WEEC Brisbane 2011

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KI Dolphin Watch Roundtable Presentation July 20th 2011

The Kangaroo Island Dolphin Watch model was well received at the 6th World Environmental Education Congress in Brisbane from 19th -24th July. It was showcased as part of a series of roundtable presentations and garnered wide spread interest. The Congress attracted over 700 delegates from 50 different countries and is the premier event of its type in the world.KI Dolphin Watch Coordinator Tony Bartram together with his wife Phyll, presented a Power Point presentation, paper and resources highlighting the curriculum relevance of the programme and the outstanding benefits it brings to students and community members alike. The global conservation work of WDCS and the enhanced protection for the dolphins offered by Dolphin Watch programmes was a major focus. Keen interest in particular was shown by the Swan River Guardians project in WA and dynamic Project Officer Marnie Giroud is keen to continue the collaborative liason, to assist with their efforts to establish their excellent programme in schools. www.riverguardians.com

On the last day of the Congress delegates elected to participate in field trips and the chance to possibly see migrating whales from North Stradbroke Island was a major influence in the choice made by the KI delegates. Unfortunately no whales blessed them with their presence but the local “Straddie” dolphins put on a show for the lucky ferry passengers and again from clifftop vantage points.The Congress was an absolutely stunning and amazing event; an absolute credit to the organisers and participants. The next Congress will be held in Marrakech, Morocco in 2013 and KI Dolphin Watch have been invited to attend – only time will tell!   www.weec2011.org

 

Research Isn’t Always Comfortable

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“Research isn’t always comfortable” has become the byword catch phrase for the Adult Community Education Dolphin Watch group. So many cold, bleak days for scheduled field surveys but there has always been great enthusiasm and smiles, belying a sense of great purpose. Trainee skipper Ellis Grantham performed brilliantly, navigating around scuddy rain showers to keep the crew as dry as possible on a recent survey.The catalogue of identifiable images continues to grow due to the efforts of researchers Skye Mitchell and Enya Chitty, and John Little and Nathan Kennedy have begun exploring refining hydrophonic sound through the Audacity sound analysis programme.

National Whale Day Celebrations

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Whale watching in Backstairs Passage July 9th 2011

It may as well have been Antarctic waters when the Dolphin Watch crew set out on its National Whale Day celebration field trip, postponed from the week before due to a strong wind warning. Bleak conditions did not dampen spirits but the whales frequenting Backstairs Passage only two days before and a day afterwards, were nowhere to be seen. A fastmoving display by small toothed whales ie dolphins, gladdened peoples’ hearts and a fantastic sighting of a very young calf made it all worthwhile, together with spectacular rock formations, birdlife and scenery enjoyed at Point Morrison, Ballast Head, Kangaroo Head, Hog Bay and Cuttlefish Bay. Happy National Whale Day everyone!!!!

Media Interest for Port Augusta Dolphin Watch Launch

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Dr Mike Bossley AM and Port Augusta students at work

Dr Mike Bossley AM and students from Port Augusta Secondary School analysing images from the first WDCS funded Port Augusta Dolphin Watch field survey with teacher Jaya Nair on Flinders Ranges Water Cruises in June.

 

Image courtesy of  Khama Reid of the Transcontinental and Roxby Sun Newspapers.

 

Walk Anyone?

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“Bianca” tail walking, Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary – WDCS

A recent observation at Muston on the edge of Pelican Lagoon, Kangaroo Island,  has raised a broad spectrum of possibilities for scientists and interested observers. A Bottlenose dolphin, one of a group of 8 frolicking in the channel off the lagoon entrance, was observed “tailwalking” for a short distance. This behaviour has been noted previously only in limited locations and is considered to be a behaviour learned by trained animals in aquarium situations. This raises an interesting set of possibilities given the fact that certain animals in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, some 150 kilometres distant are known to exhibit this behaviour. It is believed a female dolphin “Billie” who was released from Marineland Aquarium at West Beach, prior to its closure, taught other ADS dolphins to perform this feat, which raises fascinating questions of great scientific interest as to why this behaviour is now being observed on Kangaroo Island.

Port Augusta Dolphin Watch Launched

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Port Augusta Dolphin Watch crew

Port Augusta Secondary School undertook its first field survey at Port Augusta recently, funded by an NRM Community Grant through WDCS. The Year 10 students and teacher Jaya Nair were fortunate to have Dr Mike Bossley AM: Managing Director of WDCS and Dr Sue Gibbs of SA Museum, both recognised Cetacean experts, accompanying them on their first expedition aboard the “DekyZane”. Aaron Morgan’s vessel, purpose built for award winning Eco Tourism accredited Flinders Ranges Water Cruises, proved a perfect platform for the photographic identification work undertaken over a wide ranging area from above Port Augusta down to the shack areas well south. Numerous animals were seen at a variety of sites and the crisp, clear conditions allowed for excellent images to be obtained. Later analysis of the data resulted in outstanding progress in developing a local ID catalogue. Aaron’s local knowledge, interpretive skills and passionate enthusiasm are a great boon to this burgeoning programme.

Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch goes from strengh to strength

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SA Whale Centre volunteers on Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch

Trying conditions challenged both SA Whale Centre volunteers and Investigator College students on two field surveys in the first week of June, but the results obtained were outstanding. The images gained by both groups led to 16 new animals being identified in the area by Wright Island off Encounter Bay and several animals were recognised from previous field survey work. Once again SA Whale Centre volunteer Nedra Haines and Investigator College teacher Renee Drew worked in conjunction with SA Whale Centre Education Officer Tori Williams to organise a highly successful research effort. The Big Duck Boat Tours skipper Dan Irvine’s skills and local knowledge were again employed to good effect maximising photographic ID opportunities. Again issues regarding boat strike were plainly obvious amongst the pod, further emphasising the need for ongoing education and awareness raising.

Investigator College Dolphin Watch crew

Charlie and the Garfish

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Charlie at work

The Adult Community Education group had special help on the June 3rd field survey. Charlie, a Jack Russel, became the first four footed dolphin spotter on board, and what a fantastic boon he proved to be. The special affinity between dogs and dolphins was readily observed with Charlie showing a keen awareness of the dolphins’ presence when the human observers were still lagging. Once again a small group of 6 dolphins with a juvenile appeared near Fanny Rocks: GPS S 35◦37.857   E 137◦41.407 on the way to North Cape. A group of 12 including 4 juveniles appeared at North Cape, enjoying opportunistic feeding on garfish, together with Pied Cormorants. Watching dolphins pursuing the gar using a variety of approach postures, including upside down, made for a fascinating display.

News relayed regarding another Common Dolphin body washing ashore at Island Beach
displaying wound marks, was the only dampening influence on a cold but highly successful data collection survey. The ACE Foundation Skills Project participants continued to provide outstanding follow up data analysis, with their enthusiasm and hard work significantly energising and enriching research efforts.

Think Global School Names Dolphins

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333 Steve

Following analysis of images obtained on the Think Global Schools field surveys on January 19th a number of newly identified animals emerged and the students were asked to name them prior to inclusion in the catalogue. They kindly provided an interesting selection of names to help identify the new animals. We hope to work further in the future with the students and staff of this fantastic school which offers a brilliant concept for making students globally aware.

 

Successful ACE Launch

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ACE group preparing to launch May 20th 2011

An exciting ACE Dolphin Watch semester programme funded by a 2011 Adult Community Education Foundation Skills Grant organised by Regional Development Australia –Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island, kicked off on Friday 20th May in quite difficult conditions. With a 10 – 15 knot North Easterly blowing and overcast skies, visibility was limited. Success came incrementally with firstly a female and juvenile appearing off North Cape. They were joined shortly afterwards by two more adult dolphins and following a trip around the cape to visit the New Zealand fur seal colony, the pod gradually grew to eleven in size, including five juveniles.

Excellent photographic images proved a sound basis for a successful downloading workshop with confirmed sightings of known dolphins and new ID’s, at the TAFE Centre in Kingscote on return. A scrumptious lunch from Country Cottage organised by Cathie Tydeman; RDA Project Development Officer and driving force for this innovative programme, was a welcome reward on a day when chilly conditions made research that little bit more uncomfortable.

A great day none the less, thanks to all participants for their fantastic work, cooperation and good humour throughout.