RSPB Volunteering Placement (Dee Estuary)
RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands
Role available from late March to September 2026, with flexibility on start and end dates depending on availability.
All applicants must be available for a minimum of 3 months, and able to start no later than May 2026.
All applicants must be over the age of 18 and hold a full clean manual UK driver's license or equivalent.
About the Role
The Dee Estuary is one of the RSPB’s largest and most up and coming reserves. After modest beginnings over 40 years ago, in the past decade we have flourished with the development of Burton Mere Wetlands, where more than 200 pairs of breeding waders thrive and nearly 50,000 annual visitors come to enjoy the rich and varied wildlife. Our satellite site at the Point of Ayr in North Wales is a key breeding site for little terns, oystercatchers, and ringed plovers. These beach nesting species are especially vulnerable to disturbance and habitat loss, and over the last few years the little tern breeding population at this site has declined. You could play a vital role in protecting the little tern colony, thus recovering the population to a sustainable level.
This is a split role based primarily between Burton Mere Wetlands and the Point of Ayr peninsula, assisting the staff warden and volunteer teams. We are looking for a commitment of 4 full days a week, with flexibility for the right applicant.
What’s In It For You
If you’re seeking a career in practical conservation, this placement is the perfect first step. Alongside an experienced team of staff wardens and volunteers, you will gain field and survey experience, as well as get the chance to develop key practical skills. Gain experience in the conservation of iconic birds including avocets, marsh harriers and great white egrets, plus red-listed species including lapwings and little terns.
Included
- Transport to the Point of Ayr from Burton mere wetlands.
- Claim back travel expenses.
- Structured in-house training.
With the potential to gain your LANTRA brushcutter/trimmer training ticket, and a 3-day first aid at work certificate with St. John’s Ambulance.
Key Tasks
- Assisting warden staff with reserve management.
- Bird monitoring surveys: Productivity surveys, breeding bird surveys both at Burton Mere Wetlands and of coastal nesting birds at the Point of Ayr. Wide range of species to survey.
- Assisting management of the breeding colony of little terns at the Point of Ayr, including public engagement, trail camera monitoring, predator monitoring, nest and bird counts, and electric fence maintenance.
- Assisting with general reserve upkeep including fence repairs and path maintenance.
- Health and safety recording.
- Working in a small team alongside other volunteers and people from wildlife groups and organisations around the estuary.
Key Skills
- Good practical aptitude.
- Good ecological knowledge.
- Conscientious eye for detail.
- Basic bird ID skills.
- Leadership ability.
- Friendly, outgoing personality.
- Strong belief in the RSPB’s mission.
- Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
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.
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