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Waiting on the Weather: Starting This Year’s Seal Surveys

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  In my previous roles working with seals, the weather rarely dictated whether work happened — only how uncomfortable it might be. I’ve pressure-washed outdoor seal enclosures in rescue centers in driving rain, worked through snowstorms at Bird Island with the British Antarctic Survey, and endured intense heat on the Galápagos sea lion project. The work simply carried on. There were moments when sanity was questionable. Times when it took an hour just to defrost fingers, or when you were so soaked through that it felt pointless trying to dry out. Every seal team also had a bit of a reputation for being hard on equipment — waterproof casings inevitably failed, salt spray found its way into everything, and we were forever asking for help fixing kit that had once again been pushed to its limits by the marine environment. There’s a saying that pets often reflect their owners, and I’ve long thought there might be something similar going on with researchers and their study species. W...
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In Photos: The Seal Survey Process, by Alice Pollard

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I’m excited to introduce Alice Pollard, a journalism student from the University of Stirling. With a strong passion for environmental and conservation themes she requested to join me for a photojournalism assignment.   Read on to hear her reflections on documenting a survey! The sun is rising over the North Sea. Hundreds of grey seals lift dozy heads in the golden light, a handful slipping into the icy embrace of the River Ythan, unaware of the drone buzzing far above them. It is 8 am, and the conditions are perfect for a seal survey. I have joined PhD student Claire Stainfield for the morning, armed with a bag of lenses and a slightly rusty Nikon. The goal? To document the seal survey process, and learn about the importance of the project. What I didn’t anticipate, however, was the striking onslaught of nature from all angles at Ythan Estuary. Claire has dedicated her life to studying seals. On the frozen shores of the North Sea, she undertakes her latest project – studying v...
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Eyes in the Sky (and Sand in My Boots): My Drone Survey Internship at the Ythan Estuary by Max Campbell

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The PhD Project was awarded a generous grant from Sea-Changers, a marine conservation charity, to support our drone-based seal research at the Ythan Estuary. This funding is crucial for providing the on-the-ground assistance needed to ensure safe and effective drone flights, while safeguarding the delicate wildlife of the reserve. It's all the people on the ground who make my research possible. I’m excited to introduce Max, read on to hear his reflections on the role!     "When I first saw an email advertising a drone survey internship at the Ythan Estuary, I didn’t hesitate. I already fly drones, I study Wildlife and Conservation Management, and the idea of spending time on a beach watching seals sounded significantly better than being indoors staring at spreadsheets. What I didn’t fully appreciate at the time was just how much early mornings, sand, and careful note-taking would be involved.   sunrise at the estuary  Over the course of six weeks, I took part in ...
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Intern Experience by Sophie Will

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  he PhD Project was awarded a generous grant from Sea-Changers, a marine conservation charity, to support our drone-based seal research at the Ythan Estuary. This funding is crucial for providing the on-the-ground assistance needed to ensure safe and effective drone flights, while safeguarding the delicate wildlife of the reserve. It's all the people on the ground who make my research possible. I’m excited to introduce Sophie, read on to hear her reflections on the role!   In early August, around 7:30am we make our way to the look-out point. The grassy, sage tones of the dunes and birdsong pepper the gorse lining the boardwalk. Woody sounds underfoot soon dampen into soft sand, engaging my senses as we approach the flight zone. The reserve is quietly buzzing with life.   Mirrored morning light  The approach to the seals at the start of each survey is a treasured routine. I absorb the changing features that greet us on each visit – from where the light hits the w...
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Seals, Surveys, and Surprises: Two Summers In at Newburgh Seal Beach

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  Our second summer season has now wrapped up, and once again the project has proven it never fails to surprise. This summer’s “fun” challenges included presidential visits that blocked GPS signals for a week and the seals themselves shifting just out of range for much of early summer. Why they moved, and why they came back, is still a bit of a mystery. Restricted airspace map from altitude angel app.  Local stories add some fun anecdotes to the puzzle. Some people remember being told as children that the sands around the North point were “sinking sands.” Others wonder if it’s simply that the seals prefer to sit beside the fence the reserve puts up each April. if only seals would share their insights?  Closing in on 100 Survey Days We’re approaching a major milestone: 100 days of seal surveys. The project is now in month 16 of its two-year plan, and every day adds to our understanding of seal behaviour. So far, we’ve logged 96 days in the field and counted over...
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Intern Experience by Mike Raby

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The PhD Project was awarded a generous grant from Sea-Changers, a marine conservation charity, to support our drone-based seal research at the Ythan Estuary. This funding is crucial for providing the on-the-ground assistance needed to ensure safe and effective drone flights, while safeguarding the delicate wildlife of the reserve. It's all the people on the ground who make my research possible. I’m excited to introduce Mike, read on to hear his reflections on the role!   Among all my days as a Drone Observer intern one stands out in particular. Its 06:00 on a Saturday morning. Many people are tucked up asleep and may be for hours yet, but not me. I’ve just woken up to head to SRUC to meet Claire for my third shift as a Drone Observer intern. I stumble downstairs and into the kitchen to make a much needed coffee. I am normally lucky enough to be able to see the sea from the kitchen window – today, all I can see is haar! Fuelled and caffeinated I head off for SRUC. As I drive ove...
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Seal Drone Intern Experience by Grace Green

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  The PhD Project was awarded a generous grant from Sea-Changers, a marine conservation charity, to support our drone-based seal research at the Ythan Estuary. This funding is crucial for providing the on-the-ground assistance needed to ensure safe and effective drone flights, while safeguarding the delicate wildlife of the reserve. It's all the people on the ground who make my research possible. I’m excited to introduce Grace, read on to hear her reflections on the role! Hello, my name is Grace Green, I’m about to start my 3 rd year of Wildlife and Conservation Management with SRUC Aberdeen, and I LOVE the beach! Interning with Claire Stainfield was truly a dream come true. Not only for the opportunity to work on the beach every week for 6 weeks but because Claire is an excellent human being from whom I have learned so much. Particularly: professional practice, scientific rigour, good humour, and welcoming people in simply by being yourself. My joy on the beach has always been ...
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