Hello, Annie!
Hello, Annie here, your new warden at Caerlaverock. I’ve travelled across the UK from WWT Welney in Norfolk in search of new adventures and new challenges. Already in these first two months I’ve encountered so much change. As the seasons turn, I’ve witnessed huge numbers of barnacle geese and pink-feet arrive to the fields from Norway, redwing and fieldfare in their mass feed on the hawthorn berries and hundreds of wigeon, shoveler and teal congregate on the pools. During these moments of hustle and bustle, I’m encouraged to enjoy the nature we all work so hard to support.
A bit about me. Whilst being a warden with the WWT for the past two years, I’ve had so many incredible opportunities thanks to the people I’ve worked with. I’ve been involved in the corncrake and black-tailed godwit reintroduction projects, travelled to the Netherlands to learn more about wetland management, found roosting short-eared owls for the Springwatch crew, to name a few. But it's not just about the wildlife: I enjoy bringing teams and new people closer to the wildlife, by getting everyone involved in moth traps, bird ringing and an occasional twitch.
Now in Scotland, I’m ready to see what more opportunities await.
Words by Annie Pickering
