Species on the Edge Shetland team: Molly Harvey (RSPB Scotland) – People Engagement Officer, and Tom Allen (RSPB) – Project Officer
So far in Shetland this year we have monitored five oysterplant sites, created a citizen science survey for members of the public to survey road verges, coordinated with the local RSPB team to survey both the plantain leaf beetle and the red-necked phalarope, and conducted wader surveys on nine crofts and farms.
We have been connecting with and exploring possibilities for collaboration with a range of organisations, individuals, and communities. It has been a privilege to hear about some of the incredible things that are already happening here, such as the OPEN Project’s peer education and peer mentoring programme and the range of engagement and citizen science activities spearheaded by the Shetland Community Wildlife Group, to give just a flavour!
At our Species on the Edge Shetland launch event, we collaborated with other Shetland-based conservation organisations to showcase, celebrate, and recruit volunteers. The volunteering community on Shetland is vibrant and active and we hope to continue to work closely with other conservation organisations on Shetland to provide a joined-up and holistic volunteering experience.
We have also enjoyed working closely with our Shetland-based partner organisation, the Shetland Amenity Trust (SAT). Rory from SAT has been sharing some of his treasure-trove of natural history knowledge with us at our training events for bumblebee identification. Our first bumblebee identification event was on Bressay, an island reached by a short ferry ride from Lerwick. The day was a bit drab and the verges that in the sunshine teem with bumblebees lay quiet. However, we were invited by one of the attendees into their incredible garden which they had curated for pollinators. Here, we found five of the six species of bumblebee known in Shetland including the Shetland bumblebee, one of our priority species here in Shetland. At a recent catch-up event with volunteers, people were still talking about this garden and sharing the tips that had been passed on by its curator! A wonderful example of the ripple effect positive action for people and pollinators alike can have.
We also joined in with the busy programme of summer events across Shetland, attending agricultural shows, the Shetland Climate Festival, and hosting activities for UnstFest – the most northerly festival in the UK. All of these experiences have been remarkable: the people we have met and the ideas, interest, and enthusiasm they have shared; the stories we have been told of what makes Shetland special to them; and what people are already doing to support and sustain the special nature of Shetland. We use the word nature here to capture the special character of Shetland; its geology, habitats, culture, traditions, and crofting heritage. All of this together is the nature of Shetland and it is clear that it is very special to the people who live here.
