article_snippet.sent: Common dolphins were once a rare sight in the Hebrides, preferring warmer waters found further south, leading experts to believe that global warming has led to pods moving north.
article_snippet.sent: common dolphins come to the Hebrides in spring to take advantage of seasonal food stocks, travelling in large groups and sometimes forming ‘super-pods’ of thousands of individuals.
article_snippet.sent: The species, which are smaller than the area’s resident bottlenose dolphins, often approach boats and play in the wake, Dolphin Trust said.
article_snippet.sent: While The species, which are smaller than the area’s resident bottlenose dolphins were once drawn to warmer waters above 10°C south of the area, climate change is  causing sea surface temperatures in the Hebrides to rise by around 0.5 °C a decade.
article_snippet.sent: And warmer water species appear to be colonising new areas further north or closer to shore, Dolphin Trust said.
article_snippet.sent: common dolphins are moving further north than common dolphins did decades ago, possibly because the water has become warmer.
article_snippet.sent: While the shift could create new feeding opportunities for the common dolphins, the shift could increase competition between other types of dolphin or seabirds.
article_snippet.sent: The shift north could be creating new opportunities for the common dolphins to find food in new areas, but may mean the species is competing for fish with other types of dolphin or seabirds.
article_snippet.sent: These seas are one of Europe’s most important cetacean habitats.
article_snippet.sent: Colder water species such as the white beaked dolphin could be forced to retreat further north, and while the trust said the trust had found no evidence of the white beaked dolphin being displaced, continued monitoring of the situation is needed.
article_snippet.sent: This includes dolphins, whales and porpoises.
article_snippet.sent: Dr Conor Ryan, sightings and strandings officer at Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust said: ‘An increase in common dolphins means that those wishing to encounter dolphins in the wild are in luck - but further research is needed to explain why this is happening, the extent to which this has been caused by human activity and the implications for other cetacean species.
article_snippet.sent: In return Our research expeditions offer the opportunity of a lifetime to contribute to a better understanding of cetaceans and basking sharks, whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery of Scotland’s west coast and experiencing exhilarating sailing.
highlights_snippet.sent: Common dolphins were once rare  in the Hebrides, preferring warmer water .
  