Hello everyone, my name is Joe and I’m one of the new residential volunteers at RSPB Strumpshaw fen. I have just completed my first month here (out of six) and I thought an overview of that time would be appropriate.
So, to get into it, I have absolutely loved living and working here so far. In just 30 days I have seen so much nature, learnt countless skills and had many great experiences. My time here began just past the peak of this year’s swallowtail butterfly season. As such, they were my first amazing nature sighting, including one flying an inch from my face and narrowly dodging being eaten by a Norfolk Hawker dragonfly. White admirals, silver-washed fritillaries, red admirals (including one outside my window as a write this) and many other butterfly species have also been abundant throughout June/July.
Swallowtail butterfly feeding on flowers. Photo credit: Amber Newton
Given the RSPB management of this reserve, I of course cannot ignore the ridiculously rich variety of bird life I have come across here. Bitterns, great white egrets, many marsh harriers, duck species I didn’t even know existed, barn owls and the often heard, but rarely seen, sedge and reed warblers that accompany any wander through the reserve with their strange songs. I have seen many other species, (with even more yet to tick off), but the real star of the show has been the infamous long eared owl. This juvenile graced Strumpshaw’s reception area with a weeklong almost runway esc show. Bright piercing orange eyes filled scopes and binoculars of the potentially hundreds of visitors who flocked to see the presumed teenage owl. Frequently seen perched on visitor information signs, with two great shots showing it sitting on the reserves welcome sign and another on top of a sign reading “Rats!” ironically with a rat clasped in its talons. I personally had it land just a couple meters from where I was standing and lock me into a staring contest, so close it could definitely hear my quickened heartbeat - good thing I’m a lot larger than a mouse.
Long eared owl on reserve welcome sign. Photo credit: Amber Newton
To briefly touch on mammals, when I arrived here, one animal was at the top of my to see list. Then one evening a visitor, I had told of my dream, knocked on the cottage door and got me to run over to reception where an otter was waiting patiently for me in the gaze of a scope!
Otter. Photo credit: Amber Newton
Now to transition to the actual work side of my experience here. On my first day I was introduced to the suite of tasks referred to as ‘Thursday-Jobs’ by half of the staff/volunteers here. The other half using the term ‘Friday-Jobs’… as far as I have seen such jobs always occur on a Thursday but who am I to question such traditions. Anyway, these jobs comprise various miscellaneous tasks including, but not limited to; engaging in an ever losing battle with mole holes and vegetation on paths around the reserve, fixing and maintaining benches, trimming unruly trees, weeding, setting up and taking down signs, putting in fences and various other activities. All satisfying and rewarding work which often makes going to the gym needless, (good for the saving account).
Of course, my practical work is not limited to this endearing designation. My favourite practical task in this first month has been conducting fen Orchid surveys. I completed these along with another residential volunteer and some of the wardens at Sutton Fen (a 10-minute drive North of Strumpshaw over the river). Most of the UK population of this exceedingly rare plant is found here, at Sutton Fen. With an innately cryptic nature that can make it difficult to survey, all parts of the plant are some shade of green and it ranges in size from the tiniest green shoot, barely above the moss, to maybe 15cm tall if in flower. Moreover, you are looking for these plants amongst grass and reed as tall as yourself and a host of other similar looking small plants at the orchids level. Despite the challenges however (I must mention the mosquitos, horseflies and sideways rain/June heat), when you do find an orchid, it is an extremely rewarding experience and we were even lucky enough to find one area in which they seem to be experiencing a population boom compared to previous years.
Fen orchid in flower growing in fen vegetation. Photo credit: Amber Newton
Above is vague overview of the practical 50% ish percent of my time here, however, the rest is designated towards visitor experience. So far, a large part of this visor side has seen me creating artistic chalkboard signs to be placed all over the reserve, with illustrations of butterflies, dragonflies and marsh harriers and much more. In my spare time I love making art, so doing the same for the RSPB has been an absolute joy. Thankfully, with the rain ever eroding said signs, it seems this task may be a fairly permanent fixture. I have also been able to help run school and youth group nature-oriented visits to the reserve. These have often had a pond dipping emphasis, (in which I always have to sneaky a go myself), which have been an absolute joy to take part in. Although, not quite as outwardly amazed by every bug and bird, interacting with all the adult visitors has been great as well – often they are able to educate me with decades of birding experience under their belts.
Overall, my time here has been fantastic and I can’t wait to see what other strange and brilliant experiences await me through my 6 months here. Joe signing off, see you soon.