Take part in National Whale and Dolphin Watch

The Sea Watch Foundation is looking for wildlife enthusiasts across the UK to support this year's National Whale and Dolphin Watch (NWDW).

This year's event is taking place from Saturday 27 July to Sunday 4 August 2019. The citizen science project is now in its eighteenth year and marks the long-lasting collaboration between citizen scientists, wildlife enthusiasts, the general public and researchers.

The NWDW 2018 recorded more than 1,300 hours of watches with participants looking out for whales, dolphins and porpoises all around the country from Shetland to the Isles of Scilly and reporting around 8,000 individual animals of thirteen species from land and at sea. 

No previous experience is needed. Anyone who wants to and who is in the UK during the event can help. All that people need to bring is patience, a lot of enthusiasm, binoculars, and sightings forms and a cetacean identification guide (downloadable from the Sea Watch website). The Sea Watch staff is suggesting for people to conduct their land watches for a minimum of one hour and to work in groups to take turns during data collection. If you are an experienced watcher, you can easily identify species and fill in their website forms. If it is the first time for you, there are manned sites around the country where experienced watchers will be available to assist first-timers.

 Dr Chiara Giulia Bertulli, Sightings Officer at Sea Watch Foundation and lead organizer of this year’s event​ said:

​"National Whale and Dolphin Watch is about involving people and allowing them to experience something they never thought they could be part of, it is about collecting vital data for the protection and conservation of local cetacean species, and it is about sharing this magical event with people from all other the country and have fun all together."

Accredited wildlife tour operators and other recommended dolphin watching companies around the UK are also taking part in the weekend. Please note that spaces on most boat trips need to be reserved first. Prices vary for these trips and you should contact the relevant operator directly. All marine wildlife operators abide by a voluntary code of conduct.

During the National Whale and Dolphin Watch there will be lots going on, from beach cleans to cliff walks, sandcastle competitions to face painting. 

Find out more about the event: www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw

Register your own watch: https://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2019/  

To view the 2018 National Whale & Dolphin Watch Report: https://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/NWDW2018_FINAL.pdf

You can also follow the Sea Watch Foundation and their NWDW event – on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,  and YouTube.