This blog was written by Bridge Year Fellow Sydney Young.
Each day here looks a little different, but it is always grounded in hands-on volunteer work. I have spent mornings monitoring and feeding the animals that live at the sanctuary, including birds, baby chickens, goats, and fish, and afternoons in the gardens and forests, prepping land for sugarcane cultivation, or conducting endoscopies of nest boxes in tall trees.
Feeding the goats has been one of the most adventurous tasks so far. It requires trekking deep into the forest, navigating through trees, tall grass, and mud before reaching their shelter. Once there, I provide them with water and chop down fresh tree branches with a sickle so they can graze. It is hard work, but incredibly rewarding.
One of the most challenging tasks I have done has been conducting endoscopies of the nest boxes. This involves trekking through the forest with long sticks and a camera, then carefully maneuvering them into boxes mounted high in trees to check for eggs, chicks, or other activity. It is physically demanding and requires a great deal of patience, balance, and precision, but it is critical for monitoring the health and progress of the Bali Starling population.
Beyond animal care, I have also been helping the sanctuary reach more people by updating their guidebook and creating infographics to make people aware of the work we are doing and how they can get involved. This way, more people from around the world can learn about Besikalung and hopefully join the effort.
One of the most meaningful parts of my time here has been connecting with the local community. The kindness of the people here has made me feel welcomed and at home. Before a recent Hindu religious ceremony, I joined other locals in cleaning the temple to help prepare for the event. On the day of the ceremony, I worked hard to engage with the community by helping to create offerings, eating alongside everyone, and joining in the shared experience of the gathering. I am also making an active effort to learn both Indonesian and Balinese, the two primary languages spoken here. It is not easy, but practicing with locals has helped me not only improve but also build stronger relationships with the people around me.
At the heart of the sanctuary’s mission is the preservation of the Bali Starling, the official bird of Bali and a symbol of cultural pride. The species is critically endangered, facing major threats such as illegal trapping, habitat loss, and a very small wild population. The sanctuary combats these challenges through habitat restoration and monitoring and patrols to ensure the birds have healthy environments to thrive and also observing them daily to track their health and behavior. Right now, the sanctuary has built 32 nest boxes to encourage breeding, and they are monitoring 82 Bali starlings, a hopeful sign for the species’ recovery.
As I reflect on this first month, I feel grateful for the chance to contribute to such meaningful work. From caring for animals and chopping branches in the forest, to conducting nest box endoscopies, cleaning temples, and creating offerings with villagers, each day has brought new lessons about resilience, community, and conservation. I am excited to see what the next months will bring, and I look forward to continuing this journey, one that is as much about preserving wildlife as it is about learning from the people, traditions, and languages of Bali.
