Jake Harvey

Background

About Jake Harvey

I recently graduated with a 1st from the University of Exeter, where I studied Biosciences with a focus on Ecology and Marine Biology. For my dissertation, I conducted preliminary investigations into the ecology of Otters (Lutra lutra) on the River Otter, investigating diet and behaviour. In the field we collected spraints and recorded camera trap footage of the Otters at popular sprainting sites. In the (home) laboratory we dissected the spraints to identify the primary components of the Otter's diet. This is the first dissertation to look at this site and few other studies have looked at this historic population. We hope to publish a note on our findings, as we found contradictions to the current literature. I have previously worked as a Trainee Aviculturist for Curlew Country, a conservation charity aimed at preserving the Eurasian Curlew population of the Shropshire Hills and Welsh Marches. In this role I am assisting with the headstarting of wild collected curlew eggs, from egg collection, through incubation, hatching and brooding, up to rearing to fledging stage before they are released. Throughout this period I am also monitoring the eggs and chicks for health issues and providing first aid if required. Alongside my headstarting responsibilities I am also contributing to the publicity of the charity by generating social media posts, writing emails for the mailing list and creating videos and blogs for the website. I am now in my third season of working as an ecological consultant at GE Consulting based in the Southwest, conducting species and habitat surveys. I am beginning to develop a specialist interest in botany and birds, while keeping a general knowledge base. During this time I have developed my skills in report writing and project management as well as training new staff.