SECRETS SKY

Jessica Wilmot is the driving force behind BirdLife South Africa's Flyway and Migrants Project, working across borders to safeguard some of the planet's most threatened species and habitats. Supporting BirdLife International's East Atlantic Flyway Initiative, Jessica is at the heart of efforts to keep our skies alive with birds, particularly the enigmatic European Roller, which is her current focus and passion.

- 

What first sparked your fascination with migratory birds, and the European Roller in particular?

It was really the desire to live a purpose-driven life that led me to BirdLife South Africa – and ultimately to the European Roller. I've always been drawn to work that contributes to something bigger and when the opportunity came to work for BirdLife South Africa I jumped at it, even though I wasn't a birder.

I consider myself incredibly lucky that we chose the European Roller as our flagship species. It's such an iconic little traveller, and the perfect ambassador for raising awareness about the challenges migratory birds face.

When you think of the European Roller's journey, what emotion or image comes to mind?

Awe. The sheer resilience and determination it takes for 150-gram birds to travel more than 10 000 kilometres is nothing short of awe-inspiring. That they continue to do this in an increasingly unpredictable and rapidly changing world makes it even more profound.

I feel deeply for the plight these incredible travellers face. Holding one in your hands is a moment of gravity – you're filled with wonder, knowing this individual is about to show you the path to conserving its species, but there's a huge sense of responsibility; once you have the data, you have the obligation to act on it. And if you don't, who will?

It can feel overwhelming at times, but I choose to lean into the incredible opportunities this research brings. I get to be part of a growing network of people working to protect sites and species across continents. The European Roller is more than a bird; it's a thread connect-ing ecosystems, cultures and conservationists along the flyway.

Which living or late bird conservationist or scientist do you most admire, and why?