Wind Farm fatality surveys
July 2024
Field Experience with Conservation Detection Dogs in Northern Ireland
By Natasha
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Ireland to shadow Caroline Finley of Conservation Detection Dogs Northern Ireland during wind farm surveys. The experience was both insightful and inspiring, offering valuable hands-on exposure to the practical aspects of conservation detection work.
During my time in the field, I gained a deeper understanding of how surveys are conducted, including dog handling techniques, data collection processes, and the use of technical equipment. It was a privilege to observe best practices in action and to contribute to meaningful conservation work.
I returned confident that the NHU Dog Team is fully equipped to undertake these types of surveys to a high professional standard—though this comes as no surprise. I look forward to returning in the future with our dogs to continue our professional development and to further enhance our capabilities in this field.
Bedbug Detection Dogs
Preparing Molly and Wren for NASDU Bedbug Detection Certification
By Natasha
We’ve been diligently working to get both Molly and Wren qualified as NASDU-certified bedbug detection dogs. Independent assessment is a vital part of our process—it ensures that both handlers and dogs meet industry standards, and provides an unbiased evaluation of our performance and effectiveness.
Our goal is to complete certification by April, enabling us to offer a highly trained, two-dog team for bedbug detection services. These services will be available to both private clients and pest control companies seeking reliable and efficient support. Our dogs have demonstrated a 90% detection success rate in rigorous double-blind and scenario-based trials conducted throughout their training and assessment.
In comparison, traditional passive detection methods such as bedbug traps yield only about 20% success, while human inspections range between 50–80%. Detection dogs offer a superior solution—capable of screening large venues quickly and enhancing the accuracy of human inspections.
If you're a pest control provider in the South West interested in partnering with a professional detection dog team, we’d love to hear from you.
March 2024
Biosecurity Demostrations and Talk with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust
February 2024
Promoting Biosecurity on the Isles of Scilly with Conservation Detection Dogs
By Natasha
Wren and I recently had the privilege of travelling to the Isles of Scilly to support the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust in their public engagement efforts and to promote the vital role conservation detection dogs can play in island biosecurity.
The seabird populations on these islands have evolved over millions of years in isolation, free from mainland predators such as stoats, hedgehogs, foxes, and rats. However, the accidental introduction of invasive species—particularly rats—poses a significant threat to these fragile ecosystems. The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust is leading efforts to strengthen biosecurity and rat eradication measures to protect breeding seabird colonies and other native wildlife.
Invasive species are non-native organisms introduced to new environments where they can proliferate rapidly and cause serious ecological, environmental, and economic harm. Their presence on the islands would introduce a new predation pressure, especially in seabird nesting areas, which are among the most vulnerable habitats.
Traditional biosecurity measures on the islands include passive monitoring tools such as wax chew blocks (to detect teeth marks), ink cards (to record footprints), rope guards on boats, and camera traps. However, these methods depend on the invasive species encountering and interacting with the monitoring stations. Detection dogs offer a more proactive, high-sensitivity solution.
Biosecurity detection dogs, trained to detect live rats, carcasses, urine, faeces, and even strands of fur, can significantly enhance early detection capabilities. They can be deployed to inspect island-bound cargo and vessels, support passive surveillance, and respond rapidly to suspected incursions.
During our visit, Wren demonstrated her detection skills using Kong as a training scent to showcase how dogs could be integrated into the Isles of Scilly’s biosecurity strategy.
This collaboration underscores the importance of combining active and passive monitoring techniques to protect ecologically sensitive areas like the Isles of Scilly.
Reference: Biosecurity for Life, 2021.
Demonstrations and talks
Engaging with Future Conservationists and Industry Professionals
By Natasha
We've had a busy and rewarding season engaging with universities, colleges, and private companies to showcase our dogs’ impressive scent detection abilities and to promote the growing role of conservation detection dogs in ecological work.
At Bath Spa University, we had the opportunity to inspire students and discuss how detection dogs can be integrated into ecological surveys. Molly and Wren gave a live demonstration, highlighting the key traits we look for in prospective detection dogs and offering a glimpse into the role of play in training. River also joined us to demonstrate mantrailing techniques, which sparked great interest.
We were also pleased to visit Bicton College, where both Molly and Wren again demonstrated their conservation detection skills to an enthusiastic audience. In addition to academic visits, we’ve been involved in private training days with companies interested in scentwork and scent detection training—an exciting sign of the sector's growth and interest in canine-assisted survey methods.
These events not only allow us to educate others but also to build strong connections with those passionate about conservation, detection work, and the future of animal-assisted surveys.
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Link to future article : Detection dogs – Bath Spa University
February 2024
Bat and Bird Detection Training
December 2023
Winter Training Update: Wren Prepares for Bat and Bird Mortality Surveys
By Natasha
Over the winter months, we’ve been focusing on advancing Wren’s training by imprinting her on the scents of deceased bats and birds, in preparation for future operational work on bat and bird mortality surveys.
Wren has already demonstrated a high level of proficiency in detecting her initial training odour (Kong) and has successfully transitioned to target scents. Her accuracy and enthusiasm in the field show great promise, and we’re excited to announce that she will be ready for operational deployment in 2024.
We’re proud of Wren’s progress and look forward to seeing her contribute to important conservation efforts. Stay tuned for updates as she begins her fieldwork!
Mantrailing
November 2023
Expanding Skills: Beginning Our Mantrailing and Tracking Journey
By Natasha
This month, River and I began our journey into mantrailing and tracking as part of our ongoing commitment to developing scentwork expertise and enhancing handler skills.
I’ve been truly amazed by River’s natural ability to locate a person she has never met, simply by using a scent article such as a glove, sock, or hat. Watching her confidently follow a trail and successfully locate the target is a powerful reminder of just how extraordinary a dog’s nose truly is.
This new area of training is not only expanding our practical skill set but also deepening my understanding of canine scent detection. I’m excited to continue progressing with River on this path and to see where this journey takes us.
LANTRA Accredited Conservation Detection Dog Handler
November 2023
Course Milestone: LANTRA-Accredited Conservation Detection Dog Handler Certification
By Natasha
This year, I successfully completed the LANTRA-Accredited Conservation Detection Dog Handler course—an intensive and comprehensive programme focused on best practices in detection dog handling, welfare, and operational safety, alongside key elements of environmental awareness and habitat management.
Throughout the course, I had the opportunity to work with a variety of dog breeds at different stages of training, gaining valuable hands-on experience and broadening my understanding of how to adapt handling techniques across different working styles.
Wren also had the opportunity to take part in some of the environmental searches during the course and performed exceptionally well, confidently detecting her training odour (Kong) with precision and enthusiasm.
This certification marks an important step in my professional development, and I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge gained in future conservation projects.
Wren's Training Log
Tracking Progress: Building Wren’s Detection Training Log
By Natasha
Wren is currently in the process of developing a comprehensive training log to systematically track her progress across key detection competencies. This log includes detailed data on search sensitivity, recall reliability, emergency stop responsiveness, search effort, and overall search efficiency.
Maintaining this structured approach allows us to monitor her development over time, identify areas for refinement, and ensure she continues progressing to a high operational standard. It also provides valuable documentation to support her readiness for future field deployments.
We’re excited to see how Wren continues to grow as a skilled and reliable conservation detection dog.
June 2023
PTES Water Vole Surveys
April 2023/ May 2024
2024/25 Update: Supporting Water Vole Conservation with Detection Surveys
By Natasha
We are proud to continue our involvement in voluntary water vole surveys as part of the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) National Water Vole Monitoring Programme (NWVMP). Each year, we contribute to this important initiative—and this season, Wren performed exceptionally well, locating latrines even in challenging search environments.
Water voles are a vulnerable native species whose decline began in the mid-20th century, largely due to agricultural intensification. However, their most dramatic population crash occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, following the illegal release and rapid spread of American mink—an invasive predator that continues to pose a serious threat. In just a decade, water vole numbers plummeted by nearly 90%.
Launched in 2015, the NWVMP aims to map the distribution and abundance of water voles across Britain, providing essential data to guide national conservation efforts.
Only fully trained detection dogs and qualified handlers are deployed for this type of specialist survey work, ensuring both accuracy and minimal environmental disruption.
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