Bird Ringing Camp Volunteer
Wild Areas Network
Volunteers welcome on our Bird Ringing Camps at the wild Polish Baltic Coast in October 2026. You have an opportunity to support one of the oldest bird ringing schemes of the World - Operation Baltic. You will help to handle captured birds, identify and ring them as well as with measuring, weighting and data entry tasks. You will get to know and distinguish every caught species by direct contact!
Work with Pioneers. Operation Baltic is a world-renowned bird research project going on for more than half a century. Nearly two million birds of 208 species have been ringed so far. The project is implemented in cooperation with top Polish and Foreign universities. Operation Baltic manages the most detailed database of vertebrate measurements of the world. Volunteers are a vital and valued part of this achievement.
What will I do? You will handle birds, taking them out of the nets. Our main duty will be to regularly (every hour) check mist nets installed near the camp. We will take captured birds to the base, where they will be identified, ringed and measured. We will weigh them and release them back to the wild. We will register all observations made by the Ringer in a special notebook.
Our unique feature is that EVERY PARTICIPANT WILL BE TRAINED TO HANDLE AND EXTRACT BIRDS from nets because in Poland it is the very first skill that you learn when training to be a Ringer. Important information for Ringers: due to Polish law regulations foreign ringing permit holders aren’t allowed to ring on Operation Baltic.
Where will I stay? In a truly unique place, in the heart of a well-known landscape park! The camp is located near the lagoon. We will sleep in tents provided on site, but you need your own sleeping bag. Thick, comfy mattresses and blankets are provided. There is a TOI-TOI toilet, access to a simply arranged camp shower and electricity from a generator. We cook common meals on a gas stove.
It is a unique, hands-on experience for Nature Lovers, Birdwatchers, Bird Ringers, Trainees and all Wildlife Enthusiasts.
PROJECT DATES:
CAMP I: 05-14.10.2026
CAMP II: 21-30.10.2026
Click here to find a detailed Information Pack answering further questions on volunteer tasks, organisation, safety, finance, equipment and others, and the Application Form. To apply, simply fill it in and send it back to us.
To learn more, visit our project website www.wildareas.net and Facebook: www.facebook.com/wildareas
Thank you for your passion for Birds and interest in our work and see you soon on the camp!
ATTENTION: We've received a large number of Applications even before we managed to officially announce the project dates and because of it all places for beginning Volunteers without bird handling experience are already taken - but we accept applications for the Waiting List. We still have spots for Candidates with experience with extraction of birds from mist nets - you are welcome to join us!
