Hello from the team

Hello! Welcome to the RSPB Shetland blog.

This is where we’ll share updates on what the team is up to across Shetland, sharing insights into our work and highlights of the fantastic species we work with.

To start with we thought we’d do some introductions to some of the team who you may see out and about across Shetland.

Kevin Kelly  - Site Manager

“Hello, my name is Kevin Kelly. After visiting Shetland for the last decade, I finally made the move here with my family 2 years ago. Originally from the North West of England, I worked at RSPB Leighton Moss for 7 years before swapping bearded tits for red-necked phalaropes and the move to Shetland.
As the Site Manager, I manage a range of habitats all across Shetland, and work hard to improve conditions for the special wildlife that lives here as well as for people to enjoy these spectacles. Through my work, I am incredibly fortunate to be able to work to improve the habitats of many priority species, as well as listen to the views of residents and visitors alike around what features they may like to see in Shetland that could benefit people and wildlife.
I have a wide interest in birds and I am especially drawn to migration, and like most, wait with anticipation for spring and autumn. Shetland is a superb location to witness this impressive natural phenomenon."

Beth Aucott - Warden

“Hi. I’m Beth and I’m the Warden for Shetland.
I’ve been involved in practical conservation for about eight years, working for several different conservation charities before joining the RSPB in 2017 where I was the Warden for the Lodge and Fowlmere reserves.
I moved to Shetland last April to start this job and it’s been an incredible year. I get to work in amazing locations, from the seabird cliffs at Sumburgh Head, to peatlands in Yell and red-necked phalarope sites in Fetlar. It’s a really varied role with lots of survey work across the summer and habitat management outside of the breeding season.
Shetland is well known for it’s birdlife but I have a real soft spot for mammals, so the days when I’ve seen otter and orca whilst working have been an absolute dream!”

Tom Allen – Assistant Warden

“Hello, I’m Tom, the Assistant Warden for the Shetland reserves. I have been with the Shetland team for the past two years. Before that I had different roles with the RSPB across the Uk including a stint on Raithin Island.
Across Shetland, my work varies day to day from the impressive seabird cliffs of Sumburgh Head, monitoring waders on the Loch of Spiggie, listening to the storm petrels on Mousa and getting dive-bombed by skuas on Lumbister.  What I love the most is splashing around in the mires in the northern isles, messing with hydrology, looking for red-necked phalaropes, and eating plenty of cake!”

Make sure you are checking back regularly to see what we’ve been up to across Shetland and to catch up on recent sightings.