Blogger: Mary Gamblin, Eastern England Regional Office Volunteer
Waking on a sunny morning is always a joy but especially now as I look out at my glorious bird cherry tree in full blossom - without even leaving my bed! It's tall and slender, growing between a wild cherry and a whitebeam and now, for a brief fortnight, it is covered in plump white cones of flowers that shimmer in the sunlight. Just beyond, the wild cherry is preparing for its showy mass of flowers but nothing excels the bird cherry. Unless it's the crab apple...? Beautiful pink and white blossom in early spring, then the apples in summer that later turn red and look stunning on a frosty or snowy morning. And this winter - oh joy! oh rapture! - no less than forty waxwings perched on the wild cherry and patiently took their turn to feed on the crab apples. For eleven days. And I'd never even seen a waxwing before that, though I had sought them hard enough. (No photo, alas. The waxwings weren't bothered by me but first a blackbird sounded the alarm and then a collared dove!)
So the garden is one of my passions and birds are another. Birds tempted me to retire in Norfolk and soon I discovered how much more there is to enjoy in this lovely county. Joining the RSPB as a volunteer in the Norwich office has been an important part of that discovery process. I have learnt so much working with friendly, dynamic staff, whether about conservation, dealing with people, or basic office skills. Volunteers are clearly valued and the 'Thank You' days out on reserves are hugely appreciated. Could RSPB be yet another passion? It's starting to sound like it. Why else would I be writing my first ever blog at 6am!
Find out more about how you can make your gardens a haven for wildlife at http://www.rspb.org.uk/hfw/about/