(press play below)
An audio diary of my time as a residential reserve volunteer at a popular nature reserve in Norfolk.
If it’s ever something you have considered doing, I hope this will help you make a decision.
Working holidays are very rewarding and may even pave the way for a new career as you experience life as a working member of the team.
Welcome!
“Welcome to Titchwell Marsh” - The famous line of visitor operations staff in the Welcome centre whom I had the pleasure of joining on a two-week summer placement.
I pull up into the car park at the start of my first day to find it already half full. Most staff and volunteers hardly had a chance to take their first sip of coffee before a visitor approached with a query. I knew from that moment on, it was going to be a busy two weeks.
The morning began with a team briefing which outlined plans for the day, reserve sightings, words from all team members and any other business. This was often followed by a pun or joke before we’re all sent on our way.
My first stop is the welcome hub where I begin sweeping the entrance, cleaning the carpets and setting up the activity packs. There is also a daily checklist to be done during quieter periods (which are few and far between).
The hub welcomes many loyal members carrying oversized, bulky equipment from tripods and spotting scopes to photography lenses larger than the average torso. The first question to be asked by visitors is "What interesting sightings will I see today?" It soon became clear how important it is to be present in the briefing because without that, my response would have been a shy shrug of the shoulders followed by a disapproving look from visitors. However, I was able to answer the question about some of the highlights and various routes to take before directing them to the shop for a full list.
Aside from the regulars, many families pass through the doors while on their holidays. Some were geared up for a full day on the beach while others seemed keen to explore all that nature has to offer and willingly took full advantage of the activities available. A nice touch is an RSPB prize bag full of little goodies for every child that completes their activity.
A couple arrived in the hub, one of whom was concerned they might not make it round the reserve due to mobility issues. After explaining the different paths and size of the reserve, the couple looked anxious. I then mentioned that there was a wheelchair that could be used seeing as most of the paths and boardwalks are accessible.
They took up the offer and returned in the late afternoon delighted with their experience and grateful for the assistance.
My first experience of the reserve involved a guided walk by two longstanding volunteers who were well versed in history, habitats, species and the environment. These guides offer regular walks and talks throughout the week, and I felt lucky to have experienced it. During our route across boardwalks, winding paths and into hides, we spotted a Bloody-Nosed Beetle, Common Frog, a Newt, Common Lizards, Wasp Spiders, four birds of prey and countless wader species, including Spoonbills, which was a first for me.
When I returned to the main courtyard there were visitors aplenty, the cafe staff were busy taking orders and the courtyard seating area was occupied by families enjoying refreshments and planning their routes around the reserve. Meanwhile customers in the shop were enthusiastically testing out new 'bins' (or binoculars for the less acquainted) and other spotting equipment to the delight of the shop manager.
Luckily for me, the regular 'vols' (that’s short for volunteers) had already put the tide information on the board. So, I went about finding the keys to the seed shed to top up the bird feeders. I was relished with excitement when I noticed that a blackbird family had taken to a log by the feeding stations positioned opposite the windows to the welcome hub. Throughout the day I would see the juvenile being fed by the parents or the family sunbathing together. They would lay flat with their wings outstretched, beaks open and heads facing the sun as they pant. When you see how effective a habitat is, you really want to protect it and make it the best it can be. I found myself checking up on the area whenever I happened to be close by (or frequently watching through the window).
Without going into a day-by-day account of my experience, I will continue this entry with a few little highlights, and the few lowlights, of my time at Titchwell.
Let me take you back to the car park …
One morning, a visitor with a dog left a present in a very central position just as you enter the reserve. It wasn’t bagged, wasn’t small but it was most certainly fresh. Luckily, I spotted it before anyone could complain, or indeed, step on it and walk it through the reserve.
Another little event will take you to the toilets. A few beach goers thought it was acceptable to wash their feet in the toilet sinks leaving sand and debris sitting in the basin. There’s a boot cleaning station just outside the block which is perfectly acceptable to use for this purpose.
As expected, a member complained, and it was cleaned up promptly. I thought there was no point sending a radio call through to staff to go and deal with it as it involved a quick wash and wipe down which I did myself.
You’ll be pleased to know that the rest of the experience will be a positive one from this point forward. Although occasions like this are rare, I thought I'd mention some of the less pleasing scenarios volunteers might find themselves in because it’s not all exploring the reserve and admiring nature (although I highly recommend you do).
What motivated me most throughout each day was the warm and enthusiastic greeting by visitors when they spot you in your uniform. That approved not of the head makes you feel proud (even if your name badge does refer to you as 'Volunteer'). It wasn't long before the regulars got to know my name, and some would stop for a chat before heading off for some spotting.
It can be a bit daunting when you’re walking around and certain visitors ask you about a species of bird you may not know about. In that situation, honesty is the best answer.
There’s plenty of events held at Titchwell, one of which is a family fun day called Wild Wednesday where children gain free entry to the reserve. They can join moth talks happening throughout the morning and part in other activities. The moth talks are a popular feature of the week, and I don’t think there’s anywhere else in the country where you’d learn so much about moths.
Some people came by with rare captures from their own gardens to add to the collections too, one of which was a Jersey Tiger Moth that made a striking addition to the many being spoken about. The moths are trapped the night before prior to being identified and sorted into pots but before this, the traps had to be put out and this was a job for the new volunteer (yes you’ve guessed it, that’s me). These traps are on the large side, some components are heavy and require a wheelbarrow for transporting. A total of three are put out at specific locations every Tuesday after close. I felt responsible for getting a good variety even though I knew it was out of my control and was keen to know what had been captured the next day.
You’re never shy of tasks as a vol and on one particularly sunny day, I was tasked with getting some samples of apples from a line of trees in the overflow car park. They were going to be sent off for species identification by fruit specialists. The reserves team suspected they might be quite rare, of an old English variety and I'll be keen to find out the result, providing the samples were acceptable. Once armed with my giant scissors (shears for those who are green-fingered), I began to cut a few branches. I was trying to find three samples of different maturities but every time I chopped, they fell to the floor and ended up being no good for transit. It was quite a task as the ground was covered in nettles, spikes and dare I say it, mosquitos. One thing I advise is to wear plenty of repellent, especially during the summer. This is something I repeatedly forgot to put on each morning, and think I scared a few people when they caught a glimpse of my arms.
Each day herein involved something new, whether it was cutting back nettles, sanding and painting picnic benches, conducting surveys or going from place to place with a broom. All I know is that I did every task with bundles of enthusiasm and a great big smile. Each night I would return to the volunteer cottage and pat my uniform goodnight (yes, I really did). Getting to sleep wasn't an issue because I was excited to find out what delights would be in store for me tomorrow.
My last day came around quickly and I felt sad to be finishing. I'd just got to grips with the rhythm of it all and finally remembered people's names (although some might disagree on that Howard, I mean Malcolm). I came in with the same enthusiasm I’d had for two weeks and was sent off to clean the hides with another volunteer.
It’s a tough task as there are quite a few around the reserve and a lot of windows, seats and flooring to maintain. A couple from New Zealand popped into the hide and told us about the Yellowhammers over there and went on to say they haven’t seen one since being back in the UK. Traditionally farmland birds, Yellowhammers were introduced to New Zealand from the UK back in the 19th century and are now considered pests due to their habit of feeding on newly sown seeds. I finished the conversation by jovially asking if they could bring some back next time.
After completing the final task of my placement, I reluctantly handed back the keys and said my farewells to the team. I was asked if I’d be back to which I said, “Yes indeed I will!”
Volunteering at Titchwell was full of variety and has been an all-round great experience that I would do time and time again. The reserve has a dedicated team who welcomed me from day one. Yes, it was a case of learn quick and get on with it which is how I like things to be (however, I do need to be told some things twice such as locating keys or having a checklist).
Thank you for taking the time to read about this experience. I hope you enjoyed learning about it as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing it.
Victoria Bowers, RSPB Volunteer.