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 the people on the ground who make our research possible. I’m excited to introduce Iona, my first drone observer intern, who has been assisting me on the beach. Read on to hear her reflections of the role so far! "Hello! I’ve been at Newburgh Seals Beach assisting Claire Stainfield with her PhD research as a “drone observer intern” and I’m thrilled to share some insights from my first month in the role! I recently graduated from SRUC, where I studied Wildlife and Conservation Management, with a particular interest in marine conservation. My honours project focused on bottlenose dolphins in Aberdeen Harbour, so I jumped at the opportunity to ge...