We started the week with a two days training on Invasive Species and GPS organised by the Belfast Hills Partnership.  

We covered two of the most problematic invasive species; Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam. We also learnt how to use Geopaparazzi to track routes to plot a transect or survey an area. It’s a handy tool, easy to use that gives us the possibility to take georeferenced notes. 

During the training we did a survey around Glenside collecting data about these two invasive species. The land was full of a Common Blue Butterflies. It was my first time spotting this butterfly! 

What a day at Bog Meadows! Our mission was to clean up the garbage from the pond. What a view of Bog Meadows, it seemed as we were in the middle of the jungle. 

There we found some thousand-year-old bottles and even a cone. You never know what you can find when you pick litter...

Last Saturday I took part on a ShoreNI survey in Holywood beach where we were able to see the wildlife that is in our rocky shores. Recording the species that we see in the shore helps providing useful information for future management decisions.  

It was lovely to share the passion for wildlife with other people. Children were very excited every time they picked up a rock and found a crab. It seemed like a competition on who could find the biggest crab.  

Among the species that we could see we found this huge fish, a Shanny. We also spotted a Starfish and Sea lemon slug. 

Did you know that you can get involved when you are out on the shore? Sign up for the Big Rockpool Ramble and you will receive FREE guides, advice and support.

After a whole day removing Common Ragwort at Umbra Nature Reserve I can say that I know how to ID this flower. Now I see it everywhere! Yellow flower plant, very pretty, but poisonous and harmful to livestock. Ragwort needs to be controlled as it's at risk of spreading easily.  

It’s always nice to visit such a Nature Reserve like Umbra, close to the beach and with spectacular views. We were lucky that ex trainees came along and helped us. A couple of extra helping hands are always welcome in the nature reserve team. 

Once the hard work was finished, we took a little walk along the beach. 

Last but not least, one of the big ones. I started the diary saying that we took part on an invasive training. Days after, it was time to practise my ID skills in Glendun Nature Reserve.

What a nightmare, Himalayan Balsam was everywhere. This fast-growing plant was invading the habitat, taking the space and resources to the native flowers. It spreads by sending the seeds into the river.  

A Speckled Wood Butterfly was around plenty of Himalayan Balsam! Lucky us, this flower it’s easy to pull and remove. 

The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) scheme offers young volunteers from European countries the opportunity to work with Ulster Wildlife for 12 months, with placements within our Nature Reserves, Living Landscapes and Fundraising and Communications teams.