It's probably not the most environmentally-friendly material, but this week I discovered why a roll of clingfilm can be invaluable for a nature reserve - and why I got done up like a microwaved kipper in it. But more of that later.
The Easter holidays have brought thousands to Conwy this week, and the birds have been appearing on cue. Lots of sand martins are heading north, stopping to feed over our lagoons (and hopefully eyeing up the nesting bank that was built for them last year). Chiffchaffs are belting out their double-note call from almost every tree on the reserve, and more swallows suggests that there will yet be a summer - though the heavy snow still lying on the mountains provides a reminder that there can yet be a spring surprise. With the clocks going forward overnight, it was lovely to close up the reserve in warm sunshine rather than pitch darkness.
But that was after part of the afternoon was spent trying to help recapture a mad Jack Russell that had parted company with its owner and did several circuits of our car park at breakneck speed. We don't allow dogs on the nature reserve because of disturbance to birds. Or is it to reduce the opportunities for visitors to crack up at the sight of me rugby tackling a canine? This dog had little regard for the signs, but the family in the car park doubtless felt their entry money was good value for the 10 minutes entertainment to add to the wildlife they'd watched.
And it came after being stumped by a question from a visitor: "what are people carrying in their bags? Are they dead birds?". I still have no idea what gave him that idea, but did assure him that it was more likely to be binoculars or a packed lunch.
And after helping some visitors remove their car from the top of some large stones, where they'd managed to reverse and wedge it while leaving the car park.
Visitors will be pleased to know that most of the Conwy team have now been trained in up-to-date First Aid. We're really hoping that we won't have to use it, but if the worst happens, we're ready and waiting. That's where the clingfilm came in. If you haven't got a bandage, a roll of clingfilm is just the job for keeping a damaged limb in a secure position, we learned. Inevitably, some of the team couldn't resist the opportunity to test this out on me, playing the role of man with broken arm. It only took part of the afternoon to persuade them to unwrap me.
Clingfilm isn't something that we use to wrap the sandwiches sold in our coffee shop (did anyone spot that most tenuous of links?). We use the world's first totally biodegradable sandwich containers - apart from a brown paper bag, presumably - made of card and a biodegradable film. And the coffee, tea, hot chocolate, sugar and fruit juice that we sell here are Fair Trade, guaranteeing a fair price for growers and producers, responding to demand from visitors and because it's the right thing to do. We're constantly looking for new ways to drive down our carbon emissions and ensure that our operations don't harm the rest of the world, but I'm sure we can do more. Ideas and feedback from visitors are very welcome. How about a Jack Russell-powered generator?