a million voices for nature Do something different Residential volunteering on RSPB nature reserves 2013

2 Cover: Volunteers doing a wild flower survey at RSPB Dungeness reserve. This page: RSPB Ynys-Hir reserve.

2 Thank you…

…for enquiring about the RSPB’s Residential Volunteering Scheme. Contents We hope this brochure inspires you to 4 WANT TO 28 Scotland step up for nature. Or maybe you are VOLUNTEER one of our many regulars looking for ON ONE OF OUR 29 YOUR WORDS another of our fantastic reserves or RESERVES? Jack Common projects to share your talents with. 5 CASE STUDY 37 Wales Whichever you are, we would love to Beki Williams welcome you in 2013! 40 MORE QUESTIONS 6 YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED It doesn’t matter if you are 16 or over 75; are looking ANSWERED to kick-start a career in conservation or want a week 44 HOW TO MAKE or two to get away from it all – there’s definitely 8 RESERVES MAP A BOOKING something here for you. Don’t take our word for it – With tear-out read the real-life accounts on pages 5, 13, 29 and 50 9 England application form to see how previous residential volunteers have enjoyed helping nature. 13 YOUR WORDS 46 HAVE FUN AND Rachel Cartwright HELP THE Space is limited for all our wardens to sufficiently ENVIRONMENT enthuse about their reserves and projects – we’ve 16 A WARDEN’S VIEW had to keep them to the essentials! We allowed Dungeness 48 OTHER WAYS TO one warden a bit more room on page 16 to describe VOLUNTEER some of the tasks volunteers will be involved in. 21 LIFE AS AN INTERN Briony Baxter 50 YOUR WORDS The quotes throughout are from some of the Jenny Curtis-Beard residential volunteers in 2012 – just from a few, as 26 Northern Ireland there were over 700 in total! That’s the equivalent 51 CONTACT US of more than 60 extra full-time members of staff carrying out vital conservation work, welcoming visitors to our reserves and sharing a passion for nature and our mission to conserve it.

Half of those 700 are young people (and sometimes not so young!) volunteering for six months or more Why we’re asking you to build up their knowledge and expertise to get a foot on the first rung of the conservation ladder. to Step Up For Nature Take a look at what one of our interns thought of her placement on page 21 – these are the Nature is amazing. But around the UK and across the wardens of the future! The other half are a hugely world it’s in steady, desperate decline. We’re determined diverse bunch, from every sector of the community, to stop this happening. But we need your help. but they all have one thing in common; they enjoy nature and are prepared to give us their time to Every step you take for nature, however small, you will help preserve it for future generations. take alongside millions of others. You’ll be part of We hope you will too! something big. A vast movement for nature, giving strength to nature’s voice and encouraging governments to make the right decisions.

Kate Tycer Nature’s in trouble. Let’s step up and save it – together. Residential Volunteering www.rspb.org.uk/steppingup Development Officer

Jane Shah Residential Volunteering Co-ordinator

3 Residential volunteer interns Nick Godden, Kayleigh Brookes and Jone Ayres at Coombes Valley viewing platform

Want to volunteer on one of our reserves?

The RSPB Residential Volunteering Scheme began in the gain practical or people engagement work experience, late 1970s, and now, after more than 30 years, we offer meet new people, explore new areas, enjoy a working places at 43 sites in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland holiday or simply make good use of your spare time and Wales. whilst keeping fit in the great outdoors.

If you are interested in nature and the environment, this is For more information about our work or joining the RSPB, an ideal opportunity to help our conservation work, please contact our UK Headquarters (see back cover). Find out more:www.rspb.org.uk

WE AIM TO MAKE SURE OUR WE ASK OUR VOLUNTEERS TO: RESIDENTIAL VOLUNTEERS: • extend to your fellow volunteers and staff the same • feel welcome degree of courtesy you would expect to receive • understand what the RSPB is and does • adhere to the RSPB’s rules, procedures and standards, • are part of the team and included in appropriate including health and safety and equal opportunities social events • be reliable and responsible – you are acting as • receive appropriate training and supervision representatives of the RSPB • know who they can talk to if there are problems • respect confidentiality or difficulties • inform us immediately if you have to cancel a booking • are properly valued – and thanked or will be arriving late • know to whom they are answerable • carry out the agreed work • receive regular and constructive feedback • give constructive feedback if appropriate • have safe working conditions • be accountable and accept constructive feedback • have adequate insurance cover • take part in relevant training • are taken seriously • ask for support if you need it • can say “no” to unreasonable requests • maintain accommodation in a clean, safe and tidy state. • have an acceptable standard of accommodation. 4 CASE STUDY From the office to building pixie dens: what a way to spend a year Starting a career in conservation

In January 2011, I was stuck in a job I didn’t enjoy, in an I also found running events really rewarding. I ran a wide ‘‘office with the air con on and the blinds drawn. I really variety of events: kids’ activities like building pixie dens and needed a connection with the outside world. nature inspired crafts, and adult and family events including bat walks. They’re a great chance to talk with visitors and help I stumbled across the RSPB internship on the internet one them make the most of what the reserve has to offer. evening. I worked out that I needed some real hands-on experience if I was ever going to get into my dream job in Talking to visitors has been a real highlight for me. It’s conservation. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made! particularly rewarding when they come back to the visitor Not only did I get to leave behind the office job, but it’s been a centre and thank you because they’ve had such a great time, year crammed full of amazing experiences. seen the wildlife you told them about and more.

My year as a visitor and publicity volunteer intern was split I’ve learnt so much this last year, my wildlife knowledge has between two reserves: Fairburn Ings in Yorkshire and Leighton improved significantly, so much so I have led guided walks Moss in north Lancashire. around the reserve, and can chat to most people about all sorts of wildlife. I have really enjoyed having such a close The highlights for me were meeting lots of amazing people. connection with nature. The staff and volunteers have been so helpful and supportive, I’ve learnt so much from them, and made some great friends. As a result of the experiences I’ve had and skills I’ve developed during the internship, I have been able to get a job I never thought I would enjoy talking on the radio, but it’s been with the RSPB. As I write this, I’m preparing to move to Islay, a revelation for me, especially when I got the chance to go a beautiful island off the west coast of Scotland. I didn’t into the BBC studios in Blackburn and chatted away about imagine the internship would give me such an Leighton Moss and the RSPB for about an hour. amazing opportunity, and I can’t wait to get started.

Beki Williams, RSPB Community Information and Tourism Officer ’’ based at Loch Gruinart, Islay

It is one of the ‘‘ best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s been a year crammed with amazing experiences.’’ 5 ‘‘ Thank you for the opportunity to volunteer – it was such a treat, and a complete tonic and break from my day job. . Lisa Mackinnon,’’ Sunset over Loch Garten Operation Osprey

Your questions answered

WHAT DO RESIDENTIAL VOLUNTEERS DO? undertake tasks within your capabilities. Visitor work that The work varies from reserve to reserve. It often includes does not need a high level of physical fitness is also practical management tasks, working with visitors and available, especially from March to September. helping with survey work. Here are some examples: We ask that you take any essential medication with you • cutting, clearing and burning dead vegetation and, on arrival, inform the warden of the details. Include • directing visitors to points of interest and showing details of any medication you take on your booking form. them wildlife This information is kept strictly confidential. • counting rare butterflies • staffing visitor centres The RSPB is committed to equal opportunities. • managing livestock We believe that volunteering should be open to all, • general chores, eg litter picking, visitor centre cleaning. regardless of marital status, gender, race, age, colour, sexual orientation, religion, politics, nationality or Please note that the RSPB is not a bird or animal welfare disability. We will do everything reasonably practical to organisation. We do not have the expertise or facilities make volunteering available to everybody and to conform to cater for sick birds, so you will not be involved in work to all relevant legislation. of this kind. Volunteers with a disability are welcome, but please bear WHO CAN TAKE PART? in mind that there are limitations at some reserves, owing Anyone aged 16 or over is eligible to take part, although to the nature of the accommodation and type of work. some reserves can only accept over 18s. We can We advise you to contact the Residential Volunteering accommodate couples on some reserves, provided that Development Officer to discuss your needs (see back both are participating. Each person should complete a cover for contact details). separate application form. These applications should be sent in as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Students seeking work placements should contact the Look for the symbol for the reserves suitable for Residential Volunteering Development Officer for advice. couples. Before your stay, please provide, in good time, details of any project work that you are expected to complete, Practical management tasks are important aspects of the together with any paperwork required by your placement RSPB’s work on most sites and this can be physically officer. Please note: we do not enter into contracts with or demanding, although you will only be expected to on behalf of our volunteers. 6 DO I NEED ANY SPECIAL SKILLS OR EXPERIENCE? We provide a cooker, cooking utensils, cutlery, crockery, You will not need special skills for most of the a fridge and food storage at all reserves. You are expected volunteering opportunities we have. A genuine interest to provide and cook all your own food. Unless told in and enthusiasm for birds and wildlife conservation otherwise, please take provisions for at least two days: is essential. You should be willing to help, even with you will be able to obtain further supplies locally. mundane jobs. At sites where the work includes helping visitors to the reserve, you must feel comfortable Not all accommodation has central heating – some may talking to people. Volunteers from overseas must have have an open fire or wood-burning stove instead. Most good conversational English. Some reserves require sites require you to bring your own pillowcase and volunteers who have good bird identification skills and sheets/duvet cover, or a sleeping bag. Pillows, duvets and these are noted in the reserve details. Long-term blankets will be provided. Most but not all reserves have placements usually require a driving licence so that you items such as a washing machine, TV, microwave, iron, etc. can drive RSPB vehicles. However, TV reception is a problem on a few sites and internet connection is a rarity. Reserve details containing IS THERE ANY CHARGE TO TAKE PART? all this information will be sent to you along with your There is no charge to take part. However, a suggested booking confirmation. Please note, all our bedrooms are donation of £25 towards our administration costs would single sex. We do not put men and women in the same enable more to be spent on our vital conservation work. bedroom unless they are partners or related. If you are It is your responsibility to cover the cost of your transport booking with someone else and wish to share a room with to and from the reserve, and to provide and cover the cost them, please indicate this on the booking form. We will do of your food during your stay. The RSPB will provide our best to accommodate your wishes, but this is not accommodation, together with basic services, free of always possible. charge for the period you are volunteering, and cover any expenses incurred as a necessary part of your work on the We cannot guarantee whether or not there will be anyone reserve. Any out-of-pocket expenses must be agreed with else volunteering during your stay, or inform you of the the reserve warden in advance. gender of other volunteers. It is possible that you will be alone in the accommodation in a remote location. Please WHERE WILL I BE STAYING? consider this when you make your choice of nature reserve. Accommodation varies from reserve to reserve, but we Please note: pets are not allowed on RSPB reserves, aim for it to be safe and clean and to meet basic standards. or in the volunteer accommodation. All accommodation, vehicles and buildings are non-smoking. More FAQs on page 40

KEY ST1 Short-term/long- Research, surveying and Practical estate On the following pages you will LT4 term placement species protection work. maintenance, and find a guide to all our reserve and minimum Good bird ID required at habitat and species stay in weeks. some locations at certain management work. placements. Each entry will have a times of the year. Livestock farm work Internship place/s at some locations. combination of the following icons, available, see page 42 for details. People engagement work – Minimum age. to help you compare the placements membership recruitment, 16 + and decide which is best for you. Suitable guided walks, shop/café work for couples. and showing people birds.

Volunteering accommodation at Frampton Marsh

7 Where would you like to go?

Shetland

Orkney Onziebust and Trumland

Hoy

Western Isles

Forsinard Flows

North Loch of Strathbeg Scotland Abernethy and Insh Marshes Osprey Project

East Scotland Loch of Kinnordy

Loch Leven Oronsay Loch Gruinart South and West Rathlin Island Seabird Centre Scotland

Geltsdale Northern Mersehead Ireland Northern Coquet Island Mull of Galloway England Haweswater Saltholme

Leighton Moss Bempton Cliffs Fairburn Ings Blacktoft Sands Dearne Valley South Stack Cliffs Ireland Titchwell Marsh Coombes Valley Frampton Strumpshaw Lake Vyrnwy Marsh Fen Ynys-hir Midlands Eastern Minsmere England Havergate Wales Island Ramsey Island Old Hall Marshes

Symonds Yat North Kent Marshes South East West Sedgemoor England South West England Dungeness Aylesbeare Common Arne

Exe Radipole Lake Estuary

8 Residential volunteering in ENGLAND

Matford, Exe Estuary 9 ENGLAND

Aylesbeare Common LT 12 18+ Exeter, Devon What? This area of heathland is one of the largest outside of the New Forest and its geology makes it unique in Britain. It is nationally important for its populations of Dartford warblers and nightjars. There are also breeding stonechats and a wide range of both heathland and woodland bird species. It is part of the 1,100 hectares of the area known as the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: three placements available all year. Where? Railway station at Exeter (8 miles/13 km from reserve). Regular bus route (52A or B). Car or bicycle useful. Accommodation is a rural cottage with one double and two single bedrooms, near to the reserve. Why? Practical habitat management work all year round, estate work on paths and boundaries, survey work, guided walks and working with livestock/farm work in spring and summer. Winter work may be heavy and hard in all weathers, with much scrub clearance and Volunteers collecting insects tree-felling work. Bracken eradication and stock work are major tasks during summer. Who? Call Richard on 01395 233655.

Bempton Cliffs Bridlington, East Yorkshire LT16 18+

What? Spectacular 122 m (400ft) chalk cliffs supporting England’s largest seabird colony, with over 200,000 seabirds during the summer including guillemots, kittiwakes and puffins. The reserve is also home to the UK’s largest mainland gannetry. This is set against a backdrop of beautiful flower meadows showcasing large colonies of orchids and dense carpets of red campion. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: one placement available, mid-April to mid-July and September to February inclusive. Where? Railway station at Bempton (1.5 miles/2.4 km from reserve). Local bus routes to Bempton village (1 mile/1.6 km from reserve). House in Bempton village, with a single bedroom, shared with the reserve office and staff accommodation. Why? April–mid-July: primarily seabird research, monitoring populations and breeding success throughout the colony, including Flamborough Head. Analysis and reporting using Excel, and occasional people engagement work. September–February inclusive: habitat and estate maintenance, Cliffs at Bempton and people engagement work at the visitor centre. Who? Call Dave on 01262 851179.

10 Blacktoft Sands Whitgift, Humberside ST1 16+

What? This is the largest tidal reedbed in England, where 270 species of bird have been recorded. In summer, the reserve is especially important for breeding marsh harriers, avocets, bearded tits and bitterns, while in spring and autumn the saline lagoons attract large numbers of migrant wading birds. In winter, good numbers of ducks and wading birds can be seen, as well as hen harriers and merlins. The reserve receives up to 26,000 visitors a year, mostly between April and September. When? Short-term: placements for individuals, couples or a pair of friends available all year. Long-term: one intern only. Where? Railway station at Goole (8 miles/13 km from reserve). A bus passes by the reserve entrance. Nearby, a modern, semi-detached house, with one single and one twin bedroom, houses the volunteers. Why? Physical land management work, estate maintenance, helping visitors, species protection, reception duties and survey/research Highland cattle assistance. Some stock or farm work during summer. Who? Call Mike on 01405 704665.

Coombes Valley Leek, Staffordshire 18+

What? Stunning oak woodland, with steep-sided valleys and a rocky stream. Dotted with magic at any time of year – from fly agaric to goldcrests, and purple hairstreak butterflies to red campion. Coombes is a peaceful reserve with a visitor centre and several family-friendly trails. Come and join us on our 50th anniversary year. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: three interns only. Where? Railway station at Macclesfield (17 miles/27 km from reserve). Buses are available infrequently to the market town of Leek 5 miles/ 8 km away. Car or bicycle useful. Accommodation is a converted farm building next to the reserve, with three single bedrooms. Why? Physical management work for forestry operations involves maintaining the rides. Estate work, including maintaining nature trail, car park and picnic area and fencing; looking after paths; and maintaining hedges, drains and ditches. Talking to visitors, assisting with guided walks and events. Helping with the education scheme, The brook at Coombes Valley particularly in spring and summer, may be required. Survey work, especially in spring and summer. Occasionally moving cattle. Who? Call Jarrod on 01538 384017. 11 ENGLAND

Coquet Island ST2 LT6 18+ Amble, Northumberland What? Coquet Island, about one mile off Amble, Northumberland, has been a monastic cell, a lighthouse station and is now occupied by the RSPB, NEW FOR 2013! through spring and summer. Just four hectares at high water, it is home to a large colony of nesting seabirds. It has the only UK colony of roseate terns, and in May, June and July, they are joined by several thousand nesting Sandwich, Arctic and common terns. Placements fall outside the main breeding season, to minimise disturbance. When? Short-term: one placement during March, April, August and September. Long-term: one placement in March/April and one in August/September. Where? The nearest railway station is Alnmouth (6 miles/8 km from Amble harbour). Lifts are available from the station, and buses run between Alnwick and Ashington, stopping at Amble (Monday to Saturday). By road, turn off the A1 at Morpeth and follow the coastal route to Amble. Heading south, four miles south of Alnwick, take the turning for Amble via Acklington. Both routes take you to the A1068 which runs through Amble. We have a 4.7m rigid inflatable boat, moored at Amble Marina. Two single bedrooms are available in the newly renovated lighthouse keeper’s cottage. The kitchen and office are in the old engineers’ quarters to the rear. Nesting terrace Note – there is no mains water. Drinking water is brought in bottles and tap water in canisters. There is a shower, but with limited water and 110v. Trips to the mainland are approximately once a week. Lighting is a 12v solar system with a 240v generator for charging laptops and phones. We cook on gas. Heating is a log burner fed on driftwood. Why? The work on Coquet is at the mercy of the tide, weather and light. Practical work involves grassland management, habitat restoration and creation and infrastructure maintenance. You are encouraged to take ownership of tasks, and work at your own pace (training provided). Coquet Island Who? Call Wesley on 07446 023412 or Paul on 07753 775230.

12 Roseate tern YOUR WORDS A volunteer’s perspective of Coquet Island Rachel Cartwright

I could be described as a career volunteer. After finishing I feel that I have had a positive influence on the island over ‘‘my Masters in Ecology, it became apparent that I needed my stay. Wesley and Paul have helped with this by letting to get some fresh air away from the library and gain some me take ownership of tasks and work at my own pace in my experience in the field. The RSPB seemed the obvious own way. I was a little worried about joining such a small organisation to set my sights on, and the thought of close-knit team before I arrived, but they have made me feel spending some time on a remote island seemed more than welcome. appealing. I put my name down. My stay is almost over now – and thanks to the Soon enough I realised what I had volunteered for: no running encouragement and experience I’ve had on Coquet, I start a water, no daytime telly and no student bar – was this heaven, paid job at the end of the month. Not on an island, but on a or hell? Thankfully it was not the latter and island life has remote spit of sand looking after little terns. I’ll miss the island become a way of life. Living in the back of the lighthouse and and its quirks, but I’m looking forward to a good hot shower. waking up to a sea view and squawking birds is amazing! It really makes you appreciate just how much we take those ‘bare necessities’ for granted. The big secret is that open fires, tilley lamps and home cooking are actually good fun. ’’ Raking on Coquet Island

As for the work – I am not sure whether it would be the same anywhere else. Painting boxes, putting up hides, raking, weeding, moving rocks around, digging, mowing all seem to be all the more fun when you are talking to seals and dancing with puffins (maybe my stay has been too long!).

I have also been able to expand on some of my field skills: reading bird rings, seal tags, recording migratory birds, making CCTV units and on wet days – data entry.

Building the night hide Painting boxes, ‘‘putting up hides, raking, weeding, digging, mowing all seem to be all the more fun when you are talking to seals and dancing with puffins. .. ’’13 ENGLAND

Dearne Valley reserves LT12 18+ Barnsley, South Yorkshire

What? Old Moor is a wetland oasis in this former heartland of the mining industry. Most of the volunteering work takes place here, but we also manage four other sites. The reserve is made up of wet grassland, open water, fen, reedbed and hay meadow. For such an urban site, we have an exceptional array of wildlife, with a great autumn and winter spectacle of waders and waterfowl. The site is important for breeding and migrating birds within the Dearne Valley. The shop, café, play area and wildlife garden help make this reserve a popular visitor attraction. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: one or two placements available all year, plus two interns. Where? Railway stations at Wombwell and Swinton (both about 3 miles/4.8 km from the reserve). Bus stop at reserve entrance. Bicycle or car useful. Three-bedroom cottage within the reserve courtyard. Each room has a Working in the reedbed single bed. Why? Practical habitat and estate management are the main activities. Survey and research work takes place during the spring/summer months. Volunteers will also assist with our visitor experience team, helping with events. There will be a variety of work that may be carried out at our other sites in the valley. Occasional work with livestock. Who? Call Kate on 01226 273831.

Dorset reserves LT26 18+ Wareham and Weymouth, Dorset What? Arne and Radipole Lake reserves boast extensive freshwater reedbed systems, saltmarsh, deciduous and pine woodland, and vast stretches of lowland heath. A network of 10 other sites are spread over 1,000 hectares of this glorious county. Species include all six of the UK’s reptiles, the first breeding pairs of marsh harriers in Dorset for over 50 years, Dartford warblers and nightjars, and Sika and roe deer. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: three placements available all year. Where? Arne: railway station at Wareham (5 miles/8 km from reserve). Taxis available at station. Car or bicycle useful. Purpose-built chalet on site with three single bedrooms. Radipole: railway station at Weymouth (0.5 miles/0.8 km from reserve). Car or bicycle useful. A semi-detached house in a residential area, close to town and the reserve, which also includes the reserve office and staff accommodation. Two single bedrooms. Why? Tasks will include welcoming visitors, joining our roving wardening team, helping with our busy events programme, as well as more Fawn in heather traditional habitat management and estate work. At certain times of the year we also need assistance with ecological monitoring and research. Who? Call the team on 01929 553360. 14 Dungeness Lydd, Kent LT12 18+

What? Mile after mile of shingle! A unique landscape, only interrupted by natural ponds and reedbeds. Several species of bird occur here in nationally important numbers, and it’s a great place to watch autumn migration. Recently, the short-haired bumblee has been reintroduced. There are trails, hides and a visitor centre and shop. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: two placements available all year. Where? Railway stations at Folkestone (17 miles/27.4 km from reserve), Ashford (18 miles/29 km) and Rye (12 miles/19.3 km). Bus service Hastings to Folkestone via Rye and Lydd; or Ashford to Lydd bus goes direct to the reserve. Volunteers have a purpose-built, two single-roomed chalet on the reserve. This is a remote site. Why? Placement one: all year round duties may include all aspects of reserve wardening, including practical habitat management, bird and other wildlife Short-haired bumblebee monitoring (depending on time of year), estate and infrastructure maintenance, administration and occasional people engagement activities. Placement two: April to September inclusive assisting the visitor centre team with all aspects of visitor care and publicity, including reception duties, showing people birds, recruitment, helping with events, writing bulletins, updating websites and maintaining visitor facilities. Who? Placement one: call Natalie on 01797 320588. Placement two: call Chris on 01797 320588.

Exe Estuary LT 12 18+ Exminster, Devon

What? The Exe area includes five farmland nature reserves around the Exe Estuary and a shop at Darts Farm. All our sites are open to visitors and are managed to provide suitable areas for breeding, feeding and migratory birds. There is a new nature reserve at Darts Farm, Matford Marsh is being extended and Bowling Green Marsh’s high-tide roost is one of the premier birdwatching sites in south-west England. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: three placements available. Where? Railway station at Topsham (1 mile/1.6 km from reserve) or Exeter (6 miles/9.6 km). Local bus routes to Exminster village, or pick-up by prior arrangement. Volunteers stay in a house in the village, with one double and two single bedrooms. Why? A wide range of tasks, including estate management work, maintenance of visitor facilities, surveying and monitoring, handling livestock, running events and controlling flood defences for Exeter. In addition, there is an opportunity to work closely with the residential volunteers River Clyst at Aylesbeare Common, the retail team at Darts Farm and specialist staff at the South West regional office in Exeter. Who? Call Tom on 01392 824614. 1515 ENGLAND A warden’s view Natalie Holt, Warden, Dungeness

How would I describe Dungeness? Unique, pebbly, wild, amazing and diverse. There’s no place quite like it. We have a nuclear power station, two lighthouses and a military range on our doorstep. These add to the character of the site, and become features that staff ‘‘and visitors alike use in photos. The Thursday work party cut and transport reed

We manage the habitats on the reserve for wildlife and also for people: our modern visitor centre is a key point of call for 30,000 visitors a year. Meeting and greeting, providing As spring turns to summer and autumn, focus shifts away information, showing people birds, membership recruitment from surveys and into general reserve work, including more and campaigns are all part of life here, so this is a great place livestock management. This is also the time for carrying out to be if you’re a people person and enjoy, or want to gain, large scale tasks, like putting up fences, or painting hides. experience in promoting and leading events, customer care and delivering our education programme to hundreds of In the winter, the reserve is inundated with wildfowl, and it’s a school children annually. pleasure to watch huge numbers of ducks dabbling and diving in the gravel pits. Having cold feet is worth it if you can show In spring, there’s a lot of survey work to do, so you’ll have to someone something new. excuse us if we coax you out of bed at 5 am to drag you along to hear the song of nightingales or see lapwings displaying! We wouldn’t achieve any of this without our volunteers. They bring laughter, enthusiasm and ideas as well as useful skills, For me, spring and summer have got to be the best time of knowledge and a variety of experience. The time that year on the reserve: I can’t think of a better way to spend an residential volunteers can give us is equivalent to two full time afternoon than sitting up with a telescope pointing out members of staff at Dungeness. Just imagine what we can do bitterns and marsh harriers to our visitors, or searching for for nature with that! bumblebees in the wild flower meadows. So how have I arrived here at Dungeness doing my dream job? Well, because residential volunteering gave me the conservation bug. So why not come to the RSPB’s oldest reserve, and find out what it’s all about for yourself.

Brian takes a break at lunch time after island willow clearance ‘Julibee’ helping out during Bee Week ’’

16 Fairburn Ings ST2 16+ Castleford, Yorkshire

What? Its large shallow lakes and marshes make this reserve important for wildfowl and wading birds, both breeding and over-wintering. Situated on the River Aire and including areas of woodland, this is a great place for the UK’s most colourful insects. There are approximately 28 species of butterfly, and 20 species of dragonfly, including the UK’s largest – the emperor dragonfly. Fairburn has a pond dipping area and a large visitor centre. When? Short-term: one placement available all year. Long-term: two interns only. Where? Railway station at Castleford (4 miles/7 km from visitor centre). Car or bicycle useful, as accommodation is 1 mile/1.6 km from visitor centre. Very limited public transport. Pick-up by prior arrangement. A semi-detached house in Fairburn village with three large bedrooms, each with a single bed. Why? Estate maintenance and habitat management work is the main mid-week activity throughout the year. This can be physically Pond dipping at Fairburn Ings demanding and repetitive. Weekend work revolves around helping visitors and assisting in the visitor centre. Survey/research assistance is required all year, but particularly March to June. Occasional work with livestock. Who? Call Steve on 01977 628192 or Karen on 01977 628193.

Frampton Marsh Boston, Lincolnshire 18+

What? On the edge of The Wash – the largest and most important wetland for birds in the UK – Frampton Marsh has a developing reedbed, three Moulted shells of young large freshwater scrapes for nesting and migrant wading birds, wet crabs on the saltmarsh grasslands and one of the largest areas of saltmarsh in the world. Hen harriers are winter visitors and we have the highest density of nesting redshanks in the country – a real success story. Our visitor centre is open daily throughout the year. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: two interns only. Where? Railway station at Boston (4 miles/7 km from the reserve). Car or bicycle useful. Accommodation is in a large Georgian, Grade II listed farmhouse, which also hosts the offices. There are two double bedrooms (see picture on page 7). Why? Practical intern: assisting the site wardens with habitat management and estate maintenance, including vegetation control, and fencing and footpath maintenance. Also survey and monitoring work, such as breeding bird surveys and lagoon invertebrate sampling. Visitor services intern: assisting the Visitor and Publicity Officer with welcoming and recruiting visitors, events, producing interpretation, and promoting the reserve through traditional and new media. Who? Call Graham on 01205 724678. 17 ENGLAND

Geltsdale Brampton, Cumbria LT 4 18+

What? Breathtaking fell views sum up this large and remote upland site showcasing moorland, woodland and farmland. Geltsdale forms the north-western part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Annually, 10,000 people visit to see black grouse, birds of prey and breeding waders. Ideal for walking and seeing rare upland bird species, flowers, butterflies and the occasional otter. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: one or two placements available all year. Where? Railway station at Brampton near Carlisle (4 miles/6.4 km from reserve), with pick-up by prior arrangement. Car or bicycle useful. Volunteers live in a remote, terraced cottage on the reserve, with one double bedroom, 1 mile/1.6 km from the office. Why? Upland conservation work including fencing, dry-stone walling and footpath maintenance. Monitoring, protection and survey work is available at certain times of the year. There will be the opportunity to Geltsdale assist with visitor work on guided walks, reception and recruitment. This work can be physically demanding and in all weathers. Who? Call Ian on 01697 746717.

Havergate Island Orford, Suffolk ST1 18+

What? This small island in the River Ore is famous for breeding terns and gulls, which can usually be seen in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, Havergate provides a haven for large numbers of ducks and wading birds, and is a great place to see brown hares at close range. When? Short-term: two placements available, May to September (maximum of two weeks). Long-term: no placements available. Where? Railway station at Woodbridge (11 miles/17.8 km from reserve). Taxi service available from Woodbridge to Orford quay, then boat to the island. Two self-contained chalets on the island with electricity (wind-powered) for lighting, gas heating and gas cooking. There is a small fridge. Water supply (but no bathroom/shower) and outside chemical toilet only. One single and one twin bedroom. Why? Estate management, maintenance and repair, helping visitors, species protection work and survey/research assistance is required from spring until autumn. These tasks can be physically demanding and volunteers Regular volunteer Lesley helping to smarten up the hide must be able to walk long distances over rough terrain. Volunteers are sometimes on their own on the island. We have a wind turbine so if you would like to bring a mobile phone and mains charger you will be able to use it. It may not be possible to leave the island during your stay. A very remote site. Who? Call Kieren on 01394 450732. 18 Haweswater ST2 LT 6 18+ Penrith, Cumbria

What? Ruggedly romantic, this reserve is most famous for holding Dry stone wall at Haweswater England’s only golden eagle territory. It’s a mixture of woodland and mountain grassland, with tumbling becks and imposing crags, surrounding Haweswater reservoir in the Lake District National Park. When? Short-term: one or two placements available all year. Long-term: one or two placements available all year. Where? Railway station at Penrith (10 miles/16 km from reserve), with pick-up by prior arrangement. Buses twice a week. Car or bicycle useful. Farmhouse with three single bedrooms on the reserve. Why? Physical land management work in summer, autumn and winter. This can be physically demanding and repetitive. Helping visitors in spring and summer at the eagle viewing site. Species protection is also undertaken in the spring and summer. Survey/research assistance is required in spring and summer if you have specialist skills. At all times of the year some manual work is required, including bracken cutting, helping in the tree nursery and tree planting. Who? Call Spike on 01931 713376.

‘‘Working in the tree nursery is ideal for me as I am not good at hill walking. This is exactly the kind of exercise I find beneficial.

Robert Mackintosh,’’ Haweswater

Haweswater 19 ENGLAND

Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay 18+ Silverdale, Lancashire What? A great bird reserve, Leighton Moss has them all – bitterns in the reedbeds, marsh harriers over the grassland and avocets in the ercatchers taking flight at Oyst lagoons. Not forgetting the other wildlife, more than 300 species of Leighton Moss moth have been recorded here and otters are now regularly seen. There is a visitor centre, shop, café, hides and trails. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: three interns only – two practical and one people engagement. Where? Railway station at Silverdale, next to reserve. Lancaster is 20 minutes by train and Carnforth is six minutes by train. Volunteers live in a renovated farm building on the reserve, with two bedrooms – one with twin beds, and one with bunks and a single bed. Why? Practical – spring/summer: breeding wader and predator project survey work, includes butterfly transects and practical tasks. Autumn/winter: habitat/estate management and maintenance, eg reed cutting and fencing. This work can be physically demanding and repetitive. People engagement – assisting the visitor centre team with all aspects of visitor care and publicity, including reception duties. Showing people birds, recruiting members, events and maintaining facilities. Who? Practical: call Richard on 01524 703014, people engagement: call Annabel on 01524 703017.

Mid Yare Valley LT 12 18+ Strumpshaw, Norwich, Norfolk

What? Situated in the Norfolk Broads along the banks of the River Yare, this large reserve includes grazing marshes, wet woodlands, fen and reedbeds. Many internationally important birds and other wildlife are found here, including bitterns, marsh harriers, Norfolk hawker dragonflies, swallowtail butterflies and spectacular numbers of wildfowl and wading birds in the winter. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: two or three placements available all year. Where? Railway station at Brundall (2 miles/3.2 km from reserve). Bicycle and/or car useful but not essential. Detached cottage on the reserve with three single bedrooms. Why? Typically, habitat management involves fen management in late summer, and reedbed work, scrub clearance and woodland tasks in autumn and winter. Opportunities to help with visitor reception and events, mostly in spring and summer. Survey work might include breeding bird surveys in spring and summer, butterfly and dragonfly awker on iris Norfolk h monitoring in summer and wetland bird counts in autumn and winter. Maintenance of visitor facilities required throughout the year. Some assistance required with the reserve’s Highland cattle. People engagement opportunities available through the summer. 20 Who? Call Ben on 01603 715191. Minsmere Westleton, Saxmundham, Suffolk LT12 18+

What? Minsmere is one of the RSPB’s flagship reserves, featuring an outstanding variety of habitats, including reedbed, heathland, coastal lagoons, dunes and woodland. The reserve supports several nationally important populations of breeding birds, including bitterns and avocets, and nationally important populations of wintering wildfowl. It is also rich in other wildlife, with over 1,000 species of moth recorded, plus 33 species of butterfly, 23 species of dragonfly and damselfly, as well as red deer, otters and water voles. Konik and Exmoor ponies, Highland cattle and rare-breed sheep graze a variety of habitats on the reserve. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: practical volunteers: two placements available September to March; one placement June to August; and one intern all year. People engagement volunteers: one intern March to August. Where? Railway station at Darsham (5 miles/8 km from reserve) where you can get a bus, taxi, or pick-up from the station (by prior arrangement). Purpose-built chalet for volunteers on site with three single bedrooms. Why? Practical – land management work, estate maintenance, helping visitors, species protection, reception duties and survey/research assistance. Wading avocet Some stock/farm work during summer. People engagement – assisting the visitor centre team with all aspects of visitor care and publicity. Showing people birds, recruiting members, events and maintaining facilities. Who? Call Louise on 01728 648780.

YOUR Bittern ‘listening WORDS post’ Life as a reserve intern

I’ve been a residential intern Volunteering is not just for the at RSPB Minsmere for three youngsters – I’m in my fifties. If months and I’ve really enjoyed the you’re considering a career change I ‘‘challenge of trying a diverse range of can really recommend some time activities. spent volunteering. It not only allows a potential employer to see what you have to offer, but you can build on your existing skills and get a feel for a completely different type of job and working environment. It has certainly paid off for me: I’ve just been offered employment with one of the Wildlife Trusts. I doubt that would have happened without my experience with the RSPB so I’m very grateful that I had the chance. Briony Baxter ’’ 21 Bumblebee ‘listening post’ at Minsmere River watch hide ENGLAND

North Kent Marshes LT 26 18+ Rochester, Kent What? A diverse range of sites between Gravesend in the west and Whitstable in the east. Shorne Marshes, Elmley Marshes, Seasalter and Northward Hill make up an important area of grazing marsh, with high densities of breeding lapwings and redshanks in spring and spectacular flocks of wading birds and wildfowl in winter. Northward Hill also has an area of woodland that supports nightingales, herons, owls, white-letter hairstreak butterflies and the rare emerald damselfly. Nearby, Cliffe Pools is an exciting reserve with an ambitious saline lagoon restoration planned for the coming years. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: two or three placements available all year. Where? Railway station at Strood (5.5 miles/8.9 km). Bus stops at High Halstow (1.5 miles/2.4 km). Pick-up by prior arrangement. Volunteers stay in a beautiful farmhouse with three double bedrooms. Why? Habitat management on grazing marsh, woodland and saline lagoons. Estate maintenance. Talking to visitors on the reserves. Bird and other wildlife surveys and data recording. Work can be physically demanding, especially in winter. Grey heron with eel Who? Call Elliott on 01634 222480.

Old Hall Marshes LT 26 18+ Maldon, Essex What? Old Hall Marshes is a fragment of the once plentiful grazing marsh that fringed the coastlines of Kent and Essex. These marshes represent one of the last remaining wilderness areas in the country and retain a centuries-old grazing tradition, which, when combined with recent habitat management, produces a working example of a viable farming enterprise. It provides a refuge for thousands of breeding and wintering waterfowl, 24 species of butterfly, damselflies and ruddy darters. The ancient grassland is characterised by thousands of ant hills made by yellow meadow ants. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: one placement available all year, plus one intern. Where? Railway and coach station at Colchester (14 miles/22 km from reserve) and railway station at Kelvedon (9 miles/14 km). Pick-up by prior arrangement. Mid-terraced cottage for volunteers, 0.75 miles/1 km from the reserve, with two double bedrooms. Bicycles provided. Why? Assisting with habitat and estate management, and monitoring of birds and other wildlife. Also, livestock-related tasks. Ruddy darter Who? Call Suzanne on 01621 869015.

22 Saltholme Near Middlesbrough, Tees Valley LT12 18+

What? Nestled in the Tees Valley, surrounded by many industrial neighbours, Saltholme offers a dramatic landscape and stunning wildlife. Hundreds Newly-hatched golden plover chicks of pairs of common terns breed on cockleshell islands in the summer and thousands of wildfowl spend the winter here. With habitats such as reedbeds, wet grassland, open pools and scrapes, Saltholme attracts lapwings, water voles, golden plovers, brown hares and sand martins. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: three placements available all year. Where? Railway station at Middlesbrough (7.2 miles/11.5 km from the reserve). Direct bus from Middlesbrough bus station. Pick-up from station by prior arrangement. Seaton Carew station (4.5 miles/7.2 km) is a five minute walk from the accommodation – spacious first-floor flat with views of the sea. It has two double bedrooms, one single bedroom, and fish and chips are just across the road! Direct bus route to the reserve. Why? Long-term placement 1 and 2: working alongside the estate team on a variety of reserve management activities, and survey/monitoring tasks. Long-term placement 3: working alongside the visitor centre team at events, meeting and greeting, in the shop and occasionally helping the education team. Who? Call Keith on 01642 546625.

Somerset reserves LT 26 18+ Langport, Somerset What? West Sedgemoor is an internationally important area of low-lying wet meadows, attracting large numbers of ducks, geese and wading birds in winter. Greylake is a relatively new wet grassland reserve, reverted from arable crops, and an overwintering site for waders and wildfowl. Swell Wood is an ancient woodland that supports the largest heronry in the south west. Ham Wall is a mosaic of reedbed and woodland and is becoming a very popular wetland with wildlife such as bitterns and water voles. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: two or three placements available all year. Where? Railway and coach station at Taunton (10 miles/16 km from reserve). Pick-up from station by prior arrangement. A large farmhouse with three bedrooms (two rooms have a double bed and the other has two single beds). Why? Placements one and two: management of grassland in summer and autumn, including work with livestock. Estate management including fencing and water control structures. Hedge laying, coppicing and other woodland Species-rich wet meadow in management in autumn and winter. Survey work mostly March to June. flower at West Sedgemoor Occasional species protection and patrolling throughout the year. Work can be physically demanding, especially in winter. Placement three (November–May): Visitor work and people engagement, guided walks, events and membership recruitment on all four Somerset reserves. 23 Who? Call Paul or Becky on 01458 252805. ENGLAND

Symonds Yat Raptors on the Rock Project ST2 18+ Near Coleford, Gloucestershire What? Symonds Yat Raptors on the Rock Project is perched 500 feet above the River Wye, with spectacular views of the Coldwell Cliffs where peregrines nest. This is a Forestry Commission site and there is a public View over the River Wye viewpoint but no hide. When? Short-term: April to August only. Preferable commitment of two weeks. Long-term: no placements available. Where? Railway station at Lydney (7 miles/10 km from the viewpoint). Pick-up from Lydney by prior arrangement. Bike/car useful, as accommodation is 2 miles/3.2 km from the site. A 15-foot caravan with one double and one single bed to accommodate one person, a couple or two friends. Why? Recruiting new members, welcoming visitors, showing them the peregrines and other raptors through telescopes. Specialist knowledge of birds is not required, but enthusiasm and good people skills are. This is a people-based project with no physical land management work. However, you must be able to stand for most of the day. International volunteers must speak very good English. Who? Call Hannah on 01594 562852, or call the Information Assistant (April to August) on 07736 792511.

Thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you RSPB for being an ‘‘ organisation I was proud to represent.

Susan Paice, Symonds Yat’ Rock’

Peregrine female at nest with chicks

24 Titchwell Marsh Hunstanton, Norfolk ST1 LT26 16+

What? Situated on the north Norfolk coast, Titchwell is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK. From marsh harriers over the reedbeds, avocets on the lagoons, the rare dune tiger beetle, and the occasional otter, it has something for everyone. New trails and state of the art hides have recently been opened. There is also a busy visitor centre, shop and café. Come and join us on our 40th anniversary year. When? Short-term: one placement available from June to August. Long-term: one six-month placement available from September to March, plus two interns. Where? King’s Lynn railway and coach station (23 miles/37 km from reserve), then bus via Hunstanton. Pick-up from Hunstanton by prior arrangement. A bicycle is useful. Volunteer house with four single bedrooms, about 0.75 miles/1 km from the reserve. Why? Winter: habitat and estate management including reed cutting, scrub control, boardwalk and hide maintenance. Survey work to include Wetland Bird Survey and wintering harrier counts. Regular contact with visitors on the reserve and within the visitor centre. Otter eating fish Summer: survey work on avocets, marsh harriers, bitterns and ringed plovers. Supporting reserve events by helping on guided walks, moth mornings and pond dipping. Maintenance of paths, boardwalks and hides. Most of your time will be spent at Titchwell but there may be the opportunity to work on other reserves in the local area, especially Snettisham. Who? Call Paul on 01485 211970.

Du ne tiger beetle

There was so ‘‘much going on and so many varied tasks. I enjoyed every minute and will never forget it.

Philip Plummer, Titc’hw’ell Titchwell Marsh reserve 25 Residential volunteering in NORTHERN IRELAND

26 Rathlin Island western sea stacks Rathlin Island Seabird Centre ST2 LT4 18+ County Antrim

What? Rathlin Island is Northern Ireland’s only inhabited island, with a small resident community of approximately 100 people and a huge 100,000-strong seabird breeding colony. The RSPB Seabird Centre is based at a cliffside lighthouse within a National Nature Reserve. We welcome an international complement of over 15,000 visitors during the summer, all eager to see puffins, fulmars, kittiwakes, razorbills and the cliffs packed with guillemots. When? Short-term: up to seven placements available April to early September. Long-term: one or two placements available late March to early September, and one intern. Where? See www.translink.co.uk and arrange your transport with advice from RSPB island staff. Ferries to Larne or Belfast. Airports: Belfast City, Belfast International and City of Derry. Railway to Ballymena from Belfast airports and all ferries. Railway to Coleraine from City of Derry airport. Bus to Ballycastle. Ferry from Ballycastle to Rathlin. It is also possible to bus indirectly all the way to Ballycastle from any arrival destination in Northern Ireland. Booking the ferry is essential from Ballycastle to Rathlin – please make contact with RSPB staff before booking this journey. Cottage hostel 3 miles/5 km from village and Puffin amenities, and 1 mile/1.6 km from Seabird Centre. Access to Seabird Centre is on foot over rough tracks, through unfenced cattle and via steep steps. There is one bedroom for up to three volunteers and a dormitory-style room for four. Very poor mobile phone reception in the Guillemots and razorbills house, but OK within a short distance. Limited access to small grocery on the main stack shop on your days off. A private minibus service operates during the day that may let you hop on for free (space permitting), and bicycles are available, but the terrain is hilly. It would be an advantage to bring a car. Why? Working within a small team, this is a fun role involving meeting and greeting visitors, showing them the seabirds from an outdoor viewing platform, and enthusing, educating and recruiting new members. Also occasionally taking part in community activities to build and retain support for our conservation work. Specialist bird knowledge is not required but good people/communication skills are vital. International volunteers must speak very good English. Who? Call the Seabird Centre staff on 028 2076 0062 or 07793 269393 (April to August only) or call Tim McCann at Northern Ireland Headquarters on 028 9049 1547.

I had a wonderful experience! ‘‘ I felt really looked after and part of the team. Stephanie Burns, Rathlin’’ Island 27 Residential volunteering in SCOTLAND

28 Abernethy reserve Abernethy ST1 LT 20 16+ Nethybridge, Inverness-shire

What? One of the many jewels in Scotland’s crown. A very large, diverse reserve, situated in the centre of the mighty Cairngorms National Park, containing Scots pine woodland, lochs, moorland, peatland, bog and mountains. One of the finest areas of Caledonian pinewood left in Scotland, home to the spectacular capercaillie and other rare species such as crested tits, Scottish crossbills and pine martens. When? Short-term: two placements available from mid-September to March inclusive. Long-term: one placement available from September to March. Where? Railway and coach station at Aviemore (10 miles/16 km from reserve). Car useful. Pick-up from Aviemore by prior arrangement. A large former hunting lodge houses the volunteers, the warden’s family and reserve offices. Volunteers have two twin-bedded rooms with shared kitchen. Why? Physical land management work throughout the year may include woodland management, heather burning and cutting, deer management, fence repair, bird/animal population monitoring, other research work and general estate maintenance. This work is strenuous Juvenile pine marten and involves a considerable amount of walking over difficult terrain. Who? Call Alice on 01479 821409.

YOUR WORDS A week in Abernethy Abernethy is an RSPB from me. Rather than making a dash, it Residential reserve in the centre of the simply sat and watched me. It moved Cairngorms National Park. It’s here into better view and, as if finally volunteering is one ‘‘that I found myself doing a week’s deciding I was a threat, it bounced along of the most volunteering in August. What a week! the sodden ground to its burrow, and was swallowed by the forest. fantastic things The first day, the weather was glorious. I’ve ever done. We were up on the edge of the forest, The meeting with the pine marten and the sun shone down from a crystal encapsulated everything about ...... sky. The dogs bounded across the volunteering at Abernethy. With the time hillside, and the hiss of heather and energy you spend there, you build a ’’ underfoot was only interrupted by the personal and private relationship with clatter of black grouse as they erupted the nature you’re helping to protect. from invisibility. Rather than a fleeting experience of a day out at a reserve, you are privilege to On another sunny day, in the blaeberry a unique connection with the wildlife, mats that the capercaillie love, a huge landscape and the people that live and black male caper exploded from the work in it. Volunteering will change how undergrowth, and swooped almost you look at nature. Quite simply, overhead through the dappled light residential volunteering is one of the between the trees. most fantastic things I’ve ever done. Anyone who turns down the chance is Whilst standing in a bog forest, in a seriously missing out. cloud of midges, a pine marten Jack Common appeared around a tree a few metres by Jack Common, aged 17 29 SCOTLAND

Abernethy – Operation Osprey ST1 18+ Loch Garten, Abernethy, Inverness-shire

What? Part of Abernethy reserve, this project provides 24-hour protection of breeding ospreys, and public viewing facilities. Loch Garten Osprey Centre is the base, with fantastic views of these birds, as well as live CCTV camera footage from the nests, shown on screens in the visitor centre. Around the Osprey Centre, red squirrels can be seen at close range, along with great spotted woodpeckers and more. When? Short-term: six placements available end of March to early September. Maximum stay two weeks. Long-term: no placements available. Where? Railway and coach station at Aviemore 8 miles/13 km from chalets, pick-up by prior arrangement. Car useful, some bicycles provided. Three chalets, each with a twin-bedded room. The accommodation is 2.5 miles/4 km from the visitor centre, but is a nice, easy walk. Why? Osprey nest site protection and 24-hour surveillance by three teams of two people using a hide exclusive to staff and volunteers. Also, helping in the visitor centre, welcoming the public and updating them with information about the ospreys. International volunteers must speak Adult osprey in flight very good English. Who? Call Richard on 01479 821409 or call the Information Officer on 01479 831648 (from end of March to end of August, evenings only).

Forsinard Flows ST2 LT 6 18+ Caithness and Sutherland

What? Part of the internationally important Flow Country – the single largest expanse of blanket bog in the world. As well as rugged peatland, the reserve also includes moorland, montane heath, forests and farmland supporting important populations of breeding upland wading birds, divers, waterfowl, hen harriers, merlins and short-eared owls. When? Short-term: one or two placements available from August to March. Long-term: up to three placements available all year. Where? Railway station at Forsinard, next to the reserve office. House with four single bedrooms for volunteers, on the reserve. Why? Estate management and peatland/forestry survey work is carried out throughout the year, except between April and July, when you will be assisting with moorland breeding bird surveys, monitoring and visitor duties. Good bird skills required. October to March: forestry work and peatland management to restore blanket bog habitat, including practical work. Work may be strenuous and involve a considerable Forsinard Flows amount of walking in remote upland areas. Map and compass navigation skills desirable. Who? Call Claire on 01641 571225. 30 Hoy ST4 LT 20 18+ Orkney

What? Hoy is the ‘high island’ of Orkney and is a haven for walkers and climbers. It has heather moorland, scattered lochans, mountain scenery and spectacular sea cliffs. Sub-Arctic vegetation is found on the hill summits and native woodland in the steep-sided valleys – most notably in Berriedale, Britain’s most northerly native woodland. When? Short-term: one or two placements available from April to July. Long-term: one or two placements available between April and August inclusive. Where? Either a passenger ferry from Stromness to Moaness Pier (which is a five-minute walk from the accommodation) or via car ferry from Houton to Lyness (11 miles/17.5 km from reserve). Bus/train from Edinburgh to Thurso takes about seven hours. Purpose-built small house (bothy). One bedroom with two single beds. Why? Assisting with survey/research work (especially in spring/summer), helping visitors in summer and maintaining footpaths. Management work is conducted all year and centres around the native tree planting

programme, with associated work in the tree nursery. Good bird Femke volunteering on Hoy identification skills required April to mid-July. Work may be strenuous and involve a considerable amount of walking in remote upland areas. Who? Call Kate or Jane on 01767 680551.

Insh Marshes ST1 LT6 18+ Kingussie, Inverness-shire

Roe deer buck What? One of Europe’s most valuable wetlands, this reserve has extensive marshes in the floodplains of the upper River Spey, in the foothills of the Cairngorm mountains. Large numbers of wading birds, ducks and geese breed here, but it’s also a wonderful place for wild flowers, dragonflies and butterflies. Ospreys catch fish in the loch and roe deer roam the woodland and marsh. In the winter, when the marsh floods, it provides ideal habitat for visiting flocks of whooper swans and greylag geese. When? Short-term: one or two placements available all year. Long-term: one or two placements available all year. Where? Railway and coach station at Kingussie (5 miles/8 km from cottage). Car/bicycle useful. Cottage with one single and two twin bedrooms, next to the reserve office, in the village of Insh. Why? Mostly physical land management work, such as fencing, scrub clearance, repair/upkeep of trails and reserve buildings, some survey/research and monitoring tasks. Good bird identification skills desirable from April to June. Who? Call Pete on 01540 661518. 31 SCOTLAND

Loch Gruinart and The Oa ST2 LT 6 18+ Islay, Argyll

What? Loch Gruinart is a shallow sea loch. At its mouth are sandy beaches and Loch Gruinart dunes; at its head are mudflats and saltmarsh. There is wet grassland, important for geese, wildfowl and wading birds, and a small area of woodland. Moorland and bog surround the low-lying areas. The reserve is managed as a working farm. In the summer, it bursts into colour with meadows of wild flowers. Hen harriers hunt over the heath and corncrakes can be heard until the end of July. Also on Islay, The Oa nature reserve has cliffs, coastal heath, rich meadows and open moorland. When? Short-term: one or two placements available all year. Long-term: one or two placements available all year. Where? Bus from Glasgow to Kennacraig, then two-hour ferry trip to the island. Car or bicycle useful (although bicycles cannot be taken on the bus). Flybe offers flights from Glasgow to Islay, but they can be expensive. The bothy, with two twin and one triple-bedded room, is part of the visitor centre complex. Why? Practical and physical estate and habitat management, occasionally working with stock (200 beef cows and 200 sheep). In July and early August you will assist with guided walks, events, membership recruitment and manning the visitor centre. There is a lot of manual work and you will be outside in all weathers. Practical skills and bird knowledge desirable. Who? Call Mary on 01496 850505.

Corncrake Roseland Peninsula

I will never ‘‘ be able to thank the staff at Loch Gruinart enough for making my stay so comfortable

Ignasi Oliveras,’’ Bottlenose dolphins 32 Loch Gruinart Loch of Kinnordy LT 6 18+ Kirriemuir, Angus

What? Loch of Kinnordy is a wetland oasis made up of open water and fen, along with a small margin of woodland, and is surrounded by farmland. Spring brings breeding wading birds, ospreys and otters to the loch, while in winter, whooper swans join the assemblage of wildfowl. Visitor facilities are limited to three hides and a footpath that links the reserve to nearby Kirriemuir. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: one or two placements available March to October inclusive. Where? The nearest railway stations are Dundee (21 miles/34 km from the reserve) and Perth (30 miles/48 km). Buses link Kirriemuir (2 miles/3.2 km) to both towns. A shared flat with two double bedrooms for volunteers above the reserve workshop, within Kinnordy Estate properties (about 1 mile/1.6 km from Kirriemuir). Why? The emphasis through the summer is the upkeep of visitor areas (hide, paths etc), people engagement and membership recruitment. There are opportunities to get involved with survey work at Kinnordy and the Tay

Reedbeds. Most habitat management is carried out from July onwards, Marsh harriers with prey including hand-pulling vegetation from the loch, vegetation cutting on wet grassland, ditch maintenance and scrub management. Who? Call Kim on 01738 630783.

Loch Leven LT 12 18+ Perth & Kinross

What? Previously known as Vane Farm, this is a popular visitor destination 30 minutes north of Edinburgh, which is part of Loch Leven National Nature Reserve, Scotland’s largest lowland loch. The site’s carefully managed wetlands are grazed by Highland cattle and are important for breeding, migrating and wintering wildfowl and waders, such as lapwings. There is also a wooded hill behind the visitor centre, which offers stunning views over Loch Leven, towards the Scottish Highlands, the Fife coast, the Isle of May and Bass Rock. We welcome 50,000 visitors a year to our shop, café and well-used education facilities, housed in an 18th century farmstead. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: one placement available from end March to end June inclusive. Where? Railway station at Lochgelly (5 miles/ 8 km from reserve). Nearest bus stop is Ballingry (2.5 miles/4 km). Bothy with one single bedroom, next to the visitor centre. Orange tip butterfly Why? Reserve management, monitoring and surveying, and help in the visitor centre when required. Who? Call Debbie on 01577 862355. 33 SCOTLAND

Loch of Strathbeg ST2 LT 6 18+ Crimond, Fraserburgh

What? A spectacular coastal loch with adjoining beaches, marsh, reedbeds, Fixing the sluice wet grassland and arable farmland. The reserve is internationally important for wintering ducks and geese. Many species of bird are recorded annually, along with 300 species of plant, and otters are seen regularly. Spectacular views over wetlands from the visitor centre. When? Short-term: one or two placements available from April to September. Long-term: one intern mid-February to Christmas plus two long-term volunteers October to March inclusive. Where? Railway station at Aberdeen (40 miles/64 km from reserve) then bus to Peterhead, Fraserburgh or Crimond. Pick up by prior arrangement. Own transport desirable but not essential. One twin and one double- bedded room within the farmhouse, which includes the reserve office. Why? Wildfowl and farmland bird monitoring and survey work during winter. Breeding bird surveys in spring and summer. Invertebrate and other non-bird surveying. Estate and habitat management and maintenance all year, which can be physically demanding and repetitive over difficult terrain. Assisting in the visitor centre and with guided walks and events. May also include work at other Grampian reserves. Who? Call Emma on 01346 532017.

Mersehead ST2 LT 26 18+ Southwick, Dumfries and Galloway

What? A working farm set between Mersehead Sands and the heather-clad slopes of Criffel in the heart of a National Scenic Area, home to thousands of geese, wading birds and wildfowl from autumn to spring. In spring/summer, there are over 70 species of breeding birds, including lapwings, yellowhammers and reed warblers. The reserve also has the most north-westerly population of natterjack toads and a rich variety of mammals, invertebrates and flowering plants. We welcome over 27,000 visitors a year to our visitor centre, wetland and coastal trails. When? Short-term: two placements from April to October. Long-term: two placements from March to November only. Where? Railway and bus stations at Dumfries (18 miles/24 km from the reserve) then bus to Mersehead. Top floor of a recently converted farmhouse, with two twin bedrooms for volunteers. Why? All volunteers will support the team in a range of tasks, both practical

Barnacle geese over Mersehead and people engagement activities. Who? Call Rowena on 01387 780579.

34 Mull of Galloway ST2 18+ Drummore, Dumfries and Galloway

What? The reserve is the most southerly point in Scotland. The 280-foot-high Sea cliffs cliffs allow extensive views across Luce Bay to the Isle of Man, Ireland and Cumbria, and are home to thousands of seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes. The coastal grassland supports a number of regionally rare and scarce plants and invertebrates, such as rock sea lavender and wall brown butterflies. Breeding linnets, wheatears and stonechats are found on the coastal heath. The Mull attracts 40,000 visitors per year, with 19,000 visiting the centre. When? Short-term: one volunteer, a couple or two friends from April to September. Long-term: no placements available. Where? No public transport. Own car or motorcycle essential. Cottage in Drummore with one double and one twin bedroom. 4.3 miles/6.9 km from visitor centre. Why? Meeting and greeting visitors, showing people birds in the wild and on CCTV, membership recruitment, helping with activities for children, and assisting with bird and butterfly surveys. International volunteers must speak very good English. Who? Call Andrew on 01988 402130 or the visitor centre (April to end of September) on 01776 840539.

Gannets

A changing ‘‘kaleidoscope of light and shade playing over vast expanses of sea and sky. Magical!’’ Daniel Tabor, Mull of Galloway 35...... Maritime heath at Mull of Galloway RSPB reserve SCOTLAND

Onziebust and Trumland Orkney ST1 18+

What? Onziebust is a farmland, wetland and shoreline reserve on the island of Egilsay. It is managed for corncrakes, wading and farmland birds. Trumland is a moorland reserve on the island of Rousay and is very important for the conservation of hen harriers and red-throated divers. When? Short-term: a couple or one volunteer only, from April to August, two weeks maximum stay. Long-term: no placements available. Where? To Egilsay by car/passenger ferry from Tingwall on the west mainland of Orkney (about one hour). A bus service runs to Tingwall from Orkney’s two main towns, Kirkwall and Stromness. From Inverness there is a direct bus service to Kirkwall (including ferry connections). Bus/train from Edinburgh to Thurso takes about seven hours. A modernised, stone-built bothy next to the warden’s house on a farmstead within the reserve. The living area has a double bed. Water is from a private borehole, so is not treated, but operates like a mains supply. There is no pub or shop on the island. Why? From April to June, assisting with survey work on both islands. Good bird identification skills essential. Note that corncrake surveys take place at night. At all other times, there will be lots of hands-on practical work on Onziebust beach habitat management and estate work. Trades such as electricians, plumbers, builders and mechanics are very useful. Both work and weather can be tough. See page 50 for one volunteer’s experience. Who? Call reserve staff on 01856 821395.

Oronsay ST4 LT 12 18+ Colonsay, Argyll

What? Oronsay is a tidal island off the larger island of Colonsay. The whole island forms the reserve, except for Oronsay Estate grounds and ruined Chough feeding on a beach priory. This is a unique opportunity to stay in a stunning place that has no holiday accommodation. A working farm, the reserve is made up of farmland, machair grassland, moorland, dunes and shoreline. It is managed primarily for corncrakes, choughs, waders, farmland birds and over-wintering geese. When? Short-term: one or two placements from July to September inclusive. Long-term: one or two placements from October to June; a couple, two friends or one volunteer only. Where? Ferry from Oban to Colonsay (2 hours and 15 minutes), connecting buses and trains from Glasgow to Oban. Transfer from Colonsay to Oronsay by prior arrangement with local staff. Stone cottage with one double bedroom and a bed-sitting room. There is no pub or shop on the island; access to both on Colonsay is restricted by tides. Why? Mostly farm work; there are 50 cattle and 600 sheep. May include estate/habitat management, surveying and monitoring. Work can be physically hard and weather can be poor. Who? Call Val on 01951 200367. 36 Residential volunteering in WALES

Great black-backed gull at dusk, Ramsey Island

37 WALES

Lake Vyrnwy Llanwddyn, Powys ST1 LT 4 17+

What? One of our most spectacular and magical reserves, Lake Vyrnwy is run as an organic hill farm with cattle and sheep showing how farming and conservation can work together. It has a variety of different habitats, a thriving visitor centre with a shop, and seven trails. Vyrnwy also has some rare breeding bird species that need monitoring and protecting. When? Short-term: two placements, October to March (subject to space). Long-term: two placements available April to September, plus two interns all year. Where? No public transport – car or motorcycle essential. Two adjoining bungalows for volunteers, both with one single and one double bedroom, near the visitor centre. Why? October–March: practical management, estate maintenance and some livestock work. Winter work can be repetitive and heavy. April–September: long-term volunteers needed with excellent bird identification skills to carry out bird surveys and monitoring tasks. Interviews may be carried out for these posts. Specialists in other wildlife are especially welcome at any time of year. Year-round help needed in the shop and visitor recruitment roles. The weather can be Waterfall at Lake Vyrnwy very changeable, even in summer, so be prepared! Who? Call Jim (reserve) or Lucinda (shop/recruiting) on 01691 870278.

Ramsey Island St David’s, Pembrokeshire ST2 18+

What? A remote island 1 mile/1.6 km off the coast, within the Pembrokeshire National Park. Spectacular cliffs provide breeding sites for thousands of seabirds in spring, and an increasing population of Manx shearwaters breed underground. Grazing sheep maintain feeding habitats for choughs. Ramsey has the largest grey seal colony in southern Britain, with pups born from mid-August onwards. When? Short-term: up to four placements, from April to end of September. Long-term: no placements available. Where? Railway station at Haverfordwest, bus to St David’s, shuttle bus or taxi to St Justinians (2 miles/3.2 km away). Two boat crossings each morning from St Justinians, weather permitting. Volunteers share a large bungalow with three bedrooms, one with two single beds and two with one single bed. Limited power for charging small electrical items only. Log-burning stove in lounge, no other heating. Why? Daily tasks include lambing April to May, bird monitoring April to June and manual control of bracken, thistles and ragwort June to September. All volunteers will chat with visitors, assist with membership recruitment and help in the small shop. Enthusiasm and good people skills are essential. Work is mainly outdoors, can be physically hard and Grey seal pup the weather can be poor. Difficult terrain and numerous steep steps on the island and in the mainland harbour. Who? Call Lisa on 07836 535733. 38 South Stack Anglesey, Gwynedd ST2 LT 6 18+

What? South Stack is a large coastal heathland site located in North Wales, with high sea cliffs, caves, offshore stacks and cattle-grazed pasture. Ellin’s tower on the cliffs It is a busy tourist attraction with a shop and café at the visitor centre (open all year round). Ellin’s Tower information centre (open Easter to September) is a short walk away and is situated on the cliff edge overlooking the sea, as well as the breeding auk colonies during the spring and summer months. When? Short-term: up to four placements (twin rooms), available from April to October. Long-term: one placement available, November to March. Where? Railway station at Holyhead (3.5 miles/5.5 km from reserve). Taxi to reserve. Own transport useful. Shared accommodation comprises a small farmhouse on the reserve, with one twin bedroom, and a small self-contained annex with a twin bed/sitting room. Why? Short-term: helping to deliver the highest quality visitor experience including helping in the café and supporting information staff in recruiting RSPB members, showing people birds and providing general information. Long-term: all of the above visitor work, plus estate maintenance and reserve management. International volunteers must speak very good English. Who? Call Hayley on 01407 762100.

Ynys-hir Eglwys Fach, Machynlleth, Powys 18+

What? Ynys-hir is sited on the southern side of the Dyfi estuary, a UNESCO World Biosphere site. The reserve is stunningly beautiful and supports a unique mix of habitats, ranging from western oak woodlands to the saltmarshes of the Dyfi. It is the most important site for breeding lapwings in Wales. Other key species include pied flycatchers, redstarts, wood warblers, tree pipits, lesser spotted woodpeckers, otters, dormice and 10 species of bat. When? Short-term: no placements available. Long-term: two interns only. Where? Railway station at Machynlleth (6 miles/10 km from reserve), or at Dovey Junction (2 miles/4 km), then Aberystwyth bus to Eglwys Fach. We may be able to collect you from Dovey Junction station. Detached two bedroom cottage (1 mile/1.5 km from the reserve) with one single and one twin bedroom. A car or bicycle is useful, as the nearest shop is 3 miles/5 km from the reserve. Well served by public transport. Why? Assisting with the very varied programme of habitat management, estate work, surveying and monitoring, livestock management and visitor centre duties. Autumn/winter: management of lowland wet Strimming around grassland, reedbed, woodland and the continued restoration of raised wader breeding fields bog habitat. Spring/summer: estate work, species monitoring and visitor-focused duties. The work can be physically demanding. Who? Call Neil on 01654 700222. 39 More questions answered

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING? WILL THERE BE ANY FREE TIME? You will need to provide proof of identity, eg a passport, You will not normally be expected to work more than five driving licence or a current utility bill made out to your days per week, or on the day of arrival. Hours will not address. We will provide all necessary safety equipment, exceed eight per day, unless you choose to volunteer for but you will probably need to bring: longer. At some reserves, where nests are guarded 24 • tough, windproof work clothes, wet-weather clothing hours a day, some shift work is required. Duties will vary • a warm sleeping bag, or sheets/duvet cover and a from reserve to reserve and will depend on the time of pillowcase year. Please see individual reserve entries. There will • towels always be some free time for birdwatching or other • insect repellent recreation. Please note: our reserves do not take • flask or water bottle residential volunteers over the Christmas/New Year period. • small rucksack or carrier • lunch box HOW SAFE IS CONSERVATION WORK? • binoculars/telescope The RSPB aims to take all reasonable steps to ensure the • stout walking boots/wellingtons health, safety and welfare of its volunteers. We are • work gloves committed to providing and monitoring a safe and healthy • enough money to buy your own food during your stay. working environment and to giving appropriate instruction, A list of what to bring is also included in the reserve training and supervision for your health and safety. details sent to you once a booking has been made. Health and safety is a partnership between the RSPB and HOW WILL I GET TO THE RESERVE? you. We ask you to follow the safety guidelines and not to You will need to organise your own transport to the put yourself, or anyone else, at risk while you are carrying reserve. Details of how to reach each reserve and, where out your volunteering role. An RSPB Health and Safety possible, rail/bus stations from which we can collect you, Handbook is kept on every reserve. Please ensure you are outlined on pages 9 to 39 for individual reserves. read the sections most relevant to your role. Further information on most reserves can be found on our website at www.rspb.org.uk/reserves. You will be A noticeboard in your volunteer accommodation will responsible for the cost of travelling to and from your display health and safety information, such as fire reserve. Some sites suggest that a car or bicycle procedures, first aid provision and details of any specific would be useful/essential due to remoteness or lack hazards at the reserve. It is your responsibility to read these. of public transport.

Varied, exciting, ‘‘interesting, fun, friendly. I had an amazing time and loved it all. Dr Hilary Cunningham-Atkins,’’ Loch of Strathbeg

40 Pink-footed geese at Loch of Strathbeg The boat trip to the ‘‘ island was a treat, and we were pleasantly surprised by the standard of accommodation.

Gillian and Richard’’ Watts, Havergate Island

Havergate Island accommodation

WILL I NEED ANY SPECIAL VACCINATIONS? PERSONAL ACCIDENT COVER It is important that you have been inoculated against All volunteers up to the age of 75 are covered for tetanus, so please ensure you are covered. accidental death, injury resulting in the loss of limbs, eyes, etc and permanent disablement whilst carrying out any WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE? business on behalf of the RSPB anywhere in the UK. If you Volunteers are covered by the RSPB’s insurance policy are aged 75 or over, please contact the Volunteering while carrying out any business on behalf of the RSPB Development Department on 01767 680551, as you will anywhere in the UK. This includes public liability and need to complete a form to ensure that you are insured. limited personal accident cover. As the RSPB personal accident cover is limited, we strongly advise that all Additional protection is provided for certain volunteers volunteers secure their own personal accident insurance. between the ages of 16 and 65 for temporary total and temporary partial disablement from usual occupation, PUBLIC LIABILITY COVER while carrying out any business on behalf of the RSPB Our public liability policy protects you as a volunteer anywhere in the UK. The exact amount varies depending against legal liability to third parties for accidental on the age of the injured person and the nature of the damage, loss or damage to property or for death, injury or injury. The only personal accident cover provided for illness. You are protected whilst carrying out any business volunteers aged 75 to 85 is death benefit. No personal on behalf of the RSPB anywhere in the UK. accident cover is provided for volunteers aged over 85.

If someone can demonstrate/prove that your negligence, PERSONAL BELONGINGS COVER whilst carrying out the business of the RSPB, caused Regrettably, we cannot provide cover for loss of or bodily injury and/or loss or damage to third party damage to your personal belongings while you are property, our insurance protects you. Cover is provided volunteering. However, you can extend your household to a maximum of £10,000,000 per claim. contents insurance to cover belongings you take to your place of volunteering. 41 More questions answered

CAN I DRIVE RSPB VEHICLES? Please enter the entire period you would like to volunteer Volunteers over 18 with a current, clean driving licence for on the application form or contact the Residential can use an RSPB vehicle when appropriate, and be Volunteering Booking Office, 9.30 am to 1 pm Monday to protected by our policy, subject to the approval of our Friday, on 01767 680551, for details. Please include a copy insurers. You must complete a declaration form on arrival of your CV with your application form. Please note, and bring a copy of your driving licence. If you are using long-term volunteers are nearly always required to your own vehicle for RSPB business, you must check with have a driving licence in order to be able to drive the your insurers to make sure you have adequate cover. reserve vehicles.

WHAT ABOUT THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WHAT ABOUT INTERNS? GOLD AWARD? Volunteering internships are run in some regions. Duke of Edinburgh Award candidates can take part in The selected volunteers are expected to offer a year’s residential volunteering to qualify for the residential commitment in exchange for a structured training project of the Gold Award. At the end of the week, the programme in either practical reserve management or warden will write a short report in your project book based visitor services management. The following reserves on how willing you were to take part in all the activities take residential interns: and your contribution to the domestic aspects of your stay. Please note: candidates must stay for a minimum Blacktoft Sands (one) Loch of Strathbeg (one) of one week (Saturday to Saturday). Coombes Valley (three) Minsmere (one) Dearne Valley (one) Old Hall Marshes (one) DO YOU TAKE VOLUNTEERS FOR LONG-TERM Fairburn Ings (two) Rathlin Island (one) PLACEMENTS? Frampton Marsh (two) Titchwell Marsh (two) We welcome applications from volunteers who are Lake Vyrnwy (two) Ynys-hir (two) looking for placements that last six months to gain Leighton Moss (three) practical experience in conservation and/or complement an academic qualification or as part of a sandwich course. These are organised individually following an interview These opportunities are advertised on the RSPB website, with the reserve staff and therefore may take longer to Countryside Job Service (CJS) and Environment Jobs process. Long-term placements are subject to a early in the New Year. satisfactory four-week probation/trial period.

View from Trowieglen, Hoy

42 Great group of people – work and fun, ‘‘ learning new things and birding! Alex Jessop, Old Hall Marshes’’

Frozen dawn at Old Hall Marshes

CAN I VOLUNTEER IF I AM CLAIMING JOBSEEKER’S DO YOU ACCEPT VOLUNTEERS FROM OVERSEAS? ALLOWANCE? Volunteers from the EU or European Economic Area (EEA) If you are currently claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, you are welcome to apply, but we can only make a booking can continue to claim and take part in residential provided that: volunteering. However, you must be able to meet a number of conditions: • you are 18 years old or over • you speak good English and are able to understand • you must be willing and able to attend an interview safety instructions. You will need basic conversational at 48 hours’ notice and be able to start work with a English to communicate and work with staff, other week’s notice volunteers and visitors • you must show that you are actively seeking work • you apply at least eight weeks before the start of your • you must be able to be contacted promptly if a job residential volunteering opportunity arises. • you make your own travel arrangements from the airport or docks to the reserve (or pick-up point) Your Jobseeker’s Allowance should be unaffected by volunteering as long as you meet these requirements. It is your responsibility to check before you travel whether Please see the leaflet entitled Volunteering While you will need to obtain a visa to enter the UK. Receiving Benefits, available from Jobcentres. Unfortunately, the recent immigration restrictions that have been imposed by the UK Border Agency mean that If you experience difficulties with Jobseeker’s Allowance we are unable to accept applications from volunteers or any other welfare benefits due to your volunteering outside the EU or the EEA. placement, please contact the Volunteering Development Department at The Lodge, 9.30 am to 1 pm Monday to For more information, please see the Border Agency Friday, on 01767 680551. website at www.ukvisas.gov.uk. Please note that the RSPB does not have a licence for sponsorship of volunteers. The telephone number for the immigration enquiry bureau is 0870 606 7766.

43 How to make a booking

The Residential Volunteering Booking Office will be happy You must allow up to 28 days for your application to be to answer your queries from Monday to Friday, 9.30 am processed, as we take up references on all volunteers. It is to 1 pm (tel: 01767 680551). Outside these hours, an advisable to apply as early as possible – preferably three answerphone will take any messages. Alternatively, you months in advance for vacancies in the summer, which are can e-mail us at: [email protected] generally over-subscribed. We process applications on a strictly first-come, first-served basis. New volunteers should fill in the form opposite. However, we can accept telephone bookings from volunteers who Unfortunately, we do not have the staff time to have been on the scheme before and for whom we have acknowledge receipt of every application, but we will taken up references. do our best to keep you informed of progress.

Please read carefully the general information on pages 4 Please enclose an A4, self-addressed envelope, with two to 7, and 40 to 43. Take into consideration the distance you first class stamps. This will mean more money goes will need to travel, the nature of the work, the remoteness towards conservation. Thank you. of the location and style of accommodation when making your application. If you wish to book more than one period of volunteering (ie not consecutive weeks), please make this clear in an Once you have decided which reserve(s) you wish to accompanying note. volunteer at, and your availability, please complete the application form and return it to: IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL If you have to cancel your booking, it is extremely The Volunteering Development Department important that you let the Booking Office and the warden (Residential) know as soon as possible, even if this is at the last minute. The RSPB, UK Headquarters The Lodge, Sandy We reserve the right to make changes to the availability of Bedfordshire SG19 2DL places, and the number of volunteers accepted, in or fax it to us on: 01767 692365 accordance with changes of circumstance on the reserves.

44 Good accommodation, ‘‘ excellent reserve, varied tasks, exciting birds including a bittern!

Roberta Rickards,’’ Blacktoft Sands

Konic ponies at Blacktoft Sands

What happens next?

We will send you a letter confirming your booking, together with detailed information on the reserve/project. This includes directions, accommodation, pick-up arrangements and a packing list. If all your choices of date or location are fully booked, we will contact you to see if there is an acceptable alternative. Please note, we get many more applications than we have places. Do not book travel until you have received confirmation of your booking.

Last but by no means least... THANK YOU for all the donations made via our application form. This helps us make a real difference for nature, as 90p of every £1 donated goes towards our vital conservation work. Arne in the mist 45 Have fun and help the environment

We hope you will find residential volunteering fun and enjoyable, as well as of practical benefit to birds and wildlife. Thank you for your interest in the scheme. We hope to welcome you to one of our reserves soon.

Pond dipping for newts

46 ...and finally

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE You may also come across information on rare breeding The RSPB takes all practicable steps to ensure the safety bird sites. This must be regarded as confidential and must and welfare of children and young people while they are in not be disclosed to, or discussed with, anyone not directly contact with the RSPB. We observe the recommendations connected with the RSPB. of the Home Office code of practice Safe from harm, and similar codes of practice covering Scotland and Northern Ireland, and conform to all relevant legislation. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM… We will do our best to make your volunteering enjoyable We make all RSPB volunteers and staff aware of the need and worthwhile. Occasionally, problems do occur. to safeguard the welfare of children and young people. Problems that arise during your stay at a reserve should Where staff or volunteers have substantial unsupervised initially be raised with the staff member supervising your contact with children as part of their work, or where they work or, if this is not appropriate, with the warden. If a have contact with children in isolated settings, they are problem cannot be resolved on site, you should contact recruited, supervised and trained as recommended in Safe the Volunteering Development Department at The Lodge from harm. on 01767 680551.

The RSPB reserves the right to refuse applications for CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? volunteering. The RSPB will support the right of a warden During your volunteering, you may find yourself working to send volunteers away from a reserve should their with material that is not public knowledge. Your full behaviour compromise the safety, project or general co-operation is expected to ensure that this material performance of the team. remains confidential.

47 Helping young people discover nature Fund raising in town

The RSPB is the largest wildlife conservation charity in Europe, supported by over one million members including over 200,000 junior members in RSPB Wildlife Explorers and RSPB Phoenix. We already have 16,000 committed volunteers. Quite simply, we couldn’t manage without them – but there is always more to do and we urgently need more help. Fundraising in town There are manyyou ways don’t to volunteer need for the RSPB – Whether you’re to be a bird expert. young or old, prefer working inside or out, have an occasional few Helping visitors hours or weeks at a time, there at the beach is something that you can do to in Seaford make a difference for wildlife.

Volunteers using their voice for nature, campaigning in London

love Making nature! friends at Conwy

more great ways to help! • Messenger for wildlife • Office angel love • nature! Translator Must • Dry-stone waller set as a Helen volunteering at • Photographic assistant favourite Wildlife Enquiries • 48 at RSPB HQ Data demon • Feature writer www.rspb.org.uk/ More steps for nature volunteers LOVE NATURE? THEN FUNDRAISE FOR IT Would you like to try your h 01767 680551 and atnature!love fundraising for the RSPB? You could arrange a coffee morning, take part in a challenge [email protected] nature!love event or even persuade friends and family to help you do some sponsored car washing. Ou r new fundraising guide is full of great suggestions. If you would ikel a copy, please e-mail: [email protected] VOLUNTEERING ON NATURE RESERVES There are opportunities for residential and non-res out morefind work on our nature reserves. It’s not all practical conservationidential Fundra work – volunteers also work in our visitor centres and help ising with education. in town JOIN YOUR LOCAL GROUP With over 160 RSPB local groups, all run by volunteers, there are lots of opportunities to get involved locally. To find your nearest local group, go to www.rspb.o rg.uk/localgroups WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE There are over 100 local RSPB Wildlife Explorers and RSPB Phoenix groups, all run by volunteers – a great way to share the excitement of wildlife with y oung people. OTHER OPPORTUNITIES Many people help us by using their specia list skills, such as electricians, translators and artists. There are thousands volunteering ideas: of ways to help conservation – whatever your skills! Costume maker CAMPAIGNS Our campaigns and appeals focus on protecting wild birds Roving reserve guide and places and demanding better laws. These campaigns Tree-safety monitoring officer would not be successful without the people who get involved and step up for nature. Picture framer Pin badge box minder love to Campaign champion do this! Publicity officer Decoy maker To help the RSPB, you don’t Quantity surveyor need to know anything about birds. We have hundreds of volunteering opportunities Volunteers using their voice for nature, campaigning for you, whether you in London have a spare 10 minutes, 10 months or 10 years! Abbott using his carpentry skills at Loch Gruinart to create a new boardwalk Decoys on Havergate

Must set as a favourite /rspbvolunteering www.facebook.com 49 www.rspb.org.uk/volunteeringcommunity YOUR WORDS Jenny cutting gorse on Rousay

Unforgettable experiences at Onziebust and Trumland

Jenny extracting fence post staples

I was initially a little worried as to whether I would be up to the physical work involved (I’m 62) – but hey I’m a child of the sixties, and hopefully still have that ‘get up and go’ I had back then! So I chose this isolated spot on purpose as it’s rare you get such a great opportunity to join in with hands-on work and have your own space afterwards.

I was pleasantly surprised to find I soon got the knack of extracting staples from fence posts and hacking back gorse – albeit less efficiently than Izzy the warden. There were Lorna and Jenny at certainly some aspects of the work that a lot of my friends of Kirkwell a similar vintage would have found daunting, such as climbing County over barbed-wire fences, and crossing fields containing a bull Show recently deprived of his cows! But if you can muscle away in the garden, you will probably be okay and anyone with a bit of guts should certainly give it a go. I just hope the wardens don’t groan when they see the next granny heave to off the ferry!

It was a wonderful experience and I was very sad to leave. Please count me in for next year!

Jenny Curtis-Beard, Onziebust and Trumland

Izzy planting canary reed grass in corncrake corridor, Egilsay

50 Trumland, Rousay Contact us

For more information about residential volunteering, If you are interested in occasional volunteering on another please contact: reserve, or volunteering in another capacity, please contact either the warden at that reserve, or the Volunteering The Volunteering Development Department (Residential) Development Officer at your nearest country or regional office The RSPB, UK Headquarters as listed below. The Lodge, Sandy For up-to-date volunteering opportunities you can Bedfordshire SG19 2DL also visit our website at Tel: 01767 680551 e-mail: [email protected] www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering

ENGLAND NORTHERN IRELAND

MIDLANDS REGIONAL OFFICE NORTHERN IRELAND HEADQUARTERS 46 The Green, South Bar, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 9AB Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast BT8 7QT Tel: 028 9049 1547. Tel: 01295 253330 Covers: Northern Ireland and Isle of Man. Covers: Buckinghamshire, Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, SCOTLAND Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. SCOTLAND HEADQUARTERS Ground Floor, 2 Lochside View, Edinburgh Park, EASTERN ENGLAND REGIONAL OFFICE Edinburgh EH12 9DH Tel: 0131 317 4100. Stalham House, 65 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1UD Tel: 01603 661662 EAST SCOTLAND REGIONAL OFFICE Covers: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, 10 Albyn Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1YP Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Tel: 01224 624824. Covers: Shetland, Orkney, Aberdeenshire, Moray, LONDON AREA OFFICE Perth and Kinross, and Fife and Angus. Second Floor, 65 Petty France, London SW1H 9EU Tel: 020 7808 1240. Covers: Greater London. NORTH SCOTLAND REGIONAL OFFICE Etive House, Beechwood Park, Inverness IV2 3BW NORTHERN ENGLAND REGIONAL OFFICE Tel: 01463 715000. Westleigh Mews, Wakefield Road, Denby Dale, Covers: Western Isles and Highland. Huddersfield HD8 8QD Tel: 01484 861148. Covers: Cheshire, Cumbria, East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater SOUTH AND WEST SCOTLAND REGIONAL OFFICE Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Middlesbrough, North 10 Park Quadrant, Glasgow G3 6BS Tel: 0141 331 0993. Yorkshire, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, Covers: Argyll and Bute, Borders, Clackmannan, Dumbarton Northumberland, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear and and Clydebank, Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, West Yorkshire. East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North SOUTH EAST ENGLAND REGIONAL OFFICE Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, 1st Floor, Pavilion View, 19 New Road, Brighton BN1 1UF Stirling and West Lothian. Tel: 01273 775333. Covers: Berkshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, WALES Kent, Surrey and West Sussex. WALES HEADQUARTERS SOUTH WEST ENGLAND REGIONAL OFFICE Sutherland House, Castlebridge, Cowbridge Road East, Keble House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter, Devon EX1 1NT Cardiff CF11 9AB Tel: 029 2035 3000. Tel: 01392 432691. Covers: Wales. Covers: the former county of Avon, Channel Islands, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. NORTH WALES OFFICE North Wales Office, Unit 14, Llys Castan, Parc Menai, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 4FD Tel: 01248 672850.

51 As a charity, the RSPB depends on the goodwill and financial support of people like you.

Please visit www.rspb.org.uk/supporting or call 01767 680551 to find out more.

The RSPB

UK Headquarters Northern Ireland Headquarters The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast SG19 2DL T 01767 680551 BT8 7QT T 028 9049 1547

Scotland Headquarters Wales Headquarters 2 Lochside View, Sutherland House, Castlebridge, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff EH12 9DH T 0131 317 4100 CF11 9AB T 029 2035 3000 www.rspb.org.uk

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. Nature is amazing – help us keep it that way.

We belong to BirdLife International, the global partnership of bird conservation organisations.

All images copyright (rspb-images.com) unless otherwise specified. Cover: Dungeness residential volunteers by Rose Manby (volunteer). Page 2–3: Ynys-Hir by Jenny Hibbert, Kate Tycer and Jane Shah by Jackie Bruce (RSPB). Page 4–5: Coombes volunteer interns by Jarrod Sneyd (RSPB), Beki Williams by Jen Walker (RSPB). Page 6–7: sunset over Loch Garten by Les Carr (volunteer), Frampton Marsh volunteers’ accommodation by John Badley (RSPB). Page 8–9: Exe Estuary by Andy Hay. Page 10–11: Aylesbeare Common and Coombes Brook by Andy Hay, Bempton Cliffs by Mike Richards, Blacktoft cattle by Mike Pilsworth (RSPB). Page 12–13: roseate tern by Paul Morrison (RSPB), roseate terrace, building the night hide and raking by Wesley Davies (RSPB), Coquet Island aerial view by David Wootton. Page 14–15: reedbed work by Kate Thorpe (RSPB), fawn in heather by Simon Gregory (competition entry, right of use retained by RSPB), bumblebee by Rolf Williams (RSPB), Exe Estuary by Andy Hay. Page 16–17: Natalie Holt (RSPB), Brian Dinsley, Julibee and work party by Craig Edwards (RSPB), Fairburn Ings by Jesper Mattias, crabs by Andy Hay. Page 18–19: Geltsdale by Andy Hay, Lesley Silcock by Les Mundy (volunteer), Haweswater by Andy Hay, Haweswater by Kate Tycer (RSPB). Page 20–21: oystercatchers by Ben Hall, Norfolk hawker by Steve Knell, wading avocet by Chris Gomersall, bumblebee, bittern and river watch hide by Adam Rowlands (RSPB). 22–23: grey heron by Mike Richards, ruddy darter by Richard Revels, golden plover by Mark Hamblin, West Sedgemoor by David Kjaer. Page 24–25: Wye Valley by Kate Tycer (RSPB), peregrine by David J Slater, otter by Niall Benvie, dune tiger beetle by Richard Revels, Titchwell Marsh by Andy Hay. Page 26–27: Rathlin Island and puffin by Andy Hay, sea stacks by Alan Murray (RSPB). Page 28–29: Scots pine by Andy Hay, pine marten by Peter Cairns, Jack Common (RSPB). Page 30–31: osprey by Chris Gomersall, Forsinard Flows by Eleanor Bentall, Femke Dolstra by Lee Shields (RSPB), roe deer by Ben Hall. Page 32–33: Loch Gruinart and corncrake by Andy Hay, dolphin by Chris Gomersall, marsh harriers by Ben Hall, orange tip butterfly by Tom Marshall. Page 34–35: volunteers at the Loch of Strathbeg by David Parnaby (RSPB), Mersehead by Kaleel Zibe, sea cliffs, gannets and maritime heath by Andy Hay. Page 36–37: Trumland and chough by Andy Hay, great black-backed gull by Ben Hall. Page 38–39: Lake Vyrnwy and South Stack by Ben Hall, seal pup by Lisa Morgan (RSPB), volunteer at Ynys-Hir by Eleanor Bentall. Page 40–41: pink-footed geese by Steve Austin, Havergate Island by Kieran Alexander (RSPB). Page 42–43: view from Trowieglen, Hoy by Lee Shields (RSPB), Old Hall Marshes by Bob Glover. Page 44–45: misty panoramic of Arne by Steve Kitchen (competition entry, right of use retained by RSPB), konics by Mike Pilsworth (RSPB). Page 46–47: Rye Meads and helping young people discover nature by Eleanor Bentall. Page 48–49: Tiger fundraiser1 by Brian Reid (RSPB), Seaford by Andy Hay, Love Nature volunteers by Gena Correale-Wardle (volunteer), campaigners by David Levinson, Helen by Andy Hay, volunteer with family by Eleanor Bentall, photography volunteer and carpenter by Andy Hay, decoys on Havergate by Eddie Tycer (volunteer). Page 50–51: Izzy planting in corncrake corridor, Egilsay, Jenny cutting gorse on Ramsey, Jenny extracting fence post staples and Lorna and Jenny at Kirkwall County Show by Jenny Curtis-Beard (volunteer), Trumland, Rousay by Andy Hay. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654. 363-1280-11-12