Jenny Stevens - My Connecting People and Nature Internship

RSPB Sandwell Valley is special. Really special. It’s a little piece of green and blue heaven wedged between Birmingham, West Bromwich and motorway. I feel super lucky to have been part of this unique place, that sees the first appearances of wonderful migrant birds in the country, and also serves a hugely diverse local community; providing them with the much needed green space and tranquility every person needs to learn and enjoy and keep us happy and healthy. My internship allowed me to learn so much and make a difference at the same time, to people and wildlife alike.

My first photo of Sandwell, July 2015

Quitting a full time job for a part time, unpaid internship in your late twenties, to do something you have absolutely no experience in, is always going to be a scary (and slightly insane) thing to do. But I can honestly say it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for my career and my happiness. I had no qualifications in ecology, conservation or anything related, but I knew I wanted to follow that path, so I went for the Connecting People and Nature Internship at RSPB Sandwell Valley, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund. I feel genuinely blessed to have been a part of the wonderful team at Sandwell, the wider Midlands region and the RSPB as a whole. Never in my life have I experienced such support from colleagues, learnt so much in a short space of time, felt truly valued by a huge organisation, become friends with so many inspirational people of all ages and felt a passion so ignited. In this case, for wildlife and conservation.

The joy of getting my RSPB fleece from Ann!

When you become part of the RSPB, you’re not simply an extra, carrying out mundane tasks, you will be welcomed and encouraged and praised for your hard work by everyone around you. You’ll be given every opportunity to learn something new, enhance your existing skills and thrive at things you love doing. You’ll feel appreciated by, not only the incredible team at Sandwell, whom I now think of as some of my closest friends, but by everyone on every level of management throughout the region. I was amazed at how all of these people in positions of power across the region knew my name before they’d met me, and didn’t forget it! To have regional directors and area managers thanking you for the little things you’ve done, and telling you their door is always open, does a hell of a lot for moral and confidence. And the best bit is, they genuinely mean it.

Assisting with bird ringing

As if the staff weren’t enough, the brilliance of the 100+ volunteers at Sandwell will blow you away. Each and every person makes Sandwell what it is. Questions and queries will always be met with enthusiastic responses and explanations. As if these people weren’t already generous enough with their time and their knowledge - they want to share it with you too! The identification skills I’ve learnt from Pete Snipe, Colin and Alf, Andy Purcell; the new crochet tips and inspiration from Pat; train and boat routes through Europe and meandering pub walks through Gloucestershire from Terry; what masterpieces you really can create with a blackboard and chalk pen from Lauren; how the hard work of the Tuesday and Friday work parties will help terns and little ringed plovers and Peggy, the one legged oystercatcher. Considering nine months ago, I barely new my blue tit from my great tit, these people have worked miracles on me. And I’ve loved every minute. If you don’t already own a pair of binoculars, you’ll want some by the end of your first week. And Pete Snipe will probably sort you out.

Joining the Friday work party

If I had the opportunity to do the Connecting People and Nature Internship again twenty times, I would in a heart beat. If you’re wondering whether to take the plunge and follow your heart, I urge you to go for it. It’ll stand you in brilliant stead to find your career in conservation and introduce you to some amazing people and wildlife along the way. But more importantly, no matter what happens at the end of it, it’ll be nine months of your life you’ll have loved and learnt more than you could imagine.

Making a friend at Robin Corner, RSPB Middleton Lakes

Thank you Lucy, Alex, Cathy, Gretel, Paul, Nadia and every volunteer I’ve come in to contact with. You are truly amazing. Work with these inspirational and wonderful people if you get the opportunity. You’ll be a better person for it and end up admiring and loving them forever.

One of my wonderful goodbye gifts from the team.
Peggy by lovely Lucy.

And never forget, as a wise Community and Volunteer Development Officer once said to me, "the world is your oystercatcher".

Jenny, Communications and Events Officer (Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust) and former Connecting People and Nature Intern (RSPB Sandwell Valley).

A Search for Autumn at RSPB Sandwell

Last night left dew on the grass which continued through to this morning with a drizzly start. As the clouds parted and it began to dry up, a damp undertone was left along with a somewhat chilly feel, but not as much as you’d expect for this time of the year.

However this had no effect and wasn’t to stop it being a delightful walk on the reserve. When stepping out your left ear drum is hit by the sound coming from the feeding station which stands just metres away. Happily getting on was the usual great tits and blue tits before a swarm of greenfinches and chiming goldfinches battled in. The amount of space on the feeders was limited with the numbers that had arrived. Birds caught in mid-air and frantically moving their wings. A scene which was quite different compared to the summer when I saw it thriving with the bright pink colours of the bullfinches. Below the table and feeders, were the usual suspects including the odd pigeon and of course a squirrel stumbling in.

In the distance, further down the reserve, you can see the lake where white blobs float and beckon you. As I make my way down to the hide to see what other birds I can discover down by the lake, the path takes me down through colourful woodlands and paths which weave and show of views of the valley.

Whilst listening carefully I could hear the distant traffic but this did not last for long as a robin right above me bellowed its heart out, enough to blur out any traffic sounds. Looking further down, to the greenery at my level and there’s a host of berries, including the distinctive late autumn crop of rose hip as well as sloes. Some of which have just been feasted on by the blackbird which bolted out.

Looking to the ground and how can we give the autumn treasure of fungi a miss. Whilst I kneel down, I investigate the scattering of dead bark. A common type I came across was turkey tail.  On closer examination it’s pretty obvious why it has this name. While the upper surface comprises of centric zones of red, yellow, green, blue, brown, black and white, the underside, which is covered in tiny shallow pores, is white.

Whilst still in the search of other fungi species I come across a sign saying ‘mini beast hunting’ however something tells me it’s rather quiet at the moment, not many of the smaller kind around! Nevertheless, I stumbled across a hedgehog house. A very important house, perhaps there’s a little fellow fast asleep in there right now. Enjoying the peace and quiet as the cold weather starts to kick in! There’s no doubt that RSPB Sandwell Valley is truly giving nature a home.

Further down the path and you’re presented with a view which could only match to that of an artist’s painting. With what looks like a hundred different colours, all different tones of orange, red, yellow, green and even some pink. On the path before me I’m taken through an arch with a floor of similar colours and tones. After a wet night, the smell is very distinctive. The smell of wet leaves seems to have some sort of ring about it, definitely a key smell of autumn. With the gentle breeze, more shapes, patterns, colours and tones are added.

Before entering the hide I’m rung deaf by a volery of long tailed tits, all squabbling in the tree above but a delightful sound.  Once sat in the hide I’m not only greeted by the regular bird watchers here but also some of the usual bird suspects. I’m also told about the morning’s sightings of a pintail which was part way through maulting, wigeon, shoveler, snipe and the kingfisher from earlier which gave a display which can only be classed as showing off! As I look out from the hide, in front of me stands six cormorants balanced on one of the platforms. One of which was bathing itself in the mid morning mist and making the occasional rattling call. I also spotted a few goosanders, some to early to identify as either male or female. However those in the hide did get some good sites as one flew right over to go and sit opposite on one of the platforms, mixed in with the gulls. I also managed to see a shoveler out  on the lake, with the startling white colouration on its body as well as plenty of teal.

As the drizzle begins again another squabble occurs within the group of gulls and a couple of lapwing hop around the island. On my way back up to the visitor centre, the rain clears away once more and the rich, golden autumnal landscape continues to glow.

Georgia, RSPB Sandwell volunteer