Hello, my name is Owen Neely and I am the new placement student with the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust. I am a 22 year old chemical engineering graduate from Queen’s University Belfast but I am from Coleraine. I have always been interested in the natural world, wildlife, bush craft and local history so my placement with the Heritage Trust is a perfect opportunity for me to learn more about local species and habitats. When I’m not working I love to surf, read and go to the pub with my friends.
At the Heritage Trust I will be undertaking a year long research project focusing on a priority species (river otters) within the Binevenagh, Causeway Coast and Antrim Coast and Glens areas of outstanding natural beauty. This project seeks to raise awareness on the current status of otters living in our waterways; hoping to provide up to date information on where otters are located giving a better picture of their distribution along our rivers and the coast. After completing my research on otters I will begin a study into coastal cliff habitats but I will be continually posting updates of my research on our website and on Facebook.
If you have any information on otters around the North Coast and Glens and would like to share please contact me on our Facebook page: ‘Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust’ or email me at: Research@ccght.org
-Owen 18th September 2019.
Photo credit: Stephen Dunbar