Volunteering

Why the Terns need you

It is without doubt that the recent success of the Gronant Little Terns is largely due to the commitment and effort of our Volunteer Wardens.  Whilst the population has stabilised thanks to conservation projects around the UK, habitat loss, climate change, predation and increased local beach use jeopardise their long term viability.

The importance of the Gronant dunes to the Little Tern in the UK cannot be understated. It’s home to the largest single site colony with 129 breeding pairs, the only breeding site in Wales, and up to 500 individuals will roost here during the summer months – that’s 25% of the UK’s population. Not to mention the other species that benefit from their protection, breeding skylarks, meadow pipits, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Stonechat, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting and Wheatear are all found breeding here.

We need your help with a wide variety of tasks, and to what degree you get involved with is entirely up to you. Any amount of time you can spare will always be most appreciated, even if it’s an hour a week.

Visitor engagement – Talk to visitors about the colony and the pressures the Little Terns face, recruiting volunteers, provide advice to beach users and dog walkers.

Educational assistance – Help the Little Tern Officer with people engagement, School visits to the colony, blog writing, and administrative tasks.

Colony monitoring – Help with nest marking; nest moving; counting chicks, fledglings and adults to ascertain colony productivity.

Data Collection – Get up close and intimate with the birds to  gather data for more in-depth studies from a pop up hide. This year we’re recording chick feeding rates and male/female incubation change over rates.

Predator Watch – Deter predators such as crows, kestrels and peregrines that can cause huge disruption. 

Site Packup ­– Help take down the fences at the end of the season.

What’s in it for you?

Meet new people and becoming a part of a community run conservation project.  Spend time on a beautiful Local Nature Reserve, with a host of well-deserved legislative protections (SSSI, SPA, NATURA 2000 etc) spot rare butterflies, orchids, mining bees, otters, dolphins, seals, waders the list goes on!

Learn more about seabird ecology, gain experience in the conservation sector and witness the drama of a tern colony unfold. Watch the colony progress and adapt to the changing conditions, following eggs to chicks to fledglings to long distant migrants in just a few months.

No specific skills are required as full training will be provided. Some walking down to the colony is necessary, as is the will to spend time outdoors in all weather conditions. 

Contact

Get in touch with Andrew Farrell (Little Tern Officer) on 01745 356197 or ajamesfarrell@gmail.com to discuss the opportunities. From beginning of May to mid-August.