On a murky, damp day in December, I found myself wrestling with a pair of thigh-high waders and stepping into a rowing boat bound for the reedbeds. The distant sound of chatter, interspersed with pockets of laughter, brought me closer to a group who make up the 153 volunteers that dedicate their time to the nature reserve. Their challenge for the day, and indeed throughout most of the winter, was cutting back the evasive willow, allowing the reedbeds to continue to flourish. As an onlooker, despite the bad weather and somewhat laborious task, they were undeniably having fun. So what’s the magic ingredient that keeps our volunteers coming back each week?
Peter Burnett (volunteering for five years)
I come most weeks as I’m retired now. It’s nice to get out here, get some exercise and it’s great socially. You’re with a group of like-minded people and we always have a good laugh. I enjoy learning new skills, like the work we’ve done rebuilding the boardwalk. The nice thing about volunteering here, is that you’re really appreciated. I’ve learnt a lot about wildlife too – seeing the black-winged stilts nesting was a particular highlight.
Mike Evenden (volunteering for six years)
It’s good for you – it’s a great social and I’ve made great friends. It’s a bit of exercise and we’re contributing to a brilliant place where it’s obvious that without the volunteers, it wouldn’t be able to be managed in the way it is. It’s brilliantly organised by Ranger Dave King too. So many people consistently turn up, in not very nice weather, but we enjoy ourselves – we’re middle-aged but young at heart!
Lysbeth Muirhead (volunteering for five years)
Volunteering here is really important to me. We know nature is good for us, it certainly has been for me all my life, and on top of that you’re with lots of people who think the same way and are interested in similar things. Everyone does whatever they’re capable of, there’s no pressure. Everything you do as a team, so dragging sticks in a chain today is a feel-good and great fun. It’s lovely to be on the nature reserve with such a diverse mix of rare plants, animals, insects and birds – I thoroughly recommend it.
New roles added this year
Alice, the reserve’s volunteer coordinator explains: “This year, we’ve had 153 dedicated volunteers who have contributed over 4,000 hours of their time to the nature reserve. We’ve created several new roles, such as our moth trap volunteers, who recorded 185 different species, including two occasions seeing the rare Sussex emerald moth. We’ve also introduced fence-checker volunteers who have spent lots of time ensuring our fences are predator-proof. This work is vital to ensure ground nesting birds like terns are protected from predators and have the best chance of breeding successfully. Our new bird survey volunteers have recorded the location and numbers of nesting birds, to help the land management team plan for the future. Next year, we’ll be on the search for ‘lookerers’ to monitor our new goat grazing herd!”
If you’re interested in joining our amazing team of volunteers, or would like to find out more about the variety of different roles available, please send an email to ryeswtvolunteering@sussexwt.org.uk.
Image Credits: Laura Ross .