Meet our staff: Ranger Dav Bridger

Emma Chaplin
, 28 April 2024
Meet our staff: Ranger Dav Bridger
Dav Bridger

Emma Chaplin

Communications Officer

Dav Bridger was born in Poole, Dorset and has always been interested in nature conservation. He studied Zoology at Royal Holloway, then did a post graduate degree in Wildlife Conservation in Bristol. After working in retail whilst wanting to work in conservation, he came work for Sussex Wildlife Trust as a Heritage Intern at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve (RHNR) in March 2023. He recently became a member of the Land Management team, after successfully applying for the role of Ranger (West). 

How are you finding the role of Ranger so far?

I'm loving it. It's everything I dreamed of and more. There's a lot of crossover with the training I received as Heritage Trainee at RHNR. I'm responsible for helping with maintenance of all the Western reserves:

These are: Amberley Wildbrooks, Burton Mill Pond, Butcherlands, Cooksbridge Meadow, Ebernoe Common, Graffham Common, Iping and Stedham Common, Levin Down, Leythorne Meadow, Marehill Quarry, The Mens, Waltham Brooks, West Dene Woods and Woods Mill.

Also, I'm responsible with my colleagues for leading the relevant volunteer teams. The volunteers are really interesting. They come from all walks of life and their level of dedication is impressive. 

What might the range of duties for a Ranger involve?

All sort of things! Mending fences, checking fences. Coppicing. Putting in a trough for the conservation grazing stock. Last week, a tree had fallen on a trough, so we had to saw it in half then then restore the trough. Clearing scrub. Removing invasive species. We help the grazing team sometimes with moving stock. We work with volunteers. We maintain communications with Volunteer Reserve Managers. We also keep up communications with nearby landowners and farmers. 

Recently I've been mending fences at Butcherlands for the Guernsey (caramel coloured) and Bagot Goats, which we've brought in for conservation grazing.

Goats at Butcherlands © Abi Haidemenos
Goats at Butcherlands © Abi Haidemenos

What have you learnt that you didn't expect?

I've had opportunities for things I never thought I'd do. For example, at Rye Lucy (Bowyer) had me moth trapping every day from May to November. I loved seeing the Sussex Emerald, which for a rare moth were surprisingly common! Lucy was great, and a big factor in why I had such a great year. I learnt so much from her as well as Natasha (Sharma) and Jill (Ferguson) in the Communities team. 

What qualities do you need to do your job?

To be a people person, eager to learn, patient, a good problem solver, adaptable, good at open communication. You also need to have a level of endurance and perseverance. 

What are your favourite wild spaces in Sussex?

I love Guestling Woods. So beautiful - like a Studio Ghibli film. In terms of Trust reserves - I love Ebernoe. There's something new every time I go there. And Butcherlands. So scrubby, then you hear the Nightingales. It's so special. I love Castle Water at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve too. 

Butcherlands © Deirdre Huston
Butcherlands © Deirdre Huston

Best part of your job?

Simply being outside in all weathers. I used to work indoors in a warehouse with no windows. Even when it's chucking it down with rain - I remember how much I wanted to be outside and here I am!

I also love working with different people in all departments of the Trust now. There's so much knowledge and expertise. 

Tell us something about yourself we don't know

I'm in the top 0.01% of Carly Simon listeners on Spotify!

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