Volunteering opportunities - Surveying and monitoring

We are currently recruiting for this role.

This is a new and flexible role that can be shaped to suit you. Whether you want to get out for a ramble or get your birding hat on and analyse bird data, we'd love to hear from you.

You will work alongside the Brue Valley reserve team and other volunteers to collect and/or analyse data recorded by Wildlife Bio-acoustic Sensors. The sensors are mobile recording devices that ‘listen’ and can record bird, bug and bat song. The current focus is birds with an intention to include bats this year. The sensors are battery powered and data is stored on an SD card which is then transferred to an online system. Once collected the data is run through an AI software, like the ‘Merlin’ app, but far more intelligent and accurate and we analyse the data and compare this to person led survey data which will help advice the Trust on practical habitat management and keep greater, consistent data. 

For those who are either unable to access reserves or more interested in the data rather than the practical side, we are also hoping for volunteers who are keen to analyse the data we collect. With in-person training at our offices, volunteers can learn to use the platform Wilder Sensing, a company we work closely with to upload SD cards and analyse data. This data is vital to help us keep consistent records, help lead our practical habitat work and see what changes are happening as time progresses and we see the effects of climate change. The sensors have been running for several years, but the data has not been hugely explored, so we have lots of opportunities to look at historical and present data. 

What is the time commitment?

To get the most out of this role, we’re looking for practical rangers who can dedicate a few hours, one day a week, to walk reserves. As staff, we do this on Mondays, but there is potential for this to be done on an alternative weekday.

Those interested in analysing data will have more flexibility on time commitments. There is opportunity to do a few hours a month to a few hours a week depending on want and workload. This can be done on weekends if you choose, but a weekly check in with staff would be required, which would take place on a weekday.

You'd be suited to this role if..

The most important thing we are looking for is people who are passionate about wildlife and the fantastic habitats of the Avalon Marshes. This opportunity is ideal for someone who is committed to volunteering and willing to learn, so we can achieve our goals for nature. You’ll particularly enjoy this opportunity if:

• You love birds.
• You love a walk and getting off the beaten track.
• You love data.
• If you want to give back but have limited time and resources.
• You want to learn and improve your species and technology skills.
• You want to meet likeminded individuals.
• You love bats.
• You have no experience in conservation and want to dip your toe in. 

You don’t need any experience, but we are after volunteers who:

• Have a basic understanding of how apps/computer devices work.
• Access to a smartphone that can download apps
• If interested in analysing data, have access to their own laptop and Wi-Fi

If you're interested in this role and would like to find out more please email volunteering@somersetwildlife.org.

We are not currently recruiting for this role.

We have a team of volunteers to monitor moths at Westhay Moor from April to September. This role involves working as part of a team, setting up traps in the afternoon and checking them early the following morning. The aim is to do this twice a month which will allow us to see the seasonal changes.

No experience is needed, as tis project relies on app based identification using your mobile phone. If you are interested in getting involved or have any questions, please contact Rebecca Hardwick - rebecca.hardwick@somersetwildlife.org -  or Fred Giles - fred.giles@gotmail.co.uk 

We are not currently recruiting for this role.

Central to our efforts at Honeygar, our invaluable Honeygar Rangers have been pivotal in ongoing monitoring and conservation efforts. Their unwavering dedication has enabled us to conduct species surveys across a spectrum of taxa, from specialised sessions focused on fungi, plant gall, flies, moths, grasshoppers, and crickets to broader species surveys, hydrological monitoring and managing our Wilder Sensing project.

We are currently recruiting for more volunteers to join are existing team and continue to help us evidence change and nature's recovery at Honeygar. There are a range of tasks to get involved in:

Biotic surveys; Butterflies, bumblebees, moths, ditch invertebrates, dragonflies, birds, mammals, camera trapping, malaise traps, flies

Abiotic surveys; Water table depth (dipwells) and greenhouse gas monitoring

Other work; Litter picking, maintenance of monitoring equipment

The majority of tasks take place on a Monday, but this can be flexible depending on the task.

All the information collected will be used to inform our pioneering work at Honeygar and be fed into larger datasets held by the Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC) to evidence nature's recovery across the county. This is in addition to contributing to ongoing scientific reserve by academic institutions such as University of the West of England and the University of Bristol.

The most important thing we are looking for is people who are passionate about wildlife and the fantastic habitats of the Avalon Marshes. Honeygar is the most ambitious project SWT have taken on and we are looking for people who are dedicated, reliable and willing to learn, so we can achieve our goals for Honeygar and the rest of the County. Training will be provided by Joe and other volunteers.

Please email volunteering@somersetwildlife.org with any queries or questions about this group. If you are interested in volunteering at Honeygar, please list your skills and experience when emailing. You don't need to be an expert, but knowing your experience and interests will help us to recruit a range of volunteers who can support with the many different surveys taking place!

Somerset Wildlife Trust works with a number of specialist interest groups dedicated to conserving and recording Somerset’s rich wildlife, habitats and varied geology. 

Joining these groups is one of the best ways to get actively involved in recording and get support from fellow enthusiasts. You can find out more about each of the counties specialist groups and how to get in touch with them here: Species and habitat groups | Somerset Wildlife Trust

As a Wilder Land Management Advisor, you will visit private and community spaces to share your knowledge and give encouraging guidance on how to improve, manage and monitor spaces for wildlife. Some sites may have fairly limited value for wildlife but be ripe for improvement, other sites may be of local significance such as Local (County) Wildlife Sites.

This is an advisory role; you will not be asked to complete practical management tasks or full surveys when visiting sites.

You can view the full role profile here. If you are interested in the role or have any further questions please get in touch by emailing volunteering@somersetwildlife.org.

Somerset Wildlife Trust is a partner to the Pine Martens Bounce Back project, led by Devon Wildlife Trust. There are a variety of opportunities available, including practical conservation, monitoring, community engagement and desk-based tasks. Opportunities will change as the project progresses so if you don’t see anything that appeals to you now, do keep checking back. For details on what is currently available and to sign-up, please visit https://twomoorspinemartens.org/volunteering-opportunities/