Maggie Watson

she/her

Senior Marine Scientist

RPS
Consulting

Discipline

Conservation, Ectoparasites

Regional Focus

Australia

Years Active

More than 20 years

Species Focus

Gulls and Terns (Laridae)

Tell us about your work with seabirds.

I started working with seabirds for my Masters on post-fledging parental care in roseate terns with Ian Nisbet and Jeremy Hatch. I then did a PhD on ectoparasites in crested terns in Australia. I landed a university position in 2016 at an inland university in Australia, so I stopped doing seabird research for a while, but have recently left the university and am now back working with seabirds as a consultant!

What advice would you offer to individuals aspiring to pursue a career as seabird scientists?

Never give up, never surrender! If you witness bullying or harassment, call it out. Academia is not the only place you can do seabird work. Go to conferences and network.

Maggie Watson at Lancelin Island, Western Australia, with a brown noddy on her head.

Email:

ternscape@gmail.com

Website:

https://terngirl.com/

Twitter:

@terngirl

Instagram: