Niall has 11 years’ experience in the ecology and conservation sector, including seven years in ecological consultancy and four years working for NGOs and public bodies (including Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Buglife – The Invertebrate Conservation Trust, Forestry Commission Scotland and RSPB). He has a wide range of ecology skills in the areas of ornithology, protected mammals, habitat assessment (extended Phase 1, peatland condition assessment and woodland condition assessment), ECoW, invasive non-native species, as well as specialising in invertebrate ecology.
He has experience of a wide range of projects across Scotland and the British Isles including development related to wind farms, major road, rail and power infrastructure projects and housing developments at all project stages, as well as Site Condition Monitoring of protected sites, conservation research, and habitat management. Niall is experienced in designing and undertaking surveys and monitoring for birds (e.g. breeding birds, flight activity surveys, breeding raptors and foraging geese), mammals (e.g. otter, water vole, red squirrel, badger and pine marten) and invertebrates (particularly beetles, spiders and harvestmen). He has lead on invertebrate surveys in locations ranging from Hebridean islands to brownfield sites and contributes to invertebrate recording in Scotland. He has also carried out Extended Phase 1 surveys, woodland condition assessment and regeneration surveys, invasive species surveys, great crested newt surveys, desk studies and GIS mapping, as well as providing Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) services.
Niall is a member of several ecological societies including British Arachnological Society, Scottish Badgers and the British Myriapod and Isopod Group (BMIG). He is an associate member of CIEEM (ACIEEM). He also holds a current Emergency First Aid certificate, Outdoor First Aid certificate (+F), a Rescue 3 Swiftwater Rescue certificate, has completed risk assessment training (with TCV), holds a BORDA off-road driving qualification (Standard Level), NPTC Sit-Astride ATV certificate, and holds a current CSCS card.