# Amy Robjohns (@amythebirder.eurosky.social)

Profile: https://sifa.id/p/amythebirder.eurosky.social
Headline: Ecologist (GIS/data focused) studying GISc masters.

## About

Ecologist (GIS based- *not* consultant) at HBIC working with biological records, habitat data, and designated sites.

I am also studying (distance learning) an MSc in Geographical Information Science at the University of Leeds while working full time - improving GIS skills/knowledge, Excel, data visualisation and learning R (so far). Outside of work I am the Hampshire Ornithological Society's Assistant Recorder where I help verify bird species data, and have excellent bird identification and fieldcraft skills.

## Career

- **Ecologist at Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre** (Oct 2023 - Present)
  Responsibilities: Data requests, screening planning applications, digitising Phase 2 habitat survey data and aerial photo interpretation to provide up to date broad and priority habitat maps in Hampshire, proof reading and compiling survey reports, occasional bird surveys, data collation at bioblitz events, and producing updated broad and priority habitat layers. For the past two and a half years I have been focusing on improving the habitat layers for the Hampshire Local Nature Recovery Network (LNRS), and digitising sites to be included in the LNRS, and wrote about the priority bird species and assemblages. The LNRS was launched on 8th December 2025. Recently produced a guide on using ArcGIS Pro and ran a training session for my team to help with the migration over to ArcGIS Pro.
- **Freelance Writer at Warners Group Publications** (Sep 2022 - Oct 2025)
  Monthly column about local patch birding for three years. The first two years focused on target species and habitats to visit each month and the third year looked at my highlights from a decade of covering my local patch Titchfield Haven. Also a full feature article titled "Trains of thought" about my experience of birding by public transport. As part of the 'Train of thought' article I looked into which RSPB and WWT reserves were accessible by public transport using Google Maps (hope to do proper analysis in future) so I could suggest the top five reserves to visit, discussed some of the challenges of relying on public transport such as declining funding and services, and car dependency.
- **Assistant Ecologist at Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre** (Jun 2018 - Sep 2023)
  Responsibilities: Data requests, screening planning applications, digitising Phase 2 habitat survey data, proof reading and compiling survey reports, and data entry at bioblitz events. I also undertook bird movement surveys during the winter of 2020-2021, and designed and undertook bird surveys at two coastal sites in Hampshire where I was monitoring overwintering birds on the rising tide. The results were digitised using ArcMap to show which areas were being used as the tide rose.
- **Assistant Coastal Surveyor at Coastal Partners** (May 2015 - May 2018)
  Ornithological watching briefs for sea defence projects (Hill Head and Tipner Lake) and weekly written reports summarising daily sightings, locations of birds, and any disturbances. Bimonthly surveys on South Hayling Island, and GIS analysis of Solent Bird Studies results https://coastalpartners.org.uk/news/solent-bird-studies/  Also contributed to the Solent Birds Studies preparation and participation by recruiting and contacting volunteers, drafting documents project instructions, helping to manage social media and undertaking bird movement surveys. I also had the opportunity to attend meetings about the Solent Wader and Brent Goose Strategy.
- **Ecological Project Assistant at ecosupport Ltd.** (Jun 2015 - Sep 2015)
  Hampshire, England, GB
  Undertook dawn and dusk bat surveys in Hampshire, averaging two a week.

## Publications

- Patch tales: Patience and Happenstance, In The Complete Guide to Patch Birding by Ed Stubbs — Bloomsbury (Aug 2026) https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/complete-guide-to-patch-birding-9781399419697/
- Birding books for the Lymington and Milford area — BirdGuides / Warners Group Publications (Feb 2026) https://www.birdguides.com/reviews/birding-books-for-the-lymington-and-milford-area/
- First for Hampshire: Forster's Tern at Hill Head — Hampshire Bird Report 2023 (Nov 2024)
- Cycling Thoughts — Low Carbon Birding (Javier Caletrío) (Jan 2023) https://lowcarbonbirding.net/2023/01/15/cycling-thoughts/
- BTO BirdTrack app for iOS and Android — BirdGuides / Warners Group Publications (Nov 2022) https://www.birdguides.com/reviews/bto-birdtrack-app-for-ios-and-android/
- Chapter in Low Carbon Birding — Pelagic Publishing (Sep 2022) https://pelagicpublishing.com/products/low-carbon-birding
- Train of Thought — Birdwatch Magazine / Warners Group Publications (Sep 2022)
- Patch birding: Titchfield Haven — BirdGuides/Warners Group Publications (Nov 2019) https://www.birdguides.com/articles/where-to-watch/patch-birding-titchfield-haven/
- Caspian Stonechat at Titchfield Haven: first Hampshire record of this distinctive race — Hampshire Bird Report 2016 (Nov 2017) https://www.hos.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Hampshire-Bird-Report-2016.pdf
- My patch – Titchfield Haven — British Birds (Aug 2017)

## Skills

### Technical
- Microsoft Access
- R (Programming Language)
### Business
- Writing
### Other
- Data Verification
- Ecology
- Environmental Awareness
- Environmental Science
- Field Work
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- raster analysis
- Recorder
- Report Writing
- Responsible AI
- Spatial Analysis
- Species Identification
- SPSS Statistics
- Survey Methodology

## Credentials

- Balancing Work and Life — LinkedIn (Sep 2026) https://www.linkedin.com/learning/certificates/cf03db81b9280a790919fa39b22cd748a898db19a3dfe7a1cb73df2c592b1733
- When to Use AI (and When Not To): Practical Judgment at Work — LinkedIn (Sep 2026) https://www.linkedin.com/learning/certificates/095f4fccc8683e6dc059af90835818c8dcc20976952946337f82b22e68c6ad93
- Responsible AI: Principles and Practical Applications — LinkedIn (Aug 2026) https://www.linkedin.com/learning/certificates/93785c0531b3b632f9704481aedcb94b8d3d28c180e303be399a9e5b12f17924

## Education

- **University of Leeds** — Geographical Information Science (Master) (Oct 2025 - Present)
  Distance learning course to further develop my GIS and data skills and knowledge. So far I have completed four modules:
  \- GIS Data Visualisation and Analysis 1 & 2 which included an introduction to ArcGIS Pro, spatial analysis, network analysis, raster analysis, and statistical analysis using SPSS. I was then able to provide ArcGIS Pro training to colleagues in preparation for migrating from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro.
  \- Professional and Personal Development which introduced me to QGIS and Map Idea, as well as intermediate Microsoft Excel skills and research design.
  \- Visualisation for Geographic Data Science using R and RStudio which introduced me to data visualisation with R, including how and why to use data graphics during data analysis, and learning R as I hadn’t previously done much programming.
- **University of Southampton** — Environmental Sciences (Bachelor) (Sep 2013 - Jul 2016)
  Modules included:
  \- Environmental Field Techniques and Applications, and Environmental Field Studies which involved two field courses (Devon and Dorset) where I developed field skills and undertook group research projects looking at the impact of managed realignment on birds at Dawlish Warren and RSPB Lytchett Fields. During the Dorset field , I also recorded moth species which were attracted to the accommodation security lights and visible migration pre-breakfast
  \- GIS for Environmental Scientists, and GIS
  \- Environmental Functions and Applications which introduced me to GIS and included some basic modelling, as well as spatial analysis and cartography
  \- Research Project Development which included a literary review about ornithological recording schemes in the UK
  \- Environmental Impact Assessment, and Environmental Law and Management
  \- Quantitative Methods
  \- an introduction to SPSS and statistical analysis
  \- a number of ecology modules such as Spatial Ecology and Conservation
  Activities & Societies: Took part in the University Birdwatch Challenge and was the runner up which resulted in a week on Unst, Shetland in October 2014. This included organising a guided walk at Southampton led by an experienced local birdwatcher, and a trip to Titchfield Haven NNR: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/news/2014/10/29_birdwatching_trip_shetland.page Also some conversation work parties, other birdwatching daytrips, and brass bands (university & local bands).

## Courses

- Identiplant (BSBI)
- Data Camp - Introduction to Python
- Data Camp - Introduction to SQL

## Awards

- Dawn Trenchard prize (Jul 2016)
  Awarded to the student who most embodies the ‘spirit of environmental sciences’ for the enthusiasm I showed towards the course and birding during the three years of university.
- Recognition for biological recording (May 2014)
  Gifted a copy of the 2007-2012 Bird Atlas of Britain and Ireland for monitoring and recording birds mainly on the university campus as part of the University Birdwatch Challenge, and also further afield.

## Involvement

### Volunteering
- Hampshire Ornithological Society (Jun 2020 - Present)
  Assistant Recorder
  Voluntary role assisting the County Recorder and Database Manager with verifying bird species records in Hampshire and contribute to the Hampshire Bird Report. There are currently about 800,000+ records submitted annually. I am also a voting member on the HOS Records Panel who verify the county level rarities and scarcities in Hampshire. I am the first female to take up this position.
- British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) (Jul 2015 - Present)
  Volunteer bird surveyor
  Undertake the Wetlands Bird Survey and Breeding Bird Survey
- RSPB (Jan 2017 - Feb 2017)
  Residential Volunteer
  Residential Volunteer at Frampton Marsh for 8 weeks. Tasks include passerine surveys, Wetland Bird Survey, fencing, data entry, path management, weekly meter readings, and vehicle maintenance.
- RSPB (Jun 2015 - Jul 2015)
  Volunteer Assistant Warden
  4-week work experience involved monitoring the nesting seabirds on the islands in Langstone Harbour by boat. This included nest counts, regular colony counts to monitor the breeding success of each species and tern chick provisioning surveys on behalf of Natural England. The data collected contributed towards the designation of the Solent and Dorset Coasts SPA.
- Hampshire County Council (Jul 2014 - Aug 2014)
  Volunteer Assistant Ranger
  Work experience based at Manor Farm Country Park for 2 weeks and Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve for 3 weeks. Tasks included vegetation management, high tide roost counts, fencing, and helping to manage social media accounts.
- RSPB (Jun 2014 - Jul 2014)
  Volunteer Assistant Warden
  4-week work experience involved monitoring the nesting seabirds on the islands in Langstone Harbour by boat. This included nest counts, regular colony counts to monitor the breeding success of each species and reviewing camera trap footage to record Little Tern chick provisioning.
- Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (Feb 2013 - Sep 2013)
  Work party volunteer
  Weekly conservation work party sessions at Farlington Marshes during a semi-gap year. Tasks included fencing, vegetation management, building a wooden bridge, and surveys.

## Languages

- English (native)

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/amy-robjohns