Paws For Conservation

29/05/2026

A very warm week completed at our wind farm in Scotland.

100% efficiency results achieved in higher temperatures, with no wind or a breeze to aid. We had to adapt our searches to ensure welfare of the dogs was maintained, this involved shorter stints for each dog (hence why there should always be a minimum of two dogs) and some working on lead where appropriate. (For the likes of Harley who doesn’t acknowledge that it is in fact… very very warm). 🤣

The dogs successfully located fresh, decayed and wings of bats in a variety of habitats.

We also had our first operational bat find of this year….. found by Max! … yes, the retired boy still getting results.

Max accompanies me to all sites, and I pop out a carcass for him to find on some turbines so he still feels like he’s working, he absolutely loves to work!
On this occasion, Max started his searching and located an operational find. Well done Max! 🎉
Next week the searches ramp up as we head into another busy summer season.

19/05/2026

We’ve been working all over the country assisting with GCN projects recently. Our dogs have successfully located GCN, significantly sped up progression on high profile projects, avoided costly delays and increased efficiency.

Sharing some photos from the past few weeks of our Great crested newt surveys!

29/04/2026

Our bat and bird carcass surveys continue throughout spring. We’re blessed with some sunshine this week in Scotland, a lovely change from the usual rain!

The dogs are working fantastically well off lead through some tough vegetation and uncovering some impressive finds.

Our dogs are trained to work both on and off lead. We generally work on lead if requested by the client, if livestock is present or for safety purposes.

Whist off lead, they are trained to work ahead of the handler on a transect covering the area efficiently. The majority of our efficiency trials on wind farms are carried out with the dogs off lead, and with over 80 trials completed on operational sites, we currently sit at over 90% efficiency overall.

We’re looking forward to a busy season of wind farm work this season collecting valuable data with our super team of dogs. 🦇🦅

23/04/2026

Stig is dog of the day!

He successfully located two juvenile GCN that were well hidden in a rotten log!

This site is a large and has complex areas, we originally began work here last year but didn’t find any GCN. In honesty we weren’t expecting anything today, particularly in the areas we were focusing our efforts.

Our project aim is to see if GCN are present and if so, where. This will help map out areas that require licenses for translocation.

We’re looking forward to continuing to assist with this project throughout the year. 🦎🐾

16/04/2026

Happy 13th Birthday, Max! 🐾

I honestly can’t believe how fast the years have flown by. From a successful agility dog to an incredible conservation dog directly helping reduce bat fatalities, but above all, my constant companion and true soul dog.

He’s been fully embracing his first year of retirement, becoming an expert at making sure no lunch goes to waste while still “supervising” his colleagues out on the wind farms.

His hearing is fading a little now, and I recently caught myself thinking (and shedding a few tears) that one day he won’t hear me tell him he’s a good boy… but that doesn’t change a thing. He will always, always be the goodest boy. ❤️

And yes, he’s had another McDonald’s for a birthday treat (plain burger) and steak for tea later!

14/04/2026

Our superstar Willow featuring in another article regarding her important work detecting Ips Typographus alongside the Forestry Commission and Forest Research.

NEW FEATURED ARTICLE: Help Beat the Eight-Toothed Spruce Bark Beetle

Fred Toft explains the risks of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus), shares insights into the collaborative work happening to help manage this pest, and appeals for your help.

“Stay informed, stay vigilant and don’t hesitate to report any concerns through TreeAlert.”

Image description: Willow, the detection dog, undergoing training to identify Ips typographus scent on a spruce log stack. Photo credit: Paws For Conservation

https://rfs.org.uk/insights-publications/quarterly-journal-of-forestry/qjf-featured-articles/

Forestry Commission

25/03/2026

We’re half way through our first week of GCN surveys in London.

Working alongside our clients Balfour Beatty, assisting with the Lower Thames Crossing - a major infrastructure project.
This is a long term project and we are able to offer two teams on occasion to help speed up the process in larger and more complex search areas.

20/03/2026

What a busy week it’s been!

Between two dog teams, we’ve completed three bat and bird carcass survey days in Scotland, carried out two GCN surveys across Leicester and North Wales, completed a Hazel Dormouse training day in North Wales, and presented a university lecture in Liverpool.

Now for a well earned weekend off before we both head to London on Monday for a week of GCN surveys on a major, large-scale infrastructure project.

12/03/2026

It’s been an unusually busy start to the year. The past few weeks have seen us travel up and down the country assisting with Great crested newt surveys on small and large scale projects working alongside a lot of new clients. 🦎

Our spring surveys have also begun in Scotland searching for bat and bird carcasses on wind farms. 🦇🦅

Not forgetting our continued training for the Hazel dormouse project and CT for all of our disciplines.

We’re making the most of our rare days off at the moment!

But here’s some photos documenting the most recent surveys.

20/02/2026

This job is not for the faint hearted… or those that don’t want to get a bit (or a lot) dirty!

We’ve had a tough and very full on couple of weeks of GCN surveys, and I know I keep repeating it….. but… I really mean it when I say I’m so proud of all of the dogs.

Their work ethic and enthusiasm never waivers. This job was challenging, a slightly novel approach to our search method which required the dogs to adapt…. and adapt they did!
Weather and ground conditions tested us all at times and lots of moving parts, noise and chaos.

Now if it could please stop raining. That would be great. 🌧️🦎