Spring, even if it is a little premature, seems to be in the air this week at Bempton Cliffs. The sun is shining, buds are on the trees and shoots are pushing their way through the ground. Our estate maintenance team have re-painted the benches, visitor centre staff have changed the displays and office staff are planning summer cruises and seabird monitoring.
This week the RSPB launched an appeal that might help you with your own spring cleaning. We plan to try and break the record for the most old mobile phones collected by a charity in a week (currently 3883) and in the process raise thousands of pounds for conservation work in the UK. We need 5000 phones between the 7th and 13th of February to raise £12 000 and that's where you come in...
If you're a member then you may have recieved a mobile phone donation envelope with Birds magazine this month. If you're not yet a member however (and if not, why not?!) you can still help. All you have to do is phone 08451 302010 to request a special freepost envelope. Once you have your envelope all you have to do is pop an old phone or two inside (minus the sim card) and post it the the address on the front. It couldn't be simpler and yet it will have a hugely beneficial effect on the charity. If you need more information then take a look at this link: http://www.recyclingappeal.com/rspb/.
After all your hard work spring cleaning why not take a relaxing stroll on the reserve, check out the returning gannets and seek out those little signs of new life that herald the start of a new season? A bit of fresh air certainly wont hurt and might even blow some cobwebs away that your dusters can't reach.
Rachael Tulloch (Warden Intern, RSPB Fairburn Ings)