My career took an exciting step forward recently, thanks to the ever delightful red squirrel. This adorable creature was to be featured on the BBC's popular Autumnwatch television programme, so someone was required to be interviewed. I was called in to be that person!
I was told I'd be interviewed by presenter Kate Humble, who I've always thought had the best job ever (second only to being a Blue Peter Presenter) and who is something of an inspiration to me. So it was with mixed feelings of nervousness, excitment and fear of being star-struck, that I arrived at Dodd Wood, near Bassenthwaite Lake, Cumbria, to film.
Kate immediately introduced herself and was very friendly, so put me at my ease. We had a quick chat "off camera" (look at me with all the lingo!) to go through some of the things she'd be asking. All we needed now were some squirrels and for it to stop raining! Luckliy we got both.
We were filming at a feeding station, so the squirrels were very keen to get their breakfast, even with these odd people hanging around right next to them. There were usually 2 or 3 reds right by us for the whole time the cameras were rolling. They obligingly scampered about, buried the food or sat looking picture-book cute on the tree stump where the nuts had been put.
We must have got about an hour and a half's worth of footage, but the final version, of course, was much shorter -maybe 5 minutes, so much of what I wanted to say was edited out. However, I was very pleased to get the chance to set the record straight to such a big audience (the programme has viewing figures of about 4 million people). The grey squirrel is often demonised, and portrayed as a "bad" animal. It really isn't. Its just in the wrong place. In its own, carefully balanced ecosystem, it is as enigmatic and entertaining as our red. Having said that, I also wanted to get across just how vital it is to control their numbers here in the North of England, or we undoubtedly will lose the native species.
So my TV debut was a big sucess. I've had lots of positive feedback from people about it, so I must have said something right! Even Kate said I did a good job, which made my day!
My role in red squirrel conservation is always challenging, but never dull. I love my job!
I was told I'd be interviewed by presenter Kate Humble, who I've always thought had the best job ever (second only to being a Blue Peter Presenter) and who is something of an inspiration to me. So it was with mixed feelings of nervousness, excitment and fear of being star-struck, that I arrived at Dodd Wood, near Bassenthwaite Lake, Cumbria, to film.
Kate immediately introduced herself and was very friendly, so put me at my ease. We had a quick chat "off camera" (look at me with all the lingo!) to go through some of the things she'd be asking. All we needed now were some squirrels and for it to stop raining! Luckliy we got both.
We were filming at a feeding station, so the squirrels were very keen to get their breakfast, even with these odd people hanging around right next to them. There were usually 2 or 3 reds right by us for the whole time the cameras were rolling. They obligingly scampered about, buried the food or sat looking picture-book cute on the tree stump where the nuts had been put.
We must have got about an hour and a half's worth of footage, but the final version, of course, was much shorter -maybe 5 minutes, so much of what I wanted to say was edited out. However, I was very pleased to get the chance to set the record straight to such a big audience (the programme has viewing figures of about 4 million people). The grey squirrel is often demonised, and portrayed as a "bad" animal. It really isn't. Its just in the wrong place. In its own, carefully balanced ecosystem, it is as enigmatic and entertaining as our red. Having said that, I also wanted to get across just how vital it is to control their numbers here in the North of England, or we undoubtedly will lose the native species.
So my TV debut was a big sucess. I've had lots of positive feedback from people about it, so I must have said something right! Even Kate said I did a good job, which made my day!
My role in red squirrel conservation is always challenging, but never dull. I love my job!
