Call for Twite monitoring volunteers!

Katie Aspin of the RSPB has asked me to post this - please get in contact wih her direct if you are intersted in helping this spring!

  

 Vo    Volunteer Role Profile

Role Title:	Twite Monitoring Volunteer.  Project Title – Twite use of trial feeding habitats
Where:	South Pennines farms near to Ripponden, Marsden, Littleborough, Walsden and Hurstwood
When:	March, April possibly into May
Commitment:	4 days minimum – each site will need to be visited at least 4 times over the monitoring period.
Why We Want You:	The twite is a 'red-listed' species whose population has declined substantially in England. To arrest this decline, trial management measures have been deployed at farms in the South Pennines to increase breeding season seed food availability. This project will collect bird and environmental data to evaluate the use of these habitats by foraging twite.
What’s In It For You:	A chance to get some practical experience of conservation monitoring work on a very rare bird, plus spectacular views of the South Pennines landscape and plenty of fresh air!
The Skills / Talents You’ll Need:	We are looking for somebody with good bird ID skills, preferably with previous experience of twite ID, both visually and on call.  Excellent observation skills and a methodical approach to data collection will be key, as will patience and persistence.  You will need to be physically fit to cope with the demands of working in the uplands.  We need someone who is comfortable working alone in remote areas, but who can communicate effectively with landholders and project staff.
Notes:	You will need to be able to travel to the farms, so your own transport is a must as most of the farms are in isolated locations. Training will be provided by RSPB staff.
For more information, contact:	Katie Aspin – Twite Project Officer Email – katrina.aspin@rspb.org.uk Phone - 07736722177