Field Ornithologist
Role and responsibilities
Esther started working with BTO NI as one of the Field Ornithologists and BBS Mentors, recording across 28 sites in the south of Northern Ireland whilst helping to run the Spring Birding Support Sessions across the country to encourage and support people with ID and survey skills. She is also looking forward to taking on the Science/Engagement Internship at BTO NI from July to December 2026.
Interests
Esther’s love for birds and the natural world stems from the privilege she had growing up in a beautiful part of Gloucestershire on the banks of the River Severn. This passion has grown into a drive to help support birds by working for and within the natural world. Being able to help contribute to important data through her role as a Field Ornithologist has been incredible.
Another passion lies in the importance of engagement and accessibility within the conservation sector and Esther loves sharing her passion for birds with other people, something she has been enjoying doing as a BBS Mentor. She is on the Youth Advisory Panel for the BTO to help break down barriers for young people in birding and encourage engagement from a younger audience. She is keen to further this impact in her next role at BTO NI as the Science/Engagement Intern.
Esther is passionate about the importance of creativity in engaging people with, and expressing a love for the natural world. In her spare time she enjoys keeping a nature journal from the field and painting wildlife in watercolour.