Criss-crossing the Minch: an Atlantic white sided surprise

Our latest research expedition aboard Silurian took us from Ullapool back and forth across the Minch. Over the course of the week, our team of citizen scientists surveyed more than 380 kilometres of sea, recording 35 hours of acoustic data and documenting five different marine mammal species. Read more to find out how they got on…

At this stage in the season, our focus is on filling gaps in our survey transects, so we set out with the goal of surveying back and forth across the Minch to strengthen our dataset. For much of the week, choppy seas made spotting animals a challenge, but persistence paid off.

Our survey track lines back and forth across the Minch!

Highlights included common dolphins with tiny calves riding our bow, with really loud and clear dolphin clicks and whistles coming through our hydrophone headset. We enjoyed a spectacular moment when a pod of dolphins breached in perfect synchrony just 100 metres from the boat. At first we assumed they were common dolphins, until a closer look revealed chunkier bodies and striking markings, they were Atlantic white-sided dolphins, the first recorded from Silurian this year and only our 6th record of all time.

Midweek brought one of the most memorable evenings of the expedition. After a beach barbecue at Achmelvich, we set sail under a sky full of stars. Common dolphins joined us in the dark, their movements illuminated by glowing trails of bioluminescence, an unforgettable sight, capped off with mugs of hot chocolate on deck.

Other wildlife encounters included a puffin, unusual for the time of year; two magnificent eagles soaring overhead; and even a few brave swimmers who took an evening lap around Silurian before dinner.

Our final day saved the best until last, with calm seas allowing us to record groups of harbour porpoise. Typically seen alone or in small groups, we recorded multiple groups of at least eight animals, surfacing regularly and at speed. A gannet feeding frenzy revealed the presence of surfacing minke whales, the perfect last day to a week of varied weather, inspiring wildlife, and invaluable science.

We’re hugely grateful to our team of citizen scientists for their enthusiasm and commitment. Together, we’ve added to a growing body of data that helps us understand the distribution and behaviour of whales, dolphins, and porpoises across the Hebrides - knowledge that is vital for protecting these remarkable animals and the seas they call home.

Thanks to our citizen scientists: Sandra, Steve, Caroline, Molly, Lauren and Danielle, and our crew Ferghal, Lenny, Emma and Emily!