Firstly I would like to welcome our newest member of the team – Kath Halsall. Kath is residential volunteering with us until mid August and is a zoology student. She has got stuck into work on the reserve this week, along with Simon our other resi-vol. Seeing as the RSPB has given them a home for a short while they are both repaying the favour to our wildlife. They have been working hard on making homes for nature – a new self led trail that will be installed on the reserve soon – watch this space for updates.
You may have seen the RSPB's new TV advert and be wondering what all this fuss is about the new campaign- "big deal you have a new logo and strapline!" I hear you say. But it is a big deal – nature is in a state of crisis and needs everyone’s help, no matter how much or little you can do. The message is that together we CAN make a positive difference. I would love to know what you are all doing at home in your gardens, on your window sills/patios to give nature a home? Our reserve is a great home to many species, such as the spotted crake which was heard again on Monday, but we want to show what can be done on a smaller scale. At Kinnordy we have been recycling old materials into des res’s for wildlife, it doesn’t have to be pretty or expensive to be effective. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Minibeast b&b made from old bricks, wood and plant materials.
Frog pool made from tub or tray.
Hedgehog home, made from pile of old logs. All images courtesy of Eleanor Bentall.