Hi RSPB Mersehead community,
A great blog from the most recent residential volunteers, Martin and Assumpta O'Connell.
After the coldest winter of almost fifty years we arrived in Mersehead in weather that made a mockery of the idea of spring; then the sun came out, warm showers moistened the soil and the delayed spring came in like the Flying Scotsman. In the Merse, the Lapwings wheeled and spun uttering their unique and lonely cries; the skylarks ascended to heaven pouring out their song and spring was with us, late but welcome at last.
Hard work is the basis of making a positive contribution and under the leadership of Volunteer Co-ordinator Rowena, and Dan, the long-term residential volunteer, our time was a rich mixture of hard work (hauling willow and clearing dykes); education (bird and butterfly surveys); fellowship (meeting and spending time with a wide range of visitors to this lovely and special reserve); and, pure pleasure (a close encounter with the charismatic and hugely appealing Natterjack Toads).
Tired? Yup! Weary? Yup! Refreshed in spirit? Yup! Ready to do it again. You betcher!!!
Mersehead is a lovely and quiet corner of wildness cared for by kind and committed people. It was a privilege to be here and is place we will return to again and again. Thank you so much.
Martin and Assumpta O’Connell
Dan and Martin hard at work in the sluice/ditch system.
Thanks for your hard work Martin and Assumpta!
Bye for now,Liz