Orca Watch is a whale of a time
KILLER whales will begin heading through the Pentland Firth next month and members of the public are being urged to help track the majestic marine mammals’ movements.
Orca Watch will take place from May 21 to 28 off the Caithness coast – described as one of the best places from which to spot killer whales in the UK.
The event, being run by the Sea Watch Foundation, is taking place at Duncansby Head and organisers are looking for people to help them for six hours a day.
Sea Watch volunteer Anna Jemmett says spotting a killer whale is an experience that’s not to be missed.
“It is wonderfully exciting to see a whale or dolphin in the wild for yourself,” she said.
She added: “Although it takes both luck and patience, and many layers of warm clothes, the rewards are worth it, seeing a cetacean is magical.
“The aim of Orca Watch is to collect vital data on our visiting orca and also the other cetacean species in the area while informing the public about these special animals just off their shores.
“During the 2015 Orca Watch dedicated sea watchers saw five species of cetacean – minke whale, humpback whale, killer whale, common dolphin and harbour porpoise – not to mention all the wonderful seabird species to be found.”
Sea Watch will have observers based at Duncansby Head every day of the watch, three hours before and three hours after high tide.
There will be various other events throughout the week organised by both the Sea Watch Foundation and Whale and Dolphin Conservation.