In our second blog celebrating Volunteers Week, one of our fantastic returning volunteers at our Loch Garten reserve shares her experiences of the magical Cairngorms.
Volunteers Week: The magic of Abernethy
Hi! I’m Liz, and I am an RSPB Scotland Volunteer. Three years ago, I discovered a volunteer opportunity at Loch Garten in the Cairngorms. I have just completed my fourth week of volunteering there since I discovered it in 2017 and am already planning my next visit! Loch Garten Osprey Centre and its surrounds are most wonderful and I have been contemplating what it is that keeps drawing me back to this special place.
The forest itself is ancient, magical and full of life. I feel held when I am in the forest and find so much joy in pedalling through it (I’m a mountain biker) listening to the bird song, spotting a bird of prey or just soaking up the abundance of trees is a privilege and a pleasure.
Image Credit: Liz Brown
A place is magical for many reasons, and people make places. The staff and volunteers that work at RSPB Loch Garten are also very special. They are the most welcoming bunch I have ever met and are a pleasure to spend time with. They are my RSPB family and I look forward to catching up with them all each time I visit. They are superstars and work really hard all season to ensure that every visitor has a positive memorable experience.
The forest is full of wildlife. I have swum in Loch Garten at sunset with bats swooping for insects above my head, I saw my first Scottish Crossbill this April high up in the pines. The amazingly cute and funky Crested Tit is a little elusive but will be seen with a little perseverance and a bit of good luck. Red squirrels are regularly seen darting all about.
And then there are the Osprey. Magnificent birds of prey unlike any other. This year marks 60 years since the first success of ‘Operation Osprey’ and we are throwing a party to celebrate this amazing milestone of a project that has played a major role in the return of Ospreys to Scotland. Sadly, this year it does not look like EJ (our famous resident female) will be returning to the nest, however it is a spectacular nest and is prime real estate for the next generation of Osprey. I look forward to meeting the new occupants in 2020.
My most recent trip in April 2019 was made extra special after I got in touch with Cairngorm Wild Swimmers to arrange to join them for their regular Sunday morning dip in Loch Morlich. A friendly bunch to swim with in a spectacular and slightly chilly Loch surrounded by snow topped mountains. Another highlight was a trip to a Badger hide with a local wildlife group. Five badgers appeared throughout the evening and were a sight to behold.
Each time I visit Loch Garten and surrounds the less I want to leave. Its fantastic and so spacious and lush. Its amazing for all the above reasons and more. Its an outdoor playground providing opportunities for bird watching, walking, cycling, skiing, swimming and much more. I recommend you visit and when you do I hope you will love it as much as I do. And make sure you visit the Osprey Centre and say hello to the lovely staff there from me.
Learn more about our Loch Garten reserve here
Join us for the Osprey Centre’s 60th Birthday! Find out more here. If you can't join us on those dates, the exhibition looking at the history of the Osprey centre is on NOW until the end of the season.