July 2007

All Flippers & Fins!
Sunday 8 July 2007 - Cancelled due to Medic Unavailability
To Be Re-Scheduled

Have you ever seen the dolphins, whales, sharks and seals that live in our coastal waters? Learn more about these beautiful creatures from Elaine Roft a Marine Mammal Medic. Pick up some tips on identifying whales and dolphins and see how Elaine and her team rescue injured animals.

Venue St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Nether Warberton, St Cyrus, Montrose

Meet SNH Visitor Centre, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve
Time 1400 to 1545
Price Free
More info Booking essential. Phone 01674 830736 to book or for more information. All under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

20/07/07

Good Luck to Medics Thom McNeil and Willie Taylor who depart on Tuesday 24th July, bound for Ullapool, to engage in further seal training with NW Highlands Co-ordinator Jamie Dyer at the BDMLR Seal unit. Further training will include full health assessment, tube feeding of fluids, some force feeding, cleaning of unit and administering of medications .

Any Medic who wishes to do this, please e mail me dates of your availability for this and we will see if we can slot you in and discuss price. Training depends on availability of space at the unit, the amount of seals (if any) that are in at the time, and approval by myself and Bob Pert for clarifying with Head Office. Myself and Bob Pert aside (our training was carried out at Oban Sea Life Centre) supervised by Claire, Mark and Jamie, Thom and Willie are the first of the team to engage in further training at the approved BDMLR unit.

Wildlife Detectives - For those of you who have missed these programmes or cannot access them on the B.D.M.L.R. Forum you can find them by clicking on the BBC link below.

BBC wildlife_detectives


There are still 12 Wildlife Detective books left for sale at a cost of £15. Interested parties please e mail me if you wish to purchase a copy. A further batch will be delivered shortly for Medics in the Kent area who have expressed interest. Books sold so far have covered an interest from parties from the following areas - Peterhead, Aberdeen, Brechin, Montrose, Arbroath, Galashiels and Bristol.

21/07/07
Sorry its short notice folks... a last minute attendance as initially we were short of drivers, helpers, Medics etc due to other commitments.
SNH Fun Day at St Cyrus Nature Reserve 12 'til 4pm tomorrow July 22nd I will have the BDMLR Display boards, pontoons and some local rescue pictures to display. Medics and Volunteers are invited to attend working in shifts.
 

22/07/07
Despite the non stop rain which didn't bother us (we were indoors this year) a steady day at SNH Open day at St Cyrus. Display boards, someone to watch over me leaflets, medic kit and photos of local seal rescues and cetaceans were on view to the public. Lots of interest shown from locals further North who are happy to be "Observers" with us due to work commitments.

Bob and Willie sort out some stuff prior to the opening, Willie's so good he can do this with his eyes shut, whilst Sue explains the problems of seal pup obesity to a youngster.........

In attendance today besides myself ( Elaine Roft) we had deputy Co-ordinator Bob Pert, Medics Willie Taylor and Paul Horne, and Volunteer Sue Horne with Junior helper (up on holiday from Lancashire Ryan Horne). Thanks for your input and help folks, it was much appreciated.

23/07/07
Volunteers Jim and Edna Watkins reported a pod of dolphins (a.m.) in 2 sub groups heading North from an area within our patrol region. The groups were made up of 7 (group 1) and at least another 30 (group 2) with a calf present. There were concerns as both groups were approximately 10 feet away from salmon nets. We are pleased to report that they continued their journey North free from possible entanglement from both salmon nets and creels.

Three Atlantic White Sided dolphins were spotted by a member of the public "R" on Friday whilst he was out in his fishing boat. These dolphins were further offshore heading North with steady porpoising being maintained.

24/07/07

Links to the 2 past editions of Dolphin echo featuring news on some of our Co-ordinators and Volunteers.

Dolphin Echo Issue 2

Dolphin Echo Issue 4

August 11th 2007
Johnshaven Fish / Sea Fest

All Medics and Volunteers who are able to help out or relieve those attending please e mail me. This will only go ahead if we have sufficient cover / relief / for the entire day.

Our BDMLR Display boards, pontoons, Medic Response Kit and rescue photos will be on display.

We should be under canvas again this year!

30/07/07

Matthew Brooks has just confirmed our secure place (under canvas) at this years sea / fish festival at Johnshaven on August 11th. Confirmed medic help so far, Elaine Roft, Bob Pert, Thom McNeil, Paul & Sue Horne, Willie Taylor.