Recently Forsinard has been shaken by massive changes...changes so great that they make glaciation and continental drift seem small by comparison. Ok, so maybe I am exaggerating slightly, but it is with great regret that we bid farewell to two of our stalwart residential volunteers. Paul Stagg and Will Rundle have been an amazing pair of volunteers who have allowed us to achieve so much this summer. As an organisation the RSPB relies greatly on volunteers, so if you feel like you would like to get involved why not check out the volunteering page on our website... http://www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering/
I have asked Paul Stagg to reflect on his time at Forsinard and also to write a final paragraph on Will who has already abandoned ship...
Before I arrived at Forsinard I’d already been a residential volunteer with the RSPB for a year, first amongst the reedbeds and heaths of Minsmere and the Suffolk Coast and then on to the grazing marshes at Old Hall Marshes in Essex.
Now I wanted something completely new to broaden my conservation experience. The answer was Forsinard, a vast expanse of precious peat-bog at the very top of Scotland, home to greenshank and golden plover, to graceful hen harriers and dumpy little scoters.
Forsinard is taxing, since I arrived I’ve walked over six hundred kilometres (and worn out three pairs of wellingtons!) It’s also tremendously rewarding. Much has been said about the ambitious nature of the RSPB’s work here in restoring this landscape but for me the highlights came more often from the wildlife itself. Watching the fluffy chick of a black-throated diver and hearing the mournful, haunting song of its parent; then returning later in the season to see the chick as a well grown fledgling ready to leave for its wintering grounds on the coast, the mother pine marten who chose our loft as a home for her kits (even when their squeaks kept me awake at night!) and the hen harriers passing food outside our kitchen window. Special mention also needs to be made of the hen harrier chicks who were the subject of our CCTV feed and delighted so many people who saw them from our visitor centre. Like the diver chick they too fledged successfully and all three young harriers were seen, still a little ungainly in the air, flying over the nest-site.
I’ve also been lucky to work with such a friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable team who’ve helped to make my experience so enjoyable and informative. Next stop for me will be Insh Marshes in the Cairngorms where I’ll be spending the winter discovering another kind of reserve and learning about new species and habitats, but I’m already looking forward to return visits to Forsinard.
Paul installing new dipwells in a plantation to monitor water levels
Paul & Will cleaning out the water tank...look how happy they were!
Finally long-term volunteer Will Rundle has just left Forsinard and is now in the process of cycling all the way back home to Cornwall – stopping on-route to walk the West Highland Way. Still he’s never been one to shrink from a challenge, as demonstrated by his success at turning himself from a birding novice into an expert ahead of the survey season. He’s not lost his taste for the north either – next summer he plans to volunteer in Iceland.
Will out on the reserve...
...and setting out on his epic return trip to Cornwall
However we need not fear, because as the boys move on to pastures new, we have a new series of volunteers to take over. More from them shortly...
good luck to both of ur volunteers and thank. if ever u r down in gloucestershire take a look at the forest of dean! we have one thing u don't have wild boar!