Tony fixing electrical things in the meadow

When it comes to volunteering, and even membership, I’m a relative newcomer to the Hawk Conservancy, especially compared with many of those who visit and give up their time regularly. So I find it a bit embarrassing to be writing this when I look at the contribution of other volunteers, but then everyone has to start somewhere.

For me it began with a parrot and a trip to the vet. Strange but true.

While sat in the waiting room at Strathmore on one of my regular visits, a large chap came in with a large crate, which he sat on, to stop it moving. Being the curious type I had to ask what was in the crate and, having been informed that it was an Andean Condor, where it was from. Fortunately I got a straight answer, as I have no doubt a few of the staff might have been inclined to say “South America” or “the Andes”.

And so, within a couple of months I had made my first visit to the Hawk Conservancy, becoming a member at the end of the visit. A few more visits and a conservation activity day later I was hooked.

The volunteering really began with the November members’ working day in 2006, spending the day lugging telegraph poles from the car park to the area which would become the aviary for the Steller's Sea Eagles. My feet had just about recovered for the second working day which saw me helping a small group of members fixing wire to those telegraph poles.

Having a couple of days off work the following week I volunteered my services and spent those days helping Clive put up fencing, as well as helping unload the new benches for the Woodland Owls flying display.

The combination of the conservation activity day and those few days spent helping out were a real eye-opener to just how much hard work needs to be done at an organisation such as the Hawk Conservancy and just how skilful and dedicated the staff are.

Now I try and make it to the park one day a week, never quite knowing what I’ll be doing. Often hearing the words “have you ever used one of these before?” or “Do you know anything about ... ?“. So far tasks I’ve been involved in have included putting up perches, speaker brackets, painting ponds, collecting freezers and plenty of strimming and mowing.

I’ve also repaired one of the computers in the study centre and I’m looking at revamping the content on them to expand their scope as an educational tool. I’ve been asked to create a database for the hospital records, which I am currently working on.

For me, many of the things I’ve been doing have been quite alien, not being renowned for my practical skills. It’s also caused me trouble at home as I’m forever being told things like “well if you can strim and mow up there you can get out in the garden and allotment and do it here”. Hay fever had always been such a great excuse for getting out of that before.

From a personal point of view volunteering has many benefits. Apart from learning new skills (providing certain members of staff with plenty of opportunities to take the mickey), it has given me a completely new perspective.