Cupid is hard at work this weekend and since 'tis the season, several of the staff here on the reserve have decided to share just what it is about Fairburn they love so much. Here is our Assistant Warden, John:
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Where do I start? The fact that this vibrant nature reserve was not so long ago a bleak, industrial landscape is always worth remembering. The diversity of habitats from open water, woodland, wet grassland and flashes, reedbeds and fen is home to a huge amount of wildlife.
Photo by David Botham
I can walk across the reserve and easily see 30-40 species of birds without even trying, and in the summer add to this a wealth of butterflies and dragonflies, there is never a dull moment. Even when I’m sitting at my desk I can watch tree sparrows, nuthatches, buzzards, kestrels, and sometimes the odd stoat!
Green woodpecker, Joe Seymour
Equally important to me are the people on the reserve. I love that we have created a place that tens of thousands of people come and enjoy every year. It is a great motivator for me to work to maintain not just an amazing home for nature, but a place where people of all ages can get outside and experience our amazing natural world.
A meeting of minds at Family Volunteering last year, taken by Heather Watkins
Last but by no means least, I love the people I work with. I am constantly inspired by the hard work, dedication, and creativity of the staff and volunteers here. They create a positive and happy environment and it’s great to be a part of it.