Friday 25th April 2014 saw the launch of our new Pier Watch project. This took place at New Quay Yacht Club and was well attended by people from the local community, including our local MP Mark Williams and Geraint Hughes from Environment Wales.
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Geraint Hughes from Environment Wales
- After an introduction from Mr Williams, Mr Hughes and our Sightings Officer Kathy James, everyone was invited to join us out on the pier to have a go with the digiscope. Unfortunately no dolphins were around at the time, but there was still plenty of bird life to test the equipment out with.
MP Mark Williams being shown how to use the digiscope
It’s thanks to the support of the local community that we were able to gain funding for the digiscope and launch the new project. We are especially grateful to the friends and family of Dave Bennett, who clubbed together to raise funds for Sea Watch. Dave, along with his wife Delyth, was a keen supporter of the Sea Watch Foundation and we dedicate this project to his memory. On Wednesday 23rd April our staff and interns joined Delyth and her family for the official unveiling of the equipment.
Delyth cutting the ribbon on our Digiscope
They also got a chance to test out the digiscope for themselves, though the damp weather meant we had to use it indoors. We also unveiled our new Pier Watch jackets, dedicated to Dave.
Our staff, interns and Dave’s family viewing the equipment and jackets.
This equipment is important as it can provide us with high quality photos of the bottlenose dolphins and increases our ability to recognise the known individuals in Cardigan Bay that come in close to New Quay Pier. It’s also a fantastic way to get the public involved, so you can come and experience for yourselves how photo ID works.
Once again we must thank everyone in the local community for their support, as it’s thanks to you that we were able to gain the funding for this project to go ahead.
A family having a go with the digiscope out on the pier
Come and join us on New Quay Pier during the afternoons this summer to have a go with the digiscope yourself and join us in taking photos of the dolphins. Also keep checking back at this blog for future updates and information on what we have seen.
