Residential Volunteer, Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve

When: March 2026 onwards
Duration: 6 month placement

Why We Want You

We are looking for enthusiastic residential volunteers to take up these placements from March onwards to assist with the survey and monitoring, research, land management and people engagement aspects of the site. We would like you to help with supporting all aspects of work on this internationally important expanse of blanket bog, which at 21,000ha is the RSPB's largest reserve in the UK.

What's In It For You

In this role you will gain valuable experience in many key areas including natural history surveying and monitoring skills, practical management, fieldwork and people engagement.

The knowledge and skills gained from these placements will be of benefit for anyone wishing to pursue a career in conservation in a variety of areas, including monitoring work, habitat work, people engagement, wildlife surveys and research, as well as giving you an insight into which areas you prefer working in.

We will provide in house training in the various elements of the placements, to enable you to learn and develop in the role and help us conserve this fantastic habitat.

Your main duties, will be divided between a variety of areas, subject to operational requirements, these can be broadly grouped as:

Assisting with the reserve's survey and monitoring programme, this will include:

• Bird surveys, such as undertaking Moorland Bird Surveys, monitoring rare and vulnerable wetland species, farmland wader counts and raptor watches.
• Wildlife and habitat surveys.
• Hydrological and ecological monitoring of habitat restoration areas and habitat condition.

Assisting with land management tasks such as:

• Trail and infrastructure maintenance.
• Control of regenerating conifers.
• Rush management at our upland grassland farm.

Assisting with other essential work on the reserve including:

• Undertaking surveys, such as peat depth measuring, to help with applications for peatland restoration funding.
• Assisting with people engagement work both on and off reserve
• Undertaking relevant external training

Requirements

Essential

• You must be 18 years or over.
• Ability to identify upland bird species by sight, song and call.
• An understanding of the importance of working to methodologies and instructions, as well as keeping accurate and legible field notes.
• A keen and broad interest in natural history and conservation.
• Good organisational skills, with familiarity with standard office software, especially Excel and a good standard of reading and writing.
• Keen and willing to learn and undertake various ecological survey techniques, including flora, fauna and hydrology.
• An understanding of the importance of following Health and Safety protocols.
• The ability to lone and team work.
• A willingness to engage with the team.
• Ability to live in shared accommodation
• Ability to navigate by map, compass and GPS

Desirable

• The ability to undertake strenuous manual labour outside in all weathers and to walk up to 14km a day on rough terrain.
• Full clean driving licence.
• An interest and some knowledge of the habitats/challenges in the UK uplands.
• Experience in a people facing role
• An understanding of the importance of maintaining equipment and kit.
• Effective communicator with the ability to motivate, inspire and enthuse others, as well as form productive internal and external relationships.

Notes

The RSPB will provide accommodation free of charge for the period you are volunteering.

If you would like to discuss any additional accessibility requirements or have questions about whether this role is suitable for you, please contact Claire for an informal chat.

Appropriate training will be provided, and pre-arranged expenses will be reimbursed where necessary.

Some weekend working may be necessary, but time off will be given in the week in lieu.

To apply please complete the online application form.

For more information, contact Claire Foot [email protected]