Research Assistant, Morfa Dinlle

The Rspb; Wales; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation charity is seeking a conservation officer to help improve the productivity of the Morfa Dinlle Lapwing colony. This role involves oversight of feeding operations, monitoring avian predators, and conducting field surveys. Candidates should have knowledge of Lapwing ecology and experience in bird surveying. The position is fixed-term at 37.5 hours per week, with potential for extension based on need. Accommodation assistance may be available.

Benefits

Accommodation assistance

Qualifications

• Knowledge of habitat requirements and predator identification.
• Experience in data management and report writing.
• Ability to communicate with landowners and the public.

Responsibilities

• Oversee diversionary feeding operation at RSPB Morfa Dinlle.
• Manage feeding station trail cameras and assess feeding regimes.
• Liaise with grazier about food distribution and record-keeping.
• Conduct Lapwing nest finding and monitoring activities.
• Deploy cameras for monitoring nest predators.

Skills

Knowledge of Lapwing ecology

Experience surveying nesting birds

Good organisational skills

Data collection and report writing

Verbal communication skills

Ability to work in extreme conditions

Education

Full driving licence valid for use in the UK

Tools

Trail cameras

Job description

The previously successful Morfa Dinlle Lapwing colony has suffered from poor productivity and falling populations for a number of years, with avian predation implicated as the main cause. This role gives the opportunity to help make a substantive difference to the fortunes of breeding waders at this site as well as assisting with monitoring & protection of other North Wales Lapwing sites. Tasks to include:

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the diversionary feeding operation at RSPB Morfa Dinlle.
• Manage feeding station trail cameras, review footage and assess the efficacy of feeding regimes in order to optimise feeding rates and locations of stations.
• Liaise with grazier about putting out food, and instruct on amounts, timings, record-keeping and moving feeding stations as required.
• With the grazier maintain meticulous records to note the amount and type of food put out, what items and quantities are taken by wildlife, and what items are not taken and have to be retrieved at each station.
• Sharing putting-out food duties with grazier.
• Maintain vegetation at feeding stations (occasional strimming/mowing).
• Lapwing nest finding and monitoring through the season.
• Deployment of cameras/temperature loggers to identify nest predators/time of nest predation events. Exact set up to be confirmed, trail cameras may be used to monitor nests as well as general recording of species using the site.
• Watches of the colony to attempt to observe chick/egg predation events.
• Thermal imaging surveys for nocturnal predators and assess whether there is any incursion by foxes or other species into the predator‑exclusion fence.
• Data management and report write‑up.
• Assist with monitoring & maintenance of the Morfa Dinlle anti‑predator fence.
• Maintain regular contact with reserve staff.
• Assist with wader surveys & protection at other sites notably Cae Lloda, and possibly Morfa Madryn, Cors Ddyga & Valley Wetlands if there are predator issues.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Lapwing ecology, habitat requirements and identification of the likely predators.
• Experience of surveying nesting birds, including waders.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to work in extreme conditions, sometimes for prolonged periods in the field.
• Data collection and report writing.
• Verbal communication skills to develop and maintain good relations with landowners and members of the public.
• Full driving licence valid for use in the UK.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Written and spoken Welsh.
• Experience of using trail cameras.

Please note that help with accommodation could be given.

We have an exciting opportunity to explore and develop diversionary feeding as a new technique to reduce predation at Morfa Dinlle Reserve, one of North Wales's most important breeding Lapwing colonies. We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature's side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre‑existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract. 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.

This is a 3.5 month fixed‑term role for 37.5 hours per week. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.