HWDT are members of Scottish Environment LINK - a forum where organisations from a broad spectrum of environmental interests can contribute to a more sustainable society through combined advocacy. This week, members of LINK joined forces and issued an open letter to Scotland’s political leaders calling for increased action in the face of the growing biodiversity and climate crises.
Knobble - the famous minke whale - returns to the Hebrides, highlighting how important the region is for these animals, who migrate each year to feed in the rich waters off Scotland’s west coast
Every year, we offer dedicated teen research expeditions, providing young people with the skills, and experience of being a marine scientist on board a working research yacht. In this blog the teens recount their experience surveying Hebridean Seas.
The tale of the West Coast Community of killer whales will be told in a new film by Director, George Hoagy Morris. Over the coming weeks, George will take to the water, attempting to capture footage of the elusive West Coast Community. Inspired by the story of this unique population of killer whales, the film will share their tragic story with new audiences.
Our ninth team of citizen scientists left Tobermory to survey the Sea of the Hebrides, circumnavigating the Isles of Tiree and Mull. They sighted a total of 250 animals across 7 days. Read all about their experiences here
The team joining our eighth research expedition left Tobermory to monitor Hebridean seas onboard our research vessel - Silurian. Six species of marine mammal were recorded across the seven fin-tastic days of survey.
The team joining our seventh research expedition left Ullapool to monitor the waters off the west coast of Scotland. six species of marine mammal were recorded, as the team reached the most northern point of our research area.
Vaughan, our Volunteer Outreach Assistant, reflects on his experiences during the twelve day monitoring expedition he joined on board our research vessel, Silurian.
The team on our sixth research expedition circumnavigated the Isles of Harris and Lewis, recording 9 species of marine animal in the western part of our research area. They were treated to beautiful weather and the animals definitely turned out for them. Read all about their time on board here…
National Whale and Dolphin Watch is an exciting annual marine mammal monitoring event, run by the Seawatch Foundation, that aims to get as many people as possible looking out to sea all around the UK, providing a snapshot of what is being seen in UK waters. Find out more about the event and how to get involved.
Basking sharks, humpbacks, and Risso's that look like belugas, it's been a busy spring for sightings. Check out what's been reported in our spring sightings summary blog.
Our fifth research expedition of 2023 left Ullapool to monitor the waters off the west coast of Scotland on board our research vessel - Silurian. Five species of marine mammal were recorded and the team was treated to glorious sunshine. The volunteer team recount their expedition
Join Community Engagement Officer, Caroline, as she journeys round the Hebridean Whale Trail in the Tales from the Trail blog series. Read about Caroline’s visit to the Isle of Rum and what she got up to on her first trip to the Small Isles. Feel inspired where the land meets the sea and plan your next adventure on the Hebridean Whale Trail.
The great whales are important green allies in the fight against climate change; from storing carbon in the ocean depths, to encouraging phytoplankton blooms at the surface, the denizens of the deep are a natural, effective solution to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Every year, we welcome aboard teams of students from St Andrew’s University Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) to discover how we collect data on board our research vessel, Silurian. Over the course of 10 days, each team spent time travelling to different areas of the west coast, collecting vital visual and acoustic data on marine mammals.
Our fourth research expedition of 2023 left Tobermory for a twelve-day survey monitoring the waters off the west coast of Scotland on board Silurian, our research vessel. The team crossed the Minch twice, encountering five species of marine mammal and basking sharks! The volunteer team on board recount the expedition…
There are only two known recordings of the vocalisations – or ‘voices’ - of the West Coast Community killer whales. Last week, these rare recordings were shared with the British Library to be placed in their archives and preserved for future generations alongside the sounds of extinct species and lost human languages.
Casting your eye over a calm sea, you’d be forgiven for thinking life beneath the waves is peaceful and serene…it’s anything but! HWDT provide acoustic data to artists and musicians who raise awareness of the soundscape beneath the waves and the importance of noise to marine life. Here we share two recent collaborations with artists who have utilised the sounds we’ve recorded during monitoring expeditions to create beautiful songs of the sea.
Killer whales, also known as orcas, are one of the most easily recognised species in Scottish waters. We dive into why this apex predator is so many people’s favourite dolphin.
From 24 - 28 April, our education team jumped aboard Silurian, our research vessel, to transform her into our popular floating classroom. Our Education and Sightings Officer, Sadie, shares the fun everyone had - not least the pupils visiting but the HWDT team on board Silurian.
