Shetland whale and dolphin sightings recorded by volunteers

Warmed by early spring sunshine, our group stood looking out across silver sea, scanning for signs of movement. A beep sounded and, as one we lifted our binoculars and began closely examining the water’s surface for any signs that might signal the presence of a cetacean. After a minute we moved, turning our eyes to a different area.

Several passers by asked what had been spotted. Usually in Shetland when you encounter a group looking in the same direction through binoculars a whale or rare bird has been seen. Several of my most amazing whale sightings has happened because I have noticed people gathered by the shore and joined them. Today however, nothing had been seen, we were just completing our Shorewatch training.

Shorewatch is a project run by Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), a charity dedicated to helping protect these species from the multiple threats to our oceans. Their research increases understandings of historic and contemporary population patterns.

This knowledge can be used to influence policy makers’ decisions relating to marine environments. Citizen science, reported observations from communities, is an important part of their information gathering.

Formal scientific studies can provide important snapshots and answer specific questions, but they can’t always generate long term data from multiple locations. And so WDC runs regular community training sessions enabling residents to gather data about the wildlife they experience and contribute to the understanding of species’ numbers and distribution.

Volunteers on the training described were told how this data actively contributes to positive policy changes. Many formal studies give accurate species numbers during certain seasons, usually summer. Patterns of movement at other times can be harder to establish.

Because Shorewatch volunteers regularly conduct surveys throughout the year, they can provide data confirming the presence of cetaceans year-round.

Information gathered this way contributed to the decision to create a marine protected area in the Hebrides while data from Shetland volunteers was an important factor in the decision to award Shetland Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) status.

This IMMA designation recognises the role of waters around Shetland for marine mammals. Our northerly latitude, exposure to Atlantic currents and diverse types of habitat create an ideal place for these animals.

Shetland has semi-resident pods of orca that are regularly spotted close to shore and aggregations of up to 200 harbour porpoise can sometimes be seen in autumn. Other species such as minke and humpback whales and Risso’s dolphins are also often recorded here.

Much of what is known about the wildlife in our waters has been discovered by individuals dedicating their time and expertise to recording the movement and behaviour of cetaceans they encounter. Details from drone footage and high-resolution photography allows individual animals to be identified. This helps us understand interactions between pod members; travel and hunting behaviour; gestation periods and longevity, creating a picture of these animal’s lives.

During Shorewatch training we spent the morning learning to identify the types of whales and dolphins that can be seen in Shetland’s waters. Studying diagrams and watching video clips.

Species can initially appear similar, especially when you only catch a glimpse as they surface. We were taught which features were most important to note down. Everything from size, colour and position of dorsal fin can aid in identification. As we looked at the pictures and I was amazed by the numbers of mammals that it is possible to see here.

After the indoor section of the training we walked up to the Knab, the promontory and park at Lerwick’s eastern edge. From the top of the hill, you get a fantastic view of the water surrounding Lerwick and out to sea past the Bressay lighthouse.

The Knab is a place I love to walk, and several times I have watched orca and humpback whales from here. All the times I have stood in this spot, I had never noticed a large black box secured to a signpost.

Shorewatch volunteers get the code for the box’s lock and inside they find everything they need to complete a survey. Specialised binoculars that help record the exact position of a sighting, timers and paper and pen for anybody not using the app for reporting.

This makes volunteering more accessible as people don’t need to buy expensive equipment and it also means if you happen to be passing a watch location and have some time there you have everything you need to complete a quick survey.

Surveys are more than just looking out to sea to record any mammals you notice. For the data to be a useful in understandings of an area’s ecology, the processes need to be consistent. Surveys take place from set locations, and is for exactly 10 minutes, with a set time assigned for each visible area of ocean. If you don’t see anything you still report the survey as this builds a picture of how often people are looking and what is seen during these times.

With seven designated areas in Shetland there are many opportunities to conduct surveys, with each place offering a different experience. Although it is always exciting to see something and record it, even when you have nothing to report, it is also a lovely way to spend the time outdoors.

When life is busy and there seems to always be more tasks than time allows, taking a small break to look out to sea can be very relaxing. While you might not always see a whale, it is an opportunity to feel wind and weather, to notice the changing seasons and the birds and flowers in the landscape. It is also an important way to be part of something.

Each survey is a small part of a larger picture, a contribution to greater understanding of the beautiful and varied lives around us.

Are you inspired by the thought of spotting whales and dolphins? Read more about getting really close to nature and 20 other great reasons to move to Shetland in our blog post.