Seasonal Curlew Conservation Field Worker

Duration: 4 months (16 weeks) Monday 6th April to Friday 24th July 2026
Salary: £10,880 (£17/hour x 40 hours/week) plus suitable vehicle, fuel and contribution towards accommodation costs (if living outside the area)

We are seeking a dedicated person, who is energetic, self-motivated and well organised and has a passion for curlews. The role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the conservation of curlew and be part of a community project working in partnership with the RSPB.

The expectation is of a flexible 40 hour working week, working some early mornings and weekends to enable the tasks to be completed most effectively. Work will be farm based.

The applicant will be self-employed and responsible for their own NI contributions, health and welfare, and personal and public liability insurance.

Field training will be given by the RSPB as appropriate.

The worker will be accountable to Clapham Curlew Cluster and some support from RSPB Bowland Conservation Advisor and Officer may be available if needed.

A suitable vehicle and transport costs for travelling around the farms will be provided and it will be capable of carrying fencing equipment, and of driving on rough tracks.

Clapham Curlew Cluster is a group of 15 farms and 27 local volunteers who, with the support of the RSPB, undertake farm wader surveys in the south Yorkshire Dales and the north of the Forest of Bowland. We also fence and monitor curlew nests in agreement with the farmers.

Role purpose

Monitoring and reporting on the outcomes of curlew breeding attempts in the cluster group area, including nest finding, nest protection and brood monitoring.

To train and support volunteers in locating curlew nests in order to provide fence protection to reduce predator impact.

To provide awareness and education to the public about curlews.

Tasks of the Curlew Conservation Fieldworker

1. Nest Finding and Protection:
   • Assistance with farm wader surveys.
   • Locating and monitoring curlew nests.
   • Organising and co-ordinating nest fencing, fencing equipment and setting up nest cameras.
2. Monitoring Activities:
   • Nest monitoring using cameras and field visits.
   • Monitoring predators in the area.
   • Monitoring chicks through regular field visits.
3. Volunteer Support:
   • Working with and supporting volunteers.
   • Organising volunteer teams for nest fencing and nest finding.
   • Arranging and running nest finding and nest protection training events.
4. Public engagement:
   • Engaging respectfully, constructively and sensitively with farmers.
   • Leading 2 educational farm walks for the general public during the season.
5. Provide an end of season report

Preferred skills

• Enthusiasm, self-motivation, efficiency; ability to use own initiative to solve day-to-day problems in the field.
• Ability to work alone and also working as part of a team.
• Ideally experience of working with volunteers.
• Good communication skills; ability to support and liaise with farmers, land owners, volunteers and members of the public.
• Experience of erecting nest protection fences and cameras or training will be given
• Good general bird identification (ideally with waders including identification of curlew behaviour)
• Survey and monitoring experience, preferably RSPB farm survey or BTO Breeding Bird Survey (or training can be given)
• Physical ability to undertake tasks needed – walking over rough ground in rural farm areas alone, in poor weather conditions
• A licence to drive in the UK
• Knowledge of legal and practical requirements for ensuring own health and safety.
• Knowledge of licensing and regulations surrounding field work, for instance on protected species in protected habitats (or training can be given).