The Hebridean Bottlenose Dolphin Project

Historical sightings indicate that bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are widespread throughout the Hebrides. However, despite regular sightings, little is known about the characteristics of this population. Without baseline information on frequency, seasonality of occurrence, estimates of abundance or distribution patterns, the status and ecological significance of this dolphin population cannot be assessed either locally or nationally. This could have negative impacts for the overall conservation of this species.

The Hebridean Bottlenose Dolphin project (HBDP) is the first dedicated study of bottlenose dolphins on the West Scottish waters and has been running since 2001. Five years of photo-ID work at HWDT, suggest that there is a small, resident population on the west coast of Scotland. So far, less than 30 individuals have been identified from photographs.

The photo-ID work also shows that the dolphins are most commonly seen in small groups of between 6 and 12 individuals. Larger group sizes of between 20 and 30 individuals are less common and so far, groups over 30 individuals have never been documented. The larger groups are thought to be formed from the smaller sub-groups coming together. So the social structure of this population seems to be extremely dynamic with group sizes changing constantly. This type of ‘fission-fusion’ population dynamic appears to be typical of bottlenose dolphins, and has been observed in other bottlenose dolphin populations throughout their range.

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Last July saw the launch of a new research project run collaboratively by Aberdeen University, University of St Andrews and SAMS (Scottish Association of Marine Science) to study the bottlenose dolphins on the west coast of Scotland. This research forms part of a nationwide project to collect photo-identification photographs from around Scotland.

HWDT are collaborating in this project through dedicated surveys on their research vessel Silurian and are also instrumental in contributing sightings information received through their established sightings network, which has been especially mobilized.

Click here for updated sightings of bottlenose dolphins off the west coast of Scotland.

If you see bottlenose dolphins around the Hebrides then do let us know. We have set up a FREEPHONE sightings hotline especially. Please call  0800 0858110

How do you know if it was a bottlenose dolphin? Click here for some help with your identification

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