Orca Watch 2025 was the 12th year running this event, this year between the 24th of May to the 1st of June. During this time, trained volunteers surveyed from land and sea across the North of Scotland, recording any marine mammal spotted, with a focus on Killer whales or Orcas.
During Orca Watch 2025, 230 sightings of marine species were recorded by Sea Watch Foundation volunteers! A total of 500 animals were reported to the database, including harbour porpoise, Risso’s dolphin, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, killer whale, minke whale, humpback whale, grey seal, harbour seal, European otter and basking shark. All recorded sightings are available to see on the new Sea Watch Foundation Map Viewer, filtering by date and species.
On Saturday 24th May 2025, a sighting of a lone male orca – later confirmed as a male named Úlfur – was reported at Scarfskerry heading east towards the main hub at John o’ Groats. This then sparked excitement as the bull was then spotted again an hour later at Gills Bay. After 1.5 hours of anticipation, volunteers were alerted to the bull approaching Duncansby Head from the North after bypassing everyone at John o’ Groats. Onlookers were then treated by the sight of this lone bull on the first official day of Orca Watch, bringing the event to a brilliant start.
The third orca sighting occurred on Thursday 29th May 2025[ST1] , with volunteers at The Trinkie, Wick being treated also to a close view of a calf in the 169 pod. Although not a newborn, this was the first sighting many of the volunteers have had of this particular calf.
On the final day of Orca Watch, two known males, Hulk and Nótt, were spotted off the coast of Orkney, roaming around Holm Sound. These two bulls created one final buzz for volunteers on the mainland, first being seen heading southeast possibly towards Duncansby Head. However, they never arrived and instead went north past Mull Head, Orkney.
The most frequently reported species during Orca Watch 2025 was the Risso’s dolphin, being spotted almost daily. The Risso’s dolphin, although not the target species, created a lot of excitement with the volunteers. These dolphins put on a fantastic display at Brims Castle, Thurso, with numerous breaches and aerial behaviour.
Orca Watch is not only about the sightings, but also about the community and events. This year we were lucky enough to be joined by experts in the cetacean field for two evenings of talks. These experts included: Emma Neave-Webb, Dr. Ruth Esteban, Dr. Filipa Samarra, Maddie Matei, Jule Volland, Dr. Saana Isojunno and the Director of Sea Watch Foundation, Prof. Peter Evans. As well as the evenings of talks, we held a BDMLR strandings workshop with the help from Cath Bain, multiple volunteer social events including a quiz, and our online roundups chaired by Ambassador Robin Petch.
On behalf of everyone at Sea Watch, thank you to those who got involved! Whether you were a volunteer, member of public, or an official partner – we could not do it without your support.
Sea Watch would like to thank the following for their support of Orca Watch: Pentland Ferries, Orkney Marine Mammal Research Initiative, High Life Highland Countryside Rangers, The Cabin at John o’ Groats, Dunnet & Canisbay Community Council, and our host at John o’ Groats, Together Travel, together with the other official Accommodation Partners for 2025, and from previous years.
