The HiDef team are well into the next round of NatureScot fieldwork surveys and what a start it’s been!
As part of the NatureScot-led partnership, funded by the Marine Directorate and Offshore Wind Directorate, Rebecca Nagel and Polly Brown travelled to Cape Wrath SPA in the far northwest of Scotland to carry out puffin surveys in early May.
Surveying meant covering 22 km of rugged coastline in short dawn and dusk windows so camping was the only option. Armed with binoculars, a satellite pager, and plenty of peanut butter tofu wraps, they pushed on and managed to survey nearly the entire site.
Along the way:
🐑 Breakfast with curious sheep at Kearvaig Bothy
🦅 Sightings of eagles (and even badgers!)
☕ A well-earned stop at one of Scotland’s most remote cafés
🐧 And most importantly 354 pre-breeding puffins recorded
Next up, the team will return in June to survey fulmar, kittiwake, guillemot, and razorbill we’re looking forward to hearing how they get on!
Credit to Polly Brown for the beautiful photos!
