In this blog, Young Darwin Scholar Ella shares her journey into ornithology and entomology, alongside her experiences, passions, and creative projects, offering an inspiring insight into how a love of nature can shape a meaningful and impactful career.
Hi, I’m Ella, one of the Young Darwin 2024 Scholars!
A little bit about me
I work full-time as an ornithologist, specialising in marine ornithology and renewable energy as well as swift conservation, and I also work freelance as an entomologist.
I had a somewhat unusual journey into this field – my first degree was English at Cambridge University, followed by a year working in Communications, and then I did a complete U-turn and applied for the Entomology MSc at Harper Adams University (despite having last studied science at GCSE)! For my thesis, I specialised into Insect Sentience and Welfare, graduating with a Distinction and the Royal Entomological Society MSc Scholarship.
I was awarded the Young Darwin Scholarship in the final few months of my MSc, and it was a truly lovely way to transition from studying to working in this field.
Life outside of work
Outside of work, I am involved in all sorts of weird and wonderful things. I co-organise the National Carrion Beetle Recording Scheme for the Biological Records Centre, championing the research, appreciation, education, and conservation of this wonderful insect group.
I co-lead the Lesser-spotted Woodpecker Monitoring Scheme for Herefordshire as part of the National Woodpecker Network, questing to find, protect, and observe Lesser-spotted Woodpecker nests and research the breeding and feeding habits of this secretive and threatened species. I am the Herefordshire Taxon Expert for all insect groups other than butterflies and moths (which already have designated county recorders), on hand for any insect ID requests or queries.
I am the Publicity Officer and sit on the committee for Herefordshire Ornithological Club, and will be joining the River Arrow Trust as a Trustee and Committee Member soon, working to protect and advocate for the bird and aquatic life across the county.
I am also an avid moth trapper and volunteer with insect, bird, bat, pine marten, and dormouse monitoring, conservation, outreach, and education. I also lead diverse nature walks, give lectures and talks for local wildlife groups and organisations such as the Royal Entomological Society, and create informative ‘Birds and Bugs’ videos which I share to my Instagram account, @entomology_ella.
Blending nature and creativity
And finally, one of my favourite experiences recently has involved developing both my botany and painting skills: I was awarded the Kew Gardens Grow Wild Youth Grant last year for my project, ‘Flowers of the Arrow’.
The aim of the grant was to support projects that championed native plants and encouraged community engagement and education. My project included surveying, recording, and painting the native plants found along the stretch of the River Arrow that runs through my village, Eardisland, in Herefordshire. I held a free exhibition of my paintings alongside information around how to identify the plant species, facts about their role in human and natural history, how they help the River Arrow and the village, and some reflections on the process and purpose of creating my project. I invited many local wildlife groups to host displays about their activities to help nurture collaboration and communication between these groups. I also produced an informative booklet containing reproductions of my paintings and much of the information presented at the exhibition.
It was a real treat for me to get to blend nature and art in this project, which is something that I also love to do through the music I am involved in: I am a professional choral librettist signed to CRD Records and sing as a soprano in several choirs including the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, and I love to both write and sing about nature.
Looking ahead
There are so many wonderful ways that nature enriches and enhances my life, and I look forward to continuing to be led by my passion and love for the natural world in many future adventures!