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Cetacean survey training courses in New Quay, West Wales

Join a short course to learn all about British cetaceans and the techniques used to survey for them, and contribute to their conservation! Two-days weekend course dates for 2008:
14th -15th June 2008
6th -7th September 2008

Boat courses will consist of illustrated lectures and video presentations as well as headland watches and boat surveys aboard a local research vessel.The lectures and videos will focus on general biology and classification of cetaceans, species identification, conservation issues facing UK cetaceans, and recommended monitoring survey methods. The course will be based at New Quay, Ceredigion, West Wales, where our Welsh office is based, and will provide an unparalleled opportunity to see marine mammals in the wild and to contribute to cetacean conservation in Britain. The practical element of the course will combine both land and boat-based surveys allowing participants to directly learn how to conduct systematic watches and fill in standardised recording forms.

Boat-based work will teach participants the skills needed for:
- identifying the various cetaceans species found in the area
- estimating group size and distinguishing between calves, juveniles and adults
- determining cetaceans behaviours
- assessing sea state and other key environmental features
- learning some basic photographic techniques aimed at identifying single individuals.

All participants will receive a detailed manual on how to record and monitor cetaceans, a species identification booklet and a certificate for completing the course.The courses will be taught by experienced and enthusiastic staff from the Sea Watch Foundation.

Outline of the course

Day 1
Indoor session 1:
- General introduction to cetaceans: biology, classification, species to be seen in Cardigan Bay
- Introduction to Cardigan Bay and Sea Watch Foundation´s work
- Sightings network: history, how the public can participate, how to do watches and choose sites
- Filling forms: different forms to use, when, why and how
Outdoor session 1:
- 2 hours land watch from Birds rock
- 4 hours boat trip in the Cardigan Bay Special area of Conservation

Day 2
Indoor session 2:
- UKcetaceans species identification
- UKcetaceans conservation issues
- Research techniques for monitoring cetaceans: line-transect and photo-identification
- Bioacoustics and T-PODs?
Outdoor session 2:
- 4 hours boat trip in the Cardigan Bay Special area of Conservation.

Please note that, due to the unforeseeable weather conditions, the program might change and, in case of particularly adverse weather, the course might even be cancelled. In this latter case, a new date will be set for the course or the money will be returned.

For more information about the training courses and to book a place please contact us:
Tel: +44 (0)1545-561227
Email: sightings@seawatchfoundation.org.uk

Edita Magileviciute
Sightings Officer
Sea Watch Foundation Wales
Paragon House, Wellington Place
New Quay SA45 9NR Wales, UK
Phone: +44(0)1545 561227
edita.magileviciute@seawatchfoundation.org.uk