10/2/2020

A Day in the Life of Elizabeth Ogilvie, placement student at our Scottish Demonstration Farm, Auchnerran

Elizabeth

Elizabeth shares her love of the outdoors, Greta Thunberg and a good woodland walk


Is there such a thing as a typical day for you? If so, what's it like?

There is no typical day here on the farm, it can range from walking a raptor transect, to setting up camera traps and lasers for the LifeLaser project, to sorting through data in the office. We’ve also spent hours sorting through soil and invertebrate samples and driving stubble fields looking for gamebirds. I particularly enjoyed the red squirrel transects we did before Christmas, walking through frosty woodland on some beautiful mornings, and the squirrels are so sweet to watch.

How did you end up doing what you do?

I’m currently studying biology at Birmingham University and am here on placement. I was so pleased to be offered the job here, as I get to spend a year out of the city, doing field work that has useful applications towards real research, which I know can be used for the benefit of wildlife and habitats.

What motivates you?

Knowing that every choice I make has the capacity to have a positive impact, both on the planet and people around me.

What’s the one thing that can make the difference between a good day and a bad one?

A beautiful sunrise always starts the day off right.

Where’s the most interesting place you’ve been?

I enjoy visiting the Fens in East Anglia, they’re bursting with wildlife and flat enough to see for miles. They also have some interesting management techniques they use, with konik ponies and highland cattle grazing the land.

How do you relax?

Depends on my mood – could be curled up with a good book, some embroidery, playing the piano, or catching up with friends. And recently I have loved walking in the woodlands on the farm, looking for lichens, birds and squirrels!

Which living person do you most admire and why?

Greta Thunberg has been very inspirational recently, showing that age doesn’t matter in terms of making an impact.

What is your most treasured possession?

Hard to decide, but probably my camera, I can barely leave the house here on the farm without taking it with me, you never know what you might see!!

What keeps you awake at night?

It takes a lot to keep me awake at night, I’m a very heavy sleeper! But if I am awake, I’m either worried (most likely about university work I need to get done) or excited about an event that’s coming up.

What’s the best part of your week?

Whenever I can get outside on a sunny day for a walk, be it for work or fun.

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