Surveyor (Not on a Reserve) (Co Down Farmland Bird Surveyor)

Farmland Bird Surveyor - monitoring priority bird species in County Down by carrying out baseline breeding surveys on project farms across the county

Why this role is important

Seed-eating farmland birds have experienced significant declines in Northern Ireland. For example, it is estimated that just 5,000 pairs of yellowhammer remain. This represents an alarming decline for a species which had a population of 32,000+ pairs as recently as 1991.

In N Ireland, these seed-eating species are largely dependent on the presence of seed and cereal fields, making the large arable regions of County Down a stronghold. This is why RSPB has a long and established history of working with farmers in Co. Down as a focus of our conservation efforts. East County Down is Northern Ireland’s RSPB Farm Advice Focus Area. We also facilitate the County Down Farmland Bird Initiative (CDFBI) - a group project within the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS).

The overall aim of our efforts is to halt and reverse the decline of some of N Ireland's most iconic farmland birds. Within Co. Down, RSPB has identified a number of priority farmland bird species including skylarks, yellowhammers, reed buntings, tree sparrows, linnets, and lapwings.

The key aims of the surveys are to:

• Establish the overall farmland bird species present on the farm and estimate how many breeding pairs of priority species are holding territory
• Assess changes in the populations of priority species over time
• Identify any potential areas of the farm where enhancing current habitat or introducing new habitat could benefit priority bird species. The surveys help RSPB NI generate tailored conservation advice specific to each farm

What you will be doing

Volunteering – RSPB East County Down Farmland Bird Surveys 2025

• Surveys to be carried out 15 April – 30 June 2025
• Volunteers will carry out 4 surveys on a designated farm allocated to them. Surveys can be carried out from 15 April through to the end of June. Each of the four surveys are carried out at least 10 days apart to fit with our methodology. Surveys are carried out at dawn in the early morning. Training will be provided on how to record priority species present and the methodology we use (virtual and on the ground training)
• This is a great opportunity to see farmland birds in their natural habitat and to use your skills and develop your skills with bird identification. These surveys are essential to the RSPB carrying out its conservation work in County Down – you will be doing your bit for our feathered friends!

You will contribute to this conservation work monitoring specific bird species by carrying out bird surveys on farms in Co. Down.

In order to measure the number of priority species present and holding territory on the farms RSPB NI carry out baseline breeding bird surveys. Training on survey technique and methodology will be provided.

As well as monitoring bird populations, the results of these surveys also help to generate tailored advice to farmers and landowners on how to enhance, create and manage suitable habitats for wildlife on their farms.

Surveys take place in the spring - summer breeding season. During this period, each farm receives four separate survey visits, with a minimum of 10 days between each visit, from the 15th of April until the end of June.

RSPB NI will provide training on identification and survey skills to ensure you are fully equipped and confident in carrying out the surveys.

The skills you need

- Bird identification skills are essential. You need to be confident identifying farmland birds in the wild. However, training on bird identification (for yellowhammer, linnet, reed bunting, tree sparrow, lapwing and skylark) and survey skills / technique will be provided.

• This role requires outdoor field work.
• You need to be fit and able to walk across sometimes uneven farmland terrain.
• You will need binoculars, wellie boots, and warm clothing for outdoor work

What's in it for you

• A chance to develop hands on field experience and skills around conservation surveying.
• Experience of working with the UK’s largest nature conservation charity.
• A fantastic opportunity to contribute to the RSPB NI conservation projects in County Down. You will play an important role in the recovery of iconic farmland birds.
• An opportunity to be out in nature and benefit your own health and wellbeing, this role will suit someone who enjoys being outdoors.
• You will have to observe wildlife closely, which is wonderful if you take enjoyment from the natural world.
• The satisfaction of knowing you’re making a real difference.