Martin Thomas
Retired student
This Saturday, August 12, sees the start of UK The National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week 2006. This will be an opportunity for everyone to become involved in the research which goes into understanding these magnificent creatures.
Twenty eight species of whales and dolphins have been recorded off the British coastline to date. During National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week 2005, nine different species were reported with some spectacular sightings from some locations.
To take part in National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week 2006 you will be able to go to one of the many Watch Sites that are being planned across the entire coast line of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. These sites will be manned by members of Sea Watch Foundation's Groups, other non-affiliated groups and volunteers who will welcome your help scanning the seas and will be able to help you identify any sightings.
(see http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/events.php for more details of events in your area).
A group of enthusiasts have recently established a new Cumbrian Sea Watch organisation to carry out regular fixed effort surveys of cetaceans, pinnipeds and marine life in the seas off the Cumbria coast. Our intention is to generate high-quality scientific data to establish population estimates and monitor whales and dolphins in the region. Records exist to show harbour porpoise, common bottlenose dolphin and basking shark have regularly been seen over the past 40 years and it is possible we also have a number of whale species in our local waters.
Should anyone wish to join the Cumbrian watch or just drop by to say hello, we will be at St Bees (NX 96100 11700) approx. 5 miles south of Whitehaven, commencing this Saturday from 12.00 hrs to 15.00 hrs on the grassy area adjacent the cafe.
Naturally we will be on the lookout for seabirds too and maybe even spot another Great Shearwater as seen on one of our recent fixed effort watches?!
Hope to see as many of you as possible.
Cheers
Martin
Twenty eight species of whales and dolphins have been recorded off the British coastline to date. During National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week 2005, nine different species were reported with some spectacular sightings from some locations.
To take part in National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week 2006 you will be able to go to one of the many Watch Sites that are being planned across the entire coast line of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. These sites will be manned by members of Sea Watch Foundation's Groups, other non-affiliated groups and volunteers who will welcome your help scanning the seas and will be able to help you identify any sightings.
(see http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/events.php for more details of events in your area).
A group of enthusiasts have recently established a new Cumbrian Sea Watch organisation to carry out regular fixed effort surveys of cetaceans, pinnipeds and marine life in the seas off the Cumbria coast. Our intention is to generate high-quality scientific data to establish population estimates and monitor whales and dolphins in the region. Records exist to show harbour porpoise, common bottlenose dolphin and basking shark have regularly been seen over the past 40 years and it is possible we also have a number of whale species in our local waters.
Should anyone wish to join the Cumbrian watch or just drop by to say hello, we will be at St Bees (NX 96100 11700) approx. 5 miles south of Whitehaven, commencing this Saturday from 12.00 hrs to 15.00 hrs on the grassy area adjacent the cafe.
Naturally we will be on the lookout for seabirds too and maybe even spot another Great Shearwater as seen on one of our recent fixed effort watches?!
Hope to see as many of you as possible.
Cheers
Martin