Hello everyone, Amy here, last of the original 20 natural talent apprentices. You all know I’ve been studying wetlands for the past 12 months and have now handed in my last expense form. I finished on Monday with my last job being cutting rush on one of the islands on Lough Erne. It poured out of the heavens on Monday and I took it as my goodbye from Lough Erne, my final soaking as BTCV wetlands apprentice.
I’ll not repeat my whole years experience now as I have written about it in previous blogs. However I’ll just recap the fantastic opportunity BTCV bestowed upon me when I became the ‘Wetlands’ Natural Talent Apprentice.
I started working with RSPB here in Fermanagh last November, participating in all the practical management activities such as burning scrub, moving grazing stock onto the islands and strimming wet grassland for lapwings. I was sent on numerous practical courses including, chainsaw and pesticides to use on site once I’d got my ‘ticket’.
I have been all over the UK this year including Uist to visit Kieren and all his fantastic birds and to assist him with a few BWS (breeding wader surveys) all the way down to London to attend the RSPB induction course at HQ. I’ve visited a host of RSPB wetland reserves including, Insh marshes in Scotland, Blacktoft sands in Yorkshire and Portmore in Antrim to understand the various types of management that are needed for each distinct wetland habitat. I had a great time when ever I got the opportunity to attend workshops and BioBlitz’s organised by BTCV Scotland. It’s just the sense of satisfaction I got knowing I imparted a little bit of knowledge unto those who may not pay any notice to our natural world.
I’d just like to thank BTCV for their superb apprenticeship scheme and all their help and support over the past 12 months. Most importantly I’d like to thank John McFarlane aka the ‘BOSS’ for his incredible enthusiasm for natural talent and his contagious attitude towards our natural heritage and how it should be celebrated/explored/examined…ect by everyone!
So what’s on the cards?! I have been very fortunate in that I will continue to work with RSPB on Lough Erne over the winter. Always keeping my eyes peeled for the ‘perfect job’.
Please keep in touch amy.burns@rspb.org.uk
I’d be more than happy to offer advice or answer any questions you may have.