Meet Claire Oughtred - Trainee Ranger

Laura Ross
, 13 August 2024
Meet Claire Oughtred - Trainee Ranger
Claire Oughtred © Gesine Garz

By Laura Ross

Communications Officer, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Claire Oughtred recently joined the Land Management team as Rye Harbour Nature Reserve's new Trainee Ranger. You'd definitely fancy your chances with her on your quiz team; she has a degree in Social Anthropology, a Masters in the Environment and Climate Change and an interest in rare birds and flowers. I met up with her to find out where her passion for knowledge comes from.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

My interest in nature and the outdoors definitely comes from my family. Growing up, I spent my summers exploring the moors of County Durham, where my father would always encourage me in spotting rarer birds such as Black Grouse, as well as more unusual flowers like Spring Gentians. This background ultimately led me to study an MSc in Environment and Climate Change at the University of Manchester, and from there I pursued a career in environmental management of big infrastructure projects before making this wonderful change into conservation.

Black Grouse
Black Grouse © Darin Smith

What does your role as Trainee Ranger involve? 

There's not really a typical day as such, but yesterday I had the pleasure of supporting the marine team in undertaking a fish survey down at Rye Harbour. Today and tomorrow I am doing my brush cutter training course in Sevenoaks. It is really so varied which always keeps it interesting! 

Small fish survey
Small fish survey at Rye © Felix Reitze de la Haye

What are you most looking forward to?

I think having the opportunity to learn about so many aspects of reserve management, whether that be plant and bird identification, or building my strength and practical skills by building and using different tools. I'm also excited to learn how to lead volunteer sessions.

And what do you see as your main challenges?

That there is so much to learn! I try to keep in mind the mantra that 'The only true wisdom, is in knowing you know nothing' because I find that the more I learn, the more I realise there is to know. Socrates would be proud.

Do you have a favourite spot at the nature reserve?

I love the shingle beach on the Beach Reserve. For me, being by the sea is a pleasure of the gods.

Beach Reserve
Beach Reserve © Barry Yates

Tell us something about you we might not know

I love learning other languages and exploring how the languages we speak can frame the ways we think. For example, did you know that the Pirahã language does not have words for numbers? This means that its speakers enjoy a cognitive anumeracy - basically, their language doesn't allow them to count.

Leave a comment

Comments

  • mary:

    good luck – welcome

    14 Aug 2024 06:52:00

  • Jan Dryburgh:

    , In the early 1950’, I was part of a family that camped (beside the Martello tower – (The space is now built over, I think). We sailed from Rye harbour for years. Since then, until recently, I have been in Norfolk,(also sailing) I discovered the Nature Reserve when searching for the shingle garden. I am living now in West Sussex- Rustington, and no longer have a car. I should LOVE to see your Nature Resrrve, but Cannot see how I could get to you – by public Transport?
    Have you any suggestions Please. (There is an 700 Bus, to Brighton…or a train to Hasting, But both take a long time out of a day, and I’ll need to return same day..?

    16 Aug 2024 13:52:00

  • Sussex Wildlife Trust:

    Hi Jan,

    Thanks for getting in touch. The easiest way to get to us on public transport, would be a direct train from Brighton to Rye station. From there the 313 bus takes you to Rye Harbour village and we're a short walk from there.

    We hope you can return again soon.

  • Mike:

    We outdoor volunteers all think you’re wonderful!!
    Mike

    18 Aug 2024 08:44:00

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