I studied for my degree in biology at the University of Derby mostly focussing on ecology, animal behaviour and evolution. During my time there I completed a field study investigating the impact of urbanisation on biodiversity. I also completed a pilot study developing a method of identifying individual common seals from photographs. Following my time at Derby I moved to Durham University to study for a masters degree with a project examining the possibility that ‘personality’ is linked to female mate choice in grey seals. I then completed my PhD at the University of Aberystwyth where I studied the impacts of urbanisation on the behaviour of passerine birds.
Any questions or comments? I would love to hear from you! You can leave a comment on one of my posts or email me at samuelhardman [at] hotmail [dot] com
Ecologica 
As a keen Ornithologist and seasonal Bird Researcher, I would sure like to hear more about how your PhD looking at the effects of anthropogenic noise on bird song goes.
Best Wishes
Tony
Hi Tony, I will most certainly let you know. I’m planning to write about on here within the next week or so and I will keep the blog updated with anything new and interesting that I find. Out of interest what kind of research do you do?
Best wishes,
Sam
Hi Sam,
I’m currently involved in a farmland hedgerow survey, which you can read about via my LinkedIn page. Like you, I hope to update this Blog and my other one further with posts related to my seasonal work and volunteering.
Best Wishes
Tony
Now following your blog, Sam.
Keep doing what you’re doing.
Best Wishes
Tony
Thanks Tony! I do plan to write more very soon, I have just moved to a new town and a new university which has slowed me down a bit! Fingers crossed I’ll be back very shortly.
Greetings, Sam. Interesting studies and topics – natural history is fast changing with the impact of urbanisation. I’ll be following with interest – though I don’t have a scientific background , I keenly observe the action here at the urban edge (Cape Town). It is alarming to note how many species are disappearing with the onslaught of expanding city boundaries, but also fascinating to see the eco-niche dwellers taking up spaces within.
Will be following your topics with interest.
Best wishes, Liz.
Hi Liz, thanks for your comment. It is indeed alarming to see what is happening to many species as urban areas expand, but also fascinating to see how some mange to adapt to it. I really like your blog, particularly the photos which are amazing. I will be following with interest!
P.S. We have the same surname. There aren’t many Hardmans around!
We have overlapping interests – i was recently reading about the influence of bird song on that of the classical composers’ music and on which symphonies correlated to particular birds. Your studies on the reverse and influence of urban areas on passerines will be interesting to read. Am looking forward to that.
I’m fortunate living here in a city bordering on the edges of the proclaimed Table Moutain National Park and it’s chain of moutains running through the peninsula. Several different biomes from afromontane to wetlands and strandveld coastal are represented within a very diverse fynbos floral kingdom. Having a porous urban edge makes for a dynamic human/wildlife interface🙂
Have to note that the Hardmans are a great species 😊 i married into the Yorkshire family branch. My father-in-law was one of 14 siblings and the family links going further back had German connections 😊
Hello Sam,
I have a few personal stories of my own with urban bird life. I’m trying to reach out to Ornithologist to understand more about my direct experiences with urban crows. Crows are exceptionally clever and loyal to a fault. If you have any information or ideas regarding my experiences over the last two years with a small crow group I’d very much appreciate at the time. I hope you start blogging again soon since I’ll be looking to include other accounts by people and researchers in my own blog.