26
year. Three were heard and seen near the
Danbury Common National Trust Car Park during
late May 1987 by M. T. Parker.
If any member has any records of interest
please send them to me. I would like to thank
those who have sent in records this year.
M. T. PARKER
OBSERVING WHALES AND DOLPHINS
In 1973, the Cetacean Group was formed within
the U.K. Mammal Society to obtain new
information on the status, distribution and
aspects of the biology and ecology of whales
and dolphins around our shores and coastal
waters. We now have a network of about 350
observers from all walks of life (ornithol-
ogists, yachtsmen, coastguards, lighthouse
keepers, merchant seamen, ferrymen, members of
fishing and oil industries and marine
biologists). This network has substantially
contributed to our knowledge of cetaceans in
European seas. It has indicated population
changes in a number of species (increases, at
least until recently, in white-beaked dolphins,
pilot and sperm whales; declines in harbour
porpoise and bottle-nosed dolphin). Much of
the information provided above has derived from
the results of the Cetacean Survey, involving
to a very large extent amateurs; and it has
provided considerable pleasure for many
ordinary persons who did not otherwise realise
they could see these fine creatures within