After two weeks of living and breathing the beauty of Mersehead reserve, it’s going to be hard to leave.
Arriving at the reserve on a sunny Saturday afternoon, I was immediately struck by how calm and peaceful the area is. After spending the weekend settling in and exploring the site, I knew I was right! These two weeks have been the perfect time to relax and soak in the atmosphere, whilst at the same time always spotting something new, as the reserve is buzzing with butterflies, birds, and much more.
I started work in the Visitor Centre on Monday and have spent alternate days there throughout my residential volunteering. It’s a great opportunity to chat to visitors about their interests and to find out what they’ve seen on their way around the site – whether that be otters, roe deer or a marsh harrier – and to talk about the birds we can see from the windows, such as a beautiful pair of Yellowhammers, our resident pheasants and lots of goldfinches. The wetland behind the Visitor Centre is also home to adult lapwings with chicks, so a lot of my time has been spent watching them with the enthralled visitors!
Lapwing. Photo credit: Andy Hay
Throughout the two weeks, I have been encouraged to experience the reserve from all angles, so plenty of time has also been spent “on the ground”. One day, up and out by 6am, I headed out with two members of staff to the beautiful Kirkconnell reserve to take part in a survey of skylark and meadow pipit. There were a few times that I almost lost a wellie in the mud, but it was a great way to start the day, with plenty of singing as the sun rose!
Kirkconnell Reserve. Photo credit: Andy Hay
Another day, I helped to move some of the natterjack tadpoles; after the sunny Bank Holiday weekend, some of their pools were starting to dry up, so I headed out to help in capturing the tadpoles (with some difficulty!) and moving them to deeper water. A few days later, after lots of rainfall to fill up the pools again, I joined in with a survey of the tadpoles to check on their progress.
In my spare time, living on the reserve has given me the freedom to explore as much as I want to, whether it’s sitting on the beach overlooking the Solway Firth or wandering through the woodland to the Meida Hide.
Mersehead Beach. Photo credit: Andy Hay
And, to enhance the whole experience, I’ve met dedicated and inspiring members of staff and volunteers and lots of excited visitors. I’ve learnt a lot during my fortnight of volunteering, both in bird-spotting and general conservation work, and have thoroughly enjoyed a peaceful yet jam-packed stay at Mersehead.
Bethany Gregory, Residential volunteer