Hello, I am the new Conservation Manager for Fife and Clackmannanshire and I have taken over from Andre Thiel who is now working for Scottish Coal as a Senior Ecologist.

I am pleased to have this opportunity to introduce myself to the Fife members and to let you know what it is I do. I have moved here from Oxfordshire where I was working for English Nature, SNH’s equivalent south of the border. I was managing National Nature Reserves in the Chilterns, which were mostly chalk grassland sites. We had our own sheep flock there but they are by no means as well travelled as the Flying Flock here in Fife. Before English Nature, I worked for Clackmannanshire Council Ranger Service on a seasonal contract so I got to know that county quite well, I am now doing my best to get to know my way around Fife.

The reserves are fantastic and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work for the Trust and with the Trust members to manage these wildlife havens. Much of my time will be spent working with Reserve Convenors, the Shepherds and the Fife Conservation Team getting the practical management done. Some of this work is funded through the HLF Reserves Project but there are still many annual tasks that are carried out by the Convenors, volunteers or the Conservation Team. The Trust is also involved in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan and we can contribute to the work going on in Fife through the Trust Reserves. Development pressure locally is high and I have already had a couple of planning applications cross my desk for comments. I look forward to working with the members to help protect Wildlife Sites from insensitive development.

Over the next 12 months we will be working to improve the reserves both for wildlife and for people. This will include replacing the hide screens and improving the path at Cullaloe, stock proofing the north section of Kilminning Coast for grazing next year and creating scrapes for waders in the marsh at Bankhead Moss. We will also be lambing the Flying Flock next April, which will be very exciting.

Please do get out and visit the reserves, whether it be for views of the over-wintering wildfowl in Largo Bay from Dumbarnie Links, fantastic sphagnums on Bankhead Moss or to visit the sheep. Look at the web site for reserve details or phone me on 01324 666654 for further information.