First week of an Internship

Kaitlyn Goodwin, one of our Communities and Education interns on the Peatland Progress project, shares some of her highlights from the work so far.

Hi everyone! At the time of writing this, I have just finished my third week here. It’s going by so fast! I thought I would write about what I have been getting up to since it began, and some highlights of my time so far.

Ecology Workshop

Before the internship even began, I was invited to attend a beginner’s course in Ecology by Brain Eversham for a chance to meet the other interns. Even with a Zoology degree, I still learned lots of new information, such as that aphids are born pregnant! We even got out and about in the rain, trying some survey methods such as sweep netting, pond dipping, and using quadrats. I’ve only ever read about sweep netting while stuck in the library at university, so I was ecstatic to finally try it out (although I was a bit scared about spiders falling on my head while tapping the trees!). I discovered an ant damsel bug (Himacerus mirmicoides) that often lives with ants so has evolved to mimic them, and it was the first time that I've seen a swollen-thighed beetle, which I now see everywhere!

Two young woman with CEO Brain Eversham kneeling in a field, looking into a quadrat

Two interns with CEO Brain Eversham identifying grasses

Two young woman standing in the rain looking to the right

Interns standing in the rain listening to Brain

Celebrating World Peatlands Day

On my first day, I supported a talk and walk all about peat as it was World Peatland’s Day. It was a great chance to learn more about the history of the fens, the wildlife associated with it, and the important peat soil. For example, during the walk through Woodwalton Fen, I got to learn all about the interesting triangular stems of sedges, the frothy cuckoo spit that protects the froghopper larvae, and the historic water pumps. I even spotted this little moth trying to hide in the grass! Towards the end of the walk, we stood at the back of Woodwalton Fen, looking out over the rest of the Great Fen and the new land purchased as part of Peatland Progress. Wow, what a view! I would highly recommend anyone to go there if they haven’t already.

Tiny moth hiding, Woodwalton Fen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnUKz2nx618)

Small moth hiding in the undergrowth at Woodwalton Fen

Group of adults on a hot sunny day in a nature reserve

Kaitlyn stands presenting her arms which have been painted many colours

Forest School

On one week, I supported with two forest schools. At the end of the first one, my arms were covered in mud from helping with a wattle and daub wall. The next day my arms were covered in paint after getting chased by children wielding paint brushes as weapons. Something about my arms just screams “make a mess”. I ended up looking like a cool, new, red and black insects! On the other days, it was a more relaxing experience such as teddy bear picnics, mud kitchen ice creams, and sawing logs.

Two adult swans and 6 cygnets cuddled up on a bank of a pond

School Visits

It's been a very busy time for school groups visiting the Ramsey Heights nature reserve to become Wildlife Explorers. During these visits, I assisted in numerous activities such as nature walks, pond dipping, den building, sweep netting, and caterpillar life-cycles. I even got the chance to lead pond dipping and the Yes/No game (the school guesses which animals live here). With the sun shining, there has been lots of wildlife for the children (and adults) to see with great crested newts chilling in the pond, dragonflies zipping around, baby moorhens darting across the ponds, and red kites soaring in the skies. There is even a mute swan family around the reserve who came over to say hello to one of the schools!

Wildlife Highlight!

While setting up for one of the Little Bugs pre-school sessions, I was heading towards the public carpark, walking along and humming to myself in the sunshine. Suddenly, out of the trees, a buzzard soared right in front of me, crossing my path and disappearing down to the pond. It was only 2-3 metres away from me, flying as low as my chest, and I could see every feather. I’ve never realised how massive they were! It was AMAZING.