Inspiring employability!

Cornwall College Newquay held an employability event this week where students were able to boost their skills and knowledge in order to gain employment by attending an inspirational conference, taking part in mock interviews and hearing about their peers work experience placements. 

Students showcased the work placement opportunities available to their peers in the region and abroad in an exhibition on the campus.  Second year students held talks and exhibited displays about their summer placements to students who are currently thinking about applying for work experience opportunities to encourage them to think about their options. There was a wide range of different work placements on display including local businesses Newquay Marine Group, Blue Reef Aquarium, Cornish Birds of Prey Centre, The Wave Project, Newquay Zoo, Cornwall Seal Group, KB Surfboards, St Francis Dogs Home, Paradise Park, RNLI as well as international Conservation companies EcoTraining in South Africa and Danau Girang Field Centre in Borneo.    

Some of the huge range of work experience posters on display 

Marine Conservation student Joanna Harris from St Columb, initially gained her work experience as a volunteer with the National Lobster Hatchery, which led to a part-time position with Joanna gaining an impressive 390 hours of experience so far. Joanna said: “My role began by learning the basics of working in a visitor centre including meeting and greeting the visitors as they arrived, managing the gift shop, keeping the charities databases up to date and ensuring that visitors got the most out of their visit. I quickly learnt a lot about the National Lobster Hatchery and all the amazing work they do and, of course, all about lobsters so, I was soon able to answer any questions the visitors had as well a guide then around the visitor centre, sharing stories about all the wonderful exhibits.

“I love engaging with people and assisting with the public education aspect of the National Lobster Hatchery and it was brilliant to be part of such a hardworking and dedicated team. I gained a wealth of knowledge about the importance of marine conservation and especially the role of education. I learnt how to teach others in an informative and fun way so to be able to raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation and working in this role has further ignited my passion for it. I didn’t really have a clear idea of where I wanted to go with my degree but my time there has certainly given me focus for my future career.”

Marine Conservation student Joanna Harris

Lecturers also posed as employers in mock interviews to show students what they should expect when they attend a job interview.  As well as getting used to the kind of questions they might be asked, students were also encouraged to attend dressed as they would be in the real situation.

The culmination of the week was an Enterprise and Employability conference where special guest speakers offered their advice on gaining employment.  Inspiring sessions were delivered on a range of topics linked to employability by organisations including Unlocking Cornish Potential, Volunteer Cornwall, Oxford Innovation, Fish for Thought, Sp
ezia Organics and Surfers Against Sewage.

(Videos of all the talks can be found on the Brighter Cornwall Facebook page- well worth a watch)

 CLICK HERE  

Recruitment and Talent Manager from Unlocking Potential Nicky Luke said: "Employability training is essential because students need to be thoroughly prepared to understand what is needed for them to successfully arrive at their ultimate choice of destination within the job market or running a business.  Not all students are ready to actively engage in their futures when they are busy trying to pass their degree courses - but if they don't do so, they risk being unprepared and potentially unsuccessful in achieving their dream careers.

“The speakers were carefully selected representatives from charities and entrepreneurs who were able to demonstrate that their wealth of knowledge and experience and they managed to cut through the day to day pressures of studying and helped the students to generate the fire in the bellies that they will need to focus in on what they want to do, what they need to do to achieve it, how to generate opportunities and how to sell themselves.  Their message was 'If I can do it - you can do it!' and students walked away from the event saying it was 'inspirational'.  The event was delivered by Unlocking Potential as part of the Brighter Cornwall project, funded by Cornwall Council to provide work placement and networking opportunities for undergraduate students".

For more information about Zoology, Marine and Surf Science courses at Cornwall College Newquay please visit www.cornwall.ac.uk, call 0845 2232567

Pond excavation at Treloggan

The ongoing restoration work of Treloggan Doorstep Green took an important step forward this week with the excavation of the pond.    

After a period of neglect, the community space at Treloggan Doorstep Green sadly became overgrown and unusable. As a result, two years ago, there was a move within Treloggan Residents Association to clean up the wildlife area where the pond exists. Staff and student volunteers from nearby Cornwall College Newquay were drafted in to manage and restore the area back to a state that can be enjoyed by the entire community.

Students Invasive Non Native Group (SINNG) is a student volunteer Local Action Group based at the College campus on Wildflower Lane. Project Coordinator for SINNG Nicola Morris, explains the group’s involvement in the restoration project: “I was approached by a former member of Treloggan Residents Association to assist with the restoration of a pond and last year I took SINNG volunteers along to help clear the vegetation which had built up over many years. The idea was to create more water flow through the pond and help conserve this vital community resource.

“This year we realised that more drastic action was needed as the vegetation grew back very quickly and there appeared to be less water in the pond than previously. I am delighted to be involved again and the students have all worked incredibly hard this autumn to clear vegetation from in and around the pond to allow greater access and more light to reach the pond.”

Nicola Morris from SINNG, students Elle Adams and Jade Clayson, Tristan Holmes and Town Councillor Zoe Dixon  

Student Tristan Holmes, who is currently studying the BSc Degree in Environmental Resource Management with Cornwall College, is overseeing the coordination of the project on behalf of the Treloggan Residents Association. Tristan has worked tirelessly to find a local contractor who was willing to help excavate the pond with a digger to allow for the water flow to return. Tristan said: “We have now started the process of excavating the pond to return the water. This will encourage wildlife back into the area and create an outdoor classroom where the community’s children can be encouraged to get back outside and re-connect with their green spaces and wildlife to develop passions and respect for such things.

“It is hoped that community engagement in activities during and in the future of this project will create a sense of ownership and commitment to looking after our remaining green spaces and at least decrease antisocial behaviour such a fly tipping and dog fouling. Ethan Mark Dingley who runs EMD Arenas, a local groundwork business kindly volunteered his services to dig out the pond. On behalf of everyone at Treloggan Residents Association, I would like to thank EMD Arenas for their support in this important project.”

Excavation of the pond underway with the help of EMD Arenas

With the excavation of the pond complete, SINNG volunteers plan to return in January 2017 to clear more vegetation from the stream which feeds the pond and this should ensure that next year the community of Treloggan will once again have a pond to be proud of.

An unusual aspect of this particular pond is that it has no invasive non-native plants living in it and SINNG intend to use it as an example of a flagship pond home to native frogs, newts, toads and bugs which the community can eventually use for pond dipping and outreach work.

Tristan Holmes continues: “During the last two years we have already been holding educational activities for the community’s children, where they have carried out their own experiments to learn about urban wildlife, habitats and services they provide such as pollination.

“This summer we had a Big Bug Day where the children did a grubbing up experiment to see how length of grass effects what insects they find, carried out two national wildlife surveys and made their own bug hotels. The day was a massive success and having the pond restored will increase the volume of classes we can hold throughout the year but also gives them something to do outside once in a while, not having a play park in the area. We will also be seeking funds to help develop the area including creating a wildflower meadow, dipping platforms and place for the community to sit ,enjoy, connect and reap the benefits of increased health and welfare that green spaces provide.”

For more information on the range of Zoology, Ecology and Conservation courses available at Cornwall College Newquay visit www.cornwall.ac.uk/newquay or call 0845 22 32 567. 

Bissoe Reserve- a hidden gem

(Written by Dr Mark Nason, Head of Cornwall College Newquay) 

I’m not ashamed to admit that I like contaminated dirt. With more derelict land than any other county, Cornwall suits me fine. Our Duchy has nearly 4000 hectares of spoil where lack of organic matter and the presence of toxic metals inhibits and slows recolonisation by plants and wildlife. Who decides what happens to post-industrial land? Should we intervene and if so what methods can restore it, and who pays? Questions any restoration programme must address whilst balancing competing priorities of stakeholders. Do we wish to enhance biodiversity, preserve industrial archaeology, or restore ecosystem services? Can a mixture of different land-uses satisfy all without resulting in too much of a mishmash to do any one thing properly? 

Common Darter- photo by Duncan Viner

During a recent cycle along the coast-to-coast trail from Portreath to Devoran I passed Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Bissoe Reserve near Point Mills Arsenic Refinery. Thinking it a prime location for a field-trip with ecology, conservation and plant science students I met volunteer warden, Duncan Viner, and had the privilege of accompanying him on a tour of the 7.5 acre former mine site.

Bissoe is a hidden gem, a mosaic of hummocks, hollows, ponds and flowing water, managed in part for its spectacular flying critters. Damselfy and dragonfly species here include golden ring, emporer, southern hawker, common darter and demoiselle. Lucky visitors might spot the grayling butterfly with its cryptic camouflage. Streams flowing through the reserve are managed and ponds maintained to promote biodiversity. They are spring-fed and appear relatively clean, in sharp contrast to the adjacent Carnon River, into which the County Adit discharges phenomenal quantities of metals from over 100 mines. 

Grayling butterfly- photo by Duncan Viner

On an outcropping of sandy soil the presence of stunted alder, rowan, sycamore and cherry hint at the difficult growing conditions on contaminated land. There is bare ground in and around the reserve and rather than ‘greening it’, it is valued as a haven for some of Britain’s rarest species of invertebrates and plants. Pushing through undergrowth we reach the top of a hummock and are treated to the incredible sight of thousands of ivy bees, a species first recorded in Britain in 2001. As the name suggests they feed almost exclusively on ivy, nesting in dense aggregations in sandy soil. 

We pick our way very carefully through their nesting site, bees buzzing harmlessly around us. Amongst reedmace at the northern edge of the reserve I reach down to gently remove an impressive water scorpion clinging to my boot. Ripe seed pods of Himalayan balsam explode against our legs with surprising force. This is one of many invasive non-native species in Cornwall and controlling it is essential to ensure our native plants and associated insects thrive. I make a note to offer Duncan help from the committed volunteers in our Student Invasive Non-Native Group. 

Invasive Himalayan Balsam growing at Bissoe Reserve

Bissoe Reserve and the surrounding area provide a unique opportunity to study the legacy of mining in Cornwall and discuss the opportunities and difficulties of land restoration. 

I’ll be bringing our students here soon.


For more information on the range of Ecology, Conservation, Zoology, Marine and Surf   courses available at Cornwall College Newquay visit www.cornwall.ac.uk/newquay or call 0330 123 2523. 

New degree course making a splash!

A specialist degree course at Cornwall College Newquay is celebrating 100% pass rate and 100% progression rate into employment or onto further training.

The BSc (Hons) Marine Sports Science degree is celebrating the success of its first cohort of students, who have just graduated with a majority of 2:1 and first class honours. The unique qualification, which is delivered at Cornwall College’s Newquay campus on Wildflower Lane, is accredited in partnership with Plymouth University.    

Course Manager Brender Willmott said: “I’m really proud of the success of our first cohort of Marine Sport Science students who graduated this year and also of the amazing team that took on the programme and delivered the new modules in such an engaging and successful way. The students embraced this new course and the opportunities it offered and produced some excellent research in a field that is currently understudied and that offers many openings in the field for future research and development.”

This is certainly the case for Cornwall College graduate Nicolo Agliata, who relocated from Rome to study the course. Nicolo said: “From a young age, I have always been fascinated by the marine environment; whether it was surfing, scuba diving, freediving or fishing, I have always tried to spend as much time as I possibly could in the water. It was also thanks to my parents, who both are devoted sailors that I was able to grow up so close to the environment that I love and, accordingly, cultivate my passion.

Nicolo Agliata is now going on to study a Masters in Australia

“To all the aspiring students I would say that choosing Cornwall College Newquay is by far the best choice you could make; not only are the lecturers and staff extremely helpful, but Cornwall will soon become your home away from home. This has truly been an amazing experience for me and I would recommend it to any marine sports enthusiast who is willing to start a career in this industry.


“What I love the most about the college are the small-size classrooms and the proximity to the ocean. Most of our lectures took place at Tolcarne beach, which is, without doubt, the best location for a class. Cornwall College definitely contributed a great extent to get me where I am today. I am about to leave for Australia where, in January, I am starting a master in Sport Management at Bond University. The surf industry is a tough one to get into but, thanks to the people I met during this course and their advice, I was able to find my own way.”

Cornwall...no better place to study marine sport science

The qualification, which is available as a full three year degree or as a one year top-up to supplement a relevant existing foundation degree, covers many aspects of the marine industry. The subjects range from business to oceanography, from health and fitness to advanced design concepts and with a focus on applied sport science. It is this versatility of topics that makes the course so unique and an excellent head start in a competitive industry.

Another graduate Esteban Hack, has taken the skills and confidence he gained on the course to progress to a project manager role at Anja Jones Translations, a translation agency in Newquay specialising in German, English and French translations. With a team of 32 in-house and freelance translators under him, Esteban is responsible for planning staff work volumes, making sure client deadlines are met, dealing with enquiries and any other problems that may emerge. Esteban said:  “Cornwall College has provided great opportunities to develop skills that aren’t purely academic. In my case that was anything project management and teamwork related, such as the managing of surf competitions and business modules.

“Surfing is more than just a hobby for me and it plays a major role in my everyday life. Everything about the ocean and how it works drew me to study the marine environment. In combination with learning about how I can perform better in that environment, the modules about sports performance and the human body in particular, were the main reasons for me to study this course.

“Studying in Newquay allowed me to live a lifestyle I actually wanted to live while being in full time education due to the incredible location. Being/living/studying in a place or environment you enjoy a lot obviously does help significantly with anything that comes your way. The only advice I think I can give would be to study what’s most fun to you, chances are higher it’ll take you somewhere you actually want to be in life.”

Esteban Hack graduating at Truro Cathedral 

Students have the opportunity to study a number of different modules relating to the ocean environment in which they practice their sport and in addition modules that will allow them the opportunity to gain key qualifications in their particular area of expertise and  interest to help enhance their employability in a competitive industry.  Alongside of this the essential business and management skills, transferable and soft skills key to graduate level employment will be embedded in a number of modules including event and expedition management and business and enterprise. Sustainability of marine sector sporting activities and environmental awareness will be considered alongside new and developing technology in the industry.

Graduate Ben Morrison is now looking to use his knowledge and skills to work abroad. Ben said: “Cornwall College has helped me understand the surf industry better and introduced me to so many different and helpful contacts. My tutor Brender has helped me apply for ski courses and jobs and at the moment I am training so I can start doing seasons as a ski instructor.

“Newquay is a great place for uni, close to the beach for surfing and it has a great night out. The college is fairly small but this just makes it better for lectures as you only have 15-20 in a class, so you get more opportunities to speak to your lecturer. The course is great, covering a range of really interesting modules. If you love surfing or any sort of marine sport, this is the course for you!”

For more information on the range of Marine, Surf or Zoology courses available at Cornwall College Newquay visit www.cornwall.ac.uk/newquay or call 0845 22 32 567. 

Dream job at the Beeb for former Newquay student

A former wildlife student from Cornwall College Newquay has landed a dream job presenting a popular children’s programme on the BBC!!   
  
Lizzie Daly, who studied her FdSc Animal Behaviour &Psychology course at Cornwall College Newquay, is currently presenting The Lets Go Club on the CBeebies channel. 

An adventurer at heart, Lizzie regularly goes cliff jumping, sea swimming and off road running and has just completed running 200 miles alone in Europe to raise money for the World Land Trust this summer. Her curiosity for the natural world has led her to conducting research in Iceland, Cornwall, across South Africa, and even venturing alone into Northern Cyprus to observe the distribution of snakes.  In addition to presenting The Lets Go Club, Lizzie aims to engage others by making wildlife documentaries which will inspire and encourage people to involve themselves in scientific endeavours. 

We sat down with Lizzie to find out more about her latest success and what she remembers from her time at Cornwall College: 


Where does your interest in wildlife and the natural world stem from?

Lizzie: It's funny because I get asked this a lot but I can't actually pinpoint the moment I fell in love with learning about the natural world! What I do know is that from a young age, elephants were a species that fascinated me, particularly in their complex social behaviours, and when I was in school I remember listening to hundreds of audio clips of elephant rumbles to try and learn the "elephant dictionary". Apart from that, I spent a lot of time when I was younger amongst nature and in the outdoors as I would go camping and backpacking with my family, so that probably played a huge part in my early interest.

What exactly about the subject draws you to it?

Lizzie: The natural world tells some of the most dramatic stories ever seen - what's not to love?!  No, really, I feel the most comfortable when I'm exploring nature or heading off into the middle of nowhere in search of catching a behaviour or wildlife spectacle on film, and my fascination for wildlife comes hand in hand with my strong sense of adventure. 

I'm drawn to research because of the combination of problem solving, creativity and rigorous testing that gives us today's extensive knowledge of the natural world and this has always inspired me. In fact I would go as far to say that not a week goes by where I'm not amazed by a new discovery science makes. 



What did you enjoy about studying at Cornwall College Newquay?

Lizzie: One of the highlights of studying at Cornwall College was the location and the people. Having the Cornish coast and the zoo right on my doorstep meant that I could apply what I learnt at University to the environment around me. Furthermore the staff and researchers were very supportive and creative, encouraging students to involve themselves in a variety of scientific endeavours. 

Can you tell me how your presenting job on the BBC came about?

Lizzie: A lot of my time is spent making my own wildlife films and pushing them on social media and believe it or not the BBC job came from being randomly spotted online! This is why it's so important to put yourself out there...and also through pushing myself online I was able to get myself noticed by an agent.

How did Cornwall College contribute to where you are today?

Lizzie: Cornwall College was an important stepping stone for me in learning more about the world of research. The University provided me with plenty of opportunities to volunteer, work in the field and develop my skills in communicating science. The work of projects like SINNG are vital in raising awareness and communicating to the public about our important native species, it's these projects which really make a difference.


Have you got any advice for aspiring wildlife presenters out there?

Lizzie: YES! To anyone who wants to be a wildlife presenter, grab a camera and start filming as soon as possible! If you are passionate about wildlife then the story will tell itself, all you have to do is catch it on camera. It takes practice, time and patience (usually waiting around in the cold/rain for hours which 90% is the case when filming wildlife), but when you do get the shot / camera piece you need it's the most rewarding feeling - and being able to share that moment with others is even more special!!


Keep up to date with Lizzie:
https://www.facebook.com/LizzieDalyWildlife/ 
https://twitter.com/_lizziedaly



To see the range of Zoology, Surf & Marine courses on offer visit: 
www.cornwall.ac.uk/newquay 

Want to be a Beach Ranger?

Young people across the county have been benefiting from the launch of an exciting new programme, designed to offer valuable life skills and accredited qualifications against the backdrop of Cornwall’s stunning marine environment.

The Beach Rangers Academy, part of the Your Shore Beach Rangers project run in partnership between Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Cornwall College Newquay, encourages young people aged 16 to 24 to connect with Cornwall’s marine surroundings through a structured programme of personal development. Through engaging activities that will build confidence, teamwork, communication and other life skills, the programme not only increases employability but also raises awareness of important environmental issues to a wider audience.

 Beach Ranger Academy Leader Ruth Martin, said: “It’s a really exciting opportunity for young people to gain training, awards and rewards that will make them more employable. The Academy recognises the special places we live and encourages young people to celebrate and protect them.”

Using Cornwall’s inspirational coastline as a setting, this last month has seen the programme gaining momentum, with a large number of aspiring Beach Rangers taking part in various training sessions at both Cornwall College Newquay and the College’s beachside classrooms at Tolcarne Beach.

So far, the Rangers were given an insight into the importance of beach safety training by a supervisor from Newquay RNLI lifeboat station, as well as a basic first aid training sessions from Staying Alive Cornwall. The programme also provides training in marine environmental issues, mindfulness, survey techniques including shore and snorkel surveys, nutrition, the ethics of farming and aquaculture, marine species identification, and experience in planning and organising outdoor events and activities.   

The Beach Ranger Academy is one of thirty one youth-led projects across the UK receiving funding to give young people the skills and knowledge to improve their local environments – from reducing marine pollution to minimising food waste. In Cornwall, The project will be recruiting 180 Beach Rangers, building their confidence and resilience to become environmental leaders and influence decisions at local and national levels.

Beach Ranger Academy Leader Brender Wilmott said: “The Beach Rangers Academy is an adventure, stretching young people to learn new skills that are directly applicable to their future development and employability. Trained Beach Rangers will go on to organise and lead public engagement activities that promote the local marine environment to local secondary school pupils and the general public, enabling them to gain new skills relevant to finding jobs, training, volunteering opportunities, or starting entrepreneurial projects that contribute to the green economy. If you are looking to learn new skills, meet interesting people, be part of a community and achieve qualifications that will look great on your CV, we would love to see you get involved.” 

 For more information on the Cornwall Beach Rangers Academy, find out more at: www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/YSBR 

or email: beachrangers@cornwall.ac.uk     

The heat is on....or is it?

The heat is on! 

This week sees our crowd funding project go live!

The reason we are one of 14 zoo projects around the world in the Zoo Challenge is that west coast USA crowd funder host Experiment spotted a recent paper published in Zoo Biology by a student and Centre and Zoo staff. They were impressed; they approached us to encourage our participation in the Zoo Challenge.

Our project The heat is on, or is it? Better heating for captive tortoises will find out how critically endangered Madagascan radiated tortoises Geochelone radiata in Newquay Zoo use the heat sources in their enclosure.

Be part of this project by contributing to the project. Any amount will help us get to our total and the more people who contribute, the more chance we have of being selected to receive an extra $1000 direct from the crowd funder.

Click on this link to go to the crowd funding page for the project

Some detail on the project. Thermal imaging cameras will be used to compare the effectiveness of different external heat sources in warming tortoises. The results will be widely disseminated in the zoo world through links with Durrell, ZSL and of course Newquay Zoo who will incorporate the information into development of their tortoise enclosure.

The project is a brilliant example of the collaborations involving the staff and students at the Centre for Applied Zoology at Cornwall College Newquay – uncovering information that has a direct, local and widespread application in zoology. We plan to use Centre equipment and staff expertise together with Zoo staff to collect and interpret the data. The crowd funding proposal was co-written by the team and the supporting video was produced by a recent BSc Applied Zoology and Wildlife Education & Media graduate.

So the heat is on! We have about a month to raise the project total. If you are unable to help by donating, please spread the information far and wide through your networks in case someone you know can.

(by Peter McGregor- Research Coordinator at Cornwall College Newquay )  

Students fight the Microbead

Sparked by the government announcement of a new law banning the use of plastic microbeads in certain consumer products, staff and students from Cornwall College Newquay have been reflecting on their ongoing research and conservation efforts around the effects of microplastics on the marine environment.  

Microbeads are tiny solid particles made from petrochemical plastics that are commonly used in exfoliating personal care products, toothpastes and in biomedical and health-science research. Microbeads can cause plastic particle water pollution and pose an environmental hazard for aquatic animals in freshwater and ocean water.

Former student Chris Weston studied a BSc Honours Degree in Applied Zoology with Cornwall College and chose to investigate Microplastics for his final honour project. Chris said: “My view on the government's plan to ban certain microplastic containing products is on the whole positive; it's great that the problem is being tackled at national government level. However, it is also important to ensure they follow up on their promise to ban microbeads but also carry out more research into microfibre pollution from clothing and look into oceanic sources such as fishing gear fibres, which I found so many of in my degree study! 

“It's important for the population to embrace this decision for the health of the UK's seas, and is a huge step forward for so many people to sign a petition against the use of microplastics. A better scientific understanding of how microplastics can affect ecosystems and the food we eat is essential for the general population to grasp and bear in mind when making future political decisions. My advice for people would be generally to reduce the amount of plastic you use day-to-day. Avoiding products containing microplastics is a great start, but reducing plastic use generally is also important. Plastic packaging, bags and the like will all break down to become microplastics if they find their way into watercourses, so try to reduce use of these products and instead use and reuse sustainable packaging!”

For Chris, the passion for eliminating microplastics stems from his fascination for all things marine. He continues: “I'm drawn to the marine environment because it's an area to explore for me, mostly surfing and wild swimming, but it's also an important area to study as its massively important for supporting human populations. The ocean's act as a regulator for the planet, ecosystems in the marine environment produce the majority of the human population's protein and the seas also play a huge role in regulating our climate and keeping this planet comfortable! So to me, to not understand the marine environment more thoroughly and try and protect it would be crazy!” 



Is the issue of microbeads linked to a lack of awareness among the general public?

Cornwall College alumnus Charlotte Rothwell, who also studied a degree in Applied Zoology, said: “I think the government's recent decisions concerning microbeads is a step in the right direction but I think they should stop trying to focus on products such as exfoliators as this seems to limit the ban to beauty products whereas a lot of other products, such as cleaning products, contains microbeads. I think the public support behind the petitions to ban microbeads was surprising as I didn't think that many people would support the ban, but I also think maybe people don't fully understand what they are signing and how it really affects the environment - for example they may sign the petition but then still go out and buy products containing microbeads. I think petitions that are put up concerning microbeads and the like should have more information about the effects of the problem and this may subconsciously educate people more.

“For members of the public who are not aware of the dangers, I would say microplastics are not only harmful to fish but they can contain chemicals which can leach into fish and accumulate up the food chain, producing a bioload of chemicals that if ingested by humans can cause a multitude of health complaints including damage to the hormone systems and the systems in the body it controls. Products that contains microbeads often contain more chemicals, whereas products that have found alternatives to microbeads are often more environmentally conscious and more natural.

“So not only would using products with microbead alternatives alleviate the problem but it may also benefit water quality overall with less chemicals being discharged. 

“I am drawn to study the marine environment as I just think it's wonderful. Studying at Cornwall College Newquay put me in a great location close to the water which gave the college a more relaxed atmosphere. Everyone in Newquay seemed very likeminded which I think mostly came down to the location as people move to the sea to enjoy it. The lecturers are also all really passionate about what they do which makes you excited to study.”

For more information on the range of Zoology, Surf and Marine courses available at Cornwall College Newquay Group visit www.cornwall.ac.uk or call 0845 22 32 567.

Isles of Scilly visit

By Jason Birt (Programme Manager-Wildlife Education & Media)

“Where?”

“There!”

“Where?!”

“300 metres, 9 o’clock. See the fins breaking the surface.”

“Oh yeah!”

So ran a conversation on the port side of the Scillonian when the largest group of common dolphins broke the surface. An hour earlier we had left the dock at Penzance en route to the Isles of Scilly. With only a gentle swell greeting the bow of a ship renowned for inducing nausea, we felt some confidence that the students would escape the worst and be able to stay up on deck for an informal cetacean spot. As we sailed past the Runnelstone Reef (now part of a Marine Conservation Zone), an area famed for cetaceans and seabirds due to the upwelling of currents that drives food in the area, Manx shearwaters wheeled past on the hunt, with gannets flying past looking for somewhere productive to dive.

The intention for the day was to give the students from the marine, zoology, Conservation and Ecology, and Wildlife Education and Media degree courses some experience of distance sampling from a moving vessel. At arrival on the islands, the students could disperse to explore under their own supervision or to join us staff on two “expeditions”. The first, led by Dr Kelly Haynes and I, was to head to the island of St Agnes and its sister island, Gugh, joined by a tombolo at low water, to meet with Jaclyn Pearson, Project Lead of the RSPB seabird Recovery Project. We were joined by seven students who also wanted to see a conservation project in action. 

The intention was to find out about the rat eradication project that the RSPB have run for the last few years. It is a fantastic community based project, designed to eradicate Gugh and St Agnes of rats. It has been successful so far, with both islands being rat-free for two years. Why would they want to eradicate rats? In this instance, rats are an invasive species and they eat an awful lot of insects, shrews and – this is why the RSPB have been involved – eggs and chicks. Eggs and chicks of seabirds, some of whom have had precipitous drops in numbers in recent years for a host of reasons. Lesser black-backed gulls are ground nesters and rats will eat their eggs and young. Likewise for terns and Manx shearwaters. We went to look at the nesting gulls and could see them tending to the eggs and young, occasionally wheeling close to make sure we did not present a threat. A little later, we went in search of Manx shearwater burrows. These oceanic birds are not comfortable on the land and for a nest use old rabbit burrows. When these lifelong monogamists pair back up for nesting, they search for an empty burrow by calling their mooing, screeching call down a burrow. A mooing, screeching call back from the depths of a burrow indicates occupancy and the investigative pair will move on. It was that behaviour we were exploiting to find an occupied burrow. Jaclyn, and her assistant Lydia, played calls from an iPhone down a succession of burrows in the hope of eliciting a call. After several burrows and some frustration we finally had a call back, an eerie moo from a burrow facing out to sea.

After an adjournment to the most south-westerly pub in the UK, the Turk’s Head, we discussed the progress of the project and how this was one of the speedier conservation successes. Numbers of nesting Manx shearwaters had already increased, with nesting success also increasing. It was heartening to see a successful conservation project in action and it served as a reminder that what we do and what we teach really can make a difference.

The second expedition was led by Bex Allen, our seal expert, and involved getting in the water. In wetsuits. A number of students joined Bex, and a guest of ours, Annabelle Lowe of Atlantic Diver (a boat we use for student teaching operating out of Newquay), to head over to St Martins. The purpose? To go seal snorkelling! Working with Scilly Seal Snorkelling, Bex and the students were kitted out in neoprene and dropped off the side of a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) when some seals were spotted. The Isles of Scilly, particularly the outer islands are home to hundreds of grey seals, feeding around the islands and breeding in the late Autumn. Seal snorkelling is one of those bucket list moments. The interaction is amazing with these playful, inquisitive mammals, with them nibbling at your fins a real possibility. It is all safe and under considerable supervision but it must be stated that this is not something you should try at home, on your own! The students who went on this expedition came back tired and yet buzzing with whole experience and the photos and videos only hint at the excitement of the activity.

On return, many slept. The day trip to the Isles of Scilly is always a tiring one. Those of us who weren’t tuckered out kept watch for cetaceans. We were rewarded with a lone bottlenose dolphin in the approach to Penzance harbour. This was one for a photo-ID project as it had a nick in the fin. In all, we experience 14 common dolphins, one porpoise and a bottlenose dolphin, not to mention the close-up seal action, nesting gulls, mooing shearwaters and flocks of auks and gannets. This is an annual trip and one that always has us wondering whether it should be a residential one, so we can experience the magic of these islands for longer. 

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http://www.collegeexperience.co.uk/newquay-tasters/
https://www.cornwall.ac.uk/newquay