Millie and Rachel back again…
It feels like no time at all since we walked into the Mersey Gateway Environmental Trust’s offices to start our 6-month work placement back in March. Since then we have learnt an incredible amount, got very muddy, and taken some great pictures!
We’ve watched the estuary and salt marsh change over the seasons and have seen the spring and then summer wildlife arrive and leave in their own time. We’ve been lucky enough to witness the record year of Painted Lady butterflies as well as an array of other species throughout our butterfly survey period. We have watched the salt marsh begin its recolonisation of the former construction zone, from tiny sprouts to a carpet of vegetation. However, all good things must come to an end and it is finally time to head back to the stress of university life!
We have loved the variety of work we have been able to do, the opportunity to meet so many great people, and most importantly the incredible wildlife we have been able to see. We are so grateful the Trust gave us the opportunity to join the team and learn the ropes, and we will hopefully use all we have learned as we move forward in our Wildlife Conservation degrees and on into our careers.
As our time comes to an end we can reflect on the skills we have developed and the lessons we have learned. We are hanging up our high vis and passing back the social media passwords. We hope you have all enjoyed our small contribution, the pictures we have posted, and the blogs we have written. We will continue to keep in touch with the Trust following the important conservation work they conduct on the Mersey estuary, and we will continue to do our best to protect the beautiful wildlife that surrounds us all.
Thank you and goodbye!
P.s. Paul and Andrea – thank you for everything you have taught us and the kindness you have shown. We couldn’t have done it without you and we have learned so much. Here’s to more grand days!