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Our thirteenth research expedition of 2022 left for twelve days at sea, gathering vital visual and acoustic data off Scotland’s west coast. Calm weather and fair seas resulted in some fantastic encounters, with common dolphins heralding in the day almost daily! Craig Mackie, Science Officer onboard, recalls the expedition
Read MoreWhat have our Whale Track community been seeing this Summer?
We look back at some of the sighting reports we’ve received this summer, with a focus on the different species of whale recorded in Hebridean seas.
Read MoreOur twelfth research expedition of 2022 left Tobermory for a seven-day survey monitoring the marine environment onboard Silurian - our research vessel. Wild weather returned but our team of citizen scientists powered through with a lot of laughs and continued to collect vital acoustic and visual data coupled with some fantastic sightings. Here Hannah Lightley, Science Officer onboard, recalls the expedition…
Read MoreIn modern times, everyone appreciates the importance and application of data. The digital revolution over the past couple of decades has been driven by it. However, documenting and recording information about the natural world is a well known concept that has been happening for centuries, if not millennia. In this blog find out how HWDT utilise the data gathered by you - our fantastic citizen scientists
Read MoreWARNING: This blog contains graphic images.
Have you ever come across someone cutting up a dead whale or dolphin and wondered 'what on earth are they doing?' We discuss the importance of learning from the dead and who you should report any dead whales or dolphins to if you come across them.
Read MoreExplore the amazing sightings reported during this years National Whale and Dolphin Watch event.
Image: Harbour porpoise ©Graeme-brown
Read MoreWhen art and science join forces interesting things can happen; disseminating science through the arts can raise awareness of issues, reach new audiences and create a space for compelling, thought provoking discussion. When local artist Mhairi Killin approached us and shared her idea for a project, we were excited to be part of her vision.
Read MoreOur second Teen Trip of the year circumnavigated Mull, calling in overnight at Colonsay and Coll. Here the teens recount their experience of their time spent on board Silurian surveying Hebridean Seas.
Read MoreEvery 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.
Read MoreThe ninth research expedition of the 2022 summer field season proved exceptional. Summer conditions finally arrived and a number of different species were recorded. Although minke whales stole the show - with a fantastic encounter with a breaching whale. Read Science Officer, Craig Mackie’s account of the expedition
Read MoreJess Mather shares her experience of moving to Tobermory to volunteer with HWDT, joining the team as Outreach Assistant for the summer. Jess shares her thoughts on adjusting to island life after graduating from her Marine Conservation degree.
Read MoreMarking the middle of the summer 2022 research expeditions, Silurian - our research vessel - set sail from Tobermory monitoring Hebridean seas. Tricky weather conditions continued but our team of volunteer citizen scientists powered through to help gather vital visual and acoustic data and were rewarded with some incredible encounters. Here Hannah Lightley, science officer onboard, describes the expedition.
Read MoreSilurian - our research vessel - and her team of dedicated volunteers circumnavigated the Isle of Lewis during the seventh research expedition of the 2022 summer field season. Battling through some challenging conditions, the team were rewarded with some great encounters on the way back to Stornoway. Here Craig Mackie, Science Officer on board, recalls the expedition
Read MoreNational 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.
Read MoreAs we move into ‘Summer’ off Scotland’s west coast, thanks to the team of volunteer citizen scientists we continue to monitor Hebridean seas, gathering vital visual and acoustic data. Despite some challenging weather conditions, our stoic team on board were rewarded with some interesting encounters. Here, Hannah Lightley, Science Officer on board summarises the expedition.
Read MoreWhat have our Whale Track community been seeing this Spring?
We look at some of the sighting reports we’ve been receiving this Spring, including long finned pilot whales, basking sharks and even a fin whale!
Read MoreWhen reporting your sighting, we ask you to identify the behaviours displayed by the animal you’re watching. But why is this important?
We've broken down what behaviours you may see and why it is so important to record them.
Citizen science plays a key role in deepening our understanding of whales, dolphins and porpoise. The ‘mystery’ killer whale pod is a great example of the impact citizen science can have. Discover the story of this mystery pod and how citizen scientists are helping to add more pieces to their puzzle.
Read MoreMonitoring Hebridean seas is well underway, with Silurian - our research vessell - completing her fifth expedition of the 2022 Summer field season. Some great conditions allowed us to gather data from some of the more remote and exposed parts of our study area. Here, Craig Mackie, Science Officer on board, recalls details of the expedition
Read MoreThanks to generous sponsorship, HWDT are delighted to offer two free spaces to young adults living on the west coast of Scotland. If you are aged 16 or 17 and have an interest in the marine environment, apply today to join us for free on an expedition running 2nd – 8th August 2022.
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