CALEDONIAN CONSERVATION - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Regular Associate
• Associate Ornithologist

Angus has over 30 years of ornithological experience, has been running Birdline Scotland since its inception in 1990, and was a member of the Scottish Bird Records Committee until recently. Angus has over thirteen years' experience carrying out bird surveys including breeding bird surveys, flight activity surveys, Schedule 1 raptor surveys, nightjar surveys and black grouse lek monitoring. More recently, Angus has provided Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) services for wind farm construction, including breeding bird nest checks, protected mammal surveys, implementation of exclusion zones and mitigation and communicating these to construction contractors. He is a regular contributor of ornithological information to most local bird reports in Scotland and, in addition, has submitted many full descriptions of rare birds to the British Birds Rarities Committee that have been published in the annual rarities report in British Birds magazine. He also regularly provides articles for various national birdwatching publications including the Scottish Ornithologists' Club magazine, amongst others. Angus brings detailed local knowledge of Scotland, having been involved in many wind farm projects, as well as the knowledge gained through his role with Birdline Scotland. As one of Scotland's best known bird watchers, he has developed excellent contacts in many organisations throughout the country, .

Job Titles:

• Field Specialist

Charlotte has been with the company since 2019, first as an intern, through to full-time Assistant Ecologist, and is now our Field Specialist. She is completing a degree in Wildlife and Conservation management having completed the HND. Coming from a career in farming she has knowledge of land management practices and issues. Her experience includes large scale NVC, protected species surveys, Phase 1, PAWS, HIA's, invertebrate monitoring and identification along with a working knowledge of GIS. With a wide range of interests her main passions are habitat assessments, Lepidoptera (specifically moths) and Lampyridae. She is undergoing a personal long term research project concerning the ecology and distribution of Lampyris noctiluca in Scotland. Charlotte volunteers as a county recorder for butterflies and with The South of Scotland Golden Eagle project. She is a member of CIEEM, British Ecological Society, Scottish Forestry, British Deer Society, and The British Arachnological Society.

Job Titles:

• Director

Chris has considerable experience in project management, designing and implementing ecology surveys and assessment, gained over four years working with NGOs and over 14 years as an ecological consultant. Chris has worked in Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, and Isle of Man on a wide range of projects including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) for developments, Site Condition Monitoring of protected sites, conservation research, habitat management, policy, guidance, training courses, university lecturing, and public interpretation. Chris's areas of expertise include birds (holding a licence for all Schedule 1 species in Scotland), reptiles, amphibians (holding great crested newt licences for Scotland and England), and invertebrates (particularly spiders, beetles, and true bugs). Chris has recently authored guidance for reptile and great crested newt survey and mitigation. Chris has published many articles in a variety of publications such as CIEEM In Practice, The Coleopterist and British Arachnological Society Spider Recording Scheme News, including three articles on devolved environmental law, habitat management (e.g. brownfield, farmland, peatland, vegetated shingle, deadwood) bat surveys for wind farms, grass snakes, beetle distribution, wood ant nest translocation protocols, invertebrates and ecosystem services, deadwood habitat management and a revised distribution and ecology note for Heliophanus dampfi (the bog sun-jumper - RDBK). He has also co-authored 26 Scottish invertebrate group documents for Buglife (including Hymenoptera [Aculeates, parasitoid wasps and sawflies] and Odonata), and edited many others, which involved data collation and contacting many other invertebrate experts to provide the necessary information. Reflecting his broad range of knowledge and experience in invertebrates, Chris was an external lecturer at University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Paisley Campus for two years, where he taught elements of their Animal Diversity module. He also runs Ecological Impact Assessment training on behalf of CIEEM. Chris is a trustee of Amphibian & Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG UK), and a member of many ecological societies including the British Ecological Society, British Arachnological Society, and the British Myriapod and Isopod Group (BMIG). He is the South Scotland Area Organiser for the British Arachnological Society (BAS) Spider Recording Scheme, a full member of CIEEM (MCIEEM), a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London (FLS), a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society (FRES), and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA). He also holds a current emergency First aid certificate, Outdoor First Aid certificate (+F), a Rescue 3 Swiftwater Rescue certificate, has completed risk assessment training (with the BTCV), holds a BORDA off-road driving qualification (Standard Level) and holds a current CSCS card.

Job Titles:

• Regular Associate
• Associate Ecologist

Chris has many years of ecological experience, particularly working with molluscs, reptiles and amphibians (holding licences for great crested newt, natterjack, sand lizard, smooth snake, Roman snail). He has spent seven years as an ecological consultant, and six years leading research and monitoring at Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC). He previously worked at the Ordnance Survey on digital mapping, at English Nature on geological heritage, at English Heritage as an environmental archaeologist, and for several years as a field archaeologist. His expertise spans field ecology, survey methods and design, monitoring strategy, conservation methods, habitat management, GIS mapping and databases, project management, EPS licensing and commercial consultancy. As a consultant, he has worked on railways, road, housing, wind and solar renewables, forestry, minerals, construction, research, monitoring and policy. Clients have included Defra, Forestry Commission, Network Rail, SNCOs, Wildlife Trusts, and local authorities. He is a well-known herpetologist, and an accomplished non-marine malacologist. He is also competent in Phase 1 habitats, higher plants, butterflies, fairy shrimps, water vole, mammals and birds. He has a PhD in the palaeoecology and palaeobiogeography of the British herpetofauna, with specialist skills in the identification of skeletal remains, useful for analysis of spraint and other remains. He is Chair of the British Herpetological Society, a Visiting Research Fellow at Bournemouth University, co-author of CIEEM species survey competency notes for reptiles and natterjack toad, and CIEEM rep on Defra GCN Task Force planning workstream.

Job Titles:

• Office Administrator

Claire has come back to working life in her administrator post at Caledonian Conservation, after university, different roles and then 15 years at home raising her family. Needless to say, overseeing the office is a continuation of her home-keeping skills! Keeping the accounts, invoices and communications in tidy order is day-to-day, peppered with helping out with any and all other tasks that arise. Any questions or info she can help you with, let her know on claire.smith@caledonianconservation.co.uk. Before focusing on her family, Claire had much experience in running offices, including within the publishing world where she also did freelance proofreading and editing (at Random House New Zealand). She is ably assisted during her day by Rufus and Rocket . . . when they're not asleep! « Back

Job Titles:

• Regular Associate
• Associate Ornithologist

David has been a keen ornithologist since the 1960s, originally around Teesmouth and Norfolk. After moving to the Scottish Highlands in the 1990s, David became a full time professional ornithologist, and was the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) representative for Sutherland for over three years. He has completed work for a variety of conservation projects for the RSPB as well as surveys for proposed developments, such as wind farms. The last few years David has been working on breeding Hen Harriers on various sites, including one where the chicks were radio tagged with the help of Roy Dennis. David is also a keen bird photographer, focusing on Scottish species but also undertaking work throughout the UK and elsewhere in the world. Some examples of David's photography can be seen throughout this site. Selected photographs have been included in the December 2015 edition of Caithness Bird Atlas and, most proudly, the cover photograph. David brings an exceptional wealth of knowledge to any ornithology project, gained over many years of experience.

Job Titles:

• Assistant Ecologist
• Hons - Assistant Ecologist

David has three years' experience working in ecology and conservation, having worked for the Forth Rivers Trust and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). He has worked in a range of locations and habitats across Scotland, including most of the water bodies within the Forth catchment, Loch Lomond and Trossochs National Park. David gained a range of practical skills from his time at the Forth Rivers Trust, namely electrofishing team leader, invasives species identification and mitigation, green bank restoration, fencing, small wood generation and management, community engagement and in the use of pesticide.

Job Titles:

• Senior Ecologist

Euan has over eight years' experience working in ecological consultancy and has also conducted fieldwork in New Zealand and Canada as a volunteer and research assistant. He has experience of working on large scale development projects across Scotland, including wind farms, power infrastructure, road construction and on construction sites during all phases of their development. Euan is skilled in undertaking a range of ecological surveys, with a focus on protected species, including bats, otter, water vole, badger, red squirrel, great crested newt (holding a great crested newt licence for Scotland), wildcat, pine marten and beaver. He has experience in undertaking baseline surveys, identifying ecological constraints and surveys to support licensing recommendations. Euan has been lead Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) on a number of onshore wind farm developments where the work involved conducting site environmental audits, supervision of sensitive site work and checking compliance with environmental legislation. Euan has successfully led many Phase 1 (peat depth) and Phase 2 (peat coring) peat surveys, predominately located in challenging and remote sites across Scotland. He is trained as a Peatland ACTION ECoW for NatureScot to advise on peatland restoration projects and has carried out ECoW duties on behalf of NatureScot for a number of sites, including Tardoes Farm Phase 2, which was shortlisted for a Nature of Scotland Award. He is skilled in report writing, including Protected Species Survey Reports, Species Protection Plans, Peat Management Plans, technical reporting to support EIA Reports and licence applications, and ECoW reports. Euan is a member of the Bat Conservation Trust and Scottish Badgers. He holds a current Outdoor First Aid certificate (+F), a BORDA off-road driving qualification (Standard Level) and a CSCS card. He is also trained in Level 2 Tree Climbing and Arial Rescue (City & Guilds). « Back

Job Titles:

• Regular Associate
• Associate Ornithologist

Gus has over 18 years' experience as a professional ornithologist. He spent over 12 years managing nature reserves for the RSPB on the Isle of Islay and in Dumfries & Galloway. During this time he was responsible for the management and monitoring of a range of priority bird species and habitats, including red kites, and implementing an ambitious woodland creation project in Dumfries & Galloway. Gus is currently successfully fullfilling the Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) role at Galawhistle Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire, with duties including completing pre-construction surveys of both ornithological and ecological interests, ensuring the implementation of the species protection plan, environmental monitoring plan and other construction related method statements. He previously provided ECoW services at Blacklaw Wind Farm extension in West Lothian and has worked closely with and advised ECoW teams on a variety of wind farm developments. Gus has also undertaken bird surveys (including for Schedule 1 species) for numerous wind farm developments, and has an excellent working knowledge of relevant legislation and species specific ecology.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Bat Conservation Trust
• Principal Ecologist

Gwen has over 12 years' experience as an ecological consultant. During that time, she has carried out a range of habitat assessments and protected species surveys across Scotland, Wales and England. She is a protected species specialist; holding NatureScot licences for bats and great crested newts, and is a LANTRA qualified tree climber; allowing her to undertake at-height tree surveys for bat roosts. Gwen also has considerable experience working on reptile, water vole, otter, red squirrel and badger projects across the UK. As the lead surveyor for many of these projects, Gwen has been involved with all aspects of the work from the initial Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), to the production of technical reports, species protection plans and licence applications. Having secured licences, Gwen has acted as the lead ECoW on a range of sites from small single-dwelling extensions to large infrastructure developments; overseeing the implementation of mitigation strategies (including the trapping and translocation of reptiles and amphibians, the exclusion or hand removal of bats and the exclusion of badger sets) and compensation measures. As a result of her experience with bats and great crested newts, Gwen has provided colleagues with formal and informal training in bat and amphibian survey techniques, helping a number to achieve survey licences of their own. In addition to protected species surveys, Gwen has extensive experience undertaking habitat assessments; including Phase 1 habitat surveys, hedgerow surveys, invasive species surveys and BREEAM assessments. Gwen holds a current CSCS card, an Emergency First Aid at Work certificate and has undertaken off road driving training with the British Off Road Driving Association (BORDA) (Standard Level qualification). Gwen is an active member of the Bat Conservation Trust and the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) society.

Job Titles:

• Senior Ecologist

Julie has over six years' experience in the ecology sector. She specialises in the survey and assessment of plants and habitats, with a particular proficiency in bryophytes. She has experience of carrying out vegetation monitoring and her botanical skills include the identification of invasive non-native species. Julie has taken the lead on numerous Extended Phase 1 Habitat and NVC surveys, and has contributed chapters within Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) to inform a wide range of developments, including residential, quarrying, run-of-river hydro, wind farm and other associated infrastructure. She also has experience as an Ecological Clerk of Works. Julie has carried out numerous bryophyte surveys to inform planning applications for run-of river hydro schemes. She has experience of undertaking bryophyte surveys in a variety of habitats across Scotland, and is currently part of a snowbed bryophyte training program in the Cairngorms National Park. She is a vice county recorder and active member of the British Bryological Society, and has contributed to the recording and teaching of bryophytes in Scotland. Julie has also carried out numerous field surveys and reporting for protected species, including bats, otter, water vole, red squirrel, badger, great crested newt, pine marten and wildcat. She has experience in digitising numerous habitat and protected species maps in ArcGIS. She holds a current First Aid at work certificate, a BORDA offroad driving qualification (Standard Level) and current CSCS card.

Job Titles:

• Senior Ecologist

Kirsty is an ecologist with eight years' experience working for private and public sector organisations and charities. She has worked in a range of habitats across the UK including forest, peatland, heathland, grassland and urban, including sites with conservation designations as well as operational farms and commercial forestry. Kirsty has expertise in terrestrial invertebrates, ornithology (wetland bird, farmland bird, vantage point and foraging goose surveys, for example), botany, habitat assessment (woodland condition assessment, peatland condition assessment, phase 1) and invasive non-native species. Kirsty is highly experienced with managing and analysing datasets and has experience of using GIS software to produce digital maps for habitat mapping, reserve management planning and survey reports. She has experience of reporting research projects via scientific reports and trade press articles, compiling Phase 1 reports and making recommendations for reserve managers on species of conservation concern. Kirsty has a current Outdoor First Aid certificate, Rescue 3 Swiftwater Rescue certificate, has undertaken off road driving training with the British Off Road Driving Association and Biosecurity training with the Non-native Species Secretariat. « Back

Job Titles:

• Senior Ecologist

Michael has over 30 years of experience of studying Arachnids (Spiders, Harvestmen and Pseudoscorpions), including a period on the council of the British Arachnological Society. An experienced all-round field naturalist, Michael is able to identify a wide range of other terrestrial invertebrates, including Millipedes, Centipedes, Slugs & Snails, Woodlice, and many insect groups (particularly Hemiptera, solitary bees, and Hoverflies). He acted as the primary invertebrate consultant for Gwent Wildlife Trust (GWT) for over 20 years, and was also consulted by the National Museum of Wales (NMW) and the University of Wales hospital. He has carried out formal invertebrate surveys for NMW, the Countryside Council for Wales (surveying for, and subsequently finding the protected Fen Raft Spider Dolomedes plantarius), the National Trust, Wyedean Ecology Ltd, and identified arachnid specimens for Glasgow Kelvingrove Museum. He is familiar with recording practices on protected sites (SSSI, NNR, AoNB, and LNR), and was the arachnid expert for the LBAP process for Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Caerphilly and Monmouthshire local authorities. Michael has been active in multiple invertebrate recording schemes, and is currently Area Organiser responsible for arachnid records in Stirlingshire, Lanarkshire and Caithness, and has contributed many new invertebrate records for Wales. Michael is also an experienced botanist, and since beginning work for Caledonian Conservation has carried out National Vegetation Classification surveys in sites across Scotland. He was lead biodiversity volunteer for the Woodland Trust's Cefn Isla reserve and nominated for the Bluebell Award for ‘Best Guardian of Woods and Trees' in 2015. Michael has around 200 hours of experience as an assistant bat recorder for Wyedean Ecology Ltd and BE Ecological Ltd, and has delivered guided walks and talks on bats for CADW, the Welsh Government Historic Environment service. Michael is a confident public speaker and keen environmental educator, previously working mainly through the Wildlife Trusts, for whom he has been a volunteer for over 25 years and served as a Trustee and member of the Trust Ecological Group. He has organised open days and events both privately and for the general public. Michael has delivered training courses in spider identification for GWT and NMW. He is a member of the British Arachnological Society, The British Bryological Society, the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Job Titles:

• Senior Ecologist

Niall has over five years' experience in ecological consultancy and over nine years' experience in conservation and land management, having worked for Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust, Forestry Commission Scotland and RSPB prior to joining Caledonian Conservation Ltd. He has experience of a wide range of projects across Scotland and the British Isles including development related to wind farms, major road, rail and power infrastructure projects and housing developments at all project stages, as well as Site Condition Monitoring of protected sites, conservation research, and habitat management. Niall is experienced in designing and undertaking surveys and monitoring for birds (e.g. breeding birds, flight activity surveys, breeding raptors and foraging geese), mammals (e.g. otter, water vole, red squirrel, badger and pine marten) and invertebrates (particularly beetles, spiders and harvestmen). He has lead on invertebrate surveys in locations ranging from Hebridean islands to brownfield sites and contributes to invertebrate recording in Scotland. He has also carried out Extended Phase 1 surveys, woodland condition assessment and regeneration surveys, invasive species surveys, great crested newt surveys, desk studies and GIS mapping, as well as providing Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) services. Niall is a member of several ecological societies including British Arachnological Society, Scottish Badgers and the British Myriapod and Isopod Group (BMIG). He is an associate member of CIEEM (ACIEEM). He also holds a current Emergency First Aid certificate, Outdoor First Aid certificate (+F), a Rescue 3 Swiftwater Rescue certificate, has completed risk assessment training (with TCV), holds a BORDA off-road driving qualification (Standard Level), NPTC Sit-Astride ATV certificate, and holds a current CSCS card. « Back

Job Titles:

• Regular Associate
• Associate Ecologist

Paul Derbyshire has had a keen interest in wildlife since the late 70s and has worked as an ecologist in Israel, Canada, the USA and Australia, as well as within the UK, where he is currently based. He has travelled widely in six continents to fulfil his passion for wildlife, and has a wide knowledge base for different taxa throughout the world. Having worked as a Park Ranger, Paul has previously been very involved in environmental education. This involved introducing children to a wide range of outdoor activities such as pond dipping, map reading, food webs, and ecosystems, bird and invertebrate identification. Following his time as a Ranger, Paul returned to higher education graduating from UEA in 2000. Paul worked for a number of conservation charities before setting up as an ecological consultant in 2002. His skills cover a diverse range of species survey including birds (including surveys for onshore and offshore wind farm developments), plants, protected mammals (especially bats) and, more recently, invertebrates. Travel is still very much part of his life with recent trips to West Papua, Japan, Australia, Ecuador, Thailand and a number of European destinations. Paul is currently based in North Wales, but works both in the UK and abroad. Paul is a full member of the Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management (MIEEM).

Job Titles:

• Regular Associate
• Associate Ornithologist

Rebecca has ten years' experience as a professional ornithologist, with a wide range of experience working for NGOs and as a consultant. As a Project Officer for the DGERC (Dumfries & Galloway's Local Record Centre), she carried out survey work and managed data from wildlife recorders, as well as organising and running ecological survey training courses and environmental education programmes for schools. Rebecca then moved on to work for the RSPB as Conservation Officer for Dumfries & Galloway, where she carried out survey work on a range of bird species of conservation concern, and frequently worked with developers and environmental consultants, advising on Environmental Impact Assessments and mitigation packages. While at the RSPB, Rebecca also oversaw the Dumfries & Galloway black grouse project and chaired the Nightjar Study Group. Since becoming a consultant, Rebecca has undertaken a wide range of general and specialist bird surveys for wind farm developments, including flight activity surveys, breeding bird surveys, winter bird surveys, black grouse surveys, nightjar surveys, Schedule 1 raptor surveys, and protected mammal and habitat surveys. She also works as an Ecological Clerk of Works and advises on agri-environment schemes. She is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and the Scottish Association of Independent Farm Conservation Advisers (SAIFCA)

Job Titles:

• Regular Associate
• Associate Ecologist

Stuart Spray has worked in the field of conservation for over 20 years and as an ecologist for both Non-Government and Government Organisations including Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Solway Heritage, The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) and The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT). Although Stuart is an all-round ecologist with experience of surveying and monitoring a wide variety of protected species including other mammals, raptors, amphibians, reptiles, upland birds, waterfowl and seabird, he specialises in bat conservation biology. As a licensed bat worker, certified IPAF mobile platform operator, certified NTPC tree climber and Irata Level 1 Rope Technician, Stuart is the only bat worker in Scotland qualified to carry out endoscopic inspections of potential bat roosts in virtually any difficult access situation, including trees, bridges, buildings and other high structures. He also has many years' experience conducting bat activity surveys in a wide variety of situations, ranging from potential wind farms to housing developments, and from woodland management schemes to railway/road maintenance. He is a member of the D&G Raptor Study Group, South Lancashire Bat Group and a founder member of the Dumfries and Galloway Bat Group. He also sits on various committees including the Environment Resource Centre Steering Group, the Bat Conservation Trust Review Steering Committee and the D&G Nightjar Working Group. As an experienced trainer, Stuart has provided training on a variety of protected species, including bat, badger, red squirrel, water vole, otter and raptors, for organisations such as SNH, Dumfries and Galloway Council, The Mammal Society, Forestry Commission Scotland and The National Trust For Scotland. Stuart is also licensed to train new bat workers. Stuart has coordinated a wide variety of environmental survey, mitigation, training and research projects both in the UK and abroad

Job Titles:

• Regular Associate
• Associate Ecologist

Tom has had an interest in wildlife since he was a boy, and was a member of the Young Ornithologists' Club aged 10. His first survey experience was lek counts of black grouse and capercaillie aged 15. He currently combines self-employment as an ecologist with part time work as a researcher on rural and environmental policy in the Scottish Parliament. In over 15 years working in Parliament, Tom has supported the scrutiny of 19 Bills, 21 Committee inquiries, and responded to over 1000 requests from MSPs. Working at all times under his own initiative, this has involved continuously managing competing priorities and excellent time management to allow tight deadlines to be met. He has excellent report writing skills, over seventy peer-reviewed publications, a deep understanding of environmental law and policy, and an extensive network of contacts. Tom has been a guest lecturer in environmental policy at Strathclyde University, and in resource management at Edinburgh University. Four years ago he took the opportunity to change career direction and participated in an ecological surveying skills training programme organised by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The course covered all the main protected species and habitat survey methodologies, with an emphasis on practical training in the field. Since finishing the course in 2012, Tom has pursued a particular interest in birding and botany and is developing specialisms in raptor monitoring, peatlands and bryology. Over the last four years Tom has carried out bird surveys at sites the length and breadth of Scotland, and has also been involved with herbivore impact assessments and site condition monitoring.

Job Titles:

• Ecologist

Tony Monir brings a lifetime of fieldcraft to the Caledonian Conservation Ltd team. He is a recognised expert in reptiles in Scotland - particularly adders - and has nearly 30 years of expertise with birds (including Schedule 1 species) and protected mammals. Tony has worked for a range of businesses and charities, as well as having run ecology and practical conservation groups for people with autism. Most recently, before joining the Caledonian Conservation Ltd team, Tony completed an academic study on beavers in Tayside. He has experience of a wide range of projects across Scotland and the British Isles including development related to wind farms, major road, rail and power infrastructure projects, and housing developments at all project stages, as well as conservation management and habitat restoration. Survey work has included Peat Depth Surveys on various sites throughout Scotland, Breeding Bird and Vantage Point surveys, targeted species surveys, invasive species surveys, and conservation research. Tony is an active member of Central Scotland Raptor Study Group, and Central Scotland Amphibian and Reptile Group. Tony holds a current Outdoor First Aid certificate (+F) certificate, Rescue 3 Swiftwater Rescue certificate, BORDA standard off road driving qualification, and a CSCS card. « Back