Posts by Morven Summers

Shared Seas, Shared Responsibility: Reducing Disturbance for Scotland’s Marine Life

Experiencing Scotland’s rich marine life is truly magical, but it comes with a responsibility to approach it respectfully.

SightingsMorven Summers27 March 2025Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, WiSe Scheme, Wildlife Safe, disturbance, wildlife watching, responsible tourism, best practice for watching wildlife, scottish marine wildlife watching code

How Do Whales Sleep? And other Amazing Adaptations to Life Under the Sea

Over 60 million years ago, the common ancestor to all whales and dolphins roamed on land. Since taking to an aquatic life, they’ve adapted in remarkable ways to thrive in oceans across the globe; from icy polar waters to warm tropical seas. Let’s dive into some of their most astonishing adaptations.

Morven Summers14 March 2025

Mapping Marine Life: The Power of Expedition Data

In modern times, the importance and application of data is well understood; the digital world we live in has been driven by it. Data is vital to understanding trends and it’s no different when investigating environmental changes.

Big Love for the Ocean's Giants

Our passion for whales runs deep, and there’s so much to admire about these incredible creatures. On Valentine’s Day, we highlight some of the reasons why we loves whales and why you should too.

Over 10,000 Whale and Dolphin Sightings Recorded in Scotland's Seas

During 2024, 11,039 sightings of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and other marine life were reported to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) by members of the public, or citizen scientists. Over 65,000 animals have been sighted in Scottish waters, from 17 different species.

The opportunistic foraging strategies of the minke whale

Dr Michael Tetley, member for the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, shares his knowledge of the opportunistic feeding strategies of minke whales in Scotland.

Sightings, Science & ResearchMorven Summers5 December 2024minke whales, minke whale, scotlnd, Scottish whales

Tides of Change: Monitoring Hebridean Seas

Whales and dolphins are long-lived and well-travelled, with some species crossing oceans on migration. Understanding these magnificent creatures and safeguarding their futures relies on long-term monitoring, offering us a deeper glimpse into their lives and challenges.

Record high for minke whale sightings but record low for basking sharks, research in Hebrides finds

2023 saw the highest sighting rates and numbers of minke whales yet recorded in the Hebrides, but the lowest known for basking sharks.

Hundreds of people join ferry watching event in Scotland and contribute to marine conservation

The ferry routes operated by Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) off Scotland’s west coast are fantastic platforms for spotting wildlife, journeying through stretches of water rich in marine life.

Events & Outreach, SightingsMorven Summers13 September 2024Wild Discovery, Mammal, Mammal Society, events, CalMac, Ferry, Scotland, ferry watching, Things to do Scotland, whale watching, whale watching in Scotland, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Wildlife, wildlife watching

The conservation impact of joining a HWDT Research Expedition

Our expedition surveys on board our research vessel, Silurian, have been monitoring Scotland’s seas for over two decades. This long-term monitoring is critical, driving protections to restore marine biodiversity and championing healthy seas for nature and communities.

Katie and Indy nearing the end of their epic 107 day Marine Miles walking challenge

Katie Monk and Indy Kiemel Greene are nearing the finish line on their remarkable mission to raise funds for HWDT. Katie and Indy have walked from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, with a ‘wee’ detour via the Hebrides!

Morven Summers23 August 2024Marine Miles, Indy Greene, Katie Monk

Join a Teen Team expedition for free!

Thanks to generous sponsorship, HWDT are delighted to offer two free spaces to young adults living on the west coast of Scotland. If you are aged 16 or 17 and have an interest in the marine environment, apply today to join us for free on an expedition running 04 - 10 August 2024.

Whale Track: people power for conservation

The Big Green Give Match Fund is live! Donate now to ensure our Whale Track community can continue to protect whales and dolphins in Scottish seas.

FundraisingMorven Summers18 April 2024The Big Give, Green Match Fund, Crowdf, fundraising, charity support, help whales and dolphins, help us, help save whales, help save our seas

Telling the tale of the west coast killer whale

Killer whales hold a special wonder for many people and in recent years, John Coe and Aquarius of the West Coast Community have become local celebrities. Morven, our Communications Manager, has followed the story of the plight of these killer whales for many years. Here she shares what has been uncovered about the group since she began working at the Trust…

Scotland’s seas recognised as important for marine mammals

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force announced 33 new Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) within the Northeast Atlantic and Baltic Sea.

Science & ResearchMorven Summers6 March 2024Pro, protecting Scotlands seas, protect whales, protect the ocean, marine conservation, marine protected areas, ocean protection, IMMA, ICUN, IUCN, what is being done to protect whales, UK dolphin and porpoise conservation strategy, who is studying Scottish whales, who is working with whales

Listening for Conservation

Many of us have little comprehension of how noisy the aquatic world is, you’d be forgiven for assuming it’s a peaceful environment…it’s anything but! Our seas and oceans are a cacophony of sound and getting increasingly noisier, as human activity intensifies the soundscape.

SilurianMorven Summers8 February 2024get involved, how can I help whales, how can I get involved in whale research, acoustic survey, underwater noise, noise pollution, marine noise, expe, expeditio, research expedition, research trip, research vessel

A Picture Tells a Thousand Words

Photography has never been so accessible; the development of camera technology in our phones and the affordability of professional kit means more people than ever can take amazing photos. But did you know…for decades photos have been a fundamental resource in driving forward our understanding of whales and dolphins.

Minke whales visiting Scotland’s west coast set European record

Scotland’s west coast seas are a vitally important area for minke whales – with some of these spectacular but vulnerable marine mammals notching up Europe’s longest sighting histories of almost 30 years, research by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust shows.

All in a weeks work for our First Mate Jake!

Silurian is not just a research vessel, she’s home to the hundreds of volunteers who join us each year and doubles up as a floating classroom, welcoming on board school children to be inspired by their local marine environment. Our First Mate Jake has been giving our hardworking vessel some TLC.

SilurianMorven Summers4 October 2023monitoring vessel, research expedition, research vessel, research, whale research in Scotland, expedition, monitoring expedition, make a difference, join us, eco holidays, amainzing opportunity, silurian, Silurian, citizenscience, citizen science projects

Lindblad Expeditions partners with HWDT to protect Scottish whales and dolphins.

The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is excited to announce a return to our partnership with Lindblad Expeditions in 2023, to support our work protecting whales and dolphins on Scotland’s west coast.

Morven Summers2 October 2023

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