CONSERVATION & RESEARCH
Contributing to a greater understanding of our natural world
Undertaking data collection for birds, reptiles, dragonflies and cetaceans
Ewan is the 'Regional Representative' for the BTO and the national seabird census, co-ordinating and conducting bird monitoring programs
Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) & Waterways Breeding Bird Survey (WBBS)
Nature Scotland co-ordinates and conducts bird survey efforts for North Argyll which includes BBS (breeding bird surveys) and WBBS (waterways breeding bird survey).
The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey is the main scheme for monitoring the population changes of the UK’s common breeding birds. It is a national volunteer project aimed at keeping track of changes in the breeding populations of widespread bird species in the UK. Wild bird populations are an important indicator of the health of the countryside, and knowing to what extent bird populations are increasing or decreasing is fundamental to bird conservation.
National Seabird Census 2021
Ewan is co-ordinating and conducting survey efforts on the Isle of Mull on behalf of the UK's forth national census of our seabirds.
Census data are essential for assessing seabird population health and vital for understanding the conservation status of our internationally-important seabirds, the effects of climate change on marine environments and to inform marine planning.
BirdTrack
During our Mull Nature Expeditions Ewan and the guests will record any bird sightings of increased significance or an unusual geographical range. All data will be logged on 'Birdtrack', contributing to a greater understanding of bird populations and trends nationwide.
BirdTrack is an exciting project, through a partnership between the BTO, the RSPB, Birdwatch Ireland, the Scottish Ornithologists' Club and the Welsh Ornithological Society, that looks at migration movements and distributions of birds throughout Britain and Ireland. BirdTrack provides facilities for observers to store and manage their own personal records as well as using these to support species conservation at local, regional, national and international scales.
The 'What's up?' Project
More than half of Scotland is upland. The beautiful mountains and glens are special places for both people and wildlife. Land use and climate are changing. How are Scotland’s wild lands responding and what are the impacts on our cherished wildlife?
On our Mull Mountain Expeditions we will record all upland bird sightings to contribute towards this project.
https://www.bto.org/national-offices/scotland/our-work/whats-up
Reptile Plots
Nature Scotland monitor 1km survey squares during Mull and Ardnamurchan excursions. Any reptile/amphibian sightings will be submitted to RecordPool.
The Record Pool collects data on herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) in the UK and to makes it available, locally and nationally, for conservation purposes.
Golden Eagle Fieldwork
Ewan monitors a number of Golden Eagle territories on Mull to assist with island-wide coverage and data collection. Mull is an internationally important location for Golden Eagles, supporting a healthy percentage of the Scottish population.
RSPB Hen Harrier Satellite Tag
Ewan co-led a number of community events on Mull to help raise over £1000 towards funding a satellite tag for a Hen Harrier in order to gain a greater understanding of these raptors movements on the west coast of Scotland and nationwide.
'Mairie' was the female bird satellite tagged on the Island in 2017.
https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/henharrierlife/index.aspx
Dragonfly Data Collection
Nature Scotland records all dragonfly records encountered on excursions.
Biological recording is an important scientific activity - but everyone can join in! There has never been an easier time to identify what you see and make your record available to the world community. The BDS already has over a million verified records, some going back into the 19th century, and we want to keep our position in the 21st century as one of the most respected insect recording schemes in the world.
