My name is Caitlyn, I am going into my third year of Environmental Science at The University of Hull and I am interested in ecology, environmental management and conservation. I have just finished doing work experience with Suffolk Wildlife Trust at Carlton Marshes for 5 days in August. Here is what I got up to.

Day 1

In the morning, we started the day off with helping the staff open up the visitor centre along with a litter pick and then spent the rest of the morning helping out with the Wilds Tots group with dyke dipping. In the afternoon we had chat with a member of the communications team. During this we learnt about the method of educating the public through social media platforms such as TikTok.

Day 2

For the second day we went to Foxburrow nature reserve to work with the Ecology team. We started by conducting a reptile survey. This survey involved walking around the site and looking under any mats or logs. From this we found 6 great crested newts, 2 common toads, 2 slow worm and 1 smooth newt. I think it was amazing to be able to see 6 great crested newts as they are so rare and heavily protected. We made sure not to touch them ourselves and only let the ecologists touch them as a licence is required to hold and disturb them. For the afternoon we kept to the same topic of newts by conducting a great crested newt survey at multiple ponds on the site to see if the locations have great crested newts present.

Day 3

For the morning, we were with the reserve volunteer team removing ragwort and I came across a wasp spider. For the afternoon we got to go around the reserve learning about all the different areas while also checking and replacing any bent mats which are used for reptile surveys and during this, we saw a young grass snake, greylag geese and Chinese water deer. 

Day 4

In the morning, we helped out with the Bioscan project which has the aim of collecting and studying the genetics of 1,000,000 insects in the UK. The main role we did was put individual insects, which had been caught using a Malaise trap into slots in a special tray which will get sent off. More information about the project can be found on the Bioscan website. In the afternoon we helped out with the holiday club making birds out of materials found in the woods.

Day 5

For the last day of our work experience we spent the majority of the day hosting drop in dyke dipping for families. Some of the main findings from this include Water Spiders, young Smooth Newt, Dragonfly Larvae and lots of Mayfly Larvae.

I had a great week with Suffolk Wildlife trust and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in subjects such as ecology or conservation. I would also recommend volunteering at a local Suffolk Wildlife trust site as all the time and effort you put in feels very rewarding.