During September, the Habitat Auditing Team has been branching out, gaining experience flying drones to help survey hard-to-reach sections of the catchment. 

Cody McFarlane & Matthew Little attended a drone meetup at the Marine Scotland Freshwater Laboratory in Pitlochry, joining other fisheries trust conservationists to share knowledge and gain additional flight practice.

The event, hosted by Sean Robertson, the outgoing manager of the Scottish Fisheries Coordination Centre, provided an up-to-date overview of drone regulations and best practice guidelines. It also offered a friendly and informative environment for new conservation drone users to ask questions and exchange ideas.

Our newly acquired skills will be put to good use over the coming months as we survey the Leader, Lyne, and Upper Ettrick waters. These surveys will focus on in-stream habitat mapping to identify key river features — such as riffles, pools, and glides — that are vital to the survival of native fish species at different stages of their life cycle.