HiDef are excited to be partnering in one of two successful projects in the Ecological Effects of Floating Offshore Wind programme (ECOFlow). This NERC: Natural Environment Research Council and The Crown Estate funded research programme, is supporting the ambitious FRONTLINE project led by Lyell Centre researchers at Heriot-Watt University. The 4-year project will investigate the impacts that expansion of floating offshore wind (FLOW) could have on Celtic Sea fronts and biodiversity and implications for commercial fisheries.

The project will use HiDef’s bespoke camera rig to capture very high-resolution digital video aerial imagery to collect large-scale data on marine megafauna, coincident with the capture of satellite imagery and the deployment of NERC’s Autosub Long Range 1500 for oceanographic sampling. HiDef will lead on the projects’ marine mammal research and will trial the deployment of acoustic recorders on the Autosub for collection of fine-scale cetacean acoustic activity in the vicinity of frontal systems. This complements seabird telemetry activities to give greater understanding of how apex predators use fronts. This multi-disciplinary research will fill knowledge gaps ahead of the expected rapid expansion of FLOW as part of the UK’s solution to reach Net Zero targets.

More information on the ECOFlow programme is available at the ECOFlow website or contact champions@ecoflow.org.uk

🌊 HiDef is thrilled to announce that Jess Harvey and Maria Gaedeke will be attending the upcoming Society of Marine Mammalogy conference in Perth, joined by Caroline Höschle, a marine mammal expert from BioConsult SH, our sister company in Germany.

Together, we’re looking forward to connecting with marine conservation professionals worldwide, sharing insights, and showcasing our innovative monitoring and conservation technologies for marine mammals.

If you’re interested in learning how digital aerial surveys offer unique advantages over conventional marine mammal monitoring techniques or want to explore how we detect whales even from space with sophisticated AI technology on satellite imagery, let’s connect! We’d love to discuss the benefits of our approach.

See you in Perth, or feel free to reach out! 🌐

HiDef wishes to share the importance of insects for migratory birds, and highlight concerns related to decreasing populations of insects.

Insects are essential sources of energy for many bird species, not only during the breeding season but also during their extensive journeys, and greatly affect the timing, duration, and overall success of bird migrations.

Due to intensive agriculture, habitat destruction and light pollution, the disturbance of insect populations threaten bird well-being.

Help us share awareness and encourage proactive conservation measures. This can include switching to organic farming, reducing the use of pesticides and fertilisers, and maintaining and creating natural vegetation to help provide food and shelter for birds.

Last week HiDef along with BioConsult and Biotope attended the Wind Energy event in Hamburg and what an amazing turn out!

We wanted to thank everyone who took the time to come see us, it’s been amazing chatting with you all and discussing some exciting projects.

Until next year!

HiDef’s William Peden attended the 16th international Seabird Group conference in Coimbra, Portugal this week to present some of the seabird research here at HiDef Aerial Surveying: 1) Digital aerial surveys as an indirect method to track seabird deaths from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, and 2) Demographic rates of UK seabirds for use in population models (supported by JNCC).

A fantastic week with inspiring talks and discussions!

HiDef are excited to share we will be attending the Wind Energy event this September in Hamburg.

Make sure to come chat with us at our stand regarding your ongoing/future projects and all things aerial surveying!

We are humbled to share these amazing photos of one of our recent digital aerial surveys, captured by one of our team during live operations.

We provide DAS from the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, right across Europe to the captivating Baltic, North and Irish Seas, and from the beautiful Atlantic US and Canadian coasts, to the stunning Australian southern coasts and beyond!

These incredible images are just a glimpse of what we do. Whether it’s for infrastructure development, environmental monitoring, planning, or general scientific purposes, HiDef’s advanced technology and expert teams are here to support your projects worldwide.

Discover the difference with HiDef’s global capabilities and let us take your vision to new heights!

Yesterday HiDef gathered together to attend and listen to Andy’s Man Club facilitates groups where men aged 18 and above can speak openly about their issues in a non judgmental environment through shared experiences.

Please visit their website here: Andy’s Man Club | #ITSOKAYTOTALK | Andy’s Man Club (andysmanclub.co.uk) where you can find more information, the work they do is incredible so please donate if you can.

Remember…ITS OK TO TALK.

Last week the HiDef Consultancy Team spent two days in Anstruther, Fife discussing their achievements over the past year and setting goals for the months ahead, topped off by a field trip to the Isle of May!

The team saw a wide variety of breeding seabirds, such as kittiwake, guillemot and razorbill, and were lucky enough to see nesting Arctic tern, who have returned to nest on the island after no breeding attempts in 2023. The marine mammalogists were also kept happy by lots of grey seals!

Special thanks to Mark Newell UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and David Steel NatureScot who guided the team round the island and gave some interesting and informative talks on seabird ecology and survey methodologies.

HiDef attended the All Energy conference this week. It’s been great chatting with so many of you, discussing future projects and our services. We hope to see you all again next year!

HiDef have been busy at the European Cetacean Society conference this week 10th-12th April.

Jaz Harker talked about the winter distributions of common dolphin in the Irish and Celtic Seas and implications for assessment of anthropogenic impacts.

A poster by Ruth Peters-Grundy assesses diving information for cetaceans with a view to correcting abundance estimates for availability bias.

For those attending the event, there’s still time to come say hello!

Today HiDef celebrates all the women who achieve and contribute massively to this great company.

It is a day when women are recognised for their achievements, so here’s to another great year crushing it!

Masters project available with HiDef Aerial Surveying Limited (Jaz Harker and Will Peden) on the impact of avian flu on gannet populations in the British Isles!

Available through MASTS Scotland, link to project information is here: https://lnkd.in/eHBye5ps

Please get in touch if you want to hear more about the project through LinkedIn or the contact details provided in the project proposal form.

This is the link to the official project page: https://masts.ac.uk/graduate-school/making-the-most-of-masters/further-background/.

Contacts:

Jaz Harker (Senior Ecological Consultant) –  jaz.harker@hidefsurveying.co.uk

William Penden (Senior Data Scientist) – william.peden@hidefsurveying.co.uk