1. Can you tell us a bit about your job and what you do? 

I am currently working as the Assistant Warden on RSPB Ramsey & Grassholm Island. I live on Ramsey Island for 8 months of the year in order to carry out important biological monitoring, habitat management and visitor work on the Island. Ramsey itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA) and a National Nature Reserve. It encompasses heathland, cliffs, coast and ocean habitats. Ramsey is home to some incredibly important species like the Chough, Peregrine Falcon, Manx Shearwater and some nationally and internationally significant plant species. Grassholm Island is 14 miles offshore and is home to 36,000 pairs of Gannets alongside other important seabird species like the Kittiwake and Guillemot.

The work on Ramsey is very variable depending on the season. When we first arrive back to the island in March we are busy conducting breeding bird surveys, monitoring nesting chough, getting the island ready for visitors and fixing anything that has broken over the winter.

During May/June most of our time is taken up by monitoring our seabirds populations. We conduct population counts and productivity monitoring of all the seabirds on Ramsey, Grassholm and the outer lying Islands off Ramsey.

In July/August we do a lot of habitat management of the heathland and grassland habitats alongside engaging with members of the public who come to visitor the reserve.

During the Autumn the Atlantic Grey seals start to pup and as Ramsey is the largest breeding population of Atlantic Grey seals in the South West of the UK we spend a lot of time counting the number of seal pups born on the beaches. This varies from anywhere between 400-900 seal pups during the year.

2. How did you get to where you are today? 

I’ve always had a love for nature and the ocean and growing up in Pembrokeshire surrounded by some incredible seabird Islands and pristine coastal habitats really made me want to have a career in conservation/research. Once I had finished my A levels I went on to do a Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology degree at the University of Plymouth. During my degree I volunteered at the Marine Biological Association, gained my bird ringing license and HSE commercial scuba diving qualification, did two long term volunteering stints on Ramsey Island and took a year in industry between 2^nd and 3^rd year. During that year I worked as a research assistant on St Helena, Montserrat and in the Azores undertaking various marine, seabird and terrestrial research/conservation based projects. 

After graduating in the midst of the Covid pandemic in 2020 I went on to work with the Conservation and Fisheries Directorate on Ascension Island for a year. After I returned from the South Atlantic I worked in Scotland as a research assistant with the RSPB conducting research on the migration and breeding success of Ring Ouzels in the Cairngorms. After finishing this position I returned to Pembrokeshire and took up a role as an Ecologist for a local ecological consultancy before being offered the role as Assistant Warden on Ramsey & Grassholm Island.

3. What advice would you give to aspiring conservationists? 

My biggest advice for anyone looking to get into conservation or research is to take every possible opportunity you get! Because you will gain so much varied experience whilst getting to meet and work with some amazing scientists and conservationists along the way. Whether that’s in the field, lab, data based or outreach. It all builds up and adds additional skills to your CV. The more experience and knowledge you have the more doors it will open so just put yourself out there as much as you can. It is also a great way to learn and decide exactly what field you would like to go into. I can honestly say if it wasn’t for all the volunteering I did when I was in university I would not be where I am today.

Don’t be afraid to ask your university lecturers or staff at your local wildlife reserve if they have any volunteering opportunities coming up too, as it shows your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn which is key for getting any job in wildlife conservation or research in the future.