Reserve Biodiversity Monitor and Surveyor (Nene Washes)

The Nene Washes is a large floodplain of the River Nene, east of Peterborough, in Cambridgeshire. We look after 800 hectares of the 1,522 hectare site and the fantastic variety of wildlife found here. In the spring and summer, the area is mostly wet grassland grazed by cattle, while in winter, much of the site is flooded, providing safe roosting and feeding areas for thousands of migrant birds.

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals, preferably with some experience in monitoring birds, to complete surveys collecting essential data on nesting and wintering bird populations.

Survey Volunteers are required to complete dawn and dusk surveys for breeding birds between mid-April and July. Surveys will vary depending on the target species but will likely take place several times a month (dates can be flexible), last 3-4 hours and follow set routes; key information will be marked on a map. Between October and March volunteers will be able to help conduct wintering bird counts (WeBS). There may also be opportunities for volunteers to monitor other species on site.

We are looking for volunteers with the following skills and experience:

• Ability to walk 5-10km in a remote environment across frequently wet, muddy and uneven terrain.
• Good identification skills of bird species, particularly lowland breeding waders
• Comfortable completing the surveys as an individual or in pairs
• Ability to clearly record information and findings
• Care and sensitivity around wildlife and livestock

We offer training for the role, including breeding wader ID and survey skills, a site induction and health and safety to ensure that you are prepared for each survey.

This is a really rewarding role that will suit someone who enjoys being outdoors and wants to develop hands on experience and skills around surveying or simply make a difference to their local reserve. The role also offers an opportunity to visit less accessible areas of the site and learn more about some of the rarer species that occur. You will be making a direct contribution to the ongoing conservation of this important reserve and with it the RSPB’s ambitious goals.