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I first volunteered for the RSPB at the age of 17 - as a voluntary warden at Arne. The then warden, Bryan Pickess, handed me the envelope with me A-level results in it. That was long before the days of texts and emails!
I enjoyed the experience, learned a bit, and contributed a bit too. I dimly remember counting cars passing by on the road, counting birds, spotting colour-ringed Dartford warblers, carrying the battery for the warden's moth trap (!) and hacking at some scrub for hours.
But I clearly remember the smooth snakes and sand lizards that I saw.
That experience didn't put me off thinking about working for the RSPB years later twhen the chance came up. And it demonstrated to a variety of employers in between that I had done something useful with me time.
there are lots of ways that you can volunteer for the RSPB at any age. Help the Big Society for the Protection of Birds.
A love of the natural world demonstrates that a person is a cultured inhabitant of planet Earth.
One of the things that really impressed me was RSPB's recognition that not everyone wants to - or can - hack scrub - and that many who don't have equally - or more valuable - skills. The RSPB 'jobs ads' for volunteers - including computer work, fund raising & all sorts is brilliant. My one complaint is that having helped manage several countryside/ bird charities I always seem to end up doing the grubby bits - finance, personnel etc and never get anywhere near the birds ! They also serve who just sit in committe meetings I suppose.....
I spent a month doing voluntary work at the RSPB Loch Garten Reserve in January almost exactly 30 years ago. The weather was extremely cold similar to this winter and i remember waking up in the caravan each morning with a layer of ice on top of my sleeping bag. The whole area was pretty well cut off by snow and this snow blanket seemed to enhance the silence. One morning two red stags walked right past the caravan and most mornings a crested tit came right into the caravan to steal a bit of bacon rind. I helped with some forestry work by extracting trees making the regimented rows of planted scots pine look a little more natural. I found this to be a fantastic experience and one I will never forget. And I should really pay a return visit after all of this time
Some volunteers think it is a chance in a lifetime.
I first volunteered for the RSPB when I was 60 and have been a member of a working party on our local reserve for the passed 12 years! Still hacking scrub, building log piles (ask Redkite about that one) and fences, helping remove drains and putting them in, layering hedges, planting reeds and cutting them down etc etc. We are mostly men of a certain age and I think we work well as a team. Many new friendships made, levels of fitness maintained and hopefully some contribution made to the environment. Can't recommend it too highly!
I agree Redkite age is no barrier at some places although I think I am too old for hacking scrub now !! I go up to Loch Garten in Scotland from Hampshire but sadly this year might be my last - not age but the price of petrol to get there !! but I shall see what is on offer next year nearer home .
Valerie