Guest blog by Stan Singleton, Volunteer Minsmere guide
Volunteering! Why do we do it? Life already offers other interests, obligations, but it is the lure of several hours in the fresh air and, here at Minsmere, an opportunity to watch wonderful bird-life. Absorbing bird song becomes a way of life wherever I am, but at Minsmere there are the booms of bitterns, the crazed chatter of Cetti's warblers and the "chack" of jackdaws. And the wren, that thrilling middle trill!
A wren in full song by Paul Chesterfield (rspb-images.com)
Minsmere is not just about birds. There are animals of the four-legged variety and, yes, two-legged too. You never stop learning about wildlife with the precise and wonderful knowledge of the Minsmere staff and other volunteers around you.
If you're keen on a volunteering role and you feel your birding knowledge is not up to scratch there are other roles you can fulfil: in reception, or the shop (packed with wildlife goodies) and the cafe (the cheese scones are Suffolk's best kept secret!).
My message - don't delay, get in touch today and enjoy tomorrow.
Stan, ready for another day guiding at Minsmere
[Look out for Stan and our other wonderful volunteer guides whenever you visit Minsmere. They're here to help you to enjoy your visit. For more information about volunteering, and a list of all the opportunities currently available, please see www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering - we really couldn't make Minsmere such a great place for wildlife and people without our volunteers. - ed]
Lovely guest blog, Stan! I'll throw in the gentle whistling of one of the magpies as it nicely urged me to fill the feeders more quickly.
I couldn't agree more on how worthwhile volunteering at Minsmere is......and yes, I'm staying on Reception until my bird knowledge improves!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.