Reserve Biodiversity Monitor and Surveyor (Nestbox Monitor RSPB Nagshead and Highnam Woods)

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.

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.

To ensure that the work we are doing is having the right impact for wildlife, our survey work helps to inform the conservation work we do.

This role will involve monitoring nestboxes 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 nestbox 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 nestboxes 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 nestboxes.

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 and volunteers will have to observe wildlife closely, which is wonderful if you take enjoyment from the natural world.

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.

We are looking for one pair to cover a nest box route at Nagshead, and one pair to cover a nest box route at Highnam Woods