Hi guys
I’m just in from a day on Cuilcagh mountain bog, where I have been doing vegetation survey work with the RSPB’s reserve ecologist. To be honest I haven’t had such a soaking in a long time! My feet looked as if they had been wrinkling in the bath for a week. I’m just about dried out now. We where recording the vegetation within 2x2m quadrats along a set transect on the bog. We were studying the change in vegetation from the last survey done 5 years ago to determine whether the bog is returning to favourable condition after years of overgrazing and burning (picture not taken today!)
I have completed my chainsaw training, I’m not going to lie, it was strenuous. The PPE was uncomfortable and the swampy conditions we were training in didn’t add to the experience. However I was given the keys to the Softrak machine at Portmore Lough reserve to take it for a spin and do a few sneaky donuts. I was also given a very nice guided tour of their fenland area, currently undergoing restoration.
Pictured is Fionnbarr my RSPB mentor
I got the opportunity to attend the RSPB Wardens Gathering last week in York. It was basically a range of talks given by wardens from all over the UK along with a few lectures from management and head ecologists at the Lodge. It was a great chance to network and probe for up-coming jobs within RSPB, not to mention a wee drink or two….
I’m back on the lough again in Fermanagh, now with only a month to go before I am de-prenticised, if that makes sense? I’m gutted, but there might be the opportunity to extend for another couple of months if funding can be sorted, to continue habitat management on the islands on the lower lough. I am presently job hunting! Interestingly there are a few attractive jobs advertised so fingers crossed.
Amy
amy.burns@rspb.org.uk