Well it would be somewhat bold to say '...the rain has gone' from Lake Vyrnwy, but the storms Ophelia and Brian have been and gone leaving quite a mess for the Conservation team to clear up. Several trees down near the Centenary hide so the chain saws were in action. Chain saws are safe if you know how to use them, so most chain saw work on the reserve is carried out by RSPB staff rather than volunteers. But the RSPB will always train volunteers as appropriate and in October Ben and Dan joined others from Ynys-hir reserve on a chain saw course run in the Lake Vyrnwy workshop and out on the reserve, which covered both safe use of chain saws and their maintenance.
If you had a chance to read my previous volunteers blog then you will recall that Dan carried on as a volunteer after he completed an RSPB internship. Ben is in a similar position having been on contract with the RSPB Skerries reserve in the summer and now volunteering full time at Lake Vyrnwy. The Skerries reserve is a Tern colony on an isolated island off the Welsh coast – lots of Terns and just two RSPB staff, with supplies delivered by boat once a month by RSPB staff from Anglesey. I can't imagine the feeling if you're running low on supplies and you get a sea fog such that you can't see the boat coming!
New doors and windows in volunteer accommodation
Volunteers who come for a week can stay in our volunteer accommodation bungalows down beside the River Vyrnwy. The bungalows have an interesting history having been converted from the old Llanwddyn school canteen/school hall as they sit next to the old school building which is now used by Severn Trent. Volunteers staying here can also see a little more clearly now as the bungalows have had new double glazed windows and doors fitted.
Of course Autumn brings beautiful colours to Lake Vrynwy and the falling leaves means that you can see more clearly when searching out the 500 nest boxes spread across the reserve. Some of our volunteers who visit annually for a week or more have helped again with this programme of cleaning out the boxes and replacing damaged one with new boxes. The workshop has been a hive of activity as new nest box kits have been cut and then assembled by volunteers like Nigel who is a regular annual visitor at Vyrnwy, and Ann who recently spent her first week here.
Here is Nigel's view on volunteering at Lake Vyrnwy:
My first experience of residential volunteering was at Lake Vyrnwy in 2011. I was apprehensive beforehand, having only previously volunteered for occasional days at my local RSPB reserve at Church Wood, just outside West London. However, I needn't have worried as I was made to feel very welcome, initially when I collected the accommodation keys from the shop staff and then by the reserve team on Monday and especially Jim, the reserve warden.
The work has covered a variety of interesting tasks, including topping up the bird feeders, checking the trails are clear, cutting down encroaching gorse and conifer saplings and helping to create a children's play area. Whilst checking and repairing nest boxes this year I was surprised to find 5 bats roosting in one of the boxes!
The accommodation comprises two cottages/bungalows which are shared with other volunteers and interns. The buildings themselves also require maintenance and I have enjoying helping with exterior painting and keeping them in good order. It's a pleasure after a day on the reserve to chop up firewood and relax in front of an open fire in the lounge.
Clockwise from top left: Treecreeper, goldcrest, common crossbill & yellow-browed warbler (archive photos by Gavin Chambers)
I have spent a number of days assisting with some specialist projects on the reserve. It's a privilege to see birds up close and personal. Tiny Goldcrests, secretive Treecreepers and a beautiful male Bullfinch have been the highlights. I have also had good views of some of the special birds on this reserve including Goshawk, Crossbill and Willow Tit. In 2016 a Yellow-browed Warbler stayed for few days and this year a Peregrine was first seen by Gavin flying along the dam wall during an evening bat walk.
I now bring along my bike and cycle the 12 miles around the lake to enjoy the lovely views.
After seven consecutive years of volunteering in October, I am still enjoying the small contribution I can make to this wonderful reserve.
And here are Ann's diary notes from her week at Vyrnwy.
Monday - good induction session then off to track down stray saplings! I chose to follow Torrin ranging over the hills looking for that telltale Christmas tree top. Hard work attempting to keep up with a 20 something year old when one is climbing over heather wearing waterproof trousers and wellingtons, but very satisfying “felling”a sapling. A couple of times lost a leg down a ditch!
Tuesday - rained for much of the day so spent most of the day building bird boxes. My job was to put the felt and rubber on the lids and attach the wires to keep the lid closed. I quickly learnt that hammering a nail in straight was not a talent I had acquired so apologies to the RSPB for all of the wonky nails in the bird boxes.
Marsh tit (left) & long-tailed tit (right) - (archive photos by Gavin Chambers)
Wednesday - highlight of the week. Spent the day with Mike as part of his Willow Tit study. Didn’t actually see any willow tits but did get really close to both male and female goldcrests, long tailed tits, a coal tit and a marsh tit. Fascinating day and a real privilege to see the birds in such detail.
Thursday & Friday - bringing down wood and gorse from the area that has been cleared to protect the remains of the medieval village to build the Llanwddyn village bonfire on the playing fields, well away from the reserve. Physically hard work but very enjoyable and nice to play a part in the RSPB’s contribution to the local community’s Halloween event.
A big thank you to both Nigel and Ann for their contributions and for their help on the reserve. We look forward to seeing you both again next year.
On the education/learning front Jan has been busy as ever with events for children and schools - weekly events in Llangollen featuring bug hotels, special half term children's events for the English and the Welsh half terms and a visit to the reserve by Menter Laith Maldwyn – Mentrau laith y Gogledd (this is a local organisation which works with people and children of all ages across Mongomeryshire championing the use of the Welsh language). Jan can never resist a farming update and she told me that out on the moors the ewes have been out for a while now that the ground nesting birds have finished their annual life cycle. The lambing life cycle is about to start afresh now the rams (or tups if you prefer) have been turned out with the ewes.
In the shop Mike Perks, the Retail Manager and volunteers Cynthia, Jan, Jayne, Judy and Liz have needed some clear thinking as well as seeing clearly as they have been getting to grips with a new till system – this year the shop will only be open for 363 days as we had to close for one day when the new till was installed, and the shop is always closed on Christmas day. We have welcomed some more volunteers to help in the shop, visitor centre and in the local chapel hide – Tim, Carrie Anne, Paul and Jenny.
I have been spending my time on some minor maintenance jobs both in the offices and in the hides and on the farm. I only spend one day a week at Lake Vyrnwy, but there is always plenty to do and I never tire of the trip in because we do get some fantastic vistas at Lake Vyrnwy and this one with the mist hanging across the valley is just beautiful, as you can clearly see!
Misty morning over Abertridwr and Lake Vyrnwy (Photo by Gavin Chambers)
John the volunteer Handyman/Tasgmon
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