RSPB

Breeding Wader Monitoring Officer

Reference: JAN20262062
Location: Lower Lough Erne Island Reserve
Terms: 7 months, Fixed-Term, Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £27,123.00 - £28,956.00 Pro Rata

Lower Lough Erne is one of the last strongholds for curlews and other breeding waders in NI. Curlews in NI specifically have declined by 82% since the 80’s. With only an estimated 250 pairs left we are in a race against time to stabilise and reverse this population decline.

PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.

About PEACEPLUS Nature

PEACEPLUS Nature is an ambitious €20.8 million project that will bring together nine partners RSPB NI, BirdWatch Ireland, Butterfly Conservation, Monaghan County Council, River Blackwater Catchment Trust, Truagh Development Association, Lough Neagh Partnership, NI Water and An Taisce - The National Trust for Ireland) to tackle the decline in priority species and habitats across Northern Ireland and bordering counties.

The project will work to restore lowland wet grassland and limestone grassland and priority species from breeding waders to Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, as well as support peatland restoration works.

The Role

Your role will be to collect data on the breeding ecology of curlews and other wader species.

This will include

• Mapping the distribution, abundance and behaviour of breeding curlews and other bird species, habitat surveys,
• Predator scat surveys
• Data entry.
• Working within the Reserve Team to help provide more hands-on conservation work such as nest finding/monitoring and habitat management.

   
Essential:

• Working knowledge of the wildlife and habitats of the area
• Experience in bird surveys and monitoring.
• Ability to identify a wide range of breeding birds by sight and sound, specifically waders.
• Ability to undertake demanding fieldwork in remote areas for long, unsociable hours and in poor weather.
• Ability to navigate using a map, compass and GPS.
• Strong data management and accurate data entry skills
• Full drivers’ licence valid for use in the UK and access to a vehicle for the duration of the contract

   
Desirable:

• Experience of undertaking breeding wader surveys
• Practical experience of quantitative habitat surveys.
• Experience managing volunteers.
• Knowledge of/experience with different monitoring tools such as camera traps and passive acoustic monitoring.
• Boat handling or willingness to learn.

  
Closing: 15th February

Link to complete your application online here

Closing Date: 15/02/2026  Location: Lower Lough Erne Island Reserve