Andy Bugden
Community and moth trap volunteer
I was bought up around a farming community which is probably where I developed a love of nature and being outdoors. One of my dream jobs would have been to work in conversation, but in my formative years I guess I didn't really know how to go about that, and I suppose the downside was that it seemed quite a solitary occupation. Most of my career has been as a mental health nurse in the NHS, and I've found that being able to retain a connection with nature, has often been a useful antidote to the pressures of work.
I've done some short stints of volunteering with Kent Wildlife Trust in the past, but as I often visit Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, it seemed an easy step to start volunteering here. As I start to anticipate retirement, I was keen to engage with volunteering roles again, I started as a community volunteer and recently signed up for moth trap monitoring too.
It has been great meeting up with staff and experienced volunteers, finding out more about the work that's being done on the nature reserve, and some of the species being protected. My stand out moment so far, has been seeing the return of the Little Terns and finding my first Poplar-hawk moth in the trap.
I would say to anyone thinking about becoming a volunteer at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, give it a go! Volunteers are well supported and have regular opportunities to meet up - there are a variety of roles and the times are quite flexible, so you can find something that fits with your interests and lifestyle.
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To find out more about volunteering opportunities at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, please visit Volunteer with us | Sussex Wildlife Trust
This post is also available on Sussex Wildlife Trust website
