My first formal training was in outdoor first aid, completing a two-day course covering scenarios from simple plaster applications to broken bones. The training greatly improved my confidence in first aid, and I have held the responsibility of being designated first aider at several RWT events over the summer. Thankfully, I have (so far!) had little opportunity to practice my training.

Shadowing reserves officer Tam has highlighted just how much conservation work relies on being proficient in using a variety of tools and machinery for practical conservation tasks. I have used a variety of different hand tools, from hammers to tree poppers. My internship has also funded specific formal training. For instance, I recently gained my quadbike competency certificate and will be attending courses in brushcutter and chainsaw use.

Then there's the side of the job you don't always picture – my desk-based tasks have built on my admin skills. This includes keeping track of my own training budget and the proper processing of invoices and expenses. Processing the countless species records I have made to recording schemes has also leveraged my organisational skills; I have so far logged 915 records of moths alone. Additionally, I have been completing a self-lead online course on using GIS map making software funded by my internship. I am currently applying what I have learnt in creating maps on the distribution of butterflies recorded at Gilfach in relation to the botanical diversity at different areas of the reserve.

Conservation also means being an event organizer, and that's another novel skill I have developed. Over the summer at Gilfach, I hosted weekly "moth mornings," two night-time safaris and an owl pellet dissection workshop. Each required its own planning considerations and a tailored risk assessment. For example, night-time safaris at Gilfach required planning a route and assessing hazards, such as uneven footpaths and avoiding roaming cows in the dark!

Moth mornings presented fewer hazards to assess, although I knew there could be the chance of attracting more hazardous insects than just moths. One morning for example, opening the trap revealed seven European hornets, all of which were safely released. Finally, for my owl pellet workshop, I had to disinfect pellets by baking them in my home's oven, the ripe smell from which was not appreciated by my family!

And of course, there's the fieldwork itself – I have been continually developing my field skills by joining the Gilfach Rangers on survey work, helping with baseline surveys on reserves and my moth trapping and camera trapping at Gilfach. I have especially enjoyed engagement with landowners via the privilege of moth trapping on their land; a highlight of my internship was finding a Striped Hawkmoth in a light trap set on a farm near Boughrood.

I've crammed a lot into my internship and hopefully this blog alongside my previous two will highlighted my career development in various aspects of conservation. I am so grateful to the Moondance Foundation for funding this opportunity and would also like to thank RWT's staff for their brilliant help and guidance throughout my role.