Colleen joined the team in April, taking over from Fiona McIntyre as Volunteer Officer. We asked her to step into the spotlight this month by answering our five questions!
What sparked your interest in wildlife, and what made you decide to get involved with the Ealing Wildlife Group?
When I was a child I wanted to be a vet! That didn’t stick but I always wanted to be around and learn about animals. I grew up in Hanwell and had a few years of moving around after University but was drawn back to Ealing. My first experience with the group was helping on a few sessions preparing the site at Paradise Fields as part of the Beaver Project and I felt so proud to have been part of something like that, so I just wanted to do more and more, and here I am!
If you could only recommend one spot in Ealing for someone to experience the best of its wildlife, where would it be and what makes it so special?
Of course it’s got to be Paradise Fields for our Beavers and the other wildlife that they are bringing back to the area!
Tell us about a wildlife encounter that really sticks with you. What do you remember most vividly about it?
It’s quite recent, but I think it will stay with me for a long time… seeing Willow the mumma Beaver when spending time with Şeniz a few months ago. We were walking and talking and then next thing we know, bumped into Willow as she was chomping on some branches. it was the first time I had seen more than a head popping out of the water and I was absolutely amazed and honoured to experience such a close encounter with our local engineer matriarch!
If you could transform into a UK animal for a day, what would you be and why?
Absolutely an Eurasian (river) Otter (Lutra lutra). I love a good swim and generally think they are super cute and cheeky. Whether I am those things is for others to say..!
