To most, whales and dolphins inhabit distant oceans and not the busy shipping lanes of the south coast. But on Saturday 28th July,
Sussex Wildlife Trust’s (SWT) one-day course reveals the frequent sightings of marine mammals along the Sussex shoreline.

In the last few years there have been many sightings of bottlenose dolphins, as well as recorded sightings of common dolphins, porpoises, pilot whales and even a stranded whale. Some six years ago a fifteen-foot long pilot whale was washed up on Shoreham Beach, while back in the 1930s a stranded killer whale fascinated day-trippers when it was washed up next to the Palace Pier in Brighton.

SWT’s introductory course on whales & dolphins runs from 10am-4pm and is a classroom session based at the Southwick Community Centre. Run by local marine expert Stephen Savage, it includes an introduction to some of the 14 species of whale and dolphin in the UK, as well as species distribution and basic identification skills. The session will also focus on the various Sussex sightings and what can be learnt from them.

Stephen Savage is Sussex co-ordinator for the Sea Watch Foundation. As well as lecturing and writing, Stephen also runs various education projects on marine wildlife.

Southwick Community Centre, 24 Southwick Street, Southwick,
West Sussex and can be accessed via the A270 or A259 coast road. Booking is essential please ring 01273 497561.

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