Skip to content
All articles
  • All articles
  • About whales & dolphins
  • Create healthy seas
  • End captivity
  • Green Whale
  • Prevent deaths in nets
  • Scottish Dolphin Centre
  • Stop whaling
Orca Lulu's body contained PCB levels 100x above the safe limit. Image: SMASS

Toxic tides, troubled whales: the toll of chemical pollution

In last week's blog, we examined the challenges whales and dolphins face as they travel...
Group of orcas at surface

Breaking barriers for whales and dolphins at the Convention of Migratory Species

Many species of whales, dolphins and porpoises undertake long journeys, encountering human-made obstacles along the...
Tokyo

WDC in Japan – Part 1: Finding allies in Tokyo

At the end of May, I embarked on an incredible journey to Japan on behalf...
Amazon river dolphins leaping

The state of river dolphin conservation

At Whale and Dolphin Conservation, we partner with conservationists and communities fighting to save river...
Researchers in Southeast Alaska studying whale poo

We’re funding crucial research on whale poo to combat the climate crisis

The ocean is one of the lungs of our planet, and whales help it to...
Narwhal surfacing

The unicorns of the sea must be protected – CITES

The narwhal, is under threat. Often referred to as the unicorns of the sea, narwhals,...
Sperm whales

We’re pushing governments for action for our climate heroes – whales

The climate crisis is the greatest threat to all life on Earth. But there is...
Dolphins captured for captivity in Taiji. Image: Hans Peter Roth

Loved and killed – whales and dolphins in Japan

Protests and criticism from outside Japan in response to the slaughter of whales and dolphins...

Spotted! Wildlife wandering around Spey Bay

Wow, I can’t believe it’s May already! Here at the Scottish Dolphin Centre we’ve been busy welcoming visitors to our exhibition, shop and café and telling them all about the wildlife they can spot around the nature reserve where the centre is located.  We are very lucky to be based at such a brilliant wildlife watching spot – in the last few days there have been regular sightings of osprey, seals and, of course, the Moray Firth bottlenose dolphins (with lots of jumping, breaching and general aquabatics to be seen!)

As well as these ‘regulars’ we’ve spotted some more shy and retiring species, which has been fantastic for us to see and also to tell our visitors about. Deer have been spotted out and about around Spey Bay and, on a recent drive to a community talk with Lorna the Dolphin Centre’s Education Officer, we happened across a red squirrel. It was a day of firsts for me as not only did I spot my first red squirrel – which I can now tick off my wildlife spotting wish list – it was also the first time I had given a community talk. The members of the Banff and District Probus Club were very welcoming and it was a pleasure to talk to them about the cetacean species found in the seas around Scotland and the work WDC does to protect these amazing creatures.

Deer ©Aimee Burrows

Everywhere I look trees are bursting into lush green and flowers into a riot of colour, with Spey Bay becoming a real hotspot for creatures great and small. It feels as if spring has finally sprung and I don’t think I could be in a better place to experience nature’s sights and sounds.  Next up for me to look forward to will be the Dawn Chorus walk around the Scottish Dolphin Centre.  From 5am-7am on Sunday 11th May we’ll be joining our avian neighbours to welcome in the new day. Booking is essential and spaces are still available so please call 01343 820339 for more information and to book a place.