HAVING A WHALE OF A TIME IN WALES!!

The 2011 marine mammal research season in New Quay, Wales kicked off on Easter Monday and there has already been an abundance of sightings. Although no whales have yet been spotted, we have high hopes for the season.



Top left: Juliette, Alisha (MSc student), Katrin (Research Assistant & Volunteer Co-ordinator)
Bottom left: Elena, Rachel, Deborah (Education & Awareness Assistant), Vanessa, Fabio


The first 7 volunteers, plus one MSc student (all pictured above), have already been introduced to a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) mother-calf pair regularly seen frequenting the New Quay harbour area.




The mother has been identified as ‘Chris’, one of our adoptable dolphins (www.adoptadolphin.org.uk). Over the past few weeks we have seen the calf become more independent and adventurous in its movements and playful displays. It has been sighted swimming on its back with its white underside in full view; much to the amusement of curious onlookers.

Another familiar face is that of a grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) which swims past the harbour wall with its head out of the water having a good nosy around.




We have all also been out on daily 1-2 hour Ermol trips which take us along the coast, past the fish factory which is a key foraging ground for the dolphins, seals and bird species. Public awareness of the Sea Watch Foundation and the local marine mammals is carried out during these trips as well as on the harbour wall. This has proved to be a little challenging what with the wind taking every opportunity to blow our leaflets away, leaving the volunteers chasing after them.

We are anxiously waiting for the wind to die down so that we can get out on the Dunbar Castle II for our day-long survey trips. These should prove to be exhilarating and enjoyable days. In the mean time the team has been swatting up and improving our general knowledge ready for the weekly pub quiz at the Dolau Inn!


Sea Watch Foundation Team

www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk