It’s always interesting to get the inside story of a job or role that most people don’t understand or have much knowledge of, particularly when it’s well written and entertaining. The Unique Life of a Ranger: Seasons of Change on Blakeney Point by naturalist and TV presenter, Ajay Tegala, gives us a real insight into the job and life of a conservation ranger.
Ajay was the point warden at Blakeney from 2014-2018, but before that he had spent several seasons as a volunteer there. In Ajay’s words:
” When you live in a remote former lifeboat station at the end of a 4 mile shingle spit, surrounded by sea at high tide, protecting internationally important seabird colonies, you’re often asked what it’s like. This book gives me the opportunity to share my personal perspective of the joys, struggles and surprises that made life as Blakeney Point’s ranger so unique. This is the story of what life as ranger on one of Britain’s prime nature sites is really like.”
The book is divided into 3 sections. The first follows Ajay’s year as a volunteer assistant warden, experiencing life on the North Norfolk coast for the first time, learning about the wildlife, tides and the complexities of managing a dynamic nature reserve. The second part is a month by month account of the bird breeding season on Blakeney Point during that year, and in the third part, Ajay relates the experiences and challenges of his time as the Point’s full time ranger.
This is a book that will be enjoyed by anyone who loves Blakeney and anyone with an interest in conservation – highly recommended.
The Unique Life of a Ranger: Seasons of Change on Blakeney Point
Ajay Tegala; Paperback 328 pages; History Press
ISBN 9781803990293; RRP £16.99
