Coastal Nature Reserve Engagement Volunteers

Location: Hurst Spit & Keyhaven Coast

We are looking for volunteers to carry out face-to-face engagement with visitors, raising awareness of the importance of the area for our declining coastal birds. You will be engaging with people to highlight key birds, explain how these birds use the coast, highlighting their needs. You will also be helping people to identify birds using binoculars and telescopes and visual guides and explaining how everyone can help protect these rare birds and their habitat. You will be visible members of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust in this popular location, frequently visited by both tourists and locals alike. You will also be recording data on numbers and species of birds and on recreational activity in the area.

When: October – March: wintering bird populations are present.
Commitment: We are looking for volunteers who can join the current team and offer to undertake a minimum one-hour engagement slot, as many times per week as you would like. It would be useful to cover key times, such as mornings or evenings, weekends or bank holidays. You will cover a pre-determined area –and can work in pairs if preferred or to suit your timetable; you will be indicating your availability using an online calendar.

Purpose of role: This role is about raising awareness of the impact recreational disturbance can have on breeding and overwintering bird populations in the Hurst area, educating people on how they can help to protect them. Most people are unaware of how their actions can be detrimental. This opportunity is about helping people to have the knowledge and understanding to make the right decisions, helping to save our coastal birds. It could be as simple as keeping their dog alongside them in certain areas, so they do not chase the birds. Or landing their craft in an area away from nesting birds. This is not about enforcement but engagement and awareness.

As part of the role, you will record numbers of people and recreational activities witnessed, numbers and species of birds along with any other wildlife observed during your volunteering sessions.
Autumn & winter: less holiday makers but we still see the regular runners, dog walkers and day trippers that let their dogs exercise in the water, along with various water sport users. This is the key time when nationally important flocks of geese and waders migrate to these shores and are desperate to rest and feed up over the months, before heading back off to their breeding grounds in early Spring. Constant disturbance can mean life or death for these birds.

Skills and abilities needed: 
•The ability to positively interact with people of all ages and backgrounds.
•An approachable and friendly manner, good people skills and outgoing personality.
•Have confidence and be happy to welcome and initiate positive conversations with visitors, about the coastal birdlife, importance of the area, designations and how they can help protect rare shorebirds.
•Willing to be identifiable as a Wildlife Trust volunteer by wearing branded clothing.
•The ability to get to the Hurst Spit & Keyhaven coast to carry out the task.
•To be comfortable visiting the open coast in all weather conditions (although will not be required to undertake volunteering in the rain).
•To use telescope, tripod and binoculars to show people birds.
•A natural enthusiasm for wildlife and for inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds about wildlife - a basic knowledge of the coastal wildlife in this area would be an advantage.
•Willingness to learn about breeding shorebirds including terns, gulls and waders and how we can protect them.
•You will be expected to comply with the Trusts policies and procedures and undertake any Training offered as part of the post.
 

What's in it for you…!
•Gain experience in being involved with the Wildlife Trust and meet new people.
•Get to visit and see new wildlife sites in your area.
•This post could be combined with wildlife photography & sightings.
•Pride in helping to protect and increase numbers of our diminishing coastal birds!
•Training; H&S; area conservation status, designations and meanings; use of optical equipment.
•Binoculars, telescope and tripod can be provided along with shorebird identification guides to facilitate conversation and public engagement.
•Experience of working within a Charity.
 

Your Safety: You will be required to work in compliance with the Trust’s Health & Safety Policy and Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy at all times, taking appropriate action and reporting back on potential hazards, accidents and other issues such as evacuation and emergency procedures.
 

Expenses: Reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs such as parking fees if necessary, and other reasonable expenses as agreed with Trust manager.
 

Apply Now!