If you see something interesting while walking your dog, casting a line or sailing your boat - let us know. What do we think is interesting? All sorts of things, but here are some examples:

• dolphins or porpoises
• turtles and sunfish
• stranded jellyfish
• sharks
• catches of trigger fish, John Dories or anything unusual
• mermaid's purses
• seahorses - (click here to download a Seahorse specific sightings form)

If you're not sure what it is, send photos, drawings or descriptions to the Trust at Plumgarths, Crook Road, Kendal, LA8 8LX to  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Cumbria Wildlife Trust first started collating marine sightings in 2006, and since then many people have contributed information to our database. Live sightings have included species such as bottlenose dolphins, grey seals and basking sharks. Many sightings of the shy harbour porpoise have been sent in, a species, which is regularly seen from St Bees head. More unusual species such as pilot whales, white beaked dolphins and loggerhead turtles have also been noted off our coast.

We have been sent some usual items in the past such as a ‘mystery jaw’ that turned out to be the tail of a thornback ray and a photo of a ‘breaching whale’, which was actually a flying bird.
It is great to see that people are keen to learn more about the strange objects/animals they stumble across while walking along the coast.

Download our Marine Animal sightings form here.

What to do, if you find a stranded marine mammal

Live marine stranding

If you find a live stranded marine mammal, please do the following:

• inform the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) headquarters on 01825 765546 (24hrs). They will then advise you about the best action to take
• in the case of a seal pup, it might also be useful to inform the RSPCA who will also be trained on how to deal with these animals. They can be contacted on 08705555999 (24hr).
  Please do not attempt to catch or touch the animal until you have consulted the professionals; it could cause more harm than good.

For more information contact 01539 816300, or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Plumgarths, Crook Road, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 8LX.