ORCA
@orcaweb.bsky.social
ORCA is dedicated to the protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises and their habitats worldwide.
Every day, ORCA’s incredible volunteer community of citizen scientists is out on the ocean, making a real difference.
Together, we’re working towards a better future for whales and dolphins, and it’s closer than you might think 🌟
#ORCA
Together, we’re working towards a better future for whales and dolphins, and it’s closer than you might think 🌟
#ORCA
February 19, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Every day, ORCA’s incredible volunteer community of citizen scientists is out on the ocean, making a real difference.
Together, we’re working towards a better future for whales and dolphins, and it’s closer than you might think 🌟
#ORCA
Together, we’re working towards a better future for whales and dolphins, and it’s closer than you might think 🌟
#ORCA
Looking for a free and easy way to support us?
With Give As You Live, you can raise a donation for us every time you shop online - at no extra cost to you.
Simply sign up, install the free browser extension, and shop as normal at 6,000+ stores. That’s it.
👉 www.giveasyoulive.com/join/orca
With Give As You Live, you can raise a donation for us every time you shop online - at no extra cost to you.
Simply sign up, install the free browser extension, and shop as normal at 6,000+ stores. That’s it.
👉 www.giveasyoulive.com/join/orca
February 18, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Looking for a free and easy way to support us?
With Give As You Live, you can raise a donation for us every time you shop online - at no extra cost to you.
Simply sign up, install the free browser extension, and shop as normal at 6,000+ stores. That’s it.
👉 www.giveasyoulive.com/join/orca
With Give As You Live, you can raise a donation for us every time you shop online - at no extra cost to you.
Simply sign up, install the free browser extension, and shop as normal at 6,000+ stores. That’s it.
👉 www.giveasyoulive.com/join/orca
Risso’s dolphins are easy to spot up close - born dark grey, they become heavily scarred over time from social interactions and hunting squid, often appearing almost white as adults.
Have you ever seen one?
Have you ever seen one?
February 17, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Risso’s dolphins are easy to spot up close - born dark grey, they become heavily scarred over time from social interactions and hunting squid, often appearing almost white as adults.
Have you ever seen one?
Have you ever seen one?
You can take part in ORCA’s Marine Mammal Surveyor Course from the age of 16.
To join ferry surveys, however, you must be 18 or over.
There’s no upper age limit, but a good level of fitness is important, as surveys are carried out standing for extended periods 🌟
#ORCA #MarineMammalSurveyor
To join ferry surveys, however, you must be 18 or over.
There’s no upper age limit, but a good level of fitness is important, as surveys are carried out standing for extended periods 🌟
#ORCA #MarineMammalSurveyor
February 16, 2026 at 4:30 PM
You can take part in ORCA’s Marine Mammal Surveyor Course from the age of 16.
To join ferry surveys, however, you must be 18 or over.
There’s no upper age limit, but a good level of fitness is important, as surveys are carried out standing for extended periods 🌟
#ORCA #MarineMammalSurveyor
To join ferry surveys, however, you must be 18 or over.
There’s no upper age limit, but a good level of fitness is important, as surveys are carried out standing for extended periods 🌟
#ORCA #MarineMammalSurveyor
ORCA’s survey work played a vital role in securing a Marine Protected Area (Special Area of Conservation) in the North Sea for harbour porpoises!
Working alongside the JNCC, around 90% of the evidence used to define this protected area came from citizen science programmes.
Working alongside the JNCC, around 90% of the evidence used to define this protected area came from citizen science programmes.
February 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM
ORCA’s survey work played a vital role in securing a Marine Protected Area (Special Area of Conservation) in the North Sea for harbour porpoises!
Working alongside the JNCC, around 90% of the evidence used to define this protected area came from citizen science programmes.
Working alongside the JNCC, around 90% of the evidence used to define this protected area came from citizen science programmes.
Experience one of the top five places in the world to see whales and dolphins on an ORCA Sea Safari with Brittany Ferries, crossing the Bay of Biscay in search of incredible marine life!
@brittanyferries
👉 orca.org.uk/get-involved...
#ORCA #SeaSafari
@brittanyferries
👉 orca.org.uk/get-involved...
#ORCA #SeaSafari
February 12, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Experience one of the top five places in the world to see whales and dolphins on an ORCA Sea Safari with Brittany Ferries, crossing the Bay of Biscay in search of incredible marine life!
@brittanyferries
👉 orca.org.uk/get-involved...
#ORCA #SeaSafari
@brittanyferries
👉 orca.org.uk/get-involved...
#ORCA #SeaSafari
The fin whale is the second largest animal on Earth, reaching up to 27 metres in length.
Sleek and fast, it has a long grey body, a white underside, and distinctive asymmetrical jaw colouring - white on the right and dark grey on the left -which helps with feeding.
#ORCA #FinWhales
Sleek and fast, it has a long grey body, a white underside, and distinctive asymmetrical jaw colouring - white on the right and dark grey on the left -which helps with feeding.
#ORCA #FinWhales
February 11, 2026 at 4:00 PM
The fin whale is the second largest animal on Earth, reaching up to 27 metres in length.
Sleek and fast, it has a long grey body, a white underside, and distinctive asymmetrical jaw colouring - white on the right and dark grey on the left -which helps with feeding.
#ORCA #FinWhales
Sleek and fast, it has a long grey body, a white underside, and distinctive asymmetrical jaw colouring - white on the right and dark grey on the left -which helps with feeding.
#ORCA #FinWhales
By signing up to Give As You Live and installing the free browser extension, you can shop with over 6,000 retailers as normal, and a donation is automatically generated for ORCA when you check out!
It’s quick to set up, easy to use, and costs you nothing!!
www.giveasyoulive.com/join/orca
It’s quick to set up, easy to use, and costs you nothing!!
www.giveasyoulive.com/join/orca
February 10, 2026 at 4:00 PM
By signing up to Give As You Live and installing the free browser extension, you can shop with over 6,000 retailers as normal, and a donation is automatically generated for ORCA when you check out!
It’s quick to set up, easy to use, and costs you nothing!!
www.giveasyoulive.com/join/orca
It’s quick to set up, easy to use, and costs you nothing!!
www.giveasyoulive.com/join/orca
Written by ORCA patron and renowned wildlife expert Mark Carwardine, this beautifully illustrated guide draws on over 30 years of experience studying and photographing whales, dolphins, and porpoises around the world.
@markcarwardine
👉 orca.org.uk/shop/mark-ca...
@markcarwardine
👉 orca.org.uk/shop/mark-ca...
February 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Written by ORCA patron and renowned wildlife expert Mark Carwardine, this beautifully illustrated guide draws on over 30 years of experience studying and photographing whales, dolphins, and porpoises around the world.
@markcarwardine
👉 orca.org.uk/shop/mark-ca...
@markcarwardine
👉 orca.org.uk/shop/mark-ca...
Our 2026 Sea Safari trips are now live, departing from Plymouth and Portsmouth and offering an incredible opportunity to see whales and dolphins right on your doorstep!
2026 Dates:
👉 8–10 July 2026
👉 5–7 August 2026
👉 26–28 August 2026
See more orca.org.uk/get-involved...
2026 Dates:
👉 8–10 July 2026
👉 5–7 August 2026
👉 26–28 August 2026
See more orca.org.uk/get-involved...
February 6, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Our 2026 Sea Safari trips are now live, departing from Plymouth and Portsmouth and offering an incredible opportunity to see whales and dolphins right on your doorstep!
2026 Dates:
👉 8–10 July 2026
👉 5–7 August 2026
👉 26–28 August 2026
See more orca.org.uk/get-involved...
2026 Dates:
👉 8–10 July 2026
👉 5–7 August 2026
👉 26–28 August 2026
See more orca.org.uk/get-involved...
We support companies in understanding how to watch wildlife responsibly by embedding best practice into their operations.
We also provide a clear framework to help ensure that external operators act in a responsible, ethical way!
We also provide a clear framework to help ensure that external operators act in a responsible, ethical way!
February 5, 2026 at 4:30 PM
We support companies in understanding how to watch wildlife responsibly by embedding best practice into their operations.
We also provide a clear framework to help ensure that external operators act in a responsible, ethical way!
We also provide a clear framework to help ensure that external operators act in a responsible, ethical way!
Begin with our Introduction to Whale and Dolphin Identification course!
This course is a key first step toward becoming an ORCA OceanWatcher or Marine Mammal Surveyor, or it can be taken on its own if you simply want to deepen your knowledge of these incredible ocean giants. ✨
orca.org.uk/training
This course is a key first step toward becoming an ORCA OceanWatcher or Marine Mammal Surveyor, or it can be taken on its own if you simply want to deepen your knowledge of these incredible ocean giants. ✨
orca.org.uk/training
February 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Begin with our Introduction to Whale and Dolphin Identification course!
This course is a key first step toward becoming an ORCA OceanWatcher or Marine Mammal Surveyor, or it can be taken on its own if you simply want to deepen your knowledge of these incredible ocean giants. ✨
orca.org.uk/training
This course is a key first step toward becoming an ORCA OceanWatcher or Marine Mammal Surveyor, or it can be taken on its own if you simply want to deepen your knowledge of these incredible ocean giants. ✨
orca.org.uk/training
Unlike most baleen whales, the gray whale lacks rorqual pleats and instead has a distinctive blunt, triangular-shaped snout with a long, slightly arched mouth line.
Gray whales are also easily recognised by their grey, mottled bodies, marbled with pale scars and often covered in barnacles!
Gray whales are also easily recognised by their grey, mottled bodies, marbled with pale scars and often covered in barnacles!
February 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Unlike most baleen whales, the gray whale lacks rorqual pleats and instead has a distinctive blunt, triangular-shaped snout with a long, slightly arched mouth line.
Gray whales are also easily recognised by their grey, mottled bodies, marbled with pale scars and often covered in barnacles!
Gray whales are also easily recognised by their grey, mottled bodies, marbled with pale scars and often covered in barnacles!
Did you know that over a third of all whale, dolphin, and porpoise species worldwide can be found in UK and European waters?
From coastal sightings to offshore encounters, our seas are home to an incredible diversity of marine life, making them exciting waters for cetacean spotting!
From coastal sightings to offshore encounters, our seas are home to an incredible diversity of marine life, making them exciting waters for cetacean spotting!
February 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Did you know that over a third of all whale, dolphin, and porpoise species worldwide can be found in UK and European waters?
From coastal sightings to offshore encounters, our seas are home to an incredible diversity of marine life, making them exciting waters for cetacean spotting!
From coastal sightings to offshore encounters, our seas are home to an incredible diversity of marine life, making them exciting waters for cetacean spotting!
It’s ordinary people like you who make what we do possible.
Our mission is simple: oceans alive with whales and dolphins. And anyone can help make that happen. ORCA gives people the chance to turn care into action.
Our work is global, and our evidence drives real change!
Our mission is simple: oceans alive with whales and dolphins. And anyone can help make that happen. ORCA gives people the chance to turn care into action.
Our work is global, and our evidence drives real change!
January 30, 2026 at 5:30 PM
It’s ordinary people like you who make what we do possible.
Our mission is simple: oceans alive with whales and dolphins. And anyone can help make that happen. ORCA gives people the chance to turn care into action.
Our work is global, and our evidence drives real change!
Our mission is simple: oceans alive with whales and dolphins. And anyone can help make that happen. ORCA gives people the chance to turn care into action.
Our work is global, and our evidence drives real change!
The Introduction to Whale and Dolphin Identification course!
It gives you the core skills to recognise species in the Northeast Atlantic , plus expert tips from professional whale watchers – so you can confidently tell your harbour porpoise from your humpback whale.
👉 orca.org.uk/training/int...
It gives you the core skills to recognise species in the Northeast Atlantic , plus expert tips from professional whale watchers – so you can confidently tell your harbour porpoise from your humpback whale.
👉 orca.org.uk/training/int...
January 29, 2026 at 4:30 PM
The Introduction to Whale and Dolphin Identification course!
It gives you the core skills to recognise species in the Northeast Atlantic , plus expert tips from professional whale watchers – so you can confidently tell your harbour porpoise from your humpback whale.
👉 orca.org.uk/training/int...
It gives you the core skills to recognise species in the Northeast Atlantic , plus expert tips from professional whale watchers – so you can confidently tell your harbour porpoise from your humpback whale.
👉 orca.org.uk/training/int...
Get all the latest updates, reports, and findings direct your inbox!
You can sign up here 👉 orca.org.uk/newsletter
You can sign up here 👉 orca.org.uk/newsletter
January 28, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Get all the latest updates, reports, and findings direct your inbox!
You can sign up here 👉 orca.org.uk/newsletter
You can sign up here 👉 orca.org.uk/newsletter
A new report has shown that England is falling behind on its legally binding environmental targets, with 2030 fast approaching.
Right now, UK seas meet just 2 of 15 measures of good environmental health, so stronger protection in Marine Protected Areas is essential!
Right now, UK seas meet just 2 of 15 measures of good environmental health, so stronger protection in Marine Protected Areas is essential!
January 27, 2026 at 4:00 PM
A new report has shown that England is falling behind on its legally binding environmental targets, with 2030 fast approaching.
Right now, UK seas meet just 2 of 15 measures of good environmental health, so stronger protection in Marine Protected Areas is essential!
Right now, UK seas meet just 2 of 15 measures of good environmental health, so stronger protection in Marine Protected Areas is essential!
The harbour porpoise is the smallest cetacean and the only porpoise found in European waters!
Sadly, numbers have fallen across Europe due to pollution, noise, heavy boat traffic and overfishing - but the biggest threat is getting caught in fishing nets.
Sadly, numbers have fallen across Europe due to pollution, noise, heavy boat traffic and overfishing - but the biggest threat is getting caught in fishing nets.
January 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM
The harbour porpoise is the smallest cetacean and the only porpoise found in European waters!
Sadly, numbers have fallen across Europe due to pollution, noise, heavy boat traffic and overfishing - but the biggest threat is getting caught in fishing nets.
Sadly, numbers have fallen across Europe due to pollution, noise, heavy boat traffic and overfishing - but the biggest threat is getting caught in fishing nets.
Our team are committed to protecting whales and dolphins by focusing on key “hotspot” areas.
These areas are often difficult to study but as human activity expands to new parts of the ocean, monitoring these remote areas of the ocean is more important than ever.
These areas are often difficult to study but as human activity expands to new parts of the ocean, monitoring these remote areas of the ocean is more important than ever.
January 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Our team are committed to protecting whales and dolphins by focusing on key “hotspot” areas.
These areas are often difficult to study but as human activity expands to new parts of the ocean, monitoring these remote areas of the ocean is more important than ever.
These areas are often difficult to study but as human activity expands to new parts of the ocean, monitoring these remote areas of the ocean is more important than ever.
Whilst we started out with a focus on the Northeast Atlantic, our citizen scientists citizen scientists are now having an impact globally.
This worldwide reach means we can track, research and protect whales and dolphins everywhere - from polar waters to tropical seas, and across every major ocean ✨
This worldwide reach means we can track, research and protect whales and dolphins everywhere - from polar waters to tropical seas, and across every major ocean ✨
January 22, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Whilst we started out with a focus on the Northeast Atlantic, our citizen scientists citizen scientists are now having an impact globally.
This worldwide reach means we can track, research and protect whales and dolphins everywhere - from polar waters to tropical seas, and across every major ocean ✨
This worldwide reach means we can track, research and protect whales and dolphins everywhere - from polar waters to tropical seas, and across every major ocean ✨
In 2024, 46 species were recorded, with eight of them appearing in ORCA’s dataset for the very first time!
This is down to the hard work of our incredible army of citizen scientists and the global growth of our monitoring work, helping to protect whales and dolphins around the world.
This is down to the hard work of our incredible army of citizen scientists and the global growth of our monitoring work, helping to protect whales and dolphins around the world.
January 22, 2026 at 2:34 AM
In 2024, 46 species were recorded, with eight of them appearing in ORCA’s dataset for the very first time!
This is down to the hard work of our incredible army of citizen scientists and the global growth of our monitoring work, helping to protect whales and dolphins around the world.
This is down to the hard work of our incredible army of citizen scientists and the global growth of our monitoring work, helping to protect whales and dolphins around the world.
Want to get onboard as a volunteer Marine Mammal Surveyor?
Our one-day, live online training courses are interactive and give you all the skills you need to identify and record whales, dolphins and porpoises during offshore surveys.
Take a look 👉 orca.org.uk/training/mar...
Our one-day, live online training courses are interactive and give you all the skills you need to identify and record whales, dolphins and porpoises during offshore surveys.
Take a look 👉 orca.org.uk/training/mar...
January 21, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Want to get onboard as a volunteer Marine Mammal Surveyor?
Our one-day, live online training courses are interactive and give you all the skills you need to identify and record whales, dolphins and porpoises during offshore surveys.
Take a look 👉 orca.org.uk/training/mar...
Our one-day, live online training courses are interactive and give you all the skills you need to identify and record whales, dolphins and porpoises during offshore surveys.
Take a look 👉 orca.org.uk/training/mar...
January 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM
ORCA’s data plays a vital role in influencing policy and driving real change for whales and dolphins worldwide.
Beyond surveys at sea, we use this evidence in key international conservation forums to push for stronger protection where it’s most needed!
Beyond surveys at sea, we use this evidence in key international conservation forums to push for stronger protection where it’s most needed!
January 16, 2026 at 4:30 PM
ORCA’s data plays a vital role in influencing policy and driving real change for whales and dolphins worldwide.
Beyond surveys at sea, we use this evidence in key international conservation forums to push for stronger protection where it’s most needed!
Beyond surveys at sea, we use this evidence in key international conservation forums to push for stronger protection where it’s most needed!
