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Lucy H
 
Hi! My name is Graham Vernon ( No relation to the football pools Ha! Ha! ) I have been a volunteer now for about three months and I am only 74 years young.
 
I first went to RSPB Sandwell Valley in Tanhouse Ave, Great Barr about four months ago even though I have lived near by for about three years, it’s a great place  to visit  and meet some great staff and volunteers, who are there to answer any of your questions you may have.
 
I understand that the old building was destroyed but now have a great new one that’s up to date, it is well worth the visit.
 
Although I have only been a volunteer for a very short time I have always been interested in all of nature, this came about because I am a very keen photographer  of which my main subject was birds and flowers, insects, butterflies;  in fact anything  to do with nature.
 

 
One of the goldfinches feeding on a teasel head's seeds. These finches love the teasels, but we had to remove the seed heads to stop them spreading too much on the lake's islands! Photo by Graham Vernon.

If you have not been it is a must place to visit and a great place to walk or cycle round, look out for carvings like a four- poster bed at one end with a fox at other end (see in my photo below), also our wooden train carving, just to name two. Also why not visit the bird hide, where at the right times you might see a great verity of birds and dragonflies, where people like myself  will be happy to try and answer your questions and if we can not we know a man who will! His name is Pete, but I call him Hawk Eye as he spot birds long before we do and his knowledge of birds is outstanding.
 
 
A lot of work was done as can be seen in the photo above, so well done to all for Giving Nature A Home! Photo taken and edited by Graham
 
 
Over the last few weeks the staff have been on the islands in the lake, working hard de-heading the teasels. At the same time they came across a tufted Duck’s nest, which had a chick hatching so they left that area, but they did manage to fill about 20 black bags of teasel heads to stop them spreading on the island..
 
 I look forward to seeing you at the RSPB in Sandwell Valley!
 
Graham
 
This blog is one in a series we are running about the fabulous volunteers that keep RSPB Sandwell Valley alive and thriving. We want to show off the amazing mix of people who come here from all walks of life helping save nature and inspiring others about wildlife on our reserve, and we want to encourage you to get involved too. 
Whether it's getting your hands dirty, showing a little one their first frog, or being that friendly face in our new visitor centre there's something you can have a go at.  Visit rspb.org.uk/volunteering or contact Lucy hodson: lucy.hodson@rspb.org.uk, 0121 357 7395.

My very amateur wildlife photos: instagram.com/lucy_lapwing