pádraig desmond

Currently volunteering with the DoC on Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf. As part of the trans-location of endangered bird species monitoring team, primary duties include monitoring, telemetry tracking and data collection, while also gaining experience in pest control and ecosystem restoration

This role allowed me pass on the skills that I acquired during my Ecology and Environmental Biology degree in University College Cork, demonstrating to first year science students. The labs included microscope skills, preparing specimens for observation, basic genetics and plant and animal physiology, as well as advising students on the subject at hand.

Security warden in student accommodation where duties include fire safety, point of contact outside office hours for students and maintaining order in the complex.

Funded by the NPWS and in association with University College Cork, I am part of a team at Envirico carrying out population censuses on puffins (Fratercula arctica), manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus) and storm petrels (Hydrobates pelagicus). Work is carried out on remote islands off the south west coast of Ireland. Initially, habitat surveys are required, followed by visual counts and tape playback methods to estimate numbers. Work done while camping multiple days on the islands. Additionally, I am part of the safety rope team using abseil to access more difficult cliff habitats.

As part of my curriculum as an Ecology and Environmental Biology student I completed a six week internship at Galtee Honey Farm. During this time, thanks to the size of the enterprise (15 apiaries with 150 hives) I gained experience in all aspects of the Native Irish Black Bee including hive inspections and hygiene, disease treatment, swarm control, propagation, queen rearing and honey harvesting.

Worked in Funkytown Adventure Centre as a kayaking instructor in which my main duty was to take individuals or groups out around the Fountainstown area on guided tours. This includes getting people prepared, giving a pre-safety talks and taking responsibility for their safety. This job also included planning and carrying out day long activities for kids camp and parties.

Worked in my family business of window and door repairs. This work included working with PVC, aluminum and timber in double glazing houses, replacing broken glass and fixing all window and door systems.

Worked in the CMRC on a summer student bursary in which I took part and aided in European Union projects, developed a contact database and a questionnaire on marine recreation and also partook in field data collection and experiments, aiding PHD students.