MEMBERS of the public can join experts helping to log aquatic mammal life off the North-East coast as part of a national monitoring exercise this weekend.

Coastal ranger Ian Graham and Paul Stevens, from the Environmental Records Information Service, will be scanning off shore to try to identify passing sea mammals, including whales, dolphins and porpoises.

It is part of the annual Big Watch Weekend to help record sea life off the UK coasts, particularly the presence of those larger aquatic mammals, some of which are not always associated with the region’s stretch of the North Sea.

The duo will be happy to help sea mammal watch volunteers at Big Watch events at Grange Cliff Top car park, in Hendon, Sunderland, on Saturday, and at the nearby Cliff Tops at Ryhope Dene Mouth, on Sunday.

Anyone wishing to join in the survey can find out more about both ‘watches’ by emailing ian.graham@sunderland.giv.uk, or by ringing 0191-561 2468 to book a place at either event