Welcome to this weeks Ribble Roundup 13/01/20
Please like and follow our new Facebook page @RSPBRibbleEstuary. We are really looking forward to increasing our followers and providing lots of information about our work across the estuary. We are also looking forward to welcoming many visitor contributions, there are so many talented photographers out there, you can truly showcase our sites.
Recent sightings around Fairhaven include our kingfisher (of course), plenty tufties, mute swans, mallards, two male pochard, lots of black headed gulls, whose head plumage is already transitioning into summer and a small number of common gulls.
Ribble Discovery Centre
January is a great time to be looking for new things. We have had a successful start to the new year, with a number of enquiries about our volunteering positions at the centre. We have two posts on the education team available; Volunteer Nature Activity Leader, for further information about this role, please click here and our Volunteer Nature Activity Assistant, please click here for further information about this role. Both roles are vitally important to the learning team and without our fabulous volunteers we could not offer the same fantastic experience that we do.
What is also very exciting is that we are also looking to recruit a longer term volunteer role, to holistically support the learning team and the centre, so keep your eyes peeled for that one...it's in the pipeline.
We have also recently welcomed two new retail assistant volunteers to the crew as well.
Education and Visitor Centre
This is the time of year many schools start to think about their educational visits and we have had a number of enquiries regarding Summer term already. Many of our activities are tide dependant, so I would urge any schools interested to book in now to avoid disappointment. We have a number of bookings in place already from schools who missed out last year. Don't forget our sessions are curriculum linked and really add depth and breadth to the science curriculum, providing hands on coastal experiences that simply cannot be sought in school grounds. Check out our web page for more information about sessions and bookings.
Mud dipping with year 4 earlier in the year. Photo credit Jo Taylor
We also welcomed a drop in session from Clifton Lodge Nursery this week. They brought a small group of 2-3 year old children to visit. We had a lovely little session looking at shells, crabs and other exhibits from the sea. I look forward to welcoming them again with their pre-school group.
Shop
Our #BigGardenBirdwatch feeder kit offer is still on till 27 January. At almost half price, this really is a great kit to set up garden bird feeding.
Find out more about the ##BigGardenBirdwatchhere.
Help Save Nature - Volunteer places at Marshside / Hesketh Out Marsh
Spring feels far from sprung, but we are starting to recruit volunteers to take up the challenge of seasonal places. Do you have what it takes to keep track of Avocet chicks as they start to wander? Could you tell an 'A' Lapwing chick from a 'B' ? Could you help us keep track of fantastic Mr Fox and what he is up to ? If so, follow the links below and get in touch.
Practical volunteers on the Ribble - Link
Avocet and Lapwing Watchers - Link
Predator monitors - Link
Getting Involved at Marshside
Jo and Wes