Intern (Curlew LIFE project residential intern, 6 months, March-August)

Join the project team as a residential curlew LIFE intern (6 months) and help deliver key aspects of the Curlew LIFE project on the mesmerizing RSPB Insh Marshes reserve!

Informal interviews will be offered based on the interest and motivation you demonstrate in your application. Please attach a CV with your application. We encourage applications to be completed as soon as possible. They will be reviewed when received and informal interviews will be set in due course.

The curlew is of key conservation concern in the UK due to sharp declines in their range and numbers in the last 30 years. Long-term monitoring efforts have found that the structurally rich floodplain on Insh Marshes supports a stable population of curlew in high densities. However, little is known about curlew behaviour, chick survival rates and predator interactions on the quasi-natural functioning floodplain. The UK-wide, EU LIFE funded, Curlews in Crisis project, wants to answer some of these questions and establish Insh Marshes as a site of curlew conservation excellence within the local community.

Our residential internship will help you gain the skills and experience needed to start a career in conservation. You will get to meet new people and help save nature too. As an intern, you can bring a variety of ideas, experiences and energy into our team. We want to hear from you if you feel like you have the motivation and passion to help establish Insh Marshes as a recognised curlew haven.

The intern will live on site (private bedroom, shared accommodation) and work closely with the project officer and reserve management team. Biological monitoring will include curlew breeding and feeding habitats, curlew pairs, nests and chicks, and predator populations. The intern will also assist with data management and the delivery of curlew themed community outreach events. This role will involve working alongside a wide range of audiences including graziers, neighbours, landowners, local communities and reserve visitors. A passion for nature conservation and an enthusiasm to work with local volunteers are essential.

Some desirable skills include:

• Basic IT skills
• Bird identification skills
• Experience spending time outdoors in nature (especially early, cold mornings)
• Communication skills
• Planning and organisational skills

Your own personal development will be an important part of your objectives in this role. Training, support and mentoring will be provided. This opportunity offers the successful applicant a chance to gain ecological knowledge of upland wetland habitats and breeding waders and develop highly valued data management skills.

Insh Marshes reserve is an open floodplain flanked by the stunning Cairngorm and Monadhliath mountain ranges. The area provides suitable conditions for a fantastic array of habitats including open water, sedge fen, wet grassland, flower rich meadows and various types of woodland. Together they support an impressive diversity of wildlife. Breeding birds include a variety of waders, spotted crake and osprey. In winter hen harriers and whooper swan can easily be admired. This is all topped up with many nationally important populations of scarce invertebrates and plants.