Hello everyone! My name is Carmen, and it has been my pleasure to call RSPB Loch Lomond my home for the past three months. In my work as a residential volunteer, I primarily assist the visitor experience team on site to welcome visitors to the reserve, chat about exciting recent wildlife sightings, and patrol the paths down to the loch. Spending most of my working hours outside has been a new experience for me, and the many miles on foot a much-needed change of pace after four years of being a student bent over my books. As my stay here is sadly coming to a close, here are some of my highlights from my time at RSPB Loch Lomond.
What stands out to me is how much I have learned since I moved here in May. My first morning on the reserve was a 5 am start as the warden took myself and a group of other volunteers out onto the paths for a spring-time dawn chorus. It boggled my mind just how much of the identification of birds comes down to their song and movement and I was very keen to embark on my own journey to becoming a better birder. Three months on, I believe my skills have absolutely improved and it is nice to think back and recognise this progress.
The people I work with each seem to have certain pockets full of illuminating information about all sorts of nature topics: from birds, butterflies and moths to wildflowers, lichen and funky fungi. Thankfully, they are all more than happy to share their knowledge and so I feel I have grown my own pockets of wildlife facts. This came in very handy when I got to lead my first guided nature walk for the RSPB. Guided tours like our Wildlife Wanders are an excellent way to connect to people and share our enthusiasm for the natural world. I thoroughly enjoyed showing visitors my favourite spots around the reserve, chatting to them about our beaver family, and keeping our eyes out for any signs of wildlife.
Another thing I developed here is a love for moths. Over the summer moths the team survey the local moth population by putting out a non-lethal moth trap overnight. The moth unboxing, as I like to call it, always generated a lot of excitement for myself and the rest of the team, as we got to see Garden Tiger Moths, Elephant Hawkmoths, Poplar Hawkmoths, Great Emerald Moths and other stunners from a close range – like the palm of our hand.
I also discovered my interest in wildlife education and really enjoyed getting involved with mini beast themed activities (such as bug hunting, pond dipping and bug hotel building) as well as with school and Redcross groups visiting the reserve. Another highlight was getting tasked with devising a summer holiday kids trail. From sketching ideas, painting boards, and creating hand-outs, creating our new Nature Detective trail was a great experience. It has been a joy to see it up and running and visiting families having fun with my animal boards.
Even as I move on from my time with the RSPB, the Loch Lomond reserve will always be the place where I saw my first osprey, pine marten, weasel, red squirrel, tawny owl(et) and sedge warbler!
There is nothing like spending three months on a reserve and seeing the flora and fauna change with the seasons. During my first month in May it was the time for bluebells and Orange-tip butterflies, June brought the foxgloves, Meadow Brown and Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies, and July has the Meadowsweet dominating on the fen and lots of Green-veined White butterflies flying past the nature hub.
Living on the reserve also allowed me to go for evening walks which is how I got to enjoy the local bats and spotted our internet famous group of three juvenile pine martens at the peanut feeder. Even on days off, you hear the Jays screeching from the trees outside the farmhouse, foxes sneaking over the field past the ponds, and at night you may get soothed to sleep by the tawny owl crying from the roof. I am so glad I got this opportunity of being non-stop immersed in nature and exciting wildlife sightings lurking behind every corner!