Dedication is what you need...!

in the heart of Sutherland’s Flow Country.

RSPB operations manager Graham Thompson said, “Jenny has been an absolute star. Nothing has been too much trouble for her. She has been out on the reserve pulling ragwort, making dipwells so that we can measure the water level. And she is a dab hand at making bird boxes!

“Forsinard Flows is the largest RSPB reserve in the country and one of the most important. It would be absolutely impossible for us to do all the work we need to do without the commitment of volunteers like Jenny. It’s also very rewarding to know that Jenny enjoyed her time so much. The Flows have a very special quality about them – best appreciated by spending some time here and taking in the remarkable nature of the place.”

Jenny said, “I'm not one for sitting round on the beach on holiday, so I first started residential volunteering with the RSPB as I fancied doing something active and completely different to what I do in my day job. Now, I have been doing it for five years and have helped out on a variety of reserves across the country doing a diverse range of tasks but always in beautiful environments, such as the very special weeks which I have spent here at Forsinard Flows. I always enjoy residential volunteering - you are treated as being part of the team and it is definitely a different sort of holiday!”

Graham added: “One of the great things about Forsinard is that the reserve office and volunteer accommodation is immediately adjacent to Forsinard railway station. Indeed, the old station building is now the RSPB visitor centre. This means that volunteers can travel to and from what is a relatively remote location by public transport. Just another added bonus of being able to work here!”

Alan Tissiman
Communications Manager
E-mail: alan.tissiman@rspb.org.uk