Hi!
It’s Gwen here, the (former) Upland Invertebrates apprentice, now Head Ranger for the National Trust in Ceredigion. It’s been a whirlwind couple of months in the new job, but obviously I got my priorities right becuase I’m just preparing for a lovely BioBlitz. I’m planning to have lots and lots of recording on all my sites and I’ll be continuing to use my apprenticeship funded microscope to look at lots of lovely flies and beetles.
I’ve also had the chance to visit places like the Gower, Pembrokeshire, Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons (FOR WORK!) and was rather confused by the lack of knee deep heather compared to Scotland. Sheep grazing has meant there is very little heather compared to most of the places I worked in the Highlands, and I also have to remember I can’t just walk wherever I like any more – I am re-discovering the footpath.
The beach at Penbryn
I have managed to recruit two amazing volunteers, with hopefully more on the way and have been dealing with pigs, grazing, tenants, paths, gates, contractors, biological surveys, planning events and trying to avoid the office. I think I’m the only county in Wales with just one ranger, so it’s a lot to get my teeth into! I have some fantastic habitats to look after, including parkland with ancient trees (and associated saproxylic insects!!), oak/ash woodlands, hay meadows, rhos pasture (my new favourite habitat), beaches, rivers and uplands as well as helping look after one farm (soon to be two) with Welsh Black cattle, Llanwenog sheep, six Welsh ponies and Welsh pigs.
I’ll let you know how the BioBlitz goes and feel free to email me about Welsh Black cattle, craneflies or your favourite bird – I’m not fussed! gwen.potter@nationaltrust.org.uk