Reserve Biodiversity Monitor and Surveyor (Buckenham and Cantley Marshes timed predator monitor.)

Study predator and prey interaction on a Broadland wet grassland Reserve.

4 vacancies

Opportunity

• Join a fieldwork team to record and interpret interactions between breeding lapwing and their predators. • Contribute essential information to a long-term study of RSPB breeding wader success within a Broadland landscape.

Specifics about what you will do and what you will learn

• Working through a 12-week programme of site visits, you will apply your observational skills to spot interactions between predators and breeding lapwing (and other wader species) on our wet grassland while being immersed in our lively and remote Broadland breeding habitat. • You will learn from the skilled warden team what to observe and record and you will gain an insight into some of the subtleties and magic of predator and prey behaviour while enjoying the busy springtime breeding activity that surrounds you. • You will be part of a bigger study of wader success on the wet grassland and you will gain rare insight into how the warden team produce high quality wet grassland habitat.

When and where

• Starting week of 11th April 2022 through to week of 27th June 2022. (12 weeks) • The monitoring will be split across 2 sites, Buckenham Marshes and Cantley Marshes. • Each site will be visited on alternate weeks. (each site will be visited 6 times) • There are 2 static monitoring positions at each site. (total 4 positions) • A visit to each static position will last 2 hours. • There is scope to spend half a day at each site to cover both monitoring positions and, if you are available, to visit more frequently so that both sites and all 4 monitoring positions are covered in a week. • Some flexibility of availability is important. Monitoring will ideally vary by day of the week and by time of day and there must be consideration for suitable weather conditions. • You will need time to walk back to where you started (approx. 40 mins) • The task covers Buckenham and Cantley Marshes, part of the Mid Yare Reserve, Norwich, Norfolk • Our office is at Strumpshaw Fen Reserve. NR13 4HS • Access routes follow rough footpaths and can be exposed to all weather conditions. • A pair of good quality binoculars and a telescope are essential.

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.

In order 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 is a really interesting role and will involve:

• 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 required for this role 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.

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. 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.