It's that time where we begin planning what we want to do and achieve in the next year. To help inspire you with your goals here are some of the fun wildlife resolutions from some of the staff here at RSPB Scotland. We hope you have a happy new year!
RSPB Scotland's wildlife resolutions
Ian Francis, Area Manager North East Scotland
I’m going to try and get out to our amazing reserve of Ramna Stacks & Gruney, in Shetland – great for sea birds and we need to check out the Leach’s petrels there if we can – but it is very inaccessible and remote, and the weather usually stops planned attempts - it’s incredibly difficult for the RSPB Scotland team to get there! This is all part of making sure the national seabird census is complete by 2020.
Massimo Prosdocimi, Conservation Advisor:
'My resolution this year is definitely to see a goshawk!'
Molly Martin, Communications officer:
'My New Year’s resolution for 2020 is to do five wild swims in different seas, lochs, or rivers. I love swimming in the sea and go every year to the west coast of Scotland for my annual dip, but I’ve never really swam in a river or loch before! I’m not putting a time on this though, as I think I’d prefer to do them in summer!'
Sadie Gorvett, Dolphinwatch Community Engagement Officer:
I’d like to do more paddle boarding, so I hopefully have more marine encounters! I’d particularly like to see a dolphin whilst on my paddle board, but obviously not get too close as this would disturb and possible injure the dolphin.
Jana Schultes, Volunteer development officer:
'My resolutions for 2020 are to: Help out on one of our North Scotland conservation projects for my RSPB staff volunteer day, explore Shetland and Orkney to see and learn about their wildlife and natural environment, build out some sustainable wildlife adventures to see puffins, otters and orcas, participate in a local climate emergency/zero waste group and bring my own reusable containers for takeaways'
Hywel Maggs, Senior Conservation Officer:
'I am setting myself a target of cycling at least 5000 miles next year. Much of this will be commuting, thus reducing carbon emissions but some will be for pleasure of course.'
Kirsty Nutt, Country Communications Manager:
'My resolution is to do more hill walking, so I can go and see dotterel which live at high altitudes'
Jenny Weston, Conservation Officer:
'I’ve always been a big believer in the 3Rs but that now seems to have been expanded so I’m becoming more mindful of REFUSE as the first line of defence in the war on plastic/stuff and REPAIR. We are making a real effort on reducing our plastic at home (in particular batch cooking and in the bathroom) and looking to source more food locally adding to our current local veg box by more trips to the farmers market. In terms of getting outside we’re making a push on making sure our daughter experiences the natural world as a normal part of everyday life.'
Christina Skounti, Education Families and Youth Officer:
'This year I would like to explore more approaches to zero waste and learn more about food waste and how to be more sustainable with my food choices.'
Joanne Simpson, Events Co-ordinator:
'My New Year’s resolution is to finally see a puffin. Growing up in Edinburgh means I’ve never had the opportunity to see them but 2020 is the Year of Coasts and Waters and I plan to travel around Scotland more this year. I aim to see more of our beautiful coastal wildlife and seabirds, and puffins are definitely at the top of my list. I’ve always adored them and learning more through Puffarazzi has made me fall in love with them even more. Plus, the Porgs from Star Wars are based on them – what else do I need to say!?'
Let us know your resolutions in the comments!