Andy Scott

Monitoring Officer, Wetland Bioscience

About me

I developed an interest in nature at a young age on family holidays to Shetland, which were mostly spent on top of cliffs watching seabirds. After many years of wildlife watching as a hobby, I started out in the conservation sector in early 2023 with a short volunteer placement at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg. I subsequently spent a season at RSPB Geltsdale, monitoring Curlews as part of the Curlew LIFE project and taking on the role of Hen Harrier Nest Protection Officer later in the season. After this, I spent Autumn and Winter at RSPB Forsinard Flows working on peatland monitoring and restoration.

My role

In my role at WWT I am working as a Monitoring Officer on the Severn and Avon Vale Curlew project. This involves carrying out fieldwork over spring and summer to monitor the population of lowland breeding Curlews in the floodplain meadows around the Severn and Avon rivers. We will be gathering data on nest productivity, looking at reasons for nest failure and working with farmers to ensure the Curlew chicks have the best chance of fledging.

Experience and interests

• Ornithological fieldwork and survey experience
• Experience of peatland restoration techniques