Residential Volunteer Warden

Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust

Sandwich Bay, Kent
Voluntary
Full Time
Closing on Tue, 3rd Dec 2024

Conservation & WildlifeEcology


Residential Volunteer Wardens posts are a stepping stone to a career in conservation... by gaining real, hands on experience of surveying techniques and practical conservation. Such a role can turn a normal CV into a stand-out candidate. Here at Sandwich Bay, we offer work experience at one of the country’s leading bird observatories. SBBOT recording area has a very varied habitat with seashore, mudflats, dunes, salt and freshwater marshes, riverine edge, woodland, farmland and urban edge. Our area encompasses our own reserves, an RSPB reserve, a National Nature Reserve and a Country Park.

Applicants must have good bird identification skills (sight & sound and flight) as their main focus will be the daily monitoring and counts of migrating birds. As a maritime site on a major migration route close to the continent anything can (and does) turn up. For example, the Recording Area has recent records of Eleonora’s Falcon and Yellow-browed Bunting, as well as various shearwaters, storks, orioles, and shrikes. Moreover, it is an important area for breeding and overwintering birds.

The posts will give you experience of ringing, habitat management, environmental education, visitor support and facilities management as well as the opportunity to see conservation in action with dragonflies & damselflies, butterflies & moths, reptile, mammal and amphibians all in our focus. (Our car park has recorded 1,000+ moth species!). You will meet staff, c.100 project volunteers and the many day and residential visitors to the Observatory.

Successful applicants will support the Warden monitoring bird movements every morning, contributing to our logs, website and social media. You will also lead walks, work alongside our conservation volunteers, help with accommodation servicing and general tasks around the observatory. A variety of tasks suited to those who enjoy visitor engagement. Its serious work but great fun!

Free accommodation is provided and there will be a weekly allowance, not exceeding £65 for food, which must be claimed weekly with receipts. Necessary local travel will be reimbursed.

All applicants must be over 18 at the start of the engagement. The post can be for up to one year starting 1st January 2025, can be of shorter duration, but must cover a 12-week block in Spring (Mid-March to Mid-June) and/or Autumn (Mid-August to Mid-November).

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About Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust

As an accredited bird observatory and registered charity SBBOT is committed to the conservation and recording of the natural environment in the Sandwich Bay area, and in so doing offers opportunities for education, training and research. The SBBOT owns and rents several areas around the Sandwich Bay estate, which our voluntary conservation team manage under the direction of the conservation committee for the benefit of the flora and fauna of the area.

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