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It’s been an exciting year for sightings across the west coast of Scotland. It’s been a particularly busy year for sightings of the West Coast Community members, John Coe and Aquarius. Between February and October 2022, the famous pair have been Photo ID’d across a total of 33 days, with their location ranging from the Hebrides, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Photo credit: EmmaJane-HebridesCruises
Read MoreThanks to everyone still watching for whales and dolphins over autumn and winter and reporting what they’ve spotted - it’s fantastic to see the awesome encounters coming through Whale Track. From our favourite killer whale celebrities, John Coe and Aquarius, to the 100th humpback whale being added to the Scottish Humpback Whale ID Catalogue, it’s been an exciting couple of months for marine life in Scottish seas
Read MoreAlthough rare, humpback whales are now being sighted with increasing regularity in Scottish waters - with the 100th whale documented this year. They are known to migrate through Scottish waters between their feeding and breeding grounds. Find out how citizen scientists are deepening the understanding of these awesome creatures
Read MoreThe final research expedition of the 2022 summer field season has ended on a high, with fair weather (makes a wonderful change for the 2022 field season), fantastic encounters and memorable moments. Here Craig Mckie, Science Officer on board, recalls the highlights.
Read MoreMeet Jenny - our new Fieldwork Research Manager, but she’s no stranger to Silurian or HWDT. Jenny has been part of the team for a while, most recently as our Exhibitions Officer in our Discovery Centre, while providing relief cover for the Science Officer on board Silurian.
Read MoreFrom gigantic mega poos to robots catching snot...I hope you're not squeamish, it's time to dive deep into a world of gross!
Read MoreOur sixteenth research expedition of 2022 left Tobermory for a 12-day survey monitoring the marine environment of the Hebrides onboard Silurian - our research vessel. Tricky weather persisted throughout the trip but our determined bunch of volunteers continued to survey in all weather conditions to try and spot some marine mammals. Here, Hannah Lightley, Science Officer onboard recalls the expedition.
Read MoreThis week the Royal National Mòd is underway; a wonderful celebration of the Gaelic culture here in Scotland. Below, Coinneach MacFhraing explores the connection between the Gaels and the sea creatures which inhabit our waters, by sharing his knowledge of the place names associated with whales and dolphins.
Read MoreRonnie Mackie and his band ‘Quarrel Brae’ have released a lovely tune - ‘The Whale Song’ - to help raise funds for a number of charities, HWDT included! The song was inspired by a conversation that Ronnie had with a whale while sailing across the Atlantic. Read Ronnie’s story of how he came to write the song
Read MoreOur fifteenth research expedition of 2022 left Tobermory for a week long survey to monitor the waters off the west coast of Scotland. A changeable week of weather created some challenges for those on board Silurian - our research vessel - but the team was rewarded with some memorable encounters. Here Craig Mackie, Science Officer on board, recalls the expedition
Read MoreIn October 2018, Rachel Horsburgh joined a research expedition, this inspired her to write ‘Whale Song’. ‘Whale Song’ has recently been showcased as part of The Nature Library exhibition of writings at the Ullapool Ferry Terminal last weekend, curated by Christina Riley, as part of the Climate Fringe Festival.
Read MoreDr Conor Ryan - HWDT alumni now Science Committee member - has published an incredibly interesting paper on the historical occurrence of whales in Scottish waters. By utilising old whaling records, Conor and his colleagues begin to shed some light on the species which used to inhabit our waters and what we might expect to see if our seas recover from past exploitation.
Read MoreJoint Warrior, Europe’s largest military exercise, will begin in Scottish waters today. Please be vigilant and contribute to our long-term monitoring efforts by reporting your excursions and sightings on Whale Track.
Read MoreOur fourteenth research expedition of 2022 left Tobermory for a seven-day survey monitoring Hebridean waters onboard Silurian - our research vessel. Treated to great weather and fantastic sightings, citizen scientists onboard encountered seven different species of marine megafauna. Hannah Lightley, Science Officer onboard, talks about the expedition…
Read MoreFor the first time since pre-pandemic, we welcomed aboard five schools in and around Tobermory, Salen and Strontian to learn first-hand about the amazing whales, dolphins and porpoises that can be seen locally.
Read MoreOur 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.
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