Catch My Drift is a project that is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Using this funding, the project work is focussed on a nature reserve called East Chevington which used to be an open cast drift mine. It is now one of the largest nature reserves that Northumberland Wildlife Trust owns. The Trust has been managing the reserve for wildlife since 2003, and now a wide array of wildlife can be found on the reserve with highlights including the only breeding marsh harriers in Northumberland, 21 species of butterflies and rare species of orchid such as the lesser butterfly orchid. Catch My Drift also aims to improve the habitat quality and complexity on site, conduct thorough ecological surveys to increase species records, improve public access and interpretation and engage with the local community through events.
As more and more people are aware of the horrific state of nature and wildlife all across the globe, the conservation sector has become extremely competitive and difficult to get into. Despite studying for three years at Nottingham Trent University for a degree in wildlife conservation, along with a nine month work experience placement, as well as volunteering for the RSPB and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, I was still underqualified for entry level jobs in the conservation sector. Therefore, the importance of these traineeships cannot be underestimated as I am gaining even more experience and I will also have the chance to get chainsaw and brushcutter licenses which are an essential requirement for most conservation positions.
Thankfully, not long after I started my position, lockdown restrictions began to ease and it has been great to get volunteers back out on the reserve and it is also refreshing to have more people around Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre as preparations are made for reopening. I am lucky enough to work in a small and friendly team who will help me achieve the most out of my traineeship. I spend most of my days working with Chloe, who is a fellow trainee and started in September 2020. As Chloe has been in the position for a few months, it has been extremely beneficial for me to learn from such a passionate and welcoming person. Sophie, the Catch My Drift Project Officer is also always available to give me a hand, particularly with more office based tasks and she is helping to push me out of my comfort zone. Finally, there is Alex and Anthony who are responsible for Hauxley and the wider Druridge Bay area, who have years of invaluable experience behind them.
Despite only being in this position for a couple of months, I have undertaken an extremely wide range of tasks. In the future, I aspire to be in a warden/reserve officer position because I enjoy the practical work aspect of my job the most such as the removal of encroaching scrub on the reedbeds and creating brash and log piles to increase woodland biodiversity. I also work on the Catch My Drift social media accounts with a particular focus on recent wildlife sightings on East Chevington, as well as bringing my photography skills to highlight the species seen onsite. The further we get into summer, the more surveys I will help out on. I helped to set up the first breeding bird survey on the site and I have helped with other surveys for newts, woodland plants and bumblebees. As COVID restrictions further ease, we have a wide range of public events planned such as bluebell planting, pond dipping, bird box making and guided walks.
In my spare time, I am a keen wildlife photographer. At this time of year especially, there is plenty to see as birds return from their warm wintering grounds to breed. A few favourites of mine are the sandwich terns, whose squabbling call gives away their presence, grasshopper warblers who seem to have an endless song that reverberates around the reserve and the ever present barn owls; they are simply one of the most stunning species we have in England.
All in all, the first few months of my traineeship have been amazing so far and I feel extremely fortunate to have secured this position. I particularly enjoy how varied my jobs are each day and the fact that I get to work in such a scenic area with fantastic colleagues. I am looking forward to gaining my brushcutter license throughout the summer and then my chainsaw license in the autumn. In the meantime, I am looking forward to working with more of our wonderful volunteers and also engaging with members of the public on site and through public events.
