Learn how to spot a whale on the Oregon coast

Every time whale watching volunteer Kathy Perry helps a new person spot nature's largest animal out in the ocean, it gives her a thrill unlike anything else.

The 57-year-old retiree from Sacramento helps answer questions and helps the public in viewing what usually are gray whales making their way up the Oregon Coast at the Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center.

"I meet people from all over the world, from little children to people who are 90 years old," she said. "When I can help them see their first whale, I just loving being able to share in their excitement. It makes me feel like I am seeing them for the first time myself."

But Perry can do more than just help people spot whales. Because she's had instruction from some of the top whale scientists in the world, she can tell them what type of whale they're looking at, where it's headed and if it's likely traveling with a calf.

"They don't always ask, but when they do, it's really fun to talk about how they travel south to have their calves and how the calves, when they're born, gain 5 pounds an hour!" she said. "People always love hearing about that side of it."

If helping people spot whales, getting an in-depth education about the 40-ton mammals and enjoying free camping on the Oregon Coast sounds appealing, you may be in luck.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is offering three chances for the public to go through the training required to become a volunteer during the Whale Watching Spoken Here events in December and March.

The day-long training includes an overview of gray whale biology and natural history, basic whale information, strategies for seeing whales and sharing whale facts with visitors.

The first and most popular training session is Dec. 6 in Newport. It's led by Dr. Bruce Mate, director of the Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute, and tends to have all 150 spots filled by mid-November. Two other training opportunities are Jan. 10 and Feb. 7.

"Dr. Mate goes around the world studying and tracking whales, so everyone really looks forward to his presentation," said David Newton, lead ranger at the Whale Watch Center with OPRD.

After going through the training, volunteers can pick one of the 24 Spoken Here whale watching locations on the Oregon Coast Dec. 27-31 or March 21-28. The volunteers help the public spot whales and answer questions, along with tracking how many whales they see each day. Volunteers also get free camping at state parks.

"A lot of people don't realize that gray whales are out there until someone points it out, and even less know that they're coming back from being close to extinction to having a population of around 18,000 to 22,000," Newton said.

Newton said the program brings in a wide cross section of the population.

"We have everyone from teenagers to married couples to people of all ages that get involved," he said. "I think what brings them is the enjoyment of learning about these incredible animals and then going out in the field and helping someone from the Midwest who has never even seen the ocean, seen a whale. It gets people very excited."

Perry added that the program gives you the skill to know how to spot whales on any part of the coast.

"By learning so much about it, and then doing it, you pick up patterns and start to know where the whales are going to be no matter where you are on the coast," she said. "It's a skill that you can take with you and keep forever."

Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for six years. He is the author of the book "Hiking Southern Oregon" and can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Facebook at Zach's Oregon Outdoors or @ZachsORoutdoors on Twitter.

Whale watching training

What: If you want to be a volunteer that helps members of the public spot whales during Oregon Parks and Recreation whale watch week Dec. 27-31 and March 21-28 on the Oregon Coast, you can attend free informational training sessions.

Free camping: While you're attending your training or volunteering, you can camp at an Oregon State Park tent or RV site for free. Call Reservations Northwest at (888) 953-7677 to reserve a spot.

Volunteer expectations: Volunteers are expected to work at one of the 24 watch sites on the Oregon Coast a minimum of two days. Although the schedule is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., actual volunteer time includes setting up the site with a sign and summarizing the data at the end of the day.

More information: Call (541) 765-3304 or go to whalespoken.org

To sign up: Download a form at bit.ly/1tvzo8q

Dates / location for training

Dec. 6

OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport

Jan. 10

Harris Beach State Park, Brookings

Feb. 7

Cape Lookout State Park, Tillamook

Schedule of training

8 a.m. Check in

9 a.m. Goals of the training and the WWSH program

9:30 a.m. Introduction to gray whale biology and natural history

10:30 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m. Gray whale biology and natural history, continued

Noon Lunch on your own. A meeting room will be available for those who wish to bring their lunch.

1 p.m. Basic information on other whales and pinnipeds

2:45 p.m. Break

3 p.m. How to be a volunteer. Strategies for locating whales and sharing information with visitors. Q & A.

4:30 p.m. Adjourn