By Esméemilja, Species on the Edge Young Panellist
Esméemilja lives in Birsay on West Mainland, Orkney, and has been volunteering with the Species on the Edge Orkney team since May 2023. At the beginning of 2024 Esméemilja joined Species on the Edge as one of our Youth Panel members. Esméemilja has kindly shared with us her experience of working with Species on the Edge so far.
Being a part of Species on the Edge in Orkney has taught me so much about endangered Orcadian wildlife and how critical it is that we protect and nourish it. I’m eagerly awaiting the return of Scotland’s most northern little tern colony and playing a role in their protection.
I’ve been particularly fascinated by two of the project’s nine key species in Orkney; the common pipistrelle bat and plantain leaf beetle. I’m looking forward to doing some ‘batting’ and learning more about pipistrelle bat numbers and roosting site(s) on the Island(s), as well as spotting my first plantain leaf beetle.
As a neurodivergent, chronically ill person, the project’s understanding of the importance of engaging under-reached communities – whom have so much to offer – has been a leading factor in my dedication to the project. I’m excited by the prospect of people coming together to protect our islands and all of their inhabitants. The Species on the Edge project is vital to restoring and maintaining Orkney’s biodiversity, all of which plays a lead role in fighting climate change.
At the beginning of 2024 I completed my work placement with RSPB and Species on the Edge as part of my HNC Wildlife and Conservation Management. I learned so much and really value the time and knowledge each staff member shared with me. This year I have been doing bumblebee surveys at Yesnaby, a site where another target species, the Scottish primrose, can also be seen. I have enjoyed getting started with my Arctic tern monitoring training and identifying a new survey site.
