Surveyor (Not on a Reserve) (Waders and Wildfowl on Newton Marsh, Lancashire)

Breeding waders and wildfowl in the UK are in decline due to large-scale landscape changes which have resulted in habitat loss and an increase in predation. Newton and Freckleton Marsh, located west of Preston, supports a range of important breeding waders and wildfowl.

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals with a good knowledge of wader and wildfowl identification and behaviour to help us monitor the birds at Newton Marsh and Freckleton Marsh throughout the breeding season (April-July). The data gained from monitoring will enable us to protect and conserve these fascinating birds.

What tasks you will be doing:

• Visiting and watching the birds on Newton Marsh and Freckleton Marsh preferably (but not restricted to) the evenings and weekend from April to July, 2026.

Using a specially designed form you will:

• Record what species and how many individuals are present • Record the behaviour of birds • Record where the birds are on the marsh • Note any predators and predator-bird interactions

Skills and Experience:

• Good wader and wildfowl identification skills • Some knowledge of wader and wildfowl behaviour • Have enthusiasm for being outdoors • Have their own binoculars and/or scope • Ability to get to the site: Newton Marsh and Freckleton Marsh (Clifton, Preston, PR4 0XQ) • Be able to commit a minimum of 1.5 to 2 hours a week

This opportunity will help develop your wader and wildfowl ID skills, give you insight into their behaviour, as well as experience of monitoring wading birds in the field.

Thank you for reading this role description. Clicking on ‘more about this role’ and the downloadable pdf will give you just the generic role profile for this opportunity. A role profile is the family to which an opportunity belongs and informs vetting and training requirements and may not be an exact fit to the role described above.