Residential on Reserve (More than 4 weeks) (RSPB Coll nature reserve)

We are looking for enthusiastic, energetic and practically-skilled residential volunteers to help ensure our landholding is suitable for farmland birds through agricultural operations such as grazing and cropping. You will carry out a variety of practical tasks such as fencing, field drainage maintenance and installation, track improvements, corncrake field fertility maintenance, and other infrastructure maintenance tasks, which will enable us to carry out the reserve’s management in a highly effective manner, delivering the best opportunities for wildlife to flourish. As Autumn arrives, summer resident birds depart and our winter birds begin to arrive from Greenland and Iceland such as White-fronted geese and barnacle geese. Disturbance is kept to a minimum whilst regular counts are made to see if they were successful in their northern quarters. Practical skills are essential, wildlife knowledge is desirable.

You will have the opportunity to build on your existing practical skills whilst working alongside the reserve team and learning more about land management for farmland birds and other wildlife. This is an excellent chance to make a genuine contribution to wildlife conservation and you will gain a valuable insight into the workings of Europe's largest conservation charity. This residential volunteering position is based on the reserve so on your doorstep will be some of the best wildlife views in the country. If it sounds good to have barnacle and Greenland white-fronted geese within 100m of your window, then Coll is the place for you! Plus there’s breath-taking sandy beaches, a vibrant island community and fantastic star gazing opportunities – need we say more?!

Applicants are required to be at least 18 years old, with a clean driving licence and have a keen interest in, and enthusiasm for, birds and conservation. You will need to enjoy working in a small team and be equally comfortable roaming around the reserve on your own all day. We require our volunteers on Coll to have previous experience working on a reserve/farm carrying out conservation management, or have similar practical skills that would transfer to this type of work. The main requirements for this role are practical skills and problem solving abilities. You must also be willing and able to undertake repetitive and at times strenuous manual labour outside in all weathers. There is no charge to take part in the scheme. It is your responsibility to cover the cost of your transport to and from the reserve, and to provide and cover the cost of your food during your stay.

The RSPB will provide accommodation, together with basic services, free of charge for the period you are volunteering, and cover any expenses incurred as a necessary part of your work on the reserve.