Species Protection (Kestrel whisperers - Aerial predation monitoring at beach-nesting bird colonies)

Would you like to be involved in a pioneering project to understand and reduce the impact of kestrels and other aerial predators on beach-nesting birds in east Norfolk and north Suffolk?

Why we need you

Beach-nesting bird breeding success is dependent on reducing the impact of disturbance and predation during the nesting season. We need your help to reduce the impact of aerial predation at important breeding colonies of little terns and for nesting ringed plovers all along the coast. 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 will you be doing?

As part of our dedicated kestrel team you will assist in identifying potential nesting sites and feeding habitat that may impact directly on a beach-nesting bird breeding area during the season. Once a kestrel nest is confirmed the team may initiate a programme of diversionary feeding to provide the nesting pair with sufficient food to prevent them hunting chicks and fledglings on the beach. Kestrel foraging activity will also be monitored around active nest locations to enable the team to consider if grassland foraging habitat enhancement would be a possible alternative to diversionary feeding.

The skills you need

The role will require undertaking regular kestrel surveys during the early part of the season which will involve plenty of walking on the beach and through scrub and woodland near to the coast. You will need to be able to ID a kestrel (male and female) and other raptors and be able to record your sightings using our bespoke monitoring app. Full training and support will be given. You may also be requested to monitor and replenish feeding platforms and keep diversionary feeding records.

What’s in it for you

A chance to work as part of a team and meet new like-minded people whilst gaining hands on experience of specific species protection. We will offer training and induction to ensure that you are prepared for all aspects of the project. You will be contributing to our Saving Nature work programme, so we are able to better protect beach-nesting birds and their habitats long into the future. We like to think we're a friendly and welcoming team, so you'll have the opportunity to make new friends too

When we need you

From now until late summer. The kestrel surveys will start early in the year with the beach-nesting birds returning to breed from early spring through to late August. It is possible to undertake this role in conjunction with being a beach warden or any of the other roles available within the project team.