Thomas Churchyard

Experience

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  Mauritian Wildflife Foundation

  May 2008 - May 2009

  Senior Field Biologist, Pink Pigeon Project

  •Monitoring of Sub-population of the endangered Pink Pigeon, ringing birds, disease screening, biometrics, nest monitoring and predator control.•Responsible for a remote field station. •Training of new volunteers.•Coordinated translocation of young Pink Pigeons.

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  Mauritian Wildlife Foundation

  Jun 2009 - Jun 2010

  Round Island Warden

  •Co-coordinating the restoration and monitoring on the protected nature reserve, Round Island.•Monitoring Seabird and Reptile populations.•Fitting Geo-locators to Seabirds.•Restoration of hardwood forest.•Propagation and monitoring of Critically Endangered endemic plants.•Communicating with governmental departments.•Working on a small remote Island with small groups of people.•Coordinating Volunteers and assisting visiting scientists.

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  RSPB

  May 2011 - Sept 2011

  Corncrake Field Assistant

  •Nocturnal surveys of RSPB Nene Washes to locate singing male Corncrakes.•Assist with catching of calling males.•Husbandry of young Corncrakes whilst in Nene Washes pens, full responsibility for feeding chicks, organising food supply, and any health issues.•Arrange pick-up and release dates with veterinary staff at ZSL Whipsnade, expected number and due dates.•Assist with the release of captive bred Corncrakes onto the Nene Washes reserve.

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  BirdLife International

  Sept 2012 - Dec 2012

  Pacific Research Assistant

  Compiled the BirdLife report 'Important Areas For Seabirds - guiding marine conservation in the Pacific' available here - http://www.birdlife.org/community/2012/12/key-sites-for-seabird-conservation-identified-in-the-tropical-pacific/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=key-sites-for-seabird-conservation-identified-in-the-tropical-pacificCollated and analysed data for all known seabird colonies for Pacific Island nations. Identified new Important Bird Areas and up dated all site entries on the World Bird/Biodiversity Database.Collated data on known alien invasive species on Pacific islands to assist future decisions on eradications. Show less

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  RSPB

  Jan 2013 - now

  In this role I head up the RSPB Outer Hebrides team delivering conservation work across the Outer Hebrides. Our work includes but is not limited to:- Management of five reserves- Large scale project development and delivery (for example delivering parts of partnership project Species on The Edge)- Supporting crofters to access agri-environment scheme options that are good for nature (corncrake, waders)- Species survey and productivity work- Responding to casework- Public engagement across the Outer Hebrides (such as guided walks, exhibitions and a key role in the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival)- Maintaining biosecurity practices on the Shiant Isles- Providing advice to estates and land managers Show less Maternity cover post project managing the RSPBs Shiant Isles Restoration Project. This project will secure the future of the seabirds of the Shiant Isles (a small group of islands in the Minch between the Isle of Skye and the Isles of Harris and Lewis), through eradicating invasive black rats over the winter of 2015/16.My role includes managing all aspects of the project from contractors to communications and dangling around on ropes applying bait to difficult to access areas on the islands. Show less

  • Island Area Manager - Outer Hebrides

    Nov 2022 - now

  • Senior Project Manager

    Nov 2018 - Nov 2022

  • Programme Manager - Inner Forth Landscape Initiative

    Mar 2017 - Oct 2018

  • Project Manager - Shiant Isles Seabird Restoration Project

    Oct 2015 - Feb 2017

  • Senior Research Assistant

    Jan 2013 - Sept 2015