We’re delighted to introduce Sorcha, our 2025 Conservation and Research Intern! We are grateful to the Cameron Bespolka Trust for funding this Internship. Over the past few weeks she’s been getting stuck in carrying out onsite biodiversity surveys, supporting our Research Assistant, Tanith, surveying small mammal populations, and so much more!
‘Having grown up visiting the Hawk Conservancy Trust, I am thrilled to be back as a Conservation and Research Intern for the next few months. It has already been a busy couple of weeks, and I have loved getting involved with the various tasks here at the Trust.
I have a BSc in Zoology and an MSc in Taxonomy, Biodiversity and Evolution and my main area of study has been on Lepidoptera, moths in particular. Having completed my master’s in taxonomy, I realised I would like to return to the world of conservation and spent the last year conducting surveys and conservation management tasks with various local wildlife groups as well as helping with cetacean research in Scotland. Getting to work with some incredible people during this time and contribute to the important work they are doing, I asserted that I wanted to pursue a career in conservation and this internship presented itself at the perfect time.
On-site biodiversity monitoring is in full swing this time of year and it has been lovely to see just how much diversity the Trust provides for, from moths and butterflies to birds and small mammals and the beautiful flowers starting to make an appearance in Reg’s Wildflower Meadow. On-site and off-site small mammal trapping has also begun for the year; we do this as a method of monitoring prey populations of our native birds of prey which is essential to get a full picture for how the populations are coping and what we can do to help. Under the excellent tutelage of Jamie and Tanith, the Conservation and Research Coordinator and Research Assistant here at the Trust, I have already learnt so much and I am really looking forward to the rest of the season.
I have also been able to practice using various pieces of data analysis and visualisation software, including R and GIS. Etc. Having not used them since finishing university a year ago I have become quite rusty, but I am really enjoying getting back into it and I hope to be able to continue these skills into the future.
In the short time I have been here I have already learnt invaluable skills and truly gained an insight into the incredible ethos the Trust team has for birds of prey and conservation in general. It has been an absolute delight to be a part of the team and the work they do, and I can’t wait to see where the rest of the internship takes me!’
We’re delighted that Sorcha has joined the Trust, thanks to funding from the Cameron Bespolka Trust. We are delighted to be working with The Cameron Bespolka Trust, a charity that has been set up in memory of Cameron and his passion for wildlife. Cameron was a young naturalist who loved nature and in particular birds. Their main aim is to inspire and encourage young people to love and appreciate wildlife and our environment, which is a shared aim of ours at the Hawk Conservancy Trust. We need young conservationists of the future to help us achieve our mission – the conservation of birds of prey and their habitats. The internships will offer hands-on experience with public engagement and education for conservation, fieldwork, analysis, and science communication while supporting the Trust’s on-site biodiversity work.
