Using a chainsaw

Up to now the only weapon that I consider myself trained to use is a car (apart from the occasional axe throwing session with John Garrett).  This week I’ve been learning how to use a chainsaw.  It seems that a lot of practical roles in environmental work require chainsaw experience.  And I know that knowing how to use one could be of great benefit if I want to get involved in habitat management.  As part of my RSPB placement, which begins next week, the RSPB have kindly agreed to train me up, in the use of a chainsaw, this week.

The training took place at RSPB Arne, where I was based for two weeks in the summer.  Last time I was there, in early August, there were Nightjars and other summer breeding birds mixing with the first of the autumn migrants.  Now the summer visitors have left, and the estuaries and mud flats are fillng with wintering waders and wildfowl.  Unfortunately I didn’t get an opportunity to take much of a look around during daylight hours, having arrived late on Sunday, and then heading off after finishing the course on Friday evening.  But, with the help of Will, the volunteer from Radipole (Weymouth), who was also on the course, I did manage to ID a flock of Avocet from where we were training.