Reserve Biodiversity Monitor and Surveyor (Nest box surveyor - Gloucestershire)

We are looking for one volunteer for Highnam Woods and two volunteers for Nagshead

Our nature reserves are special places for people and wildlife. We need volunteers to complete a variety of surveys to collect essential data. This science will contribute to habitat management, inform policy and help influence external organisations.

This role will involve monitoring nest boxes between April and the end of June. You will identify nests, check them weekly and follow chicks through to fledging, recording your findings as you go. You will be working with one other person, and ladder climbing is involved.

You will need to be able to commit to checking your route on the same (or very close to) day each week and be available from April to the end of June. You can choose which day of the week you carry out the nest box check. As this role involves working with another person, you might want to take it on with a family member or friend. You each need to apply and then let us know that you want to work together. If you don’t have someone to volunteer with, this isn’t a problem as we can pair you up with someone.

It can take between 2-3 hours to complete your route. As the nest boxes are situated in a woodland the terrain can be uneven and hilly.

We will offer full training for the role, including identifying birds and nests, and health and safety training in the safe use of ladders/working at heights.

Skills required for this role:

• Good wildlife identification and knowledge of wildlife, or the willingness to increase your identification skills

• Safe working, ability to follow safe working procedures • Teamwork or pair work

• Care and sensitivity around wildlife

• Ability to clearly record information and findings

• Good physical fitness is needed, as climbing ladders and uneven terrain is involved

• Ability to navigate using a route map to locate nest boxes.

This is a really rewarding role and offers volunteers a chance to develop hands on experience and skills around surveying. The role also offers an opportunity to be out in nature and benefit your own health and wellbeing. It will suit someone who enjoys being outdoors.

Why we want you

Our nature reserves are very special places for people and wildlife. Right across the UK the RSPB manages woodlands and wetlands, heathlands and meadows. A real mosaic of different kinds of habitats for a wide range of wildlife.

It might seem like these wild places have always just been there. But quite often we have to work really hard to maintain habitats to be in the best condition for wildlife. We have lost a lot of wild landscapes, so the small places that we do have, need a bit of extra care.

In order to ensure that the work we are doing is having the right impact for wildlife.

We need your help to complete a variety of annual and monthly surveys to collect essential data about various species to monitor population trends and help inform the science behind our work. We want to connect more people to nature and are able to train and support people who are new to surveying and provide all the guidance you need to complete a survey.

This science will then contribute to habitat management plans, inform policy decisions and help influence external organisations.

The RSPB is the UK's largest nature conservation charity! Join our fantastic volunteers who are helping to inspire everyone to give nature a home and secure a healthy environment for wildlife. We will help you gain skills and give you an invaluable insight into our essential work.

What you will be doing

• Surveying wildlife on the reserve.
• Input surveying data to the database or submitting it for another individual to input.
• Following the RSPB policy for lone working and holding sensitive data.
• We will offer training in ID and surveying skills to ensure that you are prepared for each individual survey.

The skills you need

• Specific skills will be dependent on what species are being monitored/surveyed. For example, bird ID skills would be required for breeding bird surveys.
• Experience observing wildlife and a good knowledge of wildlife (or a willingness to increase your identification and/or survey knowledge to undertake this role).
• Organisation skills, to be able to keep reliable records of what has been seen.
• IT skills for submitting records and keeping in touch.
• Ability to work independently, or possibly in a small team.

What's in it for you

• A chance to develop hands on experience and skills around surveying.
• An opportunity to be out in nature and benefit your own health and wellbeing, this role will suit someone who enjoys being outdoors; you'll gain a lot from just being out on the reserve to undertake this task. You will have to observe wildlife closely, which is wonderful if you take enjoyment from the natural world. Monitoring can often take you to the same places time and again, so you will see the season changes.
• You will be contributing to Saving Nature; our survey and monitoring work helps provide vital knowledge so we are able to better protect these places for nature long into the future.

Disclaimer

Suitable for under 18's. There may be opportunities to work alongside a peer ‘buddy’. The RSPB will reimburse you for out of pocket expenses travel expenses, we will provide the equipment, training and any uniform needed for you to complete the role We’re now the largest nature conservation charity in the country, consistently delivering successful conservation, forging powerful new partnerships with other organisations and inspiring others to stand up and give nature the home it deserves. We rely on the support and generosity of our volunteers to make a difference Our work stretches far beyond the UK. Wherever wildlife is in threat, we'll work with partners across the globe to help save it and give it a home.