Network November 2016
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Whales<br />
Minke whales - From May to September you may<br />
spot them along the east coast of the Shetland<br />
Islands; the Pentland Firth,<br />
Orkney and the Western<br />
Isles. Humpback whales -<br />
Conservationists are hoping<br />
humpback numbers are<br />
recovering in the North<br />
Atlantic. There have been<br />
sightings from the southern<br />
tip of Shetland from May to<br />
September. Long-finned pilot whales - These<br />
slow moving whales can be seen in the Minch<br />
strait between north-west Scotland and the<br />
Outer Hebrides from April to September. Sperm<br />
whales - Take a boat trip from the Outer<br />
Hebrides to the deep waters west of the<br />
continental shelf edge to see these giants.<br />
Britain’s biggest<br />
resident population of<br />
dolphins lives in<br />
Cardigan Bay.<br />
importance to thousands of birds that come<br />
here to over-winter, especially Waders and<br />
Wildfowls. Other species that can easily be<br />
spotted here include Knot,<br />
Dunlin (Calidris alpina),<br />
Lapwing, Redshank,<br />
Oystercatchers, Blacktailed<br />
Godwit (Limosa<br />
limosa), Greenshank<br />
(Tringa nebularia) and<br />
many others. The highlight<br />
of the estuaries is the<br />
Brent Goose (Branta bernicia) that comes here<br />
to over-winter from Russia.<br />
Basking Sharks<br />
Reaching lengths of up to 12m, Basking Sharks<br />
are the largest fish in British waters and the<br />
second largest in the world after the Whale<br />
Birdlife<br />
With so many places to spot birds the list is<br />
endless, but if you’re looking for somewhere<br />
closer to home to spot more than the sparrows<br />
in your back garden, then why not try a couple<br />
of places that are practically on your doorstep.<br />
Thorndon Country Park - One of the best places<br />
in Essex to go birdwatching. The main “stars” of<br />
the Thorndon Country Park include Redpolls and<br />
Siskins. Southend estuaries - Considered one of<br />
the finest birding destinations in the Thames<br />
Estuary area. The estuaries are of key<br />
Shark. One of only three plankton-feeding shark<br />
species, these gentle giants re-appear in our<br />
coastal waters each spring and summer. The<br />
best places to see them are along the west<br />
coast of Britain, especially the Isle of Man,<br />
Cardigan Bay and between Strangford Lough<br />
and the Copeland Islands in Northern Ireland.<br />
Remember to follow the Basking Shark Project's<br />
code of conduct. Despite being a heavily<br />
protected species, one of the critical issues<br />
currently facing Basking Sharks is disturbance<br />
and harassment by water users.<br />
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