Residential on Reserve (More than 4 weeks) (Lapwing Volunteer)

Residential on Reserve - RSPB Loch Leven (Lapwing Volunteer)

RSPB Loch Leven is a beautiful reserve with a range of habitats, including wetland, woodland and raised bog. One of our priority habitats is lowland wet grassland which provides a home for a range of wetland species including lapwing, redshank, curlew and a verity of duck species. In the spring our main focuses is breeding waders, with the charismatic lapwing being the most common wader found on the reserve.

The post focuses on breeding lapwing, aiming to find each nest and monitor breeding success - following each pair with chicks and assessing productivity. You will have the option to live on this beautiful reserve, as free accommodation is provided, and be a important part of the reserves team. We'll work with you to gain the knowledge and skills you need to progress your career in conservation and ensure you get the full benefit of living and working on a nature reserve.

This is a great opportunity to get stuck in and immerse yourself in the world of breeding waders, learning their behaviour and habits to inform and improve site management and develop your own knowledge over the 4 months. This is an excellent chance to get involved in a variety of other surveys too. You'll have the opportunity to work over the three Tayside reserves - RSPB Loch Leven, RSPB Loch of Kinnordy and the RSPB Tay Reedbeds - giving you a chance to learn about different habitats, surveys and management.

When: 26th March 2023 - 26th July 2023

Commitment: 4 months

What you'll be doing

• Observing lapwing breeding behaviour, nest monitoring, chick/ productivity counts, use of nest cameras/ camera traps.
• Predator surveys, eg. Avian watches, evening thermal imaging surveys.
• Undertake wildlife monitoring eg. BBS, WeBS, wader transects, spotted crake and bearded tit surveys.
• Undertaking Reserve checks eg. checking the anti-predator fence.
• Assisting the reserves team in estate maintenance across our 3 reserves, RSPB Loch of Kinnordy and RSPB Tay Reedbeds, eg. path maintenance.

Whats in it for you

• Develop important knowledge and skills surrounding nature conservation.
• Free accommodation on site.
• Have the opportunity to work at other RSPB reserves as well as the surrounding Loch Leven National Nature Reserve.

Requirements

• 18+
• Drivers licence
• Passionate about nature and conservation.
• Well organised and willing to work early mornings and the occasional evening.
• Enthusiastic and willingness to learn.
• Ability to manage their time effectively.
• Good bird ID skills are desirable, but not required as long as you have a desire to learn all training and knowledge will be past on by our warden team.
• Available for 4 months.

Closing date for application is the 16th March 2023. Applications will be short listed and successful applicants will be invited to interview.

Contact: ami.kirkbright@rspb.org.uk for any questions about the role.