Continuing our little run of Volunteer Spotlights, I have given the floor to the Paul and Linda Nie who have given their time and love for the reserve so willingly....
Hi, I’m Paul. My first experience of volunteering at the reserve was four summers ago when I answered the call to clear ragwort from the middle of the reserve. I wanted to do this as I was working as a teacher with no spare time to help out on a regular basis and this was taking place during the summer holidays. It was hard work but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the reserve from the wildlife’s point of view.
Just over a year later I took retirement and joined the Thursday work party under the leadership of Ben Newton. For over a year I dug bee terraces, pulled up fences, painted the boardwalk and made water vole feeding tables. Other activities included clearing rubbish from Rainham West and keeping footpaths clear of nettles and overhanging branches. I worked with a great group of people who I am pleased to call my friends. I thoroughly enjoyed the work. As well as keeping me active, I felt I was contributing actively to the running of the reserve both for the wildlife and the visitors.
Unfortunately, ill health has meant I am no longer able to do the heavier work. However, I’m now able to continue volunteering by going round the reserve, walking the trails and meeting visitors to the reserve. It is really rewarding when I can share the sightings of a water vole or the kingfisher coming back to the nest, a brood of chicks running through the grass or a raptor flying overhead.
For me the reserve is a place I enjoy visiting as I can breathe fresh air, enjoy the open skies, meet the friends I have made over the years and see some of the most amazing wildlife.
Hello, my name is Linda. I’ve been a member of the RSPB for years, visiting reserves around the UK. My local reserve is Rainham Marshes and this regularly became my great escape on Friday afternoons after a hectic week of teaching. I became a volunteer to accompany my husband and love sharing what I have learned about the wildlife with visitors to the reserve. It is extremely satisfying to see someone’s interest develop and be able to answer their questions. It must be the teacher in me.
I feel reserves like Rainham Marshes are vitally important for resident and visiting wildlife; these places need visitors to keep them going. If I can show a singing marsh frog to a child or cute lapwing chicks to a young couple who dropped in on their first visit, then I feel that my role as a volunteer out on the reserve chatting with people is helping to encourage more people to become regular supporters of the work of the RSPB.