You never stop learning as an RSPB volunteer. Whether its bugs, birds or how to make wind chimes out of shells every day is a lesson in something new.
I started off my stint of volunteering a complete novice. I could tell you what a Wren looked like – tennis ball with a beak -, that bugs were gross and talk your ear off about flooding. More often than not my conversations would flow as below;
Expert “Do you know that one?”
Me “That’s a duck ...”
Expert “What kind of duck?”
Me “... One that’s swimming?
CRINGE!
This one is definitely a ... Duck (Photo Credit, Andy Hay)
So I got to learning! I tackled the books, cracked out the binoculars and muddled through the world of Mersehead. I’m pretty impressed with myself having at least doubled the number of birds I can identify, the pond life I can spot and am an expert in finding Ragwort.
Ragwort ... It haunts the dreams of many a volunteer! (Illustration Credit, Richard Allen)
Everyone learns differently but here are a few – theoretically – helpful hints and tips to help you learn your birds, bugs and banana muffin recipes
1. Prepare for the long haul
Learning takes a while and I’m impatient. I’ve had to really teach myself over the last few months a spot of patience, resilience and that chocolate makes every revision session better. Just take your time and find a way to learn you can stick to in the long run.
2. Get Outside!
Throw that bird book out the window!
Though a good place to start one thing I’ve found during my time at Mersehead is that it is near impossible to learn a bird from the books. The books don’t tell you how they look when they’ve been through a downpour. They don’t tell you how they look flying silhouetted against the sun (Tip: avoid watching too many silhouette birds, it’s a sure way to blind yourself!). They don’t tell you about the silly little hops and skips! It’s these little oddities from bird to bird that I find can help you identify them, even if you can’t quite see them!
3. Bright and early!
A lot of animals are kind of like students. They function at really weird times of day. Birds and mammals are “dusk and dawners” so be prepared for early starts and late nights if you really want to learn their habits!
4. Bring Mersehead volunteers Banana Muffins
Not so much a hint as an official requirement. It might even be an international law ... I’m sure it’s in there somewhere, try section 8?
5. Doodle
You don’t have to be an artist! A quick scribble can help plaster into your brain what your subject looks like and be used for research when you get home. It’s a lot easier to stare at a quick doodle and identify the creature then try to remember key features from memory.
I’m still getting things wrong but that’s all part of the fun! Only this week I realised I’d be referring to the Elephant Hawk Moth as a Rhubarb Moth. I looked at bit silly at the time but it proved I was learning! I’d perfected spotting it by the colour but just now need to remember the name.
At Mersehead we’re always up for sharing our secrets and helping you learn about the creepers, flappers and squawkers on the site ... Especially if secrets are being traded for biscuits.
Come down and see us soon!
Jennifer
Residential Volunteer