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.

The Ayrshire Rivers Trust is made up of a team of dedicated Ayrshire based biologists, ecologists and environmental managers working to improve our rivers and lochs. What you might be doing as a volunteer? - There may be availability to take part in electrofishing surveys during summer months – contact the Trust for more information. - Tree planting and native seed collection. - Assisting with our tree nursery. - Green engineering – we routinely undertake green engineering installations and projects. What are the benefits to volunteer with ART? - It adds to your education from school to postgraduate - It promotes health and wellbeing - It increases social conscience - It makes you feel part of a community - It promotes inclusion - It encourages environmental benefit

As Part Of The Angus Council Holiday Programme , We Are Looking For Additional Volunteers During The Angus School Holidays in 2024 Saturday 6th April & Sunday 7th April Friday 28 June to Monday 12 August 2024 Monday 7 October to Friday 18 October Friockheim Park Community Volunteers Are Offering Stay & Play Sessions At All These Sessions We Will Be Providing Hot/Cold Drinks, Refreshments & Fresh Fruit To Both Children & Adults. You Will Be Part Of A Team Of Volunteers Running Each Session Which Will Be Held On A Variety Of Days Throughout The Holidays, An Enhanced PVG Will Be Required For This Role. Please See Below Sections With More Information. We Look Forward To Hearing From You Soon.

WDCS Shorewatch programme is looking for dedicated volunteers to carry out 10 minute whale and dolphin monitoring surveys ('Shorewatch') from designated watching sites along the Scottish Coastline., and at points in Caithness. Volunteers will be trained to identify common whale, dolphin and porpoise species found in Scottish waters, use specialised watching equipment and record presence and absense sightings data. The programme aims to provide long term, regular and year-round monitoring at sites of particular interest. With the aim of learning more about how whales and dolphins use these areas; highlighting any changes in distribution and behaviour. By collecting information to help WDCS understand more about whales and dolphins locally, volunteers will be actively contributing to their protection. This opportunity is active all year around.