Over 192 landwatches scheduled across the UK in preparation for the biggest National Whale and Dolphin Watch yet 

This summer we are excited to mark the Sea Watch Foundation’s 21st annual National Whale and Dolphin Watch. This nine-day citizen science event involves encouraging members of the public to conduct watches for whales, dolphins and porpoises across the country and to join in with raising awareness on how we can protect these species. Ceri Beynon-Davies, Senior Marine Advisor at National Resources Wales said; 

“We’re really pleased to support the Sea Watch Foundation’s National Whale and Dolphin Watch. It’s such an important event that will develop what we know about the distribution of whales, dolphins and porpoises around Wales and the UK. 

“We would like to encourage everyone who is interested to get involved. Citizen scientists play a crucial role in gathering the research, and getting out as a community for a watch and to record the data is so beneficial for our mental and physical health too. This event is a great opportunity for everyone to get involved with understanding and protecting these magnificent creatures – we really can’t do it without you! You can find out more about how to get involved at www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw/”

Organised landwatches are taking place across the country stretching from Caithness to Glamorgan to Jersey. All the details of landwatches and how you can get involved can be found on our website at https://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/events/. This year we have an “Observer's Prize Draw” where, by submitting a sighting between Saturday 23rd July and Sunday 31st July, you are automatically entered for a chance to win our amazing prize hamper pictured below. Features: £50 Waterlust voucher, whale poster, no-waste travel bag, tote bag, reusable straws, turtle necklace and bracelet and a press pin. There is also a runner-up prize (Offshore t-shirt, humpback whale drawing, whale keyring and crochet dolphin). 

In addition to our “Observers Prize Draw” we’ll also be running a photography competition, a children’s drawing/photography competition and a raffle during the week. Raffle tickets can be bought from our Dolphin Hub in New Quay with the winner announced on Saturday 30th July during our live music night at New Quay Sports and Social Bar. We’ll be running daily events in New Quay including a BBQ, pub quiz, landwatches, workshops, bake sale, live music night and an evening sunset cruise with Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips. More information for these events can be found here: https://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-new-quay-events/ 

This year we are delighted to be hosting online events too including landwatch training webinars, an online art workshop with Mapping Ocean Change (MOCA) and our annual Evening with Sea Watch Foundation. Details of these events will be available on the Sea Watch Foundations website over the next week.