Overland to Scottish whales and dolphins
World Environment Day 2008 falls on June 5th. This year the theme is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy. Recognising that climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is asking countries, companies and communities to focus on ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Among Earthwatch's European projects are Whales and Dolphins of the Hebrides, led by Peter Stevick of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, and Whales and Dolphins of Moray Firth, led by Kevin Robinson of the Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit. These projects are set in stunning locations - Tobermory on the Isle of Mull in the Hebrides, and the picturesque village of Gardenstown on the northeast coast of Scotland.
Volunteers undertake a range of research activities, from recording the distribution and abundance of cetaceans (whales and dolphins), to identifying cetacean ‘hot-spots' and habitats. Identifying key habitats will enable them to be well managed and protected in the future. The research is also shedding light on the biology, ecology and population dynamics of these charismatic species.
The 2007 field season yielded some awe-inspiring cetacean encounters; in June, Earthwatch volunteers in the Hebrides observed a group of more than 200 common dolphins feeding between Tiree and the Outer Hebrides. Common dolphins have not been a regularly sighted species in Hebridean waters in the past, especially not as far north and west as current observations are indicating. This is an emerging trend which will be interesting to track. Common dolphins were also spotted in the Moray Firth for the first time; Earthwatch volunteers witnessed a spectacular extravaganza of more than 300 common dolphins along the southern trench, and a jaw-dropping 25 foot leap by a bottlenose dolphin in Macduff Harbour. A high number of basking sharks were also encountered during September.
Getting there
It is easy to travel overland to both these projects, and with some dramatic train journeys and stunning scenery along the way, the journey is part of the experience. The rendezvous point for Whales and Dolphins of Moray Firth is Banff. There are train services to Aberdeen from many major UK cities and the overnight Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston to Aberdeen has berths from as little as £19. The Stagecoach Bluebird 305 service to Banff is available every one-two hours from Aberdeen railway/coach station and takes about an hour.
Volunteers on Whales and Dolphins of the Hebrides meet the project team at the Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit office in Tobermory. Glasgow is easily accessible by train from all major UK cities and ports, and fares can start at around £40 for a single ticket from London, if booked in advance. ScotRail runs twice daily trains from Glasgow Queen Street Station to Oban. The train journey from Glasgow Central to Oban takes about three hours with advance return fares from £17. This journey takes you along the West Highland Line, one of the most scenic railway journeys in Britain. The train station at Oban is next to the ferry terminal, and the bus station is just a few minutes' walk away. The Caledonian McBrayne ferry from Oban to Craignure connects with the bus from Craignure (just outside the ferry terminal) to Tobermory, which takes around 45 minutes.
Did you know?
The west coast of Scotland is one of the most important habitats for whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) in Europe. Twenty four species - nearly a third of the global total - have been reported from this region, from the leviathan blue whale to the diminutive harbour porpoise.
Check out our expedition quick search for other Earthwatch marine research projects:
Dolphins of Greece, Spanish Dolphins, Dolphins and Whales of Abaco Island, Hawksbill Turtles of the Great Barrier Reef, Leatherback Turtles of St Croix, Trinidad's Leatherback Sea Turtles, South African Penguins, Coral and Coastal Ecology of the Seychelles, Queen Conchs of Belize, Coral Reefs of Thailand, Mangroves of the Kenyan Coast, Alaskan Fur Seals, Mangroves of Sri Lanka, Diving WW II Wrecks of Truk Lagoon, Tracking Bajas Black Sea Turtles, Marine Mammals of Monterey, Seabirds of Prince William Sound, Grey Whale Migrations, Whale Sharks of Ningaloo Reef, Costa Rican Sea Turtles, Bahamian Reef Survey, Reef Fish of the Virgin Islands, Coastal Ecology of the Bahamas, Coastal Ecology of the Sapodilla Cayes, Coastal Ecology of Port Honduras.
Links:
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit