For the past two weeks I have been acutely aware that I am highly unqualified for this volunteering. Every stroke of the pencil when I recorded data, I verified. Every time I held a bird, I checked with the staff to ensure my handling was safe and correct. Humility has been my strength. Without it, I would have never learnt how to put up a net; how to handle and ring a bird; and today, how to extract birds from the nets. Now, it is time to be brave. I know what I can do, and what activities are safe for me to complete unsupervised. In the next week, I will remain focused and diligent whilst working, but also take the initiative to volunteer for more challenging tasks instead of waiting for delegation and instruction.
My inexperience in mist netting means that I learnt everything from the ground up. The observatory staff have been incredibly patient and kind when teaching me. This kindness becomes my fuel, my drive to become competent and knowledgeable. After two weeks at the observatory, my ambitions and passion to work with birds has been reignited. I must confess, after my summer research project last year, I was filled with a deep despair. Following extensive reading, interviews, and multiple visits to little tern conservation sites, I had come to the dreary conclusion that, at present, the outlook for little tern conservation in the UK is bleak. I had also become entangled in practical conservation work and research, hearing multiple conflicting perspectives simultaneously during my 6 weeks of research. Consequently, I chose to pursue stem cell biology and genetics at university, escaping to the path of least resistance to avoid the turmoil I experienced the previous summer. I still have conflicting views on conservation, as I find great joy in nature, but I fear a future where I prioritise fun over responsibility. For the past few days, I have been exploring master’s degrees that blend wet lab and fieldwork, particularly with a focus on the gut microbiome either in the context of long distance migration or urban diets. As the weeks progress, I hope to continue exploring a career where my two interests, ornithology and cell biology, can be utilised together.
As I slowly settle into a daily routine, I remind myself to not become too comfortable. I am here to be challenged. Whilst the physically demanding nature of my LiA requires resilience, the willpower needed for mental and emotional fortitude is an entirely different and more difficult to acquire. Living in a busy house packed to the brim with 14 people all on different schedules, it is easy for tensions to quietly creep up until the air feels stifling to breathe. During these moments, I have focused on remaining centred by reminding myself that every person has their own viewpoint and priorities which are important to respect to maintain peace in a cramped environment. Adjusting to my new schedule has been tough, but the skills and knowledge I have gained reward my efforts twofold. In the upcoming week, I hope to be positive, courageous, and curious.