Take part in National Whale and Dolphin Watch

Scientists at Sea Watch Foundation are calling on the public to get involved with the National Whale and Dolphin Watch.

The National Whale and Dolphin Watch is one of the longest-running citizen science schemes in the world. For over forty years, Sea Watch Foundation scientists, as well as volunteer observers all around the coast, have been reporting on whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) to inform Sea Watch’s huge database of records.

From 29 July to 6 August 2017, the charity is encouraging wildlife-lovers to head to the coast to collect watch data of their own. No experience is necessary and the team at Sea Watch will be happy to set you off on the right foot.

Kathy James, Sightings Officer for the research charity said:

"It’s all about reporting your whale, dolphin and porpoise sightings as well as getting out there to look for them.

"Without reports from the public on these magnificent animals we cannot compile data which is used for their protection.

"We need as many eyes on the sea as possible. That means we’re looking for people all around the Scottish coast to arrange a watch for themselves and for everybody to report the animals that they see."

Cetaceans can be found all around the coast of the UK and recently around the Scottish coast there have been many species spotted, including many reports of killer whales in Shetland, down through Orkney and to the Scottish mainland. Bottlenose dolphins have been occurring all along the east coast and common dolphins, traditionally with a south-westerly distribution, have been seen as far north and east as the Pentland Firth.

Minke whales have been showing a strong presence in the Hebrides, whilst harbour porpoise have been seen all around the coastline. Earlier this month a pod of white-beaked dolphins made an appearance off Aberdeen.

Take Part

•  Find out more about the event: www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw
• Join a registered event: www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2017-watch-list (please note that new events are being added all the time so keep looking!)

Photo: Mick Baines/ Sea Watch Foundation