Welcome to my series of interviews with some wonderful people who work within the natural world, from zoo keepers, to museum curators and everything in between and those that are on the path to working in these positions too. Be inspired for a future where you can combine your love of nature with your day job. I hope you enjoy these interviews, that you can learn something from them and they can inspire you.

Now let me introduce you to Sarah.....

 

Name

Sarah Brierley      

Age

32

Location

York, North Yorkshire

What do you do?

Animal Instructor Keeper, Bird Team at Askham Bryan Conservation and Wildlife Park

How did you get into it? 

I did a BSc (Hons) Animal Management degree at Sparsholt College in Hampshire. After that, I knew I simply needed as much hands-on experience as possible to get the grounding I needed to have a full-time role in a zoo. This involved a conservation placement in South Africa, working at a wildlife rehab hospital, and various other zoos local to me at the time. But my placement at The Hawk Conservancy sealed the deal for me working with birds. It made me appreciate just how incredible and diverse birds are. There was no turning back from then.

What made you want to do what you do?

I’ve always loved animals and the natural world. There has never been a point in my life where I wanted to do anything else.

What does it involve?

Working on the bird section involves everything from preparing diets, cleaning the animals, observing behaviours, lots of admin and record keeping to replacing perching, maintaining the aviaries and conducting and logging any training. I also work with groups of students as part of their studies at Askham Bryan College; instructing them to conduct husbandry to a good industry standard and teach them handling and health checking among other things.

Did you need any qualifications?

Yes. A recognised degree, but also a lot of previous voluntary experience as well.

Any tips for a young person that wants to do what you do?

Don’t give up; chase your goals. Your life path is yours and yours alone, there will be hurdles and disappointments, but that only makes us stronger to get us to where we want to be! 

What is the best part of what you do?

Simply doing the job I love. I love birds immensely.

What is the worst part of what you do?

Ummm, I don’t think there is! Working in the rain isn’t overly fun, does that count?

What is your favourite animal?

Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). They’re absolutely adorable, especially as chicks, they’re full of sass and they’re incredible hunters. I see them most days hovering above the road-side while on the way to work.

What was the first animal that you fell in love with?

A trained tawny owl called Troy at the Hawk Conservancy Trust. I was fortunate enough to hold him on the glove and do some native owl talks during my work placement there, and he was such a well-behaved, sweet bird. Everyone fell for him and his species, including me. He’s what got me into the bird keeping world!

What is your favourite place in nature?

My partner and I regularly travel to Southern Catalonia, Spain. The Ebro Delta and its resident and resplendent birds has my heart. What a place.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I do a lot of competitive target shooting at my local club. I have two cocker spaniels too, so I spend a lot of my time with them too.

If you were not doing what you do now what else would you love to do?

I would love to be a professional birder somewhere in Africa. That would be cool!

Who inspires you?

I must mention Kerri Wolter, CEO of Vulpro, a vulture conservation and rehabilitation charity based in South Africa. She’s done some incredible work over the years with the sole aim to reverse the decline of native vulture populations. Vultures are one of the fastest declining bird families in the world; Kerri’s determination and graft is nothing short of admirable. 

What are your hopes for the future?

That us as humans live in better harmony with wildlife.  

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about?

Birds are the most diverse vertebrate order. 

Where can people find you?

@feathersandbarrels on Instagram. 

[email protected]