North Wales is an excellent area for sighting whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively termed cetaceans). Whether it be a harbour porpoise from Point Lynas on Anglesey, bottlenose dolphins around the Llyn Peninsula and Llandudno or Risso’s dolphin around Anglesey and Bardsey Island, North Wales’ waters have a lot to offer!
Bottlenose dolphins off the North Wales coast. Photo by Katrin Lohrengel/ Sea Watch Foundation
The Sea Watch Foundation is a research charity which monitors cetaceans all around the UK and it relies on volunteers to help collect whale, dolphin and porpoise sightings as well as conducting dedicated watches for cetaceans. The Welsh Sea Watchers project was set up to help recruit and organise sea-watching volunteers across Wales. The project is always looking for new volunteers and with the announcement of this latest batch of free training courses, it’s so easy to get involved!
The Welsh Sea Watcher training courses give volunteers the skills needed to undertake their own land watches and to identify the cetacean species they can see. No previous experience is necessary; however a passion for wildlife and conservation is essential.
Mother and calf Risso’s dolphins off North Anglesey. Photo by Peter Evans/ Sea Watch Foundation
Mother and calf harbour porpoise taken by Welsh Sea Watcher Ben Murcott/ Sea Watch Foundation
The charity currently have three training courses across North Wales that anyone can attend; the Breakwater Country Park in Holyhead on November 19th, the Seaquarium in Rhyl on November 20th, or Nant Gwrtheyrn on the Llyn Peninsula on November 28th. Bookings can be made by calling Sea Watch’s Wales Development Officer, Mathew Clough, on 07519743773 or by emailing mathew.clough@seawatchfoundation.org.uk .
Aside, from land-based opportunities to monitor the animals, regular volunteers are invited to survey cetaceans from a boat, which is a unique and thrilling experience. There are many other ways for people to become involved in the scheme too, helping the charity with maintenance of its sightings network, contributing to its Adopt A Dolphin newsletters, blog-writing, video-editing and much more! Sea Watch would ask that if you have a particular niche you can fill that you come along to one of the training courses and chat to Matt about how you can get also get involved with the monitoring and protection of these incredible species!
