When I was offered my job I did have one small worry; how long would I spend in the office? Please don’t get me wrong, the office itself is fine - sturdy walls, a roof, and flooring, shelves, etc. There is even heating, plus phones, computers and other stuff. Even the people I share the building with I like, being all very pleasant and without funny odours (apart from the two dogs). I have a desk, a window and a nice chair…. So far all appears to be great, but what I haven’t mentioned, the sole reason for being stuck inside, is the work!

Andy surrounded by his creature comforts.

An average day starts at 8.30am. For all those who don’t know, I live 35 minutes drive away, arriving at the Hawk Conservancy for 8.15 and a cup of strong coffee. Open the office door to check the answer machine for messages; several requests for birthday parties, lost birds (I have got used to; “Has the Conservancy lost a bird? It was really big, bigger than a Buzzard”), injured bird inquiries and “I’ve been trying to speak to Andy Hinton about work experience…” After the answer machine messages, I sit at my desk, look longingly out of the window, listen to radio conversations between the staff out in the park and let out a big wish-filled sigh. The computer is turned on. I check my e-mails; lots of junk mail, Viagra, loans, delete delete delete. Then I recover the ones I should have read from the deleted mail; lots from students requesting work experience, volunteers wanting to fly an eagle or falcon! (Reply without being rude.) A film job, can we house this bird?, have we got a…..? After sorting all the day to day stuff I gather my park keys, reach for the door when, 'doh, I get stopped in my tracks; “We have to look at next month’s rota” a voice shatters any chance of fresh air. The rota can be, and often is, a real headache; it takes lots of time, phone calls and soul searching.

With the rota done I spot another chance to get outside. “Monthly management meeting”, the sound reverberates around the room. Doom and gloom. Dark clouds gather overhead, a meeting only means one thing; more office work. Now, these meetings are extremely useful, meaningful and essential. Ashley, Tracey, Anya and I make up the four person management team which, I feel, works very well. Plenty gets discussed, plans are put in place and I get a new pile of work to do.

It’s nearly time for the 12 o’clock demonstration, surely I’ll be needed. A call on the radio “Andy, it’s OK, you can stay in the office, the 12 is covered” a tear runs slowly down my face, I reply “FINE”. Maybe I can help at the 2. “Andy, phone call” great who can that be, oh it’s from DEFRA wanting to come and inspect the records on disposal of waste foods. I reply that 2 o’clock would be so inconvenient it’s not true. After some negotiations the conversation finishes with, “so 2 o’clock it is.” The person from DEFRA leaves shortly after 3, a quick check of my e-mails, (delete, delete, a reply later), one phone call from a person who has just seen the biggest bird they have ever seen, do I know what it is? 3.30 demonstration, please need me! “Andy we’re O.K.'d for the next” A large chunk of hair is extracted in one swift movement. I start to wish that they might lose a bird at the demo. I take another phone call and this time it’s someone wanting to buy an activity day. I have just found the post on my desk. Letters for reply, bills to verify and a few more requests for bird like things. Birds?, I say to myself, we have birds do we!

Finally the in tray is empty, no more letters to do, e-mails all finished for the day, no more phone calls, no DEFRA, BIAZA, Test Borough Council people wanting anything….. At last I reach for the door handle, step outside, take a sharp intake of clean air, open my eyes to find its dark!!!!