Aberdeen Marine Mammal Project - News

  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...

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...