Hello again bloggers,
I hope you are all doing well! It’s the summer holidays now... so I’ve got my fingers cross that the weather is going to stay sunny and the wind is going to keep the midges away... doubt it!
(Gillian, in the forward hide, looking for EJ)
Anyways this week I have decided to convince any of you bloggers that haven’t already volunteered at Loch Garten, to come along next year and volunteer. And who better to help me convince you, than some of our volunteers.
(Lyn left, and Trish right)
Our brilliant volunteers Lynn and Trish Lynn, 60 and Trish, 58, have are both from Lancashire and have know each other for other 40 years .
“We have been volunteering at Loch Garten for 6 seasons now. I wanted to start volunteering at Loch Garten as 20 years ago my husband and I came to the Cairngorms with some friends. We were staying at Tulloch Moor, a few miles away from the nest. Most days we would see this massive, beautiful bird fly over our house, and so I wanted to go and see the ospreys as I didn’t know what the bird flying over our house was. After 5 years of debating whether I should volunteer or not, I finally bit the bullet and applied to volunteer as I love nature and wanted to take time to embrace myself in it."
"The first day we arrived, the last chick fledged... we didn’t see another osprey for the week. But it was still good fun though, volunteering at Loch Garten allowed us to work with the staff and learn from them. It also allowed us to meet other people with similar interests which is always nice."
"We started coming back to Loch Garten as the place is so much more than just about the Ospreys. Abernethy is full of wildlife and there are plenty of things to do around the area. Meeting people with similar interests was really nice; in fact we still keep in touch with Jen, the old manager of the osprey centre. I enjoy being in the centre and talking to new people, it’s always nice to have a friendly chat with a visitor. Volunteering with the RSPB at Loch Garten has allowed us to explore the Cairngorms and the highlands. We’ve seen some things we never would have down in Lancashire."
"We also feel very valued here, the volunteers help the staff with running the centre, we’re always on hand to talk to visitors and explain what is happening. We also help record and document any important information about the ospreys, as well as making sure the birds are safe and protected during the night."
"Volunteering at Loch Garten has allowed us to take away many memories. Watching the chicks fledge is something I will never forget. It was so magical. There has even been some 'omg' moments as well. For example, early one morning, at about half six, Trish nipped down to use the loo. As she turned the corner she noticed this larger red deer stag leaning on my car, looking drunk and out for the count."
"So if you’re thinking of volunteering do it! You will love it! Even if you only want to volunteer once at Loch Garten, you won’t regret it”
(Chris trying his hand at a presentation)
(John and Gordon Peerless)
This is where I should have inserted a photo of John and Gordon, but I blooming forgot. John, 70, and Gordon, 65, are brothers from Edinburgh
“We have both been volunteering at Loch Garten for 15 years now. I started volunteering to do something worthwhile and to give something back.” Whilst Gordon wanted to start volunteering as he “wanted to give something back to nature rather than just take.”
“My first year volunteering was as different from work as a nurse. Volunteering allowed me to meet such wonderful, like minded people.” John thought much of the same, he said his first year volunteering was “magical, a complete change from work."
The brothers decided to start coming back as the experience of volunteering at Loch Garten is a special one, so much so that you feel like you’re locked into volunteering here again. They also enjoyed “meeting visitors from all over the world”, and the “peace and serenity of the forest.”
Their favourite thing about Loch Garten was "the people and the peace.” They said they just felt hooked to it.
Gordon and John also felt very valued volunteering at Loch Garten. When asked if they felt volunteers were important to the Osprey Centre, John said, “Loch Garten could not work without volunteers, they are the oil that keeps the machine running” and Gordon stated “volunteers are vital as the staff can’t be everywhere at once."
The brothers have obviously quite enjoyed volunteering over the last 15 years and have many memories to take away with them, but John's favourite memories of volunteering with us was: “the time that one of our young visitors drew me a picture of the osprey and insisted that I keep it – I still have it.” Whilst Gordon’s was “the first time I saw chicks take their flight.”
(Alison talking to our visitors)
So guys if our lovely volunteers still haven’t managed to convince you to volunteer with the RSPB, maybe I can.
As a volunteer myself, I can confidently say that volunteering at Loch Garten will be a live changing experience... and let me tell you why it is.
• So firstly it’s important to remember volunteering at Loch Garten is different for everyone. We allow you to take as much, or as little away from the experience as possible. If you’re not comfortable with talking to strangers or children, then no one will pressure you to engage with them. On the flip side, if you’re eager to interact with children or their parents, we can show you what games to play or videos to show.
• Abernethy is the second biggest reserve in Britain, and with you living on its doorstep, it is extremely easy for you to explore our wonderful reserve in the evenings. We have almost 5000 species on our reserve, so there is always something new to see.
• You’ll learn new skills you never knew you had. Working in the centre forces you to engage with people, this sounds scary at first but is actually quite pleasant after a while.
• White tailed eagles, dolphins, whales, golden eagles... these are all species that are in a couple hours’ drive from Loch Garten, and with volunteers getting days off, it allows them to explore new sites, looking for these wonderful creatures.
• Volunteers get the chance to live with us, lucky for some...unlucky for the few who have had to live with Fergus! Living with us allows you to become part of the team and allows you to become more than just a volunteer; it allows you to become a friend, a colleague, part of the family.
• Getting to see EJ. It’s hard not to attach yourself to EJ after you’ve spent a week with her, and I don’t blame you. After all she is a wonderful creature with a fascinating background. But volunteering with us next year, it will hopefully bring you closer to much more than just EJ. You’ll hopefully get to experience her settling down with a new partner and watch her young grow each year.
I would just like to end this blog by saying a massive thank you to all the volunteers that volunteer for the RSPB, you really do help to make our organisation as great as it is.
Many thanks,
Blair