Background

I’ve worked for Natural England (and prior to this English Nature) for over 20 years. In my first role I carried out overwintering bird survey work on the Northumberland Coast to inform Special Protection Area (SPA) boundary decisions. Birds and protected sites have been central to much of my work and various roles in the organisation since then. I’m currently a Senior Ornithologist (Terrestrial and Coastal) in the Birds Team. My areas of experience include protected site designations, high risk casework and species recovery projects. I’m the Team lead on SSSI notification for birds, woodland birds, and lowland breeding waders.