Hi, I’m Melissa, I’m 22 and I graduated from the University of Stirling last summer with a BSc Hons in Conservation Biology. During my time at university I volunteered extensively for several wildlife charities, from Butterfly Conservation Scotland to Bumblebee Conservation Trust. I am also a committee member of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire Scottish Wildlife Trust Local Group and look after their Facebook page.

I’ve just started as a visitor centre assistant at the Loch of the Lowes through Community Jobs Scotland – a scheme which creates work opportunities for young people within third sector organisations in Scotland.

I’m very excited to be working here. Since I started 2 weeks ago I have enjoyed numerous new wildlife behaviours that I have never seen before. So far the most exciting has been the courting dance of the great crested grebes! I was putting the scopes out in the hide on a lovely sunny morning when low and behold a pair popped up in front and began their bobbing and waving of their heads in tandem, I couldn’t believe it.

I can’t wait for the ospreys to arrive! I hope to see you all at the visitor centre over the course of the summer.