Hello Everybody! We have a new blogger today, introducing....... actually I will let him do that himself.....
With the first week of work now under my belt, it seems the right time to settle in and introduce myself - Chris Knowles, ecology assistant to the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative (IFLI) - at your service.
This is me! (credit: Chris Knowles)
My role is to survey the diverse wildlife of the area. In the past I have worked for the RSPB identifying and recording fungi on Scottish reserves, but this year I have the fantastic opportunity to record and advise on everything from tiny algae that indicate freshwater quality; through delicate wildflower communities that cling on through tidal changes; onto the pollinating bees, butterflies and other vital insects; to the locally stunning communities of birds and mammals
The Inner Forth has such a rich blend of quality habitats that I am sure to find many interesting species that either live here permanently or rely on the area for part of their lifecycle. I’ll update this blog with photos and descriptions of discoveries which I hope will be of interest, but I’m also keen to hear about your finds, photos or any wildlife-rich spots I may not know about. All this info will go to helping the organisations involved in IFLI make the best decisions to develop or conserve the Inner Forth for the future of nature, and the people who want to see it.
Muddy, saltmarsh lovlieness! (Credit: Chris Knowles)
As for my next few weeks, I need to get out there while the sun is still shining, but please do contact me via chris.knowles@rspb.org.uk
This post has been joint funded by the Forth Coastal Project and Inner Forth Landscape Initiative through the Coastal Communities Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund.