It is not only the birds that are leaving – it is also time to say farewell to our seasonal rangers!
Our winter birds are migrating to pastures new, where they will breed and bring back the next generation of birds to the Solent. It is not only the birds that will be leaving – it is also time to say farewell to our seasonal rangers of 2017/18. This month we are saying a very warm goodbye to Rosie, Vicky and Patrick – they will be missed!
Rosie is not travelling very far, joining the RSPB Date with Nature programme at the New Forest Reptile Centre, just outside of Lyndhurst. She will be showing visitors the amazing birds of prey that make the New Forest their home! If you have children, be sure to visit her on Wild Wednesdays during the school holidays.
Vicky is travelling overseas from the Isle of Wight as part of the crew of a tall ship. She will be leading their environmental awareness and youth development programme. She’ll be encouraging marine conservation as well as looking out for cetaceans and seabirds in the Bay of Biscay, the Channel and the Irish Sea.
Patrick is joining RSPB Scotland as assistant warden on the Isle of Oronsay in the Inner Hebrides, where they carry out farming for conservation. His work will help to conserve the vitally important chough and corncrake populations of the West coast of Scotland.
The Bird Aware Solent team would like to say a big thank you to the seasonal rangers for all their hard work this winter. The departing rangers would also like to pass their thanks on to all the great people they have met and worked with during their time in the Solent!
Although there are departures, Lead Ranger Karima will not be by herself over the summer. Joined by two full time rangers – Julie and Natalie – the ranger team will be working alongside Partnership Manager Anna, planning for next winter and working on exciting projects. Look out for them at events this summer as they help to keep people #BirdAware.
