Good afternoon everyone. I hope you are all well.
So, welcome to the next "People at Rye Meads" blog post! It's been a while since I last interviewed someone so I thought it was about time! You know, there is more to a nature reserve than just the nature! There are just under 100 volunteers and staff that keep this fantastic nature reserve in shape!
So this is where you come to find out more! This installment of "People at Rye Meads" is an interview with Marion Moss (my mum!), who is one of our volunteers... here we go:
What do you do at Rye Meads?I am a reception volunteer on Thursday afternoons. This includes greeting visitors and giving them information about the reserve when they arrive at the visitor centre. It also includes other tasks, such as helping out members of staff etc.
How long have you been working at Rye Meads? I have been working at Rye Meads for 6 or 7 years now. Why did you decide to work at Rye Meads?I really liked the reserve when I first visited and came back again and again. When I found out that volunteers were always welcome, I applied and got the job. What do you enjoy most and least about your job?I like meeting and greeting visitors, helping out with other tasks, and of course watching the birds and wildlife. I love helping with "pond-dipping" and "bush bashing", although my identifications skills could improve! I enjoy walking round the reserve at the end of the day when it's frosty and cold, snowy, sunny, and warm, lovely!I don't like doing the closing walk round in the pouring rain! I love it when I can help with the children that visit the reserve. I enjoy the social experience of meeting up with other volunteers that I don't meet very often as they work on different days.
What other jobs have you done?I have helped with some computer tasks in the office, which I enjoy. I've also helped out with the holiday education schemes (the Wacky Wildlife Adventures), this is great fun. What is your favorite hobby?My favourite hobby is dancing. I dance three times, sometimes four, each week. This is a close run thing with bird watching! I also enjoy training and walking our dog in Broxbourne Woods and local open spaces. When I'm out with the dog, another favourite is watching the butterflies and other insects in summer. I've been lucky enough to see some rare butterflies too! What got you into wildlife?Years ago, my father showed me some ladybirds and butterflies that he identified for me, and some birds that came into our garden that were also identified by my father. When I went to work, we had a very large garden with mature trees, and the birdlife was amazing. I could watch the birds from my office window. I put bird seen out on the windowsill and a robin visited me regularly, as did the bluetits. The kingfishers regularly visited the pond in the garden.
What is your favorite creature and why?My favourite creature .... hmmmm that's a hard one. There's the bittern, kingfisher, waxwing, and then there's butterflies and birds, and also badgers, foxes and deer...... I really can't say I have a favourite, they are all beautiful!
Stunning bittern picture from this winter by Tom Mason
Do you have any funny stories about the reserve, something that has happened or something strange?I remember one day a couple of years ago when Louise was leading the Wacky Wildlife Adventures; the theme was seas and oceans. We had to take the children out to the grassed play/games area as crabs, walking sideways and moving our arms like crabs' claws. The children thought it was great fun. However, visiters to the reserve thought it a very strange sight! We had quite an audience. Editors note: she's even got a certificate in buffalo herding! Vicky, our Assistant Site Manager made one up to day thank you for helping!