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Residential on a reserve |
Highland heaven - Becca Tycer
Before I went, I couldn't tell a greenfinch from a blue tit. Residential volunteering was suggested to me by my mother as a chance to visit Scotland. I chose Operation Osprey, thinking I couldn't miss these birds (due to their size!) and the location looked wonderful. So I arrived, having been picked up at Aviemore train station by one of the information wardens, blissfully unaware of what the week was going to entail. The plan of action: three teams of two people working in a shift system. The shifts were 6 – 10 am and 2 – 6 pm, 10 – 2 pm and 6 – 10 pm or 10 pm–6 am. After the initial shock, when I found out that I needed to either walk or bike the three miles between the visitor centre and the accommodation (if a lift wasn’t available), I thought, ‘go for it’. I soon rediscovered the pleasure of biking, and, if I was quiet enough, I would sometimes see red deer grazing on the roadside. My first watch I was glued to the monitor and binoculars for any sign of action. By my second shift, I started to realise birds do not perform on cue. Finally, my patience was rewarded. Whilst sunbathing by Loch Garten during lunchtime, Henry appeared flying above the Loch, looking for food. The female osprey, EJ, never moved from the nest; I didn’t see the male, Henry, arrive with a fish, not one intruder bird, and no mating - it all happened on someone else’s shift! Not disheartened I took to spending even more time at the visitor centre in the hope that, eventually, I was bound to see something exciting. Meanwhile, I made friends with a very brave wigeon (which ate out of my hand), and I saw red squirrels, crested tits, a woodpecker and a cuckoo (which I discovered was a wonderful alarm clock if I wished to wake up at 3 am!!). Finally, my patience was rewarded. Whilst sunbathing by Loch Garten during lunchtime, Henry appeared flying above the Loch, looking for food. It was an amazing sight. Another day I saw him fly overhead with a huge stick for the nest; the osprey equivalent of a bunch of flowers, for EJ. Thanks to the information wardens and other volunteers that week I learnt so much, not least that there are ducks that nest in trees – the goldeneye, and ducks with teeth, or rather ‘serrated beaks’ - the merganser, both of which I was privileged to see. It was a very sociable week and there was plenty of time to meet the other volunteers, wardens and visitors. One evening we were given the opportunity to attend a talk on the osprey by Roy Dennis, and another we were taken to a hide to watch for badgers. Unfortunately, the badgers didn’t appear but the deer and merganser I saw more than made up for it. The staff were only too willing and helpful to cover our shift in order for us to attend these events, for which I am very grateful because they were fascinating. Full of enthusiasm for this wonderful place, two weeks after I returned home, I drove the 800 miles back to Lock Garten for the weekend, to see them again. It was worth it! Two of the chicks had hatched; Henry appeared with a fish and then saw off an intruder whilst I was there. I didn’t see a capercaillie whilst volunteering there either, but, to make the experience complete, upon my return (and after being advised that they were no longer around) one displayed for us all to see. I was also pleased to see my wigeon again, with six chicks, all of which were running around my legs. Thanks to all the Operation Osprey staff for all their efforts and time spent making me welcome and included! I can’t wait to go back next year and have found a new passion for volunteering. You don’t have to be an avid bird watcher to enjoy this amazing experience.
Last modified: 10 December 2004 |
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Research Biologist Mark Eaton analysing data from the Big Garden Birdwatch - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1016780 )
Volunteers collecting maggots from cow pats - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1015438 )
Member of staff at work - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1013917 )
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)