Hidden nature

Re-discovering the UK's wildlife

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Category: PhD

Some thoughts on SNH and the Strathbraan raven licence

I don’t normally post about controversial or political subjects on this blog. Firstly, because it is a blog about celebrating and appreciating our natural world; secondly, because my PhD is controversial and political enough. I study the conflict between grouse shooting interests and raptor conservation interests in Scotland – at best, a highly charged, heavily…

A year in fieldwork

It seems like an awful long time ago since I last wrote a blog. In fact, it was an awful long time ago. My last post was dated June 2017, and that one even started with an apology for being 7 months late with it. Well, another eight months later and here we are! I…

Behind my 1st published paper
A seabird spectacular at Fowlsheugh
Some thoughts on SNH and the Strathbraan raven licence
A year in fieldwork
5 things we can do #NowforNature

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Absolutely unreal sunset last night on #coll 🌅☀️ almost rivalled an African sunset! You can bet we went for a dip...#westisbest #hebrides #islandlife

Some basking #shark morphology to lighten up a dreary Friday 🦈🦈🦈 . These animals are feeding MACHINES. They are on average of 8-10m long, but feeding on teeny tiny crustaceans called copepods...which means they need to shovel in an insane amount of food to sustain themselves 🍤🍤 . Their mouth can enlarge to 1m wide, which allows up to 2.5 million litres of seawater to be filtered PER HOUR. The water passes through the gills, while the tasty wee copepods are filtered out by comb-like structures called gill rakers. . The shark's body is perfectly streamlined, with a powerful muscular tail. This allows them to propel themselves against the current or tide, so the plankton is literally shovelled into that enormous mouth. Virtually every move catches a mouthful of food with minimum effort...what more could you want! 🦈 #sharks #sharkoftheweek #marine #marinelife #underwater #planktonbuffet #isleofcoll #hebrides

And that's a wrap on Birdfair 2019!!! 🐦🦉🦅 As always a complete whirlwind, but more than worth the mammoth journey. This year we co-hosted the first ever careers event with @rspb_love_nature and @nationaltrust, ran our second youth debate and celebrated with the biggest youth nature photo we've had. . . This year is bittersweet, as it will be my last event as associate director of @afocusonnature. It was a very tough decision to make, but as my career grows its time to move on to pastures new! It has been an absolute privilege to work with such amazing people, who are all so passionate and put their all into this organisation. I have been, and will continue to be inspired by all the incredible young people we support and stand for. Although at times a bumpy road, my experience leading AFON has been a joy and I am so grateful for the memories, skills and opportunities I've been lucky enough to have along the way. #youthconservation #youngvoices #nowfornature

This incredible encounter with some very playful bottlenose made yesterday's 6am start in rainy, windy conditions more than worth it. Can always count on nature for a good wakeup call! 🐬 #wildlifeonearth #cetaceans #marinemammals #underwater #wildlifeguide #ilovemyjob

Some bowriding bottlenose to start the day 🐬🐬🌞 #marinemammals #dolphins #hebrides #wildlifeguide #nature

#tb to last week in absolute HEAVEN hanging out with these little dudes and just watching them go about their daily puffin business 🤗🐧 This was the last time we'd likely see them before they head out back to the Atlantic, where they'll stay until the breeding season next comes around. Bye guys, good luck out there!!!! 👋 #seabirdsaturday #atlantic #wildlife #wildlifeguide #nature #wildlifeonearth #puffin