The Ardnamurchan Minke Whale Project

Since 2001 HWDT have been carrying out annual surveys of Minke whales in the waters surrounding Ardnamurchan Point. The survey is carried out from a viewing platform at the Ardnamurchan Point Lighthouse throughout the months of July, August and September.

Volunteers at Ardnamurchan; Copyright Fiona QuarmbyThe viewing platform is a fantastic site from which to observe whales, as it is raised 20m above sea level and provides a large range of vision. For instance, the view from the Lighthouse platform includes the Small Isles of Eigg, Muck and Rhum, the Isle of Skye, the Islands of Coll and Tiree, and also the Isle of Mull. On a very clear day there is an uninterrupted view out to the Outer Hebrides. That’s a lot of sea to spot whales in.

The survey is conducted using a theodolite, which is a surveyor’s instrument to measure vertical and horizontal angles. Using this, we are able to obtain exact positions of the whales as they surface. This data is then processed to produce an accurate track of the whales, establishing their direction of travel and building up a record of their movements.

The core aims of the project are:

  • To gain information on Minke whale movement patterns and how they vary throughout the season
  • To observe how the whales are utilising the surrounding habitat by recording their behaviour such as feeding and travelling.
  • To note any behavioural reaction of minke whales to the presence of boat traffic
  • To record sightings of other cetacean species in the area
  • To promote land based sites as an effective and sustainable platform for observing cetaceans (especially good for those cetacean lovers without sea legs!!)

There are many advantages to surveying cetaceans from land:

  • We can gain accurate positions of these animals without disturbing them
  • We are able to record both whale and boat movements with no bias effect from an observation boat
  • The cost of the project is kept to a minimum with little equipment hire required
  • We are in a positon to pass on our findings directly to the interested public
  • The raised platform allows us to survey a large area of water at one time

Findings so far:

  • The results so far have indicated a Northward movement by the minke whales throughout the season. This is known not to be a universal trend among minke whales, so is likely to be a localised phenomenon, possibly predatory.
  • It appears that lunge feeding increases towards the end of the season, perhaps indicating a difference in the type of prey.
  • There have been incidences of minke whales approaching boats (Lazaratou 2001) but not enough to draw definite conclusions
  • A number of other cetaceans frequent the waters. Harbour porpoise the most commonly sighted, but also Bottlenose, Common and Risso’s dolphin, as well as a couple of sightings of Orca. Basking sharks, seals and otters are among the other visitors.

Harbour Porpoises; Copyright HWDTIf you are holidaying in the area, and would like to find out more about the project, just come along to the Ardnamurchan point viewing platform and see for yourself – we are always happy to discuss the project and how it is progressing, and certainly appreciate another pair of eyes if you are able to stay a while. Minke whales are in the area from April through to September, and it would be very useful to also have data outside the project months.

Orcas; Copyright Sea Life Surveys; www.sealifesurveys.comHWDT encourages people to report sightings from this point year round, so if you see anything click here to let us know. Need help identifying it first? Click here

For information about the Scottish minke whale please click here

For a full list of papers produced from the Ardnamurchan Project please click here

 
 
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, 28 Main Street, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland, PA75 6NU Contact Us