As you might remember in the last blog post, we met Sarah the new visitor experience intern. Well now it is time to meet Luke, the conservation intern. Over to you Luke...
--------------------------------------
Hello all,
My name’s Luke Wilkinson and I’ve just started a conservation internship with the RSPB in eastern England. From March to September I’ll be living and working on Frampton Marsh in Lincolnshire, before moving down to Minsmere in Suffolk for the final 6 months of my internship. I am originally from Macclesfield – a market town in Cheshire, 20 miles south of Manchester. I’ve always been interested in nature and wildlife, having explored the countryside of the Peak district whilst growing up. I’m a keen walker, and like to get out whenever I can.
I studied geography at the University of Manchester, where I focused on the environment and physical processes occurring at the Earth’s surface and in the atmosphere. Over the past few years I have become more interested in the specifics of the natural world and am hoping to develop a greater understanding of species –centric approaches to conservation. My first impressions of the internship are that I’m definitely in the right place to gain such an understanding.
Whilst I’m here, I hope to witness some wildlife spectacles, meet new people, and learn from the expertise of the staff who manage the RSPB reserves. The Wash and East Anglia are renowned as birding hotspots, so I’m thankful to have been placed in this location. I’m confident that my training will provide me with all the core skills needed to pursue a career in practical conservation. Hopefully I will meet many of you out and about on the reserves - I’m new to waders and you might be able to help me spot some “lifers”!
Reedbed, freshwater scrapes, saltmarsh and wet meadow. Frampton Marsh has it all! Come and pay us a visit soon.