Recently in Nature Category

Hello, my name is Paul Martin and I have been an RSPB volunteer for just over a year now. Most of the year has been spent at the Conwy RSPB reserve as a guide in the hide on a Sunday, and through this summer at the Glaslyn Osprey project near Porthmadog one day a week. I can only say I wish I had done it years ago, it has been fantastic! The wildlife 'moments' have just been superb from seeing a Water Rail from six feet away; a male Osprey flying overhead with a fish for his family, to cheeky stoats in the car park; and grass banks covered in striking six spot burnet moths.

The less obvious joy of volunteering though is the people, from the ever enthusiastic and knowledgeable RSPB staff to the ever eager-to-learn and passionate visitors. I have always been around wildlife and it is always a joy to be around, but teaching others about it and seeing their amazement as you show them something new is just priceless. I can watch wildlife anytime but volunteering gives me a chance to pass on my knowledge and passion for wildlife to others and that is why, a year on, I am still doing it and am still as keen now as on my first day at Conwy where it all started.
In August 2008 I was welcomed to RSPB Conwy as a volunteer guide in the hide, just in time to see the last Reed Warblers before their migration to Africa and all the ducks in rather confusing eclipse plumage. The following months saw stunning close up views of Kingfishers, Water Rail and Snipe to name a few. As winter approached the winter migrants began to arrive, Black-Tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, Goldeneye, Pochard, Wigeon, Firecrest and a very smart Eastern Chiffchaff, again to name but a few. At this time all the ducks are very smart in their new breeding plumage. Into Spring and the arrival of the Summer migrants which I had just missed in August, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin, Common Sandpiper and a mass of activity during the breeding season. Shortly after, I also began volunteering at the Glaslyn RSPB Osprey project both at the viewing site and the protection site. Fantastic views of these superb birds of prey followed as well as sightings of Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and that cheeky stoat in the car park! The journey there has given me sightings of Red Kites and Hen Harriers on a regular basis too. That brings me to the present, with three fledged Ospreys for the second year about to begin their migration to Africa and the summer migrants leaving Conwy for the same destination, completing a fantastic year for me of birds, wildlife and meeting some great people.

So if you're thinking of volunteering for the RSPB, for whatever reason, my advice is: Do it, you won't regret it! Sure, you don't get paid but it makes you richer in so many other ways. As someone said to me the other day, you get a warm feeling inside knowing that you are doing something good and even making a difference. Reason enough on its own I think!

Well first things first, congratulations to the Field Teaching Team as they have just become the first in Wales to achieve the 'Learning outside the Classroom' Quality Badge. It shows the Field Teaching teams exceptional standards and acts as a guarantee to schools that RSPB Conwy is a safe, value for money, efficient and competent organisation that delivers exactly what it says! It is a fantastic achievement of which you can read more below from Charlie, our Lead Field Teacher.

Flying Dinosaurs - perhaps not quite, but the dragonflies of today (Odonata) are very close relatives to Protodonata that flew over Carboniferous forests some 300 million years ago then they had wingspans up to 70cm! These amazing almost machine-like flying insects have been present on and around the reserve over the past few weeks.

One of the species noted has been the Emperor Dragonfly, Anax imperator. A large dragonfly, the male is unmistakable, a powerful flier it moves with purpose and is one of the few dragonflies that will hover around to observe the observer, so sometimes it's a case of just who is watching who? Its abdominal length is approx 50 to 60mm long with a hind wing 45 to 50mm, it's a large dragonfly and can be quite clearly heard as it flies close by. The male has green-blue eyes, green thorax and blue abdomen that curves down slightly, the colour of the abdomen does change compared to the temperature and the warmer the day the bluer the abdomen - the cooler, the greener. Midday is a good time to watch dragonflies, as the day warms up they get more active but they can be seen for shorter periods at either ends of the day.

Further dragonfly species seen include Broad-bodied Chaser and Common Hawker both around the new dipping pool. Damselflies seen around Bridge Pool have been Common Blue Damselfly, along with Blue-tailed Damselfly and an Emerald Damselfly. A male Banded Demoiselle was seen around the main gate with a female around Bridge Pool.

We have also received the RSPB's new Digiscoping kits starting from £379 for an AG60 scope body with a 26x fixed eyepiece, camera adaptor and Rollei's excellent X-8 compact camera, call in and give it a try!

RSPB Conwy may not be 20 years old yet but what is here can take you back millennia. So for some of the best education you could wish for, the latest hi-tech optics or just good old fashioned service call in for a visit, just watch out for flying dinosaurs!

We are just off the A55 at J18, follow the brown signs with the avocet on, LL31 9XZ for sat nav. Give us a call on 01492 584091, we will be pleased to help.

Well the light nights are here at last, and at the time of writing Avocets, our insignia bird have come and gone three times since mid March and the end of May, and the RSPB Skinny Dippers range of toiletries have been launched.

Photo by A. Foster

During June, July and August there will be evening guided walks, led by our volunteers Ken and Eldyne. Taking place on Wednesday evenings, meeting at the Lapwing gate at 7.00pm, these walks are a great opportunity to visit the reserve at a quieter time of day and are free - even better considering the state of finances at the moment! Don't forget your binoculars and suitable clothing for the evening.

Skinny Dippers, the new range of eco friendly toiletries, is on our shelves now. Exclusive to the RSPB and made in the UK, you can now wash for wildlife, smell wonderful and support our conservation work, as 100% of profits from the new range go straight back into our conservation work. Skinny Dippers contain no palm oil, parabans or phosphates and are not tested on animals. With prices starting from just £3.50 a great treat for yourself or someone special without costing the earth.

The breeding season is well underway with this seasons young being seen around the reserve. The reserve is buzzing with activity and the recent warm sunny weather, at the time of writing, all adds to the atmosphere when you visit.

Even though the winter is over don't forget to feed your garden birds as they still require lots of calories during this busy season, good quality foods high in oils and fats that can be obtained from sunflower hearts and suet based feeds are ideal. Take care about feeding loose whole peanuts as they could choke chicks and fledglings, feed these only from a nut feeder so that whole nuts cannot be removed.

Don't forget your binoculars when you are out and about as it is the best and busiest time of year for watching wildlife in general. Make sure they are clean and the strap is secure and in good condition. If you are thinking about new binoculars or a scope call in and see us, we offer great service, stock and demo facilities. You can book your own 1 hour demo - call us on 01492 584091.

We are open every day 9.30 until 5.00 and if you fancy a coffee or light snack our coffee shop has stunning views over the reserve, up the Conwy Valley and down to Conwy, open daily 10.00 till 4.30 during spring and summer.

Come and visit RSPB Conwy you can be sure of a warm welcome and a great day out, signposted from J18 on the A55 Expressway we are easy to get to, just follow the brown RSPB signs with the Avocet on.

..... well, now I have caught your attention, these are just a few of the events I have witnessed on the RSPB's Conwy reserve, a little of which I will tell you about later.

Having always had an overall interest in nature and also at one time being a passionate monochrome photographer, an interest in top quality optical equipment, both photographic and observational developed. Now some thirty years on, I am fortunate enough to work for the RSPB.

So what do I do? I work in the shop and visitor centre at RSPB Conwy as a retail assistant, with a particular interest in the binocular and telescope ranges we offer to our visitors. As part of my retail role I guide our visitors in the choice of their new binoculars and telescopes amongst other retail work.

As we all have different eyes, hands, personal preferences and viewing habits, your choice of new binoculars etc. will be very personal to you. It is not just about buying the most expensive, or the pair that a friend recommended, as they may well have very different criteria from you.

Our aim is to guide and support you in choosing the most appropriate binoculars or telescope, by listening and offering hands-on demos under practical viewing conditions, not just across the road from the door of a dealer. Our 'No Hard Sell' policy and the chance to take your time, means you'll make the right choice.

We are always looking at improving our service and now offer a one hour demonstration service with the dedicated support of one of our knowledgeable and friendly staff. You can book your own demonstration by phoning 01492 584091.

So, as spring moves on and new plant growth along with this years young brings new life to the reserve, it is a fascinating time, watching Bee Orchids sprout and diligent parents tend and defend their young. The opposite, on a bright spring morning - the not so pleasant view of an unfortunate, squealing bank vole being snatched from the grass and swallowed whole head first by a marauding Heron.

In the warm evening light a pair of beautiful Great Crested Grebes were seen performing their head shaking dance, part of their mating ritual, reflecting in the mirror-flat surface of the water. Two Robins, one of our most familiar birds, seen fighting ferociously over territory close to Tal y Fan hide, regardless of early morning visitors passing close by.

The first three of these vivid events and many more brought closer by my trusty binoculars, the fourth while out testing the new RSPB 8 x 42 HD binocular. Was I impressed? Very much so. I recommend trying a pair of the HD's the next time you visit the reserve, the right binoculars can add so much to the experience.

Life and death, sex and violence it's all out on the reserve, what will you see on your next visit?

Throughout Wales, this spring and summer our team of People Engagement Officers will be out showing people some wonderful wildlife spectacles under the banner of our Date with Nature events.

Our Date with Nature events kick off on 21 March with BBC 'One Show' wildlife presenter Mike Dilger leading our first dawn walk to see a black grouse lek of the season. There are still spaces left to see this comical and noisy mating ritual in Denbighshire so get booking! (029 2035 3008).

From the end of March we will be showcasing the only pair of breeding Ospreys in Wales at Pont Croesor, near Porthmadog. The latest updates on the pair will be posted to our website for you to follow through the season. At time of writing, we've got everything crossed that they are winging their way back from Africa to wow us again with their fish-catching prowess!

The only chough nest-cam in the UK will be beaming live images of our pair that have nested in 'Chough Cavern' at Llechwedd Slate Caverns, a very popular tourist destination in its own right, in Blaenau Ffestiniog. For the last two years, we have been privileged to witness the pair raise six chicks. A new edition this year is a microphone that will bring the noisy family even closer to visitors.

Our award winning cruises round Puffin Island on the catamaran Cerismar Two, will make up another of the events in north Wales, with six days worth of trips during May, June & July waiting for your bookings! (029 2035 3008).

Further down the country, we will be showing the wonderful red kites at Forestry Commission Wales' Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian site near Ponterwyd. Fed at 3pm daily, up to 100 can be seen swirling above your head before swooping down to pick up meat on the other side of the picturesque lake.

Finally, at time of writing, the peregrines have returned to Cardiff City Hall Clock Tower and have been tidying the nest. A great sign that we can show these - the fastest animal on the planet - to visitors to National Museum Cardiff by way of the nest cam and also in the flesh from our stand on City Hall Lawn.

A Date with Nature will open up a completely new arena for us to get people closer to nature and enable us to offer visitors a memorable experience while generating support for our conservation work.

Come and join us, and marvel at the wonder of Wales' wildlife!

Click here for further information:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/brilliant

With banks crashing all around our ears, interest rates going up, all the supermarkets offering cheap, cut-price, bargain, discount and value food to keep body if not soul together, pensions plummeting and high falutin' government officials stating that we are due nothing but misery in the future, it's easy to forget about the things that really matter. The continual forecasts of doom and gloom are, at the moment, threatening to overshadow everything that we normally hold dear and important.

Now, I'm not going to deny the fact that money - some money - is important, and quite a few unlucky souls are going to have lost a lot of their hard-earned cash, but, given a reasonable level of income, there's an awful lot more in this world which contributes to our happiness and sense of well-being.

There's a Jamie Cullum track, "I'm glad there is you" which includes the lyrics "In this world of overrated pleasures and underrated treasures, I'm glad there is you" (It's probably a cover version, although I'm far too young to remember who sang the original...) Well, I think it's time to decide what is an overrated pleasure, and what is an underrated treasure - what are the small things in life that we take so much for granted, but would sorely feel the lack of, were they to disappear? For me, those include a decent cup of tea, chocolate, Marmite, the Mamma Mia soundtrack, "The X Factor" and watching birds on the multitude of feeders in my garden.

I remember somebody once describing a bird feeder as "the thinking person's television". It's true. All the dramas of life, love and the daily struggle for survival are played out on that little tube of steel, wire and perspex - squabbling chaffinches, nervous little coal tits, robins fiercely defending their territories and the blink of an eye flash past of a sparrowhawk, hell bent on murder - or is it just lunch? The occasional woodpecker or jay puts in a guest appearance. I have two goldfinches called Phil and Grant, because their bullying ways constantly remind me of the Mitchell brothers from Eastenders.

Feeding the birds is compulsive. For me, it is both addiction and therapy. Addiction, because it is something I have to do, every day, morning and evening, rain or shine. When I get home, I feed the birds before I have fed myself, my cat or my partner. Therapy, because there is a soothing peacefulness about watching the comings and goings, the turning of a world almost oblivious to our own. A balm for the soul, an antidote to our overwrought existence.

Feed The Birds Day took place at the end of October. This annual RSPB event takes place all over the UK, as a reminder to everyone how important it is to keep feeding the birds, especially through the cold winter months. Thousands of people took part, in guided walks, demonstrations, and by buying, making and putting out food. Small fingers were actively engaged in the time-honoured ritual of bird-cake making, or cutting up old plastic bottles to make recycled feeders. But feeding the birds isn't just a day...it's for life. Nip along to RSPB Conwy, just off Junction 18 of the A55, and get hold of some seed and a feeder. Watch the blue tits munch. And, just for a while, forget the credit crunch.