After stoutly promising my friend Ed Drewitt only last weekend that I would never surface before 8:00 in the morning to see a bird (an otter maybe, but a bird?!), Friday saw me trundling along down the A14 at 5:00 am in search of what has been dubbed the ‘Bird of the Year’ by many, the Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll. Admittedly, I wasn’t actually driving, and admittedly, I may have drifted off for an hour or two, but by my standards, this was the earliest start I had submitted to in years. I wasn’t even that fussed about the bird – the poor thing is hopelessly lost and has quite possibly ended up down an evolutionary cul-de-sac. I was definitely going along for the ride with this one, and only the promise of an excellent weekend with topnotch food and company was keeping me going.

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White-tailed Sea Eagle, Mull
© Nicola Boulton 2012

The third serving of our A Focus On Nature profiles, with a snapshot view of…

#3 Nicola Boulton, BSc(hons) Zoo Biology 2:1, Nottingham Trent University

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“I am anxious for you and the boy’s future – make the boy interested in natural history if you can, it is better than games, they encourage at some schools – I know you will keep him out in the open air.” – Captain Falcon Scott to his wife, 29th March 2012

This weekend at the BTO 79th Annual Conference I had the privilege of meeting some exceptional individuals, including Kane Brides, Gillian Dinsmore, Chris Bridges and Alex Rhodes. All were dynamic and engaging, and all had a story to tell. They were excellently received with much applause and nods of agreement, as they highlighted their experiences as young people in the world of nature conservation.

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The Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire, was this weekend transformed into a delectable mishmash of innovative ideas, dynamic discussion and inspirational individuals, all brought together in the BTO 79th Annual Conference. The talks were interesting and informative, the company was witty and intellectual (I exclude myself here – I was slurred to say the least), the wine was fine and the whisky flowing in copious quantities.

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It’s rather embarrassing for someone claiming an affinity towards British nature to admit that they have more than a minor aversion to frogs and toads. In fact, I can’t bloody stand them. I don’t like the unpredictable leaps of common frogs, and I’m not overly keen on warts; I don’t know if you’ve ever heard a toad screaming, but it’s genuinely unnerving.

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A Focus On Nature is committed to finding shiny new talent for nature conservation, specifically young people aged 16 to 30.

Another one to watch out for is…

#2 Kathy James, wildlife tour leader for naturebites

Tern Warden, Cemlyn Bay Nature Reserve, Anglesey, North Wales
People Engagement Officer at RSPB South Stack, Anglesey, North Wales
Residential volunteering with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust

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© Simon Eaves 2012

It appeared quite suddenly from beneath the hide. Surprisingly (usually my powers of observation are slight), I was the first to spot it, and even more surprisingly, I squealed the correct species.

‘Pine marten!’

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A Focus On Nature is committed to finding shiny new talent for nature conservation, specifically young people aged 16 to 30.

Over the past year we have rounded up ten dynamic individuals, all enthusiatic, bright and keen to work in the various fields in nature conservation; so, in no particular order, I’m going to give you a snapshot view of our first members:

#1 James Shooter, MSc Biological Photography & Imaging, Distinction, University of Nottingham

James in action
Padley Gorge, Peak District National Park, UK
© James Shooter 2012

And with a name like that, what else could he be?

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‘Weasel!’ ‘Weasel?’ ‘Wait – Stoat!’

I doubt I was the first person to get my mustelids mixed up, and no doubt I was the last. In reality these two mammals differ in many ways – size being one determining factor, but either way I was giddy from excitement, having never seen either creature before (a poor show for someone claiming to be a British naturalist). This particular sighting was through a car windscreen, in this case on a meandering Scottish Highland road, and involved a squeal of brakes accompanied by a squeal of joy. The stoat, in contrast, seemed far from thrilled. His chestnut back arched and his black eyes glared indignantly at the great metal monster that had disturbed his peaceful afternoon. He stood for several seconds, before bounding across the tarmac and diving into the verge, where he obligingly left his black-tipped tail poking discreetly out of the grass. Definitely a stoat.

This piece was published in the ‘My First Time…’ letters section of BBC Wildlife magazine, November 2012, p.107

…And the best bit: I’m not even exaggerating.

I’ve heard it’s difficult to get your blog started, and I’ve certainly suffered from bloggers-block for well over five months now. So, I’m going to start with one the greatest wildlife moments I’ve had this year, or ever. Let me take you back to a muggy June evening, in the Highlands of Scotland…

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