Our summer residential volunteer Lauren has now completed her stint with us, and will be heading off home. Not before writing one last blog post though!
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Hello – for the last time!
My seven weeks as a residential volunteer at Frampton Marsh has come to an end, and it’s now time for me to return to Scotland (probably just when everyone was finally getting the hang of my accent)!
During my last few days I’ve had some more great sightings, including small copper at the hedgegrow and ruddy shelduck on the reedbed.
A little project I’ve been working on, the ‘discovery drawers’, will be on display in the visitor centre in the near future. This is a cabinet containing lots of interesting specimens from the natural world. There are also cards with facts about each object, so hopefully children (and even adults) will learn something new! Items include various feathers and shells, blackbird nest and eggs, grass snake skin and dragonfly exuvia (sneak preview below)!
I’ve really enjoyed my time here – it’s been a wonderful experience and I’ve gained so much from it. I would definitely recommend volunteering at the reserve, either residentially if you live further afield like myself, or for those who are local.
Whether you want to welcome visitors in the centre, help the wardens outdoors with practical conservation, or take part in any other roles, you’ll get to spend time in a lovely location and work alongside a team of friendly, like-minded staff and volunteers. It will also give you the opportunity to learn many new skills, see lots of incredible wildlife, further your natural history knowledge and improve your ID!
I’m looking forward to continuing with all the voluntary work that I do locally and getting back to my beloved local patch, the Craigdhu Wedge. However, I will miss, in particular, all the waders. I mean, thousands of black-tailed godwits aren’t exactly going to turn up in a wooded area in the suburbs north of Glasgow, are they? Never mind, I hope to visit Frampton Marsh again before too long.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blogs, and do consider volunteering – you’ll love it!
Bye for now!
Lauren