Dolphin and whale enthusiasts are being urged to get involved this weekend in an annual monitoring and awareness raising campaign.
University of Aberdeen PhD student Sarah Canning is among volunteers who will be at two North-east vantage points which are good locations for sightings of the mammals.
Saturday and Sunday marks the end of the latest National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week which is organised by the Sea Watch Foundation – a cetacean monitoring charity.
In the North-east of Scotland, volunteers will be at the Torry Battery in Aberdeen on Saturday between 10am and 4pm and at Stonehaven Harbour between 1pm and 4pm.
Sarah, who is a local co-ordinator for Sea Watch, said: “We’re hoping people will come along and help us make a record of the dolphins and whales found off our shores this weekend.
“The most common species that can be seen in this area is the bottlenose dolphin. Harbour porpoises can also be seen all year but there are more sightings of them during the summer months and that’s the same for white-beaked dolphins.
“The minke whale is one of the most common whales around here. But some people might also be surprised to learn that killer whales, pilot whales and even humpbacked whales have been spotted off Aberdeen.”
The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness to the diversity of whales, dolphins and porpoises which can be found off UK shores as well as providing a general “snapshot” of mammal numbers.
Organisers also hope their campaign will draw attention to the conservation of the marine environment and help safeguard the future of these mammals.
Sarah added: “If people do not have experience of watching for dolphins and whales they can come along to our manned points and we can explain what to look for.
“And we hope that those who do have successful sightings this weekend – whether at our manned points or at other coastal locations - will let us know what they have seen so that we can build up accurate records.”
* Anyone who does have sightings should telephone/text them to 07708 706819 or email them to southgrampianseawatch@hotmail.com