From Meerkats to Minsmere - a blog by new Learning Intern Anna John

My name is Anna and I’m the new Learning Intern for the next six months at Minsmere.  I moved into the Volunteer Chalet a couple of weeks ago and am starting to find my feet in this wonderful part of the country.  I’m sad to say that I have never explored East Anglia before coming to Minsmere for my interview, but am hoping to make up for lost time now. 

I grew up in Dorset, on the Jurassic Coast, and studied Ecology at the University of Exeter, in Cornwall.  I have worked on conservation projects both in the UK, with the National Trust in Dorset, and abroad, with the Marine Turtle Conservation Project in Northern Cyprus.  For the last 12 months, I have worked as a Field Assistant at the Kalahari Meerkat Project in South Africa.  My work consisted of collecting social behaviour data of wild meerkats in the Kalahari Desert.  This provided me with a whole range of experiences. However, I’m back in the UK now to pursue another career that has always interested me: teaching young people in the field about nature.  I mean, what could be better than going pond dipping as part of your job?

For the next six months, I will be joining Chris and Hannah in the education-side of RSPB Minsmere.  My role is basically to learn how to teach school and youth groups on the reserve and hopefully get to lead some of the groups myself.  You’ll probably see me around quite a bit as I try to improve my birding skills and have a go at all parts of the RSPB (e.g. shop, visitor experience, café, wardens, etc.).  During my time here, I hope to gain further understanding of all aspects of the RSPB and improve my skills of leading groups of all ages. 

I’m still in the learning stage with regards to birds, but will still attempt to answer your questions, or at least pass you on to someone who can definitely answer your questions.  Fortunately, I have now learnt the difference between a female pheasant and a female duck (as I inaccurately identified a pheasant as a duck in my interview)!