Jordanian conservationists experience isles nature reserves

Three conservationists from Jordan are visiting Shetland on an exchange with the RSPB.

Feras Rahahleh manages the Aqaba bird observatory at the north end of the Red Sea while Ibrahim Al-Mahasneh and Hussam Al Awaidat manage nature reserves beside the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth.

They are visiting Shetland to learn about wetland management on the RSPB reserves at the Loch of Spiggie and Fetlar. They will also spend a week on Fair Isle finding out how the Bird Observatory operates.

RSPB Northern Isles manager Pete Ellis has visited Jordan several times to work with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature on their reserves.

He said that had been a great experience for him so it was nice to be able to “show the guys what we do in Shetland”.