Inspirational stories from volunteers helping to save species in trouble

Stone-curlews nest on the ground which makes their nests and chicks vulnerable to disturbance. Volunteers are working with landowners to help keep chicks safe. © Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com).

 

The Stone-curlew fieldworker role is highly specialised, requiring lots of training and experience to do effectively, and special licenses needed to intervene and rescue chicks. As Stone-curlew are highly vulnerable to disturbance, this is not done lightly, and only when absolutely necessary. Ed goes on to describe the process involved with finding and moving the chicks:

“Once we have our nest, priority one is to let the landowner know and then work out when it is due to hatch, so we know whether there will be chicks to find and rescue when the field is next due to be worked. Their defence mechanism of crouching and not moving has served Stone-curlew well over thousands of years, but it doesn't work when a tractor approaches and that is when we step in and keep them safe for the time it takes for the tractor to pass.

Of course, finding the chicks is easier said than done - you might think that one of these new-fangled thermal imagers would do the trick, but the ground is often so hot that every single stone (of which there are countless thousands) glows on screen like a bird!  But they can be found and when they are we keep them safe while the machinery passes – allowing the chicks to safely fledge and bolster the population in coming years.

I count myself incredibly fortunate to have the time and opportunity to work with these rare and fascinating birds and do something to help give them a future in these very challenging times.” 

To give beach-nesting birds such as Little Tern pictured here, a helping hand, volunteers are helping to protect the birds from disturbance and predation at key sites © Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com).

Rebekah jumped at the chance to do night shifts, and recalls that “during the induction, one of the staff spoke about the night shifts, the golden hour that we could witness, and the experiences we could obtain. Instantly I knew I wanted to do as many night shifts as I could, fitting it around my day job.” 

“I began my first night shift at 10 pm in the middle of June, wrapped up warm with many layers, thermals, waterproofs, a woolly hat, gloves, flask filled with hot coffee and snacks. Sitting in a camping chair can be very comfy until it gets very cold. Fortunately, blankets were available to use, and sudden spurts of bats and moths flew over one’s head and gave me a buzz, excitedly looking for more wildlife in the sky.” 

A favourite memory was watching the Little Terns wake up in the morning and “to witness them fly up, fluttering over the sea and quickly diving in to catch the first meal of the day for their chicks. Listening to their calls which are so distinct, it made my heart flutter, and the first time I saw a chick, my heart burst into happiness, knowing for a fact this is the environment I want to be in. How small they are! Little balls of speckled fluff.” 

“During the night shifts, you literally have to be the watchful eye, a protector to help the success of the breeding Little Terns. To physically chase away the predators with a shaker (a bottle with small stones and pebbles in it).” 

Little Terns gathered on the shore at dawn in East Norfolk. Volunteers help the team to do night shifts, detecting and deterring potential predators such as Foxes using ‘shakers’, thermal imaging cameras and powerful torches. Whilst doing so they experience spectacular sunsets and sunrises. © Will Bevan/RSPB.

“Working as a bird warden is so much more than looking after the birds, you are able to gain transferable skills, work as a team, get the chance to take part in other events such as witnessing Kestrel chicks being ringed, working on RSPB sites such as Berney Marshes which is engulfed in magical greenery and wildlife, or taking part in public days such as ‘’Smooch your Pooch’’ promoting responsible dog walking during the breeding season.

Being given the chance to take part in volunteering with the RSPB has been an amazing opportunity that I have thoroughly enjoyed, and I look forward to the next season.” 

Picture booth for 'Smooch Your Pooch' dog walker engagement event (left) and the stand for the event with information, dog leads and treats (right) © Rebekah Wall.

Volunteers are helping the Red Kite population of Northern Ireland to recover. © Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com).

Jacqui’s role involves managing groups of volunteers working on species recovery projects, dealing with queries, and recruiting new members to the team. It’s not just her new-found knowledge of birds that helps make Jacqui’s volunteering experience so rewarding; it’s the people too.

 

Jacqui is passionate about making sure the volunteers she works with feel valued. By getting to know each individual, she discovers what it is that drives them: “That can help me to make sure their volunteering experience is enjoyable, something they look forward to doing”.

Similarly, Jacqui is always keen to hear ideas from volunteers on how things could be done better: “That’s it, that’s how we’re going to grow. That’s how we’re going to make sure that every little thing is done to the best of our abilities – by making sure we get everybody’s input".