WOMEN IN SEABIRD SCIENCE
Vickie Heaney
she/her
Seabird Ecologist & Guide
Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust
Discipline
Conservation, Public/Community Engagement, Reproductive Biology & Life History, Science Communication
Regional Focus
Isles of Scilly; Antarctica
Years Active
More than 20 years
Species Focus
Auks (Alcidae), Albatrosses (Diomedeidae), Storm-Petrels (Hydrobatidae & Oceanitidae), Gulls and Terns (Laridae), Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae), Penguins (Spheniscidae)
Tell us about your work with seabirds.
I am a seabird ecologist based on the Isles of Scilly, where I have monitored breeding seabirds since the Seabird 2000 census. My work focuses on conserving key breeding populations, particularly through island restoration projects benefitting Manx shearwater and storm petrel in particular. Before Scilly I did a PhD on Common Terns on Coquet Island, Northumberland. During the Northern winter, I work as an ornithologist guide on expedition cruise ships, exchanging puffins for penguins. Alongside my scientific work, I run a small open-print studio in Scilly, creating linocut prints inspired by seabirds and island life.
What advice would you offer to individuals aspiring to pursue a career as seabird scientists?
As ever, volunteering is the best way to make contacts and learn the trade. Be curious and make friends - keep in touch to hear about new opportunities. If you can manage to get any seabird conferences, go! They are brilliant places to make contacts, get involved and be inspired.
A selfie of Vickie Heaney on Midway Atoll with nesting Laysan and Black-footed albatross behind her
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@vickieheaney