Do you enjoy meeting new people and are interested in protecting Orkney’s wildlife? Becoming a Little Tern Volunteer could be the role for you! Our Orkney team are looking for volunteers to be a regular presence to talk to visitors at Barrier 4 beach in Burray in May and June to raise awareness of nesting little terns. Why we need you: Species on the Edge is a partnership of NatureScot and seven conservation charities dedicated to improving the future of 37 of the rarest and most threatened species on Scotland’s coasts and islands. Orkney is one of seven Species on the Edge project areas, and the team are working to protect nine target species across the county: Great yellow bumblebee; curlew; lapwing; Arctic tern; little tern; plantain leaf beetle; common pipistrelle bat; oysterplant; and Scottish primrose. These species are all struggling and in decline and our islands are some of their last strongholds. The beach at Barrier 4 provides a vital feeding and nesting habitat for Orkney’s little terns and is the UK’s most northerly little tern colony. The colony has been successfully expanding over recent years helped by RSPB Scotland’s annual Little Tern Schools Project in collaboration with Burray Primary and Hope Primary schools. This year we want to increase protection of this little tern site to help us talk to beach users about these special birds and how to access the beach responsibly to minimise wildlife disturbance. Each spring, the Orkney RSPB team erect signage and marker posts around the colony to explain how the public can help the terns by staying out of their nesting area. Unfortunately, incidents of human, dog and predator disturbance (crows, gulls, skuas and birds of prey) do take place and we want to reduce this by providing more of a regular presence at the beach to monitor this and engage with visitors more. This is a fantastic opportunity to increase understanding and appreciation of the little terns, as well as other beach-nesting species such as ringed plover which also breed on the site and are vulnerable to disturbance.   What you will do: • Help the Orkney RSPB team to erect fencing and signage at Barrier 4 beach in April • Helping the RSPB Learning Officer with school beach cleans and educational visits which may include making and putting out tern decoys and chick shelters • Be on a volunteer watch rota in May and June as a regular presence at the beach • Welcome and talk to visitors about the little terns and other Orkney wildlife • Promote responsible access and visitor use and enjoyment of Orkney coastal environments • Keep notes of numbers of little terns and any human or predator disturbance seen • Check tern signage and fencing is intact, and safely remove beach litter where possible What will you gain from the experience? • Opportunities to meet new people and volunteer with others in a group • A chance to see and learn more about Orkney's important wildlife • Developing your skills in communication and community engagement • Experience of working within the conservation sector connecting people to nature in Orkney • Training and support and being part of the friendly Orkney team • Being part of the Species on the Edge programme making a difference for species, nature, and the environment.

Volunteers are required to carry out 10-minute whale and dolphin (cetacean) watches from designated sites along the Scottish coastline. Volunteers will be trained up to identify common cetacean species found in Scottish waters, use specialised watching equipment and record presence and absence sightings data. Their current survey locations in Orkney are Hoxa Head, the Gloup, Ness bunker (Stromness), Broch of Gurness and Yesnaby

An exciting opportunity to join the Under the Trees team, working in the great and beautiful outdoors whilst gaining valuable experience working with young children and young adults. You will potentially be working in all weathers and in all seasons - we can provide waterproofs! Under the Trees runs fun and educational sessions for school children in the Falkirk and Stirling areas, as well as a programme of public events for all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Events run all year round. As a Volunteer Education Assistant, there will be opportunities for you to do a range of the following: - Assist with Educational Sessions for school groups, including term-time forest schools. - Assist with sessions for the general public, including a monthly nature club for ages 0-13. - Assist with holiday play sessions and family events. - Plan and lead in activities. - Maintain resources effectively. - Keep session areas safe and tidy. - Desk-based activities in planning, creating materials and administration.

Murton Trust is a registered charity and Murton Farm, Tea Room and Nature Reserve is also a popular visitor attraction based 2 miles outside of Forfar, Angus and currently has opportunities for anyone interested in volunteering. Do you have a few hours to spare? Would you like to get involved in helping Murton Trust? As an adult volunteer with us you can share a particular skill you have whether that be organisational providing office support, photography social media, estate management & animal handling. However experience or specific skill set is not needed as we will provide training to volunteers. If you have the ability to work independently this is highly advantageous however should you require a bit of support this is also available for limited number of people too. If you are interested or would like to find out more please get in touch.