please complete an online form or contact the volunteer coordinator , Morven Summers, for more information. Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=270 A sperm whale, the largest predator on the planet, was sighted in the Sound of Raasay last Saturday by local man Calum MacAskill and his wife. Mr and Mrs MacAskill were returning home from a wildlife boat trip to the Isle of Rona when their attention was drawn to a splash. Through the binoculars they spotted a tail fluke and knew it was something special, “ It took a few minutes to realise that we were not looking at a minke whale but had the chance of a lifetime to watch and photograph a magnificent sperm whale. It was a privilege and an unforgettable experience .” Sperm whales sightings are rare off Scotland’s west coast, but not unheard of. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) have received a number of sightings of sperm whales since their records began, the last off Canna in 2008. The majority of these sightings come from The Minch and off Skye; where the sea bed reaches depths of over 100 metres. Sandra Koetter, HWDTs Sightings Officer, explains, “ Sperm whales are a deep-diving cetacean, making long dives to hunt for prey, which is mostly cephalopods such as squid or cuttlefish. Incidentally another deep-diving cetacean, the northern bottlenose whale, was also reported in the Sound of Raasay during August ”. Information from Mr MacAskill indicates that the sperm whale, which HWDT believes is a male, was feeding; he reported, “ The whale was on the surface for approx 15 minutes before it dived with its fluke high out of water. He resurfaced after about 20 minutes .” Mr MacAskill and researchers at HWDT both noticed that the sperm whale had uncharacteristic circular indents behind his blowhole and white colouration on his dorsal fin. Dr. Jonathan Gordon, one of HWDTs Directors and sperm whale expert, said he’d never seen an animal with a dent like that before. He added, “ If the animal was wounded by a ship collision or entanglement then it seems to have healed. The striking white on the dorsal fin appears to be a result of wear rather than calluses (which are more common in females) ”. Whilst HWDT cannot confirm whether this animal has been injured due to an earlier ship strike, or possible entanglement as a juvenile, both boat collisions and entanglement are threats to cetaceans and other marine life. In recent years there have been many reports of boats hitting, basking sharks in particular in waters around the west coast; and entanglement in discarded ropes, lines, packing tape and other litter is prevalent in waters around the UK. Nevertheless, HWDT have raised concerns and have contacted the British Divers Marine Life Rescue to alert them of a possible stranding. Sightings like this remind us that the waters off the west coast of Scotland are extremely special, playing host to a great variety of species. Reporting sightings to HWDT will contribute to our knowledge of species distribution and abundance within the area. If you are lucky enough to spot a cetacean, please report your sighting to HWDT. Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=269 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) have learned that two northern bottlenose whales have been spotted in the Sound of Raasay during August. This is the first report since 2009 of the species off the west coast of Scotland. Wilko Bulte, who encountered the whales while out on a wildlife boat trip explains, “ A girlfriend and I had joined a boat trip, mostly aimed at seeing the sea eagles. After we saw the birds, Skipper Pete went further out to show us more bird life. We never got to see those birds, as we found ourselves with the two bottlenose whales! The birds were quickly forgotten as you can imagine .” Northern bottlenose whales are a deep diving species, usually preferring the deep offshore waters of the North Atlantic to coastal locations. However, while sightings of this whale species are not common off the west coast, reports in recent years have highlighted regular appearances of northern bottlenose whales in the autumn months (August, September and October); mostly in the vicinity of Skye where there are some deep channels and basins. Historically, whalers apparently used to report large numbers of bottlenose whales off Scotland in June. Northern bottlenose whales usually live in very deep waters and can sometimes become disorientated in the matrix of channels, narrows and islands found off the west coast. Unfortunately HWDT have received reports and also witnessed whales becoming so disorientated that they can’t find their way back to open sea and sadly perish. Sandra Koetter, HWDTs Sightings Officer, adds, ““ Loch Linnhe seems to be a popular place for bottlenose whales to travel up and get stuck, after passing the Corran Narrows they find it extremely difficult to navigate back out. There are no clear cut reasons why this happens and needs further investigation .” Northern bottlenose whales can be inquisitive, and may approach boats with interest. Wilko adds, “ While looking through my camera I could not help wondering who was observing whom? After being a bit on the shy side initially and holding their distance from the boat, the whales decided to get closer and closer. It felt they were curious to find out who had invaded their territory .” Bottlenose whales may also stay close to injured or distressed companions. These characteristics contributed to the species being greatly depleted by whaling in the 19th and 20th Centuries. Current threats include the accumulation of toxic pollutants such as organic pesticides in whale tissue and organs, entanglement in fishing nets and marine litter, and noise disturbance, which interferes with their complex echolocation and use of sound. As a squid eating cetacean, northern bottlenose whales may swallow plastic bags mistaken for prey. Plastic was found in the stomach of a Cuvier’s beaked whale that stranded on Mull in 2004, and it is likely that this issue also affects other species of beaked whales, such as the northern bottlenose whale. Sightings such as these remind us that the waters off the west coast of Scotland are extremely special, playing host to a great variety of species. Reporting sightings to HWDT will contribute to our knowledge of species distribution and abundance within the area. If you are lucky enough to spot a cetacean, please report your sighting online or contact the research office on 01688 302859. Image © Wilko Bulte Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=267 HWDT's research vessel Silurian will be alongside the pontoon in Tobermory harbour on Thursday 15th September between 15:30 and 17:30 for an Open Boat event. Join us onboard to take a look around and find out about our monitoring work. Staff and crew will be on-hand to answer your questions. Where: Alongside the pontoon, Tobermory harbour, Isle of Mull When: Thursday 15th September 2011, 15:30 - 17:30 Details: For more information, please contact Gemma 01688 302620 Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=265 The European Cetacean Society (ECS) has just announced that the2012conference will be in Galway, Ireland, from the 26th to 28th March. It will be hosted by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) and the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT). The conference will be held at the Galway Bay Hotelwith workshops held over the weekend 24th - 25th March at GMIT. The themeis 'Communication: information and ideas worth sharing' and a website with all the information about the conference will go live shortly. The deadline for abstract submission will be in mid-November. The student chapter of ECS is also advertising for current students to provide voluntary assistance for the conference.This would involve carrying out general duties for about 30% of the conference, and ECS will cover the conference fees. HWDT are hoping to attend the conference to share our most recent research findings. We look forward to seeing you there. Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=264 On September 1st Mr Paul Worsley was out fishing when something strange caught his eye, “ I was fishing a reef with my father who actually sighted it first but he wasn't sure what he had seen. I am pretty familiar with the marine life found in the area so was very surprised indeed to see the turtle, which in all honesty was unmistakable ”. The creature that Mr Worsley spotted was a leatherback turtle; the largest of all the marine turtles and recognisable from the black, leathery skin that covers its carapace (shell). This particular turtle was spotted a mile offshore from Mellon Udrigle (Wester Ross), surfacing a mere 20 feet from his vessel, something Mr Worsley attributes to the fact the engine was off and they were drifting - “ The moment we turned the key the turtle dived and we never saw it again ”. During their encounter they estimated that the turtle made about 8 short dives, surfacing in between each to take breaths. According to the Marine Conservation Society, a total of five leatherback turtle sightings have been reported off Scotland’s west coast in 2011, including a fantastic sighting from onboard HWDT's research vessel Silurian in June (the leatherback pictured is from that encounter). Leatherbacks undertake enormous migrations from tropical breeding grounds to temperate feeding areas. The turtles are typically seen in British waters during the summer months when the swarms of jellyfish they prey on are abundant. They are one of the largest reptiles on the planet with consequently few natural predators. However, leatherbacks are listed as critically endangered due to entanglement in fishing gear and ingesting marine litter (a plastic bag looks a lot like a jellyfish!). In some places, nesting females are killed for their meat and their eggs are harvested. If you’ve spotted a leatherback or another sea creature we’d be delighted to know about the encounter. By reporting your sightings you are helping us build a better understanding of the species found in our oceans. Image © Cal Hawes, HWDT Volunteer Thu, 8 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=262 Over the past few days there’s been a flurry of bottlenose dolphin sightings off Mull; the first report was received on 27th August when approximately 30 dolphins (including about 10 young) were spotted off the Ross of Mull. Following that initial report, we learned a couple of days later that two groups of bottlenoses were sighted on the same day; a pod of 20 (again including young) was sighted off Glengorm while another smaller pod of about 10 - 15 were seen at the north end of Iona Sound. Without images we can't be sure whether these are the same animals or two separate pods. Yesterday (31st August) also saw a report of a small pod of 5 off Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, heading northwards. Scottish bottlenose dolphins are at the northern-most extreme of the species' global range, and are seen throughout the entire Hebridean area. They are most frequently seen in inshore waters, close to the coastline around headlands and bays. Hebridean sightings hotspots include the Isles of Mull, Iona, Coll, Tiree, and Barra. The west coast population of bottlenose dolphins is relatively small in comparison to the larger resident pods found in the Moray Firth and Cardigan Bay. Photo-identification work has found that there is a population of about 55 animals inhabiting the Inner Hebrides (Kintyre to Skye) and a separate group of about 12 animals recorded in and around the Sound of Barra. What is interesting is that the ‘Barra Boys’ will be visited by individuals from the Inner Hebridean pod but we have no evidence that they ever return the favour by breaking from their home range and interacting with the larger pod. You can get involved with research efforts, and make a massive contribution to our understanding of the west coast bottlenose dolphins, by sending in any images you may have of the animal’s dorsal fins. Dorsal fins are unique to individuals and our Sightings Officer, Sandra Koetter, can match images to our catalogued individuals, allowing for a much better understanding of their movements, abundance and habitat preference. Sandra adds, “ Photo identification is one of the most important tools that we have as it enables us to analyse the movements of individuals and groups alike which is vital for the conservation of this species. We are dependent on the public to report sightings and forward photos to us. ” Please, if you have had an encounter with a whale, dolphin or porpoise, let HWDT know by reporting your sighting online . Thanks to Explore Mull, Chris Gibson, Andy Tait and Steve Porter for reporting their sightings. Image © Nic Davies Thu, 1 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=259 Introducing WhaleFest The first and largest event of its kind in Europe, WhaleFest – a celebration of the public’s passion for whales and dolphins – will open for the weekend of 5th and 6th November 2011 in Brighton, UK. The festival, which launches with a star-studded VIP evening on Friday 4th November, will be opened to the public the following morning at the Hove Centre, where the Mayor of Brighton and Hove will be amongst the attendees. Each day, visitors will dive into a packed programme of unique events. Only here can you go eye-to-eye with a life-sized Blue Whale, step inside a whale’s stomach, take a ‘virtual’ dolphin watching trip, and be inspired by the world’s whale and dolphin experts and wildlife celebrities. WhaleFest is organised by Planet Whale , the world’s largest online search engine for whale and dolphin watching trips. WhaleFest represents Planet Whale’s vision; to provide whale and dolphin conservation organisations and sustainable whale watching businesses with a free platform to promote their work to the widest possible audience. HWDT has a profile on Planet Whale, and if you have volunteered onboard Silurian , you can submit a review on our profile page to share your experience with future volunteers. Sign up with Planet Whale today (it's free!) and post your review to help spread the word. How to book Please book your WhaleFest ticket here and 15% of your ticket price will be donated to us to continue our vital work. For further information on WhaleFest please click here or telephone 01273 355011. *Hurry! Early Bird Weekend & Evening Bargain Hunters tickets expire on 1st September. What’s happening? 1. Up to 50 stalls for whale & dolphin tours, conservation orgs, and merchandise 2. Interactive presentations by the UK’s leading experts and wildlife celebrities 3. Virtual whale watch – take a sustainable whale watching trip in real time! 4. Meet our life-sized Blue Whale and friends! 5. Beached whale rescue sessions with our team of marine mammal medics 6. Quizzes, debates, talks and Q&A’s in the Talk Talk Chamber 7. Inspirational short films and videos 8. Blubber Belly – slide into the weird world of a whale’s stomach! 9. Free mini workshops to brush up on your skills! 10. Free advice on whale watching for visitors 11. Speakers Corner – have your say on a treasured whale encounter! 12. Charity AGM’s and welcome events 13. By the sea – head to the beach with our wildlife spotters! 14. Expected 10,000 visitors throughout the show 15. Fun for all the family! HWDT is currently trying to raise the funds to attend the festival, but Brighton is a long way from home for us! Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=260 There are only two weeks remaining in the nomination period for the first annual Nature of Scotland Awards. RSPB Scotland is delighted to be hosting these new awards, which will recognise the best of the best in Scottish nature conservation. Scotland’s outstanding natural habitats and diverse wildlife face threats and challenges that we must work to overcome. So many individuals, businesses and the public sector make a hugely valuable contribution to looking after our incredible natural heritage, and we feel the time is right to start celebrating such efforts. There are six categories, each recognising a different area or type of contribution to the protection of Scotland’s natural heritage: the Marine Conservation award; the Sustainable Development award; the Politician of the Year award; the Innovation award; the Outstanding Contribution award and the RSPB Species Champion award. Anyone can enter the awards, as long as they or the project that they are working on is linked to Scotland. It is free to enter and entries are welcome from projects or individuals that have been active in the last three years. Once entries close on the 26 August 2011, teams of internal and external experts specific to the category will compile shortlists, which will be announced in November. A panel of high profile experts consisting of Stuart Housden OBE, Director of RSPB Scotland; BBC TV and radio presenter and wildlife expert Euan McIlwraith, respected naturalist, conversationalist and author Sir John Lister-Kaye OBE and Dr Ian Jardine, Chief Executive Officer of Scottish Natural Heritage, will then decide on the finalists, who will be presented with their awards at an evening in early March 2012. If you know of any individual, group or organisation who you believe to have really made a difference to Scottish nature conservation, don’t miss your chance to nominate them! It is easy and free to enter, if you would like to make a nomination, please click here where you can read more about the awards and download an entry form. Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=258 From the recent article in BBC Wildlife highlighting the West Coast Community (the small pod of orca regularly sighted in the Hebrides) a competition was launched to name the female currently dubbed, rather unromantically, W10 (pictured). From hundreds of suggestions, Dr. Andy Foote (of the North Atlantic Killer Whale ID Project) and HWDT decided that Occasus, named by Abi Gazzard, was the winner. Abi explains, “ Occasus mean 'sunset' and 'west' in Latin. It ties in nicely;, W10 is a west coast orca, and 'Occasus' resembles the word 'orca' slightly, don't you think?! The name also makes me think of the world in the ocean and the kings of the deep blue... " The article highlighted the small and therefore vulnerable pod of nine individuals. In particular, the article focussed on the instantly recognisable male John Coe who has been sighted off Scotland’s west coast since 1992. The pod, dubbed the ‘West Coast Community’ interact with each other but never with the pods found further north which follow the herring and mackerel down from Norway and Iceland. The pod have never been sighted with any young which makes them of particular concern. Recent sightings of the West Coast Community include: 5th August: John Coe and friends (2 females and 1 male) were spotted 2 miles south of Carrigan Head, Co. Donegal. Thanks to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group for letting us know. 3rd August: 2 individuals spotted off Ardnamurchan Lighthouse 30th July: 1 individual about a mile off Islay 29th July: spates of sightings were reported from off the north coast of Mull and Ardnamurchan Lighthouse. 4 individuals were spotted, including John Coe, click here to see a video made from onboard local fishing charter boat Gemini 28th July: 4 orca were spotted off Mangersta, off the west coast of Lewis Please help HWDT by reporting your sightings online. The information collated really does help us in our conservation efforts. Wed, 3 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=255 Join HWDT this August and celebrate the marine wildlife of the west coast. We'll be out and about at various events, highland games and agricultural shows, sodive inand join the fun. Friday 5th August: Bunessan Show - find out about how you can help HWDT by reporting your sightings. More... Saturday 6th August: National Whale and Dolphin Watch in association with Seawatch - join us at Caliach Point, Isle of Mull, for a wildlife watch with expert spotters from HWDT. More... Thursday 11th August: Salen Show - come and meet Duncan the Dolphin. More... Sunday 21st August: Tobermory RNLI Lifeboat Day - join us on the beach for a fun-packed afternoon. More... Thursday 25th August: Argyllshire Gathering & Oban Highland Games - find us in the Heritage Tent. More... More information about these events can be found on our Events page, by calling HWDT on 01688 302620 or by emailing us at [email protected] Tue, 2 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=254 HWDT and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) are encouraging residents from the more remote and isolated parts of Scotland, particularly islanders, to join them in a training course to learn fundamental techniques to assist in marine mammal strandings. The recent mass stranding of pilot whales in the Kyle of Durness highlights the need for having fully trained volunteers at hand to assist with strandings. Thankfully on this occasion, many trained medics were available and offered their help, resulting in returning 44 of the whales the open water. Morven Summers, HWDTs Volunteer Cooridnator comments, "Without the assistance of trained medics at the scene many more pilot whales would have surely perished." BDMLR is an organisation dedicated to the rescue and well being of all marine animals in distress around the UK. They are a network of trained and professional marine mammal medics who respond to call outs when marine mammals strand. They coordinate training courses nation-wide, teaching people how to safely assist with stranded animals. BDMLR are particularly keen to have more trained medics in the more remote, isolated areas of Scotland’s west coast. Response time is critical when dealing with stranded marine mammals so the wider the network, the more effective it will be. Morven continues, "Recent events highlight the need for a wider network of trained individuals,particularly within island communities, where ferry timetables and weather can hamper the efforts of those travelling from the mainland." The training course runs over a day and provides lectures and practical training (with the help of life-sized inflatable cetaceans and seals) in the water. The course fee is £90 - this includes your first year’s supporter’s fee and third party insurance while on a rescue. We hope to generate enough interest locally to have BDMLR come to a west coast location and facilitate a training course. Please if you are interested, email HWDT or call 01688 302620 to express your interest. Image © BDMLR: Participants train in refloating cetaceans using realistic inflatables. Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=250 Olivia Harries, HWDTs Biodiversity Officer, was joined onboard Silurian by journalist Michael Scott a couple of weeks ago to record a broadcast for the BBC Radio 4 Saving Species programme. Please tune in to hear first hand about the valuable work HWDT and the volunteers onboard carry out over the field season. Please click here to listen to the programme in full. Thanks to the Earthwatch Institute , who fund a number of our cetacean research surveys and facilitated the broadcast. Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=248 In the July issue of the BBC Wildlife magazine you'll be able to read about the interesting pod of orca we frequently see in the Hebrides named the West Coast Community. The research to better understand this pod and others found off our coasts was undertaken by Dr. Andy Foote of the Project NAKID (North Atlantic Killer Whale ID) . HWDT, among other organisations and contributions from the public, helped supply Dr. Foote with images and sightings, enabling him to build a clearer picture of the various pods' dynamics. The article focusses on the distinctive male named John Coe; a large notch, as you can see pictured, helps to easily identify him within the pod. John Coe was first spotted in the Hebrides in 1992 and continues to be sighted annually. More recently and regularly he's been sighted off the Irish coast where he's identified by researchers at the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group . The latest reported sighting of John Coe was on 1st May just south west of the Isle of Iona, seen from onboard the paddle steamer The Waverly. Please click here to read more about the West Coast Community. You can also sponsor John Coe , receiving information about him and sightings updates. Image of John Coe © N. Van Geel/HWDT Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=247 During a routine cetacean research survey, researchers and volunteers from the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) were treated to an unusual encounter. While crossing the Minch on Sunday 5th June, between Skye and Harris, a massive leatherback turtle, measuring about 1.5 metres, was spotted to the delight of all onboard. As Silurian , HWDTs research vessel, approached, the leatherback turtle slowly dived but resurfaced close by and allowed the observers onboard a good 10 minutes gawping before it swam sedately away. HWDT Skipper, Dave Hanna, said “ It was the most exciting moment of my life .” That wasn’t the only sighting that day; seven different pods of common dolphins and four minke whales were also recorded. Silurian and her crew will continue surveying the waters off the west coast of Scotland until the end of September, inviting volunteers onboard to assist with the data collection. The leatherback turtle is the first spotted by HWDT since surveys began onboard Silurian in 2001. Leatherbacks undertake enormous migrations from tropical breeding grounds to temperate feeding waters. The turtles are typically seen in British waters during the summer months when the swarms of jellyfish they prey on are abundant. They are one of the largest reptiles on the planet with consequently few natural predators. However, leatherbacks are listed as critically endangered due to entanglement in fishing gear and marine litter (a plastic bag looks a lot like a jellyfish!). You too can help build a better understanding about the marine environment off Scotland’s west coast by reporting your sightings to HWDT. Sightings Officer, Sandra Koetter, says “ It is exciting that a leatherback turtle has been spotted, it is very rare that we receive reports of turtles. Sightings like these emphasise how rich our marine environment is and we need you to help us understand it better. ” You can report your sightings using our online sightings form . You can also join HWDT researchers onboard Silurian to assist with the surveys, please click here for more information. Image © Cal Hawes (HWDT Volunteer) Thu, 9 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=245 Join us onboard and participate in a cetacean research survey for only £600 (usually £1,300) - all accommodation and food provided. Through out the summer months HWDT survey the waters off the west coast of Scotland for cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), helping build a better understanding of their abundance, distribution and habitat preference. You can help by joining us onboard and assisting with the data collection. Training will be provided so the opportunity is open to all. The west coast of Scotland hosts a variety of remarkable habitats and the species found their reflect this. As well as cetaceans, participants may encounter a plethora of seabirds, fish (such as basking sharks and sun fish) and spectacular seascapes - the west coast of Scotland is best seen from the sea! Please click here to read more about joining us onboard. If you are keen to join us onboard simply complete an online form and our Volunteer Coordinator will get in touch with further details of the survey. Thu, 2 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=243 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust are pleased to announce their new ‘Marine Biodiversity Awareness for All’ project. A programme of events, including beach cleans and wildlife watches, will offer opportunities for local people within Argyll and Bute and Lochaber to learn more about the marine biodiversity of the west coast of Scotland in 2011. This project is generously supported by The Big Lottery Fund Community Wildlife programme with funds contributed by Scottish Natural Heritage . HWDT have designed this project to encourage everyone to get out and about to enjoy the natural environment. Experienced and knowledgeable staff will run the events and help members of the public, of all ages and from all backgrounds, to learn about marine biodiversity in a fun and interactive way. HWDT’s Education Officer Gemma Cave is looking forward to getting started on the project: ‘This is a great opportunity for HWDT to engage with local people in Argyll and Bute and Lochaber and to teach them about what we are so passionate about. We hope that people will gain knowledge and learn new skills that will encourage them to enjoy the outdoors responsibly and contribute to the future conservation of our natural marine heritage.’ The grant from Big Lottery will be used to purchase essential equipment including beach cleaning supplies, binoculars for whale watches, interpretive displays and ID guides. HWDT also hope to use some of the grant to fund a trip for young people on board our research yacht Silurian , where they will assist with whale and dolphin research on board a working sailing yacht. Details of events organised by HWDT for this project will be publicised HERE . The Big Lottery Fund distributes half of the National Lottery good cause funding across the UK. The Fund aims to enable others to make real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need. Tue, 24 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=244 HWDT's previous Marine Biodiversity Officer Nienke van Geel undertakes PhD A research project looking at how the marine renewable energy industry can safeguard Scotland’s west coast bottlenose dolphins is getting underway at the University of the Highlands and Islands in a funding partnership with commercial law firm Harper Macleod LLP. As part of its commitment to supporting the renewable energy industry, Harper Macleod is helping to fund two PhD studentships, one of them at the Scottish Association for Marine Science UHI ( SAMS ) at Dunstaffnage, near Oban. The law firm wanted to collaborate with UHI as a result of Scotland’s increasing involvement in renewable energy and the need to invest in the long-term viability of the sector within the UK. The research will involve marine mammal scientist Nienke van Geel at SAMS investigating dolphin movement patterns and detection methods on the west coast of Scotland. The data could inform the timing of marine energy construction work to avoid any interference with dolphins. This research is co-funded by the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology Scotland (MASTS). Nienke’s supervisor, Dr Ben Wilson, senior lecturer in marine ecology and renewable energy, said the seas around Scotland had the potential to provide abundant marine-green energy. “This project offers an exciting opportunity to discover more about the ecology of a mysterious Scottish dolphin population and help us balance their needs alongside the construction of an emerging and urgently needed industry.” Harper Macleod head of energy and natural resources, David Bone, said: “The natural landscape and climate of Scotland has given us a fantastic opportunity to generate income for the nation and support local employment. However, we must be careful not to squander this gift and use it to its best potential to ensure prosperity for future generations whilst protecting our environment. We’re pleased to support research which could potentially encourage sustainable renewable energy worldwide.” Nienke graduated with BSc biology and MSc natural resources management degrees from Utrecht University in Holland. She has worked for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) on beaked whale acoustics and habitats in the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands, and for the last two years was the Marine Biodiversity Officer with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, conducting visual and acoustic cetacean monitoring surveys throughout the west coast of Scotland. We wish Nienke all the best with her research. Tue, 24 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=242 Mull based whale watching company Sea Life Surveys are offering the exciting opportunity to spot whales and dolphins alongside renowned wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan. Join Sea Life Surveys and Gordon onboard the vessel Sula Beag; spotting cetaceans and seabirds while cruising through the dramatic seascapes found off the west coast of Scotland. Gordon will be on hand to talk about the wealth of marine wildlife found in the area where he grew up. Cruises will depart from Tobermory, Isle of Mull, on Sunday 24th and 31st July, each lasting 8 hours. Join the excitement and book now to avoid disappointment (space is limited). To book call 01688 202916. Cost is £200 per person. 10% of this cost will be donated to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, a Tobermory based charity dedicated to enhancing the knowledge and understanding of Scotland’s cetaceans and the Hebridean marine environment. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and Sea Life Surveys have a close working relationship and have collaborated for many years. Morven Summers, HWDTs Volunteer Coordinator, says “We are delighted and very grateful that Gordon Buchanan has nominated HWDT to benefit from the trips. I think the experience will be unforgettable, it’s unfortunate that I’ll be working!”. Call now on 01688 302916 to find out more. Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=241 During July, with support from the Earthwatch Institute , HWDT will run a special survey welcoming teenage volunteers onboard Silurian to participate in a cetacean research survey. Usually HWDT have a minimum age restriction of 18 to join a cetacean research survey, however we are offering the exclusive opportunity to do so if you are aged 16 or 17 years old. The survey, running from the 10th - 17th July, will follow exactly the same protocol as a standard expedition; training participants in species identification and survey methodology, recording all encounters with cetaceans, birds, sharks and marine litter. The teens will stay onboard our research yacht for the duration of the survey and learn about the work of HWDT while visiting some spectacular locations to anchor for the night. If you are interested, please click here or contact the Earthwatch Institute on 01685 318831. Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=240 Following news of the first minke whales of 2011 seen from Silurian , crew and volunteers onboard our research vessel have also been treated to the first sightings of basking sharks, common dolphins and sunfish. Follow their story via the Silurian blog . With sea temperatures beginning to rise this spring, we are seeing the arrival of our seasonal 'visitors'. These species are often seen from May to September as warmer sea temperatures mean and increase in prey, including plankton, small fish and jellyfish. May is always a greatmonth to be out on the waves, and is really interesting for our scientists to monitor the arrival of these species each year. Local tour operators have also reported common dolphins and basking sharks in the area over the weekend. The crew and volunteers currently onboard Silurian have also encountered more minke whales, more Risso's dolphins and possibly a fin whale. Fin whales are the second largest whale in the ocean, reaching up to 27 metres in length. Find out more about the species encountered during this survey here . Meanwhile, staff inour office in Tobermory have received areport of orca (killer whales) in the Sound of Iona. The group reportedly comprised five individuals, including two large males. With Wild Isles on Mull beginning in less than a week, we hope that visitors to the island and local alike will keep a look out for marine animals and report their sightings to us via our online sightings form . Mon, 2 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=239 The team of volunteers currently on Silurian are enjoying an excellent monitoring trip, having so far encountered harbour porpoises, minke whales and Risso’s dolphins in the first three days. These are the first sightings of minke whales from Silurian this season; these magnificent animals have arrived to take advantage of the seasonal increase in their prey, which includes sand eels and herring. We hope that these are the first of many more whale sightings for 2011, and our scientists will be studying photos of their dorsal fins in order to monitor the population this year. Everyone on board was also delighted to see a group of six Risso’s dolphins. These animals are not uncommon in the Hebrides, but sightings are rare as they tend to favour the deeper waters in which their prey (squid, octopus and cuttlefish) are more abundant. A variety of other marine and coastal species have been recorded; thirty-four species including seals and seabirds were seen in a single day, proving just how rich in biodiversity the marine environment off the west coast of Scotland really is. We look forward to hearing further news of the current trip, which will be reported first on the Silurian blog . Sat, 30 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=238 HWDT’s Education Officer Gemma Cave led a successful afternoon of beach activities in Tobermory (HWDT's base), centred around the Great (Easter) Eggcase Hunt. Everyone was invited to participate and help look for the spent egg cases of sharks, skates and rays that wash ashore. Although no egg cases were found, a great afternoon full of fun activities was had by all. The Great Eggcase Hunt is coordinated by the Shark Trust and aims to better understand the distribution of British elasmobranchs (the collective term for sharks, rays and skates). Over 22,000 egg cases, sometimes referred to as mermaid’s purses, have been recorded since the campaign began in 2003. Reported findings allow the Shark Trust to identify potential nursery grounds, thus allowing for more effective conservation efforts. Everyone can get involved, simply download an identification guide and start looking. Remember to report any finds to the Shark trust. Image© Gemma Cave: Olivia Harries, HWDT’s Biodiversity Officer, gets stuck in. Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=237 A group of volunteers, including staff from the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) and local Mary MacGregor, spent Sunday 27th March cleaning away the litter behind the Aros Hall in Tobermory as part of the national campaign ‘Spring Clean Scotland’. Nationwide, volunteers were encouraged to help clear up locations where rubbish had become an issue. In all, approximately eleven bags of litter were collected and then picked up by Argyll and Bute Council the following day. Morven Summers, Volunteer Coordinator, says “It was great to get stuck in and Spring Clean behind the Aros Hall, the difference afterwards was testament to everyone's efforts on the day”. Anyone can get involved with the campaign and work towards a cleaner country. Details about cleans near you or ideas on how to organise one can be found at the Keep Scotland Beautiful website. Marine litter is an issue HWDT takes seriously. Beach cleans are organised throughout the year to stop litter entering the marine environment, and volunteers help us annually with the Marine Conservation Society’s Beachwatch event . All litter is recorded during cetacean research surveys to provide an estimate of litter density in the Hebrides . Marine wildlife can become entangled in litter, such as rope and plastic strapping, and there is evidence of this in our minke whale photo-ID catalogue . Animals also ingest marine litter when they mistake items, such as plastic bags, for prey. Gemma Cave, HWDT’s Education Officer, says ‘We have produced a Marine Litter Teaching Resource to educate school students about the causes and consequences of marine litter. We hope this will encourage more responsible attitudes towards litter and recycling that will ultimately improve the health of our oceans.’ Some of these resources are available for free on our website , and high schools can contact HWDT to receive the full CD resource. Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=236 HWDT are offering the opportunity to join us onboard our research yacht to participate in a Cetacean Research Survey at a discounted price. Berths have become available on the forthcoming Cetacean Research Survey, running from 25th April - 6th May. HWDT are offering a reduced cost to participate of only £995 (usually £1,200). Join us onboard and assist with our vital data collection, contributing to a better understanding of marine mammals off the west coast of Scotland. Spring is a very interesting time to survey the study area. It allows us to focus on our resident species whilst also monitoring the arrival of seasonal species such as common dolphins, basking sharks and minke whales. It's a great time of the year to visit the Hebrides with reports of both residents and summer visitors. The seabirds, including puffin, are also returning to land to nest and create a spectacle. To find out more and make a booking, please click here quoting 'HWDT' for the special offer. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information about the survey. Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=235 A group of seven bottlenose dolphins were seen in Tobermory Bay on Friday 8th April by the crew onboard Silurian that evening. Marine Biodiversity Officer Olivia Harries said that they were below deck when they heard the sound of dolphin blows. The dolphins came close to Silurian , swimming around and underneath the vessel, as she sat on her mooring buoy in the harbour. Photos takenduring the sightingare being studied for matches with our photo-ID catalogue and to establish whether these are the same 7 dolphins that visited the Bay on the 17th March. Our Sightings Officer Sandra Koetter has confirmed that the seven dolphins seen in the Sound of Iona on the 25th March were the same animals that were in Tobermory on St Patrick's Day. Today, we have received further reports of bottlenose dolphins spotted by members of the public around the Isle of Mull:north of Craignure on the 8th April, and at Calgary Bay and Loch Tuath on the 10th April. Keep your eyes peeled for splashes and fins, and let us know if you see anything via our online sightings form .You can alsosend usphotos of the dorsal fins to help us identify the individuals and track their movements. Photo: Olivia Harries/HWDT Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=233 HWDT have received the first reports of summer visitors to the west coast of Scotland. A basking shark, minke whale and a pod of common dolphins were spotted off the west coast of Tiree in the week beginning 28th March. Although the sighting reports are early, in fact the earliest HWDT have received to date, we can’t speculate too much on the reasons. Sandra Koetter, HWDT’s Sightings Officer, explains, "We can’t assume that these animals aren’t around at this time of year, it may be that density is lower during this time, moreover there are generally less people at sea in comparison to the summer months to encounter cetaceans and report their sightings”. The sighting of a basking shark follows earlier reports of the massive fish off the Irish and Cornish coasts. These sightings highlight the need for more study to better understand the marine environment off the west coast of Scotland, especially at this time of rapid development of the marine renewables industry in this area. Morven Summers, Volunteer Coordinator, says “These sightings herald a fantastic start to the season. Silurian, HWDTs research vessel, departs this week to begin her 10th season surveying the Hebrides – hopefully encountering these early arrivals.” HWDT asks the public to help build a better picture of the local marine environment by reporting sightings to HWDT. This information is important because it contributes to HWDT’s understanding of where and when particular species occur. If you have spotted a cetacean please contribute to our research by reporting your sightings . Wed, 6 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=232 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trusts' research vessel Silurian returned to Tobermory this morningfor the start of the research season next week. Crewed bySkipper Dave Hanna and First Mate Emma Burgess, our magnificent survey vessel arrived back to the bay after spending the winter in the Caledonian Canal. The research season begins next week with our newly appointed Marine Biodiversity Officer Olivia Harries taking University groups out to learn about field survey techniques. Volunteers will then be welcomed onboard for trips throughout the summer. There are still spaces available if you would like to join us on a research expedition off the west coast of Scotlandthis summer. See HERE for more information on the trips and how to book. Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=230 St. Patricks Day turned out to be a very special day for us at HWDT. Just before 4pm on the 17th March we received a phone call from Nic Davies that bottlenose dolphins were just entering Tobermory Bay. Within 10 minutes we organised a boat and were on the water, cameras at the ready. The dolphins did not disappoint us! Within minutes we saw the first dolphin jumping out of the water and it was not the last time we saw this acrobatic behaviour during the encounter. Snapping away we felt very lucky to spend over half an hour with these beautiful animals, which were very playful and curious. We were quite surprised to see them here in the bay this early in the year. It has also been the first time in years that they swam up as far as the pontoon, which makes the St. Patricks Day encounter even more special. We saw approximately 7 animals in the Bay. Photo-ID analysis is currently under way to confirm the number of individuals and we also hope to find out if they are from the west coast population. This news story also featured on the Daily Mail website with exclusive photos taken by Nic Davies. We've posted another photo from the encounter on Twitter - follow us @HWDT_org Find out how to sponsor a Scottish bottlenose dolphin HERE . Photo © Sandra Koetter/HWDT Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=229 Silurian became a 'floating classroom' this week as the Education Team welcomed school children, local Sea Cadets and the Lochaber Natural History Society onboard. We have worked with around 75 children from Banavie Primary School, Lochaber High School and the TS St Christopher Lochaber Sea Cadets, teaching them about the whales, dolphins and porpoises that we encounter off the west coast. They were all very enthusiastic about looking around our boat, learning about visual and acoustic survey methods and practising minke whale photo-ID. Younger pupils were asked to think of a sea creature that started with the same letter as their own name, resulting in Molly the minke whale, Ciara the crab and Ben the basking shark amongst other. The Lochaber Natural History Society rounded the week off by coming onboard to hear about our most recent research findings. You can read what the school children had to say about their visits on the Silurian blog . HWDT's research yacht has spent the winter months just above Neptune's Staircase in the Caledonian Canal. She will move through the lock gates and head back to Tobermory next week to begin the 2011 research season. Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=228 HWDT are offering the opportunity to join us onboard our research yacht to participate in a Cetacean Research Survey at a discounted price. Berths have become available on the first Cetacean Research Survey of 2011, running from 11th – 20th April . HWDT are offering a reduced cost to participate ofonly £695.00 . Join us onboard and assist with our vital data collection; contributing to a better understanding of marine mammals off the west coast of Scotland. April is a very interesting time to survey the study area. It allows us to focus on our resident species whilst also monitoring the arrival of seasonal species such as common dolphins, basking sharks and minke whales. It's a great time of the year to visit the Hebrides. Find out more and apply . Contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information. Fri, 4 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=223 Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report 354: Distribution, abundance and population structure of bottlenose dolphins in Scottish waters. In October 2005, the Scottish Government and SNH commissioned a project to review existing data on the occurrence of bottlenose dolphins in Scottish waters, and to conduct surveys to assess the current distribution, abundance and population structure of this species in Scottish coastal waters. The large (30MB) PDF of the reportcan be downloaded from the SNH website HERE . You can viewour other publications in the research section of our website. Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=222 Involve yourself directly with whale and dolphin research off the west coast of Scotland; visit some of the remotest islands in the Hebrides, witness some of the most breath-taking scenery, gain sailing skills and contribute to the protection of the marine environment - all in one holiday! Twenty-four cetacean species have been recorded in the waters off the west coast of Scotland, one third of the global total, making it one of the most abundant areas in Europe. However, little directed research had been conducted until webegan scientifically monitoring populations using coherent data collection methods. Our regular visitors include minke whales and common dolphins plus the occasional ‘rare' species while our resident populations of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and elusive orca are sure to delight. As part of the field team onboard our research vessel, Silurian , you will be helping us collect visual and acoustic data that forms the basis of our analysis. "One of the best traveling experiences I have ever had. Thanks to the competence of the staff, the kindness of the other participants and the wonderful beauty of the Hebrides isles." - Petrina Hines (May 2009) Ultimately we endeavor to better understand the distribution, relative abundance and habitat preferences of cetaceans in the survey area. As well as noting any changing trends in the data, the information collected plays an integral role in the construction of marine conservation strategies. We use a combination of visual and acoustic methods to monitor cetaceans. We've discovered some really interesting facts about the different populations, please click HERE if you would like to find out more about the bottlenose dolphin population or the killer whale population found in the Hebrides. "There were many unforgettable moments during the journey: seeing killer whales and dolphins near our boat or arrivingat a deserted beach full of seals! But also the beautiful sunsets in the Hebridean islands... all this was made possible by the crew that were amazingly passionate and competent." - Federico Spinucci (Sept 2009) Although our main focus is cetaceans, there are many other marine species in these waters that you will have the opportunity to observe. There’s a very high possibility we’ll encounter basking sharks, the second largest known fish in the world, common and grey seals, otters, sunfish and many thousands of nesting and breeding seabirds. The areas surveyed are some of the most spectacular in the British Isles and the landscapes certainly won’t disappoint. Each night we will moor in a secluded bay and venture onto land to explore some of these, often uninhabited, islands. The images in our photo galleries were all taken from onboard Silurian during research surveys. If you are interested in joining us onboard please click here . Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=220 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has teamed up with Charity Challenge to offer our supporters the opportunity to raise money for us whilst undertaking the experience of a lifetime. You can take part in one of the many different challenges including climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp or trekking on the Great Wall of China or to Machu Picchu. There are so many reasons why people just like you take on a charity challenge including; getting fit and losing weight, visiting a new country, experiencing new cultures, enjoying an activity in a totally different environment, meeting like-minded people and most importantly to raise much-needed funds for a charity close to your heart. Find out more about Charity Challenge by visiting their website . If you have any questions or wish to discuss the possibilities, please contact the HWDT office on 01688 302620 or email us . Find out more HERE Photo: Challenge trek to Mt Kilimanjaro ©Charity Challenge Tue, 1 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=214 Everyone at the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust would like to wish all of our friends, sponsors and volunteers a very happy and successful new year. We hope to see many of you in 2011 and look forward to another fantastic year in the Hebrides. Wed, 5 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=213 There are some very strange and worrying noises coming from the HWDT office! Unfortunately, some of our equipment is now old and struggling to keep up with the workload of our research and education teams. We would like to appeal to our supporters for donations, however big or small, to help update and replace some of our equipment that is so valuable to us. Our equipment wish list, with details of how to donate,can be viewed HERE . In addition, weare particularly interested to hear from anyone who might be able to help us acquire new computer equipment. We are in great need of a new desktop PC for use on our researchvessel Silurian , as we can no longer rely on the existing one to collect and process the valuable data we collect during our survey trips. Our Marine Biodiversity Officer, Education Officer and Director are all in need of new laptops to continue their work, as the slow speeds, constant crashing and strange noises from within are becoming very concerning! If you think you can help, please contact our office on 01688 302620 or email [email protected] . We would like to thank all of our supporters and those who have given so generously in the past. Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=212 HWDT have just launched a new and improved online shop, featuring great gift ideas f or babies, children and adults. The majority of the new merchandise is sourced from Fair-trade, Organic or local sources; creating a more ethical shopping experience. All profits will contribute to the continuation of our education and research programmes. By shopping with HWDT you are directly contributing to our conservation efforts. Shop now in time for Christmas. For those who have it all, why not Sponsor a Cetacean for Christmas? Also, by shopping at Amazon through this link a small percentage of the sale will be donated to HWDT without costing you a penny. Tue, 7 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=211 Planet Whale is proud to announce the publication of the first report ever to summarise the status of the world’s non-profit Cetacean Conservation Organisations (CCO’s). Planet Whale has produced this report as a free downloadable resource for everybody to use, so please take it away, load it on your own website or link to it from your social network or blog. Read the report HERE , where it is also available as a PDF to download. Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=210 Another fin whale, the second largest animal on the planet, has been sighted in the Hebrides. The animal, pictured right, was spotted by local wildlife operator Nick Davies just west of North Erradale, near Gairloch, on the 16th October. Nick was taking passengers out on a trip when he spotted the individual. He commented “I initially thought it was a sei whale. It was swimming very shallowly and I could track it using its "foot prints". We have seen sei whales feeding amongst the basking sharks in the area before. Though after looking at the photos it became quite clear it was a fin whale.” This is the second sighting in 2010 of this particular species, highlighting the abundance of marine life found off the west coast of Scotland. Although the total fin whale population in the North Atlantic is estimated at 35,000 to 50,000, we have only a handful of sightings reported since studies began. Fin whales are among the fastest of the large whales and, despite their enormous size, are capable of reaching speeds of around 25 mph and may travel as far as 90 miles a day. Fin whales can also dive to depths of over 200 metres, deeper than either blue or sei whales. Very little is known about the behaviour of fin whales in general and rare glimpses of them in the Hebrides are normally of travelling and feeding animals. To find out more about the fin whale, please click here . Thanks to Nick Davies of Hebridean Whale Cruises for reporting the sighting. Image © Nick Davies Wed, 3 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=209 HWDT has just launched a new Friendship scheme, encouraging you to help us continue the unique research and education programmes established. For only £1.50 a month you can contribute directly to our important conservation efforts off the west coast of Scotland. As a member you will receive: Subscription to our bi-annual newsletter Wave HWDT pen, badge and car sticker HWDTs Sea Kingdom of Argyll book Hebridean cetacean species identification guide. Access to the exclusive Friends area on the website As a small charity, HWDT relies greatly on support from people keen to monitor and conserve the abundance of marine life found in the Hebrides. As apex predators, whales and dolphins are good indicators of the overall health of the seas. Therefore, monitoring the various populations and educating people about the environment is significantly important. Over the years, without the gracious contributions from many, HWDT would not have developed into the well-established organisation it has become so a huge thank you to all of our supporters, past and present. Please join us today to help better understand and protect these most remarkable creatures. Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=204 The second largest cetacean, the fin whale, has been spotted off the west coast of Scotland. Two fin whales were reported off Reinish Point, Isle of Harris, on the 19th September. The whales were see heading in a north east direction, their twenty foot blow clearly visible. Fin whales are rarely sighted in the Hebrides; the last report was off St. Kilda in June 2009 and previous to that in 2007 and 2006. However, sightings off the south west coast of Ireland are frequent and researchers working with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group estimate that 300 – 500 fin whales pass through Irish waters each year. To find out more about fin whales please click here . Thanks to Jezz Wheeler for reporting the sighting, if you have spotted a cetacean off Scotland's west coast please let us know . Image © Sealife Surveys Mon, 27 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=202 Despite a horrible weather forecast, Saturday was a lovely sunny day for our beach clean and survey for the MCS Beachwatch event. We collected about 100kg of litter from Ardmore Bay, recording large amounts of plastic fishing line, rope and strapping bands, which can pose a serious threat to marine life. During the survey, we also found the egg case of a lesser spotted catshark, Scyliorhinus canicula . We have reported our find to the Shark Trust via their Eggcase website; a valuable record that helps the Shark Trust to locate nursery grounds and monitor shark population sizes. HWDT submit all basking shark sighting reports received to the Shark Trust. Special thanks to Morven and Ricci for volunteering their time on Saturday. Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=201 HWDT's Education Officer Gemma took Duncan the Dolphin to meet the Wildlife Club at Tobermory School this lunchtime. The group have been learning about marine life this term and so our life-size inflatable bottlenose dolphin was the star of the show. We also listened to bottlenose dolphin sounds and investigated some bones and teeth. The group were very enthusiastic and had lots of questions. Here's what they had to say about the visit: 'Today I learnt how big a bottlenose dolphin really is!' Ella 'My favourite thing today was seeing Duncan' Oliver 'I learnt how big they are in real life' Emma, P5 'I learnt how big a bottlenose dolphin is and that that make noises' Sophie, aged 10 'Today I learnt that dolphin squeaks say their names' Victoria, aged 10 'I learnt that the biggest bottlenose dolphin is 4 metres long' William, aged 9 'The thing I liked the most was learning about dolphin's fins' Rebecca, aged 10 'I learnt that Duncan is 3.6 metres!' Carla 'I never knew bottlenose dolphins are so big as the model I saw was over 3 metres long' Abbey, aged 9 'Today my favourite thing was that all Duncan's teeth are the same shape' Laura, aged 8 'I didn't know that bottlenose dolphins' dorsal fins have no bones in them' Anna, aged 9 'Today I learnt all of Duncan's body parts and his size' Amelia, aged 10 'I learnt that the bottlenose dolphin is 3.6 metres long' Find out more about our education programme and how to arrange a visit HERE Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=198 Everyone at HWDT thoroughly enjoyed watching Mull Eagle Paradise , a short film by Gordon Buchanan about Mull's white tailed sea eagles,on BBC2 last night. You can watch it on BBC iPlayer by clicking on the link above. Trips onboard our research yacht Silurian occasionally encounterwhite tailed seaeagles and it is always a truly remarkable experience. Find out more about Mull's sea eagles HERE . Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=195 The annual Marine Conservation Society Beachwatch Big Weekend is here! Help turn the tide on litter by joining HWDT to clean and survey the litter at Ardmore Bay. Some of our best-loved marine wildlife is under threat from the waste and litter in our seas. Hundreds of species of marine wildlife accidentally eat or become tangled up in litter. In addition to harming wildlife, litter on our beaches is hazardous to people and costs millions to clear up. Where: Ardmore Bay, Isle of Mull. We will meet in the Forestry Commission Car Park. When: Saturday 18th September 2010, meet at 11 am Details: Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. We suggest you bring lunch and a drink to keep you going. We will provide litter bags but please bring gloves and litter pickers if you have them. Ardmore has been a hotspot for sightings of basking sharks, otters, seals and sometimes dolphins so bring binoculars and a camera if you have them. Contact: Gemma Cave, Education Officer for more information. Tel: 01688 302 859 Mon, 6 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=193 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is currently looking for a Marine Biodiversity Officer to be based on the Isle of Mull in Scotland. HWDT’s Marine Biodiversity Officer will work on its boat and land based projects and will undertake the running of the science programme. A substantial part of the job involves being the main monitoring officer onboard ' Silurian ': undertaking a variety of marine mammal surveys and overseeing land-based monitoring projects. He/she will work with and supervise volunteers on most projects. An additional role involves representing the Trust on local and regional forums. The appointee must be a qualified marine biologist with appropriate field and analytical experience. The successful applicant will be recruited early in 2011 however there may be an opportunity for one or two applicants to shadow the current Marine Biodiversity Officer onboard Silurian, HWDT's research vessel towards the end of the 2010 field season. We are therefore interested in receiving early notices of interest, however the closing date for formal applications is 31 October 2010 Please visit the Vacancies section of the website for more information. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=191 There’s one last chance to join us onboard our research yacht in 2010 and we’re offering the berth for only £650!! Every year, from April through to September, we conduct cetacean surveys from our research yacht Silurian , welcoming volunteers onboard to help us collect our data. For the duration of the survey, volunteers in effect become marine mammal scientists; collecting visual and acoustic data, living and working onboard the vessel, assisting with day-to-day running tasks. To find out more about the research surveys, please click here . As a volunteer onboard Silurian, you will have the opportunity to experience the amazing marine wildlife Britain has to offer; including whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sharks and many species of seabird. You will also explore some of the remotest, wildest parts of the British Isles, anchoring for the night in a secluded bay off one of the many islands and venturing ashore to explore. Please, if you are interested in becoming part of the team please don’t hesitate in contacting us on 01688 302620 or email [email protected] - the berth is on a first come, first serve basis. Thanks to those of you who expressed an interest in this opportunity. We have now filled this berth. Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=190 A second humpback whale has been spotted off the west coast of Scotland; on the 2nd August in Camus Tuath (North Bay) off the coast of Mull (HWDTs base). This is the second reported sighting of this species in 2010. Humpback whale sightings off the west coast of Scotland are rare but not unheard of. However the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group receives many reports of this species and holds a catalogue of eleven individuals. Unfortunately without any images of the whale's tail flukes, which are individual to each animal, identification isn't possible. All images taken of humpback whale flukes are submitted to the North Atlantic Humpback Catalogue which currently has over 5,500 recognisable individuals. Please do report your sightings to HWDT and, if possible, all images of dorsal fins (in particular of bottlenose dolphins, minke whales and orca) and tail flukes (humpback whales) will be gratefully received. Thanks to Peter MacDonald for reporting the sighting. Image: Lewis Drysdale Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=188 HWDT's shop and Visitor Centre has had a major refit and is open for business as usual! Come in and browse our new stock sourced locally, where possible, and with a range of organic and fair trade items. We are currently finishing off our interpretation area, which provides information about the work that HWDT does. Shop Online HWDT would like to thank Sarah Egholm for all of her hard work on this project, which formed part of herVodafone 'World of Difference' Programme. Read her blog HERE . Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=184 HWDT has received a report of a humpback whale sighting between Tiree and Mull on 1st July 2010. Coincidentally, on June 29th 2009, crew and volunteers onboard Silurian were treated to an hour long encounter with a humpback. Furthermore, the 2009 encounter was off the coast of Coll - not far from the 2010 sighting. However, without a good quality image of the animal's tail flukes (each is an unique as a fingerprint) we won't be able to identify and compare with other catalogues held. Humpback whale sightings off the west coast of Scotland are rare but not unheard of. This is the first report of 2010, however the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group receives many reports of this species. More recently off Northern Ireland too. Humpbacks are widely distributed in all oceans, making extensive migrations and ranging from their tropical wintering grounds to the edges of the polar ice zones. Unmistakable in appearance, the humpback whale’s pectoral (side) fins are long and narrow (Megaptera means “great wing”) and may measure as much as a third of the body length. When fully grown, humpback whales can measure up to 17 metres and weigh 40,000 kg; the female is normally slightly larger than the male. The tail fluke can measure up to five metres across, has a serrated trailing edge, and is black with distinct patterns of white on the underside; this pattern is unique to each animal and is used for identifying individuals. Thanks to Miss Janice Turner for reporting this sighting. Please, if you have seen a cetacean off Scotland's west coast please report it to HWDT. Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=177 Between 21st January and 27th July 2008 approximately 71 whales were found stranded across the Hebridean Isles and on the coast of Ireland. Species included Cuvier Beaked whales, Sowerby’s Beaked whales and Long-Finned Pilot whales. Scientists believe that noise pollution (caused by military and large vessels), fishery interactions, disease or natural causes, e.g. seaquakes, may have been the cause. The state of decomposition, of some whales, meant that they were unable to identify date of death or what caused the stranding. Please click here to read the information HWDT released on the discovery of the 'mass stranding' event. To read the publictaion please click here . Mon, 31 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=176 HWDT welcomed the One Show onboard Silurian to discover more about our efforts to conserve the harbour porpoise. The harbour porpoise is the smallest cetacean found in British waters. Worldwide, harbour porpoises are found in relatively inshore waters in the northern hemisphere. They are widespread throughout coastal regions of the Hebrides and are resident year-round. The number of harbour porpoises in Hebridean waters is amongst the highest in Europe. Current research is being carried out by HWDT in collaboration with St Andrew's University to determine the fine-scale habitat use of harbour porpoises off the west coast of Scotland. Because of their feeding habits, they are at a high risk of entanglement in fishing gear. It is believed that several thousand may be entangled and drowned each year in UK waters, primarily in gill nets. Harbour porpoise distribution overlaps with areas of the coast that are most heavily used by people, which means they are exposed to high levels of shipping traffic, coastal development and other human sources of disturbance. Hearing is the most important sense for porpoises, but the loud underwater noises caused by vessels, military activity and seal scarers (Acoustic Deterrent Devices) used by some fish farms may impact on their distribution and welfare. Our boat-based research programme aims to develop an understanding of the most important habitats and the key habitat requirements for harbour porpoises in the region to help protect the species in the future. The One Show are highlighting projects that were granted funding through the BBC Wildlife Fund . The BBC Wildlife Fund aims to raise awareness and funds to conserve threatened wildlife and places. Thanks go to Sea Life Surveys for allowing the One Show to make use of their vessel for filming some of the footage seen. Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=175 As in previous years, May has heralded the appearance of the first basking sharks off the west coast. During a cetacean research survey all onboard were treated to an encounter of a lone individual off the Isle of Tiree. Coincidently the first reported sighting of 2009 was roughly the on same date and more surprisingly in exactly the same location, Gott Bay. Reports of sharks off the Ross of Mull have also filtered through to the Trust but nothing is confirmed as yet. Remember if you spot a cetacean or large fish please report the sighting to HWDT . By doing so you will help us better understand the species and the general marine environment. Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=171 The first minke whale sighting of 2010 has been reported to HWDT. The whales were spotted on the 10th April just round the corner from the HWDT offices between Kilchoan Bay (Ardnamurchan) and Ardmore Bay (Mull). The whales were heading in a northwards direction towards Coll and were seen diving irregularly. Huge thanks to Mark Trigg who reported the sighting. Please, if you see a cetacean off the west coast off Scotland remember to report it to HWDT. Image: Peter Evans/Seawatch Foundation Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=170 Silurian , HWDTs research vessel, started her season last week, welcoming onboard groups of students from the Sea Mammal Rescue Unit (SMRU) of St. Andrew's University. 2010 will be an exciting year for HWDT and Silurian , with one of the busiest timetables we've ever had. As well as student field trips, we will be conducting several cetacean research surveys wherein you are invited to join us onboard and share in the experience. Berths are filling up quickly so if you're keen on participating please contact us . As part of Mull & Iona Wildlife Week 2010, 8th - 14th May, HWDT will be running a day excursion onboard, giving people a brief insight in the fundamental survey techniques used and what results we have reached. For more information on Wild Isles, please click here . Spaces will be limited to a maximum of nine. There will also be a chance to drop in onboard as part of the Festival of the Sea, held in and around Oban between the 21st and 31st May. Silurian will be alongside the pontoon at Dunstaffnage Marina on Sunday 23rd May, welcoming anyone who has an interest in local cetacean species onboard. Staff from HWDT will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about local species or the research we are involved in. For more information about the festival, which will be a celebration of all aspects of the sea, please click here . Last but not least, HWDT would like to welcome Roddy Wyness to the team. Roddy is a Tobermory local and will be Silurian's First Mate for the season. Tue, 6 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=169 HWDT and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) are once again uniting forces to monitor whale and dolphin activity off the west coast of Scotland during NATO’s forthcoming Joint Warrior Exercise (Europe’s largest naval exercise), and we are offering you the chance to join us onboard. Last year, during a routine survey, HWDT witnessed some unusual and worrying minke whale behaviour during the Joint Warrior exercise. Following this, reports were also received from the public of similar sighings of porpoising minkes, a behaviour associated with distruption in minke whales. To read more please click here . Between 19-26th April, a WDCS scientist will be joining HWDT on their survey vessel, Silurian, to embark on one of the first field surveys of the season, and we are looking for enthusiastic (paying) volunteers to join us for the week to help us to collect whale and dolphin sightings, enjoy the stunning West coast scenery from the water, and maybe even spot a navy warship or listen to naval sonar. All for only £550!! (food and accommodation provided onboard) No previous experience is necessary. You just need to have a keen enthusiasm! As part of our on-board research team, you will be fully trained in scientific study methods and will help us to collect visual observations of the amazing marine wildlife in this beautiful part of Scotland. You will also undertake acoustic surveying, helping us to monitor the underwater sounds of the deep! To find out more about this exciting opportunity and to become a member of our boat based research team, please contact Morven Summers, HWDTs volunteer coordinator at [email protected] or call 01688 302620. Image: Sea Life Surveys Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=166 A couple on holiday visited the HWDT shop today to report an unusual fish (pictured right) which has washed ashore near Ulva Ferry on the west coast of Mull. Nobody could identify the fish so we decided to make some enquiries and can reveal that the fish is a Deal Fish. Found at depths during the day, the fish ascends at nigh time to the surface. We have arranged for the fish to be transported to the Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS) near Oban for further analysis. Thanks to the Ulva Ferryman for spotting the fish, Mr and Mrs Richardson for reporting the sighting, Heather Wallar for transporting the fish and the Argyll Fisheries Trust for helping with identification. Wed, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=161 Volunteer anglers from all over the UK will be descending upon south west Scotland once again in an attempt to tag as many inshore sharks as possible from boats, kayaks and the shore over the three-day period 18th to 20th June. Sharkatag is just one of the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network’s on going projects, aimed at highlighting the urgent need for shark, ray and skate conservation in Scottish waters and raising the public awareness of sea angling and its contribution to the economies of many coastal communities. One of the main organizers Stuart Cresswell said. “Last years Sharkatag event was a huge success with over 200 volunteer sport fishermen catching, tagging and releasing over 200 sharks. The event received widespread publicity on prime time TV news bulletins and also benefited local businesses to a value in excess of £40,000." "Our aim for the 2010 event is to increase participation and publicity of the event further and to clearly highlight the fact to Scotland's politicians that a live shark in the sea is actually worth over 20 times more than a dead shark on the fishmongers slab." According to Ian Burrett, SSACN’s Projects Director “ The focus for this year’s Sharkatag event will be the tope shark which grows up to 100 lb. SSACN believes Luce Bay and the Solway are a breeding ground for tope, yet unlike in England and Wales, tope are not protected in Scottish waters and their numbers are dropping year by year. We would like tope to be protected in all EU waters, but need our own Government to support that aim." Other shark species such as rays, bull huss and smoothound will also be tagged using Scottish Shark Tagging Programme (SSTP ) tags, which carry a unique number, are carefully attached to the sharks. Details like weight, sex and length are recorded and entered on a database. When the shark is recaptured, the data can be analysed to provide evidence of species migrations, growth rates, stock populations, make-up and fluctuations. Please click here for more information. Anglers signing up for Sharkatag at on the SSTP website will each receive a Participants Pack with details about the weekend; SSACN tope and small shark handling best practice guides; a list of suggested launch sites and fishing spots; tagging instruction ; fish return forms and one years free membership of SSACN. The severe decline in the stocks of several species of shark in Scottish waters has been apparent for the last two decades, but in the past the voices of anglers have been ignored by governments – even though Scottish sea angling supports many livelihoods and business opportunities and contributes more than £150 million per year to the Scottish economy. However, Ian Burrett has some optimism for the future - “I believe as a result of our work and that of other NGO’s, shark conservation has certainly moved on in recent years, the Scottish Government is now starting to listen and many sharks species now receiving some form of EU protection. "Also, thanks to recent funding from the SNH and Argyll and Bute Leader program, we have been able to employ a shark specialist which will enable us to carry out more vital research to help stocks of Scotland’s endangered sharks to recover by identifying and protecting shark nursery and breeding grounds." Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=159 Thanks to many of you for writing to your MSPs in November, asking them to do all they can to improve the Scottish Marine Bill. Because of the huge response that resulted, some important amendments were made that will help improve the chances of Scotland’s seas recovering from decades of over-exploitation. But the biggest and most urgent issue was not addressed: the bill does not deal with improving the health of the sea outside Marine Protected Areas. This leaves most of Scotland’s seas open to continuing exploitation and decline, unable to reverse the fortunes of marine wildlife and coastal communities. There is one last chance to change this – when MSPs vote on the issue at the final debate in the Scottish Parliament in the first week of February. Please make the most of this vital opportunity – email your MSPs today and ask them to vote in favour of a bill that delivers a real recovery of Scotland’s seas. Please take action now. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=157 Involve yourself directly with whale and dolphin research off the west coast of Scotland; visit some of the remotest islands in the Hebrides, witness some of the most breath-taking scenery, gain sailing skills and contribute to the protection the marine environment - all in one trip! Twenty-four cetacean species have been recorded in the waters off the west coast of Scotland, one third of the global total, making it one of the most abundant areas in Europe. However little directed research had been conducted until we started scientifically monitoring populations using coherent data collection methods. Our regular visitors include minke whales, common dolphins, Risso’s dolphins plus the occasional ‘rare species’ while our resident populations of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and elusive orca are sure to delight. As part of the field team onboard our research vessel, Silurian , you will be helping us to produce the data sets that our science department will use in logistical analysis over the winter months. "One of the best traveling experiences I have ever had. Thanks to the competence of the staff, the kindness of the other participants and the wonderful beauty of the Hebrides isles." - Petrina Hines (May 2009) Ultimately we endeavor to better understand the distribution, relative abundance and habitat preferences of cetaceans in the survey area. As well as noting any changing trends in the data, the information collected plays an integral role in the construction of marine conservation strategies. We use a combination of visual and acoustic methods to monitor cetaceans. We've discovered some really interesting facts about the different populations, please click on the following if you would like to find out more about the bottlenose dolphin population or the killer whale population found in the Hebrides. " There were many unforgettable moments during the journey: seeing killer whales and dolphins near our boat or arriving in a deserted beach full of seals! But also the beautiful sunsets in the Hebrides islands... all this was made possible but the crew that were amazingly passionate and competent." - Federico Spinucci (Sept 2009) Although our main focus is cetaceans, there are many other marine species in these waters that you will have the opportunity to observe. There’s a very high possibility we’ll encounter basking sharks, the second largest known fish in the world, common and grey seals, otters, sunfish and many thousands of nesting and breeding seabirds. The areas surveyed are some of the most spectacular in the British Isles and the landscapes certainly won’t disappoint. Each night we will moor in a secluded bay and venture onto land to explore some of these, often uninhabited, islands. The images in our photo galleries were all taken from onboard Silurian during a research survey. If you are interested in joining us onboard please click here . Fri, 8 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=154 Studies by Dr. Andy Foote of Aberdeen University, with contributions from HWDT, have shed some light on the orca sighted off UK coasts. There appears to be two separate groups found in British waters, each different in diet and appearance. 'Type 1' killer whales are found across the North East Atlantic and around Britain. 'Type 2' killer whales are the small pod studied by HWDT for many years and are regularly seen off the west coast of Scotland, with a few recent reports off the Irish coast. To read more please click here . BBC News Wed, 6 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=153 John Coe has been sighted off the Cork coast for the second time this year. This wide-ranging bull has been spotted in Irish waters quite a few times in recent years, in July he was joined by all 9 of the 'Hebridean Killers'. There were another 5 orca, 3 males and 2 females, spotted within a kilometre of John Coe but without photographs of their dorsal fins we won't be able to positively identify them as part of the 'West Coast Community'. John Coe was also spotted off the Pembrokeshire coast a couple of years ago, highlighting the huge range of these animals. We are only begining to understand the Hebridean orca, please click here to read the research paper just published by Andy Foote of Aberdeen University in conjuction with HWDT. Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=148 In recent weeks two scientific papers have been publishedin which HWDT has had a direct involvement, emphasising the scientific and applied value of the Trusts data collection. The first was by Aberdeen University PhD student, Andy Foote. Andy has been studying orca in the north east Atlantic and has revealed some interesting information about the Hebridean orca, which he's dubbed the 'West Coast Community'. To read Andy's paper please click here . Dr. Clare Embling has just had her paper on harbour porpoise habitat preference published. Clare analysed data collected from onboard Silurian to highlight areas where protection would be most successful.A copy of Clare's paper will be uploaded shortly, in the meantime please click here to read the article published bythe Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Image © Sea Life Surveys Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=146 Please help HWDTby shopping online at Amazon and a portion of the money spent will be donated to HWDT. It's so easy; simply click here, shop as you would normally and know that you are helping conserve British cetaceans in the process. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=145 In the run up to Christmas, HWDT is offering a special festive sponsorshipfor only £30!!Byadopting a cetacean thisChristmasyou will be contributing directlyto HWDTs valuable research and education programmes. Know that your gift will make a difference to British wildlife and sponsor a cetacean for someone special. To find out more please click here . John Coe, the adult male orca picture right, is one of the orca you can sponsor.He hasbeen sighted in the area since 1992 and has been regularly seen ever since. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=144 If you have a Facebook account please become a fan of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. You'll receive regular news updates, have the opportunity to get involved in discussion and view photographs taken during our Cetacean Research Surveys. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=141 We all want our seas to be healthy and productive, a place where wildlife thrives and which can provide a sustainable future for our fragile coastal communities. But Scotland's seas have been over-exploited and under-protected for decades. We desperately need to help them recover. Now, for the first time ever, we have a chance to improve things, thanks to the Scottish Marine Bill . The problem is, the Bill as it stands needs some serious strengthening to make it effective. The Scottish Marine Bill is a unique opportunity to help the seas become healthy and productive once again – a place where wildlife can thrive and which can provide a sustainable future for Scottish coastal communities and businesses. The Bill as it stands will not deliver recovery. While it recognises the need for recovery in Marine Protected Areas, it lacks a requirement, or duty, on Scottish Ministers to make sure action is taken to help our seas recover. On 18 November, there is a chance to turn things around when the parliamentary committee responsible for the Bill will go through it and discuss amendments. Reasons for accepting or rejecting particular amendments will have to be justified by Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment. So we need you to email your MSPs to ask them to raise your concerns with Richard Lochhead, so he is fully aware of the strength of public opinion behind this issue. MSPs will themselves be voting on the Bill at a later stage, so your email will also serve to raise awareness of the Scottish Marine Bill in the Scottish Parliament as a whole. Please ask your MSPs to do all they can to strengthen this bill, and make sure it results in real recovery of our seas. Email your MSPs today Thanks in advance for taking taking action for Scottish Seas. With your support, the Scottish Marine Bill, once enacted, could pave the way for a future in which Scotland's seas regain their health and productivity. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=139 HWDT have announced the 2010 cetacean research survey dates. Join us onboard and have the experience of a life time; assist with valuable data collection, view whales and dolphins in the wild and explore some of the remotest, wildest parts of Scotland. In effect you will become a marine mammal scientist for the duration of the survey; living, eating and sleeping onboard our fully equipped yacht. To find out more about the surveys, please click here. Mon, 2 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=137 The End of the Line documentary was aired on television last night on More 4. The film explores the exploitative management of the ocean's fish stocks. "This isn't a film about what might happen, this is a film about what has happened". Please click here to watch the film. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=136 The presence of the mauve stinger ( Pelagia noctiluca ) has been confirmed off Mull's north west coast. The species was last seen in 2007 when widespread damage was caused to fish farms through out the area and further afield. A local Mull resident reported that he saw a 'river of red' west of Armore on Wednesday 14th and 'that there must have thousands present'. The Marine Conservation Society have confirmed further reports of the small but destructive mauve stinger. A mass stranding occurred at Reef Beach on the Isle of Lewis on the 4th of September and was reported to the MCS Jellyfish Survey earlier this week. This is the third consecutive year that large numbers of the species have been recorded late in the year on the west coast of the UK. Large swarms of mauve stingers can have serious economic consequences, as witnessed in 2007 when a huge swarm of mauve stingers, normally an ocean-going species, killed hundreds of thousands of caged salmon when they washed into inshore waters. Swarms of mauve stingers washing inshore at some Mediterranean beach resorts in recent years have also wreaked havoc with the region’s tourism industry, making the sea hazardous for bathing and resulting in beach closures. “We are urging the public to help us record these jellyfish swarms so we can warn relevant local interests, such as fish farms, about their arrival”, said Peter Richardson, Biodiversity Programme manager at MCS, “We encourage anyone who encounters a jellyfish to download our free identification guide , carefully identify and then report the jellyfish to our survey online at the MCS website. As ever, we are also warning the public to look but not touch, because some of the species we are seeing on our beaches these days have a dangerous sting.” Please report all jellyfish sightings to MCS and help build a better understanding of the jellyfish species in our waters. Image © Marine Conservation Society Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=135 Silurian is headed for the Caledonian canal today as her survey season draws to an end. It's been another fantastic year onboard and HWDT would like to take the opportunity to thank all the volunteers who assisted with our valuable research programme - without your contribution HWDT wouldn't be able to operate. Some of the many highlights of the season must include the humpback whale in June and the hour long encounter with the orca in September, not to mention the 'five cetaceans in one day' one the voyage to the Stanton Banks. It was also interesting to witness the unusual minke behaviour during the first Joint Warrior exercise in May. Silurian's last survey was planned to monitor the current military exercise, however weather restraints resulted in poor conditions to survey. The education team also utilised Silurian in 2009, with 3 weeks of boat based activity, welcoming onboard hundreds of school children. Special thanks go to Andy Simpson for his assistance during the education trips onboard. The 2010 timetable will be published within the week, once again HWDT will travel thousands of nautical miles between May and October, inviting volunteers onboard to assist with the data collection. We will also continue our colaborations with other organisations wishing to use Silurian . If you are keen to join us onboard in 2010 simply contact the volunteer coordinator . Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=134 Sadly the attempts to guide the northern bottlenose whale out of loch Eil have failed and the whale has perished (probably on Tuesday 6th). The carcass was found near the Corran narrows on Friday. A necropsy was undertaken by Bob Reid of the Scottish Agricultural Collage to try and determine the cause of death. Detail will follow shortly. We do know that it was a young male approximately 5.5 metres in length and that there was no obvious cause of death. It's not uncommon for bottlenose whales to be sighted closer to shore at this time of year, sadly some find themselves disorientated and can't navigate back to their usual deep water environment. Fri, 9 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=132 After the unusual and worrying behaviour* recorded during field work off the west coast of Scotland in May, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) are once again uniting forces to monitor the effects of NATOs Joint Warrior military exercise on cetaceans! Right now HWDT and WDCS are monitoring important cetacean habitats in the Hebrides during the Joint Warrior exercise as both organisations have ongoing environmental concerns about the negative effects of the naval activities on our whales and dolphins, based on evidence from Scotland and elsewhere in the world. HWDT have welcomed volunteers onboard Silurian to assist in collecting visual and acoustic data, while WDCS have coordinated land based watches through out the area. *HWDT conducts regular boat surveys for whales and dolphins off the west coast of Scotland using observers and hydrophones (underwater microphones). On the 12th May this year the team observed two minke whales within an hour displaying unusual behaviour. At the same time military sonar was heard on the hydrophone – sometimes so loud that the headphones could not be kept on. The whales were noted travelling in the same direction at high speed, regularly leaping clear of the water. This behaviour, known as ‘porpoising’, is more typical of dolphins and rarely seen in undisturbed whales. Nienke van Geel, HWDT’s Biodiversity Officer said “Seeing minke whales porpoising many times successively is very unusual. Both whales moved very fast, too fast for us to keep up with them to try to take identification pictures. We estimated they were traveling at least at 15 knots. Our research has already shown a decline in minke whale sightings in the last few years, so we’re worried about anything that might adversely affect the population.” Joint Warrior is a major exercise led by the UK and involving 12 NATO and Allied Nations. At-sea operations are conducted for two weeks and occur twice every year, the first in May and the second scheduled for October. Up to 85 aircraft, 22 ships and 3 submarines operate during this massive international exercise. Military sonar used during the exercises emits intense, loud noises that can disturb and harm whales and dolphins, which rely on their sensitive hearing to navigate, find food and communicate. Naval sonar, more commonly linked to mass strandings events of deep diving whales, has also been associated with minke whale strandings in the Bahamas and in North Carolina. On the west coast of US, close to Seattle, similar rapid fleeing behaviour has been observed from killer whales and dolphins in response to sonar. HWDT and WDCS have renewed their call for a full and transparent Environmental Impact Assessment to be conducted by the Ministry of Defence. In the meantime, both organisations will continue to monitor and record observations made through-out the exercise. Wed, 7 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=130 Another northern bottlenose whale has been sighted in Loch Eil, on exactly the same day as the 2008 sighting in the same location! Loch Eil lies at the head of Loch Linnhe, the concern is that the whale will be unable to navigate its way through two very narrow stretches of the lochs back into open water. Northern bottlenose whales are an offshore species inhabiting deep waters in the Atlantic. This whale is therefore a long way from its usual environment. Sightings of bottlenose whales are more frequently reported at this time of the year. The sighting in Loch Eil follows the confirmation of a bottlenose whale in the River Clyde last Tuesday. The young whale was about 5 metres long and was thought to be just a year old. There were concerns that the animal is unwell and is likely to be lost and disorientated. Click here to read the full news story. Moreover, another northern bottlenose whale was discovered washed up dead on a Dorset beach last week. The whale, nicknamed Gilbert, was spotted off the UK coast on the 13th September and seen several times since then. A full post mortem to determine possible cause of death is now underway. These unusal events come just days after the incredibly rare news that a humpback whale was found dead in the River Thames, the first recorded sighting ever of a humpback in the Thames. Click here to read the full news story. Thu, 1 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=126 HWDT would like to say a huge thank you to Peter Harding for using his time on The Plinth in Trafalgar Square to raise awareness of the Trust. The 4th Plinth project was created by Antony Gormley, the aim is to fill the plinth with ''living art'' for 24 hours a day for 100 days. Peter was lucky enough to be awarded a prime time slot on The Plinth from 6pm - 7pm on Sunday 13th September. He will be playing a selection of tunes on his accordion, 'trying to make London happy". He will a be wearing a HWDT t-shirt and displaying a poster in support. If you are in London on Sunday why not stop by Trafalgar Square and listen to the brave man on The Plinth? For more details and to see Peter's hour atop The Plinth, please click here . Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=122 Parties Around the World is a new way to throw a great birthday party. For your child, PAW™ is an introduction to causes in the wider world that they may be interested in – and helps them channel that support in a way they understand. For you as a parent, it is a way to take one step back from consumerism and introduce your child to an alternative. And for the party-throwers and party-goers alike, it is a way to do it all hassle-free. The host of an upcoming birthday party can use PAW™ to ask guests to make a donation to a PAW™ charity of their child’s choice, rather than bring a present. Since donations are made through PAW™, it is fast, simple and easy to use. You can set up a dedicated party page, invite your guests, track their RSVPs (no more chasing parents) send thank you emails – and the great thing is that everyone can keep track of how much they have raised for your child’s party theme. Any parent who chooses the 'whale' or 'dolphin' themed party will be contributing directly to HWDT's valuable education and research programmes. Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=120 The Isle of Mull is well-renowned for its huge variety of wildlife, with many visitors particularly eager to track down otters and dolphins during their visit. In Tobermory this week, tourists and residents alike have been delighted to see both of these popular mammals right on their doorsteps. Yesterday afternoon (11th August) an otter was seen foraging close to the shoreline before resting on Tobermory beach for a while. Onlookers were treated to views of the otter rolling on its back in the seaweed, grooming and chewing on fish. This morning (12th August) it was the turn of the bottlenose dolphins to steal the limelight. Four adult bottlenose dolphins came into Tobermory Bay and drew in large crowds watching from the shore. This provided HWDT staff a great opportunity to approach the dolphins on a small RIB to take photos of the dorsal fins, which will be used to identify the animals in the group. Learn more about photo-identification HERE . If you are lucky to encounter otters or dolphins, please treat them with respect as they are wild animals. It is an offence to disturb these animals so please be quiet and keep dogs away, do not get too closeand do notattempt to touch or feed them. Bottlenose dolphins and otters are protected under UK and EU law, principally under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and by the 1992 EU Habitats and Species Directive. Please follow the links for information on the WiSe scheme and the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code . Photo: © Anne Hughes Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=118 After the unusual and worrying behaviour recorded during field work off the west coast of Scotland in May, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) are once again uniting forces to monitor the effects of NATOs Joint Warrior military exercise on cetaceans! During October, HWDT and WDCS plan to monitor important cetacean habitat in the Minch before and during the Joint Warrior exercise as we have ongoing environmental concerns about the negative effects of the naval activities on our whales and dolphins, based on evidence from Scotland and elsewhere in the world. The boat survey will run from 4th – 13th October . We are inviting volunteers (that’s you!) onboard to assist with this vital data collection. As part of our research team, you will be fully trained in scientific study methods and will help us to collect visual observations of the amazing marine wildlife in this beautiful part of Scotland. You will also learn about acoustic research and help us to monitor the underwater sounds of the deep! The cost of participation is £800.00 per person . This will include your berth on the Silurian, HWDT’s specialised research vessel, and all your meals for the duration. The income generated from this survey will allow it to run. To find out more about this exciting opportunity and to become a member of our boat based research team, please contact Morven Summers, HWDTs volunteer coordinator, either by email or 01688 302620. HWDT conducts regular boat surveys for whales and dolphins off the west coast of Scotland using observers and hydrophones (underwater microphones). On the 12th May this year the team observed two minke whales within an hour displaying unusual and worrying behaviour. At the same time military sonar was heard on the hydrophone – sometimes so loud that the headphones could not be kept on. The whales were noted travelling in the same direction at high speed, regularly leaping clear of the water. This behaviour, known as ‘porpoising’, is more typical of dolphins and rarely seen in undisturbed whales. Nienke van Geel, HWDT’s Biodiversity Officer said “Seeing minke whales porpoising many times successively is very unusual. Both whales moved very fast, too fast for us to keep up with them to try to take identification pictures. We estimated they were traveling at least at 15 knots. Our research has already shown a decline in minke whale sightings in the last few years, so we’re worried about anything that might adversely affect the population.” Joint Warrior is a major exercise led by the UK and involving 12 NATO and Allied Nations. At-sea operations are conducted for two weeks and occur twice every year, the first in May and the second scheduled for October. Up to 85 aircraft, 22 ships and 3 submarines operate during this massive international exercise. Military sonar used during the exercises emits intense, loud noises that can disturb and harm whales and dolphins, which rely on their sensitive hearing to navigate, find food and communicate. Naval sonar, more commonly linked to mass strandings events of deep diving whales, has also been associated with minke whale strandings in the Bahamas and in North Carolina. On the west coast of US, close to Seattle, similar rapid fleeing behaviour has been observed from killer whales and dolphins in response to sonar. HWDT and WDCS have renewed their call for a full and transparent Environmental Impact Assessment to be conducted by the Ministry of Defence. In the meantime, both organisations will continue to monitor and record observations made through-out the exercise. Sat, 1 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=114 Locals and tourists in Oban have been delighted over the last few weeks by a small group of common dolphins which have taken up temporary residence in Oban Bay. Common dolphins are seasonal visitors to our coasts, moving in from offshore areas to feed the abundant summer fish stocks. In the Hebrides, they are most often seen in groups of about 10-30 individuals, but can sometimes be found in much larger groups of several hundred. They are fast swimmers and can be very acrobatic at the surface. HWDT Sightings Officer, Laura Mandleberg states “It is unusual for this species to turn up in a busy, inshore area like Oban Bay, and even more unusual for them to still be here several weeks later.” The dolphins appear to be healthy and behaving normally - they arrived of their own accord and will move out of the area when they are ready to do so. However, there have been some concerns more recently about the number of boats wanting to see the dolphins. HWDT advises that boats keep a safe distance away from the dolphins so that they are not disturbed as they feed, rest and look after their young. It is important that boats stay far enough away to avoid any risk of injuring the animals – especially as the group includes calves. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust promotes the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code and recommends boat operators accredited by the WiSe scheme which encourages responsible wildlife watching by running training courses for boat operators. Here are some tips on how to watch the dolphins without disturbing them: If approaching dolphins by boat, do so slowly and predictably and never from behind Let the animals decide how close they want you to be - common dolphins are naturally inquisitive and often approach boats to bow-ride. Don't chase them - let them go if they move away Make sure the animals are not surrounded - try to stay together, but remember that the likelihood of disturbance will be greater as the number of people watching increases Be careful not to split the dolphins up, especially mothers from their young Please follow the links for information on the WiSe scheme and the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=110 HWDT catalogued orca have been positively identified off the Irish coast by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG). The adult male "John Coe" has been sighted in Irish waters before but only as a solitary animal, these sightings suggest the entire Hebridean population was present. On July 5th, at almost exactly the same time, two separate pods were sighted. The first pod was a group of 5 individuals, 2 males and 3 females, sighted off Erris Head Co. Mayo heading east towards the Stags of Broadhaven. Positive matches of the males have been made and "Floppy Fin" (pictured), and“Aquarius”have been identified. “Nicola”, "Lulu" and 010 have also been identified as the females present. This combination of animals was observed several times in 2008. The second pod was a group of 4 individuals and a positive match was made of "John Coe", an old male with a very distinctive dorsal fin. Also present was the male orca"Comet", and females "Puffin" and 007. The group were sightedbetween Aran Islands and Black Head, Co. Clare at the mouth of Galway Bay, travelling south. The number of orca sighted totalled 9, the exact number of individuals in the 'west coast community' - it could well be that all the Hebridean population were sighted! Photo-identification has enabled scientists to identify all of the animals in these sightings. This information will contribute directly to research conducted by Andy Foote, a PhD student from Aberdeen who has been working with HWDT to better understand the 'west coast community' of killer whales. To read more about Andy Foote's research please click here . To read more about the Hebridean orca please click here . To view the killer whale photo-identification catclogue please click here. Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=109 The Samuel Johnson Prize for non-fiction has been awarded to Philip Hoare for Leviathan, Or The Whale. Inspired by Melville's Moby Dick and culminating in an encounter with sperm whales in the Azores, Hoare investigates the scientific fact and mythology of whales with infectious passion. He also highlights issues that currently threaten whale population including noise pollution, climate change and whaling. Read the BBC news story HERE . Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=107 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s (HWDT) research vessel Silurian had a very special encounter on the 29th June. The crew were conducting a research survey between South Uist and Coll when one of the volunteers spotted a large, bushy blow in the distance. As Silurian approached, and the engines were turned off, and a humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) surfaced within a few hundred metres of the vessel to the great delight of all onboard. Relief Science Officer, Sarah Barry, commented “The whale surfaced three or four times in a row and then dived for about five minutes, so it was most likely feeding below the surface, which is an encouraging sign for the area”. The animal, approximately 10 metres in length, seemed content surfacing alongside Silurian for about an hour and a half. Photographs were taken to of the humpback’s tail flukes, which have a distinctive pattern, and will be compared with other organisations photo-identification catalogues to try and identify the individual. Humpback whale sightings are rare off the west coast of Scotland but not unheard of. In June of this year, a humpback was spotted off Gairloch and in recent years sightings have numbered one or two a year. The species is widely distributed in all oceans, making extensive migrations and ranging from their tropical wintering grounds to the edges of the polar ice zones. Unmistakable in appearance, the humpback whale’s pectoral (side) fins are long and narrow ( Megaptera means “great wing”) and may measure as much as a third of the body length. When fully grown, humpback whales can measure up to 17 metres and weigh 40,000 kg; the female is normally slightly larger than the male. The tail fluke can measure up to five metres across, has a serrated trailing edge, and is black with distinct patterns of white on the underside; this pattern is unique to each animal and is used for identifying individuals. HWDT conducts research surveys onboard Silurian throughout the spring, summer and autumn months. Volunteers are welcomed onboard to assist with vital data collection which will be analysed by HWDT scientists to provide a better understanding of cetacean distribution and abundance off the west coast of Scotland. Encounters such as this remind us that the waters off the west coast of Scotland are exceptional, playing host to a great variety of cetacean species. Reporting sightings to HWDT will contribute to the knowledge of cetacean distribution and abundance within the area. Humpback whale photo ©Lewis Drysdale HWDT Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=98 HWDT, along with researchers on the east coast of Scotland have made an exciting new discovery. A few dolphins from HWDT's west coast bottlenose dolphin catalogue have been identified in the Moray Firth! Six animals in total have been matched with photographs taken by the Cetacean Recearch and Rescue Unit (CCRU). Furthermore, at least three of these animals have since been confirmed off the coasts of Cork and Galway in Ireland, over 1,300km away. These findings are ground-breaking and set a new distance record for UK bottlenose dolphins. HWDT have been monitoring the west coast dolphin populations for many years using photo-identification, which uses scars and nicks on the dorsal fin to identify individuals within a population. Until this discovery, it was thought that the Hebridean bottlenose dolphins were largely confined to the west coast of Scotland. Similarly it was thought that Moray Firth population had a relatively small home range on the east coast of Scotland.These findings are therefore of great importance to our current understanding of the movements and genetic mixing UK bottlenose dolphins. To read the abstract taken from the paper submitted to the European Cetacean Society (ECS) annual conference in March 2009 please click here . To find out more about participating in a cetacean research survey and assisting HWDT with valuable data collection please click here . Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=95 Wild Scotland have launched a new initiative to support worthy Scottish conservation projects, encouraging members to promote the chosen charity to tourists and locals alike. In 2009 the plight of the Scottish wildcat will be the focus of the initiative and the 'Highland Tiger' campaign has just been launched. It is a startling fact that we know so little about this species. It is our last remaining native cat species and there may be as few as 400 individuals left in Scotland, but we really don't know. Highland Tiger aims to help the wildcats through practical conservation and research, develop educational materials to improve awareness of wildcats and expand captive breeding facilities to support the wild population. Please visit the website for more information. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=93 At the start of the week, half way through her current research survey, Silurian set sail from Gunna Sound, setting course for the Stanton Banks - what a day was to follow! The crew and volunteers encountered five different cetacean species; 9 minke whales, 70 common dolphins, 75 white sided dolphins, 42 white beaked dolphins and 19 harbour porpoise. Also observed were approximately 50 basking sharks and about 30 seals! Fantastic days like that are not common (the previous week had seen fairly little), but it does highlight the diversity found off the west coast of Scotland and how lucky we are to share the waters with such exceptional creatures. To find out more about joining us onbaord and participating in a research survey please click here. Fri, 5 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=92 The End of the Line is the world’s first major documentary about the devastating effect of overfishing. It is to be premiered across the UK on Monday 8th June 2009 , World Ocean's Day, and HWDT will be present at the screening at Inverness Vue cinema. The film begins at 7pm and will be followed by a Question and Answer session attended by Gemma Cave, HWDT's Education Officer. Please join us there and show your support! For more information about the film and to watch the trailer, visit http://endoftheline.com Thu, 4 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=90 Over the last couple of days HWDT have received numerous sightings of basking sharks in the area. The sightings have coincided with the warm weather and flat calm seas - prime conditions for basking sharks as the plankton blooms get underway and aggregate to form dense patches. Basking sharks are the second largest fish in the oceans and visit out waters to feed on the rich plankton supplies in the summer months. Read about other recent sightings in the Hebrides in our Monthly Sightings Report . To find out more about basking sharks click here . Tue, 2 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=86 Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises of the Hebrides: a talk by HWDT. Join us at Drimnin community hall at 7PM. Mon, 25 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=83 The safety of western Scotland’s whales and dolphins has been called into question following an incident involving naval sonar. This took place during the major NATO military exercise, Joint Warrior, in Scottish waters. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) conducts regular boat surveys for whales and dolphins on the west coast of Scotland using observers and hydrophones (underwater microphones). On the 12th May, they observed two minke whales within an hour displaying unusual and worrying behaviour. At the same time they heard military sonar on the hydrophone – sometimes so loud that they could not keep the headphones on. The whales were both moving in the same direction at high speed, regularly leaping clear of the water. This behaviour, known as ‘porpoising’, is more typical of dolphins and rarely seen in undisturbed whales. HWDT and WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) have renewed their call for a full and transparent Environmental Impact Assessment to be conducted by the Ministry of Defence for the exercise. Joint Warrior is a major exercise led by the UK and involving 12 NATO and Allied Nations. At-sea operations are conducted for two weeks and occur twice every year. Up to 85 aircraft, 22 ships and 3 submarines operate during this massive international exercise. Military sonar, used during the exercises, emits intense loud noise that can disturb and harm whales and dolphins, which rely on their sensitive hearing to navigate, find food and communicate. Naval sonar, more commonly linked to mass strandings events of deep diving whales, has also been associated with minke whale strandings in the Bahamas and in North Carolina. On the west coast of US, close to Seattle, similar rapid fleeing behaviour has been observed from killer whales and dolphins in response to sonar. The west coast of Scotland is well-known for its populations of minke whales which migrate to the area in the summer months to feed in the rich and productive waters. Decreases in sightings of minke whales have already been reported off the west coast of Scotland during naval activities. It is not known how any disruption in the whales’ feeding behaviours will affect populations in the long term. HWDT and WDCS have joined forces to monitor important whale habitat in the Minch, western Scotland, during the Joint Warrior exercise as a result of ongoing environmental concerns. WDCS has been conducting land-based whale and dolphin observations in northwest Scotland, whilst HWDT has been surveying from its dedicated research vessel, Silurian, using visual and acoustic techniques. Nienke van Geel, HWDT’s Biodiversity Officer said “Seeing minke whales porpoising many times successively is very unusual. Both whales moved very fast, too fast for us to keep up with them to try to take identification pictures. We estimated they were traveling at least at 15 knots. Our research has already shown a decline in minke whale sightings in the last few years, so we’re worried about anything that might adversely affect the population.” WDCS’s Head of Scottish Policy, Sarah Dolman added “Western Scotland is one of the most important marine habitats in Europe. We are concerned about the potential impacts that these massive and regular exercises, including Exercise Joint Warrior, are having on our marine wildlife. The UK Ministry of Defence should conduct a full and transparent Environmental Impact Assessment – like those currently being undertaken by the US Navy – as a matter of urgency” Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=79 The Mull and Iona Wildlife Week 'Wild Isles' returns from 9th to 15th May 2009 with excellent wildlife watching opportunities and events. Details of the full programme can be found on the Wild Isles website. HWDT are offering three events during the week. Wildlife watching from the ferry - join HWDT staff on the observation deck to help you to spot and identify the varied wildlife during the ferry crossing between Oban and Craignure. We will be onboard from 10:30 until 17:00 on Saturday 9th May. Courtesy of Caledonian MacBrayne. Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises of the Hebrides - a talk about the different cetacean species to be found around Mull. Monday 11th May at 19:30, Taigh Solais harbour building. Adults £4, children £2; book with HWDT on 01688 302620. Cetacean spotting from land - a walk along to the lighthouse to the north of Tobermory to spot some of the species mentioned at last night's talk. Bring a packed lunch and binoculars, if you have them. Tuesday 12th May, start at 11:00 at the HWDT office. Adults £4, children £2; book with HWDT on 01688 302620. For more information about any of the events HWDT is offering during Wild Isles, please contact us on 01688 302620. Fri, 8 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=77 The Education Team at HWDT will be offering marine education workshops onboard the floating classroom Silurian this week. It promises to be an action packed week of treasure hunts, handling local marine creatures in our touch tanks and learning about the whales, dolphins and porpoises of the Hebrides. Read all about our progress on the trip blog . Our workshops have been designed to address the four capacities of the Curriculum for Excellence and provide high-quality outdoor learning experiences for our participants. Get involved with our education programme and find out more about our outreach work HERE. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=72 Due to unforeseen circumstances berths have become available on the second May survey. HWDT are now offering a reduced cost to participate in both. Join us onboard and assist with vital data collection, contributing to the better understanding of marine mammals off the west coast of Scotland. May is a fantastic time to join us onboard, with seasonal visitors arriving and favourable weather, it's a great time of the year to visit the Hebrides. For more information click here. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=64 On the 17th April HWDT received a report of five minke whales off the west coast of Iona. The following day another minke sighting was confirmed near Hyskier lighthouse in the Sea of the Hebrides, this time only one animal was reported. We are pleased to hear the whales are arriving off our shores and hope that the 2009 season is full of minke sightings. Please report your sightings to HWDT, by doing so you will help us better understand species distribution, abundance, preferred habitats and the threats that face the animals. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=57 The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust's Education Team visited Fort William last week to welcome local primary school children onboard our research and education yacht, Silurian . During the two days, one hundred pupils from Banavie, Lochyside and Caol primary schools visited Silurian at her winter berth on the Caledonian Canal. After taking a good look around the vessel, children learned about the work that HWDT does, discovered some of the cetaceans that can be seen in the Hebrides, and had the chance to meet Duncan the Dolphin, a life-sized inflatable bottlenose dolphin. Silurian will be returning to Tobermory this week ahead of the 2009 field season. The Education Team will be onboard Silurian in April and September to visit schools throughout the Hebrides. The Team are also able to make land visits, attend events and give talks. Take a look at the Education section of our website for more information or contact the Education Officer if you are interested in booking a visit. Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=54 HWDT are set to begin the 2009 season onboard Silurian . Beginning her season at the end of March, Silurian will be used for various endeavors; as a research platform, a floating classroom and a valuable teaching aid. We aim to run three blocks of school visits this year. One at the start of the season, inviting children from the Fort William and Lochaber area onboard, the second will run at the end of April and the final in September. HWDT plan to visit schools further afield in 2009, educating more children about the wealth of their marine environment. In 2009 we welcome back students from St. Andrew's SMRU (Sea Mammal Research Unit) group and Millport Marine Biological Station. Students will join HWDT researchers onboard and receive valuable training in acoustic and visual research techniques. HWDT will conduct six cetacean research surveys this year, we invite volunteers to join us onboard and contribute directly to our research programme. Volunteers essentially become marine mammal scientists for the duration of the survey. Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=53 Our website has been completely re-designed and launches today! There are some great new features including an online shop , exclusive 'Friends of HWDT' area and e-newsletter . The kid's site is still under development but will be online very soon. You can still submit your sightings via our online sightings form and see them displayed on our recent sightings table . Find out about our local marine animals in the species section and access teaching resources in the education section. Check out the many ways you can support HWDT in the get involved section. This website has been designed by Hotscot . We hope you enjoy using our new website. Mon, 2 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=51 HWDT is recruiting a Marine Biodiversity Officer to undertake the running of our science programme. Please contact us for more information. The position is now filled Tue, 3 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=50 BBC Wildlife magazine (February edition) have voted HWDT's cetacean research survey number 3 in their Top 10 Worldwide Conservation Holidays. HWDT are delighted to be recognised in such a comptitive field. To find out more about participating in a survey please click here. Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=49 During the fifteen years that we have been running the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust our achievements have been extraordinary, as you will see from our website. We have firmly established a professional education, research and conservation programme. We fulfil a unique role in the Hebrides. Our work concentrates on a long term vision of environmental protection, crucial in these times of climate change. Thank you for all you have done in helping us achieve this, you should be proud! Regrettably our main project funding has come to an end. Over the past years, as well as running a comprehensive programme of activities, we have been working hard to secure funding for our next programme of projects in 2009. With the current financial climate, this is taking much longer than we expected to achieve. We, at HWDT are taking every step to reduce costs over the winter including running with a skeleton staff. Our hope is to ensure we survive until all funding is in place for our new programme in the spring. However, in this difficult time, we are also making a serious appeal to our supporters to help us at this time. The sums we need are not large. If we can raise £10,000 then we can continue to run the projects that are at the heart of HWDT and restructure to meet the new challenges. As HWDT is the only organisation doing this essential wide-ranging long term cetacean monitoring and education work on the west coast of Scotland, I am sure you will agree that it would be a huge loss if we were unable to operate at this critical time for the environment. To get there we have launched a campaign called “Go Fifty” in which we are looking for 200 people who will commit to raise or give £50 over the next few months. Although the campaign is called “Go Fifty”, any donation, however large or small will really make a difference. Encouraging friends to join the Trust, sponsoring or naming a whale or dolphin as an ethical gift for your friends and loved ones will help us on our way. Please make an online donation , send a cheque or postal order payable to HWDT, or phone the Trust between 10-4 Monday – Friday on 01688 302 620 with details of payment. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=8 Three bottlenose dolphins have been sighted today off the Isle of Luing. Coastal sightings of bottlenose dolphins over the winter months are particuarly interesting as they provide more evidence that the west coast population is resident in the area. Images of these animals will be checked with our photo-identification catalogue to find out if these animals are in our database. Tue, 4 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=2 Sadly the northern bottlenose whale that has been sighted in Loch Eil over the last few weeks is now dead. The animal was found floating beak up in the middle of Loch Eil on Saturday and the animal was towed to shore by the coastguard. A post mortem will be carried out to determine the cause of death. Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=3 A northern bottlenose whale , which was first sighted in Loch Eil a fortnight ago, is still enjoying the area's attractions. Although this is not the normal habitat for a deep-diving offshore species, the animal appears to be in good health. Thu, 9 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=4 Four bottlenose dolphins were sighted this morning between Salen and Glenforsa, Mull. The animals were heading north up through the Sound of Mull and, although at a distance, were seen being very active and leaping clear of the water. Wed, 8 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=23 HWDT attends the annual Argyll and Bute Regional Environmental Education Fair this week in Oban. On Thursday and Friday HWDT will teach more than a hundred children about local species and HWDT research. On Saturday you are invited to join us aboard Silurian for an Open Day at North Pier between 11am and 4pm. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=24 Over the last couple of days two northern bottlenose whales have been sighted at Loch Scridain. These whales are usually found in deep water and are recognised by their bulbous head and prominent beak. Anybody that has managed to get some photographs please send them into [email protected] Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=25 The final educational visits of this season on Silurian will take place between 8th and 12th September. During the week marine environmental education workshops will be provided for Muck Primary, Eigg Primary, Inverie Primary in Knoydart, Mallaig Primary and High Schools, Lady Lovat Primary in Morar and Arisaig Primary. Read Onboard Silurian to find out more. Thu, 4 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=26 John Coe, a male killer whale with a very distinctive dorsal fin, was spotted off the Cairns of Coll today. John Coe was first identified in 1992 and is seen regularly in the area. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=27 On Wednesday 27th August HWDT is taking part in a Sea Watch organised with the Mull & Iona Ranger Service. Come along and join our Sightings Officer as we look out for cetaceans, seabirds and other wildlife at Ardmore. Meet at Ardmore car park at 2pm and bring binoculars. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=28 Watch the footage of HWDT on STV's Five Thirty Show here. Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=29 A fin whale , the second largest cetacean in the world, has been sighted north of Rona by local boat operator Hebridean Whale Cruises. This is the first fin whale sighting since 2006 and the animal is thought to have been feeding in the area. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=30 A single sperm whale has been sighted off Stoer Head, north of Lochinver. The animal was seen logging at the water surface before it lifted it’s tail fluke above the water and dived. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=31 On Tuesday 15th July join our HWDT education team for beach games and sand art at Tobermory beach from 10:30am until 1:00pm. The event is free but a £2 donation is suggested and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=32 The 21st-29th June is National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week, a nationwide survey co-ordinated by the Sea Watch Foundation to monitor whales, dolphins and porpoises around our coast. As regional co-ordinators, HWDT has organised two watches during this week so grab your binoculars, come along and take part! The first watch is on Saturday 21st June, where we will meet outside the HWDT shop, Main Street, Tobermory at 11am before walking to Tobermory lighthouse for our watch. The second watch is going to take place on Monday 23rd June at Ardnamurchan lighthouse from 1-3pm. To take part in one of our watches phone 01688 302620 or go to www.seawatchfoundation.co.uk/ for more details on NWDW. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=33 John Coe, the well known adult male killer whale frequently seen in Hebridean waters, has been sighted on the 1st June off Pembrokeshire, south Wales. Photographs taken during this encounter have been matched with images taken in previous years confirming the individual as John Coe, making this the furthest south he has ever been recorded. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=34 A group of four killer whales was sighted between Staffa and Lunga on Friday by local boat operator Turus Mara. Within the group were two males, one of which is know as floppy fin due to his distinctive dorsal fin. HWDT are awaiting images to allow identification of the other individuals within the group. Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=35 A bearded seal has taken up temporary residence at Loch Na Keal on the west coast of Mull. This species is usually found hauled up on ice packs surrounding the Arctic and is recognised by the distinctive dense whiskers on its upper lip and cheek that are used as feelers when they search for food on the sea floor. Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=36 This week HWDT's education team will welcome school children from Tayvallich, Islay and Jura for marine education workshops onboard Silurian . Find out more by reading Onboard Silurian . Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=37 HWDT will feature in the BBC Radio 4 broadcast "Open Country" on Saturday 10th May at 6:10pm and Thursday 15th May at 1:30pm. Please follow the link for more information about the programme: www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/opencountry.shtml Wed, 7 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=38 A group of killer whales were sighted yesterday traveling south off the east coast of Shetland. This is the first report of killer whales so far this year and HWDT are hoping to recieve images to allow identifcation of individuals within the group. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=39 The first minke whale of 2008 was seen off Ardnamurchan Point. Local boat operators have also been reporting lots of seabirds feeding in the area, so it appears that the season has officially started! Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=40 In the last six weeks HWDT has received reports of 5 Cuvier’s beaked whales stranded between Islay and Lewis. Strandings of beaked whales are occasionally reported along the west coast but multiple strandings are highly unusual. Multiple strandings of beaked whales in other areas have been associated with the use of recently developed military sonar. HWDT has requested information on military activities conducted this winter off the west coast. We hope to receive this information in the near future. For more information on this event please viewthe press release . Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=42 Marks and Spencer has taken the lead to reduce the nation's consumption of plastic bags by introducing a 5 pence charge for bags starting this May. Hopefully, this landmark move will encourage the rest of the supermarket groups to take similar steps. Around 13 billion plastic bags are given away free in the UK each year, most of which remain in landfill sites taking hundreds of years to break down. Others find thier way into the marine environment posing a serious threat to some species. For example, marine turtles may mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, whilst deep-diving whales may ingest plastic bags mistaking them for squid. Once ingested, the bags can clog up the digestive system leading to stavation. HWDT staff identified remains of 23 plastic bags in the stomachs of a Cuvier's beaked whale which had washed up on Mull a few years ago. Although this was not the confirmed cause of death, this discovery was a shocking reminder of how widespread and far-reaching plastic bag pollution is. HWDT fully supports the move made by Marks and Spencer and would like to see an eventual ban of plastic bags across all supermarkets. Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=43 A quiet Wednesday morning in HWDT's offices was livened up today by the arrival of five lively bottlenose dolphins in Tobermory Bay. Their frisky antics were watched by local people enjoying the unusually warm sunny February weather. Science staff were able to take to a boat and photograph the animals for photo-identification. We don't often get the opportunity to get out to sea during the winter, so today was a brilliant opportunity to see which animals are in our waters at this time of year. And good to be out in the sun too! Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=44 A pair of common dolphins appear to have been 'resident' in Inner Lochcarron, Wester Ross, for the past four months. This is considered unusual as this species is normally seen in large groups in the spring and summer months when food is most abundant. The fishermen who reported this sighting have become accustomed to seeing the pair of dolphins in the loch as they come to greet their boat most days. It is likely that a consistent source of available prey is the reason that these dolphins have remained in the loch for so many months. We will keep you posted.... Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=45 HWDT's education team will begin its winter programme of school visits by travelling to Colonsay. Here a full schedule of activities will be taught to all the children at Kilchattan Primary. HWDT will travel to other island and coastal mainland schools over the winter period to engage young people in learning about the marine environment. Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=46 The lucky passengers on Sea Life Surveys vessel Sula Beag were delighted by around 30 bottlenose dolphins near Kilhoan, Ardnamurchan. This comprises most, if not all, of the bottlenose dolphin population of the Inner Hebrides. Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/news_article.asp?news_id=47 HWDT will launch its marine litter CD-ROM at Argyll and Bute Beach Forum on Tuesday 23rd October in Oban. This resource for high school teachers and their students includes background notes, a photo gallery of nearly 150 images, a Powerpoint presentation, and 14 varied classroom activities. The CD will educate all who use it about the issue of marine litter. If you are interested in finding out more about either the CD or the event, please get in touch . Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT