The aim of the project was to enable new methodological advances in automating the monitoring of seabirds. RSPB Scotland focused on three species which are RSPB priority species and where collecting monitoring data is challenging, particularly in remote environments – Puffins, Petrels and Kittiwakes.
For kittiwakes they worked with a time-lapse photography company to design, test and build a novel long-range autonomous camera which uses time-lapse technology to gather still images of kittiwakes on their nests.
For puffins they progressed some technological solutions to the tricky problem of measuring breeding success in burrow-nesting species using inexpensive micro-computers with an array of different sensors. Acoustic recording equipment, burrow scopes and thermal binoculars were needed for monitoring storm petrels in Shetland.
Storm petrels are a challenging species to monitor as they are nocturnal and will often nest in inaccessible locations, especially in the presence of mammalian predators.
In 2021 SMEEF was able to provide a grant of £51,745 to support this work using resources from the Nature Restoration Fund.