As you may be aware, I (Bethany) started as the new Scottish Raptor Monitoring Coordinator (SRMC) in August, replacing Gaby Peniche who has moved on to fresh pastures. I have come into the role having recently been employed by the RSPB as a Research Assistant for the national Merlin survey, which many of you will have also participated in. Surveying Merlins is a test in patience and perseverance, with many long hours spent roaming bog and moorland in search of these inconspicuous falcons. I was lucky enough to be allocated hectads to survey in the Flow Country and around the north coast. In addition to recording Merlins here and there I had some amazing views of other raptors, as well as plenty of bog and moorland waders, passerines, moths, butterflies, dragonflies and plants. I logged most of my survey days on Strava, and walked a total of 728km across the four months… There is some relief in being able to rest my legs as I get stuck into my new position with the BTO.

Before working on the Merlin survey, I was a Ranger and Guide at Aigas Field Centre, near Beauly, taking guests across the Highlands looking for wildlife and teaching them about Scotland’s species, ecology and conservation. In my spare time, I love birding (of course!), cetacean spotting, snorkelling, knitting and playing the fiddle. I’m from the Isle of Arran, and love to go back and visit when I get the chance!

I’m really looking forward to working with and learning from all of the dedicated raptor workers and volunteers who study and monitor Scotland’s birds of prey as part of SRMS. It has been great to meet some of you already, and no doubt I will put more faces to names and email addresses as I settle into the role.