So, introduce yourself... Who are you and what did you do before Rainham!
Hi I’m Alistair Wardill, I’m a seasonal Learning Assistant, Wildlife Explorers Leader and Family Events Volunteer and have been working/volunteering at Rainham Marshes for three years now. I’ve worked in mainstream teaching for a very long time, and previously volunteered for a number of environmental charities working with young learners as well as young adults with learning difficulties.
Undertaking the important task of extricating Wrens from a nest box....
How long have you been helping out on the reserve, what do you do in your role and what drew you to help the RSPB here?
I work with an amazing team of staff and volunteers at Rainham Marshes who have a passion for connecting learners from schools and colleges with nature at the reserve, providing them with safe, fun and varied programmes relevant to their curriculum. As the Wildlife Explorers main leader, I’ve witnessed the development of an incredible team of volunteers, and a core group of young naturalists, ranging from 6 to 12, regularly joining us to take advantage of activities run by volunteers with a wide range of different strengths and interests. As a Family Events volunteer I’ve helped deliver craft based activities, animation workshops, mini-beasting and pond dipping. It’s hard to say who’s had the most fun, the visiting families or me.
I was drawn to the RSPB because of their focus and commitment to working with children, families and local groups, and the passion for doing so demonstrated by staff and volunteers. It’s a pleasure to work here because of what the reserve has to offer as well as learning from the friendly and knowledgeable staff, volunteers and visitors.
What is the best bird that you have seen on the reserve and what is your all time favourite from anywhere in the world?
Cetti’s Warblers are super secretive but have one of the loudest songs of any bird I have heard and a sudden explosion of sound as one bursts into song behind your head is enough to disrupt even the most professional teacher’s flow! Mind you, you have to be real lucky to see one!
A Shouty Warbler - (Jim Willett)
As for the rest of the world? Well, a blizzard of Snow Buntings bounding along a deserted Northumbrian beach when I were a lad will always take some beating...
More of a flurry - (Mark Vale)
What is your most memorable wildlife encounter out on the marsh?
It’s always great to see birds that are becoming scarce because I’m glad they’re still with us despite the various environmental issues that affect them, and I’m glad Rainham Marshes offers rare birds and animals this incredible sanctuary. Like the young learners however I’m as a happy to see something familiar up close; Canada geese with a gaggle of goslings, an opportunist robin joining us during mini-beasting, or a reed bunting clinging to the top of a reed to survey its territory.
(Jo Collins)
Reed Bunting - (Mark Vale)
Why would you recommend that people visit the reserve and volunteer if they have the time?
Yes, even after three years I seldom spend a day here without seeing something or learning something new.