Hello blog readers!

As you might have read in the last post there are a few new faces around the reserve and I’m very happy to be one of them (you can find a bit of our background in the ‘Ranger profiles’ tab). I’ll be taking over the Peregrine Watch for the next few months as the Peregrine Ranger soon and until then have been getting some training.

If you are a regular reader you’ll probably have a very good idea of what happens once the Peregrine Watch begins, and we thought it would be interesting to tell you a little bit of what happens backstage. My first week has been a week of learning about the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Falls of Clyde, New Lanark, the peregrines and of course my job.

It’s really hard to summarise everything we’ve been talking about so I’ll just highlight a few of my favourite things. First of all, the people! From my first day I’ve been so well received by the staff and volunteers. I had the chance to go to the reserve with the volunteer team to help clear and maintain the paths. Never having worked in a wildlife reserve or having done anything of the sort, it was hard work but I really enjoyed and it made me value the work this team does so much more. It’s so easy taking it for granted when we just go for a walk around!

Secondly, the peregrines. Unfortunately I’ve only had the chance to see them once but it was amazing! I’ve been getting my background reading up to date though and the more I read the more I like them. Really looking forward to start the watch!

And finally, the reserve. This is such a beautiful place that it doesn’t even matter if it’s snowing, raining or the sun is shining. I’m really lucky to work here and if you’ve never come, you should. It goes hand in hand with the work SWT is doing here but I’ll write about that in more detail later on.

I’ll have one more week of training and then the Peregrine Watch is being launched the 21^st March on a free event where you can meet the team and learn more about the peregrines. So come and join us!

See you soon,

Cat Fonseca – Scottish Wildlife Trust, Peregrine Ranger (Intern)
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