It is true what they say, time flies when you are having fun! I have been at Adonis Blue for 3 months now and I can honestly say I have loved every second. As assistant ecologist/project coordinator I have increased my knowledge base immeasurably and have been involved in many incredible projects. I couldn’t pick my favourite moment so far, so here are a few that stand out.
First week excitement and nerves!
My first week was busy, exciting and positively challenging. I attended 2 bat surveys, shadowed my first BNG survey, attended GCN training, and started learning to analyse bat data. It was a full-on week with late nights and early mornings, but it provided me with a great insight into the role of an ecologist. At this point, I was hooked.
Plant identification and mitigation
I enjoyed all elements of this project.
- Researching pollinator plants: noting their hardiness and soil type.
- Going out and surveying the nineteen sites, identifying plants, animal species and mitigation.
- Attending a client workshop.
- Creating detailed site maps with plant species, locations, mitigation proposals and providing ecological advice.
- Working under Jess has increased my confidence and knowledge in plant id and made the job even more fun!
Bat surveys
Since I started with ABEC, I have attended 10 bat surveys. I love hearing the bats echolocation through the echometer. I find it incredible and fascinating being able to enter a world which is normally an impossibility. It didn’t take me long to buy an echometer of my own.
Being an assistant ecologist is not just a job; it is a way of life! Most of the time it does not feel like work, spending most of the summer outside, in woodlands and farmland being surrounded by nature, looking at plants and searching for reptiles. No day or week is the same which adds an exciting element to the job. I enjoy how my job challenges me in many ways; stamina with early mornings and late nights, constantly learning and remembering new skills, driving to sites and places I have never been before and ensuring deadlines are always met.
What are your career goals ?
Finish my Environmental Science degree, possibly look at a masters. Progress in my current role and take on more responsibility and hopefully progress to at least Senior level.
What areas of ecology are you most interested in?
This question is a little harder to answer at the moment as I am so early on in my career but, I enjoy all the protected species surveys, bat data analysis, and working on mitigation and conservation projects. I also have an interest in marine conservation, sustainable energies and carbon.
Do you want to obtain any protected species licenses?
Yes, currently I would like to obtain GCN, Dormouse, Bat level 1, Beaver and Barn Owl licenses.
What is it like working for Adonis Blue?
Adonis Blue is a great company to work for; it is the best job I have had. The team are fantastic, supportive, knowledgeable and passionate. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have been given. Adonis Blue are keen for their team to continually grow and develop skills.
What is next?
Finish the bat acoustics course and spend some time over the winter expanding my knowledge ready for my first full survey season.
Quickfire questions!
- Lizard or Slow worm? Lizard
- Early morning or late night? Early morning
- Favourite bird? Wood pigeon or Raven
- Favourite plant/tree species? Oak/Silver birch/Horse Chestnut
- Hardest plant species to identify? Grasses
- Sea or woodland view? Woodland view
