Leaping Calf

Danielle snapped some amazing photos while on land watch yesterday (29/06/2010) of a young calf leaping in the air. This aerial display is all the more exciting because the calf could only be a few weeks old.



When a calf is in the womb it is folded so that its tail is near its head. This creates lumps and folds in the animals blubber. Within the first week of a newborn's life, the folds and lumps smooth out. However, light coloured stripes will still remain visible on the flanks of the animal for a month. In the pictures of this calf those stripes are still very visible so it can not be a very old.

Boat Show

The Sea Watch crew met success at the 5th South Wales Boat show which ran from the 18th-20th of June in Swansea. The goal of attending was primarily to promote the sightings network to boat owners thereby encouraging sightings to be reported and added to Sea Watch's database. The weather was sunny and hot which brought lots of visitors to the show.



There was lots of interest shown by the public and all of Sea Watch's current campaigns were promoted including Adopt a Dolphin, Photo a fin and National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week. In addition to informing the visitors to the show, the Sea Watch volunteers also networked with other exhibitors who provided some interesting ideas of how to expand the sightings network. Overall it was a very worthwhile weekend.

Buckets and Spades to Celebrate

It was buckets and spades to the ready on Sunday 6th when Sea Watch Foundation celebrated World Oceans Day (June 8th). Children and big kids alike were kept busy constructing sand sculptures on New Quay beach. After a busy hour Cheryl the dolphin, Tom the Turtle, Diego the Jellyfish, Harry the harbour porpoise and Sandy starfish decorated the beach with many more people coming along to check out the creations and have a go at the blue whale challenge game.





Rain may have stopped play on the beach, however up on the harbour wall the hardy volunteer stuck through it, providing fun ebtertainment with dolphin watching, and marine themed activities for passers by till late into the afternoon. The event was a success despite the weather and we are planning on doing more activities through the summer months.



This Monday two new volunteer joined us in New Quay for our second period. Jenna has flown over from Vancouver, Canada and Tom arrived up from Pembrokeshire to join us. A warm welcome to you both, hope you love it here as much as the rest of us!



Sea Watch FOundation
www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk

p.s. view more of our sand sculpture photographs on our Facebook page

Land Ahoy!

Its hard to believe that it's the last week in period one this year already and it's been a busy few days too! The land surveys kicked off, with plenty of bottlenose dolphins venturing into the bay to feed - Saturday the dolphins came in close to the harbour wall with one steeling the spotlight of the windsurfer in the bay, delighting the tourist crowds!



The casual surveys have continued on both the Ermol and Islander boat trips with plenty of dolphins, seals and a lonely harbour porpoise still (bravely) in the bay with so many dolphins about!



Its wonderful news for the area, we can confirm that it was definitely an otter Helene saw last week (see What an Otter Nonsense), one of her photos held the proof, hopefully there are plenty more sightings to come.



In other news, lets's hope the winning streak carries on as the volunteers continue to win their beer money at the weekly bingo in the Queen's (the locals are threatening to ban us). While this Wednesday its 'Cream Tea' for dinner, a little farewell for those leaving the sandy shores of New Quay this weekend. Big thank you for your help, we'll miss you.


Meanwhile its celebration time on Sunday 6th June - we've arrange a few fun filled events to celebrate world oceans day, for more information check out our web page. Let's hope the sun continues to shine!

Sea Watch Foundation Team
www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk