Eyes on the water:
Our partners at RSPB, Essex Wildlife Trust, Kent Mammal Group and ORCA are organising shore watches across London, Essex and Kent along the tidal Thames. All the data collected will contribute to efforts to raise awareness, increase our knowledge of, and protect the UK’s smallest whale, the harbour porpoise, in our busy coastal waters.
During the week of the 6th-13th March our dedicated research vessel Song of the Whale and its team, will be surveying for marine mammals and investigating potential threats in the tidal Thames. On Saturday 7th March we are organising several shore surveys to coincide with the Song of the Whale team surveying the tidal Thames. By combining our visual and acoustic detections with sightings from these shore stations we aim to improve our understanding of the presence, abundance and distribution of harbour porpoise in the tidal Thames. Please come join us, even just for an hour or so.
The more eyes watching the water looking for these shy creatures, the better!
You are welcome to join shore watches at:
• RSPB Rainham Marshes
• Essex Wildlife Trust Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
What to bring: We recommend lots of warm layers and waterproofs. The chosen spotting locations are free to enter (to the viewing platforms) and have some facilities (such as cafés and toilets). Please bring your own binoculars if you have them, otherwise there will be some you can borrow, although looking with your naked eye will also be useful.
Hope to see you there & Happy Spotting!
