Not to be out done by Paul, here is a brief introduction about myself, including the obligatory picture of boat driving.
Since studying Countryside Management at Aberystwyth many moons ago I have spent my time volunteering with several charities to gain the necessary experience to work in the conservation sector. This includes over a year spent with the National Trust in Cornwall, along with turtle conservation work in Greece, with Archelon over several seasons, and in Barbados with Barbados Sea Turtle Project. Recently I completed a Masters in Biological Diversity at Plymouth University where I studied Bumble Bees for my dissertation.
This placement is a great opportunity to learn how to get involved with communities and hopefully make some difference to peoples lives, getting them to appreciate what’s on their doorstep and reap the benefits of interacting with the natural world. Hopefully individuals will make a connection with the people in their community through some of the work we do, making friends and finding others with the same interests and strengthening communities.
Since starting my placement with Butterfly Conservation Scotland I’ve been learning all that I can about butterflies and moths, or Lepidoptera as the group is known, from the Greek meaning “wings with scales”. If you look very closely at a butterfly wing you will see it is covered with 1000’s of scales that look a bit like tiny, colourful roof tiles. I have found the staff and members/volunteers within Butterfly Conservation to be a very generous group with their time and their extensive knowledge on all things Lepidoptera.
In the few weeks that I have been in my placement I have engaged with several communities, most recently at Hidden Gardens in Glasgow, helped with events such as Ecofusion; multicultural, environmental family day, been on trips into the Highlands to hunt for rare butterflies and been interviewed by Radio Scotland. As part of my role I have also been to several schools to give talks, and caterpillars always go down well with the children, subsequently I am the proud father of 3 adult moths.
Most recently I organized a moth trapping event on Butterfly Conservation Scotland’s newest reserve at Wester Moss near Stirling (below left). Whilst the weather wasn’t as predicted and was poor, even for Scotland in May, a few locals did come along to learn from 2 moth specialists who live in the area. Despite the weather we had a few interesting finds, which include:
- Birch Mocha, which is only know from 5 records in the area (and not to be found in Star Bucks)Nut-tree Tussock
- Scalloped Hazel
- Peppered Moth, famous for a dark variety that spread during the sooty days of the Industrial Revolution.
- Treble Bar
- And my personal favourite the Pebble Hooktip seen below right.
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This is my first time blogging ever and I shall be writing once a month or so, if you have any questions feel free to get in touch with me via BTCV.