Hello! New blogger here....I am a volunteer at Manor Farm so I thought I'd introduce myself and update you on what I've been doing since I've started here. I have recently finished a master's in conservation and I wanted to keep building my knowledge and experience and this role allows me to do just this. I've been here about a month and a half now and beginning to get to know the reserve quite well. Part of my work is involved with the wood along the nature trail where some viewing areas have been created to allow light into the wood and to allow visitors to look onto the wildflower meadow and beyond. Keeley and I have been clearing the ground ivy in these viewing areas which will hopefully lead to some woodland plants growing.
While walking through the trail, I have seen so many birds and I have to admit my bird ID skills are not the best so working here gives me a great opportunity to practice them! I am looking forward to improving these further throughout the year and maybe learning to recognise a few bird songs too! My passion is botany and again it is something I am looking forward to improving on while I'm here; I know a lot of work has gone into encouraging chalk plants and wildflowers so spring and summer will be an exciting time to see what flowers are on the reserve.
Well, that's all I have to say for the moment but I will post here again soon with more work updates and things I've seen while out on the reserve.
Harriet
Keeley