Join us for National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2012!

Events running all around the country on 27th to the 29th July

Click here for the NWDW 2011 report

Members of the public are invited to take part in the 10th National Whale and Dolphin Watch. This is an opportunity for everyone to become involved in the research which goes into understanding and protecting these magnificent creatures.

How to take part in the National Whale and Dolphin Watch


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Why take part?

All the sightings collected during the weekend provide a snapshot of the distribution of whales, dolphins and porpoises around the British Isles and help inform scientific debate on any change in the range and distribution of species.

How to take part?

  • To take part in National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2011 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.
  • You can take participate in sea-based watches by joining whale and dolphin watching trips organised by approved boat operators around the country.
  • 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 –if you are out and about, at sea or by the coast sailing, fishing, diving, hiking or just walking you dog don’t forget to keep a look out and 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!

See, record and report YOUR sightings:

Just email us your sightings and photos at sightings@seawatchfoundation.org.uk or call 01545 561227 giving us a many details as you can about where and what you have seen.

Click here to download recording forms.

Click here to go the online recording form.

Click here to see recent sightings in your area.

Where to find more information

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.

NWDW is proudly sponsored by BG

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