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Free whale watching trips to
Inishowen Head
07.07.15
BUDDING whale and
dolphin watchers are being invited for a fun-filled
day of events including free boat trips to promote
the conservation of large marine life in Lough Foyle
and Inishowen.
The Marine Mega Fauna of Lough Foyle event this
Saturday, July 11, is being run by local
conservation group Celebrate Water with funding from
the Loughs Agency.
The family-friendly day will be based at the Irish
Coast Guard station in Greencastle beginning at
9.30am with a session on how to watch and record
cetaceans (whales and dolphins). |
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A minke whale at Malin Head. Photo:
Emmett Johnston. |
Celebrate Water hopes
to set up a 'Constant Effort Watch Scheme' .
This is a nationwide system used to track cetacean
activity in Irish waters. Information gathered by
volunteer observers is sent to the Irish Whale and
Dolphin Group which collates the data as part of its
and other agencies' marine conservation work.
Training to establish a group of observers for
Inishowen Head is free of charge and will be
delivered by Emmett Johnston of the Irish Basking
Shark Study Group. |
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Scanning for whales and dolphins from
shore. Photo: Mark Daly. |
Later in the afternoon,
a whole range of fun-filled activities for all ages
will take place at the Coast Guard station between
2pm and 5pm.
These will include storytelling with plenty of
'salty tales' to be told; slideshows and short
sealife talks along with marine-themed art
activities facilitated by local artist and weaver
Brendan Farren.
Meanwhile, a passenger boat will carry people on
excursions from Greencastle Harbour to Inishowen
Head at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Each of the boat trips
will have wildlife guides on board to answer
questions and point out any interesting species that
might pop up to the surface for a look. More
information at
www.celebratewaterinishowen.com . |
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