John Coe and Aquarius surprise onlookers in Northern Ireland

John Coe and Aquarius were seen swimming into Strangford Lough, Co. Down in Northern Ireland on Friday. Every sighting of these individuals is crucial in advancing our understanding of the west coast community! If you’ve seen killer whales on the west coast, we’d love to hear about it.

Caring, Connected, Communities: mental health and well-being at HWDT

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, so we thought we’d share our experience of working with the excellent Highlands & Islands Connections project, run by Support in Mind Scotland.

In the NewsAlison Lomax18 May 2020Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, Covid-19, Mental Health, Well-being, #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

Last winter survey of the season ends on a high

The sun shone down as we set sail for the last winter survey of the season. Six volunteers from the local community joined us on board as we surveyed waters to the north of Mull

Silurian, Survey SummariesGuest User9 April 2020Silurian, volunteer holidays, whales, dolphins, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, survey, Scotland, Hebrides, cetaceans

Battling through snow and hail on our February winter survey!

Wild weather extended into February as we set out for our latest winter survey. We encountered all types of weather as we surveyed the waters to the east of the Isle of Mull, with snow showers and hail storms broken up by sunny spells.

Silurian, Survey SummariesGuest User2 April 2020Silurian, volunteer holidays, whales, dolphins, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, survey, Scotland, Hebrides, cetaceans

Coronavirus Response Update

Following the latest developments and government advice on the Coronavirus pandemic, HWDT have taken the difficult decision to cancel our public activities until the end of June.

In the News, Events & Outreach, SilurianMorven Summers1 April 2020silurian, coronavirus, coronavirus response, operations, update, cancelled activities, Cancellations, cancelled surveys, cancelled expeditions, cancelled events, Covid 19

HWDT Response to Coronavirus

Following the change in the UK Government’s Coronavirus social distancing advice announced on Monday (16.03.2020) we have made the difficult decision to cancel or postpone many of our charitable activities, including cancelling all research expeditions until 15th May.

In the NewsMorven Summers18 March 2020coronavirus, Covid 19, Operations, Cancellations, research expedition

Tales from the Trail: Tiumpanhead Lighthouse

Join us for our Tales from the Trail blog; this week, Steve Dodd shares his love of Tiumpanhead Lighthouse - arguably one of the best land based whale watching sites in the UK, if not Europe!

The Hebridean Whale TrailMorven Summers13 March 2020rspb BalranaldWhale Trail, hebrides, volunteers, volunteering, volunteer, get involved, scotland, marine conservation, Tiumpanhead Lighthouse, Tiumpan, Tiumpan Lighthouse, land based whale watching, slow tourism, low impact whale watching, Scottish Waters, scottish wildlife

The Space Below: HWDT acoustic recordings feature in an exciting new sound installation

Emma Critchley and Lee Berwick’s new installation, The Space Below explores the global issue of underwater acoustic pollution. Emma spoke to us about The Space Below and shares her experience creating the installation.

Science & Research, Events & OutreachAlison Lomax6 March 2020rspb Balranaldhebrides, volunteers, get involved, scotland, marine conservation

*PRESS RELEASE* Record numbers take part in citizen science to protect whales and dolphins off Scotland’s west coast

Record numbers of volunteers took part in research expeditions organised by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust last year, helping to launch a new year-round programme of monitoring marine mammals and basking sharks in the Hebrides.

December Winter Survey Update

2019 marks a very special year for HWDT as we surveyed the Hebridean seas every single month for the first time in our history! Recently Silurian completed surveys in November and December with magic minke whale and Christmas killer whale encounters!

Silurian, Survey SummariesGuest User20 February 2020Silurian, volunteer holidays, whales, dolphins, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, survey, Scotland, Hebrides, cetaceans

Tales from the Trail: Glengorm

Join us for our Tails from the Trail blog as we share experiences from sites along the Hebridean Whale Trail - this week Chloe, the Glengorm Wildlife Ranger shares why Glengorm is so special.

The Hebridean Whale TrailMorven Summers19 February 2020rspb BalranaldWhale Trail, hebrides, volunteers, volunteering, volunteer, get involved, scotland, marine conservation

Was that really January? Silurian basks in sunshine during last winter survey

We couldn’t believe our luck as we scanned the flat calm seas whilst bathed in sunshine during our latest winter survey. Sunglasses were a must and some members of team team had to get the sunscreen out!

Silurian, Survey SummariesGuest User30 January 2020Silurian, volunteer holidays, whales, dolphins, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, survey, Scotland, Hebrides, cetaceans

Hebridean Marine Explorers - What we achieved in 2019

A look back on our Education Team’s achievements in 2019.

Reflections on the Luskentyre Whale

Heather Beaton, RSPB Warden for the Uists, relects on her visit to the stranded sperm whale at Luskentyre Beach.

In the NewsMorven Summers12 December 2019sperm whale, marine litter, stranding, plastic, plastic pollution, stop the plastic tide, luskentyre beach, whale, SMASS, rspb, stranded whale

Looking back on an incredible summer season!

It was another incredible summer season on board our research vessel Silurian. We covered an impressive 4476.3 nautical miles (8290.1 km) over fourteen surveys, with 1170 sightings of marine megafauna.

Silurian, SightingsGuest User11 December 2019silurian, survey, dolphins, volunteers, volunteernow, marine wildlife, marine conservation, HWDT, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, scotland, killer whale

Prestigious Award Nomination for Hebridean Whale Trail

The Hebridean Whale Trail was shortlisted for New National Treasure (UK) in the prestigious National Geographic Traveller Awards 2019

In the News, The Hebridean Whale TrailMorven Summers5 December 2019national geographic, national geographic traveller, award, New National Treasure, Whale Trail, Hebridean Whale Trail, slow tourism, whale watching, land based whale watching

Teamwork and technology help monitor Scottish Seas

Scottish Entanglement Alliance (SEA) project partners, including staff from the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust have successfully completed a two-day drone operator training course, delivered by US-based non-profit Oceans Unmanned.

Caroline Willis11 November 2019

Tales from the Trail: Gairloch

Join us for our weekly blog as we share experiences from sites along the Hebridean Whale Trail - this week we welcome special guest blogger…Riley the dog!

The Hebridean Whale TrailMorven Summers8 November 2019rspb BalranaldWhale Trail, hebrides, volunteers, volunteering, volunteer, get involved, scotland, marine conservation

Killer End to our 2019 Summer Surveys

What an end to the 2019 summer season on board Silurian: amazing encounters, fantastic team, great conditions and, to top it all off, an encounter with the famous bull killer whales, John Coe and Aquarius!

Silurian surveys Joint Warrior military exercise

Our latest survey was scheduled to coincide with the biannual Joint Warrior exercise to help understand the impact that these activities may have on cetaceans across the Hebrides.

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