Dr Sandie Sowler
Sandie is a zoologist that has re-invented herself many times. With an extensive background that includes, secondary school teaching in both UK and SA, university lecturing (SA), research, ecological consultancy, all culminating at the present time in her running a professional training business for ecological consultants in the UK. Sandie's PhD was on fruit bats in South Africa and her love of bats and South Africa has meant she continues to undertake some research and deliver training in South Africa in a voluntary capacity. Sandie's wealth of experience, qualifications and enthusiasm will help to steer the development of our training programmes within Bats without Borders.
Get to know Sandie
Where is your favourite place and why?
The vast spaces of the Karoo in South Africa. This wonderful landscape is awe –inspiring with its ‘big skies’, fantastic sunsets and unexpected blazes of spring colour from horizon to horizon when the semi-desert comes to life after rains.
What sparked your interest in bats?
While in my third year of a Zoology degree at University (Reading), our lecturer in Mammalogy at that time was Michael Hardy the son of Sir Alister Hardy (FRS and a famous English Marine Biologist). Michael Hardy chose Chiroptera as an order for us to concentrate on and one he was passionate about. His enthusiasm and passion coupled with a realisation that this is one of the few mammalian orders we knew very little about, fired my curiosity and desire to know more and ultimately this has become a life-long passion for me.
What is your favourite quote?
‘There is no such thing as bad weather – only bad clothing’. Particularly apt for field ecologists!
What would a typical Sunday be for you?
A leisurely breakfast, a pony & trap drive, lunch in the garden, followed by an afternoon of gardening, collecting vegetables (for dinner), then preparing Sunday dinner for the family. I am an avid vegetable grower and no Summer Sunday is complete without planting, hoeing or cropping the veggies.
The vast spaces of the Karoo in South Africa. This wonderful landscape is awe –inspiring with its ‘big skies’, fantastic sunsets and unexpected blazes of spring colour from horizon to horizon when the semi-desert comes to life after rains.
What sparked your interest in bats?
While in my third year of a Zoology degree at University (Reading), our lecturer in Mammalogy at that time was Michael Hardy the son of Sir Alister Hardy (FRS and a famous English Marine Biologist). Michael Hardy chose Chiroptera as an order for us to concentrate on and one he was passionate about. His enthusiasm and passion coupled with a realisation that this is one of the few mammalian orders we knew very little about, fired my curiosity and desire to know more and ultimately this has become a life-long passion for me.
What is your favourite quote?
‘There is no such thing as bad weather – only bad clothing’. Particularly apt for field ecologists!
What would a typical Sunday be for you?
A leisurely breakfast, a pony & trap drive, lunch in the garden, followed by an afternoon of gardening, collecting vegetables (for dinner), then preparing Sunday dinner for the family. I am an avid vegetable grower and no Summer Sunday is complete without planting, hoeing or cropping the veggies.