As we’re now very close to the actual dates of the Whale Weekend, please click to E-mail ORCA-AGM and let us know that you would like to come, complete the Registration Form that you can download here. and bring it along with you, or if you can scan it in and E-mail it back, that would be a great help to us. Please note that places on the Training Day are now very limited.

Interested in whales, dolphins and porpoises? What problems do these fascinating animals face? Where do they live? What is being done to learn more about them? What happens when a whale strands?

These questions, along with many more, will be answered at our Whale Weekend on 10th and 11th November 2007 at the Thames Chase Forest Centre, near Upminster in Essex. www.thameschase.org.uk

Not only will you discover more about whales, dolphins and the sea, but you will also have a unique opportunity to meet the ORCA team face to face. This is also our best chance of the year to chat to you about how the charity is developing, and how we can get you involved in our important research and conservation work.

Saturday 10th November

On the Saturday morning, we will be holding our Annual General Meeting and you’re all welcome to join us. In the afternoon, well-known speakers will be giving fascinating presentations.

Does mankind's activities affect whale and dolphin populations? Do we even have the ability to answer this?

In the first of ORCA’s presentations, Dr David W. Smith, ORCA’s Science Officer, will explain why long-term monitoring of cetaceans is so important and why organisations such as ORCA are undertaking such research month after month, year after year.

Dr Smith joined ORCA’s Executive Committee in 2002. He has a first class honours in Ecology and a PhD in Agro-ecology. He spent over 120 days at sea, working alongside fishermen to help save the albatross. Now a freelance ecological consultant, he works on a range of issues including offshore wind farms, the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on European birds and minimising the impacts of development on newts and reptiles.

Why do we consider saving whales, dolphins and porpoises to be so important? When the threats facing cetaceans; hunting, by-catch, climate change, chemical and acoustic pollution are so vast, are we really able to make a difference and are we making any headway? In this thought-provoking presentation, Chris Butler-Stroud examines the problems that cetaceans face in their habitat and offers some predictions for the future.

Chris Butler-Stroud is the International Chief Executive of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, with global responsibility for the delivery of WDCS’s objectives. Since its creation in 1987, WDCS has grown to be one of the most respected global cetacean conservation, research and education charities, with offices in Europe, Australasia, South America and the US. www.wdcs.org

Current conservation legislation is focused on prioritising areas of high species diversity. Despite this, many oceanic habitats, particularly offshore, remain poorly studied and have received little protection.

Strong links have been identified between the distribution of cetaceans, their prey and the underwater features of the ocean, or bathymetrics. In this fascinating presentation, Dylan Walker MSc, ORCA’s Project Development Officer, explains how various oceanographic features can be used to predict areas where a variety of cetacean species are most likely to live and feed.

Dylan is a professional field naturalist, conservationist, photographer, author and tour guide with an all-consuming passion for whales and dolphins. Recognised as one of the most experienced marine mammal observers in Europe, he has conducted research and survey work throughout the eastern North Atlantic from Iceland to the Canary Islands.

UK-based BDMLR was formed in 1988 as a specialised marine mammal rescue charity. Now with over 3,500 trained marine mammal medics around the country, its members are regularly called out to attend stranded cetaceans, seals, turtles and oiled seabirds. In this fascinating talk, BDMLR’s Chair, Alan Knight OBE, will talk about some of the biggest, and smallest, rescues the charity has undertaken.

In June 2006, Alan Knight received an OBE for his services to animal welfare. Alan campaigns tirelessly for the ending of cruelty to animals (both marine and terrestrial) and as Chair and Trustee of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, a Trustee of Marine Connection, Chief Executive of International Animal Rescue and a founder member of the Marine Animal Rescue Coalition, his influence on animal welfare worldwide is immense. www.bdmlr.org.uk     www.iar.org.uk

The beautiful white Beluga whale lives all its life in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters, endearing itself to humans with its ability to turn its head and change the shape of its forehead and mouth, giving the impression of expressing emotions. Gavin Parsons spent time earlier this year off the coast of Churchill, Canada, photographing these enigmatic creatures underwater and returned with an incredible and unique record of his encounters.

A well-respected photojournalist, Gavin is perhaps best known for his articles in the UK based Diver magazine and as the diving contributing editor of Outdoor Enthusiast magazine. As an editorial wildlife, travel, underwater and documentary photographer, Gavin photographs both on land and underwater. He is also the London Area Coordinator for British Divers Marine Life Rescue. www.h2o-images.co.uk

There will also be a light-hearted quiz and a chance to try to identify animals at sea, but without getting your feet wet!

For an agenda, please download here.

On the Sunday, ORCA is running a Marine Mammal Survey training course for budding observers (and of course anyone with a healthy interest in cetacean population and distribution research).

For full details of this course, please download here.

The cost for Saturday’s events is just £10 (free to ORCA Members) and the training course on the Sunday costs £40 (£5 discount for ORCA and BDMLR members and full-time students). Lunch is not included.

If you’re not an ORCA member but intend coming to both days, then why not join for £15 and get your membership fee back in discounts straight away?

We will be running a free minibus from the Railway station prior to the event and back to it on the Saturday. For full directions to the Centre and of local accommodation, please download here.

We hope to see you at sometime over the weekend. Don’t miss it!