Hello!

I’m Joanna -  I am 22, a recent Zoology graduate from the University of Glasgow and current Visitor Experience Volunteer at RSPB Lochwinnoch. I have fond memories of family trips to Lochwinnoch as a child, and feel very lucky to spend my free time volunteering on such a beautiful and biodiverse reserve, especially when it’s so close to home. I started volunteering at RPSB Lochwinnoch in November 2016 purely because I was looking to get some experience which would help me get into a career in conservation after university. In such a short time, volunteering with the RSPB has already done so much for me both personally and professionally; through meeting new people and building my confidence as well as preparing me for my desired career. Now I’m here to tell you why volunteering is such a worthwhile experience -  no matter what your background is - and hopefully encourage you to get involved too!

Since I began volunteering at Lochwinnoch I have learned so much and gained a huge range of skills. I have never been one of those people who are naturally charismatic and brilliant at chatting to anyone and everyone, but through the support and training I’ve received at Lochwinnoch I’ve really built up my confidence in public engagement. Now I love sharing my enthusiasm for nature with the wonderful variety of visitors that come through our doors; from kids and families, to expert bird watchers and complete newbies who want to learn more. Helping at some of the reserve’s busiest events has also been a fun and varied experience for me; I’ve dressed up as an elf and escorted families to see Santa at our Christmas event, sent young adventurers off on our exciting Explorer Challenges during the school holidays and attended external events such as the Paisley Beer Festival which was a great laugh – who doesn’t love a tombola?!

I helped raise over £550 at the Paisley Beer Fest.

My confidence in talking to visitors has also been helped by the fact that my knowledge of birds and other wildlife has greatly improved in my time at the reserve. Even with a degree in Zoology, my bird identification skills were somewhat lacking before I started volunteering and was mostly limited to blue tits and robins. Now, just from spending time at the reserve watching birds, recording them and learning from expert staff and visitors, I can identify a huge variety of species and can tell people a bit about them too! I’m having great fun using my newly developed ID skills when I’m out and about anywhere, confidently announcing to friends and family ‘what that thing over there is’ with a great sense of pride. I’m still working on learning my bird calls, but hopefully that will come in time…


I painted these nest boxes which were used to promote our 'Build a Bird a Home' event

The great thing I love about volunteering with the RSPB is that there are always opportunities to learn! Anything you are interested in or curious about is always fully supported and encouraged. Whilst at Lochwinnoch I have had the chance to tag along at photography workshops and various training events, including a bumblebee training day with Bumblebee Conservation Trust which I absolutely loved! I’m now enjoying being able to identify bees when I see them buzzing out and about – the common species, at least. I’ve also received very useful training on membership; learning how to best use my knowledge of the RSPB’s work to encourage people to support us, take action for nature and reap the many benefits of their membership themselves.


The nuthatch is one of the less common birds to be found on the reserve

All of these things and more have made being a volunteer at RSPB Lochwinnoch an absolutely wonderful experience so far, but here are some of my highlights:

1. The people! Everyone at Lochwinnoch – the staff, volunteers and regular visitors – are some of the loveliest and most passionate people you will ever meet. They are all dedicated to making the reserve the best it can be and I have learned so much from all of them!

2. Support for volunteers. Since day one of my volunteering I have had fantastic support in improving my knowledge, skills and confidence to help me move forward in my career. The staff are so keen to see their volunteers succeed in whatever they do and are always willing to help out - Thank guys!

3. The wildlife! Spending time at Lochwinnoch has given me the chance to see so many species of wildlife that I’d never seen (and some never even heard of) before! I’ve seen otters, weasels, great crested grebes, ospreys, nuthatches, an exotic hooded merganser which somehow ended up here from America, and fallen in love with reed buntings, long-tailed tits and a squad of fluffy little moorhen chicks which emerged in April!

Honestly, I cannot recommend volunteering for the RSPB enough, especially at such a friendly and welcoming a place as Lochwinnoch! Everything the RSPB does simply wouldn’t be possible without volunteers, and with so many different volunteer roles there is something for absolutely anyone and everyone to get involved in, no matter what your interests are or what you’re good at. Any personal skills and attributes you can bring to the organisation as a volunteer are invaluable and, as I have mentioned, you will learn so much and see yourself grow from the whole experience!

The 'Welcome Pack' I received when I started volunteering.

So whether you want to be the next David Attenborough (my ultimate dream!), want to keep fit in the great outdoors whilst helping with valuable practical conservation work, or are just looking for something a bit different to do in your spare time, give volunteering a go! You won’t regret it. You can find out how to start your own journey into volunteering by clicking here.