Skills and Projects Overview

Current Continuing Activities

I am learning how to build Convolutional Neural Networks in Python / PyTorch, as well as conducting pre-fieldwork surveys and designing a fieldwork plan for my PhD studies.

I contribute time to conduct research and statistical analysis on bat roosting in the UK, with staff at Manchester Metropolitan University, for a paper aimed to be published.

National Trust, Wicken Fen - Scrub clearance, Livestock management of semi-feral Konik Ponies and Highland Cattle. (Stopped since Covid-19)

RSPB, Ouse Fen - WeBS, Tree planting, Bittern survey. Corn Crake survey, Bittern nesting survey and Breeding bird survey.

RSPB, Ouse Washes - To come soon (Stopped since Covid-19).

Cambridgeshire Bat Group - Winter Roost Survey. Bat Survey. Regular monitor of a large Noctule roost.

Previous Employment December 2020 - January 2021

Temporary Laboratory Technician with ALS Food and Pharmaceutical

Previous Employment February - September 2020

Seasonal Ecological Consultant with RSK ADAS - Habitat survey, Report writing (EcoCheck, Health and Safety, Method Statements), Great Crested Newt survey, Water Vole survey, Badger survey, Ground Level Tree Assessment for Bat roosts, Bat survey (Emergence, Transects, Re-entry), Plant and Tree ID, Reptile survey, Reptile and Amphibian translocation, ECoW, Phase 1 Habitat Assessment, Hedgerow Assessment, and practical Badger management.

Since Graduation October 2019 - February 2020

National Geographic “Exploring Conservation” Accreditation; A series of short courses developed by United for Wildlife and the Zoological Society of London, inc. Introduction to Conservation, Understanding Illegal Wildlife Trade, Prioritizing Species and Spaces, Ocean Challenges and Solutions, Scientific Expeditions for Conservation, Conservation Project Planning

Conservation Training Accreditation; A series of short courses by The Nature Conservancy, inc. Developing Biodiversity Indictors, Biodiversity Valuation, Climate Change, Conservation Action Planning, GIS, Indicators of Hydrological Alteration

Reading and studying textbooks on Habitat Management, Fen Management, Phase 1 Habitat Survey, and online resources for protected species survey and mitigation, as well as policy.

Masters 2018 - 2019

MSc Dissertation / Vocal Activity Patterns and Acoustic Markers of Individuality in Carrion Crow Corvus corone corone in the UK

Within this project I calibrated autorecognition software to identify the vocalisations of Carrion Crow from bioacoustic survey data, applied statistical techniques to investigate temporal patterns, and used advanced sound analysis techniques to retrieve acoustic measurements from vocal samples and investigate the differences between vocalisations at different locations, revealing temporal and spatial change as well as which parameters may be most effective as acoustic markers of individuality for this species. The paper aims to introduce a working framework for analysis of bird vocalisations and inform future studies about implications of bioacoustic data for monitoring of species.

Literature Review / A Review of Current Literature Use in Advising Conservation Priority of Waterbird Habitat at an International, Regional and Local Scale: Using Case Studies from China

During writing this literature review I applied strong research skills, an aptitude for ecological study, demonstrated a high standard of writing under considerable deadlines, and showed a true passion for wetland management and for waterbirds.

Field Project / The Impact of Roads on Species Richness and Community Composition in Aves in an Old Growth Forest, Puszcza Bialowieska, Poland, using Bioacoustic Techniques

Me and my team successfully surveyed an area of remote old growth forest over a week period. This included a daily routine of 3am starts, with surveying running until mid afternoon, where fieldwork was based primarily within dense forest. The field trip culminated in a group presentation of our findings followed by an individual report in the following weeks.

Bachelors 2015 - 2018

BSc Dissertation / Landscape-scale Roosting Drivers in UK Pipistrelle Bats

In my BSc dissertation I investigated habitat requirements of maternity roosting in Pipistrelle bats at the landscape-scale, using data acquired through talks which I lead with the Bat Conservation Trust. Within the project I applied GIS spatial tools to presence absence data, and used Random Forest statistics to investigate landscape-scale habitat drivers.

Literature Review / The Effects of Small-scale and Large-scale Agricultural Regimes on Chiroptera of the Tropics: A Literature Review

I applied a growing skill in research to a species and topic which I am passionate about, and used meta-analyses to report on common themes in studies of bats and agriculture. The review focused on differences in bat assemblages between different habitat types, such as between palm plantations, coffee plantations and old growth forest, as well as the differences between edge effects of various habitats and interior forest.

Poster Task / Halkyn Mountain: Site Selection and Management

For this poster I had to evaluate a number of sites from an ecological perspective, including priority, site features, presence of key species and annex 1 habitats. The poster justified the choice of site over other possible sites, the species and habitats which justify its priority, and the suggested management strategies that are suitable for the site.

Field Project / The Relationship between Plant Communities and Pollinating Invertebrate Taxa within the Iberian Peninsula

Within this field project I walked transects using the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme methods to search for pollinators and evaluate plant communities. The study focused on the number of flowering heads of different species of plants compared to the number of various groups of pollinators present at each site. Sites varied from urban fields to the high quality coastal areas of the Iberian Peninsula.

Report / WWT Martin Mere Wetlands Project

This small report aimed to describe wetlands and why they are important, identify their distribution through the UK, report on the loss of wetlands and their current threats, and finally discuss some key species. This project also involved a field trip to Martin Mere, which included talks and training in bird counts and ID.

Field Project / A Two by Two Bilateral Study of the Effects of Symmetry on the Predation Rate of the Oak Eggar Moth by Their Avian Predators

I pre-planned and proposed my own idea for a project, as opposed to accepting a stock project, which was accepting happily by a lead lecturer who went on to become my BSc supervisor. The project used experimental methods to investigate the effects of wing symmetry on the predation of moths within a secondary forest. I picked up skills relating to moth trapping, moth ID, by leading the survey of moths using light trap boxes every morning. I particularly remember enthusiastically showing a Brindled Beauty around the larger field group, and I think I endeared moths to a lot of people. Outside of the main project, I also regularly monitored bats during the evening.

Awards and Voluntary Work

Academic Excellence Award 2016 & 2017

I was awarded an Academic Excellence award for my first and second years of undergraduate study, which were the only two years they were available.

MMU Futures Bronze (& Silver) Award

By way of over 50 hours of voluntary interdisciplinary classes and talks I achieved my MMU Futures Bronze award. This included classes for other forms of sciences, special equipment and software introductory sessions, and professional skills classes. I gained accreditation for Carbon Literacy during this time. I would have been awarded the silver award, but the programme was interchanged for another as I was about to complete it.

Voluntary help for an MSc Student / RSPCA Fox Collar Behaviour Project

I generously assisted an MSc student with their project by observing over 50 hours of video footage and recording behaviours using Observer. I went on to teach new helpers how to use the software during a university class.

Volunteering on Ecological Surveys with the University Ecology Department

I assisted on a number of occasions with third-party ecological surveys. I helped with moth trapping and ID, as well as equipment management, and I picked up some tree identification and plant architecture methods.

Volunteer with the South Lancashire Bat Group

I assisted with bat surveys as a volunteer with my local bat group. I further practiced the monitoring of bats using handheld detectors and identified species for important national surveys.

Surveys with for the National Trust, Lyme Park

I conducted a few months worth of regular transects and moth trap collection for the monitoring of butterflies, bees, hoverflies and moths. The data I collected was gratefully added to the Lyme Park ranger teams data.