Isle of Coll Residential Volunteer
RSPB
When: From 16th March-17th April 2026
Commitment: Minimum/ Any 4 weeks, or more, during the above dates
Why We Want You
We are looking for enthusiastic, energetic and experienced residential volunteers to help us deliver the reserve management plan which includes all physical infrastructure maintenance as well as some wildlife monitoring. You will assist in maintaining existing infrastructure such as fencing, drain and sluice management for waders, and you will be involved in early season habitat creation for corncrakes. The reserve also has a small unmanned Information Room which requires maintenance and cleaning. Practical skills and wildlife knowledge and monitoring experience are all essential for this role.
What’s In It For You
You will have the opportunity to build upon existing practical and surveying skills which are the foundation for a career in conservation, working alongside the reserve team and learning more about land management for farmland birds and other wildlife. This is an excellent chance to make a genuine contribution to wildlife conservation and you will gain a valuable insight into the workings of one of Europe's largest conservation charities. This residential volunteering position is based on the reserve so on your doorstep will be some of the best wildlife views in the country. If it sounds good to have corncrake, snipe and hen harrier all within 50m of your window, then Coll is the place for you! Plus we have long sandy beaches, a vibrant island community and great sea food – need we say more?!
Requirements
Applicants are required to be at least 18 years old, with a clean driving licence and have a keen interest in, and enthusiasm for, birds and conservation. You will need to enjoy working in a small team and be equally comfortable roaming around the reserve on your own all day. We require our volunteers on Coll to have previous experience working on a reserve/farm carrying out conservation management/similar. The main requirements for this role are practical skills and problem solving abilities. You must be willing and able to undertake repetitive and at times strenuous manual labour outside in all weathers. Surveys take place outside typical office hours and early starts can be occasional. There is no charge to take part in the scheme. It is your responsibility to cover the cost of your transport to and from the reserve, and to provide and cover the cost of your food during your stay.
The RSPB will provide accommodation, together with basic services, free of charge for the period you are volunteering, and cover any expenses incurred as a necessary part of your work on the reserve.
About RSPB
The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature. We bring people together who love birds and other wildlife, and who want to take action to restore the health and diversity of the natural world. We carry out conservation on a large scale, protect and restore habitats, and save species from extinction. We’re living in a nature and climate emergency, and we won’t stop whilst the threats persist.
We believe our work makes a real difference to the world we live in. It takes a great team to
save nature and we need a wide range of skills to make it happen.
As an RSPB employee, you will be helping to save nature every time you come to work. There’s never been a more important time to protect our wildlife and wild places, so we want to make sure you feel rewarded for everything you help us to achieve.
The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature. We bring people together who love birds and other wildlife, and who want to take action to restore the health and diversity of the natural world. We carry out conservation on a large scale, protect and restore habitats, and save species from extinction. We’re living in a nature and climate emergency, and we won’t stop whilst the threats persist. We believe our work makes a real difference to the world we live in. It takes a great team to save nature and we need a wide range of skills to make it happen. As an RSPB employee, you will be helping to save nature every time you come to work. There’s never been a more important time to protect our wildlife and wild places, so we want to make sure you feel rewarded for everything you help us to achieve.
more