What does your back garden look like?
Well for the past 6 months I have had an RSPB woodland nature reserve as mine!
Take a peek at my little slice of the RSPB world...
Magical snowy woodlands – Heather Watkin
Living and working on a woodland - it’s the stuff of Disney films isn’t it? Well before you start conjuring up some images of Snow White this is the life of a Coombes Valley RSPB Visitor Intern!
Nearly every morning as I open the farm house doors of our RSPB house and I am greeted by either bullfinches or long- tailed tits. Their chirps and playful flutters provide such a happy start to the day ahead.
Long tailed tits – Steve Brown
Grasping my little set of keys I set about opening the car park gates and the Visitor Centre ready for the day ahead. The car park in the morning is always full of rabbits dashing about as if they’ve been up all night playing and I’ve just caught them misbehaving!
I stick the radiator on in the Visitor Centre to rid it of the evening’s chill and catch a glimpse of a sparrowhawk as he swoops past on his daily check of the bird feeders.
The little deadwood pile outside the office always presents some cool lichen and fungi. I always make sure to stop and register what the day’s selection is – I’ve learned a lot of fungi in this way!
Cool fungi rings – Heather Watkin
I stop to have a cup of tea and a catch up with some of the lovely reserve volunteers before setting off to business...
Every day at Coombes Valley is different. I usually begin with checking the reserve’s facebook and twitter pages. This usually involves sifting through my camera or one of the volunteer’s cameras to find the latest cool reserve picture to post up.
If it’s a nice day there’s always time to pop out and grab a classic scenic valley shot!
My misty morning Coombes shot – Heather Watkin
Trails and events are my favourite! Brain storming, organising, promoting and running loads of fun activities for families has got to be one of the best bits of the job. We are currently planning for the new Easter trail which is sure to be mightily egg-citing!
Me getting ready for our Halloween event – Maddie Pashley
Sitting in the Visitor Centre is never a lonely business! There are always visitors and volunteers popping in and out wondering what you’re up to or what’s been seen on the reserve.
I love listening to people’s stories and enthusing them about our beautiful woodland reserve; providing visitors with information on the latest sightings, events etc. before sending them off on their Coombes adventure with a helpful trail guide.
Making sure visitors have a great reserve experience is the most important part of my role. From updating the sightings board to cleaning the Mud Kitchen - it’s all about making sure Coombes is always the best it can be.
Children enjoying the Play Trail - Laura Webster
A quick tidy of the Visitor Centre then the end of the day is drawing near. The rabbits are waiting eagerly in the bushes whilst I lock the car park gates as the sun starts to set, ready to begin their evening frolics again.
Tawny owls begin their tawitting and twaoooing from amongst the trees, whilst robins sing the last of their daily song. This is a day as Visitor Officer Intern.
You never know what the day is going to bring at Coombes Valley. My time as a Visitor Officer Intern here is sadly drawing to a close and I can honestly say it’s been such a great adventure! The friendly volunteers and staff, the amazing wildlife spectacles, the fun events and activities, the visitors and RSPB courses have all been such fun and I have grown so much within the RSPB.
I remember my Granddad telling me ‘you’re not living unless you’re learning’ - I can safely say I have really lived this year.
Me helping on the Funders day – Lucy Hodson
All of the skills and opportunities I have been given have even guaranteed me post on Islay (an island in the Southern Hebrides) with the RSPB for the summer!! I simply would not have got this had it not been for RSPB volunteering.
We are currently looking for Visitor engagement volunteer’s at RSPB Coombes Valley. So whether you fancy a career change, looking for some experience, want to build on your skills or just fancy volunteering for the RSPB - I would highly recommend it.
This year Coombes Valley has so many exciting new events and facilities on the way... you’d be a fool to not want to get involved!
Thank you so much to the RSPB and Coombes Valley - I’ll see you again!
That’s all for now folks...