The annual volunteers’
conference took place on Saturday and, as ever, we had a really informative
morning.
There were useful updates on some of the flagship reserves, some
fascinating information on moths as indicators of habitat health and climate
change, topped off with a masterclass in
radiotagging adders. If you think that’s surreal, you should see the pictures
for the Mixed Bag of Bugs! As someone with a general interest in wildlife but
few identification or practical skills, I feel slightly better about not being
able to ID moths easily now I know there are over 2600 species in UK alone! 
As one of the more
sedentary of WWT volunteers (I help out with website events updating and do
some data entry and image scanning for the Worcestershire Biological Records
Centre who are also located at Lower Smite) it was a real pleasure on a
gloriously sunny afternoon to get out and about on the farm with Caroline
Corsie and hear a bit more about the land and its use - and some of the issues
facing those in modern agriculture.
We were also challenged
to undertake an OPAL survey,
which was a chance to rediscover our inner child, not least through blowing
bubbles (wind strength, in case you are wondering). As a wildlife safari, we
startled a toad and acquired a cricket which hitch-hiked back from the field on
my shoulder – obviously wanted to volunteer too!
Thanks to the team for
an interesting and enjoyable day.
Ruth, Lower Smite Farm
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