ORCA WATCH 2015
23rd-30th May
This is our 4th Annual watch and we need as many eyes on the Pentland Firth as possible. Colin Bird, former Regional Coordinator for Sea Watch Foundation set up Orca Watch with the aim of tracking Killer Whales that feed on seals in the Firth and all other cetaceans that migrate through the firth from the Atlantic to the North Sea. This event has been a great success in previous years with lots of visitors and regular supporters coming out to participate, last years event chalked up a total of 48 hours of recorded effort, one boat survey and over 57 hours of casual watching over the span of the week. This fantastic event resulted in a total of seven tracked killer whales (also referred to as orcas), three sightings of minke whale, one sighting of common dolphin and four of harbour porpoise.
Duncansby Head 20-5-13 by Colin Bird
There are currently four developments that have received licences to install turbines in the Pentland Firth. By gathering information on cetacean movement in Firth we can best understand the dangers they may or may not face from these developments. All the information gathered will be used by the Sea Watch Foundation for entry into the national database. The information we gather will be used by scientists and developers to assess the dangers that cetaceans face from these underwater turbines.
If you would like to get involved in the Sea Watch Foundation Orca Watch 2015 get in touch. Anna Jemmet is replacing Colin Bird as Regional Coordinator for Sea Watch Foundation following his retirement. Anna will be hosting a series of educational events in conjunction with organised land watches. These events are open to all and will give you an opportunity to gain further insight into how the data is collected and for what purpose, as well as giving you the chance to track Orcas through the Pentland Firth, come join us for one watch, two watches or the whole week!
Educational events:
Land watch Training
Date/Time: Sunday 24th May – 13:00-15:00 Location: Duncansby Head
Orca Evening
Date/Time: Monday 25th May – 18:30 Location: Caithness Horizons
Land watch Training
Date/Time: Wednesday 27th May – 18:30 Location: Castletown Heritage Centre
Land Watches:
Location: Duncansby Head (Lighthouse end of car park) Nr John O’Groats.
This is a land-based Sea Watch event.
For further information contact about this event please contact:
Anna Jemmett.
Sea Watch Regional Coordinator.
annajem@hotmail.com.uk
OR
Colin Bird.
Facebook: Caithness Sea Watching
colinB51@aol.com
For further information about Sea Watch Foundation or for pictures please contact:
Kathy James. kathy.james@seawatchfoundation.org.uk
