Community Volunteer (Species on the Edge Orkney Assistant Volunteer)

Do you enjoy the outdoors, wildlife watching and want to learn more about Orkney's wildlife? Species on the Edge survey volunteer could be the role for you!

Orkney is one of seven Species on the Edge project areas, and the team are working to protect nine target species across the county: Great yellow bumblebee; curlew; lapwing; Arctic tern; little tern; plantain leaf beetle; common pipistrelle bat; oysterplant; and Scottish primrose.

Why we need you:

Species on the Edge is a partnership of NatureScot and seven conservation charities dedicated to improving the future of 37 of the rarest and most threatened species on Scotland’s coasts and islands. These species are all struggling and in decline and our islands are some of their last strongholds.

The data collected by the survey volunteer will contribute to habitat management plans, inform policy decisions, and help influence local landowners and managers as well as our partner organisations. This work will contribute to the Scotland-wide Species on the Edge effort of tackling the impacts of environmental change on wildlife to benefit both nature and people. We want to connect more people to nature and can train and support people who are new to surveying and provide all the guidance you need to gain confidence.

What you will do:

• Complete a variety of surveys for our target species listed above between April and October 2024 inclusive (survey period and occurrence vary per species, but many surveys are conducted once a month)

• Receive training online prior to going out and attend an optional in-person group session to help with your first survey and for you to meet other volunteers and team up for surveys

• Have opportunities to help buddy new volunteers

• If doing bumblebee surveys, you will also enter your data onto the Bumblebee Conservation Trust website for which you will also receive training

What skills you need:

• General fitness and ability to walk for 2-3 hours on uneven surfaces

• Willingness to learn identification and survey skills in relation to Orkney's wildlife. Some experience of survey work and/ or ID would be useful but not essential

• Ability to complete the surveys as an individual or in small groups

• Good organisation skills

• Ability to travel independently to survey sites and work in remote locations

What will you gain?

• Opportunities to meet new people and visit new places in Orkney

• A chance to see wildlife closely and learn more about Orkney's important biodiversity

• Hands on practical experience of surveying one or more of our Orkney species

• Developing skills and building confidence in using survey methodology and species recording

• Experience of working within the conservation sector in Orkney

• Training and support and being part of the friendly Orkney team

• Time out in nature for your own active health and wellbeing

• Being part of the Species on the Edge programme having a direct impact for species, nature, and the environment