Claire Reed and son Isaac had a big surprise when they decided to become members of the RSPB on a recent visit to Bempton Cliffs.
As the 1000th membership of the season, they not only received their membership goodies but also took home a cuddly puffin puppet to mark the occasion.
Claire, a holistic therapist in Doncaster, said:
‘We were going to visit Flamingoland but at the last minute changed our plans and went to Bempton Cliffs – and we’re so glad we did. The nature reserve is an amazing place and the huge gannet colony really is a sight to see.’
Claire had wanted to see a guillemot as this was her nickname at school but what really caught her eye were the gannets – the UK’s largest seabird. Isaac was equally impressed:
‘I loved watching the gannets when they flew really close – they’re just huge. And it was also fantastic to see them with their chicks on the cliffs’.
Back home, Isaac, likes nothing more than jumping on his bike with his camera in his back pack and heading for Potteric Carr, a favourite haunt. A pupil at Sir Thomas Wharton Academy, he’s a keen amateur photographer and something of an inspiration for his two young nephews whom he’s encouraging to share his passion for nature.
And as someone trained in holistic therapy, Claire believes strongly in the power of nature. She knows that being in the wild can have a positive effect on a person’s wellbeing and that it can be a source of calm in today’s stressful world. As a new RSPB member, she intends to explore more nature reserves as a way to relax.
Alison Barratt, site manager added:
‘By joining the RSPB, visitors like Claire and Isaac are really making a difference. Their membership helps the RSPB save wildlife, protect wild places and connect people with nature. We couldn’t be happier to have them as part of the RSPB family’.