It is whale season in Port Stephens and the community will have a chance to learn more about their winter visitors during two free headland talks.
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Dedicated whale watcher and marine naturalist Jeannie Lawson will hold talks hourly between 10.30am and 1.30pm at Boat Harbour on June 24 and Fingal Bay on July 8.
“What I have noticed about whales is that they bring people together,” Ms Lawson said. “People from all age groups and all walks of life are suddenly chatting with each other with smiles on their faces.
“That is why I started the whale headland talks 19 years ago. Whales create community.”
Ms Lawson began educating people about whales in 1983. She has held council-supported community talks about whales for 19 years, eight of those in Port Stephens.
Ms Lawson said in the past 19 years she has witnesses a rise in Humpback whale numbers.
About 30,000 humpbacks are expected to pass Port Stephens during the 2018 migration, a significant increase from the 300 that is believed to have inhabited Australia’s waters about 20 years ago.
The whale watching season in Port Stephens runs from May to August when humpbacks migrate north to their calving ground in the South Pacific region.
The southern migration takes place from August to mid-November when mothers and newborn calves make their way back down to the feeding grounds in Antarctica.
“Humpback whales are majestic and beautiful creatures,” Ms Lawson said. “To have seen the comeback of a species from the brink of extinction is awesome. It just proves that nature will respond if given the chance by us humans to leave it alone and let the balance be restored.
“Most importantly now we need to protect their oceans.”
Ms Lawson’s free headland whale talks will be held in Boat Harbour, near the cairn (rock formation) off Iluka Reserve, and Barry Park, Fingal Bay.
No bookings are required. Just rug up, grab some binoculars and head to one of the hourly talks.
Port Stephens volunteer marine conservation group Ocean and Coastal Care Initiatives be at both locations running a sausage sizzle, raffle and marine life display.
How to get to the Boat Harbour talk
The cairn is a rock formation on the headland at Boat Harbour created by people in memory of loved ones. To get to the cairn, go to Iluka Reserve (also known as Solace Place) off Kingsley Drive.
Walk through the reserve and to the sign-posted whale watching trail through bushland. The trail will take you to the cairn.
How to get to the Fingal Bay talk
A purpose built whale watching platform is located at Barry Park. The park is easily accessed off Marine Drive at Fingal Bay.
