BTO - British Trust for Ornithology - Careers

Learning to lead: stories from the Young Leaders Course 2023

WEBSITEEDITOR — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 10:14:40 +0000

BTO Youth speak to attendees of the 2023 Young Leaders Course about their experiences.

BTO Youth Visit the BTO Youth Hub BTO Youth’s vision is of a diverse, vibrant community of young birders supported by BTO, with accessible, youth-led opportunities inspiring young people to engage with nature and science.

Lilia, James and Jasmine spoke to us about their experience of the course, and how it helped them grow as budding conservation leaders.

Lilia (she/her), 18

“I applied for the BTO Young Leaders Course as the qualities of being a leader and having to confidently assert myself were not things I’d previously had a lot of opportunity to practice. I was excited to spend time in the beautiful New Forest but slightly apprehensive about putting myself outside of my comfort zone. However, I am so glad I went as I had such an amazing time with really lovely people and have taken away a lot!

The four-day course was jam-packed with so many really great sessions that it’s hard to choose a favourite: talks given by the lovely Jack Baker (creator of Pangolin: The Conservation Podcast) and the inspirational Dr Anjana Khatwa (Earth Scientist, presenter, advocate and author), practising debating an environmental issue with Richard Benwell (Chief Executive at Wildlife and Countryside Link) acting as an MP, and running our own guided walks while being kept on our toes by seeing how we would react to unexpected scenarios – someone pretending to talk really loudly on a call, run off, or even have a heart attack!

I now feel much more confident within myself, and being surrounded by other enthusiastic young people already studying or working in different interesting areas has made me really hopeful and excited for the future.”

I now feel much more confident within myself, and being surrounded by other enthusiastic young people ... has made me really hopeful and excited for the future.Lilia

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James (he/him), 22

“The BTO Young Leaders Course came at a perfect time for me, as I’m just starting my second year at university, taking on a new role in its Ecological Society, and getting involved with other local projects.

I signed up for the course with the intention of developing my public interaction and communication skills, to become more comfortable leading walks and talks. It’s fair to say I left having gained so much more!

My fellow course members were massively welcoming ... it was an unforgettable few days, and a privilege to meet and learn from so many other people who care about the natural world.James

The range of guest speakers was excellent, and they covered fascinating topics and skills that, up until then, I had no previous experience with. Personal highlights included ending up in a simulated Whitehall testing my environmental negotiation skills, and spotting Crossbills whilst learning how to plan and run a guided walk in the forest!

For someone who, at times, struggles to interact with big groups of people, the staff and my fellow course members were massively welcoming, and coupled with the guest sessions, this really helped me build my self-confidence. It was an unforgettable few days, and a privilege to meet and learn from so many other people who care about the natural world.”

The highlight of the course was planning and leading my own 15-minute activity ... everyone in the group was so supportive and engaged, and even though I was nervous beforehand I really enjoyed delivering the session and would love to do it again.Jasmine

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Jasmine (she/her), 21

“I had an amazing time at the BTO Young Leaders Course this summer – it was so exciting to meet other young leaders in conservation and hear their stories.

We also got to experience workshops run by some fantastic speakers and explore brand-new topics. And of course, getting to spend the course in the New Forest was a treat!

The highlight of the course for me was planning and leading my own 15-minute activity, which all of the participants got to do. Everyone in the group was so supportive and engaged, and even though I was nervous beforehand I really enjoyed delivering the session and would love to do it again.

Overall, the course really helped me push myself to interact with new people, ask and answer questions from the speakers and helped me feel more confident in myself and my abilities.”

Young people are the future of BTO

Donate to the BTO Youth Appeal today

Partners and support

The Young Leaders Course is supported by the following organisations:

Cameron Bespolka Trust

The generous support of the Cameron Bespolka Trust made the course and its contents possible.

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Raptor Aid

Funding from Raptor Aid supported the provision of travel bursaries for young people travelling to the course.

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2 September 2023

At this year’s Young Leaders Course in the beautiful New Forest, 11 dedicated young people and five inspirational lecturers joined forces to share and learn from each other’s experiences in leadership.

26 Sep 2023

BTO Youth

My BTO journey

WEBSITEEDITOR — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 08:44:00 +0000

Kate Fox started her journey with BTO as a bird ringing trainee in her teens. Now a BTO Training Officer, she explains how her role helps her inspire the next generation of naturalists. No

Kate Fox

Training Officer

Kate’s role is to encourage birdwatchers to support and engage with BTO, and to train them to take part in surveys: both central to BTO’s goals. Kate is responsible for helping to create and deliver educational material and training activities around bird identification and BTO surveys. She provides support to the survey teams to help increase the profile of BTO’s long-term monitoring schemes and recording programmes.

I soon learnt that birds are brilliant – they come in all shapes and sizes, make funky noises, and are everywhere. I still remember the sense of satisfaction from identifying my first male Kestrel, sitting on a cliff on the Dorset coast. Looking up from the pages of my bird book, it was like seeing a celebrity!

I first became aware of BTO at a bird ringing demonstration at Durlston Country Park in Dorset. Seeing the birds up close and learning about their ecology captivated me. The best bit: ANYONE could apply to learn! After emailing a few trainers who were fully subscribed, I finally found my wonderfully eccentric ringing trainer, Barry, who took a chance on a shy young birder. Seven years on, Barry is still a dear friend and mentor, and I love popping round for some ringing and a slice of ‘cakey’!

Bird ringing was brilliant for building my confidence and integrating me into the birding community. It was great being surrounded by the knowledge and enthusiasm of fellow ringers. Many of these ringers have been volunteering for the scheme for decades and have some brilliant stories! Ringing also forced me out of my comfort zone, because the rewards were too exciting to miss out on.

However, I still hadn’t met any nature enthusiasts my age.

That all changed when I was 17. I saw a tweet advertising a Young Birders Week at Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory in Wales, and I booked a place with financial support from BTO’s Young Bird Observatory Volunteers (YBOV) programme. This proved to be a pivotal experience for me. From the moment I arrived it was clear I wasn’t alone, and after a week of pure nature nerdiness I left inspired by the birds, the place and the people. I still can’t stay away from that magical island, having returned since for another Young Birders Week and as a volunteer.

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A lifelong obsession begins... Kate meets her first Storm Petrel on that pivotal trip to Bardsey Island.

As well as building networks, this trip also reinforced that I could pursue my passion and make it a career. I went on to study Zoology at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall, where I soon found my tribe among the various wildlife societies.

It was through these societies that I realised my love for engagement. For instance, during my time as Bird Representative for the campus Ecological Society, I ran bird-related events such as bird walks, practical conservation days and surveying. One of my proudest achievements in this role was setting up a student BTO/RSPB/JNCC Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) site, surveying the site with a group and helping people to develop their bird ID and fieldwork skills. This put me in contact with the brilliant BTO Regional Network volunteers, who were very supportive in the early days of the project.

A year on, I was very lucky to be selected as one of the first BTO Youth Representatives, based in Gloucestershire where I was on placement at the time, working with the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust Reserve Team at their Slimbridge site. Due to COVID-19 and my slightly nomadic life moving between Gloucestershire, Cornwall and Dorset for my studies (I liked to think of myself as a ‘Roving Youth Rep’!), I mainly focused on developing online resources for young people with the other BTO Youth Reps.

These were well received, reaching young people across such broad age and geographic ranges, and showing them they were not alone during such an isolating time. I particularly enjoyed making our Birding 101 series, but always wished I could put more time into it… More on this wish later! It’s been so lovely to hear how much the young people enjoyed this series and to watch their confidence grow, with many Equipment Donation Scheme recipients and Bird Campers having taken part.

In the autumn of 2022, after finishing my degree and spending some time volunteering at Bardsey and Spurn Bird Observatories, a position as a Training Officer at BTO was advertised. I’ll always remember the moment I got the call to say I’d got the job: I was sitting watching Bearded Tits pinging around a reedbed at RSPB Lakenheath Fen, Suffolk, on a freezing cold winter’s day. Perfect!

I’ll always remember the moment I got the call to say I’d got the job: I was sitting watching Bearded Tits pinging around a reedbed at RSPB Lakenheath Fen on a freezing cold winter’s day. Perfect!

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Bird Camp Wales 2023, where Kate supported BTO Youth to deliver a weekend of nature-filled adventure for young people.

My role involves organising and delivering training courses, largely focusing on bird identification, and creating website and magazine content for our supporters and volunteers. It still feels like a dream that I am working for BTO, where it’s actually my job is to share my bird knowledge and passion for wildlife with others. The wish to have more time to run training events has come true!

Engagement is such an important part of BTO’s work. Whether it is interacting with our wonderful existing supporters, or reaching new audiences, it all helps to raise awareness of our work and build a sense of community. The training courses also upskill our attendees, equipping them with the skills to take part in our citizen science surveys, which in turn helps us better understand our bird populations. At BTO’s recent 90th anniversary event it was lovely to meet some of our participants in person, and hear how much they had enjoyed the courses. One attendee said our training had completely changed the way they birdwatch! It’s that sort of feedback which makes it all worthwhile.

I hope that my work can reach out to those who are perhaps less sure of themselves or don’t feel as integrated into the birding community, and help boost their confidence. It’s my way of giving back to an organisation that has given me so much.

For me, it all goes back to those first interactions at bird ringing demonstrations, YBOV, volunteering and the associated support which opened up my world. Those opportunities had such an impact, and I hope that my work can reach out to those who are perhaps less sure of themselves or don’t feel as integrated into the birding community, and help boost their confidence. It’s my way of giving back to an organisation that has given me so much.

I think we all are all guilty of comparing ourselves to others and convincing ourselves that everybody else knows everything… But I like to remember that everyone starts somewhere, and that a hobby is only worth doing if you enjoy it. Expect some ID challenges, but if the pressure becomes too much, take a step back! It’s also important to appreciate that people enjoy engaging with nature differently, and we should celebrate that.

I am very grateful to everyone who has been so supportive throughout my journey. To all of the staff and volunteers in the sector who have taken me under their wing over the past 10 years, made me feel so welcome, and offered me opportunities, thank you!

Inspired by Kate’s journey?

Join BTO Youth

BTO Youth offers a range of exciting opportunities and support for young people aged 11–24. Check out the BTO Youth Hub to find out how you can get involved!

Get involved

Boost your birding

Whether you’re just starting your birdwatching journey or have years of experience, BTO training courses can help you improve and refresh your birding skills.

Explore our training courses

From bird ringing trainee and BTO Youth Representative to one of our very own Training Officers, Kate Fox explains how her journey with BTO led her to her current role.

August 2023

My first bird book was the gateway for me: the RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds. I studied the illustrations intensely, marvelling at the colours and diversity.

Kate Fox

Engagement

04 Aug 2023

BTO Youth

Young Bird Observatory Volunteering: the first step towards a career in conservation

WEBSITEEDITOR — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 08:48:26 +0000

BTO Youth spoke to recipients of the YBOV grant, to hear how the programme has helped them take their first steps in their careers. No

BTO Young Bird Observatory Volunteers Abi (22), Leah (21), Duerden (22) and Joe (14) were able to volunteer at bird observatories across Britain and Ireland thanks to grants provided by the Young Bird Observatory Volunteers programme.

Birds and people

Careers

The difference we make

Youth voices

The YBOV programme has benefited over 100 young people, helping them learn about opportunities available to them at bird observatories, and the work that observatories do for ornithology and conservation.

We spoke to some of the more recent recipients of the grant to hear how the programme has helped them take their first steps in their careers.

Abi (22) – Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory, Gwynedd, Wales

I spent a week on Bardsey Island at Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory with a group from university. I learnt to keep a detailed field notebook, conducted shore surveys for the Shoresearch project (the Wildlife Trusts citizen science survey) and for the island biodiversity report, and I even ringed my first bird. I learnt what life as a warden takes and participated in practical conservation tasks and surveys such as bird censuses.

Since the training week, I have been collaborating with the Observatory and fellow student Leah to develop a children’s resources pack for schools. The aim is to facilitate teachers in the education of children about nature and the work of the Observatory. We emphasised integrating the pack into the school curriculum, and the benefits of interacting with nature. The pack even discusses conservation careers, and where to start.

I have been inspired to conduct seabird research, and am now working on a citizen science seabird survey project. Abi (22)

I have returned to the island for a day trip and for a week as a volunteer – it was really rewarding to see that the Manx Shearwaters had laid eggs since the training week. I have been inspired to conduct seabird research, and am working on a citizen science seabird survey project as part of my job as one of the historical tall ship Bark EUROPA’s onboard researchers.

Leah (21) – Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory, Gwynedd, Wales

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My week on Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) gave me an opportunity to grow my relationships with other aspiring conservationists and provided invaluable hands-on experience in conservation.

Along with other volunteers, I did a guided wildlife walk which looked at some of the rare plant life on the island. I also did rock pooling, small bird ringing (Blackcaps, Goldfinches, and I even got to ring a Sedge Warbler!), Manx Shearwater ringing at night, took part in the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), and learned practical habitat management skills.

During the week I saw several really exciting species including Cuckoo, Ring Ouzel, Dotterel, Alpine Swift, and Pied Flycatcher. There were Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs in the hundreds as well as many local Bardsey birds such as Peregrines, Choughs, and Wheatears!

For me, the stay on the island was a turning point in my life. I was just about to finish up my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science, a field I enjoy but felt very lost and confused in. Getting to see these incredible birds up close in the hand, unable to comprehend all they’d accomplished in their lifetime or the incredible distances they’d travelled, was what made me realise my future needed to involve more of this. I decided then and there that I wanted to begin working towards a future in seabird research.

The experience truly changed my life and has catapulted my career into conservation. I have reached out to Bangor University to discuss a master’s research project involving Bardsey’s Manx Shearwaters and applied for positions with the RSPB, and I have received a place as a volunteer on a biosecurity rapid response team tackling invasive species on seabird islands such as Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island), Ynys Seiriol (Puffin Island) and Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid (The Skerries, Anglesey).

Coming from a background in medicine, the choice of changing fields was a daunting one, but it was an easy one to make after my week on Bardsey. To Steve, Emma, and the assistant wardens at the Observatory, it was an honour to attend, and I will forever be grateful for the experiences we had because of the Observatory team. A big thank you to BTO Youth and the grant funders who made it all possible for us.

I decided then and there that I wanted to begin working towards a future in seabird research...the experience truly changed my life and has catapulted my career into conservation. Leah (22)

Duerden (22) – Spurn Bird Observatory, East Yorkshire, England

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I did six weeks of volunteering at Spurn Bird Observatory, but this wasn’t my first visit. Having lived in Leeds for university for the last four years I had made the journey to this renowned bird migration hotspot whenever the forecast was promising (and my timetable allowed)!

Over the six weeks, I conducted daily point count surveys to monitor migrant birds grounded by bad weather, and carried out various practical tasks such as footpath maintenance and willow coppicing. For ‘landlocked’ birders, there are few better places to visit than Spurn to get to know coastal species, and spending a longer period at the Observatory was invaluable. I learnt how to identify divers, ducks, and waders at sea, and became familiar with the calls and habits of uncommon species such as Lapland Bunting and Twite.

I learnt a lot about the bird ringing that takes place at the Observatory. I assisted with catching coastal waders for ringing, and learnt how to identify the age and sex of species such as Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Snow Bunting, and Bearded Tit in the hand. I also spent a lot of time working with other volunteers constructing a new Heligoland trap – a large, walk-in funnel which small birds fly into and can be safely extracted from before being ringed and released – that will hopefully catch species to inspire and educate the next cohort of residential volunteers.

To be surrounded by like-minded people, to make new friends and spend time with old ones, and to share stories of birding with other birders is what really makes the observatory experience special.Duerden (22)

As good as the birding was, what makes Spurn Bird Observatory unique is its community of resident and visiting birdwatchers. To be surrounded by like-minded people, to make new friends and spend time with old ones, and to share stories of birding with other birders is what really makes the observatory experience special.

I would encourage any young birders who have the opportunity to stay at an observatory to go for it – you won’t be disappointed!

Joe (14) – North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory, Orkney, Scotland

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As soon as I landed on North Ronaldsay, the island’s remoteness and isolation struck me: a small oasis of land nestled inside a rough ocean. The head warden drove me down a small track towards the Observatory, flushing a large flock of Golden Plovers as we passed, their mournful calls echoing the slightly ominous grey sky. When we arrived, I headed to my room. From the window, I could see the Golden Plovers circling over Gretchen Loch, and all the way to the lighthouse at the north tip of the island.

The main function of the Observatory is to monitor bird migration, and this is done by extensive recording of the bird numbers, and by ringing a large number of birds. It was spectacular seeing birds like pipits suddenly heading out over the rough sea, and watching as over the space of two weeks first Chiffchaffs, then Blackcaps, then Willow Warblers turned up on the island. Because of the island’s small size and limited cover, birds are very visible and often appeared in places I didn’t expect – such as Woodcocks roosting in fields and Sparrowhawks hunting for waders on the coast!

Each day on North Ronaldsay was full of things to do, from the daily bird census which covers almost the entire island, to operating the mist nets and Heligoland traps in order to ring birds, to helping out with the kitchen and general fixing. It would seem that everything on the island was either brand new or falling apart and made of rust as a result of strong winds and salty air!

It was spectacular seeing birds like pipits suddenly heading out over the rough sea, and watching as over the space of two weeks first Chiffchaffs, then Blackcaps, then Willow Warblers turn up on the island.Joe (14)

The Observatory also functions as the island’s shop, café, restaurant, chippie and hotel, and there were several visitors staying and eating with the volunteers almost every night. The staff were all very friendly and extremely knowledgeable, always happy to teach new things, so there was a great atmosphere. Occasionally one of the island’s residents would come to cook dinner, a special treat as her cooking was truly phenomenal.

I was sad when my two weeks were up and it was time to leave, as it had been such an amazing experience that I learnt so much from. I was constantly discovering new things every day! A huge thanks to the Observatory for taking me and to the BTO Young Bird Observatory Volunteer programme.

Apply for a grant from the Young Bird Observatory Volunteers programme

Would you like to volunteer at a bird observatory, develop your ornithological knowledge, learn new skills and make lifelong memories?

Find out more and apply

1 July 2023 Young Bird Observatory Volunteering

The Young Bird Observatory Volunteers (YBOV) programme has been providing grants for young people to visit and volunteer at accredited bird observatories across Britain and Ireland since 2013. Bird observatories are located at prime bird migration points across Britain and Ireland, and conduct long-term monitoring of bird populations and migration. BTO has a strong relationship with the observatories, which, like BTO, encourage volunteers to participate in scientific studies of birds and the environment.

Isle of May Bird Observatory. Gary Clewley / BTO

13 Jul 2023

BTO Youth