Reg Charity 1137413 (England and Wales)

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Volunteers at Work
 
The Volunteer Ranger Service ( VRS ) gets involved in a vast array of tasks within the Queen Elizabeth Country Park ( QECP ), from helping the full time staff with the day to day running of the park to carrying out our own projects to enhance the park for visitors and the inhabiting wildlife.

Regular Tasks
 
All members of the VRS can make a valuable contribution at the QECP.  Whether its just going for a walk and noting down any wildlife seen to checking on problems with trails and access.
 
It can also be a great help just to go out on one of the regular walks to assist the full time ranger.
 
Steve Peach Conservation Ranger leading a walk supported by Volunteers
 
Regular conservation and habitat management work is carried out at weekends during the Winter season which is open for members of the public to join.  This work is then continued on weekdays throughout the rest of the year.
 
Volunteer using a brush cutter
 
There is also the need to get into the pond behind the visitor's centre and clean out excess weed and reeds to keep it clear for the abundance of wildlife that call the pond home.
 
During Spring, Summer and Autumn there are many surveys to be carried out, from checking on the wild Orchids and Heather to identifying grasshoppers and crickets.  Carrying out evening checks on bats and moths to the early morning dawn chorus.  Looking for evidence of Badger and Deer activity to checking the reptile tins around the park.
 
Checking wild flowers along the grass rides
 
Even just wandering out with a litter picker and a bag can be of great help, as well as a good way of learning your way around the park and meeting people it is surprising what wildlife you may see.  
The QECP is a good place to see and hear a wide variety of wild birds.  At night it is possible to hear the call of Tawny Owls and during the day the sight of soaring Buzzards is wonderful.  In the forest the tiny Firecrest can be heard calling in the tree tops while Thrushes will confuse with their mimicary of other birds songs.
 
All of this needs recording, so it can be an exuse for just walking out to a spot and sitting for an hour watching and listening.  While out bird spotting you may even see some other wildlife such as Fallow Deer or a Fox.
 
Buzzard over the forest
 
To support the wild birds in the park a number of bird boxes have been put up.  These need cleaning and repairing every year as well as monitoring during the year to see what uses them.
 
Volunteers checking and repairing birdboxes 
 
Theses are just a few of the tasks that the VRS can get involved with while working at the QECP. 
 
Please contact us  if you would like more information.