BTO Upland Rover Surveys

Red-throated diver Shetland

One of the best things about living in Shetland is the sheer volume of amazing scenery and wildlife on my doorstep. I really enjoying getting out and exploring new parts of the islands when I am not at work. As an ecologist by trade, its hard to not spend my days off doing the same thing (surely a sign that I am in the right job) so when the opportunity to carry out some Upland Rover surveys for the BTO came up, I was happy to get involved.

The Upland Rover scheme is a way of getting valuable bird data in some of the more remote parts of the country. Ideally, the surveys need two visits, one in late April/early May and one a month later although the BTO is realistic in that it understands this might not always be possible. I had two squares last year and did two surveys of each. I wasn’t sure where my work commitments would lead me this year but once I was sure I was going to be in Shetland a while longer I asked for the same squares again.

The Upland Rover project is a great way to see the more remote parts of the UK whilst adding valuable bird population data to the overall dataset.

 

Sunrise at Eshaness with Ronas Hill in background
Pair of red-throated diver one sleeping Shetland