National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week 18/7-26/7 2009

This year's National Whale and Dolphin Watch will take place between 18th of July and 26th of July 2009. Members of the public are once again invited to take part, either by helping our trained observers or by sending in sightings. This is an opportunity for everyone to become involved in the research which goes into understanding these magnificent creatures. The event is the eight consecutive annual watch. The results of the watch provide a snapshot of the distribution of whales, dolphins and porpoises around the British Isles and are helping inform scientific debate on any change in the range and distribution of species.

Click here to download the National Whale and Dolphin Watch report 2008.

List of manned sites, boat surveys and events for NWDW 2009.

See, record and report YOUR sightings:

  • Click here to download recording forms.

  • Click here to go the online recording form.

  • Click here to see recent sightings in your area.

How to take part in the National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week

Why take part

All the sightings during the week help build up a picture of the distribution of species in the summer and the results are helping to inform our scientific understanding of the behaviour of the whales, dolphins and porpoises off our coastline.

How to take part

  • To take part in National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week 2009 you can to visit one of the many Manned Watch Sites that are being planned across the entire coast line of England, Wales, Scotland and the Channel Islands. These sites will be manned by members of Sea Watch Foundation’s Groups and volunteers who will welcome your help scanning the seas and will be able to help you identify any sightings.
  • If you are out and about, at sea or by the coast sailing, fishing, diving, hiking or just walking you dog – keep a look out for any wildlife at sea and report and record any sightings of whales, dolphins and porpoises that you may have.
  • You can take participate in sea-based watches by joining whale and dolphin watching trips organised by approved boat operators around the country. Some operators will run dedicated survey trips; others will offer you a special deal if you take recording forms with you and conduct a survey during your trip.
  • You can also set up your own watch site at a selected location convenient to you – just download the forms from our website, grab your binoculars and get watching! If you would like to make your watch site public and invite other people along, we can help advertise your event and send you forms and other materials to hand out.
  • And finally – don’t forget to send us your sightings, by post, email, or telephone as soon as possible, so that we can update our website list of sightings immediately. Remember - all data is important to us!

Click here to download recording forms.

Click here to go the online recording form.

Where to find more information

Local events_2009.pdf.

List of recommended tour operators.

List of regional contacts.

During the coming months, more details of how to take part and of the locations and dates of Watch sites will be posted on this site, so please revisit us regularly and make a note of the dates in your diary.

For any information on NWDW or Sea Watch in general, or if you are interested in becoming a regular whale and dolphin watcher and joining one of our regional groups please contact the Sightings Officer on 01545 561227 or email your contact details to sightings@seawatchfoundation.org.uk. We also record sightings through out the year, not just during the NWDW, so you can send us sightings anytime.

Back to the top